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Lost Light #4
The World We Burn
Don't miss the riveting conclusion to the epic Lost Light saga!
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 29, 2024
977 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
January 8, 2025
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog: ╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
Each book in this series is over 1,000 pages long but I seem to be reading them as though they are only a novella.
Romance books have become monotonous for me, I was finding myself floundering and hitting bookfunks because nothing unique was pulling me out of them so I had to branch out and try something new. And this series/author is the something new, she's reinstated my love for reading again.
This series was inhaled in a week, and definitely pulled me out of a funk I’d found myself in. I’m definitely going to be working through the rest of this authors books, this certainly won’t be the last.
These characters “Eli, Shiloh, Lena, Bear, and Jackson” had me sitting on the edge of my seat more than once, biting my nails, trepidation running through my blood stream. This series kept me on my toes.
October 7, 2024
NOPE! I had a feeling and still... I wasn't ready for that final battle… I cried a mix of happy and sad tears for everyone.
Grief wasn’t a thing you ever finished. It wasn’t a task to complete. It was always there, a hole nestled beside your heart, an absence that could never be filled. It became a part of you, scar tissue that disfigured your soul.
🌅 Once again, Eli is proving us that there's nothing that can actually kill him. He can outlive a cockroach easily.
🌅 I feel like a proud mom with Shiloh a how much she was forced to handle things like an adult because there's no time to be a normal 14-year-old girl in a post-apocalyptic world.
🌅 If you thought things wouldn't get worse than they already are just because some insulin Eli stole... you are dead wrong. Somehow this turns into an almost third world war event in the Upper Peninsula area.
🌅 There was so much blood and fights here that somehow wasn't exaggerated like the previous book. Every single moment had its justification of how Eli, Jackson, Lena, Shiloh or even Sawyer only wanted to fight, kill or protect each other. Even Bear the dog did his own thing!
🌅 Most of all... this book was full of feelings and emotions. Somehow everyone was able to get some sort of closure around Lily's death and be able to move on and enjoy life.
🌅 From the moment Nyx and Antoine decided to join Eli, I loved them! Antoine sense of humor and how Nyx tried to act like she didn't like him by making fun of him was hilarious. I want to be Nyx when I grow up.
🌅 But goddamn my heart wasn't ready for that ending .
You know what's the only thing I couldn't give two shits... was how pathetic the governor finally decided to show up... because there was no danger anymore... fuck you dude.
Grief wasn’t a thing you ever finished. It wasn’t a task to complete. It was always there, a hole nestled beside your heart, an absence that could never be filled. It became a part of you, scar tissue that disfigured your soul.
🌅 Once again, Eli is proving us that there's nothing that can actually kill him. He can outlive a cockroach easily.
🌅 I feel like a proud mom with Shiloh a how much she was forced to handle things like an adult because there's no time to be a normal 14-year-old girl in a post-apocalyptic world.
🌅 If you thought things wouldn't get worse than they already are just because some insulin Eli stole... you are dead wrong. Somehow this turns into an almost third world war event in the Upper Peninsula area.
🌅 There was so much blood and fights here that somehow wasn't exaggerated like the previous book. Every single moment had its justification of how Eli, Jackson, Lena, Shiloh or even Sawyer only wanted to fight, kill or protect each other. Even Bear the dog did his own thing!
🌅 Most of all... this book was full of feelings and emotions. Somehow everyone was able to get some sort of closure around Lily's death and be able to move on and enjoy life.
🌅 From the moment Nyx and Antoine decided to join Eli, I loved them! Antoine sense of humor and how Nyx tried to act like she didn't like him by making fun of him was hilarious. I want to be Nyx when I grow up.
🌅 But goddamn my heart wasn't ready for that ending .
You know what's the only thing I couldn't give two shits... was how pathetic the governor finally decided to show up... because there was no danger anymore... fuck you dude.
November 27, 2024
A lot less interesting than the other 3 books.
Endless descriptions of weapons and battles.
In the other books it was a good story with some battles.
Here it is mostly battles interspersed with long (and repetitive) reflections on morality and virtue.
I would have like the books better if they had focused on the practical challenges of how to survive without electricity, including the social upheaval resulting from this. The inclusion of all out war and mass slaughter was just too much for me.
Endless descriptions of weapons and battles.
In the other books it was a good story with some battles.
Here it is mostly battles interspersed with long (and repetitive) reflections on morality and virtue.
I would have like the books better if they had focused on the practical challenges of how to survive without electricity, including the social upheaval resulting from this. The inclusion of all out war and mass slaughter was just too much for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2024
Great end to a series, great start to a year
I finished The World We Burn on New Years and it was a great way to end both the series and the year. I have truly been riveted to these books and enjoyed the entire Lost Light series very much. Having camped in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan I was pleased Kyla Stone chose this beautiful and unique location for the series. I felt very close to the characters by the end and will miss them all (both the living and the dead). This review is bittersweet because as much as I will miss these books I can now look forward to Stone's next series!
I finished The World We Burn on New Years and it was a great way to end both the series and the year. I have truly been riveted to these books and enjoyed the entire Lost Light series very much. Having camped in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan I was pleased Kyla Stone chose this beautiful and unique location for the series. I felt very close to the characters by the end and will miss them all (both the living and the dead). This review is bittersweet because as much as I will miss these books I can now look forward to Stone's next series!
January 18, 2024
A good conclusion to this apocalyptic series, which sees the town fighting for survival against the cartel...such a evil bunch.
I liked the characters because they suited the plot, were well-developed and believable. Shiloh and Bear were my favourites.
There were battles, thoughts, feelings and plenty of action. It was sad and happy, disturbing and realistic because human behaviour has a vast range of emotions and reasons for the actions.
Well-written, fast-paced and engaging.
Recommended.
I liked the characters because they suited the plot, were well-developed and believable. Shiloh and Bear were my favourites.
There were battles, thoughts, feelings and plenty of action. It was sad and happy, disturbing and realistic because human behaviour has a vast range of emotions and reasons for the actions.
Well-written, fast-paced and engaging.
Recommended.
April 28, 2024
A most excellent book!
What a way to bring this saga to a close! The characters that you hated changed into good people who sacrificed much.
The characters in this book definitely have a Upper vibe. Having worked throughout the UP, I was familiar with many of the locations mentioned in this book.
The only thing I didn't care for was the dreaded governor showing up at the end.
Long live The State of Superior!
What a way to bring this saga to a close! The characters that you hated changed into good people who sacrificed much.
The characters in this book definitely have a Upper vibe. Having worked throughout the UP, I was familiar with many of the locations mentioned in this book.
The only thing I didn't care for was the dreaded governor showing up at the end.
Long live The State of Superior!
June 20, 2025
I am unwell lol.
The citizens of Munising take their final stand against the Côté Cartel while a wild fire blazes at their backs.
The final book in the Lost Light series did not disappoint. There was an Amageddon-esque proclamation of love, a side character that has one of the most beautiful redemptions I have ever read and the action has you transfixed and wanting more. 10/10
The citizens of Munising take their final stand against the Côté Cartel while a wild fire blazes at their backs.
The final book in the Lost Light series did not disappoint. There was an Amageddon-esque proclamation of love, a side character that has one of the most beautiful redemptions I have ever read and the action has you transfixed and wanting more. 10/10
December 13, 2023
I am in awe of the ending Kyla wrote for Eli, Shiloh, Lena, Jackson, Sawyer and all the rest. I couldn’t have asked for a more action than what she gave us. The last battle scenes were agonizing! So much loss, such sadness, but she gave us a glimmer of hope.
A fitting finale for another excellent series!
A fitting finale for another excellent series!
December 16, 2023
The World We Burn has it’s own great cover that fits well with the rest of the series. I bet these books look amazing alongside of each other on a bookstore shelf.
This one picks up right where The Hope We Keep left off. Shiloh has harangued and beaten down Eli into allowing her to take part in sentry duty but only as an observer. However, when things go awry and her “Pope spidey sense” warns her something isn’t right about the one of the refugees in front of her, her training is put the test and her instincts kick in. Shiloh ends up having to break her promise of only observing and steps up and does what is necessary.
The Cote Cartel, led by Louis Gault are slowly picking off the smaller unprotected settlements. The Cartel are coming for everyone at the Northwoods Inn. Eli, Jackson & friends took from the Cartel and they don’t forget or forgive. It turns out the wife of the leader of the Cartel is diabetic. So for Louis Gault, it’s personal, it’s life and death and he isn’t about to compromise or share anything, never mind the precious insulin supplies also needed by Lena Easton and Keegan Tilton. Jackson Cross and Eli Pope know they have a few great soldiers and try to set up a trap in an effort to keep their own losses to a minimum, but their best laid plans go awry. Eli & Jackson are desperate and though they have a solution, they have to present it to those living at the Northwoods Inn and put it to a vote. A meeting is called to deal with the impending doom along with other day to day issues of the settlement.
Whilst the larger issues of the Cartel are being dealt with there’s plenty more going on in The World We Burn. Shiloh is growing up, in fact she has quite a surprising birthday as she becomes 14 years old which she has to deal with the aftermath from. Shiloh has her friend Ruby but still prefers weapons and fighting to gardening and cooking. You can see Shiloh is still uncertain and scared of losing someone else she loves. Shiloh does still have a lot of people giving her the parental care as well as Eli, and Lena she still has Jackson too who loves her as if she is his family. Jackson’s father makes an appearance in this book again, near the helm of the Cartel. It seems that Horatio Cross has someone on the inside feeding him information somehow as he knows about the deaths of his wife, and his daughter Astrid. In fact, he takes great delight in letting Jackson know he is aware of how Astrid died.
The community living at Northwoods Inn know they need to work hard to put away supplies and food stuff for over winter. They start foraging more, and hunting and fishing to supplement their food stores. When they have to share their already meagre supplies of food with fighters brought in to help them against the Cartel, they have even harder decisions to take. Those fighting need nourishment for energy to be able to fight, but the community still needs to plan for the future, and keep resources for their own people and their future too. It’s a fine balancing act, not helped with the attitude of the extra fighters who just take what they want without consideration of anyone else.
I loved the feeling of family between Eli, Lena, Shiloh & Jackson and then the wider family of the Northwoods Inn community. The banter between hardened fighters Antoine and Nyx is funny even in the most, grim, dire situations. Eli, and Jackson really get their original friendship/brotherhood back in this book. Though at one point in the series I thought Jackson had romantic feelings towards Lena he seems to have moved on and finally admits his love for someone else he has grown closer too during the apocalyptic conditions they are coping in.
So many fantastic characters, good guys, former bad guys and bad guys stepped up to the plate to fight, some great characters died, but their fighting to their death was so believable for them to do. The World We Burn certainly had me on a rollercoaster of emotions whilst reading it. Talk about edge of your seat stuff!! I really, truly loved this book and the series!
Whilst there is some fantastic fighting action, there are also some heroic, tear jerking moments where characters give their lives for others. I don’t want to give spoilers out but two characters really had me with a lump in my throat and tear prickling my eyes! You honestly do become attached to the characters and how their loss affects the others left behind.
My immediate thought when I finished reading The World We Burn were wow, talk about action packed!!
Summing up, all the loose ends are tied up in an amazing end to a fantastic series.
This one picks up right where The Hope We Keep left off. Shiloh has harangued and beaten down Eli into allowing her to take part in sentry duty but only as an observer. However, when things go awry and her “Pope spidey sense” warns her something isn’t right about the one of the refugees in front of her, her training is put the test and her instincts kick in. Shiloh ends up having to break her promise of only observing and steps up and does what is necessary.
The Cote Cartel, led by Louis Gault are slowly picking off the smaller unprotected settlements. The Cartel are coming for everyone at the Northwoods Inn. Eli, Jackson & friends took from the Cartel and they don’t forget or forgive. It turns out the wife of the leader of the Cartel is diabetic. So for Louis Gault, it’s personal, it’s life and death and he isn’t about to compromise or share anything, never mind the precious insulin supplies also needed by Lena Easton and Keegan Tilton. Jackson Cross and Eli Pope know they have a few great soldiers and try to set up a trap in an effort to keep their own losses to a minimum, but their best laid plans go awry. Eli & Jackson are desperate and though they have a solution, they have to present it to those living at the Northwoods Inn and put it to a vote. A meeting is called to deal with the impending doom along with other day to day issues of the settlement.
Whilst the larger issues of the Cartel are being dealt with there’s plenty more going on in The World We Burn. Shiloh is growing up, in fact she has quite a surprising birthday as she becomes 14 years old which she has to deal with the aftermath from. Shiloh has her friend Ruby but still prefers weapons and fighting to gardening and cooking. You can see Shiloh is still uncertain and scared of losing someone else she loves. Shiloh does still have a lot of people giving her the parental care as well as Eli, and Lena she still has Jackson too who loves her as if she is his family. Jackson’s father makes an appearance in this book again, near the helm of the Cartel. It seems that Horatio Cross has someone on the inside feeding him information somehow as he knows about the deaths of his wife, and his daughter Astrid. In fact, he takes great delight in letting Jackson know he is aware of how Astrid died.
The community living at Northwoods Inn know they need to work hard to put away supplies and food stuff for over winter. They start foraging more, and hunting and fishing to supplement their food stores. When they have to share their already meagre supplies of food with fighters brought in to help them against the Cartel, they have even harder decisions to take. Those fighting need nourishment for energy to be able to fight, but the community still needs to plan for the future, and keep resources for their own people and their future too. It’s a fine balancing act, not helped with the attitude of the extra fighters who just take what they want without consideration of anyone else.
I loved the feeling of family between Eli, Lena, Shiloh & Jackson and then the wider family of the Northwoods Inn community. The banter between hardened fighters Antoine and Nyx is funny even in the most, grim, dire situations. Eli, and Jackson really get their original friendship/brotherhood back in this book. Though at one point in the series I thought Jackson had romantic feelings towards Lena he seems to have moved on and finally admits his love for someone else he has grown closer too during the apocalyptic conditions they are coping in.
So many fantastic characters, good guys, former bad guys and bad guys stepped up to the plate to fight, some great characters died, but their fighting to their death was so believable for them to do. The World We Burn certainly had me on a rollercoaster of emotions whilst reading it. Talk about edge of your seat stuff!! I really, truly loved this book and the series!
Whilst there is some fantastic fighting action, there are also some heroic, tear jerking moments where characters give their lives for others. I don’t want to give spoilers out but two characters really had me with a lump in my throat and tear prickling my eyes! You honestly do become attached to the characters and how their loss affects the others left behind.
My immediate thought when I finished reading The World We Burn were wow, talk about action packed!!
Summing up, all the loose ends are tied up in an amazing end to a fantastic series.
December 30, 2023
Holy moly, what a emotional, edge of your seat ride this book was to finish off the Lost Light series. Having been hooked on this world since the first book released, The World We Burn was an absolute rollercoaster and I loved every second of it. If you haven't read the other books in the series, you need to start at the beginning as this one isn't a standalone and the themes, plot and characters are carried across all of the installments. Book 4 focusses on the fallout from the previous story (The Hope We Keep). With limited supplies and threats coming from everywhere, the Munising community are braced for the big bad that's coming their way and slaughtering everything in their path: the cartel. With revenge and payback on their mind, they're ruthless and showing no mercy to the entire Upper Peninsula. But of course, when it rains, it pours and this book packs a punch by throwing up ghosts from the past, betrayal, plots gone awry, a natural disaster that seems to have come from the depths of hell and more action than you can poke a stick at. It had me up until stupid o'clock every night with my stomach in knots due to the high level of action, suspense and nail-biting tension.
As with the other books in Lost Light, this one is told from Eli, Shiloh, Jackson and Lena's points of view as they fight for survival every day. Their character development continues to flow beautifully in Book 4, picking up from where its predecessor finished. Due to the fast pace, there's no lag from where Book 3 finished to where this one starts. I'm really happy the author decided to add an extra book to the series because it helped round out the storyline successfully and did the characters and plot justice by giving them a spectacular finish. There were touches of romance here and there but this definitely wasn't the focus of the story. Eli and Lena were standouts for me and I loved them together (I'd probably be selfish enough to say I would have liked more of them together, but that's because I'm a romance reader at heart so that part of the story line is my jam). Shiloh was a strong character and while I don't generally like children being main characters, I'll make an exception for her as she continued to be a tough, intelligent character who added a lot to the plot. Jackson continued to struggle with his personal demons and was also a terrifically complex character that continued to come into his own. The secondary characters were also fabulous, particularly Nyx and Antoine (I want to be Nyx when I grow up).
This book (and the Lost Light series) is exactly why Kyla Stone is one of my favourite authors. The action scenes were frequent, heavy-hitting and well-written to the point where I felt like I was in the trenches with the fighters, nerves and all. The happy times were fleeting and often bittersweet due to the post-apocalyptic world the author has created and while I'm not usually a crier when I read, this one left me ugly crying, especially since Ms Stone did a great job taking the reader along with her and creating such strong, likeable characters. She wasn't pulling any punches when she wrote Book 4 and along with twists in the story here and there, it wasn't an easy ride but definitely made for an unforgettable series.
Not only has every book in this series been on my top reads list for the years they've been released, it's definitely become one of my favourite series of all time. It ripped out my heart and left me gasping - everything just worked for me and even though there was loss along with the wins, it still left my heart satisfied at the end. It has everything I love in a dystopian read and it will be definitely going into my favourites folder to be reread. I cannot recommend this series enough.
As with the other books in Lost Light, this one is told from Eli, Shiloh, Jackson and Lena's points of view as they fight for survival every day. Their character development continues to flow beautifully in Book 4, picking up from where its predecessor finished. Due to the fast pace, there's no lag from where Book 3 finished to where this one starts. I'm really happy the author decided to add an extra book to the series because it helped round out the storyline successfully and did the characters and plot justice by giving them a spectacular finish. There were touches of romance here and there but this definitely wasn't the focus of the story. Eli and Lena were standouts for me and I loved them together (I'd probably be selfish enough to say I would have liked more of them together, but that's because I'm a romance reader at heart so that part of the story line is my jam). Shiloh was a strong character and while I don't generally like children being main characters, I'll make an exception for her as she continued to be a tough, intelligent character who added a lot to the plot. Jackson continued to struggle with his personal demons and was also a terrifically complex character that continued to come into his own. The secondary characters were also fabulous, particularly Nyx and Antoine (I want to be Nyx when I grow up).
This book (and the Lost Light series) is exactly why Kyla Stone is one of my favourite authors. The action scenes were frequent, heavy-hitting and well-written to the point where I felt like I was in the trenches with the fighters, nerves and all. The happy times were fleeting and often bittersweet due to the post-apocalyptic world the author has created and while I'm not usually a crier when I read, this one left me ugly crying, especially since Ms Stone did a great job taking the reader along with her and creating such strong, likeable characters. She wasn't pulling any punches when she wrote Book 4 and along with twists in the story here and there, it wasn't an easy ride but definitely made for an unforgettable series.
Not only has every book in this series been on my top reads list for the years they've been released, it's definitely become one of my favourite series of all time. It ripped out my heart and left me gasping - everything just worked for me and even though there was loss along with the wins, it still left my heart satisfied at the end. It has everything I love in a dystopian read and it will be definitely going into my favourites folder to be reread. I cannot recommend this series enough.
January 21, 2024
**Extra star for such a DARING final act.**
Like...WOW. I mean, I'm absolutely not surprised that Kyla Stone did her thing in NOT shying away from giving her stories her all. I'm talking mindless action and violence in a torn-up world, and plopping our beloved characters (both main and secondary) smack dab in the middle of it all, leaving you gritting your teeth in worry over their fates. My appetite for character arcs, action, emotional pull, and compelling plot were quite appeased.
It's what makes these stories so addicting and stressful: the realism of them. There's no superheroes here, at least not in the supernatural sense. There's no deadly scenarios that normal people can tackle without effort or pain or damage. Nope. This is the conclusion of the series, after all, and thus should be perfectly normal that things WILL be ramped up to prove it, including my own dang tears (of which I shed plenty). I am glad my investment paid off, as it usually does for a Kyla story, and I never expect anything less.
But at the same time, I was gobsmacked by various events in this story, jaw-dropped in shock at the absolute mayhem of it all even when it seems like it won't go that direction at all. Once the momentum shifted to a designated direction, it barely slowed down, and left me on the edge of my seat nearly the entire way. Even the predictability of some elements was no match for the UNpredictability of others. I may have patted myself on the back for calling stuff early, but I was also gasping aloud at what I never saw coming.
Though this was definitely a satisfying conclusion to the series, there were still a handful of "violations" to my personal pet-peeves as a reader. For one thing, telling and not showing. It's so bothersome when what I would consider VERY important events take place in the background instead of as it happens. I just can't stand when something is built up enough to garner my interest only to not include me in the moment later. Similarly, the lack of epilogue was disheartening as well, as I don't feel every loose end was addressed properly. A major example of this is the fate of one significant (imo) character.
SPOILER:
All in all, though, this series was amazing as a whole. This entry in particular, as I mentioned earlier, would have rated 4-stars had it not been for the insanely eventful and glorious third act that kept me wholly invested. It was amazing conclusion overall, and I couldn't help but plop the extra star solely for the way it lulled the emotion out of me. I definitely loved this series, despite my numerous complaints, and consider a nice SOLID end to the whole of it. I look forward to more Kyla Stone, whatever else she might have up her sleeve in the future.
Click here if you wanna follow my highlights and reading journey.
Like...WOW. I mean, I'm absolutely not surprised that Kyla Stone did her thing in NOT shying away from giving her stories her all. I'm talking mindless action and violence in a torn-up world, and plopping our beloved characters (both main and secondary) smack dab in the middle of it all, leaving you gritting your teeth in worry over their fates. My appetite for character arcs, action, emotional pull, and compelling plot were quite appeased.
It's what makes these stories so addicting and stressful: the realism of them. There's no superheroes here, at least not in the supernatural sense. There's no deadly scenarios that normal people can tackle without effort or pain or damage. Nope. This is the conclusion of the series, after all, and thus should be perfectly normal that things WILL be ramped up to prove it, including my own dang tears (of which I shed plenty). I am glad my investment paid off, as it usually does for a Kyla story, and I never expect anything less.
But at the same time, I was gobsmacked by various events in this story, jaw-dropped in shock at the absolute mayhem of it all even when it seems like it won't go that direction at all. Once the momentum shifted to a designated direction, it barely slowed down, and left me on the edge of my seat nearly the entire way. Even the predictability of some elements was no match for the UNpredictability of others. I may have patted myself on the back for calling stuff early, but I was also gasping aloud at what I never saw coming.
Though this was definitely a satisfying conclusion to the series, there were still a handful of "violations" to my personal pet-peeves as a reader. For one thing, telling and not showing. It's so bothersome when what I would consider VERY important events take place in the background instead of as it happens. I just can't stand when something is built up enough to garner my interest only to not include me in the moment later. Similarly, the lack of epilogue was disheartening as well, as I don't feel every loose end was addressed properly. A major example of this is the fate of one significant (imo) character.
SPOILER:
All in all, though, this series was amazing as a whole. This entry in particular, as I mentioned earlier, would have rated 4-stars had it not been for the insanely eventful and glorious third act that kept me wholly invested. It was amazing conclusion overall, and I couldn't help but plop the extra star solely for the way it lulled the emotion out of me. I definitely loved this series, despite my numerous complaints, and consider a nice SOLID end to the whole of it. I look forward to more Kyla Stone, whatever else she might have up her sleeve in the future.
Click here if you wanna follow my highlights and reading journey.
December 23, 2023
Title: The World We Burn
Author: Kyla Stone
Publisher: Paper Moon Press
ISBN: 9781962251013
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Lost Light 4
In the gripping finale to the Lost Light survival series, the remnants of humanity cling to survival after a cataclysmic solar flare. With half the planet shrouded in darkness, the enclave of survivors of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula have endured violence, starvation, and lawlessness.
Now, they find themselves under siege from the brutal cartel and its sadistic leader, Luis Gault. War is coming. Jackson, Eli, Shiloh, and Lena must rally their people to make a final, desperate stand as they fight to create something worth saving from the ashes of a ruined world. The choices they make will determine not just their own fate, but the future of their community, and perhaps, humanity itself.
USA Today Bestselling Author Kyla Stone delivers a pulse-pounding story of hope, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit. A must-read apocalyptic thriller perfect for fans of The Last of Us, One Second After, and The Stand.
Total Score: 5/5
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Summary:
this is the end to an incredible series about survival in a world done mad. None of the old rules apply as one town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula struggles to maintain order while holding the remnants of civilization while all around them falls into the rule of only the strong is in control. Will Jackson finally overcome his families hold over him in the past? Eli, Shiloh, Jackson and Lena are determined to fight for their friends and family in spite of all the dangers surrounding.
This was an incredible series that will remain one of my favorites. Now I can’t Bear one of the bravest dogs I have ever met who was a pivotal character in this series!
Author: Kyla Stone
Publisher: Paper Moon Press
ISBN: 9781962251013
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Lost Light 4
In the gripping finale to the Lost Light survival series, the remnants of humanity cling to survival after a cataclysmic solar flare. With half the planet shrouded in darkness, the enclave of survivors of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula have endured violence, starvation, and lawlessness.
Now, they find themselves under siege from the brutal cartel and its sadistic leader, Luis Gault. War is coming. Jackson, Eli, Shiloh, and Lena must rally their people to make a final, desperate stand as they fight to create something worth saving from the ashes of a ruined world. The choices they make will determine not just their own fate, but the future of their community, and perhaps, humanity itself.
USA Today Bestselling Author Kyla Stone delivers a pulse-pounding story of hope, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit. A must-read apocalyptic thriller perfect for fans of The Last of Us, One Second After, and The Stand.
Total Score: 5/5
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Summary:
this is the end to an incredible series about survival in a world done mad. None of the old rules apply as one town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula struggles to maintain order while holding the remnants of civilization while all around them falls into the rule of only the strong is in control. Will Jackson finally overcome his families hold over him in the past? Eli, Shiloh, Jackson and Lena are determined to fight for their friends and family in spite of all the dangers surrounding.
This was an incredible series that will remain one of my favorites. Now I can’t Bear one of the bravest dogs I have ever met who was a pivotal character in this series!
February 3, 2024
Well Crafted Series Review. 5star
I decided to wait to finish the series before reviewing though I gave each book a five star rating because there’s no 10 star, lol. Hopefully no spoilers. I really loved the concept of this series. In most post apocalyptic stories there is always the element of travel, getting to a safe place and or reuniting families with the inherent dangers on the way. Don’t get me wrong I’m a post apocalyptic addict so I love me some road trip mayhem. But this series was so different as it was mostly centered around one county. Firstly the apocalypse did not happen overnight as usual, or should I say the realisation by the main protagonists was not sudden. In this series the unfolding of the results of the CME was gradual and only a few realised the magnitude timeously. I like the fact that law and order did not break down immediately and there were many law and order professionals who continued doing their job throughout the events and against insurmountable odds. True heroes, in my opinion.
I also enjoyed the murder mystery element which was surprising to find in a post apocalyptic story. The way each piece of the puzzle unfolded was masterful and each book revealed a part of the puzzle. The resolution was satisfying, especially a certain person’s end in book 3. lol. There were no overpowered characters, all were conflicted and vulnerable. The relationships really drew you into the overall storyline. I personally was very much invested in Eli and Shiloh’s relationship story. There were heartbreaking deaths which added to the poignancy of the narrative and the thrills were off the charts with the villains being more and more powerful as the books progressed. The resolutions of the conflicts were gripping, gritty and realistic for the apocalypse. Overall a well crafted thoroughly researched story that may or may not have overtaken ‘the Edge of series’, maybe.
I really do love this author and am waiting with bated breath for her next series.
I decided to wait to finish the series before reviewing though I gave each book a five star rating because there’s no 10 star, lol. Hopefully no spoilers. I really loved the concept of this series. In most post apocalyptic stories there is always the element of travel, getting to a safe place and or reuniting families with the inherent dangers on the way. Don’t get me wrong I’m a post apocalyptic addict so I love me some road trip mayhem. But this series was so different as it was mostly centered around one county. Firstly the apocalypse did not happen overnight as usual, or should I say the realisation by the main protagonists was not sudden. In this series the unfolding of the results of the CME was gradual and only a few realised the magnitude timeously. I like the fact that law and order did not break down immediately and there were many law and order professionals who continued doing their job throughout the events and against insurmountable odds. True heroes, in my opinion.
I also enjoyed the murder mystery element which was surprising to find in a post apocalyptic story. The way each piece of the puzzle unfolded was masterful and each book revealed a part of the puzzle. The resolution was satisfying, especially a certain person’s end in book 3. lol. There were no overpowered characters, all were conflicted and vulnerable. The relationships really drew you into the overall storyline. I personally was very much invested in Eli and Shiloh’s relationship story. There were heartbreaking deaths which added to the poignancy of the narrative and the thrills were off the charts with the villains being more and more powerful as the books progressed. The resolutions of the conflicts were gripping, gritty and realistic for the apocalypse. Overall a well crafted thoroughly researched story that may or may not have overtaken ‘the Edge of series’, maybe.
I really do love this author and am waiting with bated breath for her next series.
July 31, 2025
I’m a HUGE Kyla Stone fan. However, this book failed to live up to the previous ones in the series. It lost two stars for the following:
Way too violence/action focused. Felt like the interpersonal stories and progressions of characters were minor players in the book. The military scenes seemed to take forever and it was hard to get through this book.
Killing off one of the main characters, before he got any happiness, felt like a waste of good character development. After Kyla killed off another main character in her Edge of Collapse books, I was expecting this. But it still felt like a cheap thrill/lazy writing.
I’m also disappointed that there was never a clear reconciliation or discussion between Jackson and Eli. Again, wasted potential in character development for both characters. Not sure what happened with Shiloh’s character, but her character development at the end was also rushed. I feel like there could’ve been a lot more digging into the characters and interpersonal scenes rather than the exhausting military scenes that seem to never end.
I’m still a huge Kyla fan, and will devour anything she writes. But I would’ve liked a little more from this final book in the series.
Way too violence/action focused. Felt like the interpersonal stories and progressions of characters were minor players in the book. The military scenes seemed to take forever and it was hard to get through this book.
Killing off one of the main characters, before he got any happiness, felt like a waste of good character development. After Kyla killed off another main character in her Edge of Collapse books, I was expecting this. But it still felt like a cheap thrill/lazy writing.
I’m also disappointed that there was never a clear reconciliation or discussion between Jackson and Eli. Again, wasted potential in character development for both characters. Not sure what happened with Shiloh’s character, but her character development at the end was also rushed. I feel like there could’ve been a lot more digging into the characters and interpersonal scenes rather than the exhausting military scenes that seem to never end.
I’m still a huge Kyla fan, and will devour anything she writes. But I would’ve liked a little more from this final book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2023
Wow! What an ending.
This series has been full of excitement, action, great writing and characters, and my favourite, some enthralling twists. So a hard act to follow, or even to supplant. But this author managed to do it!
I did enjoy this series, and the many characters. The setting was good - I do hope the real residents of the area didn't mind their surroundings being used so dramatically!! But it was great looking online and seeing real pictures of the area described.
As usual, a great sidekick dog was an excellent choice and a captivating character!
There were many things to tie up in this ending, but Kyla did an excellent job of rounding off everything in a nicely satisfactory manner.
Of course, I wouldn't suggest reading this if you haven't read the rest of the series leading up to this point, but if you have done so, then this book is most definitely required reading. You won't be disappointed!
This series has been full of excitement, action, great writing and characters, and my favourite, some enthralling twists. So a hard act to follow, or even to supplant. But this author managed to do it!
I did enjoy this series, and the many characters. The setting was good - I do hope the real residents of the area didn't mind their surroundings being used so dramatically!! But it was great looking online and seeing real pictures of the area described.
As usual, a great sidekick dog was an excellent choice and a captivating character!
There were many things to tie up in this ending, but Kyla did an excellent job of rounding off everything in a nicely satisfactory manner.
Of course, I wouldn't suggest reading this if you haven't read the rest of the series leading up to this point, but if you have done so, then this book is most definitely required reading. You won't be disappointed!
September 25, 2024
This is definitely the best in the series. I still can't stand Lena, though. I hate when authors take a character and make them have no flaws. I despise when an author continuously says how amazing a character is from every other point of view. That's not real life. Every other person in this book was flawed except for this girl. That just made me absolutely Despise her. I also hated that everyone didn't like Tracey for doing what she should have done. She turned in Lena to save her son. Every single person would've done the same thing. They acted like she was a horrible person because Lena was so amazing. Negative. Lena may have been my least favorite character in every single book I have ever read. However, I love that everyone else was flawed, but did their best. That's the kind of book I like.
June 26, 2025
A Fast-Paced, Emotional Roller Coaster Ride.
This series was really good! Very emotional, very suspenseful and intense, but it was a great ride!
There’s the Apocalyptic Survival, a Murder Mystery, a Serial Killer, The Cartel, Good Friends and Found Family. But there is a lot of violence in this world, fighting to protect and survive, and there’s some gore and death. I get emotionally drained by this kind of series and need a break from these kinds of stories, but I do love them! Now, on to a light fluff read.
If you enjoy these kinds of stories I definitely recommend you check out this series, it’s worth it!
This series was really good! Very emotional, very suspenseful and intense, but it was a great ride!
There’s the Apocalyptic Survival, a Murder Mystery, a Serial Killer, The Cartel, Good Friends and Found Family. But there is a lot of violence in this world, fighting to protect and survive, and there’s some gore and death. I get emotionally drained by this kind of series and need a break from these kinds of stories, but I do love them! Now, on to a light fluff read.
If you enjoy these kinds of stories I definitely recommend you check out this series, it’s worth it!
June 19, 2024
Worth the time!
Kyla Stone has written an amazing series with a full cast of richly layered, interesting, and characters. She includes great details on survival skills - educating the reader along the way. Very similar to her other works, there are multiple challenges beyond just the one cause of societal collapse to deal with. The characters, though, find strength and hope and grow during their journey - modeling resilience in a time when our entire real world needs to learn those same skills. Thank you for writing this. It is important. Kyla - you make a difference.
Kyla Stone has written an amazing series with a full cast of richly layered, interesting, and characters. She includes great details on survival skills - educating the reader along the way. Very similar to her other works, there are multiple challenges beyond just the one cause of societal collapse to deal with. The characters, though, find strength and hope and grow during their journey - modeling resilience in a time when our entire real world needs to learn those same skills. Thank you for writing this. It is important. Kyla - you make a difference.
October 10, 2024
I wasn’t very satisfied with the battle scenes in the final installment. Especially the death of cartel boss—it was barely explained, they just found the body after the battle. That feels way too sloppy.
Similarly, Jackson’s father and brother’s deaths were also glossed over. Plus, how could his father, a character like that, end up charging into the front lines with a gun and coincidentally run into Jackson? It feels like a forced plot device.
Overall, the series was decent, but the ending was somewhat underwhelming, not as good as the nuclear dawn series
Similarly, Jackson’s father and brother’s deaths were also glossed over. Plus, how could his father, a character like that, end up charging into the front lines with a gun and coincidentally run into Jackson? It feels like a forced plot device.
Overall, the series was decent, but the ending was somewhat underwhelming, not as good as the nuclear dawn series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2023
With plot twists to stun readers Kayla leaves you breathless and screaming what no wait what did I just read that through several times through out the final instalment of her latest disaster series. With a brutal series so realistic that you wonder could this really happen, and characters so loveable and some so easy to hate you want to move to the location you will likely be wishing there was more to come but this is the end folks and what an ending
January 28, 2024
War is Hell
War is Hell whether you win or lose. People you love die or are maimed for life. People you fear become larger than life and try to take away everything you have. Eli, Shiloh, Lena and Jackson, along with the others they loved built a community that cared for each other. They were a light in darkness. They brought hope to a dark world. May God grant us friends and companions like them are we face the unknown future that awaits us.
War is Hell whether you win or lose. People you love die or are maimed for life. People you fear become larger than life and try to take away everything you have. Eli, Shiloh, Lena and Jackson, along with the others they loved built a community that cared for each other. They were a light in darkness. They brought hope to a dark world. May God grant us friends and companions like them are we face the unknown future that awaits us.
March 4, 2024
A white knuckle thrill ride of a finale!
The World We Burn is hands down the best, and most intense, book in the Lost Light series. Wildfires, cartels, sacrifice, love, redemption, The World We Burn has it all. Each book in the series is more intense and foreboding than the previous installments. The Lost Light series has officially become my favorite series in the post EMP/CME genre. Many books in the genre are good; Lost Light is outstanding. 5/5 (very well earned) stars.
The World We Burn is hands down the best, and most intense, book in the Lost Light series. Wildfires, cartels, sacrifice, love, redemption, The World We Burn has it all. Each book in the series is more intense and foreboding than the previous installments. The Lost Light series has officially become my favorite series in the post EMP/CME genre. Many books in the genre are good; Lost Light is outstanding. 5/5 (very well earned) stars.
August 10, 2025
A nail biting read for sure!
I loved this book & series because it takes place in my home turf - Michigan, specifically in the UP where I love to spend vacations and have adventures. So many familiar towns and places, a joy to read!
In Stephen King style, the author did kill off some people that I didn't expect and would have preferred to live, but it reflected the unpredictable nature of the story. Definitely worth reading!
I loved this book & series because it takes place in my home turf - Michigan, specifically in the UP where I love to spend vacations and have adventures. So many familiar towns and places, a joy to read!
In Stephen King style, the author did kill off some people that I didn't expect and would have preferred to live, but it reflected the unpredictable nature of the story. Definitely worth reading!
December 13, 2023
The World We Burn is the final book in The Lost Light series by Kyla Stone. This book made me laugh, made me cry, and kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting for what could possibly be worse for the citizens of Munising Township, MI, than what they had already endured after a catastrophic solar flare hit North America. Each book in the series has been better than the last!
December 20, 2023
The World We Burn is the last book in the series and Kyla gave us everything we could hope for and more in this book. Lots of action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. So much emotion also in this book I cried. We saw enemies come together and we saw hope for the future. Great ending to this series.
December 22, 2023
This is the final book in this series. It takes all of the situations and characters we have come to know and brings them to a bittersweet conclusion. I cried at parts; some places I cheered. It is a story of redemption, loss, tenacity and above all, hope. If you have read the other books in the series, you MUST read this one. I was given an ARC copy of the book.
December 23, 2023
Brilliant conclusion to this fantastic series. Ms Stone as usual has us riveted from chapter to chapter and nicely tied up at the end. Tears will flow, but that's a sign of a great story. When you become so immersed, you feel all the emotions of our characters. Really looking forward to more books from this author.
December 30, 2023
Great series
The series is more of a ride into hell and back. The action never stops, the problems seem to start from nowhere and collide into a blaze that erupts into inferno. Characters are well developed and their strengths and endurance are amazing. Great series, I would recommend it.
The series is more of a ride into hell and back. The action never stops, the problems seem to start from nowhere and collide into a blaze that erupts into inferno. Characters are well developed and their strengths and endurance are amazing. Great series, I would recommend it.
January 3, 2024
This book was an amazing end to a great series. I've especially loved following Shiloh's journey, she's such a strong and interesting character. There are surprising twists that made it hard to put down, especially towards the end. Thank you Kyla Stone for another great series, I can't wait to read future series.
January 7, 2024
I am really disappointed that this series has ended, even though you know they have to at some point. I totally loved it, getting to know the characters and feeling like you are there with them through all their encounters, loss, tears and joy. Kyla is an amazing author. You certainly will not want to put her books down once you start reading them, they leave you wanting more
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