Reviews

This Raging Light by Estelle Laure

asaph95's review against another edition

3.0

My thoughts? I enjoyed this book, it wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was readable. A lot could have been changed for me to love it, but a lot that happened was unexpected and shocking. Now obviously when you describe a book as 'readable', you know you're in for a semi-negative review.

Full review on my blog:
http://originalbooker.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/this-raging-light-estelle-laure.html

kaitlinmoose's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

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

4.0

ruth_beckingham's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

It was a good YA read. I was drawn in and the characters had a grip on me. Ended very suddenly but I suppose there’s a second one to follow on. It was fine, a nice read overall 

katykelly's review against another edition

4.0

Lucille (Lu) is in an unimaginable situation. Her mum has left her, at 17, in charge of her younger sister Wren, left them alone for weeks with very little money and no idea when (if ever) she is coming back, following an event with their father that's also made him vanish from their lives.

A student herself, Lu tries her best to be sister and parent to Wren, looking for work and money, trying to keep up with her homework, all the while desperately trying not to let her feelings for her best friend's brother (who is in a long-term relationship) show and ruin the delicate equilibrium she is sustaining.

We gradually learn just what happened with Lu's father, and what has happened to break the family into pieces. Lu is challenged by multiple issues, which do seem a little too much at times (her best friend's reaction to Lu's 'carer' situation didn't ring true). Her best friend Eden, a talented dancer, could have had a novel of her own.

I did find the increasing intimacy with Digby (Eden's brother) was quite well-written, though some conversations between the teenagers felt stilted and unrealistic in terms of their language.

Lu is a worthy role model though. Her situation is a horrendous one for a teenager to consider - becoming an adult and taking care of a sibling with no parent around for support.

I was expecting more of a resolution at the end and felt disappointment that it wasn't more neatly sewn up and concluded. Too many loose threads, after putting the reader through emotional turmoil.

Very interesting idea for a plot, but I would have ended it differently in several ways.

This is suitable for 12-16 year olds, it doesn't contain anything graphic but may be upsetting for younger readers.

With thanks to NetGalley for the advance reading copy.

thart3's review against another edition

3.0

Lucille has to fend for herself and her sister when their mother "takes a break."

christiana's review against another edition

4.0

Guys, this was great.

janewhitehurst's review against another edition

5.0

I devoured this one. It was one of those I can't put it down kind of books. After a domestic violent situation, two sisters are abandoned by their parents and the older of the two, Lucille, must make ends meet to keep their family unit together. With help from her best friend, and her best friend's twin brother (Lucile's love interest), she tries to work, study, and take on the parental role. It sounds dumb, but I found the love story to really draw me in and keep me reading. I look forward to more from this author.

franuary's review against another edition

4.0

Five months ago, Lucille's father was institutionalized for attacking her mother. Now the mother has disappeared on an extended "vacation," leaving 17-year-old Lucille to care for her little sister and maintain the household on her own. Frightened by the thought of losing her sister to child services and unsure when her mother might return, Lucille hides her mother's absence from friends and neighbors and starts working in a slightly shady Hooters-esque restaurant to make ends meet. It's a terrible time to fall in love, but her best friend's brother, Digby, has become suddenly irresistible, and Lucille soon finds herself under his spell.

I admired Lucille's strength and resilience, and felt that in many ways, she would be an excellent role model to teens reading this book. The lengths she goes to to make sure she doesn't lose guardianship of her sister are truly inspiring. However, I found the romance angle troubling.

Spoiler

Digby has a girlfriend throughout his relationship with Lucille, and it made it difficult to truly root for them. Their love was presented as genuine, but it's also founded on lies, and doesn't Lucille have enough disappointment in her life already? I wanted to strangle this dude.

Still, I think teens reading this book would be into the love triangle, and the not-quite-wrapped-up ending leaves room for a sequel. Recommended to Sarah Dessen fans.

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group and to NetGalley for the advance copy!

virginiais4lovers's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

2.75

talya_'s review against another edition

1.0

Plot holes, crap characters, and cheating. Nice.