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wolfenoot's review
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Abortion
cayeman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.5
mogar_pogar's review
adventurous
challenging
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
5.0
miranda_graham's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Could’ve been great without the sci fi twist rather than a more psychology thriller type explanation. Just a very large curveball.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
abby_readsalot's review
4.0
Only reason I gave this four stars was because it took me a while to get through, but WOW. This was a chilling but compelling read. Please read the trigger warning before you start, but once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down.
darlingsterns's review
4.0
4 ★ seventeen-year-old manny and his sister, elena, have never had a family or a place to call home. all their lives, they’ve been shuffling between different foster homes and families without fitting in. that is until elena is joins a religious group called christ’s dominion. Eeena convinces manny that christ's dominion will heal them, but manny is skeptical. while the other teenagers seem to overlook the odd behavior of the group, manny can’t help but believe that something isn’t quite right.
things take a turn for the worse, and manny is isolated from the group and separated from elena, the only family he ever had. now, homeless on the streets of california, manny must navigate life on his own. eventually, manny meets the kindhearted valera family, who shelter him. unsettling news is revealed, and manny learns that a body from christ’s cominion was found. this news leaves manny distraught, and he can’t help but think the body belongs to his sister, as they have not been in contact since he left the group. determined to figure out who the body belongs to—and if his sister is alive—manny and the valera family set off to find the truth.
a heartwarming tale of resilience, hope, and strength, into the light will certainly make a profound mark on its readers. ohiro’s masterful storytelling and emotional themes are a stand-out. manny is relatable, and readers will resonate with him on a strong level. his journey with trauma is portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity, and the way he overcomes his struggles is sincere. the novel’s message is essential, reminding us that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, there is always hope and light at the end of the tunnel.
trigger warnings: racism, homophobia, child abuse, death, abortion (mention), incest (mention), sexual assault (past + detailed), religious trauma, neglect, homelessness
things take a turn for the worse, and manny is isolated from the group and separated from elena, the only family he ever had. now, homeless on the streets of california, manny must navigate life on his own. eventually, manny meets the kindhearted valera family, who shelter him. unsettling news is revealed, and manny learns that a body from christ’s cominion was found. this news leaves manny distraught, and he can’t help but think the body belongs to his sister, as they have not been in contact since he left the group. determined to figure out who the body belongs to—and if his sister is alive—manny and the valera family set off to find the truth.
a heartwarming tale of resilience, hope, and strength, into the light will certainly make a profound mark on its readers. ohiro’s masterful storytelling and emotional themes are a stand-out. manny is relatable, and readers will resonate with him on a strong level. his journey with trauma is portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity, and the way he overcomes his struggles is sincere. the novel’s message is essential, reminding us that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, there is always hope and light at the end of the tunnel.
trigger warnings: racism, homophobia, child abuse, death, abortion (mention), incest (mention), sexual assault (past + detailed), religious trauma, neglect, homelessness
zpitts's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual harassment
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
sandraeh's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0