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Half World #2
Darkest Light
The breathtaking follow-up novel to the award-winning Half World The recently reunited realms of the Flesh, Half World and the Spirit are again at risk—something has been left undone. Gee, adopted as an infant, has been kept ignorant of his troubled past. Now at sixteen, he is a loner both despised and feared by his classmates. dark feelings, unbidden, slowly grow inside him. Even as he struggles to control them, his past catches up with him and compels him to journey to Half World. Abandoning his adoptive grandmother and the place he has called home, Gee must face what he used to be in order to determine his fate and the fate of the Three Realms. Aided by a surly cat and a troubled newfound friend, Gee must fight the monstrous and the horrific in Half World. Most difficult of all, he must overcome his own propensity for evil. The nightmarish adventure picks up sixteen years after Melanie’s return in Half World (2009, Puffin). With a new dark hero whose unlikely companions are a heartless cat and a self-destructive Neo Goth girl, Darkest Light is a compelling journey through despair in a desperate search for redemption.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2012
5 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
About the author
Hiromi Goto
21 books221 followersHiromi’s first novel, Chorus of Mushrooms (1994), received the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book in the Caribbean and Canada region and was co-winner of the Canada-Japan Book Award. Her short stories and poetry have been widely published in literary journals and anthologies. Her second novel, The Kappa Child (2001), was a finalist for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Regional Book, and was awarded the James Tiptree Jr. Memorial Award. Her first children’s novel, The Water of Possibility, was also published that year. Hopeful Monsters, a collection of short stories, was released in 2004. Her YA/Crossover novel, Half World (2009), was long-listed for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and received the 2010 Sunburst Award and the Carl Brandon Society Parallax Award. Her long poem, co-written with David Bateman, came out in Fall 2009. Wait Until Late Afternoon is her first book-length poetry publication. Darkest Light, companion book to Half World, will be released in 2012 with Penguin Canada.
Hiromi is an active member of the literary community, a writing instructor, editor and the mother of two children. She has served in numerous writer-in-residencies and is currently in BC, working on Darkest Light.
Hiromi is an active member of the literary community, a writing instructor, editor and the mother of two children. She has served in numerous writer-in-residencies and is currently in BC, working on Darkest Light.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 5, 2016
Gee is all grown up now and he has felt different than anyone. His sister is gone and his grandma who is always there for him is feeble and starts to get sick she says something mysterious about Half World. His parents are there. Together with a new friend he finds along the way, they land in Half World where everything is well dead.
This is definitely a different theme from Half World. Gee struggles to be good when so many obstacles get in his way. Hiromi Goto’s world building is clearly epic. I felt like I was transported in a dark place with no hope, no love and no life.
Darkest Light was definitely more creepy. For example anyone read about homicidal cannibal children? The struggles these souls had in life was so horrible and I can understand why they’re still stuck in Half World and can’t move into the Spirit world.
I wonder if there’s any interest in a movie? I’d love to see it on the big screen!
Rating 4/5
Quotes
“Emptiness was good. Emptiness meant there was nothing inside that would break and shatter.”—Gee (75)
This is definitely a different theme from Half World. Gee struggles to be good when so many obstacles get in his way. Hiromi Goto’s world building is clearly epic. I felt like I was transported in a dark place with no hope, no love and no life.
Darkest Light was definitely more creepy. For example anyone read about homicidal cannibal children? The struggles these souls had in life was so horrible and I can understand why they’re still stuck in Half World and can’t move into the Spirit world.
I wonder if there’s any interest in a movie? I’d love to see it on the big screen!
Rating 4/5
Quotes
“Emptiness was good. Emptiness meant there was nothing inside that would break and shatter.”—Gee (75)
December 11, 2012
With both a prologue and an introduction, the first chapter’s frontloaded backstory—however succinct—bogs the reader even further down. Add to that the fact that Gee isn’t the most likeable hero, and we have a slow start to this sequel to Half World. Of course, there is a reason why Gee isn’t likeable. His struggles with his inner self are realistic, but also prevent any kind of smooth character development; the instant that Gee starts feeling more human, his evil voice will speak up, or vice versa, and they’ll be back at square one.
Cracker, the Goth girl, is spastic, prone to mood swings and occasionally irrational. The only thing that makes her identifiable as a Goth is her attire. Thus Cracker is not a stereotype, but she also doesn’t seem like a real person. The emotion that leaks through in Half World thanks to her sister’s death goes a ways to making her seem genuine, but it’s only when she shows her guts against Gee in the climax that we start to like her. White Cat is, unfortunately, a stereotype—the condescending animal companion who only has advice to sling around in the form of insults. However, he provides excellent and timely comic relief when not playing his role.
The plot moves smoothly, thank goodness. A few bends and kinks illustrate the depth of Hiromi Goto’s creative Half World, but not so many as to tire us with the amount of misery. The suffering in the story balances neatly with the theme of redemption. It’s the ending where Goto’s writing shines best, flowery-eloquent. Her ability to write an Oriental language as English is also excellent; Ming Wei’s maternal speeches are Chinese if I ever heard it before: “And no more swearing! Wahhhh! Such a mouth on this one! …She has too much heat. Yin deficiency. She needs a soup. And lessons in manners.”
*Review originally published on Pass the Chiclets.
Cracker, the Goth girl, is spastic, prone to mood swings and occasionally irrational. The only thing that makes her identifiable as a Goth is her attire. Thus Cracker is not a stereotype, but she also doesn’t seem like a real person. The emotion that leaks through in Half World thanks to her sister’s death goes a ways to making her seem genuine, but it’s only when she shows her guts against Gee in the climax that we start to like her. White Cat is, unfortunately, a stereotype—the condescending animal companion who only has advice to sling around in the form of insults. However, he provides excellent and timely comic relief when not playing his role.
The plot moves smoothly, thank goodness. A few bends and kinks illustrate the depth of Hiromi Goto’s creative Half World, but not so many as to tire us with the amount of misery. The suffering in the story balances neatly with the theme of redemption. It’s the ending where Goto’s writing shines best, flowery-eloquent. Her ability to write an Oriental language as English is also excellent; Ming Wei’s maternal speeches are Chinese if I ever heard it before: “And no more swearing! Wahhhh! Such a mouth on this one! …She has too much heat. Yin deficiency. She needs a soup. And lessons in manners.”
*Review originally published on Pass the Chiclets.
July 17, 2014
This is a sequel to Half World, and picks up sixteen years after the end of the previous novel. Where Melanie was fourteen, Gee is sixteen, and the writing, themes, and stronger language of this novel reflect that difference. Weirdly, though, I found the imagery in this book less horrifying than in the first, although it may be because this time I knew what to expect. I will warn you all that I regretted reading a couple of scenes during breakfast, though.
I don't want to say too much about this book, but I really enjoyed it. It's dark and heartrending as the author tackles some very heavy subjects regarding life and death and the point of going on, but the mix of action and philosophy is well-balanced, the writing is excellent, and it never gets heavy-handed or depressing. I loved Gee and his companions, and really believed in and felt their struggles. The ending was perfect, absolutely bittersweet and heartbreaking in a good way (I cried). In many ways, this is what I think a YA book should be -- it straddles a thin line between childhood and adulthood, and deals with themes that I don't think any of us outgrow.
Sadly, this book is not available in the US. I had to have a friend do the footwork and get me a copy in Canada. And I am really glad I did! Hiromi Goto told my friend (via her blog) that there are no immediate plans to release the book in the US, either.
As a last, bright note, Darkest Light has one of the best covers on any book I've read in a long time: its own custom art, in spectacularly gorgeous colors, shiny in the right places, and totally capturing the story that's in this book. I wish more books had covers like this. I was really thrilled to be seen in public with this one. The interior has illustrations as well, just as Half World did. All in all, this book is just a great package all around.
I don't want to say too much about this book, but I really enjoyed it. It's dark and heartrending as the author tackles some very heavy subjects regarding life and death and the point of going on, but the mix of action and philosophy is well-balanced, the writing is excellent, and it never gets heavy-handed or depressing. I loved Gee and his companions, and really believed in and felt their struggles. The ending was perfect, absolutely bittersweet and heartbreaking in a good way (I cried). In many ways, this is what I think a YA book should be -- it straddles a thin line between childhood and adulthood, and deals with themes that I don't think any of us outgrow.
Sadly, this book is not available in the US. I had to have a friend do the footwork and get me a copy in Canada. And I am really glad I did! Hiromi Goto told my friend (via her blog) that there are no immediate plans to release the book in the US, either.
As a last, bright note, Darkest Light has one of the best covers on any book I've read in a long time: its own custom art, in spectacularly gorgeous colors, shiny in the right places, and totally capturing the story that's in this book. I wish more books had covers like this. I was really thrilled to be seen in public with this one. The interior has illustrations as well, just as Half World did. All in all, this book is just a great package all around.
October 10, 2018
Goodreads People, You Stink
The amount of people that gave this book anything less than 4 stars disgust me. This book is such a gem and people probably didn’t like it because it didn’t have some sappy, cliché love triangle or interest in it. It’s straight up real fantasy with all the necessary ingredients for a masterpiece.
Another realm. Distorted creatures. A wise old lady. A wise and easily annoyed cat with an attitude problem. A nosy goth girl. A teen boy who’s trying to find his identity while facing who he was in the past. Come on people! This is magic!!! OPEN YOUR EYES!
Thanking God For This Book
This book is simply brilliant and Goto is absolutely a genius. How often do sequels live up to their predecessors? Not often enough. This book was everything I hoped for and more.
Goto paints a vivid image of Half World once again and it seems the characters are even better than before. There’s something about Asian authors and fantasy. They bring a certain group of elements and profoundness in writing style that just lures the reader in and keeps them hooked. The writing style is gripping and beautifully dark and detailed.
The Plot/Characters
All my questions were answered. Goto left no opportunity for confusion, which is really hard because I’m easily confused lol. This book was full of pain and suffering, but it was also full of growth. The symbolism to our real world was extremely accurate and I believe anyone reading this can pull something away from it.
Our main character, Gee, loses his mojo and battles with the darkness in himself to save those he loves. We see a great example of good vs evil within ourselves. We all struggle with it. To do the right thing or to do the wrong thing. Gee gives in to his pain and emptiness but finds his way back to the light. A beautiful story of loss and redemption.
For Cracker to be a side character, she was well developed and I believe a 3rd book is possible through her. I believe White Cat was my favorite character though his disposition as a feline guardian was rather cliché. But HEY, that personality never gets old! ALL cats have that stinky attitude. So I believe Goto did the right thing by going that route. We needed someone foul and snappy like White Cat.
The amount of people that gave this book anything less than 4 stars disgust me. This book is such a gem and people probably didn’t like it because it didn’t have some sappy, cliché love triangle or interest in it. It’s straight up real fantasy with all the necessary ingredients for a masterpiece.
Another realm. Distorted creatures. A wise old lady. A wise and easily annoyed cat with an attitude problem. A nosy goth girl. A teen boy who’s trying to find his identity while facing who he was in the past. Come on people! This is magic!!! OPEN YOUR EYES!
Thanking God For This Book
This book is simply brilliant and Goto is absolutely a genius. How often do sequels live up to their predecessors? Not often enough. This book was everything I hoped for and more.
Goto paints a vivid image of Half World once again and it seems the characters are even better than before. There’s something about Asian authors and fantasy. They bring a certain group of elements and profoundness in writing style that just lures the reader in and keeps them hooked. The writing style is gripping and beautifully dark and detailed.
The Plot/Characters
All my questions were answered. Goto left no opportunity for confusion, which is really hard because I’m easily confused lol. This book was full of pain and suffering, but it was also full of growth. The symbolism to our real world was extremely accurate and I believe anyone reading this can pull something away from it.
Our main character, Gee, loses his mojo and battles with the darkness in himself to save those he loves. We see a great example of good vs evil within ourselves. We all struggle with it. To do the right thing or to do the wrong thing. Gee gives in to his pain and emptiness but finds his way back to the light. A beautiful story of loss and redemption.
For Cracker to be a side character, she was well developed and I believe a 3rd book is possible through her. I believe White Cat was my favorite character though his disposition as a feline guardian was rather cliché. But HEY, that personality never gets old! ALL cats have that stinky attitude. So I believe Goto did the right thing by going that route. We needed someone foul and snappy like White Cat.
July 9, 2017
I'm not sure if I was expecting more because I liked the first book, but this one was a huge disappointment. It felt haphazard, more a series of ideas thrown together than a true narrative. There was none of the magic prose of the first book, the symbolism is way too obvious, and the characterization wasn't even close to what I expected.
May 31, 2020
A necessary follow-up to Half-World. I needed to find out what happened to G, and the author tied up all the loose ends in this sequel. Still too far on the creepy-disgusting side of things for my comfort, but I'm glad I read it.
April 16, 2023
Content Warnings:
I was really loving this and then about 2/3 of the way through it got DARK, then just plain WEIRD. Still enjoyable, but... yeah.
I was really loving this and then about 2/3 of the way through it got DARK, then just plain WEIRD. Still enjoyable, but... yeah.
May 31, 2015
The struggle to keep the balance between the three realms continues in this sequel to Half World. For which you can find my review here. This time though we see little to none of Melanie. She is out of the picture pretty much and instead, this time around we are following Baby G.
Only, Baby G isn't a baby anymore, he's a teenage boy. Gee knows there is some dark mystery behind where he came from, but has not even the slightest clue just how dark it is. His "Popo" or pseudo grandmother has raised him and taken care of him and has kept many deep and dark secrets. But the secrets are forced out when beings from the Half World enter the Flesh World to reclaim him and bring him back home. That's when Gee realizes that nothing is as it seems. And there are reasons he has always felt like an outsider and never fit in or ever had any friends. Gee has a past that downright terrifies him, but he has no choice to but to face it head on if things are to be set right and the balance between the three realms restored.
I enjoyed following Gee much more so than I did Melanie. He had a lot more character depth. He was a lot more cynical, brave and forthright. Where as at times I found Melanie to be whiny and a little too childish. The evil and shadows that Gee has to conquer are astounding, and the strength required to get through is almost unattainable. He luckily managed to make a friend just before his epic journey into the Half World began. But at times she is more than a burden than an aid. But I loved her as well. She was not afraid to kick some serious butt and to tell it like she sees it. She was very independent and courageous. Together they made quite a pair, ravaging there way through the Half World.
The visuals in this story are so vivid and bright. Even though Half World itself is supposed to be all grey tones, the imagery still shines through and I think I would do some pretty terrible things to see this made into a graphic novel. There are a few random illustrations throughout, but they never pick the really gory and scary things that I wanted to see. They were easy enough to imagine in my own mind, enough to give me shivers and goosebumps.
I would recommend this story to any and all fantasy fans, or fans of Asian culture or Asian style story telling. But if you have never given that kind of thing a try, I think this series is an excellent place to start! But I will warn you in advance, this book is not afraid to get disgusting, evil and twisted. But it also creates hope and light among this dark moments. It's a fantastic, adventurous, terrifying read and I definitely think you should give it a try!
Only, Baby G isn't a baby anymore, he's a teenage boy. Gee knows there is some dark mystery behind where he came from, but has not even the slightest clue just how dark it is. His "Popo" or pseudo grandmother has raised him and taken care of him and has kept many deep and dark secrets. But the secrets are forced out when beings from the Half World enter the Flesh World to reclaim him and bring him back home. That's when Gee realizes that nothing is as it seems. And there are reasons he has always felt like an outsider and never fit in or ever had any friends. Gee has a past that downright terrifies him, but he has no choice to but to face it head on if things are to be set right and the balance between the three realms restored.
I enjoyed following Gee much more so than I did Melanie. He had a lot more character depth. He was a lot more cynical, brave and forthright. Where as at times I found Melanie to be whiny and a little too childish. The evil and shadows that Gee has to conquer are astounding, and the strength required to get through is almost unattainable. He luckily managed to make a friend just before his epic journey into the Half World began. But at times she is more than a burden than an aid. But I loved her as well. She was not afraid to kick some serious butt and to tell it like she sees it. She was very independent and courageous. Together they made quite a pair, ravaging there way through the Half World.
The visuals in this story are so vivid and bright. Even though Half World itself is supposed to be all grey tones, the imagery still shines through and I think I would do some pretty terrible things to see this made into a graphic novel. There are a few random illustrations throughout, but they never pick the really gory and scary things that I wanted to see. They were easy enough to imagine in my own mind, enough to give me shivers and goosebumps.
I would recommend this story to any and all fantasy fans, or fans of Asian culture or Asian style story telling. But if you have never given that kind of thing a try, I think this series is an excellent place to start! But I will warn you in advance, this book is not afraid to get disgusting, evil and twisted. But it also creates hope and light among this dark moments. It's a fantastic, adventurous, terrifying read and I definitely think you should give it a try!
September 25, 2013
The action packed fantasy world inside Darkest Light by Hiromi Goto is the perfect sequel for the Half World Series. Each page is splattered with highly detailed scenes, settings, and unforgettable characters. Hiromi brilliantly continues the story with the telling of Gee, a boy who sets off on a voyage to learn about himself and discover his true purpose in the world. Hiromi’s solid writing will immediately hook readers from the very beginning. They mystery that clouds over Gee is very interesting. He is such an extraordinary character but with feelings and weaknesses like any normal boy. He has problems that many of us can relate to.
The world building that Hiromi devised is impressive. The way she describes the setting is like a painting that comes alive and readers will feel transported into it. From the wonderful story, remarkable characters, and marvelous concepts, everything feels unique and original. The development of the characters is exceptionally well and each of them are believable, especially the protagonist, Gee. This book takes the series into a deep and dark philosophical fantasy. It’s one of those sequels that feel like it overpowers its predecessor. However, Darkest Light is just the right follow up for the Half World series. Readers are treated to an unforgettable plot story with plenty of twists and turns. The plot twists and turns will have readers on the edge of their seats and continually turning pages. Be prepared to lose some sleep because you won’t be able to put this book down.
The world building that Hiromi devised is impressive. The way she describes the setting is like a painting that comes alive and readers will feel transported into it. From the wonderful story, remarkable characters, and marvelous concepts, everything feels unique and original. The development of the characters is exceptionally well and each of them are believable, especially the protagonist, Gee. This book takes the series into a deep and dark philosophical fantasy. It’s one of those sequels that feel like it overpowers its predecessor. However, Darkest Light is just the right follow up for the Half World series. Readers are treated to an unforgettable plot story with plenty of twists and turns. The plot twists and turns will have readers on the edge of their seats and continually turning pages. Be prepared to lose some sleep because you won’t be able to put this book down.
October 1, 2014
The sequel to Half World is much darker than its predecessor, or at least I found it so. Half World focused on finding something in Half World and getting it out to set the world right, but Darker Light takes the odd, alienated, and shunned Gee back into Half World, the realm of endless despair and suffering. There, Gee battles monsters, witnesses horrors, and tries to come to grips with his own evil urges and impulses. The fate of everyone in colourless, twilit Half World - and the other two realms - depends on him.
There are horrors aplenty in these pages, with Half Worlders on constant repeat of their lives' greatest traumas. Murder and torment abound. That said, it's an interesting exploration of what may come after this life, in one view.
There are horrors aplenty in these pages, with Half Worlders on constant repeat of their lives' greatest traumas. Murder and torment abound. That said, it's an interesting exploration of what may come after this life, in one view.
December 15, 2013
Thought I'd give this author another try as Ariel really liked it. I guess greater familiarity with the religious paradigm or spiritual principles or whatever from Asian (Chinese?)culture would make me appreciate this all more, and I did try to get my mind around the mythology of the Three Realms and the way Half World worked, but I felt pretty confused about it all. And I started getting creeped out when the characters began to get sucked into the Half World rules. I feel like the story we start with gets twisted and becomes hard to follow and to empathize with as Goto blends it with the Half World myths. Not sure I said that right. I only read about 1/3 of it, then put it down, because I didn't feel empathetic to any of the characters, and the story seemed convoluted and not worth the effort any more. I do like the artwork, though!
February 17, 2012
I loved the first book in this series, and of course I jumped at the chance to read the sequel when I found out that there would be one. Luckily for me, I received this advance copy in a goodreads giveaway, and I can honestly say that I couldn't be happier with this continuation.
The new protagonist is a very believable and troubled character. At first I didn't like his travel companion, but she grew on me as the book went on. The prose is just as good as the first book and Half World remains a creepy and atmospheric environment for most of the action.
The new protagonist is a very believable and troubled character. At first I didn't like his travel companion, but she grew on me as the book went on. The prose is just as good as the first book and Half World remains a creepy and atmospheric environment for most of the action.
February 14, 2012
My utmost thanks to the Author, the Publisher, and Goodreads for giving me the chance to read and review this free book.
Very imaginative! Nothing like I've ever read before.
Was slotted as for Teen readers, but can also be for Adults.
Completely stays away from the standard vampire-ish novels and story-lines that seem to currently fill up Book Store shelves.
Very imaginative! Nothing like I've ever read before.
Was slotted as for Teen readers, but can also be for Adults.
Completely stays away from the standard vampire-ish novels and story-lines that seem to currently fill up Book Store shelves.
February 21, 2012
Really enjoyed the sequel to Half World. My full review will appear in ResourceLinks.
January 29, 2013
3.5
review later
review later
December 27, 2012
Part 2 of half world just as good as the first! More weirdo outsiders in horror movie and fantasy novel inspired otherworld.
June 14, 2014
Sequel to Half Life. Dark and bizarre, but strangely compelling.
September 12, 2016
a bit quirky, and something about it bothered me and I can't quite put my finger on it
August 4, 2016
A good read. I like this better than the first book. The ending made me teary-eyed. ^^
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews