What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Light of Edgewood
For Ezvin and Oren, life in Edgewood had always been simple. The Realm of the Royal Gardens had only known centuries of unbroken peace.
But as Ezvin is chosen to be the apprentice to the mysterious and reclusive Keeper of the Light, the shadows begin to appear. Things in Edgewood are not as they seem.
In the darkness, there is a growing threat - an evil that threatens to tear apart Ezvin and Oren, and ultimately the whole town. And Ezvin is about to learn that being the Keeper of the Light could be a deadly profession.
But as Ezvin is chosen to be the apprentice to the mysterious and reclusive Keeper of the Light, the shadows begin to appear. Things in Edgewood are not as they seem.
In the darkness, there is a growing threat - an evil that threatens to tear apart Ezvin and Oren, and ultimately the whole town. And Ezvin is about to learn that being the Keeper of the Light could be a deadly profession.
- GenresFantasy
287 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2025
6 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 30, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
The writing was kind of chunky and straightforward, lots of telling and little showing. The plot could have also been developed more. But it did have a charm to it and I like the cover!!
The writing was kind of chunky and straightforward, lots of telling and little showing. The plot could have also been developed more. But it did have a charm to it and I like the cover!!
November 9, 2025
This is such a deligthful debut from Luke Boswell. It has so much about fantasy books that I like: its got some great POV characters, a really fun story, familiar tropes, worldbuilding that feels simple enough to understand, and I just breezed through it in a day. I do have a few issues with it, but overall this is a really well done book!
To start with, the book has a simplicity to the writing style and the world-building that I really enjoyed. It starts with a worldbuilding chapter (which made me a bit apprehensive, but after that the rest of the book really just tells the story of Ezvin and Oren. You might be forgiven if in the first 75 pages you forget that this is a fantasy novel, as it almost feels as if it could have occured in our world at some point in our past. The first 75 pages of the book are fairly slow, and we really get to know not only Ezvin and Oren, but we get to see Ezvin's new role at the Lighthouse in Edgewood, and we also get to know the Lighthouose Keeper, Wyndel Stringfellow (who is delightfully written and was my favorite character to read-personally I pictured Philip Baker Hall in my head).
The story really picks up in chapter 10 (about 60 pages in), and I thought it continued well from then. The story is very simple and straightforward, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Because of its simplicity, it really reminds me of classic fantasy books. But because of the ages of our protagnoists (11 for Oren and 15 for Ezvin), it really made it feel like a middle grade (possibly YA, but more likely middle grade) "Boys Adventure Novel" that one might find with Raconteur Press now.
I do have a few issues with the book. I really think it's missing a hook at the beginning to jumpstart the story before we go into the "Cozy" portion of the story. I think perhaps a prologue with some action, setting the stage without revealing too much would have helped the book tremendously.
Also the final climax of the book happens late in the final chapter, and so there isn't much of a denoumont (granted, this is book 1 of a series, but still could have used more space between).
Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book, and thought that it was a delightful read throughout. It's a book that I as an adult really enjoyed, but is wholly appropriate that I could give it to my 9 year old nephew if I wanted to. For a debut, this is most excellent, and I cannot wait to read more books from Luke Boswell. I'll give this book a 8.5 out of 10!
To start with, the book has a simplicity to the writing style and the world-building that I really enjoyed. It starts with a worldbuilding chapter (which made me a bit apprehensive, but after that the rest of the book really just tells the story of Ezvin and Oren. You might be forgiven if in the first 75 pages you forget that this is a fantasy novel, as it almost feels as if it could have occured in our world at some point in our past. The first 75 pages of the book are fairly slow, and we really get to know not only Ezvin and Oren, but we get to see Ezvin's new role at the Lighthouse in Edgewood, and we also get to know the Lighthouose Keeper, Wyndel Stringfellow (who is delightfully written and was my favorite character to read-personally I pictured Philip Baker Hall in my head).
The story really picks up in chapter 10 (about 60 pages in), and I thought it continued well from then. The story is very simple and straightforward, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Because of its simplicity, it really reminds me of classic fantasy books. But because of the ages of our protagnoists (11 for Oren and 15 for Ezvin), it really made it feel like a middle grade (possibly YA, but more likely middle grade) "Boys Adventure Novel" that one might find with Raconteur Press now.
I do have a few issues with the book. I really think it's missing a hook at the beginning to jumpstart the story before we go into the "Cozy" portion of the story. I think perhaps a prologue with some action, setting the stage without revealing too much would have helped the book tremendously.
Also the final climax of the book happens late in the final chapter, and so there isn't much of a denoumont (granted, this is book 1 of a series, but still could have used more space between).
Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book, and thought that it was a delightful read throughout. It's a book that I as an adult really enjoyed, but is wholly appropriate that I could give it to my 9 year old nephew if I wanted to. For a debut, this is most excellent, and I cannot wait to read more books from Luke Boswell. I'll give this book a 8.5 out of 10!
August 17, 2025
Great storytelling!!
Amazing book that reminds me of the whimsy of childhood adventure and feels like the comfort of Christmas stories (it’s probably the story’s snowy weather). The Last Light of Edgewood reminded me for the first time in a long time that it’s okay to slow down and enjoy every word on the page. Great magic, awesome plot and pacing, and well-written characters.
Amazing book that reminds me of the whimsy of childhood adventure and feels like the comfort of Christmas stories (it’s probably the story’s snowy weather). The Last Light of Edgewood reminded me for the first time in a long time that it’s okay to slow down and enjoy every word on the page. Great magic, awesome plot and pacing, and well-written characters.
August 24, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book. Definitely very Tolkien inspired, it was a nice cozy fantasy read that felt close to YA fantasy novels. It was paced really well, good character development, good dialogue. It added enough world building to know there’s more to come without feeling like you’re overwhelmed with things that don’t matter. To me it felt a little predictable, in the sense that I understand the classic hero’s journey it’s trying to be. I don’t mean that in a bad way either, sometimes it’s good to lock in with a story that feels new yet familiar in a nostalgic way.
I look forward to the next installment!
4/5
I look forward to the next installment!
4/5
August 19, 2025
Luke Boswell’s debut is unabashedly influenced by Tolkien and Lewis, and nails the whimsical tone with serious themes!
This reads like a high middle-grade or YA fantasy, and even has a cozy feeling (think Narnia) throughout. Built upon themes of light and darkness, and the potential for all men to find each in themselves, The Last Light of Edgewood both leans on those who came before, and approaches the story with a fresh world and plot.
While there were moments where Boswell’s inexperience as a writer came through, the pacing, tone, and intent was extremely consistent. This reads very quickly, without sacrificing world-building (though it is a small world) and character work.
For fans of coming-of-age, lighthearted fantasy akin to Narnia and Harry Potter, Luke has created an intriguing and exciting new world that I will be continuing in as soon as the next book arrives!
This reads like a high middle-grade or YA fantasy, and even has a cozy feeling (think Narnia) throughout. Built upon themes of light and darkness, and the potential for all men to find each in themselves, The Last Light of Edgewood both leans on those who came before, and approaches the story with a fresh world and plot.
While there were moments where Boswell’s inexperience as a writer came through, the pacing, tone, and intent was extremely consistent. This reads very quickly, without sacrificing world-building (though it is a small world) and character work.
For fans of coming-of-age, lighthearted fantasy akin to Narnia and Harry Potter, Luke has created an intriguing and exciting new world that I will be continuing in as soon as the next book arrives!
August 24, 2025
The last light of edgewood is an enjoyable and engaging read, with lovable characters and an immersive world! Can't wait to see where Boswell takes the story with the next book.
July 25, 2025
So excited for this one! Will update once I finish!
February 7, 2026
Note: I was provided a free copy for review; however, I will do my best to provide an honest and unbiased review. Thank you to Luke Boswell for the opportunity to read and review this book!
I loved this book! Of the self-published books I’ve read (which I’d guess is somewhere in the low 20s at this point), this is definitely in the upper tier of self-pub books I’ve read!
This book feels very Tolkien-esque to me in some ways—tonally like The Hobbit, the first half much like the early portions of Fellowship, and the second half much like the remainder of Fellowship, with prose that is like The Hobbit or perhaps C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia; of course, this is a very good thing, at least for me. The early portions of the book are very fun, cozy, and nice, primarily following Ezvin who has been chosen to become the lighthouse keeper apprentice for the town of Edgewood. His brother Oren is also a major part of the book, and is the side of the story which mainly initiates the conflict aspect of the plot, being the emergence of evil forces in Edgewood. I really liked the interplay between these two characters in themselves, and also way their two plotlines progressed and eventually interweaved was very well done. Ezvin’s side of the story was my favorite, with him training to become a lighthouse keeper with the current Keeper named Wyndel—likely my favorite character in the book. The relationship that forms between Wyndel and Ezvin is wonderful, with Wyndel occupying the sort of “wise old wizard” role, only not being a wizard. Him teaching Ezvin about the role of the keepers as well as the lore surrounding them was really interesting. Alongside the characters, the prose is one of my favorite aspects of this book. As I mentioned, I find it reminiscent of The Hobbit or Narnia; it feels very storyteller-esque, which is a style I love, and it’s written wonderfully. I also really liked the escalation of the story as it went, going from a pretty small-scale, low-stakes story in the first half to developing into something with more of a sense of darkness and adventure to it. This carries through to the end, which is extremely well done and does a great job of setting up further entries in this series.
If I have any criticism here, it is that at first I didn’t love the direction the story took in the second half, but I did grow to enjoy it more as it went. Another thing that isn’t really an issue for me but could be for some is that this book is quite tropey; I’ve mentioned Tolkien a few times and this book not only has similar tropes, but also seems to feature its own take on ideas established in works such as The Lord of the Rings or other classic fantasy works. This wasn’t at all a problem for me—in fact, I rather liked this book’s use of these elements—but it is worth pointing out for those who want something less reminiscent of other works.
Overall, I did really love this book. It was a joy to read cover to cover. I’ll be eagerly awaiting book two!
Rating: 9.5/10
I loved this book! Of the self-published books I’ve read (which I’d guess is somewhere in the low 20s at this point), this is definitely in the upper tier of self-pub books I’ve read!
This book feels very Tolkien-esque to me in some ways—tonally like The Hobbit, the first half much like the early portions of Fellowship, and the second half much like the remainder of Fellowship, with prose that is like The Hobbit or perhaps C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia; of course, this is a very good thing, at least for me. The early portions of the book are very fun, cozy, and nice, primarily following Ezvin who has been chosen to become the lighthouse keeper apprentice for the town of Edgewood. His brother Oren is also a major part of the book, and is the side of the story which mainly initiates the conflict aspect of the plot, being the emergence of evil forces in Edgewood. I really liked the interplay between these two characters in themselves, and also way their two plotlines progressed and eventually interweaved was very well done. Ezvin’s side of the story was my favorite, with him training to become a lighthouse keeper with the current Keeper named Wyndel—likely my favorite character in the book. The relationship that forms between Wyndel and Ezvin is wonderful, with Wyndel occupying the sort of “wise old wizard” role, only not being a wizard. Him teaching Ezvin about the role of the keepers as well as the lore surrounding them was really interesting. Alongside the characters, the prose is one of my favorite aspects of this book. As I mentioned, I find it reminiscent of The Hobbit or Narnia; it feels very storyteller-esque, which is a style I love, and it’s written wonderfully. I also really liked the escalation of the story as it went, going from a pretty small-scale, low-stakes story in the first half to developing into something with more of a sense of darkness and adventure to it. This carries through to the end, which is extremely well done and does a great job of setting up further entries in this series.
If I have any criticism here, it is that at first I didn’t love the direction the story took in the second half, but I did grow to enjoy it more as it went. Another thing that isn’t really an issue for me but could be for some is that this book is quite tropey; I’ve mentioned Tolkien a few times and this book not only has similar tropes, but also seems to feature its own take on ideas established in works such as The Lord of the Rings or other classic fantasy works. This wasn’t at all a problem for me—in fact, I rather liked this book’s use of these elements—but it is worth pointing out for those who want something less reminiscent of other works.
Overall, I did really love this book. It was a joy to read cover to cover. I’ll be eagerly awaiting book two!
Rating: 9.5/10
January 26, 2026
This light‑hearted fantasy was the perfect read for a cold winter week. An exciting adventure story filled with warmth and wonder, it strikes a delightful balance between cozy, fireside comfort and bursts of lively action. Beneath the charm and whimsy, the story carries the kind of hopeful, courageous lessons that readers return to fantasy for again and again. It’s the sort of book that truly hits the spot and is one you want to enjoy slowly.
August 8, 2025
Great story, left me eager for more but thankful that many of the plot points were cleared up. The pacing was great and I’m glad the characters were so human. Looking forward to another next book in the series!
August 18, 2025
I have read this book 3 times now and it gets better with every read! Great plot and love the storytelling. Can’t wait for book 2.
September 4, 2025
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional Impact: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Average: 4.5 (rounded up)⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional Impact: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Average: 4.5 (rounded up)⭐️
January 31, 2026
As a fantasy lover I sometimes have to question why I sit and read thousands of pages of books with my time. Once in a while, a book like this comes along that reminds me of my love for the genre. If you are a causal reader who wants to be able to say you read a modern classic before it was known this is a tremendous bet but you will have to do so quickly. Boswell is an unknown still, but I do not expect that to be the case in a few years. He has the rare potential to be a leader in the fantasy genre, uncovering a playful corner that has not been reached.
The book itself masterfully incorporates beautiful pacing control, clarity in its intent from start to finish, and a simplistic childhood moxie that makes small problems feel larger and large problems feel smaller.
Simply put, this is a tremendous novel that reminded me of the joy I had reading fantasy books as a child. I found myself eager for a sequel before the end of the book.
The book itself masterfully incorporates beautiful pacing control, clarity in its intent from start to finish, and a simplistic childhood moxie that makes small problems feel larger and large problems feel smaller.
Simply put, this is a tremendous novel that reminded me of the joy I had reading fantasy books as a child. I found myself eager for a sequel before the end of the book.
February 10, 2026
The Last Light of Edgewood was wonderful to read. The book starts off very tranquil and calm. It takes its time with descriptions, detail, and worldbuilding, which I really enjoy in a book. As it progresses, the action rises, which Luke does just as well, so it keeps you engaged as the book continues!
Sometimes, you're in the mood for something that feels comforting to read, and this book hit the spot for that feeling. A virtuous story, relatable characters, and a cozy atmosphere. Loved it!
Sometimes, you're in the mood for something that feels comforting to read, and this book hit the spot for that feeling. A virtuous story, relatable characters, and a cozy atmosphere. Loved it!
January 31, 2026
The Last Light of Edgewood is such a different type of book than what I typically read. The author graciously offered to send a free copy, and having wanted to read more books in the Christian fantasy genre, I quickly accepted.
In this book, Luke Boswell writes the allegorical tale of a kingdom that has lived in peace for quite some time. However, dark forces are beginning to infringe upon the cozy coastal town of Edgewood. Our main characters, Ezvin and Oren, are orphans living at the orphanage in Edgewood. The story begins slowly, almost painfully so, as it takes its time (intentionally so) introducing the two characters and laying the groundwork for events to come, as most excellent fantasy stories do. The first quarter or so of the book moves along at this slow pace, as we see Ezvin beginning his training as an apprentice for the Keeper of the Light. The action begins to pick up as Oren (who is quite cheeky) sneaks out of the orphanage and witnesses something he shouldn't. Ezvin gets pulled into the trouble as Oren's self-proclaimed big "brother", and the two boys grapple with what to do as nightmarish events unfold. They must decide whether to take action or stay silent. Along with the help of the Keeper of the Light and a brave local family, the boys embark on a dangerous journey to evade the dark forces while simultaneously planning how to defeat it.
The two main characters were so well written. Typical preteen and teen boys, they come face to face with overcoming their flaws and developing in character sooner than some, and have to choose between cowardice or courage. The Keeper, Wyndel Stringfellow, becomes a role model for Ezvin as he enters into adulthood. Meanwhile, the Hopetree family become something akin to adopted family for Oren. While both boys had received care and affection at the orphanage, seeing them bond with townsfolk that become like family, was heartwarming.
When the story picked up in action, it did so quickly. Once it hooked me, I was carried deep into the story, reading eagerly. The encroaching darkness becomes more ominous, and by the end of the book, evil steps of the darkness boldly, it's true nature revealed. Ezvin and Oren are faced with one last encounter, where they must summon every ounce of bravery they possess as they face evil head-on.
All of the dark forces in the story seem very symbolic of Satan and his influence over the world. Some of the evil forces are reminiscent of Ringwraiths from LoTR, and the growing horde of shadow creatures give off "winter is coming" vibes from Game of Thrones. Likewise, the imagery of "light" and Keepers, are very symbolic of Christ and Christians who are tasked with keeping darkness in the world at bay. None of the faith elements were literal, but were told in very well done allegory.
The book ends, but the story is left unresolved. I imagine a second book is in the works, and with the cliffhanger we are left with, I certainly hope a sequel is soon to follow!
What I enjoyed about this story:
🐦⬛ The allegorical nature of faith in the story with heavy symbolism of Biblical concepts
🐦⬛ Story told from a male POV (male author)
🐦⬛ MCs who don’t do what’s right, until they do
🐦⬛ Teen MCs who grow into their courage
🐦⬛ A truly unique premise, setting, and conflict
🐦⬛ Slow, but steady rising action leading to the climax
🐦⬛ Set up for a sequel/series
⚠️ Content Warnings:
-Kidnapping
-Light combat, sword fights
-Mild description of wounds
-Mind/spirit control (sort of, hard to explain!)
*If you, like me, are highly sensitive to spiritual darkness or heaviness (or general creepiness), this may be a better read for daytime. I found nighttime a bit too "shadowy" for my wimpy mind to cope with hooded black figures and red eyed herons.
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 4.5 stars
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! As mentioned, it was a bit hard to get into it, but once I got into it, I didn't want to put it down (except for bedtime). If you enjoy fantasy, and allegorical faith, such as Narnia and Lord of the Rings, this would be a great read for you! I will be eagerly awaiting Book 2! 👀
Thank you to Luke Boswell for providing a free copy of the book. All opinions are completely my own.
In this book, Luke Boswell writes the allegorical tale of a kingdom that has lived in peace for quite some time. However, dark forces are beginning to infringe upon the cozy coastal town of Edgewood. Our main characters, Ezvin and Oren, are orphans living at the orphanage in Edgewood. The story begins slowly, almost painfully so, as it takes its time (intentionally so) introducing the two characters and laying the groundwork for events to come, as most excellent fantasy stories do. The first quarter or so of the book moves along at this slow pace, as we see Ezvin beginning his training as an apprentice for the Keeper of the Light. The action begins to pick up as Oren (who is quite cheeky) sneaks out of the orphanage and witnesses something he shouldn't. Ezvin gets pulled into the trouble as Oren's self-proclaimed big "brother", and the two boys grapple with what to do as nightmarish events unfold. They must decide whether to take action or stay silent. Along with the help of the Keeper of the Light and a brave local family, the boys embark on a dangerous journey to evade the dark forces while simultaneously planning how to defeat it.
The two main characters were so well written. Typical preteen and teen boys, they come face to face with overcoming their flaws and developing in character sooner than some, and have to choose between cowardice or courage. The Keeper, Wyndel Stringfellow, becomes a role model for Ezvin as he enters into adulthood. Meanwhile, the Hopetree family become something akin to adopted family for Oren. While both boys had received care and affection at the orphanage, seeing them bond with townsfolk that become like family, was heartwarming.
When the story picked up in action, it did so quickly. Once it hooked me, I was carried deep into the story, reading eagerly. The encroaching darkness becomes more ominous, and by the end of the book, evil steps of the darkness boldly, it's true nature revealed. Ezvin and Oren are faced with one last encounter, where they must summon every ounce of bravery they possess as they face evil head-on.
All of the dark forces in the story seem very symbolic of Satan and his influence over the world. Some of the evil forces are reminiscent of Ringwraiths from LoTR, and the growing horde of shadow creatures give off "winter is coming" vibes from Game of Thrones. Likewise, the imagery of "light" and Keepers, are very symbolic of Christ and Christians who are tasked with keeping darkness in the world at bay. None of the faith elements were literal, but were told in very well done allegory.
The book ends, but the story is left unresolved. I imagine a second book is in the works, and with the cliffhanger we are left with, I certainly hope a sequel is soon to follow!
What I enjoyed about this story:
🐦⬛ The allegorical nature of faith in the story with heavy symbolism of Biblical concepts
🐦⬛ Story told from a male POV (male author)
🐦⬛ MCs who don’t do what’s right, until they do
🐦⬛ Teen MCs who grow into their courage
🐦⬛ A truly unique premise, setting, and conflict
🐦⬛ Slow, but steady rising action leading to the climax
🐦⬛ Set up for a sequel/series
⚠️ Content Warnings:
-Kidnapping
-Light combat, sword fights
-Mild description of wounds
-Mind/spirit control (sort of, hard to explain!)
*If you, like me, are highly sensitive to spiritual darkness or heaviness (or general creepiness), this may be a better read for daytime. I found nighttime a bit too "shadowy" for my wimpy mind to cope with hooded black figures and red eyed herons.
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 4.5 stars
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! As mentioned, it was a bit hard to get into it, but once I got into it, I didn't want to put it down (except for bedtime). If you enjoy fantasy, and allegorical faith, such as Narnia and Lord of the Rings, this would be a great read for you! I will be eagerly awaiting Book 2! 👀
Thank you to Luke Boswell for providing a free copy of the book. All opinions are completely my own.
October 20, 2025
Basic fantasy for beginners
On my YouTube channel, I exclusively review self-published and indie fantasy books. The Last Light of Edgewood is written more for younger audiences, so I had a harder time connecting with it. This is a big reason why it ended up with an overall score of 6.2/10 on my INDIE ranking scale. My full review can be seen here: https://youtu.be/hjpz76imf8Q?si=Bocby...
Here is a brief overview of my breakdown:
Immersion (worldbuilding): 6/10 - The worldbuilidng was somewhat generic and simple. We touched on a few unique aspects with the lighthouses and the evil forces and rituals, but the rest was very familiar. It was grounded and believable, it just wasn't really anything new for me.
Names (characters): 7/10 - The story mostly follows two orphan boys who consider each other brothers. Ezvin, the older brother, is aging out of the orphanage and is assigned to apprentice with the old, mysterious lightkeeper. Oren, the younger brother, is much more mischievous and ends up discovering an ancient evil as a result of his shenanigans. Overall, the characters were likable, they just didn't feel very realistic. Some of their choices and motivations just didn't seem to make sense.
Da Magic (& creatures): 6.5/10 - We don't see a ton of the magic, but I did think the herons and other dark creatures were interesting. I also thought the mechanics and history of the lighthouse was unique. There is some lore behind the magic and creatures, but it just feels somewhat basic and we don't really ever see much of the mechanics of the magic.
Infrastructure (plot, pacing, prose, etc.): 6/10 - I didn't love the opening omniscient info-dump chapter. I also felt like there was a lot of repetition and exposition throughout the story. Maybe that's needed for younger audiences, but it often took me out of the reading experience. The pacing was a little slow, but the overall plot made sense and was interesting. Still very straightforward, but not bad.
Enjoyment: 5.5/10 - I don't think I'm the right target audience for this one. It feels more appropriate for younger readers or perhaps people who are new to fantasy. It has a good foundation of fantasy, I just didn't really connect with the world or characters.
If you like books like Of Blood and Fire by Ryan Cahill, then this might be a book that is written in a similar style, though with a bit lower stakes and scale.
On my YouTube channel, I exclusively review self-published and indie fantasy books. The Last Light of Edgewood is written more for younger audiences, so I had a harder time connecting with it. This is a big reason why it ended up with an overall score of 6.2/10 on my INDIE ranking scale. My full review can be seen here: https://youtu.be/hjpz76imf8Q?si=Bocby...
Here is a brief overview of my breakdown:
Immersion (worldbuilding): 6/10 - The worldbuilidng was somewhat generic and simple. We touched on a few unique aspects with the lighthouses and the evil forces and rituals, but the rest was very familiar. It was grounded and believable, it just wasn't really anything new for me.
Names (characters): 7/10 - The story mostly follows two orphan boys who consider each other brothers. Ezvin, the older brother, is aging out of the orphanage and is assigned to apprentice with the old, mysterious lightkeeper. Oren, the younger brother, is much more mischievous and ends up discovering an ancient evil as a result of his shenanigans. Overall, the characters were likable, they just didn't feel very realistic. Some of their choices and motivations just didn't seem to make sense.
Da Magic (& creatures): 6.5/10 - We don't see a ton of the magic, but I did think the herons and other dark creatures were interesting. I also thought the mechanics and history of the lighthouse was unique. There is some lore behind the magic and creatures, but it just feels somewhat basic and we don't really ever see much of the mechanics of the magic.
Infrastructure (plot, pacing, prose, etc.): 6/10 - I didn't love the opening omniscient info-dump chapter. I also felt like there was a lot of repetition and exposition throughout the story. Maybe that's needed for younger audiences, but it often took me out of the reading experience. The pacing was a little slow, but the overall plot made sense and was interesting. Still very straightforward, but not bad.
Enjoyment: 5.5/10 - I don't think I'm the right target audience for this one. It feels more appropriate for younger readers or perhaps people who are new to fantasy. It has a good foundation of fantasy, I just didn't really connect with the world or characters.
If you like books like Of Blood and Fire by Ryan Cahill, then this might be a book that is written in a similar style, though with a bit lower stakes and scale.
December 9, 2025
Great intro fantasy.
This middle grade fantasy is perfect for any wanting to take a step into a fantasy world but who isn't ready for deep dives. Luke Boswell does a great job of simple world building that doesn't go so far beyond easy imagination.
The Last Light of Edgewood was emotional, and adventurous. The relationship between youth and the trust they give to adults.
From the Fallen to dark Hallows ready to snuff out the future, this adventure will have you flipping the pages to see what happens next.
It seems like there is so much more to this world and this story, and I hope that I get to read what happens next soon.
This middle grade fantasy is perfect for any wanting to take a step into a fantasy world but who isn't ready for deep dives. Luke Boswell does a great job of simple world building that doesn't go so far beyond easy imagination.
The Last Light of Edgewood was emotional, and adventurous. The relationship between youth and the trust they give to adults.
From the Fallen to dark Hallows ready to snuff out the future, this adventure will have you flipping the pages to see what happens next.
It seems like there is so much more to this world and this story, and I hope that I get to read what happens next soon.
August 8, 2025
Very enjoyable read! The book has a good pace and great story development. The content was tame enough that it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Similar to the works of Tolkien or Lewis. Looking forward to reading more in the future!
July 26, 2025
Alright, so I may be biased since I did write the book -- but I would certainly give this one 5 stars.
November 5, 2025
Really enjoyed this book! Luke is doing a great job creating a new world with themes we all long for.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews