They Who Bring the Light: Ghost Flower Verse Two

by Jessica Conwell

Come and See

For one bright moment, Lyra Morne had a family.

And then it was gone.

Now, haunted by their failures at Rook Lake, Lyra lives on the streets of an unfamiliar city, lost in a cold and bitter world. But when a chance encounter leads to them investigating the disappearances of several residents at a queer youth shelter, Lyra finds themself desperately trying to protect a new group of friends from becoming the next to vanish without a trace at the hands of a charismatic pastor whose welcoming smile hides sinister secrets.

But there is more at play than even Lyra can see. As they race against the clock to save the people most precious to them, a mysterious woman emerges who knows far too much about what happened at Rook Lake, and the past that Lyra thought they’d finally escaped may end up once again costing them the life—and the love—they always wanted.

A mix of urban fantasy, mystery, and supernatural horror that picks up where the events of Ghost Flower left off, They Who Bring the Light is a tale of finding hope and love in the darkest of times, discovering your place in a world that was never made for you, and why, sometimes, doing battle with monsters is worth becoming one yourself.

(Content Religious abuse, homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexual abuse)

Genres: Fantasy, Horror

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2024

Reviews

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found queer family and fighting back against some of the badness in the world, this followup to Ghost Flower promises a sequel and pulls Jessica Conwell's earlier works Cluster and Three Sharp Knives into the same reality. Having read them isn't necessary to enjoy and follow this work, but I did do a binge re-read of them all once I recognized the returning aspects, before continuing.

Come and see.

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book I also liked this one. I just wish that they had brought back some of the characters from the first book and done more with them. Also, I think this book could have been structured a little better with the flashbacks because sometimes it got a bit confusing, but overall I liked it. Sorry if this is incoherent I'm kind of sleepy

[Vivian Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible follow-up to Ghost Flower, taking the story in an unexpected direction! It's tale of queer religious trauma and the difference between taking action and just taking vengeance. Read Three Sharp Knives first if you *really* want to hate this one guy

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

They Who Bring the Light is book 2 in an extended series, and I am glad to read the continuation of the story. The book is different from other books I've read by Conwell, which present the story from different points of view. By being mainly from the point of view of Lyra, the book feels somewhat lonelier than those books. Conwell continues to alternate between past and present, which is such a great way to tell a story. While the first book had a critique of Christianity from the outside, this book picks up the critique in closer and deeper way, by taking us inside a church and face-to-face with a corrupt and abusive pastor. Along the way, there is a great found family, active political resistance, and notes of hope. I loved Abby and the other characters, and felt the disappointment of loss. As a reader, I am in suspense about characters from the first book and with the overall resolution, but this was a good follow up to Ghost Flower. I am ready to read the next installment.