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Legend of the Dreamer #1
Light of the Moon
A lyrical and romantic story of true love and dark curses, Light of the Moon is an enchanting read for fans of Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone and Kami Garcia's and Margaret Stohl's Beautiful Creatures.
One night long ago, a constellation disappeared and fell from the sky in the form of a boy...
Secrets are being kept in the sleepy town of Lakewood Hollow, Colorado. Life unfolds in shades of red for Calum, until a mysterious girl named Kate Black enrolls at his school and everything changes. Suddenly a dangerous world of demons, enchanters, and witches unfurls before Calum. He learns that the stars have forever held his destiny, and that the constellations above are much more than what they seem. But life is not so easy for Calum, and he can feel his heart beat faster whenever Kate is close. Worse, Kate's blood holds a dark secret even more dangerous than the war between the demons and enchanters. Soon the two find that there are worse things than loving someone you shouldn't. For Calum and Kate, even love and the fiery power of stars may not be enough to break a curse as dark as the blood that binds their destiny.
Sometimes being brave just means falling in love.
One night long ago, a constellation disappeared and fell from the sky in the form of a boy...
Secrets are being kept in the sleepy town of Lakewood Hollow, Colorado. Life unfolds in shades of red for Calum, until a mysterious girl named Kate Black enrolls at his school and everything changes. Suddenly a dangerous world of demons, enchanters, and witches unfurls before Calum. He learns that the stars have forever held his destiny, and that the constellations above are much more than what they seem. But life is not so easy for Calum, and he can feel his heart beat faster whenever Kate is close. Worse, Kate's blood holds a dark secret even more dangerous than the war between the demons and enchanters. Soon the two find that there are worse things than loving someone you shouldn't. For Calum and Kate, even love and the fiery power of stars may not be enough to break a curse as dark as the blood that binds their destiny.
Sometimes being brave just means falling in love.
372 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2012
4 people are currently reading
1534 people want to read
About the author
David James
6 books189 followersDavid James writes books about stars and kisses and curses. He is the author of the YA novel, LIGHT OF THE MOON, the first book in the Legend of the Dreamer duet, as well as the companion novellas, THE WITCH'S CURSE and THE WARRIOR’S CODE. A Legend of the Dreamer anthology, SHADES OF THE STARS, was released July 2013, and includes the exclusive novella, THE ENCHANTER'S FIRE. BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is his first contemporary novel for young adults. Living in Michigan, he is addicted to coffee, gummy things, and sarcastic comments. David enjoys bad movies, goofy moments, and shivery nights. Be sure to visit David’s blog at djamesauthor.blogspot.com and facebook at facebook.com/djamesauthor to learn more about his various addictions and novels.
Goodreads Note: The books starred on my Goodreads profile are books I've loved enough to give 5 stars.
Goodreads Note: The books starred on my Goodreads profile are books I've loved enough to give 5 stars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 5, 2012
This book was amazing. Period.
I felt that David James did a wonderful job blending reality and fantasy within a story that holds both adventure and romance. His writing is beautiful and visceral and kept me turning the pages until the early hours of every morning (and it's unusual for me to stay up so late reading like that because I have small children.)
The first half of the book is where you meet Calum, a seemingly normal teenager with some darkness to his past. You quickly get the impression, however, that not all is as it seems with this boy. It's more than just the fact that he has a broken family and that he feels like he doesn't quite belong. Enter Kate, a new and strangely hostile girl at school, and you start to wonder whether she will bring forth some of the answers. I actually immediately liked Kate -- probably because she struck me right off the bat as being a very strong female character, which I think we need more of in YA literature. Calum is definitely more sensitive and emotional as a character, but certainly not weak. I liked the balance between the two.
The second half is where you delve into the fantasy world, and suddenly everything central to Calum's secret unfolds at a fast pace. The author did an amazing job with dropping in details as he goes to solidify the foundation for the story. You learn much more about Kate, her past, and her motivations for her actions, which I really liked. And I didn't know what to expect until the very end. The VERY END.
The only negative was that I wanted more when I got to the last page.
Amazing.
I felt that David James did a wonderful job blending reality and fantasy within a story that holds both adventure and romance. His writing is beautiful and visceral and kept me turning the pages until the early hours of every morning (and it's unusual for me to stay up so late reading like that because I have small children.)
The first half of the book is where you meet Calum, a seemingly normal teenager with some darkness to his past. You quickly get the impression, however, that not all is as it seems with this boy. It's more than just the fact that he has a broken family and that he feels like he doesn't quite belong. Enter Kate, a new and strangely hostile girl at school, and you start to wonder whether she will bring forth some of the answers. I actually immediately liked Kate -- probably because she struck me right off the bat as being a very strong female character, which I think we need more of in YA literature. Calum is definitely more sensitive and emotional as a character, but certainly not weak. I liked the balance between the two.
The second half is where you delve into the fantasy world, and suddenly everything central to Calum's secret unfolds at a fast pace. The author did an amazing job with dropping in details as he goes to solidify the foundation for the story. You learn much more about Kate, her past, and her motivations for her actions, which I really liked. And I didn't know what to expect until the very end. The VERY END.
The only negative was that I wanted more when I got to the last page.
Amazing.
November 30, 2012
So, I'd been savoring this book all week, loving the rich language and fascinating, mythical world building but, after 40 or 50 pages I couldn't help myself and finished in a big, quick hurry; I'm glad I did.
There are a lot of easy ways to spoil the story of this book so I won't "summarize" it for you but I have to say that if you love rich, lyrical writing, if you're drawn to fated lovers with unimaginable conflicts, if you want to explore a new world that's been carefully crafted with loving attention to detail, or if you've ever looked at the stars and envisioned the constellations coming to life -- or what it might feel like to have a conversation with Orion, yes I said Orion!!! -- then you are in for a treat.
I know because I personally tend to stay away from mythical legends and stories that don't take place in the here and now, but this actually does. It's hard to explain how grounded in reality this story is because it deals with so many myths and legends and astral planes, but the author strives so hard to make it feel real, it's quite a feat he's pulled off. Bravo and can't wait to read the next one!!!
There are a lot of easy ways to spoil the story of this book so I won't "summarize" it for you but I have to say that if you love rich, lyrical writing, if you're drawn to fated lovers with unimaginable conflicts, if you want to explore a new world that's been carefully crafted with loving attention to detail, or if you've ever looked at the stars and envisioned the constellations coming to life -- or what it might feel like to have a conversation with Orion, yes I said Orion!!! -- then you are in for a treat.
I know because I personally tend to stay away from mythical legends and stories that don't take place in the here and now, but this actually does. It's hard to explain how grounded in reality this story is because it deals with so many myths and legends and astral planes, but the author strives so hard to make it feel real, it's quite a feat he's pulled off. Bravo and can't wait to read the next one!!!
December 14, 2012
Light of the Moon by David James
With most books, I can pull out my kindle and read at piano lessons, dance class, the soccer field, and even while stirring dinner. I can usually comprehend what I am reading while surrounded by distractions. With Light of the Moon by David James, I instantly knew I needed to pay special attention to the words. No distractions. I needed to let the words sink in. Discover the eloquent prose as the words combined. Let them vividly paint the picture of a timeless, magical story.
I fell in love with the characters. The main characters were well developed and weren't the typical hero/heroine. While Kate was strong, Calum was sensitive. They needed each other and together they were amazing. I can't recall reading another book where I rallied for two main characters equally.
The words demanded my attention. They were beautiful, brutal, vivid, and raw. Just like Kate and Calum, when combined, they were amazing.
With most books, I can pull out my kindle and read at piano lessons, dance class, the soccer field, and even while stirring dinner. I can usually comprehend what I am reading while surrounded by distractions. With Light of the Moon by David James, I instantly knew I needed to pay special attention to the words. No distractions. I needed to let the words sink in. Discover the eloquent prose as the words combined. Let them vividly paint the picture of a timeless, magical story.
I fell in love with the characters. The main characters were well developed and weren't the typical hero/heroine. While Kate was strong, Calum was sensitive. They needed each other and together they were amazing. I can't recall reading another book where I rallied for two main characters equally.
The words demanded my attention. They were beautiful, brutal, vivid, and raw. Just like Kate and Calum, when combined, they were amazing.
November 5, 2012
*Before reading please be aware that there are a few spoilers mentioned*
“One night long ago, a constellation disappeared and fell from the sky in the form of a boy…
Like all good things, I happened to come upon the work of David James purely by accident. An author I dearly love had tweeted about his new cover reveal one day. Curious, I went to his blog. And yes, the cover was brilliant; but so was the synopsis of the book. I was intrigued. David James kindly offered me the ARC of his new Young Adult novel Light of the Moon for purposes of this review.
This is a thrilling and heroic Young Adult novel, with an intriguing paranormal storyline. From the onset, fans will welcome the two young characters, Calum and Kate, as they each struggle to discover what part they play in saving the world from death and destruction. Having been raised in a broken home filled with emotional abuse, Calum struggles to be someone other than the mirrored reflection of the father that abandoned him. His mother drowns her sorrows in alcohol and drinks to forget, while Calum fights with his feelings of worthlessness. Besides his best friend Tyler, he feels utterly alone in his world, until a new girl with violet eyes arrives in his school.
Calum feels a strong connection with her. But like so much in his life, she is just another unanswered question.
In the back of his mind, he believes he is something more, something greater, and his nightly dreams reinforce this belief.
A binding spell keeps him from remembering. He must hurry in his struggle with self-identity because Evil has arrived, and it is here to claim Calum and all of humanity . He must be vigilant in his quest to find the key to unlocking his past secrets. Always present in the back of his mind is a voice “Become who you are Calaes.“
Opposite his character is Kate who is strong , stubborn, and fiercely independent. She has her own internal conflicts to contend with. After her parents were killed and branded traitors by the Warriors and Elder Counsel, she was taken in and raised by them. Her sisters are the only family left, and they are missing. The warriors assure her that they will help find them.
She proves herself to be an excelled warrior and she has been assigned as Calum’s executioner. They instill within her the belief that Calum should not be trusted and ultimately be destroyed. But Calum is not what she expected; and whenever she is around him, she is reminded of a time when life was much more innocent. Kate now finds herself doubting everything that she has been told.
"I could see the way he wanted things: Family, friends, love. I could see the way he looked at me like he knew me. Like he cared."
"With Calum I was beginning to not trust myself, and I hated that. Times like this I couldn’t remember who I was now, only who I was before."
There is an attraction that builds between the two. Not only could that attraction prove to be the ruin of man’s existence but also the end to a terrible curse that Calum has yet to understand.
"When you fall in love, true love, you will need your mother’s protection no more. It’s said that an act of true love will break your curse, but be the curse itself. Love is your curse, and it is your salvation. It will free us, and trap you. When that happens, the Devil will find you, and be granted the power to kill you once and for all time."
I was captivated with these two characters and the world that the author had conjured. This is an absorbing tale with all the larger than life characters one would expect from paranormal fiction. It is a fast-pace read with an intricate background story, and the author does a good job of telling the information. The characters morph and grow throughout the story becoming the hero and heroine that they were meant to become. Despite all the obstacles, Calum and Kate begin to bond; and as hard as they try, love is just an emotion they cannot control.
I would have liked to have seen more development with Calum and Kate’s relationship. I wanted to see a more vulnerable side to Kate, to see Calum strip her defenses bare, and to have them engage in a few soft and tender moments. Since the pace of the book is fast (which I like), the relationship between the two almost seems rushed. With the fate of the world at risk and what loving each other would have meant, I would have liked to have seen more gut-wrenching, sob-inducing emotion between the two.
What I found refreshing was the poems within the story itself. Words crossed out within the context of the poems and the sentences within the story were something I’ve not seen too much of in a book. So it was different. Not odd different, but more of a “Oh that’s kind of cool” different. Throughout the story, as Calum fights his internal battle to be something more than what he is, he crosses out words to underscore certain phrases to emphasize the characters’ feelings. I found it quite heartbreaking at times to see Calum wrestle with his past along with his overwhelming need to detach himself from his father. He was a boy that seemed so lost and unwanted. From Calum’s scribblings:
I am nothing without truth someone more than this.
I am someone. Am I even alive?
Who am I?
So in summary, I found the book to be engaging, and I believe that young readers, ages 13 and up, will be thrilled with the world this author has fabricated. I’ll certainly be looking forward to more of this author’s works.
“One night long ago, a constellation disappeared and fell from the sky in the form of a boy…
Like all good things, I happened to come upon the work of David James purely by accident. An author I dearly love had tweeted about his new cover reveal one day. Curious, I went to his blog. And yes, the cover was brilliant; but so was the synopsis of the book. I was intrigued. David James kindly offered me the ARC of his new Young Adult novel Light of the Moon for purposes of this review.
This is a thrilling and heroic Young Adult novel, with an intriguing paranormal storyline. From the onset, fans will welcome the two young characters, Calum and Kate, as they each struggle to discover what part they play in saving the world from death and destruction. Having been raised in a broken home filled with emotional abuse, Calum struggles to be someone other than the mirrored reflection of the father that abandoned him. His mother drowns her sorrows in alcohol and drinks to forget, while Calum fights with his feelings of worthlessness. Besides his best friend Tyler, he feels utterly alone in his world, until a new girl with violet eyes arrives in his school.
Calum feels a strong connection with her. But like so much in his life, she is just another unanswered question.
In the back of his mind, he believes he is something more, something greater, and his nightly dreams reinforce this belief.
A binding spell keeps him from remembering. He must hurry in his struggle with self-identity because Evil has arrived, and it is here to claim Calum and all of humanity . He must be vigilant in his quest to find the key to unlocking his past secrets. Always present in the back of his mind is a voice “Become who you are Calaes.“
Opposite his character is Kate who is strong , stubborn, and fiercely independent. She has her own internal conflicts to contend with. After her parents were killed and branded traitors by the Warriors and Elder Counsel, she was taken in and raised by them. Her sisters are the only family left, and they are missing. The warriors assure her that they will help find them.
She proves herself to be an excelled warrior and she has been assigned as Calum’s executioner. They instill within her the belief that Calum should not be trusted and ultimately be destroyed. But Calum is not what she expected; and whenever she is around him, she is reminded of a time when life was much more innocent. Kate now finds herself doubting everything that she has been told.
"I could see the way he wanted things: Family, friends, love. I could see the way he looked at me like he knew me. Like he cared."
"With Calum I was beginning to not trust myself, and I hated that. Times like this I couldn’t remember who I was now, only who I was before."
There is an attraction that builds between the two. Not only could that attraction prove to be the ruin of man’s existence but also the end to a terrible curse that Calum has yet to understand.
"When you fall in love, true love, you will need your mother’s protection no more. It’s said that an act of true love will break your curse, but be the curse itself. Love is your curse, and it is your salvation. It will free us, and trap you. When that happens, the Devil will find you, and be granted the power to kill you once and for all time."
I was captivated with these two characters and the world that the author had conjured. This is an absorbing tale with all the larger than life characters one would expect from paranormal fiction. It is a fast-pace read with an intricate background story, and the author does a good job of telling the information. The characters morph and grow throughout the story becoming the hero and heroine that they were meant to become. Despite all the obstacles, Calum and Kate begin to bond; and as hard as they try, love is just an emotion they cannot control.
I would have liked to have seen more development with Calum and Kate’s relationship. I wanted to see a more vulnerable side to Kate, to see Calum strip her defenses bare, and to have them engage in a few soft and tender moments. Since the pace of the book is fast (which I like), the relationship between the two almost seems rushed. With the fate of the world at risk and what loving each other would have meant, I would have liked to have seen more gut-wrenching, sob-inducing emotion between the two.
What I found refreshing was the poems within the story itself. Words crossed out within the context of the poems and the sentences within the story were something I’ve not seen too much of in a book. So it was different. Not odd different, but more of a “Oh that’s kind of cool” different. Throughout the story, as Calum fights his internal battle to be something more than what he is, he crosses out words to underscore certain phrases to emphasize the characters’ feelings. I found it quite heartbreaking at times to see Calum wrestle with his past along with his overwhelming need to detach himself from his father. He was a boy that seemed so lost and unwanted. From Calum’s scribblings:
I am nothing without truth someone more than this.
I am someone. Am I even alive?
Who am I?
So in summary, I found the book to be engaging, and I believe that young readers, ages 13 and up, will be thrilled with the world this author has fabricated. I’ll certainly be looking forward to more of this author’s works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2012
Just finished Light of the Moon and my first thought, is oh my god how can I wait to find out what happens in the next book?! It is hard to believe this is David James' first novel. I am in awe of the world he created within this story. It is refreshing to find a young adult book with such strong characters you can relate to, even in a world filled with magic, power, and violence.
James' words are poetic from beginning to end. Read this immediately, and join me in anticipation over Shadow of the Sun.
James' words are poetic from beginning to end. Read this immediately, and join me in anticipation over Shadow of the Sun.
December 4, 2012
Poetic, dark, epic, legendary, and hopeful. This book sucked me into another world, a world of chaos and legends. I'm not going to write any spoilers in this review, but anyone who has followed Harry Potter, Twilight, and anything inbetween, this book should be added to you list to read! I would place this book in my top 5 books read this year, and I look forward to the following works of David James. Thank you so much to my sister for telling me that I had to read this book. She was right. And David James, thank you for writing your vision. It's amazing!
November 7, 2012
Beautiful world that David Created in Light of The Moon! Great Characters, well written! I Loved this book!
November 5, 2012
*Before reading please be aware that a few spoilers are mentioned*
“One night long ago, a constellation disappeared and fell from the sky in the form of a boy…
Secrets are being kept in the sleepy town of Lakewood Hollow, Colorado. Nothing but pools of blood and dripping words are left where bodies once were, and no one but Calum Wade seems to be worried. Life unfolds in shades of red for Calum, until a mysterious girl named Kate Black enrolls at his school and everything changes. Suddenly a dangerous world of dream demons, elemental enchanters, and blood witches unfurls before Calum. He learns that the stars have forever held his destiny, and that the constellations above are much more than what they seem. As Kate and Calum sink deep into a paranormal war, they realize that an ancient prophecy might hold the answers they seek. But life is not so easy for Calum, and he can feel his heart beat faster whenever Kate is close. Worse, Kate’s blood holds a dark secret even more dangerous than the war between the demons and enchanters. Soon the two find that there are worse things than loving someone you shouldn’t. For Calum and Kate, even love and the fiery power of stars may not be enough to break a curse as dark as the blood that binds their destiny.”
Like all good things, I happened to come upon the work of David James purely by accident. An author I dearly love had tweeted about his new cover reveal one day. Curious, I went to his blog. And yes, the cover was brilliant; but so was the synopsis of the book. I was intrigued. David James kindly offered me the ARC of his new Young Adult novel Light of the Moon for purposes of this review.
This is a thrilling and heroic Young Adult novel, with an intriguing paranormal storyline. From the onset, fans will welcome the two young characters, Calum and Kate, as they each struggle to discover what part they play in saving the world from death and destruction. Having been raised in a broken home filled with emotional abuse, Calum struggles to be someone other than the mirrored reflection of the father that abandoned him. His mother drowns her sorrows in alcohol and drinks to forget, while Calum fights with his feelings of worthlessness. Besides his best friend Tyler, he feels utterly alone in his world, until a new girl with violet eyes arrives in his school. Calum feels a strong connection with her. But like so much in his life, she is just another unanswered question. In the back of his mind, he believes he is something more, something greater, and his nightly dreams reinforce this belief.
A binding spell keeps him from remembering. He must hurry in his struggle with self-identity because Evil has arrived, and it is here to claim Calum and all of humanity . He must be vigilant in his quest to find the key to unlocking his past secrets. Always present in the back of his mind is a voice “Become who you are Calaes.“
Opposite his character is Kate who is strong , stubborn, and fiercely independent. She has her own internal conflicts to contend with. After her parents were killed and branded traitors by the Warriors and Elder Counsel, she was taken in and raised by them. Her sisters are the only family left, and they are missing. The warriors assure her that they will help find them. She proves herself to be an excelled warrior and has been assigned as Calum’s executioner. They instill within her the belief that Calum should not be trusted and ultimately be destroyed. But Calum is not what she expected; and whenever she is around him, she is reminded of a time when life was much more innocent. Kate now finds herself doubting everything that she has been told.
I could see the way he wanted things: Family, friends, love. I could see the way he looked at me like he knew me. Like he cared.
With Calum I was beginning to not trust myself, and I hated that. Times like this I couldn’t remember who I was now, only who I was before.
There is an attraction that builds between the two. Not only could that attraction prove to be the ruin of man’s existence but also the end to a terrible curse that Calum has yet to understand.
When you fall in love, true love, you will need your mother’s protection no more. It’s said that an act of true love will break your curse, but be the curse itself. Love is your curse, and it is your salvation. It will free us, and trap you. When that happens, the Devil will find you, and be granted the power to kill you once and for all time.
I was captivated with these two characters and the world that the author had conjured. This is an absorbing tale with all the larger than life characters one would expect from paranormal fiction. It is a fast-pace read with an intricate background story, and the author does a good job of telling the information. The characters morph and grow throughout the story becoming the hero and heroine that they were meant to become. Despite all the obstacles, Calum and Kate begin to bond; and as hard as they try, love is just an emotion they cannot control.
I would have liked to have seen more development with Calum and Kate’s relationship. I wanted to see a more vulnerable side to Kate, to see Calum strip her defenses bare, and to have them engage in a few soft and tender moments. Since the pace of the book is fast (which I like), the relationship between the two almost seems rushed. With the fate of the world at risk and what loving each other would have meant, I would have liked to have seen more gut-wrenching, sob-inducing emotion between the two.
What I found refreshing was the poems within the story itself. Words crossed out within the context of the poems and the sentences within the story were something I’ve not seen too much of in a book. So it was different. Not odd different, but more of a “Oh that’s kind of cool” different. Throughout the story, as Calum fights his internal battle to be something more than what he is, he crosses out words to underscore certain phrases to emphasize the characters’ feelings. I found it quite heartbreaking at times to see Calum wrestle with his past along with his overwhelming need to detach himself from his father. He was a boy that seemed so lost and unwanted. From Calum’s scribblings:
I am nothing without truth someone more than this.
I am someone. Am I even alive?
Who am I?
So in summary, I found the book to be engaging, and I believe that young readers, ages 13 and up, will be thrilled with the world this author has fabricated. I’ll certainly be looking forward to more of this author’s works.
“One night long ago, a constellation disappeared and fell from the sky in the form of a boy…
Secrets are being kept in the sleepy town of Lakewood Hollow, Colorado. Nothing but pools of blood and dripping words are left where bodies once were, and no one but Calum Wade seems to be worried. Life unfolds in shades of red for Calum, until a mysterious girl named Kate Black enrolls at his school and everything changes. Suddenly a dangerous world of dream demons, elemental enchanters, and blood witches unfurls before Calum. He learns that the stars have forever held his destiny, and that the constellations above are much more than what they seem. As Kate and Calum sink deep into a paranormal war, they realize that an ancient prophecy might hold the answers they seek. But life is not so easy for Calum, and he can feel his heart beat faster whenever Kate is close. Worse, Kate’s blood holds a dark secret even more dangerous than the war between the demons and enchanters. Soon the two find that there are worse things than loving someone you shouldn’t. For Calum and Kate, even love and the fiery power of stars may not be enough to break a curse as dark as the blood that binds their destiny.”
Like all good things, I happened to come upon the work of David James purely by accident. An author I dearly love had tweeted about his new cover reveal one day. Curious, I went to his blog. And yes, the cover was brilliant; but so was the synopsis of the book. I was intrigued. David James kindly offered me the ARC of his new Young Adult novel Light of the Moon for purposes of this review.
This is a thrilling and heroic Young Adult novel, with an intriguing paranormal storyline. From the onset, fans will welcome the two young characters, Calum and Kate, as they each struggle to discover what part they play in saving the world from death and destruction. Having been raised in a broken home filled with emotional abuse, Calum struggles to be someone other than the mirrored reflection of the father that abandoned him. His mother drowns her sorrows in alcohol and drinks to forget, while Calum fights with his feelings of worthlessness. Besides his best friend Tyler, he feels utterly alone in his world, until a new girl with violet eyes arrives in his school. Calum feels a strong connection with her. But like so much in his life, she is just another unanswered question. In the back of his mind, he believes he is something more, something greater, and his nightly dreams reinforce this belief.
A binding spell keeps him from remembering. He must hurry in his struggle with self-identity because Evil has arrived, and it is here to claim Calum and all of humanity . He must be vigilant in his quest to find the key to unlocking his past secrets. Always present in the back of his mind is a voice “Become who you are Calaes.“
Opposite his character is Kate who is strong , stubborn, and fiercely independent. She has her own internal conflicts to contend with. After her parents were killed and branded traitors by the Warriors and Elder Counsel, she was taken in and raised by them. Her sisters are the only family left, and they are missing. The warriors assure her that they will help find them. She proves herself to be an excelled warrior and has been assigned as Calum’s executioner. They instill within her the belief that Calum should not be trusted and ultimately be destroyed. But Calum is not what she expected; and whenever she is around him, she is reminded of a time when life was much more innocent. Kate now finds herself doubting everything that she has been told.
I could see the way he wanted things: Family, friends, love. I could see the way he looked at me like he knew me. Like he cared.
With Calum I was beginning to not trust myself, and I hated that. Times like this I couldn’t remember who I was now, only who I was before.
There is an attraction that builds between the two. Not only could that attraction prove to be the ruin of man’s existence but also the end to a terrible curse that Calum has yet to understand.
When you fall in love, true love, you will need your mother’s protection no more. It’s said that an act of true love will break your curse, but be the curse itself. Love is your curse, and it is your salvation. It will free us, and trap you. When that happens, the Devil will find you, and be granted the power to kill you once and for all time.
I was captivated with these two characters and the world that the author had conjured. This is an absorbing tale with all the larger than life characters one would expect from paranormal fiction. It is a fast-pace read with an intricate background story, and the author does a good job of telling the information. The characters morph and grow throughout the story becoming the hero and heroine that they were meant to become. Despite all the obstacles, Calum and Kate begin to bond; and as hard as they try, love is just an emotion they cannot control.
I would have liked to have seen more development with Calum and Kate’s relationship. I wanted to see a more vulnerable side to Kate, to see Calum strip her defenses bare, and to have them engage in a few soft and tender moments. Since the pace of the book is fast (which I like), the relationship between the two almost seems rushed. With the fate of the world at risk and what loving each other would have meant, I would have liked to have seen more gut-wrenching, sob-inducing emotion between the two.
What I found refreshing was the poems within the story itself. Words crossed out within the context of the poems and the sentences within the story were something I’ve not seen too much of in a book. So it was different. Not odd different, but more of a “Oh that’s kind of cool” different. Throughout the story, as Calum fights his internal battle to be something more than what he is, he crosses out words to underscore certain phrases to emphasize the characters’ feelings. I found it quite heartbreaking at times to see Calum wrestle with his past along with his overwhelming need to detach himself from his father. He was a boy that seemed so lost and unwanted. From Calum’s scribblings:
I am nothing without truth someone more than this.
I am someone. Am I even alive?
Who am I?
So in summary, I found the book to be engaging, and I believe that young readers, ages 13 and up, will be thrilled with the world this author has fabricated. I’ll certainly be looking forward to more of this author’s works.
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February 17, 2013Courtesy of Smash Attack Reads
I met David James on Twitter and #RumIsland was soon born. It was right before the release of Light of the Moon, and even though I knew nothing about David or his book, I was excited for him. After seeing the cover and reading the synopsis, I decided to read his debut. I'm glad that I did because he has a beautiful, lyrical quality to his writing. It is vivid and intoxicating, and I sometimes felt like I was being rocked to sleep by the pretty words.
Here are some examples:
Our introduction to Calum, a troubled teen whose father left and never looked back, is somber and morose. Dad left his mother feeling dead inside, and Calum is pretty much parent-less at this point.
Calum is pretty much on autopilot, never feeling like hit fits in but trying hard to hold on to some semblance of normalcy. Kate comes into Calum's life like a hurricane threatening serious destruction. Kate is the opposite of Calum, his antithesis. She's brash and rude and pretty much tells Calum his time is limited. Say what? Who you talkin too, Willis? However, Calum is drawn to Kate, like some lush, evil magnetism that he cannot neutralize.
Both characters were so mysterious and hard to connect with up front. It was easy to feel for Calum's personal struggles, but because he was so closed off to life, it was hard to connect with him. Kate was just a tornado in the beginning, and I was left wondering who the hell she thought she was! Halfway through the story, however, we get more insight and I started to feel more of a connection to them as they struggled with difficult choices. It was when we finally see Kate's personal side that I finally calmed and became invested in her character. I also had a hard time believing their love for one another. I think it happened too fast. Not that this isn't typical of teenagers, but I needed more of a foundation. However, by the end of the story, I was definitely rooting for the two of them as a team. Not only does the lore and history make their seemingly superficial connection make sense, I just plain like them together and I want them to succeed in their hellish mission. I love that there a Love Vs. Destiny theme. It's one of my favorite bookish plot lines.
Other memorable characters: Tyler, Calum's best friend, was truly a good guy, though some of his behavior didn't always fit the typical popular jock. Also, the author wrote some seriously creeptastic characters! The Bloodletter made my skin crawl and his scenes were super sinister. And this particular scene with a certain witch was so vivid and eerie. Did I mention creepy scenes with creepy characters? Good stuff.
We slowly and painfully learn the lore of the Dreamer and Destroyer.
I loved the twists with the lore and found it very creative. We get demons, witches and other equally sinister characters. Plus, lots of astrological references and some key players in the constellations are actually characters. WIN!
There was one scene with "The Doors of Judgement" that totally reminded me of the gate scenes in The Neverending Story! You know that scene, right? The scene where the statues shoot lasers out of their eyes? Making me think of that movie in any way wins big points!
There was a crazy scene near the end that made me type WOAH in my Kindle and I still remember how I felt when that piece was revealed. It might not come as a surprise to some, but I loved that it smacked me across the face.
I met David James on Twitter and #RumIsland was soon born. It was right before the release of Light of the Moon, and even though I knew nothing about David or his book, I was excited for him. After seeing the cover and reading the synopsis, I decided to read his debut. I'm glad that I did because he has a beautiful, lyrical quality to his writing. It is vivid and intoxicating, and I sometimes felt like I was being rocked to sleep by the pretty words.
Here are some examples:
Night demised in ice.
Morning was born in inferno.
Sun beat through my window, waking me in an ocean of warm sweat. At once I smelled hints of burnt air, the fragrance raw, influencing my headache like gasoline on fire.
and
Tiny flecks of what looked like mirrored snowflakes floated through the air like fragmented thoughts from a thousand angels. Each fleck shone a rainbow of whites, not colors, reflecting everything and nothing at all; it was as if they were made of pure light, white as the center of the sun.
Our introduction to Calum, a troubled teen whose father left and never looked back, is somber and morose. Dad left his mother feeling dead inside, and Calum is pretty much parent-less at this point.
The day Dad left was the day mom stopped loving me. I remember the door slamming, screams breaking glass. I remember looking out my window to see him driving away. Mom broken and bleeding on the floor, all tears and pain. I remember reaching down to brush glass from her face, and the look in her eyes said that she would never love me, never see me, again.
Calum is pretty much on autopilot, never feeling like hit fits in but trying hard to hold on to some semblance of normalcy. Kate comes into Calum's life like a hurricane threatening serious destruction. Kate is the opposite of Calum, his antithesis. She's brash and rude and pretty much tells Calum his time is limited. Say what? Who you talkin too, Willis? However, Calum is drawn to Kate, like some lush, evil magnetism that he cannot neutralize.
Both characters were so mysterious and hard to connect with up front. It was easy to feel for Calum's personal struggles, but because he was so closed off to life, it was hard to connect with him. Kate was just a tornado in the beginning, and I was left wondering who the hell she thought she was! Halfway through the story, however, we get more insight and I started to feel more of a connection to them as they struggled with difficult choices. It was when we finally see Kate's personal side that I finally calmed and became invested in her character. I also had a hard time believing their love for one another. I think it happened too fast. Not that this isn't typical of teenagers, but I needed more of a foundation. However, by the end of the story, I was definitely rooting for the two of them as a team. Not only does the lore and history make their seemingly superficial connection make sense, I just plain like them together and I want them to succeed in their hellish mission. I love that there a Love Vs. Destiny theme. It's one of my favorite bookish plot lines.
Other memorable characters: Tyler, Calum's best friend, was truly a good guy, though some of his behavior didn't always fit the typical popular jock. Also, the author wrote some seriously creeptastic characters! The Bloodletter made my skin crawl and his scenes were super sinister. And this particular scene with a certain witch was so vivid and eerie. Did I mention creepy scenes with creepy characters? Good stuff.
We slowly and painfully learn the lore of the Dreamer and Destroyer.
"You see, child, this is the story of an angel who fell in love with the Devil, and the forbidden love that destroyed them both; their child of shadow and light."
I loved the twists with the lore and found it very creative. We get demons, witches and other equally sinister characters. Plus, lots of astrological references and some key players in the constellations are actually characters. WIN!
There was one scene with "The Doors of Judgement" that totally reminded me of the gate scenes in The Neverending Story! You know that scene, right? The scene where the statues shoot lasers out of their eyes? Making me think of that movie in any way wins big points!
{Flickr: By schoschie}
There was a crazy scene near the end that made me type WOAH in my Kindle and I still remember how I felt when that piece was revealed. It might not come as a surprise to some, but I loved that it smacked me across the face.
September 11, 2013
One of the good things about reading on a kindle is the capability to highlight passages that you love and when I read Light of the Moon by David James, I had NEVER used that feature so much. Ever. Before reading this book. David’s writing style is both lyrical and beautifully poetic, with rich, vivid description and prose that is quite often profound. I found myself stopping in my reading tracks to read a passage out loud, marvel at it and then carry on. Here are some examples:
“The woman’s eyes were white clouds in a dark sky,
covered by a mist so fine many often forgot she was blind.”
I would have just said the woman had milky eyes and was blind and so I’m kind of in awe over this description. And how about this one:
“Now, in a world as gray as the sky outside, I was just as lost as the sunlight.”
Or this one:
“Words thick with the poison of sadness caught in my throat and fell out in a burning whisper.”
One of my very favourite lines:
“Sometimes bravery comes from letting your heart make choices your mind cannot.”
And my ultimate favourite:
“I don’t think a hero ever believes in himself until the story is almost over.”
With regards to the story, Light of the Moon is told from dual perspective and simply put, is about a boy and a girl, and a curse. This may be a paranormal story but let me reassure you that despite the title, there are no werewolves in sight. What you have instead is a beautiful story about a boy that fell from the stars and is destined to live the same cursed life over and over again...unless he figures out how to break the spell, but the stakes are much higher than this, as Calum has no idea who he is and is thrust right into the middle of a war that’s been fought for centuries. But why him? Who is he really? What has he got to do with all of this? In the middle of everything, ordinary people are going missing and and all that’s left is their blood, leading news crews to nickname the culprit ‘The Bloodletter’. At the same time, there’s a new girl at school who takes an immediate dislike to Calum but there’s something in her eyes that looks familiar. Is she really as dangerous as she first appears?
Even after I’ve finished reading, I am still thinking about this story. In all honesty, it is somewhat complicated but it’s rich in detail and requires you to savour the story slowly like a fine wine. To devour it quickly would be to miss the poetic lull of the words, and a lot of the back story, so I advise you to take your own sweet time with it.
Obviously I don’t want to give too much away about the plot but there is so much more to it than you could imagine and a twist that you probably won’t see coming. I know I didn’t and I pride myself these days on being able to tell you what’s going to happen in a story before it unfolds.
With regards to the characters, I felt really sorry for Calum. He’s a sensitive creature who has lost his father and his mother who can barely look at him, pretty much drowns her sorrows in the bottom of a bottle. He feels unloved, unwanted and an outsider in his own life. He feels lost and it shows through his jumbled thoughts, vivid nightmares and lack of sense of self. Light of the Moon is a journey of ultimate self discovery for Calum as he learns who he is and what integral part he must play in a prophecy told centuries ago and handed down through the ages.
Where Calum is sensitive and kind, we find that Kate is the opposite and I liked this contrast. She’s tough, a warrior taught to fight from an early age but beneath the tough exterior, we learn that she’s known and lost love which has hardened her heart but is Calum the one who can break through her walls? There’s definitely a connection between them, you know, besides her wanting to tear his heart out but can he live long enough for them to figure it all out?
I can’t not mention Calum’s best friend and sidekick Tyler who I became quite fond of. I could not help but picture the cast of Teen Wolf as Calum and Tyler’s bromance is just like Scott and Stiles, so much so that I picture those actors in these roles now.
David James reminds me a little of a male Victoria Schwab and I can see influences from Maggie Stiefvater and maybe even Tahereh Mafi. He’s definitely got talent and I’d say he was an author to watch. If nothing else, he makes me want to be a better writer and for that I’m truly grateful.
“The woman’s eyes were white clouds in a dark sky,
covered by a mist so fine many often forgot she was blind.”
I would have just said the woman had milky eyes and was blind and so I’m kind of in awe over this description. And how about this one:
“Now, in a world as gray as the sky outside, I was just as lost as the sunlight.”
Or this one:
“Words thick with the poison of sadness caught in my throat and fell out in a burning whisper.”
One of my very favourite lines:
“Sometimes bravery comes from letting your heart make choices your mind cannot.”
And my ultimate favourite:
“I don’t think a hero ever believes in himself until the story is almost over.”
With regards to the story, Light of the Moon is told from dual perspective and simply put, is about a boy and a girl, and a curse. This may be a paranormal story but let me reassure you that despite the title, there are no werewolves in sight. What you have instead is a beautiful story about a boy that fell from the stars and is destined to live the same cursed life over and over again...unless he figures out how to break the spell, but the stakes are much higher than this, as Calum has no idea who he is and is thrust right into the middle of a war that’s been fought for centuries. But why him? Who is he really? What has he got to do with all of this? In the middle of everything, ordinary people are going missing and and all that’s left is their blood, leading news crews to nickname the culprit ‘The Bloodletter’. At the same time, there’s a new girl at school who takes an immediate dislike to Calum but there’s something in her eyes that looks familiar. Is she really as dangerous as she first appears?
Even after I’ve finished reading, I am still thinking about this story. In all honesty, it is somewhat complicated but it’s rich in detail and requires you to savour the story slowly like a fine wine. To devour it quickly would be to miss the poetic lull of the words, and a lot of the back story, so I advise you to take your own sweet time with it.
Obviously I don’t want to give too much away about the plot but there is so much more to it than you could imagine and a twist that you probably won’t see coming. I know I didn’t and I pride myself these days on being able to tell you what’s going to happen in a story before it unfolds.
With regards to the characters, I felt really sorry for Calum. He’s a sensitive creature who has lost his father and his mother who can barely look at him, pretty much drowns her sorrows in the bottom of a bottle. He feels unloved, unwanted and an outsider in his own life. He feels lost and it shows through his jumbled thoughts, vivid nightmares and lack of sense of self. Light of the Moon is a journey of ultimate self discovery for Calum as he learns who he is and what integral part he must play in a prophecy told centuries ago and handed down through the ages.
Where Calum is sensitive and kind, we find that Kate is the opposite and I liked this contrast. She’s tough, a warrior taught to fight from an early age but beneath the tough exterior, we learn that she’s known and lost love which has hardened her heart but is Calum the one who can break through her walls? There’s definitely a connection between them, you know, besides her wanting to tear his heart out but can he live long enough for them to figure it all out?
I can’t not mention Calum’s best friend and sidekick Tyler who I became quite fond of. I could not help but picture the cast of Teen Wolf as Calum and Tyler’s bromance is just like Scott and Stiles, so much so that I picture those actors in these roles now.
David James reminds me a little of a male Victoria Schwab and I can see influences from Maggie Stiefvater and maybe even Tahereh Mafi. He’s definitely got talent and I’d say he was an author to watch. If nothing else, he makes me want to be a better writer and for that I’m truly grateful.
December 13, 2012
**Originally on Read-A-holicZ, HERE!**
Since the first time I saw the cover to this book i was fascinated. I wanted to know the whole story and after reading the synopsis i wanted to REALLY see what it was about. I had read another book this year with the same kinda concept of a person falling from the sky (not angel) but a star. So i though, "oh this might be like that" plus i really loved that book...
BUT when I picked up LIGHT OF THE MOON i soon realized this was completely different in a LOT of GREAT WAY! It has such a unique way of writing. It really is a master piece. I wanted to just...QUOTE like 70% of the book.
The writing was different. I just got this feeling of realism or EMOTIONS. I could connect to the emotions and subsequently to the characters. PLUS multiple POV's that worked. You know how i love various POV's in a book and this one worked really well in bringing the whole book together! =)
I LOVED Calum, he doesn't have the simplest life. He's been blind to his fate for so long and then...AH! Kate, OMG I LOVED her too. She was taught one thing all her life and now she was being tested and i liked that.
Something else is that the way the author wrote the story it's almost like 2 stories playing out at the same time and still fitting together. I was curious about it but he made it work! Also the prologue was long but DONT SKIP it! It plays a key element to the story and made me a bit teary and it at the same time enchanted me.
Oh yeah there is a supernatural element in this book. I loved the whole concept of it. When I heard the "prophecy" I was like...
YUP it was such a done-before-idea and then added a twist...if my father was...U KNOW, the DEVIL @_@ I would really WANT to know why i can't fall in love. You know, so i DON'T fall in love and cause a war or an apocalypse!
Overall, this was a SUPER enjoyable and SURPRISING read. I HIGHLY recommend you read this now! It will grab you and won't let you go until the very end. SO, 5/5 STARS!
Since the first time I saw the cover to this book i was fascinated. I wanted to know the whole story and after reading the synopsis i wanted to REALLY see what it was about. I had read another book this year with the same kinda concept of a person falling from the sky (not angel) but a star. So i though, "oh this might be like that" plus i really loved that book...
BUT when I picked up LIGHT OF THE MOON i soon realized this was completely different in a LOT of GREAT WAY! It has such a unique way of writing. It really is a master piece. I wanted to just...QUOTE like 70% of the book.
The writing was different. I just got this feeling of realism or EMOTIONS. I could connect to the emotions and subsequently to the characters. PLUS multiple POV's that worked. You know how i love various POV's in a book and this one worked really well in bringing the whole book together! =)
I LOVED Calum, he doesn't have the simplest life. He's been blind to his fate for so long and then...AH! Kate, OMG I LOVED her too. She was taught one thing all her life and now she was being tested and i liked that.
Something else is that the way the author wrote the story it's almost like 2 stories playing out at the same time and still fitting together. I was curious about it but he made it work! Also the prologue was long but DONT SKIP it! It plays a key element to the story and made me a bit teary and it at the same time enchanted me.
Oh yeah there is a supernatural element in this book. I loved the whole concept of it. When I heard the "prophecy" I was like...
YUP it was such a done-before-idea and then added a twist...if my father was...U KNOW, the DEVIL @_@ I would really WANT to know why i can't fall in love. You know, so i DON'T fall in love and cause a war or an apocalypse!
Overall, this was a SUPER enjoyable and SURPRISING read. I HIGHLY recommend you read this now! It will grab you and won't let you go until the very end. SO, 5/5 STARS!
December 10, 2012
I finished reading this yesterday and I'm still having a difficult time processing my thoughts. But I will tell you that this is a very good thing. I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book, but I can tell you that right away I was impressed. The prologue itself completely sucked me in and I knew I was going to have a hard time putting down this book. And that was just the beginning.
This is a story about a boy, Calum Wade, and the beginning of his journey to discovering who he is and what love is. But the thing is, Calum is the child of an angel and the Devil, but he doesn't know it. He also lives in a world far more complex and devastating than he imagined. This is a world of legend and prophecy, magic and mystery, secrets and turmoil, love and heart-break, blood and curses.
I really liked Calum. I instantly felt bonded to him. His hurt, his insecurities, his frustrations, his disappointment, his hope - I could feel all of it through the pages. At times I wanted to poke him with a stick to get him going, to break out of the reverie he had ensconced himself in for so long, but once he broke through, I liked him even more. He stayed true to himself, yet became better at the same time. I also really liked his friendship with Tyler, the honesty and genuine comraderie between them, and found it refreshing.
Kate Black is a tough girl, full of her own mystery and grief. I liked the role-reversal here, where Kate is this warrior who can kill you in the blink of an eye, who has the dark past and dark secrets, and Calum is the innocent and naive one. Yet once Kate started to let down her walls, I appreciated all the different aspects of her. I liked how her layers started to slowly peel away, though she still maintained herself.
The story itself is quite amazing. I still don't know that I completely comprehended it all, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novel. This is a world of good versus evil, yet it intermingles the two, creating conflict and contrast, making the characters question what they thought the truths were and examine closely their prophesies and predictions. I love how we find out little details about Calum and Kate along the way. I was hopeful with their discoveries of love then shattered by wondering how things would work out.
I know I'm probably not making much sense, but I am withholding details because you just have to read them for yourself, spoiler-free, and enjoy this amazing story for yourself. I'm so glad there will be more books, because I have so many questions and also really want to know what happens to these characters next.
Lastly, let me say that David James has a way with words - the way he streams thoughts together, creates scenery with his verse, envelops your emotions in his prose. His writing style made this novel a step above the others. He didn't just write a story, he created an experience.
This is a story about a boy, Calum Wade, and the beginning of his journey to discovering who he is and what love is. But the thing is, Calum is the child of an angel and the Devil, but he doesn't know it. He also lives in a world far more complex and devastating than he imagined. This is a world of legend and prophecy, magic and mystery, secrets and turmoil, love and heart-break, blood and curses.
I really liked Calum. I instantly felt bonded to him. His hurt, his insecurities, his frustrations, his disappointment, his hope - I could feel all of it through the pages. At times I wanted to poke him with a stick to get him going, to break out of the reverie he had ensconced himself in for so long, but once he broke through, I liked him even more. He stayed true to himself, yet became better at the same time. I also really liked his friendship with Tyler, the honesty and genuine comraderie between them, and found it refreshing.
Kate Black is a tough girl, full of her own mystery and grief. I liked the role-reversal here, where Kate is this warrior who can kill you in the blink of an eye, who has the dark past and dark secrets, and Calum is the innocent and naive one. Yet once Kate started to let down her walls, I appreciated all the different aspects of her. I liked how her layers started to slowly peel away, though she still maintained herself.
The story itself is quite amazing. I still don't know that I completely comprehended it all, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novel. This is a world of good versus evil, yet it intermingles the two, creating conflict and contrast, making the characters question what they thought the truths were and examine closely their prophesies and predictions. I love how we find out little details about Calum and Kate along the way. I was hopeful with their discoveries of love then shattered by wondering how things would work out.
I know I'm probably not making much sense, but I am withholding details because you just have to read them for yourself, spoiler-free, and enjoy this amazing story for yourself. I'm so glad there will be more books, because I have so many questions and also really want to know what happens to these characters next.
Lastly, let me say that David James has a way with words - the way he streams thoughts together, creates scenery with his verse, envelops your emotions in his prose. His writing style made this novel a step above the others. He didn't just write a story, he created an experience.
November 13, 2012
So there’s this new author right, his name is David James and he wrote this amazing book by the name of Light of the Moon. Well let me tell you this book is seriously amazing. I got so pumped up with this book and thought I knew exactly what it was going to be about, boy was I wrong, but in a very good way. I’m still not used to reading books by male authors, were love actually has a while to develop; it’s not the characters meet and instant love. Lol. This book is seriously deep and you have to pay attention to the details. Once I got started I couldn’t stop, I tried so I can go to sleep, yeah well it didn’t happen that way at all. I was up till 1am reading to the very end and left wanting more.
So the book is about a boy named Calum, well a boy who thinks he’s a boy but is so much more. He’s had a rough home life, his dad was horrible, his mom was there but not in the way she should have been. His saving grace was his best friend Tyler. I absolutely love Tyler, he’s the perfect friend for Calum, especially now that things are getting interesting. Calum keeps having these nightmares that seem like warnings but he doesn’t know for sure exactly. The way David wrote Calum Is amazing. You can’t help but fall in love with him. He’s so much more than he realizes and to me that makes him incredibly sexy, he’s in constant turmoil with his emotions. One of my favorite passages is this:
I closed my eyes and pressed into the mark.
A wish. Just one.
That’s all I needed.
I let go and let my heart race against everything my mind said shouldn’t be.
A wish. Love. Just one.
That’s about 5% in the book and I knew it right there that no matter what, David made me fall in love with Calum. Then he went to school and the life he knew was going to be forever changed, that change came in the form of a girl named Kate.
This is when I started getting confused and my preconceived thoughts on how this book was going to go were blown out of the water. Kate. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t really like her at first, it took me a little while to understand her and a new thought developed. She was so mean to Calum and so cryptic. I mean really who tells someone they have 3 days? 3 Days of what? Well you’re going to have to read to figure that out! As Kate and Calum spend more time together more information is provided and suspicions are confirmed. Kate’s life is just as confusing as Calum’s, and it takes the two of them together to discover what’s real and what’s fake.
I was absolutely surprised and loved it, I can't wait for the next one, he left me with a cliffhanger, sigh lol. David created a magnificent world that is beautifully captivating. So go buy Light of the Moon now and sit down are read it, you just might look at the stars differently.
So the book is about a boy named Calum, well a boy who thinks he’s a boy but is so much more. He’s had a rough home life, his dad was horrible, his mom was there but not in the way she should have been. His saving grace was his best friend Tyler. I absolutely love Tyler, he’s the perfect friend for Calum, especially now that things are getting interesting. Calum keeps having these nightmares that seem like warnings but he doesn’t know for sure exactly. The way David wrote Calum Is amazing. You can’t help but fall in love with him. He’s so much more than he realizes and to me that makes him incredibly sexy, he’s in constant turmoil with his emotions. One of my favorite passages is this:
I closed my eyes and pressed into the mark.
A wish. Just one.
That’s all I needed.
I let go and let my heart race against everything my mind said shouldn’t be.
A wish. Love. Just one.
That’s about 5% in the book and I knew it right there that no matter what, David made me fall in love with Calum. Then he went to school and the life he knew was going to be forever changed, that change came in the form of a girl named Kate.
This is when I started getting confused and my preconceived thoughts on how this book was going to go were blown out of the water. Kate. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t really like her at first, it took me a little while to understand her and a new thought developed. She was so mean to Calum and so cryptic. I mean really who tells someone they have 3 days? 3 Days of what? Well you’re going to have to read to figure that out! As Kate and Calum spend more time together more information is provided and suspicions are confirmed. Kate’s life is just as confusing as Calum’s, and it takes the two of them together to discover what’s real and what’s fake.
I was absolutely surprised and loved it, I can't wait for the next one, he left me with a cliffhanger, sigh lol. David created a magnificent world that is beautifully captivating. So go buy Light of the Moon now and sit down are read it, you just might look at the stars differently.
August 15, 2013
***I was provided an ecopy from the author in exchange for an honest review***
David James, the author, was nice enough to provide me a copy of this book. I had already been following him on Twitter and I suggest you do, too. He has a great Twitter account about YA books, writing, and other random interesting things.
Going into reading this book, I didn't know much about what to expect. I read something about a fallen star taking the form of a human, but I didn't know if it was a romance, a sci-fi, or a fantasy. It turns out it is a little of all of that with some mythology and astrology added as well.
This book was beautifully written. David James's prose is practically poetry. Because of this, I wouldn't recommend reading this anywhere you may get easily distracted. You really need to pay attention. I thought, at times, there was too much fluff and elegant language. I also thought there was just a little too much exposition for my liking. I prefer to figure out things on my own , but with prophecies involved I guess some things need to be spelled out. Overall, it was very well written.
I felt this book had a 90's feel to it, or at least a strong 90's influence. I think the author may be a similar age as me so I think that's just what I picked up on.
This book is written from two perspectives: Calum and Kate. It took me some time to get into the story and figure out how these characters would interact. At first, I wasn't a fan of the Kate chapters but I eventually grew to enjoy them.
Prophecy is a big part of this book. I always like when prophecies are in books. It always reminds me of Harry Potter. Prophecies are like ongoing puzzles that you can interpret different ways as the story progresses. I like how the prophecy brought together some interesting mythology and astrology, including the Devil and demons. There wasn't a particular religion referenced. David James created such a big, interesting world with references to a lot of different mythologies.
There were some points in this story where I was surprised by the violence. It was a little more gruesome that I expected. There's a lot of death and described gore.
I was very interested in the Tyler and Calum relationship, but it didn't go where I thought it was going to go. I'm interested in Tyler's role in the sequel. I'm very excited to read the short stories and the sequel.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a heavy read at times and I wouldn't recommend reading it in places with distractions, but I do recommend it. If you are a fan of modern prophecies with references to mythology and demonology, this is a book for you! I give it a 4/5.
David James, the author, was nice enough to provide me a copy of this book. I had already been following him on Twitter and I suggest you do, too. He has a great Twitter account about YA books, writing, and other random interesting things.
Going into reading this book, I didn't know much about what to expect. I read something about a fallen star taking the form of a human, but I didn't know if it was a romance, a sci-fi, or a fantasy. It turns out it is a little of all of that with some mythology and astrology added as well.
This book was beautifully written. David James's prose is practically poetry. Because of this, I wouldn't recommend reading this anywhere you may get easily distracted. You really need to pay attention. I thought, at times, there was too much fluff and elegant language. I also thought there was just a little too much exposition for my liking. I prefer to figure out things on my own , but with prophecies involved I guess some things need to be spelled out. Overall, it was very well written.
I felt this book had a 90's feel to it, or at least a strong 90's influence. I think the author may be a similar age as me so I think that's just what I picked up on.
This book is written from two perspectives: Calum and Kate. It took me some time to get into the story and figure out how these characters would interact. At first, I wasn't a fan of the Kate chapters but I eventually grew to enjoy them.
Prophecy is a big part of this book. I always like when prophecies are in books. It always reminds me of Harry Potter. Prophecies are like ongoing puzzles that you can interpret different ways as the story progresses. I like how the prophecy brought together some interesting mythology and astrology, including the Devil and demons. There wasn't a particular religion referenced. David James created such a big, interesting world with references to a lot of different mythologies.
There were some points in this story where I was surprised by the violence. It was a little more gruesome that I expected. There's a lot of death and described gore.
I was very interested in the Tyler and Calum relationship, but it didn't go where I thought it was going to go. I'm interested in Tyler's role in the sequel. I'm very excited to read the short stories and the sequel.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a heavy read at times and I wouldn't recommend reading it in places with distractions, but I do recommend it. If you are a fan of modern prophecies with references to mythology and demonology, this is a book for you! I give it a 4/5.
November 20, 2012
First off, cover! My first thought when I saw the cover was, "Dude, that guy looks like he could be related to David James." Random thought aside, it's an interesting cover. If you would have given me a moon, creepy/cool landscape, plus that guy, I probably would have come up with trash. Whoever created this cover was a genius though. They took those random things and worked them together in a really cool way! Props to whoever created this cover.
Okay. As soon as I was done reading this book, I immediately went and Googled Lakewood Hallow, Colorado. Thankfully, I couldn't find anything on it. If I did, I'd probably would have gone and told them all to run for their lives.
Anyway, back to the point.
First up: Calum. Firstly, props to David for coming up with an awesome name like that. I've never heard of it before and it kinda strikes a chord. I was torn between loving and hating Calum. I really liked his personality. He wasn't one of those guys that are like, "I'm so big and bad. Let me flex my muscles for you." He was more on the quiet side. I hated him because I was like, "GAH. JUST KISS HER ALREADY! COOOOME OOOON!" (But something tells me that was David James' point.) :)
Now on to Kate. She was a very interesting character for me to read. You start of really, really disliking her, but, as the story moves, you get to know her. By the end, after a big twist, you're like, "I'm changing my name to Kate. Thanks. Bye." She's one of those characters that you just grow to connect with and love.
David James is a modern-day Shakespeare. His writing had refreshing richness to it that I absolutely loved. This book keeps you hooked from the first word to the last one.
The plot line in LIGHT OF THE MOON was incredibly fast-paced (In a good way). When it ended, I was actually disappointed. I wished that the book would just never end. THERE BETTER BE A SEQUEL DAVID JAMES!
If you like fast paced, gasp-inducing, rich books, you're going to want to read this book. It's a fresh take on new ideas and will leave you gaping and begging for more. Brace yourself for a ride that will leave you forever changed.
10 out of 10 stars for LIGHT OF THE MOON. Buy it? Yeah. That's what I thought. :)
From the Kozy Korner,
Kimberly
KimberlysKozyKorner.blogspot.com
Okay. As soon as I was done reading this book, I immediately went and Googled Lakewood Hallow, Colorado. Thankfully, I couldn't find anything on it. If I did, I'd probably would have gone and told them all to run for their lives.
Anyway, back to the point.
First up: Calum. Firstly, props to David for coming up with an awesome name like that. I've never heard of it before and it kinda strikes a chord. I was torn between loving and hating Calum. I really liked his personality. He wasn't one of those guys that are like, "I'm so big and bad. Let me flex my muscles for you." He was more on the quiet side. I hated him because I was like, "GAH. JUST KISS HER ALREADY! COOOOME OOOON!" (But something tells me that was David James' point.) :)
Now on to Kate. She was a very interesting character for me to read. You start of really, really disliking her, but, as the story moves, you get to know her. By the end, after a big twist, you're like, "I'm changing my name to Kate. Thanks. Bye." She's one of those characters that you just grow to connect with and love.
David James is a modern-day Shakespeare. His writing had refreshing richness to it that I absolutely loved. This book keeps you hooked from the first word to the last one.
The plot line in LIGHT OF THE MOON was incredibly fast-paced (In a good way). When it ended, I was actually disappointed. I wished that the book would just never end. THERE BETTER BE A SEQUEL DAVID JAMES!
If you like fast paced, gasp-inducing, rich books, you're going to want to read this book. It's a fresh take on new ideas and will leave you gaping and begging for more. Brace yourself for a ride that will leave you forever changed.
10 out of 10 stars for LIGHT OF THE MOON. Buy it? Yeah. That's what I thought. :)
From the Kozy Korner,
Kimberly
KimberlysKozyKorner.blogspot.com
November 19, 2012
Light of the Moon by David James was AMAZING! I am not exaggerating when I say that I read this book 3 times and fell inlove with it each time! David James' writing style is beautifully poetic and captivating. As I was reading I could actually see the images in my mind and feel the character's feelings. As I read I became completely mesmerized and absorbed in the book. Each time I read it i felt just as mesmerized, and caught something new in the book.
The story itself is a wonderful mixture of reality and paranormal fantasy. The character's back-stories make the characters very believable and relate-able. The paranormal adventure is just another exciting aspect of the book. And the book is deliciously creative. It is exciting and romantic; heartbreaking and inspiring. While the book is a love story or sorts the character's love for each other is not immediate. Their bond develops and grows throughout the story. The story is far more than just a love story though. In his book, David addresses the power of love and diversity.
The two main characters, Calum and Kate, are not what they think they are. Each character has a perception of who they as well as who the other one is. And they both find out that their preconceived notions of both themselves and each other are wrong. Each character learns the secrets of their pasts and the impact that they have on the future. The more you learn about the characters, the more you can't help but fall in love with them. Together they learn what true love, courage, and strength are.
I bought this book in e-book and paperback format. like I said I read the e-book 3 times and can't wait for the paperback to arrive so I can read it again. The paperback has extra stuff that I absolutely cannot wait to discover. It is a good thing that there are 2 novellas coming out before the release of the sequel shadow of the Sun because I cannot wait for more. It has been an amazing adventure so far and I cannot wait to read more. I have no doubt that the rest of author David James' books will be just as beautiful, poetic, exciting, romantic, and EPIC. I really am not sure that my words can do this book justice! It truly is a MUST read!
The story itself is a wonderful mixture of reality and paranormal fantasy. The character's back-stories make the characters very believable and relate-able. The paranormal adventure is just another exciting aspect of the book. And the book is deliciously creative. It is exciting and romantic; heartbreaking and inspiring. While the book is a love story or sorts the character's love for each other is not immediate. Their bond develops and grows throughout the story. The story is far more than just a love story though. In his book, David addresses the power of love and diversity.
The two main characters, Calum and Kate, are not what they think they are. Each character has a perception of who they as well as who the other one is. And they both find out that their preconceived notions of both themselves and each other are wrong. Each character learns the secrets of their pasts and the impact that they have on the future. The more you learn about the characters, the more you can't help but fall in love with them. Together they learn what true love, courage, and strength are.
I bought this book in e-book and paperback format. like I said I read the e-book 3 times and can't wait for the paperback to arrive so I can read it again. The paperback has extra stuff that I absolutely cannot wait to discover. It is a good thing that there are 2 novellas coming out before the release of the sequel shadow of the Sun because I cannot wait for more. It has been an amazing adventure so far and I cannot wait to read more. I have no doubt that the rest of author David James' books will be just as beautiful, poetic, exciting, romantic, and EPIC. I really am not sure that my words can do this book justice! It truly is a MUST read!
January 19, 2013
Light of the Moon was a vivid story. The writing was descriptive and poetic, with a focus on colors and emotions and sensations. Instead of feeling like I saw a movie in my head, it was more like flashes of short scenes, colors, and images. The plot was interesting and full of twists and magic and I felt like I was thrown into it all and absorbing it piece by piece. I really enjoyed the writing style of the author.
Calum was an interesting character with a haunting past and suffered from strange dreams that only served to confuse him more. Besides having his best friend, Tyler, Calum struggled with fitting in and figuring out who he was as a person. The dreams called him by another name, so his struggle with identity was centered both in the real world and the magical world that eventually made itself known to him. He was inexplicably drawn to the new girl, Kate, despite her obvious hatred for him immediately. Some scenes were written from Kate’s point of view, which I enjoyed because Calum spent so much time puzzling over her meanings and intentions and hatred. It was nice to get inside of her head and understand her character a little better.
The plot was unpredictable and unique. There were a lot of mythological/magical elements blended together, some of them familiar to me, others less so. I loved the way the elements were woven together and how vividly they were described. It was as if the author wrote with all of his senses heightened and each scene was just dripping with vibrant colors and sensations. Calum was almost too intense with the way he analyzed each moment and detail, but I also appreciated the depth of his character and struggle because of it.
Overall, Light of the Moon is a great book and I’m hooked. I can’t wait for the rest of the series and I grew to really like Calum’s character as he grew and became a stronger person. I recommend the book and found it especially refreshing since it’s written from the boy’s point of view, yet it’s still very much a love story.
Calum was an interesting character with a haunting past and suffered from strange dreams that only served to confuse him more. Besides having his best friend, Tyler, Calum struggled with fitting in and figuring out who he was as a person. The dreams called him by another name, so his struggle with identity was centered both in the real world and the magical world that eventually made itself known to him. He was inexplicably drawn to the new girl, Kate, despite her obvious hatred for him immediately. Some scenes were written from Kate’s point of view, which I enjoyed because Calum spent so much time puzzling over her meanings and intentions and hatred. It was nice to get inside of her head and understand her character a little better.
The plot was unpredictable and unique. There were a lot of mythological/magical elements blended together, some of them familiar to me, others less so. I loved the way the elements were woven together and how vividly they were described. It was as if the author wrote with all of his senses heightened and each scene was just dripping with vibrant colors and sensations. Calum was almost too intense with the way he analyzed each moment and detail, but I also appreciated the depth of his character and struggle because of it.
Overall, Light of the Moon is a great book and I’m hooked. I can’t wait for the rest of the series and I grew to really like Calum’s character as he grew and became a stronger person. I recommend the book and found it especially refreshing since it’s written from the boy’s point of view, yet it’s still very much a love story.
“Sometimes being brave just means falling in love.”
Light of the Moon by David James
February 16, 2013
This ebook was provided to me by the author in exchange of an honest review
...which is getting really difficult to write. Why?
Light of the Moon is one of those books that you are not sure you like or not but seems to worm its way into your thoughts. There are so many things about this book running inside my head that I have no idea where to begin this review.
Let me start by stating the obvious - David James definitely has a way with words. The writing was AMA-Zing! He could make everything sound poetic and I do admit some parts of the narration - especially the prologue gave me goosebumps. It was a welcome reaction.
That being said James fails to show a thorough understanding of his characters, especially in the first few chapters. His writing is wonderful, yes. And Calum's inner muses are not really boring or monotonous. But they do a lot to confuse the reader; especially as his relationship with both his parents, his insta-love/hate development with Kate and his daily antics of a somewhat-of-a-loner-but-a-day-to-day-teenager did not show a consistent personality for Calum. Same goes for Kate.
But - as the story progressed the plot stabilized, as did the characters and as everything in the earlier scattered story started to tie up I found myself enjoying the book a lot more. I was dragging myself for the first few chapters but the latter ones made me glad I did pick up the book again each time the confusion made me put it down.
I am really looking forward to the sequel right now, though I must admit I don't feel much attached to the characters still. The writing though I could be addicted to. Hmmmm...
3.5 Stars. The extra half for the hauntingly beautiful poems that were thrown in. Marvelous, really.
...which is getting really difficult to write. Why?
Light of the Moon is one of those books that you are not sure you like or not but seems to worm its way into your thoughts. There are so many things about this book running inside my head that I have no idea where to begin this review.
Let me start by stating the obvious - David James definitely has a way with words. The writing was AMA-Zing! He could make everything sound poetic and I do admit some parts of the narration - especially the prologue gave me goosebumps. It was a welcome reaction.
That being said James fails to show a thorough understanding of his characters, especially in the first few chapters. His writing is wonderful, yes. And Calum's inner muses are not really boring or monotonous. But they do a lot to confuse the reader; especially as his relationship with both his parents, his insta-love/hate development with Kate and his daily antics of a somewhat-of-a-loner-but-a-day-to-day-teenager did not show a consistent personality for Calum. Same goes for Kate.
But - as the story progressed the plot stabilized, as did the characters and as everything in the earlier scattered story started to tie up I found myself enjoying the book a lot more. I was dragging myself for the first few chapters but the latter ones made me glad I did pick up the book again each time the confusion made me put it down.
I am really looking forward to the sequel right now, though I must admit I don't feel much attached to the characters still. The writing though I could be addicted to. Hmmmm...
3.5 Stars. The extra half for the hauntingly beautiful poems that were thrown in. Marvelous, really.
December 1, 2012
I was drawn in immediately from the first page. David has a refreshing, poetic way of writing that makes you feel the character's emotions. You don't just read the book, you live it.
Yes, it's that good.
I loved Calum. So much, in fact, I've asked David to send me him for Christmas. (Hey, a girl can try, right?) He's not your typical male character. He's very lost in his own world, and David shows this brilliantly with strikethroughs on some of his thoughts - making others stand out more. Calum's thoughts are so realistic, so jumbled, that you really believe it.
And as any reader or writer knows, believing the character is the most important thing - and David definitely knows this.
Onto Kate... She's in a league of her own. Really, wow. I thought I wrote strong females - then I met Kate. But like most teenage girls, she has a darker past that she keeps held inside tightly. Little bits of her past are dribbled in - teasing you, almost - until finally you get the bigger picture and you realise why she's so hard and untrusting.
The story behind Calum is fresh and original. A constellation that fell from the sky - who'd have thought? We all want one of those, right?
Well, we do now.
I shouted at Kate and Calum a few times. I laughed. And maybe I might have cried. A little. Maybe.
I really don't have enough words to express how amazing this book is. There's only one thing to say, and that's BUY it now! Really!
I give Light of the Moon five stars.
And that's because I can't give it ten.
Yes, it's that good.
I loved Calum. So much, in fact, I've asked David to send me him for Christmas. (Hey, a girl can try, right?) He's not your typical male character. He's very lost in his own world, and David shows this brilliantly with strikethroughs on some of his thoughts - making others stand out more. Calum's thoughts are so realistic, so jumbled, that you really believe it.
And as any reader or writer knows, believing the character is the most important thing - and David definitely knows this.
Onto Kate... She's in a league of her own. Really, wow. I thought I wrote strong females - then I met Kate. But like most teenage girls, she has a darker past that she keeps held inside tightly. Little bits of her past are dribbled in - teasing you, almost - until finally you get the bigger picture and you realise why she's so hard and untrusting.
The story behind Calum is fresh and original. A constellation that fell from the sky - who'd have thought? We all want one of those, right?
Well, we do now.
I shouted at Kate and Calum a few times. I laughed. And maybe I might have cried. A little. Maybe.
I really don't have enough words to express how amazing this book is. There's only one thing to say, and that's BUY it now! Really!
I give Light of the Moon five stars.
And that's because I can't give it ten.
December 30, 2015
I read The Witch's Curse, Magda's story, first, and really loved it for the lyrical quality of the writing. This novel, too, is filled with amazing description and imagery. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters in the beginning, especially Kate, who always seemed to be angry, cold, and I didn't know why, which kept her at a distance for me. There wasn't a lot of depth to her, in the beginning, just her threatening to kill Calum in "three days." However, about midway through, when Kate and Calum leave for The Order, it gets really good. We start to see a softer side of Kate, which makes her more rounded. She has a past, aka Adam, and will do anything to recover her lost sisters. Meanwhile, Calum was a little easier to identify with as he struggles with his identity, slowly learning who/what he is. With each new clue he learns about his past, it brings us closer to the Prophecy and realization. He becomes quite a fascinating character by the end! Although it does get a bit repetitive and quite dark toward the end, I really liked this novel. I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment. Magda, though short lived, was such an amazing character. It was quite a different person than the one presented in The Witch's Curse. I'm so curious to see what will happen to Kate now that she has inherited the curse from Magda. Will the blood drive her as mad? Or, will she have the strength to resist?
May 29, 2013
Realizing I never did a review of Light of the Moon, (no idea how this happened) I decided to re-read this book to refresh my memory and let future readers know how I felt.
Never have I been more in touch with the way a character feels in a read. Sure, I've read books were I know what they're thinking but this story is highly descriptive on feelings. A real insight into how Calum thinks, feels and how he comes to make choices. He truly develops. It's fascinating to be a part of. Getting the perspective of Kate is great as well! I really liked her once I got to understand why she is the way she is.
I am trying so hard to keep my mouth shut about any actual detail so I don't spoil it!
There were parts of this book that had my mouth on the floor and my heart in complete shock! I loved it! I mean, I wasn't expecting or even foreseeing the shock and then WHAM!!! It hit me!! Full of swoon too. <3
This is a descriptive, detailed, full of feeling and growth and love...lots of LOVE kind of story. It is original and well written. I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying this read.
*Note*
This may sound a little contradicting and I only mean to encourage readers by saying this. See, I found the beginning a little slow and full of almost too much emotion for me. If you feel this way at the start...KEEP READING!!! You won't be sorry!!! I enjoyed it even better the 2nd time!!
Never have I been more in touch with the way a character feels in a read. Sure, I've read books were I know what they're thinking but this story is highly descriptive on feelings. A real insight into how Calum thinks, feels and how he comes to make choices. He truly develops. It's fascinating to be a part of. Getting the perspective of Kate is great as well! I really liked her once I got to understand why she is the way she is.
I am trying so hard to keep my mouth shut about any actual detail so I don't spoil it!
There were parts of this book that had my mouth on the floor and my heart in complete shock! I loved it! I mean, I wasn't expecting or even foreseeing the shock and then WHAM!!! It hit me!! Full of swoon too. <3
This is a descriptive, detailed, full of feeling and growth and love...lots of LOVE kind of story. It is original and well written. I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying this read.
*Note*
This may sound a little contradicting and I only mean to encourage readers by saying this. See, I found the beginning a little slow and full of almost too much emotion for me. If you feel this way at the start...KEEP READING!!! You won't be sorry!!! I enjoyed it even better the 2nd time!!
October 11, 2013
David James has done an incredible job with Light of the Moon. From the very beginning the interaction between Calum and his mother set the stage for characterization that does not disappoint. Not only did I find myself invested in Calum and Kate (the book's main characters), but I found I had a strange affinity for the supporting characters as well, especially Tyler.
There is an entire race of villains, which I'm sure will get expanded on in the next books. Of particular interest was the Bloodletter, who feels the most imminent and threatening. He definitely satisfied my desire for a strong and believable antagonist.
Calum's perspective, itself, was sort of new and exciting for me. David writes Calum as a guy who is very in tune with his emotions—for once we have a guy who isn't afraid to feel or express those feelings. This played well into Calum's unique personality (in light of who he really is), and gave us an interesting perspective into both Calum's character, and the author's life experiences.
The plot moved quickly, and was full of enough twists to keep me interested. After I finished the book I emailed the author demanding the next one. Yup, David turned me into one of THOSE readers...
There is an entire race of villains, which I'm sure will get expanded on in the next books. Of particular interest was the Bloodletter, who feels the most imminent and threatening. He definitely satisfied my desire for a strong and believable antagonist.
Calum's perspective, itself, was sort of new and exciting for me. David writes Calum as a guy who is very in tune with his emotions—for once we have a guy who isn't afraid to feel or express those feelings. This played well into Calum's unique personality (in light of who he really is), and gave us an interesting perspective into both Calum's character, and the author's life experiences.
The plot moved quickly, and was full of enough twists to keep me interested. After I finished the book I emailed the author demanding the next one. Yup, David turned me into one of THOSE readers...
November 21, 2012
This fantastical story is about a legend and a prophecy. It's the story about the love child of an angel and the devil, and it's a story about the protector that will save him and the world from doom.
Calum, suffering from recurring nightmares, always felt like an outsider, and never knew why. When groups after groups of people go missing, and after his entire school population is slaughtered, Calum runs to find out who and what he is, what he has always been and how he fits in to a life changing prophecy.
Kate, who was led to believe her twin sisters died along with her parents, has been raised to be a warrior. When she joins Calum on his quest, she's destined to learn her part in the prophecy that is already set in motion.
David James' debut novel is a beautifully crafted, carefully worded, compelling world of magic and legends, of good and evil and everything in between.
I was drowning in his lost constellations. I highly recommend you at least go for a swim.
Calum, suffering from recurring nightmares, always felt like an outsider, and never knew why. When groups after groups of people go missing, and after his entire school population is slaughtered, Calum runs to find out who and what he is, what he has always been and how he fits in to a life changing prophecy.
Kate, who was led to believe her twin sisters died along with her parents, has been raised to be a warrior. When she joins Calum on his quest, she's destined to learn her part in the prophecy that is already set in motion.
David James' debut novel is a beautifully crafted, carefully worded, compelling world of magic and legends, of good and evil and everything in between.
I was drowning in his lost constellations. I highly recommend you at least go for a swim.
January 14, 2013
The book was good. Really good.
It has a different take to being the son of Lucifer angel. There's a twist at the end I didn't see coming at all!
Having said that my rating normally go like this: a 5-star, I don't want to sleep, eat, drink, OR even take a bathroom break. My 4-star, the book is superb, I really loved it and couldn't put it down. So that's why I gave this book a 4.
I've always been a fan of more Paranormal romance stories and so this was a little bit different read for me. EVEN THEN, IT was an amazing story and David knows how to write. He writes like the poetry is singing to you...
I would definitely encourage people to give this book a chance for it's unique take on stars and for a writing that pours out at you!
And I'm looking forward to reading the next book =).
It has a different take to being the son of Lucifer angel. There's a twist at the end I didn't see coming at all!
Having said that my rating normally go like this: a 5-star, I don't want to sleep, eat, drink, OR even take a bathroom break. My 4-star, the book is superb, I really loved it and couldn't put it down. So that's why I gave this book a 4.
I've always been a fan of more Paranormal romance stories and so this was a little bit different read for me. EVEN THEN, IT was an amazing story and David knows how to write. He writes like the poetry is singing to you...
I would definitely encourage people to give this book a chance for it's unique take on stars and for a writing that pours out at you!
And I'm looking forward to reading the next book =).
January 13, 2014
Brilliant! This story was amazing. When I started the book, I felt like I really had to pay attention. I'm not sure if this was because the writing style was different or the unique font choice.
After a few pages though, I was absorbed into the story. The pacing was perfect. There was the right amount of character development and background. There was enough foreshadowing to keep you interested but not give away the outcome. The love development was slow in a good way, where most YA relationships are rushed.
This was a great book with a fresh story. Go read it! I'm looking forward to reading the novellas and the next novel when it comes out later this year.
After a few pages though, I was absorbed into the story. The pacing was perfect. There was the right amount of character development and background. There was enough foreshadowing to keep you interested but not give away the outcome. The love development was slow in a good way, where most YA relationships are rushed.
This was a great book with a fresh story. Go read it! I'm looking forward to reading the novellas and the next novel when it comes out later this year.
July 10, 2013
I don't even know where to begin! This story was so completely different than what I expected. It's a love story, sure, but it's a story about power and family and depth of character and loss and gain and oh so many other things.
Sure, there are supernatural elements, but this isn't your typical supernatural young adult novel. Don't go into it expecting werewolves or angels or anything like that... expect witches and stars and blood curses and mass murder and redemption!
I'm looking forward to reading the short stories that build on the story AND the upcoming sequel. :)
Sure, there are supernatural elements, but this isn't your typical supernatural young adult novel. Don't go into it expecting werewolves or angels or anything like that... expect witches and stars and blood curses and mass murder and redemption!
I'm looking forward to reading the short stories that build on the story AND the upcoming sequel. :)
January 29, 2013
Simply amazing! I've never had a book that made me feel so much emotion until I read Light of the Moon. David James is brilliant, and his words are genius. One of the greatest story tellers, if I do say so myself.
March 26, 2013
Finally finished a book! :D This was a fantastic book. Review to come later.
December 4, 2012
this book left me with no words
the story? I love it!! the whole book is.. Wow, i love everything about it , and especially Calum ;)
i cant wait to read more books about this serie! :D
the story? I love it!! the whole book is.. Wow, i love everything about it , and especially Calum ;)
i cant wait to read more books about this serie! :D
May 4, 2014
Don't get me started. Horrid, way beyond horrid.
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