A review by thesapphiccelticbookworm
A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo

challenging emotional slow-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

4.25

Thank you to Netgalley and Coronet for a copy of this book for review.

This is companion novel to Lo's historical romance, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, but they're still completely stand-alones.

It's 2013 and Aria Tang West was looking forward to spending one last summer at Martha's Vineyard with her friends before going off to university. However after comprising photos of her end up online, she's uninvited. Instead she has to spend the summer with her grandmother, Joan West in California. Joan's house is full of reminders of Aria's beloved Grandfather who died 5 years ago.

She unexpectedly finds herself drawn to her grandmother's gardener, Steph. Steph however isn't available as she has a girlfriend, Lisa. 

This coming of age book tackles a lot issues such as cyber bullying, slut shaming, grief, sexuality and self discovery but it feels organic, never forced. This book is at the older end of YA.


An overall enjoyable read but I felt some of the plots weren't well developed or wrapped up.

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