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n_malin_p's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Confinement, and Fire/Fire injury
leahegood's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Summary
This modern day Rapunzel retelling pairs a girl kept in isolation by a cult, and a foster teen with a crooked smile, secretly soft heart, and penchant for getting in trouble.
Longer Summary
Zella has lived her whole life in isolation, protected from "the disease" and other dangers of the outside world, but there's a part of her (one she works hard to ignore) that longs to take the risk and experience life outside anyway. When she dares to open the window of her lighthouse bedroom for the first time in her life ... she never dreams that such a small act of defiance could unravel the only life she's ever known.
Seventeen year old Ryder has lived the very opposite of a sheltered life. He's just been deposited with a new foster family, and he knows it's only a matter of time before he messes up badly enough for them to politely explain he's "not a good fit" for their family and send him on his way. When he makes some really, really stupid decisions to try to win a place in the school's social structure, he's sure he's sped up the process exponentially. And then (because why stop making dumb decisions?) he takes shelter from a storm by climbing into a lighthouse window that he thought was probably abandoned ... but it definitely isn't.
My Thoughts
This story was definitely high on fluff and romanticization, and low on realism and ... y'know, the actual effects of trauma. A boy with Ryder's history probably wouldn't switch so quickly and effortlessly between really stupid decisions and perfect gentleman. And a girl with Zella's history probably wouldn't ask what rain feels like but also be able to keep up with normal banter about normal outside world subjects. But that's what we get. And, yes, it bounced me out of the story and made me roll my eyes a few times. But if you can recognize that that's the story you're getting and accept the fairy tale version of real life, it's adorable.
This is the rose colored glasses view of what might happen if two teens met under these circumstances ... of what their happily ever after would look like. And, y'know, it /is/ a fairy tale retelling after all ... Grimms Brothers not invited.
Content
Depiction of weird, cultist, controlling living situation. Implications of physical abuse and emotional neglect in Ryder's past. Zella and Ryder kiss a few times.
This modern day Rapunzel retelling pairs a girl kept in isolation by a cult, and a foster teen with a crooked smile, secretly soft heart, and penchant for getting in trouble.
Longer Summary
Zella has lived her whole life in isolation, protected from "the disease" and other dangers of the outside world, but there's a part of her (one she works hard to ignore) that longs to take the risk and experience life outside anyway. When she dares to open the window of her lighthouse bedroom for the first time in her life ... she never dreams that such a small act of defiance could unravel the only life she's ever known.
Seventeen year old Ryder has lived the very opposite of a sheltered life. He's just been deposited with a new foster family, and he knows it's only a matter of time before he messes up badly enough for them to politely explain he's "not a good fit" for their family and send him on his way. When he makes some really, really stupid decisions to try to win a place in the school's social structure, he's sure he's sped up the process exponentially. And then (because why stop making dumb decisions?) he takes shelter from a storm by climbing into a lighthouse window that he thought was probably abandoned ... but it definitely isn't.
My Thoughts
This story was definitely high on fluff and romanticization, and low on realism and ... y'know, the actual effects of trauma. A boy with Ryder's history probably wouldn't switch so quickly and effortlessly between really stupid decisions and perfect gentleman. And a girl with Zella's history probably wouldn't ask what rain feels like but also be able to keep up with normal banter about normal outside world subjects. But that's what we get. And, yes, it bounced me out of the story and made me roll my eyes a few times. But if you can recognize that that's the story you're getting and accept the fairy tale version of real life, it's adorable.
This is the rose colored glasses view of what might happen if two teens met under these circumstances ... of what their happily ever after would look like. And, y'know, it /is/ a fairy tale retelling after all ... Grimms Brothers not invited.
Content
Depiction of weird, cultist, controlling living situation. Implications of physical abuse and emotional neglect in Ryder's past. Zella and Ryder kiss a few times.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Cursing, Confinement, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
haylethal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received this book as an e-ARC from the author.
Lightkeepers is a modern day retelling of Rapunzel.
Zella is, unknowingly, in a cult and is trapped in a lighthouse. Ryder is a foster kid, being passed a long in the system.
I thought this book was really good! I typically enjoy fairytale retellings and this is no exception. It was an interesting choice to make Zella part of a cult, but it works. This is how her life is and she doesn’t question it…until she does.
I really liked Ryder. I felt so bad for him, he was always second guessing himself and stressed that his foster family was going to tell him to leave at any minute. I also appreciated the information on foster care and the links at the end of the book.
This book was darker than I initially thought it was going to be. There are some wild twists, too! I didn’t realize I was at the end of the book and wanted more!
My only gripe with the book is that the characters “snort” in response A LOT, but that’s probably me being picky.
Overall, great YA book. I laughed, gasped, got teary, and it left me wanting a sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Confinement, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
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