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A review by katykelly
This Raging Light by Estelle Laure
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.
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.