A review by redsrecs
Lightlark by Alex Aster
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-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
3.75
With the controversy surrounding this book the online reviews have either been really good or really bad and I was honestly a bit scared to get into this book.
Ultimately I got this book because it was pretty and I needed a pick-me-up. Thank you to Alicia for reading this book with me!
Here is my honest unbiased review.
Firstly we need to consider the fact that this in fact considered a young adult book. That being said, it contains more spice than most YA books would, but overall it's done really well. This also impacts a lot of the language being used such as calling the sun yolky, a cliff cliffy, or mentioning starsticks, Moonlings, Wildlings, Sunlings; you get the picture.
This language isn't prominent throughout but it was weird reading it initially, overall you do get used to it though especially since the writing is really good.
The plot isn't straightforward in the beginning but as we progress things become more interesting and in the last third of the book things really pick up and become exciting. In parallel the pace was similar, starting out slow and moving into a faster pace.
The world-building is done fairly well although I do still have questions around exactly where the realms are since there is no map in this book and it's not explained in detail.
Moving on to the characters, there are so many whom I really enjoyed, but our FMC got on my nerves for a while. Once again, consider that this book is YA. Isla (pronounced EYES-la) is very naïve and indecisive and seems to be unable to choose anything for herself. She grew up sheltered and dependent on those around her and she brings that with her into the Centennial even after being trained her entire life for it. Luckily, there is some serious character development towards the end of the book and overall she becomes a character that I can love.
Lastly, there ends up being two love interests (of course) and you go on first-time romance ride with Isla figuring out how to love and how she feels about it. There are mentions of spicy dreams that she has as well as a spicy scene at one point with one of our love interests.
Overall I really enjoyed Lightlark and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA writing.
Ultimately I got this book because it was pretty and I needed a pick-me-up. Thank you to Alicia for reading this book with me!
Here is my honest unbiased review.
Firstly we need to consider the fact that this in fact considered a young adult book. That being said, it contains more spice than most YA books would, but overall it's done really well. This also impacts a lot of the language being used such as calling the sun yolky, a cliff cliffy, or mentioning starsticks, Moonlings, Wildlings, Sunlings; you get the picture.
This language isn't prominent throughout but it was weird reading it initially, overall you do get used to it though especially since the writing is really good.
The plot isn't straightforward in the beginning but as we progress things become more interesting and in the last third of the book things really pick up and become exciting. In parallel the pace was similar, starting out slow and moving into a faster pace.
The world-building is done fairly well although I do still have questions around exactly where the realms are since there is no map in this book and it's not explained in detail.
Moving on to the characters, there are so many whom I really enjoyed, but our FMC got on my nerves for a while. Once again, consider that this book is YA. Isla (pronounced EYES-la) is very naïve and indecisive and seems to be unable to choose anything for herself. She grew up sheltered and dependent on those around her and she brings that with her into the Centennial even after being trained her entire life for it. Luckily, there is some serious character development towards the end of the book and overall she becomes a character that I can love.
Lastly, there ends up being two love interests (of course) and you go on first-time romance ride with Isla figuring out how to love and how she feels about it. There are mentions of spicy dreams that she has as well as a spicy scene at one point with one of our love interests.
Overall I really enjoyed Lightlark and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA writing.