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delz's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
5.0
Mark Oshiro brings the dirty laundry of adoption and religious zealots into the light. The main character, Manny and his older sister Elena have been passed around to one foster home after another until Elena finds Deacon Thompson and Christ’s Dominion. They are adopted by a “nice” white “Christian” couple who want to take the evil out of their adopted son by doing something called “Reconciliation” that Deacon Thompson performs. Encountering a cult religion is terrifying, but just imagine being a child with absolutely no recourse. The story is told in the present, after Manny escapes and meets up with a family who are determined to help him. In between are flashbacks, showing the reader how he reached his destination. There’s a twist about 80% of the way In which I would like to think of as more symbolism than fantasy. Into the Light s relatable to headlines in the news today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, Racism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Police brutality, and Homophobia
Minor: Abortion and Rape
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