myrdyr's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5 stars. I liked the storyline, especially the continued inclusion of characters who are undocumented immigrants, but I found Vega to be immature and selfish for most of the book. Thankfully, he smartens up by the end. I am looking forward to finding out what happens to Vega, Joy and Adele in the next instalment.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
This was oddly mixed: at times boring and at other times sad. The fictional setting, a town with both very wealthy whites and day-laboring Hispanics, is very well described, as are the people. The central mystery of whose baby, and what happened to the mother, is rather sad and realistic. But the interactions between Jimmy and Adele were what sank this for me - too much of the internal monologues, too many switches between narrators. This trend towards multiple POVs and creating "real" characters doesn't always work and editors should try to caution writers against it.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
This was oddly mixed: at times boring and at other times sad. The fictional setting, a town with both very wealthy whites and day-laboring Hispanics, is very well described, as are the people. The central mystery of whose baby, and what happened to the mother, is rather sad and realistic. But the interactions between Jimmy and Adele were what sank this for me - too much of the internal monologues, too many switches between narrators. This trend towards multiple POVs and creating "real" characters doesn't always work and editors should try to caution writers against it.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
4.0
Vega is a great character and these stories with an immigration theme are absolutely timely. Very solid mysteries that will make you think hard about what is going on in our country right now.
readinggrrl's review against another edition
4.0
This book really shines the light on the plight of undocumented workers and how they can be taken advantage of and also the uncertainty of what can happen to families if they are caught. While investigating the death of an infant Vega stumbles upon a many women being taken advantage of and the culture of silence that protects their perpetrators.
While touching on very important issues that aren't always brought to light, this book also has a great underlying mystery. The book deals with rape and murder but doesn't involve graphic violence. There are multiple twists and turns that keep you reading and overall this was just a really enjoyable book. There was great character development that helped move the story along and I look forward to reading more of this series.
While touching on very important issues that aren't always brought to light, this book also has a great underlying mystery. The book deals with rape and murder but doesn't involve graphic violence. There are multiple twists and turns that keep you reading and overall this was just a really enjoyable book. There was great character development that helped move the story along and I look forward to reading more of this series.
ctorretta's review against another edition
The first chapter had a lot of promise and I started by being really curious about the main relationship and what the infant was going to do to their relationship. Sadly, I had to put the book down and when I came back to it, I could not find the allure that I loved so much in that first chapter.
I starts with a couple having relationship issues. But, when you make choices there are consequences. Sadly, not putting the job first created a consequence that made Adele even more upset. This entire first chapter had me on the edge of my seat.
This impact can be felt to the very soul! The writing is tremendous and I wanted to continue reading but sadly other obligations in life took over and had me setting the book aside time and time again. Each time I picked it up I felt less of that initial impact. It was like the life of the story was gone, for me.
As the story progresses I realized that it just was not for me. Reading other Goodreads accounts I see that many, many enjoy this enough to give it fives. The writing is definitely good. Maybe it is the fact that this is a second book and I had not read the first. I did feel a disconnect with so many of the characters. I could not pull forth any empathy even though a lot of serious stuff was going on in this small town.
In short: This is a serious mystery, not your Cat Who type. The flow is quite good but I just felt disconnected. I am sure those that are fans of Suzanne will not feel the same way.
Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I starts with a couple having relationship issues. But, when you make choices there are consequences. Sadly, not putting the job first created a consequence that made Adele even more upset. This entire first chapter had me on the edge of my seat.
This impact can be felt to the very soul! The writing is tremendous and I wanted to continue reading but sadly other obligations in life took over and had me setting the book aside time and time again. Each time I picked it up I felt less of that initial impact. It was like the life of the story was gone, for me.
As the story progresses I realized that it just was not for me. Reading other Goodreads accounts I see that many, many enjoy this enough to give it fives. The writing is definitely good. Maybe it is the fact that this is a second book and I had not read the first. I did feel a disconnect with so many of the characters. I could not pull forth any empathy even though a lot of serious stuff was going on in this small town.
In short: This is a serious mystery, not your Cat Who type. The flow is quite good but I just felt disconnected. I am sure those that are fans of Suzanne will not feel the same way.
Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
kristindowner's review against another edition
5.0
Originally Posted: http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-review-a-blossom-of-bright-light-by-suzanne-chazin/
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
I love a good mystery. I have requirements to fill in order for a book to get the highest ratings. It has to be believable. It has to flow smoothly. And it has to have well-written character development and an ending you'd never guess. Suzanne Chazin nailed it on the head.
"A Blossom of Bright Light", the second book in the Jimmy Vega stories by Chazin, follows the story of New York homicide detective Jimmy Vega. One not foreign to struggle and violence, Vega finds himself battling a murder that would give anyone goosebumps. A newborn baby's body has been found, umbilical cord still attached, and no one to claim the body. Found near a popular community center, Vega finds himself twisted in a little closer than he cares for when the Hispanic community involved doesn't trust cops due to a recent deportation order on one of their own, and a girlfriend smack in the center. Vega is the type of cop you would want working on a case if you wanted justice served. He is a no nonsense type with the need to see it through to the end... no matter what his superiors say.
Chazin wrote characters that fit the story, developed them out and allowed the reader (myself) to peel back layers as if they were an onion. If you thought you knew everything, you didn't. And if you think you have it all figured out... you don't. With so many story lines going on, I thought I would dislike this story. I'm not a fan of multiple stories that end up tying into one because in the beginning it can be confusing. But Chazin pulled it off. Each story told an important part of the tale and slowly they wound together until an explosive climax. The story was visually rich and compelling the whole way. I couldn't put it down. If you are a fan of mystery, suspense, and a bit of scare... then pick up "A Blossom of Bright Light". This book will keep you guessing and flipping pages straight through to the very end. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
I love a good mystery. I have requirements to fill in order for a book to get the highest ratings. It has to be believable. It has to flow smoothly. And it has to have well-written character development and an ending you'd never guess. Suzanne Chazin nailed it on the head.
"A Blossom of Bright Light", the second book in the Jimmy Vega stories by Chazin, follows the story of New York homicide detective Jimmy Vega. One not foreign to struggle and violence, Vega finds himself battling a murder that would give anyone goosebumps. A newborn baby's body has been found, umbilical cord still attached, and no one to claim the body. Found near a popular community center, Vega finds himself twisted in a little closer than he cares for when the Hispanic community involved doesn't trust cops due to a recent deportation order on one of their own, and a girlfriend smack in the center. Vega is the type of cop you would want working on a case if you wanted justice served. He is a no nonsense type with the need to see it through to the end... no matter what his superiors say.
Chazin wrote characters that fit the story, developed them out and allowed the reader (myself) to peel back layers as if they were an onion. If you thought you knew everything, you didn't. And if you think you have it all figured out... you don't. With so many story lines going on, I thought I would dislike this story. I'm not a fan of multiple stories that end up tying into one because in the beginning it can be confusing. But Chazin pulled it off. Each story told an important part of the tale and slowly they wound together until an explosive climax. The story was visually rich and compelling the whole way. I couldn't put it down. If you are a fan of mystery, suspense, and a bit of scare... then pick up "A Blossom of Bright Light". This book will keep you guessing and flipping pages straight through to the very end. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
petra_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the first Jimmy Vega mystery, [b:Land of Careful Shadows|20949503|Land of Careful Shadows (Jimmy Vega Mystery, #1)|Suzanne Chazin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400895410s/20949503.jpg|40321047]. With this one, [a:Suzanne Chazin|764784|Suzanne Chazin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1472697113p2/764784.jpg] has raised the bar. I had a few minor issues with the writing in the first book, this one was flawless.
While this works a stand-alone mystery, I think part of the reason I enjoyed it so much is the fact that I was already familiar with Detective Jimmy Vega and Adele Figueroa, with whom Jimmy is now in a relationship. Jimmy and Adele are trying to make their relationship work, but then a decision they make one evening results in both of them feeling guilty for the death of a newborn baby.
[a:Suzanne Chazin|764784|Suzanne Chazin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1472697113p2/764784.jpg] once again tackles the issues of immigration and the lives and relationships of documented and undocumented immigrants. The focus on the lives of children faced with the deportation of a parent was truly heart-breaking. Ms. Chazin has an amazing talent for making all the characters feel incredibly authentic. I think it would be hard to read this book with its wonderful imagery and not feel deeply touched by it. The sense of doom that kept building right up to the suspenseful finale kept me listening to this for hours on end. The audio is narrated by Thom Rivera and he does a fantastic job. So much so, that I have purchased the next audiobook in this series although I already had the print version via NetGalley.
A really compelling and powerful mystery, which is topical and contains subtle but thought-provoking social commentary. Highly recommended if you enjoy character-driven crime fiction with an intelligent storyline.
While this works a stand-alone mystery, I think part of the reason I enjoyed it so much is the fact that I was already familiar with Detective Jimmy Vega and Adele Figueroa, with whom Jimmy is now in a relationship. Jimmy and Adele are trying to make their relationship work, but then a decision they make one evening results in both of them feeling guilty for the death of a newborn baby.
[a:Suzanne Chazin|764784|Suzanne Chazin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1472697113p2/764784.jpg] once again tackles the issues of immigration and the lives and relationships of documented and undocumented immigrants. The focus on the lives of children faced with the deportation of a parent was truly heart-breaking. Ms. Chazin has an amazing talent for making all the characters feel incredibly authentic. I think it would be hard to read this book with its wonderful imagery and not feel deeply touched by it. The sense of doom that kept building right up to the suspenseful finale kept me listening to this for hours on end. The audio is narrated by Thom Rivera and he does a fantastic job. So much so, that I have purchased the next audiobook in this series although I already had the print version via NetGalley.
A really compelling and powerful mystery, which is topical and contains subtle but thought-provoking social commentary. Highly recommended if you enjoy character-driven crime fiction with an intelligent storyline.
lauraellis's review against another edition
4.0
Such a good book. So well-written. A good mystery and a very powerful, wrenching story for our times, one that powerfully individualizes immigrants and the difficulty and trauma of being an immigrant, particularly Latinx, today. If you don’t identify with, hope for, despair with young Luna ....
ranaelizabeth's review
4.0
What can I say about this, the second in the series, that I didn't say in my review of the first? Especially considering that I finished the first and immediately went out and downloaded the second. An excellent series that I'll be keeping track of.
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