Reviews

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

bibliobrandie's review against another edition

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4.0

This is the kind of book that I know when I am going in it's going to make me feel all the feels and I try to deny it but I can't. This story of Cash and Delaney is a beautiful exploration of friendship, family, grief, and love. You are rooting for them from the first page. The secondary characters are also great and I would give anything to have a Pawpaw like Pep. This coming-of-age story is timeless and beautifully written. Though this novel deals with mature themes like substance use, death, and sexual assault, I think it's appropriate and will appeal to some middle grade readers.

nextfavoritebook's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

emcgard's review against another edition

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5.0

A 10/10 book for me. The kind of book that just makes your soul feel good, gives you things to think about and makes you love the good in humanity. Loved the narrator for this book too- just a calming voice which helped with the vibe!

jennyd83's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

thriller_chick's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

jawolffe's review against another edition

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

5.0

kelsey_keeps_reading's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad

5.0

melissa_kelbley's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.0

booksbynat's review against another edition

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4.25

This is the most insanely beautiful writing. Wow. 

librarydosebykristy's review against another edition

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4.0

It’s been a while since I’ve read a contemplative YA realistic fiction novel featuring a male main character— I really feel like other than John Green and David Yoon, they are kind of hard to find!
Jeff Zentner did not disappoint, dear readers.
“In the Wild Light,” tells the story of two best friends from Sawyer, Tennessee who get the opportunity to leave their town and their troubled pasts and attend a private boarding school in Connecticut. 16 year old Cash is unsure whether this will be the making or the breaking of him if he’s being honest.
As I read this, I could feel myself resisting such slow, thoughtful prose about everyday life. Lately I have read lost of thrillers and stories with magic— page turners! I pushed through my knee jerk reaction and was rewarded with a beautiful, moving, almost holy story about coming of age, grief, and poetry.
For fans of literary fiction, poetry and family stories. Perfect for fans of John Green.