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bookishlifeofbrie's review against another edition
2.0
I have read everyone of Lori Lansens’ books and am a huge fan of hers. But this book was just so different from her other book and just, weird. It was also completely lost on me that this was a “dystopian” book (and I only figured this out after reading reviews). Perhaps that’s because it’s only 4 years in the future (2024). It’s also written in blog style format in the words of teenager Rory so the flow and language is grating at times. The story is being told in “real time” as events are unfolding and Rory is attempting to write it all down. Maybe a bit of a backstory about life in 2024 or something would have helped me out? I dunno. I found it unbelievable that these two girls (Rory and Fee) were in hiding and being hunted down by “the crusaders” because they were believed to have bombed their highschool and were part of the red market (underground abortions because abortions are illegal in america). So ya, I guess if I had been smart enough to realize this was a dystopian novel I would have been more invested in the story.
jascolib's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
kellypigeon's review against another edition
3.0
I am struggling to rate this one. It held my interest throughout while driving me crazy. The protagonist is a 16 year old aspiring writer who "likes vocabulary" but uses words like "prolly" constantly. She is adamant in her opinions, which gets very preachy at times, but then again, that makes the voice pretty authentic for a self-righteous teenager. The blog writing style (recapping events from weeks or minutes ago) will bother some people, but I thought it worked for what it was trying to do.
Lastly, I'm afraid politics will determine many reviews. Abortion, contraception, DACA, transgender, abuse... what controversial topic isn't in this book? I would not be surprised if there are some low ratings or DNF by those whose religious/political views conflict. Something to keep in mind as you read other reviews.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.
Lastly, I'm afraid politics will determine many reviews. Abortion, contraception, DACA, transgender, abuse... what controversial topic isn't in this book? I would not be surprised if there are some low ratings or DNF by those whose religious/political views conflict. Something to keep in mind as you read other reviews.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.
simranpahwa's review
5.0
Okay wow, I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down, literally finished it in one sitting. It had me feeling all kinds of ways… angry, upset, hoping Rory got out. THAT ENDING really got me. Did I expect that might happen? Yes, a little. But the delivery was 10/10. Honestly so pleasantly surprised. I bought this book from my local dollar store for $1.50 and didn’t think it would be anything special but I was blown away!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Antisemitism, Toxic friendship, Pedophilia, Infidelity, and Sexual assault
Minor: Deportation and Incest
jkeyes's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed This Little Light.
It was a quick, face-paced and punchy read.
Focusing on the first 48 hours after an explosion at a father-daughter purity dance, two of the attendees are on the run for allegedly planting the bomb.
While I can see that some people will make comparisions with Margaret Attwoods "The Handmaiden Tale", this story lacks the depth and terror of Gilead and mainly focuses on abortion, reproductive rights and minority communities.
The story flows between current events and a blog leading up to the dance. While I didn't have a problem with the blog format, I did have to reach out to Urban dictionary & Google to find the meaning of a few terms/acronyms.
I am a little surprised that this isn't being marketed as a YA novel, given its length and the composition is based thoughts/blog of a 16 year old.
Overall I found it to be a captivating read that I couldn't put down.
Thank you to #booktrib for sending a copy to our book club to review
It was a quick, face-paced and punchy read.
Focusing on the first 48 hours after an explosion at a father-daughter purity dance, two of the attendees are on the run for allegedly planting the bomb.
While I can see that some people will make comparisions with Margaret Attwoods "The Handmaiden Tale", this story lacks the depth and terror of Gilead and mainly focuses on abortion, reproductive rights and minority communities.
The story flows between current events and a blog leading up to the dance. While I didn't have a problem with the blog format, I did have to reach out to Urban dictionary & Google to find the meaning of a few terms/acronyms.
I am a little surprised that this isn't being marketed as a YA novel, given its length and the composition is based thoughts/blog of a 16 year old.
Overall I found it to be a captivating read that I couldn't put down.
Thank you to #booktrib for sending a copy to our book club to review
caledonia's review against another edition
5.0
I'm actually fucking crying right now. That ending hurt so much. I could be so critical of the plot or the characters but Jesus fucking Christ my heart is in pieces. I thought they might actually make it.
popthebutterfly's review
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: This Little Light
Author: Lori Lansens
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: dystopian, feminist, cults, like The Handmaid’s Tale
Publication Date: January 1, 2019
Genre: YA Dystopian/Feminist
Recommended Age: 16+ (rape TW, sexual content, sexism, violence, gore)
Publisher: Random House Canada
Pages: 257
Synopsis: Taking place over 48 hours in the year 2023, this is the story of Rory Ann Miller, on the run with her best friend because they are accused of bombing their posh Californian high school during an American Virtue Ball. There's a bounty on their heads, and a social media storm of trolls flying around them, not to mention a posse of law enforcement, attack helicopters and drones trying to track them down. Rory's mom, a social activist and lawyer, has been arrested and implicated in her daughter's "crimes" whereas her dad (who betrayed his wife and daughter in a nasty divorce) is cooperating with the authorities. The story exists in a universe of gated communities, born-again Christians, Probationary Citizens (once known as "Dreamers"), re-criminalized abortion and birth control, teenage virginity oaths and something called the Red Market, which is either a Conservative bogey-man created to further polarize the "base" or a criminal network making money from selling unwanted babies to whomever wants them and fetal tissue to cosmetics and drug companies.
Rory is cynical and scared, furious and scathing, betrayed and looking for something or someone to trust. What she has to say about the dads and bosses and politicians lining up to keep women in their place, and about the ways women collaborate in their own undermining, is fierce, and funny, and sad, and true.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. I liked the dystopian vibes and I liked how the book took inspiration from The Handmaid’s Tale. The book did well to talk about feminism, sexism, cults, and rape culture. The book was written well for the most part and the book kept me intrigued from beginning to end.
However, the book rambles on and on so much. It suffers a little from what I dubbed Stephen King syndrome (where you get stuck on a topic for a few pages). The book is very hard to make your way through it when the “rambles” happen and while it’s a great book with an interesting story, I wish that the rambles had been edited down a bit. It distracts from the rest of the story in my opinion, BUT it is very true to the voice of the character.
Verdict: It’s a good book, just a bit rambly.
Book: This Little Light
Author: Lori Lansens
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: dystopian, feminist, cults, like The Handmaid’s Tale
Publication Date: January 1, 2019
Genre: YA Dystopian/Feminist
Recommended Age: 16+ (rape TW, sexual content, sexism, violence, gore)
Publisher: Random House Canada
Pages: 257
Synopsis: Taking place over 48 hours in the year 2023, this is the story of Rory Ann Miller, on the run with her best friend because they are accused of bombing their posh Californian high school during an American Virtue Ball. There's a bounty on their heads, and a social media storm of trolls flying around them, not to mention a posse of law enforcement, attack helicopters and drones trying to track them down. Rory's mom, a social activist and lawyer, has been arrested and implicated in her daughter's "crimes" whereas her dad (who betrayed his wife and daughter in a nasty divorce) is cooperating with the authorities. The story exists in a universe of gated communities, born-again Christians, Probationary Citizens (once known as "Dreamers"), re-criminalized abortion and birth control, teenage virginity oaths and something called the Red Market, which is either a Conservative bogey-man created to further polarize the "base" or a criminal network making money from selling unwanted babies to whomever wants them and fetal tissue to cosmetics and drug companies.
Rory is cynical and scared, furious and scathing, betrayed and looking for something or someone to trust. What she has to say about the dads and bosses and politicians lining up to keep women in their place, and about the ways women collaborate in their own undermining, is fierce, and funny, and sad, and true.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. I liked the dystopian vibes and I liked how the book took inspiration from The Handmaid’s Tale. The book did well to talk about feminism, sexism, cults, and rape culture. The book was written well for the most part and the book kept me intrigued from beginning to end.
However, the book rambles on and on so much. It suffers a little from what I dubbed Stephen King syndrome (where you get stuck on a topic for a few pages). The book is very hard to make your way through it when the “rambles” happen and while it’s a great book with an interesting story, I wish that the rambles had been edited down a bit. It distracts from the rest of the story in my opinion, BUT it is very true to the voice of the character.
Verdict: It’s a good book, just a bit rambly.