Reviews

The Lights of Ystrac's Wood by Alexandra Rowland

Only show reviews with written explanations

theyellowhobbit's review

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emotional hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is a short but really great read!

erraticeldandil's review

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adventurous inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I continue to worship at Rowland's feet. Absolutely amazing. It takes skill to pull off a novella with weight and soul and this was a great example. I loved the world that was built, the characters, and the relationships.
I've always liked the concept of a world with gods as living beings and I think this was a great exploration. I can't wait to read more from this series.

lillysmith's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

helllucifer's review against another edition

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5.0

I don't exactly have words to describe this book. This felt like a rush of joy and mirth and a warm hug at the same time.
Alexandra Rowland's prose remains as gorgeous as ever, almost heart wrenchingly so. There are moments where I could almost feel myself standing in the story while reading a few lines.

Corentin is going straight into the ranks of my favourite characters of all time, and I absolutely adored Aneth as well.

This is definitely a book I will reread time and time again. What a lovely thing this was.

foolzerrand's review

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If you're like me and you love
-examinations of fantasy gods
-fantasy friendships
-fantasy quests
You'll like this little fantasy book

likeapiper's review

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

So. I read Lights when it came out earlier this year, and it immediately became one of my favorite books of all time. It’s difficult to put to words (hence the long time between reading and writing this) but it hits me right in the nostalgia. It’s a story which takes the idea of friendship seriously, rather than putting it second to other things, which means a lot to me.

It’s also a book about a friendship between very different people who respect those differences and don’t turn them against one another. It’s such a cozy book in large part because of the way Aneth and Corentin build each other up.

It’s also a book with a very magical feel to it, from the description Rowland gives of the setting and from the liminal space it operates in. (It takes place on a hike through the mostly untouched woods on a path kept passable by the titular lights. The two main characters don’t know each other or have any particular reason to stay in contact afterwards.) Lights immerses you in this woods and this walk and you finish it feeling refreshed.