magiquek8ball's reviews
51 reviews

adventurous emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book took me longer to finish than I expected because I had to keep taking breaks. I loved and felt so there with the characters, that whenever something happened I needed to literally walk away and come back.

Based wholly on those breaks and when in the book I needed to take them, I can say that this book is perfectly paced and the ebbs and flows of the plot are as soothing and intoxicating as the magic in the pool of Iskra. I’ve never wanted to pick back up a book so soon after finishing it.

One of my favorite things about this book (aside from the characters) is the language used both in and out of dialogue. When the characters are talking to each other, not only does their individual personality come through but it really feels like a fantasy book in the cadence of their speech. I was constantly aware that I was witnessing something magical and of-another-world. Despite the true, heartwarmingly, human moments in the book, there was nothing pedestrian about it because of the words the author used in those moments.

Throughout this book, I got a sense that Stacey McEwan was sharing her wishes for the world. Some were small and simple like a man with huge hands who loves a woman with a sharp wit and

being able to shove entitled men into gaping holes in the earth

. Others were huge; the type of hopes we have but rarely know how to chase. Things like making the world “A Better Place” where people are not forced to go without freedom and comfort so that others may benefit, bluntness is welcome so long as it’s used without judgment, and differences are used as strengths to join forces against those with their heels on the backs of others. I loved being in a world where these wishes became plans and actions and I thank the author for sharing it with me.

Content Warnings

Lightlark by Alex Aster

Go to review page

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I dare you to try and out-think this book! It was full of heart-breaking moments, twists and turns, and ULTIMATE plot twists. If you like fantasy and mystery I cannot suggest this book more fervently. Alex Aster paints a beautiful world, and her use of metaphors made the moments I spent inside it tactile. Even if I found my mind wandering during exposition I was immediately sucked back into the story by the intrigue of the plot. Yes, there's romance that's both steamy and comforting but Lightlark is so much more than that. The "more" comes from the amazing female characters and their relationships which - for me - makes this book not only good, but an important addition to the YA genre. I was lucky enough to meet Alex Aster in person at the Chicago/Sklying stop on her Lightlark tour. She is such a sweet person who is clearly honored to have the ability to share this story with the world. I can't for the next installment of this series.

Content Warnings