A review by loveinpanels
The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

4.5

Sapphic MC who can travel through time and space. Set in 1926 between WWI and WWII, both play a big role.
1914-18 villain POV in counter to FMC POV.
Dark fantasy in which some people have a Spark (magic ability) and are persecuted for it.
Jewish FMC with faith that is not always practiced but is an underpinning of her childhood and worldview. WWII and Nazi Germany loom large.

Overall a dark, character-driven fantasy with strong themes of chosen family and surviving abuse. 
Villain has a power similar to Purple Man in Jessica Jones.
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