Reviews

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

maryquitecontrary_22's review

4.0

A page-turner full of moral dilemmas that kept me wondering what I'd do if I were in each character's shoes. Loved the unique plot and setting.

jesslolsen's review against another edition

3.0

I thought this was a good book, but not great, which is a shame because the blurb on the back cover held such promise with a juicy plot line. The characters were good, but the plot needed to move faster to keep me engaged with what was happening. At around 80% things looked like they were going to pick up, but then all of a sudden everything was resolved and worked out.

The writer was very descriptive with their language and dialogue, but almost boringly so. I was surprised I actually finished it, but to be fair I did skim read the last couple of pages.

gvorb's review

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

Great premise. Solid descriptive writing. But the characters, dialogue, and ending felt half baked. Ending still made me cry though.

dodwyer's review

adventurous emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

This story was so good, the plot line was so simple yet compelling, proof that you don’t need complex plot points to really drive a novel. 

I learned about lighthouses in Western Australia and the depths of grief and power of motherhood all in one… what more can you want?! I even shed a few tears and genuinely couldn’t predict the ending. 5/5

annaslitpages's review

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

sparklymoom's review

emotional sad tense 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

silverfeather's review

3.0

[3.5 stars] wow white people are crazy

marieintheraw's review

3.0

Kind of a low three for me, but this was a "it's not you it's me" situation.

shareen17's review

4.0

This book is about a returned WWI vet who takes a job on a remote island lighthouse in Australia in search of forgetting his past and finding peace. Yet his life continues to be filled with both darkness and light. The book is full of metaphor and imagery - maybe a bit too much? - and beautiful to read.

veronicacanread's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

2.5