mylasteve's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sarahav47's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
happily_undignified's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
"I control what I can: the stories I tell. Who I tell them to." ⠀
⠀
Mark Oshiro, Into The Light⠀
⠀
Into The Light by Mark Oshiro was a heavy book with a slightly supernatural twist that included difficult themes like religious cults, abuse of foster care children, homelessness, and conversion camps. ⠀
⠀
Main character Manny is a jaded, queer, teen who is running from his past but also wants to confront it to try to save his sister from the evil people who have brainwashed her. The story follows his haphazard journey down the California coast as he comes to terms with his trauma and learns to trust the people who come alongside him to help. ⠀
⠀
I enjoyed the first person narration and Manny's cynical yet hopeful personality. The religious trauma was hard to read through but I found it incredibly authentic. This is a remarkable story with an autobiographical feel and I loved the supernatural twist.
⠀
Mark Oshiro, Into The Light⠀
⠀
Into The Light by Mark Oshiro was a heavy book with a slightly supernatural twist that included difficult themes like religious cults, abuse of foster care children, homelessness, and conversion camps. ⠀
⠀
Main character Manny is a jaded, queer, teen who is running from his past but also wants to confront it to try to save his sister from the evil people who have brainwashed her. The story follows his haphazard journey down the California coast as he comes to terms with his trauma and learns to trust the people who come alongside him to help. ⠀
⠀
I enjoyed the first person narration and Manny's cynical yet hopeful personality. The religious trauma was hard to read through but I found it incredibly authentic. This is a remarkable story with an autobiographical feel and I loved the supernatural twist.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Murder, Religious bigotry, Grief, Homophobia, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Racism
i_readsandbujos's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
elliott_roi's review
4.0
May change my rating cuz I'm still processing but here's a few initial thoughts:
• I love queer stories about religious trauma and that aspect was very well done.
• The twist didn't quite have enough build up, in my opinion. I had a lot of theories, but at no point did I consider that as a possibility. But at the same time, it felt quite poetic, which matched with the writing style, so I think I can understand it somewhat.
• I was very invested in the mystery, up to the very last line, which I always appreciate in this type of story!
• The overall tension and spooky vibes were just great 👌
• I love queer stories about religious trauma and that aspect was very well done.
• The twist didn't quite have enough build up, in my opinion. I had a lot of theories, but at no point did I consider that as a possibility. But at the same time, it felt quite poetic, which matched with the writing style, so I think I can understand it somewhat.
• I was very invested in the mystery, up to the very last line, which I always appreciate in this type of story!
• The overall tension and spooky vibes were just great 👌
lindzmace's review
got an arc from netgalley!
i only made it to page 2. but i already have something to say. and it is this: can we just fucking stop with the phrase "empty calories" already? are we trying to give people eating disorders? seriously. not off to a good start, my dude. this is a ya book. the teens do not need this. it doesn't serve a purpose and also i stupid.
not getting a star rating because i don't want to read beyond this and as such won't.
i only made it to page 2. but i already have something to say. and it is this: can we just fucking stop with the phrase "empty calories" already? are we trying to give people eating disorders? seriously. not off to a good start, my dude. this is a ya book. the teens do not need this. it doesn't serve a purpose and also i stupid.
not getting a star rating because i don't want to read beyond this and as such won't.
sharpiemyshoe's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
apollohere's review
5.0
Heartbreaking and beautiful. Definitely worth a read. Especially for a gay ex mormon
sglance9's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
library_of_allie's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy!
Ever since reading Anger is a Gift, I have admired Mark Oshiro for his writing style. He writes dark and horrible events in a way that makes it feel even worse than it already is. He excels at writing haunting stories that make one feel uncomfortable yet effective in every way possible. He isn't afraid to shy away from how vile the world is.
Many of these elements are present in Into the Light, and it is paired with an element of mystery that keeps the reader guessing. And oh, does it keep you guessing. There are so many instances were I thought that answers were finally going to be given, only for the perspective to change the next page and leave me waiting once again. But the story works well, in that sense. It slowly builds up the characters and plot as more details are revealed, both ones that craft these characters into complex people, and plot elements that continue to haunt the reader.
However, it is when the hinted at twist comes in that the story starts to wavier for me. The twist seemingly comes from out of no where, with no build up or hints leading up to it. And it is disappointing, quite honestly. It feels like a cop out; like Oshiro couldn't possibly come up with another explanation for everything that has happened up to that point. But I feel like Oshiro is more than capable of doing so, and it leaves me questioning this twist. Perhaps it is a metaphor that I haven't caught onto yet, or something else of that nature. But no matter the reasoning, it was a decision that is controversial, and I can't say that I am a fan of it.
Regardless, the good elements of this book are still there, so it is hard for me to not recommend it based solely on that. Casting the questionable plot twist aside, this is still Oshiro's dark but potent writing, and it will leave your heart racing at every turn of page.
Ever since reading Anger is a Gift, I have admired Mark Oshiro for his writing style. He writes dark and horrible events in a way that makes it feel even worse than it already is. He excels at writing haunting stories that make one feel uncomfortable yet effective in every way possible. He isn't afraid to shy away from how vile the world is.
Many of these elements are present in Into the Light, and it is paired with an element of mystery that keeps the reader guessing. And oh, does it keep you guessing. There are so many instances were I thought that answers were finally going to be given, only for the perspective to change the next page and leave me waiting once again. But the story works well, in that sense. It slowly builds up the characters and plot as more details are revealed, both ones that craft these characters into complex people, and plot elements that continue to haunt the reader.
However, it is when the hinted at twist comes in that the story starts to wavier for me. The twist seemingly comes from out of no where, with no build up or hints leading up to it. And it is disappointing, quite honestly. It feels like a cop out; like Oshiro couldn't possibly come up with another explanation for everything that has happened up to that point. But I feel like Oshiro is more than capable of doing so, and it leaves me questioning this twist. Perhaps it is a metaphor that I haven't caught onto yet, or something else of that nature. But no matter the reasoning, it was a decision that is controversial, and I can't say that I am a fan of it.
Regardless, the good elements of this book are still there, so it is hard for me to not recommend it based solely on that. Casting the questionable plot twist aside, this is still Oshiro's dark but potent writing, and it will leave your heart racing at every turn of page.