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The Shock of the Light
Cambridge, 1942
Twins Tessa and Theo had always shared everything – until the summer Tessa spent studying in France. She hasn’t been the same since. But before Theo can find out why, he is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies.
Determined to carve her own path, Tessa joins the clandestine Special Operations Executive, slipping into the shadows of occupied France. It will be dangerous work, but France is the home of her greatest love – and her darkest secret. Tessa has many reasons for wanting to return.
Two years later, only one of them comes home.
Twins Tessa and Theo had always shared everything – until the summer Tessa spent studying in France. She hasn’t been the same since. But before Theo can find out why, he is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies.
Determined to carve her own path, Tessa joins the clandestine Special Operations Executive, slipping into the shadows of occupied France. It will be dangerous work, but France is the home of her greatest love – and her darkest secret. Tessa has many reasons for wanting to return.
Two years later, only one of them comes home.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2026
553 people are currently reading
23281 people want to read
About the author
Lori Inglis Hall
1 book86 followersLori Inglis Hall was born and raised in Leicestershire, and now lives in the South East. Things she loves (in no particular order): books, words, cats, donkeys, her pals, sea swimming, Fake or Fortune, working museums, walled gardens, roses, A.S Byatt, paintings by Cedric Morris, Paris, hispi cabbage, antiques fairs, The National Trust, chintz, ceramics, Kim Deal, Peggy Angus wallpaper, blankets, and archives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews
March 25, 2026
A beguiling tale of twins - Tessa and Theo- who are separated during the war.
Theo heads out as a RAF pilot; Tessa, part of the “Fanies” but actually recruited as an undercover operative.
The story is told at the beginning from Tessa’s angle; then midway, switches to Theo’s. Both from the perspective of fighting against the Nazis. Then it becomes a search for the lost sibling. The endless attempts and getting constantly shut out and shut down with more questions than answers.
A story of secrets where none existed before; espionage; betrayal and love.
The shock of light is the ultimate truth.
5🌟
Theo heads out as a RAF pilot; Tessa, part of the “Fanies” but actually recruited as an undercover operative.
The story is told at the beginning from Tessa’s angle; then midway, switches to Theo’s. Both from the perspective of fighting against the Nazis. Then it becomes a search for the lost sibling. The endless attempts and getting constantly shut out and shut down with more questions than answers.
A story of secrets where none existed before; espionage; betrayal and love.
The shock of light is the ultimate truth.
5🌟
March 29, 2026
An extraordinary debut novel, the kind of historical fiction that readily transports the reader to a time and place bringing significant events of the past to life through the lives of unforgettable characters, Tessa and Theo Armstrong, sister and brother, twins, born in Cambridge, England. Depicting covert missions, the brave people of the French resistance, injuries of the war, to the Nuremberg trials, the novel honors the unsung heroes of the French resistance during WWII and brings to the forefront the role of British women who participated behind the scenes in dangerous, clandestine activities . I found it meaningful to read during the month when International Womens Day is celebrated.
Part One is told from Tessa’s perspective and her role in the Special Operations Executive charged with executing covert operations to sabotage the Nazis. A strong, determined woman facing a personal struggle and heartache. Part Two is from Theo’s perspective having returned from the war where he was an RAF pilot, injured and facing unbearable grief wanting to find out what happened to Tessa , bearing his own personal struggle . An unbreakable bond between them, but with secrets kept, the story is intense, heartbreaking and beautifully told.
One of the reasons I enjoy reading new releases is discovering new authors . This is one of the best debut novels I’ve read recently. I’m happy to have found Lori Inglis Hall and I’m hoping she writes more .
I received a copy of this book from Viking through NetGalley
Part One is told from Tessa’s perspective and her role in the Special Operations Executive charged with executing covert operations to sabotage the Nazis. A strong, determined woman facing a personal struggle and heartache. Part Two is from Theo’s perspective having returned from the war where he was an RAF pilot, injured and facing unbearable grief wanting to find out what happened to Tessa , bearing his own personal struggle . An unbreakable bond between them, but with secrets kept, the story is intense, heartbreaking and beautifully told.
One of the reasons I enjoy reading new releases is discovering new authors . This is one of the best debut novels I’ve read recently. I’m happy to have found Lori Inglis Hall and I’m hoping she writes more .
I received a copy of this book from Viking through NetGalley
November 25, 2025
4+
Twins Tessa and Theo are initially very close but a wide space has grown between them but time may heal the bonds. By 1938 Tessa is studying at The Sorbonne, which upsets Theo as they agreed Cambridge, according to him! However, she’s hiding something big from him and before he can get to the bottom of the problem, war intervenes and he’s recruited into the RAF. As for Tessa, she is encouraged to join the clandestine Special Operations Executive, the objective being to meld undetected into occupied France and wreak as much havoc as possible. Clearly, her family know nothing of this, will she make it home alive??
There’s much to praise in this emotionally charged and haunting story, although I think it becomes too long and a bit drawn out. That being said, the twins story is fantastic, their emotional ties come across loud and clear and they both suffer mightily in different ways and so is heartbreaking reading at times. It takes a PhD student, Edie, at the start of the millennium to get to the heart of the truth and I like how she greatly helps Theo. These sections of the novel make me feel everything from sadness to anger.
The novel is extremely well researched, although I do know about the SOE the direction the novel takes is a good one. In addition, the author really captures the strict views society holds at the time which are deeply reflected in both of the twins stories.
If you’re not keen on war stories don’t be put off because this novel is about much more than that which makes it much more accessible. This is because it’s the twins personal stories, set against the backdrop of war and post war. It therefore probably hits home harder because of that and is more powerful.
Overall, this is well worth a read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Twins Tessa and Theo are initially very close but a wide space has grown between them but time may heal the bonds. By 1938 Tessa is studying at The Sorbonne, which upsets Theo as they agreed Cambridge, according to him! However, she’s hiding something big from him and before he can get to the bottom of the problem, war intervenes and he’s recruited into the RAF. As for Tessa, she is encouraged to join the clandestine Special Operations Executive, the objective being to meld undetected into occupied France and wreak as much havoc as possible. Clearly, her family know nothing of this, will she make it home alive??
There’s much to praise in this emotionally charged and haunting story, although I think it becomes too long and a bit drawn out. That being said, the twins story is fantastic, their emotional ties come across loud and clear and they both suffer mightily in different ways and so is heartbreaking reading at times. It takes a PhD student, Edie, at the start of the millennium to get to the heart of the truth and I like how she greatly helps Theo. These sections of the novel make me feel everything from sadness to anger.
The novel is extremely well researched, although I do know about the SOE the direction the novel takes is a good one. In addition, the author really captures the strict views society holds at the time which are deeply reflected in both of the twins stories.
If you’re not keen on war stories don’t be put off because this novel is about much more than that which makes it much more accessible. This is because it’s the twins personal stories, set against the backdrop of war and post war. It therefore probably hits home harder because of that and is more powerful.
Overall, this is well worth a read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
November 9, 2025
Please, read this book. It’s a fantastic, emotionally moving, and deeply researched novel. I’m very impressed and would recommend it to anyone looking for an exceptional work of historical fiction. I truly loved it.
Let me start by saying that I’m not usually drawn to stories set during the Second World War, and I’ve rarely read anything from that period. But something about this premise made me want to make an exception. This is the story of twins, Tessa and Theo, who both become involved in the war effort: Theo as an RAF pilot and Tessa working undercover in France. They go to war together, but only one of them comes home. Devastated by the loss of his twin, Theo’s post-war life is haunted by the uncertainty of not truly knowing what happened to Tessa. The physical injuries he suffered are nothing compared to the emotional wounds he endures.
Saying that this book moved me on multiple levels would be an understatement. The author doesn’t shy away from portraying some of the most tragic, dehumanizing, but also lesser-known aspects of the Second World War. Through the bond between two people who share one of the closest relationships imaginable, the story reveals how devastating this conflict was for ordinary lives. In my opinion, showing people against great history is the best way to approach historical fiction, and this book does it masterfully, even if it breaks your heart in the process.
At the same time, this is so much more than just a war story, and not only because much of it takes place after 1945. It’s also a novel about people struggling to be themselves, often against strict social conventions. Ironically, even though Tessa and Theo are closer to each other than to anyone else, they are still forced to hide certain intimate truths about themselves because of social taboos. The story powerfully illustrates how rigid British attitudes toward sexuality and the role of women in society ultimately prevent the characters from finding each other.
In short, this is a very sad – heartbreakingly sad – but also profoundly beautiful story. Following Theo’s search to discover what happened to his sister is a deeply emotional experience. Not all the questions are answered at the end, but I think the best books are often those in which endings also feel like new beginnings.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Let me start by saying that I’m not usually drawn to stories set during the Second World War, and I’ve rarely read anything from that period. But something about this premise made me want to make an exception. This is the story of twins, Tessa and Theo, who both become involved in the war effort: Theo as an RAF pilot and Tessa working undercover in France. They go to war together, but only one of them comes home. Devastated by the loss of his twin, Theo’s post-war life is haunted by the uncertainty of not truly knowing what happened to Tessa. The physical injuries he suffered are nothing compared to the emotional wounds he endures.
Saying that this book moved me on multiple levels would be an understatement. The author doesn’t shy away from portraying some of the most tragic, dehumanizing, but also lesser-known aspects of the Second World War. Through the bond between two people who share one of the closest relationships imaginable, the story reveals how devastating this conflict was for ordinary lives. In my opinion, showing people against great history is the best way to approach historical fiction, and this book does it masterfully, even if it breaks your heart in the process.
At the same time, this is so much more than just a war story, and not only because much of it takes place after 1945. It’s also a novel about people struggling to be themselves, often against strict social conventions. Ironically, even though Tessa and Theo are closer to each other than to anyone else, they are still forced to hide certain intimate truths about themselves because of social taboos. The story powerfully illustrates how rigid British attitudes toward sexuality and the role of women in society ultimately prevent the characters from finding each other.
In short, this is a very sad – heartbreakingly sad – but also profoundly beautiful story. Following Theo’s search to discover what happened to his sister is a deeply emotional experience. Not all the questions are answered at the end, but I think the best books are often those in which endings also feel like new beginnings.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
One of the many things I admired about this novel is how both Tessa’s and Theo’s motivations for the actions they take seem absolutely understandable. Tessa’s experience in France (although the author cleverly withholds every detail initially) changes her outlook but means for almost the first time there is something significant she can’t share with her brother. Both sense a change in the bond between them. There’s a distance where there was none before. It’s an unsettling feeling given the turbulent events unfolding in the world.
A necessary part of Tessa’s preparation for her role in the Special Operations Executive is adopting a new identity. For her, it’s not a challenge so much as a way to put recent events behind her. ‘Tessa in this world is Marianne, a new person with no ties, no obligations. No roots.’ The detail of Tessa’s training for her undercover mission felt completely authentic and are obviosuly based on meticulous research. What I hadn’t grasped before was the consequences for women such as Tessa if they were captured because they would not be afforded the status of prisoners of war. It made their role even more precarious and we see how chance – both good and bad – plays a part in Tessa’s story. It also reminded me once again of the courage of those in occupied France who joined the Resistance or who shielded its members.
Theo’s role as an RAF pilot is equally hazardous, a fact brought home to the reader early on. An event he witnesses stays with him forever, bringing the feelings of guilt that survivors often experience. I found Theo’s story utterly compelling. The author manages to pack many different elements into it, such as changing social attitudes, yet they never feel superfluous or irrelevant.
Theo’s search for answers about Tessa’s fate brings him up against a brick wall of denial, obfuscation and downright deceit. His reluctance to stop asking awkward questions brings serious personal consequences, only adding to suspicions there are things the British govenment simply don’t want known. It’s only decades later the full story is revealed, shedding light on a real life historical injustice. What I found particulary moving was Theo’s misplaced feelings of guilt. His anguish at the fact he stopped asking questions, his regret that he didn’t press harder for answers or didn’t ask the right questions.
The Shock of the Light gripped me from the start and didn’t let me go until the final page. It’s a remarkable debut.
A necessary part of Tessa’s preparation for her role in the Special Operations Executive is adopting a new identity. For her, it’s not a challenge so much as a way to put recent events behind her. ‘Tessa in this world is Marianne, a new person with no ties, no obligations. No roots.’ The detail of Tessa’s training for her undercover mission felt completely authentic and are obviosuly based on meticulous research. What I hadn’t grasped before was the consequences for women such as Tessa if they were captured because they would not be afforded the status of prisoners of war. It made their role even more precarious and we see how chance – both good and bad – plays a part in Tessa’s story. It also reminded me once again of the courage of those in occupied France who joined the Resistance or who shielded its members.
Theo’s role as an RAF pilot is equally hazardous, a fact brought home to the reader early on. An event he witnesses stays with him forever, bringing the feelings of guilt that survivors often experience. I found Theo’s story utterly compelling. The author manages to pack many different elements into it, such as changing social attitudes, yet they never feel superfluous or irrelevant.
Theo’s search for answers about Tessa’s fate brings him up against a brick wall of denial, obfuscation and downright deceit. His reluctance to stop asking awkward questions brings serious personal consequences, only adding to suspicions there are things the British govenment simply don’t want known. It’s only decades later the full story is revealed, shedding light on a real life historical injustice. What I found particulary moving was Theo’s misplaced feelings of guilt. His anguish at the fact he stopped asking questions, his regret that he didn’t press harder for answers or didn’t ask the right questions.
The Shock of the Light gripped me from the start and didn’t let me go until the final page. It’s a remarkable debut.
May 5, 2026
The Shock of Light sits in a middle ground, teetering between a 3.50 and 4 star rating. While the premise holds significant weight, the execution leaves much to be desired for a WWII novel.
The official description fails to capture the true essence of the story. At its core, the book follows twins Tessa and Theo as they navigate the horrors of World War II. Tessa finds herself deep within the Special Operations Executive, a British organization established in 1940 to handle espionage and sabotage in occupied Europe. Meanwhile, the sibling bond is severed when Theo joins the Royal Air Force.
The novel attempts to weave in thriller elements, highlighting how unprepared these young people were for the brutality of combat. However, a significant plot point regarding Theo’s identity as a gay man feels neglected, as if his personal journey was pushed to the wayside rather than being fully integrated into his character arc.
The book even dives into the Nuremberg trials, but everything at this point remains purely surface level.
The story involves Edie, a post-graduate student who is tasked on finding out what happened to Tessa, but this isn't mentioned until 70% into the book, despite it being in the book description.
The pacing was off, there was limited character development, and I felt like this story had a ton of potential, but I ended up skimming through to the end.
The official description fails to capture the true essence of the story. At its core, the book follows twins Tessa and Theo as they navigate the horrors of World War II. Tessa finds herself deep within the Special Operations Executive, a British organization established in 1940 to handle espionage and sabotage in occupied Europe. Meanwhile, the sibling bond is severed when Theo joins the Royal Air Force.
The novel attempts to weave in thriller elements, highlighting how unprepared these young people were for the brutality of combat. However, a significant plot point regarding Theo’s identity as a gay man feels neglected, as if his personal journey was pushed to the wayside rather than being fully integrated into his character arc.
The book even dives into the Nuremberg trials, but everything at this point remains purely surface level.
The story involves Edie, a post-graduate student who is tasked on finding out what happened to Tessa, but this isn't mentioned until 70% into the book, despite it being in the book description.
The pacing was off, there was limited character development, and I felt like this story had a ton of potential, but I ended up skimming through to the end.
November 21, 2025
Tessa and Theo are so connected as twins, as children they would show off at school by reading one another's thoughts. They have a bond that no one can break. Being a mother of boy-girl twins, I instantly related with this unique bond between Tessa and Theo. This wonderfully written book is told in four parts. The first two parts of the book you meet Tessa and Theo. When WWII hits, Theo decides to join the Royal Air Force. Tessa wants to do anything but secretarial work, so she joins in the fight as a Special Operations Executive. She will be a courier, carrying messages that will move between the parts of a network of agents and French Resistance groups. She leads her family to believe she is serving in another entity and even predates letters to home. One night after much preparation, Tessa is parachuted into France and things go terribly wrong. At this point she is on her own and does what she must to survive. Part two of the book gives Theo's story. He has heartbreaking struggles that cause him pain during and after the war. Part three comes decades later where you meet a PhD student, Edie. She is wants to uncover what really happened to Tessa and the reason she never returned home. She teams up with Theo and I just loved their relationship. Edie has so much doubt about herself, but it is Theo who gives her self confidence. Part four is told from Tessa's perspective. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This is going to be one of top reads and I will tell everyone to go ahead and reserve a copy for themselves on March 17, 2026. I would love to see a sequel, one can only hope. If you love Kristin Hannah or historical fiction, this debut novel is for you. I will read anything Lori Inglis Hall writes!
Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Penguin / Pamela Dorman Books for the opportunity to read this heartbreakingly sad, but beautiful ARC. Thank you to one of my favorite authors, Kate Quinn for reading and rating this book 5 stars on Goodreads. That rating led me to add this to my TBR list.
Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Penguin / Pamela Dorman Books for the opportunity to read this heartbreakingly sad, but beautiful ARC. Thank you to one of my favorite authors, Kate Quinn for reading and rating this book 5 stars on Goodreads. That rating led me to add this to my TBR list.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Théo and Tessa are twins. They have an incredibly close bond, knowing everything there is to know about the other. But this begins to change when Tessa, wanting a degree, decides to study at the Sorbonne rather than Cambridge with Théo where she could study but not be given a qualification.
When Tessa returns there is something different in her that Théo cannot reach and Tessa refuses to talk. But as their education ends they are both drawn into the war. Théo goes into the RAF and Tessa, bored with the secretarial job at the Foreign Office, is recruited to the SOE where she will learn to be a spy. Her job will take her to France where she will be in constant danger.
At the war's end Théo returns home; Tessa does not.
This is one of the most moving books I've read this year. I was often in tears. Tessa and Théo's story may be fiction but the story of the British women parachuted into France without even the protection they would be afforded as Prisoners of War, were they captured, is now well known.
I thought the novel extremely well told and sensitive subjects such as homosexuality, rape, torture and the denials of the British government about what had happened, were very sensitively handled. Tessa and Théo's characters are beautifully drawn, adding touches of vulnerability and humour with a light touch.
I was sobbing by the time the book ended, simply because we know Tessa's story was all too real. It was extremely moving. Wonderful storytelling. I would very highly recommend this novel.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and HarperFiction for the advance review copy. Very much appreciated.
When Tessa returns there is something different in her that Théo cannot reach and Tessa refuses to talk. But as their education ends they are both drawn into the war. Théo goes into the RAF and Tessa, bored with the secretarial job at the Foreign Office, is recruited to the SOE where she will learn to be a spy. Her job will take her to France where she will be in constant danger.
At the war's end Théo returns home; Tessa does not.
This is one of the most moving books I've read this year. I was often in tears. Tessa and Théo's story may be fiction but the story of the British women parachuted into France without even the protection they would be afforded as Prisoners of War, were they captured, is now well known.
I thought the novel extremely well told and sensitive subjects such as homosexuality, rape, torture and the denials of the British government about what had happened, were very sensitively handled. Tessa and Théo's characters are beautifully drawn, adding touches of vulnerability and humour with a light touch.
I was sobbing by the time the book ended, simply because we know Tessa's story was all too real. It was extremely moving. Wonderful storytelling. I would very highly recommend this novel.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and HarperFiction for the advance review copy. Very much appreciated.
May 3, 2026
"And so the circle turns"... It is to be dragged into the light, after all."
Lori Inglis Hall's debut novel is a fascinating exploration of the role of women in in the Special Operations Executive - women parachuted into France to work with the resistance. But this is a story that is not simply a war story- this is about truth; denials; complicity in the upper echelons of leadership and the impact of the war.
This is the story of Tessa and Theo - twins who have always been close- but following a single moment in Tessa's life that bond is stretched and the with outbreak of World War War II she feels compelled to do more without the knowledge of her sibling . Unbeknownst to her family, she is enrolled as a secret agent Her journey and subsequent events behind enemy lines in Vichy France form the crux of the story but it is also the search for truth by her brother Theo that counter balances the novel.
It is the third section of the book that gripped me the most as research into the war and Tessa's role uncovers many more secrets than anticipated. and how the truth has to come into the light
Deftly plotted, meticulously researched, this is an ambitious and engrossing read. It also shines a light upon a group of women who have often been neglected in the exploration of the events and bravery in World War II.
Lori Inglis Hall's debut novel is a fascinating exploration of the role of women in in the Special Operations Executive - women parachuted into France to work with the resistance. But this is a story that is not simply a war story- this is about truth; denials; complicity in the upper echelons of leadership and the impact of the war.
This is the story of Tessa and Theo - twins who have always been close- but following a single moment in Tessa's life that bond is stretched and the with outbreak of World War War II she feels compelled to do more without the knowledge of her sibling . Unbeknownst to her family, she is enrolled as a secret agent Her journey and subsequent events behind enemy lines in Vichy France form the crux of the story but it is also the search for truth by her brother Theo that counter balances the novel.
It is the third section of the book that gripped me the most as research into the war and Tessa's role uncovers many more secrets than anticipated. and how the truth has to come into the light
Deftly plotted, meticulously researched, this is an ambitious and engrossing read. It also shines a light upon a group of women who have often been neglected in the exploration of the events and bravery in World War II.
May 4, 2026
4 stars!
Review to come…
Review to come…
March 21, 2026
Best book I’ve read in 2026 that was published in 2026.
February 24, 2026
I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this book via the bookstore I work at. This book was brilliant. So well researched. While it’s my favorite genre - Historical Fiction , it is so much more than that. The story between Theo and Tessa is about their strong bond not only as siblings but as twins. The story takes place during WWII. Tessa joins the Resistance while Theo is a pilot for the RAF. Something goes terribly wrong and a life time of question overtakes one of the twins. From 1938 thru 2003 this novel will take you through Theo and Tessa’s lives. If you love strong women characters, historical fiction, triumph, secrets, and tragedy this book is for you. It will leave you in tears..both happy and sad. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 12, 2026
I appear to be in the minority here, but I thought this novel was just “OK”. The premise of the story is good, but I found the pace to be inconsistent and the writing simplistic and often repetitive. I was hoping for so much more depth to the story and characters. I love historical fiction but this novel did not impress me.
February 24, 2026
**Listened to the audio book as well as reading along on electronic device**
This book was really engaging, and I liked the dual perspectives of the twins. I enjoyed it all, however I have read a lot of novels about the war, and this one didn't really stand out too much so can't imagine it staying with me like other historical novels I have read.
It was an emotive read, and a lot happens but I think I would have preferred it being just a little shorter.
I think fans of Kristen Hannah will certainly enjoy this one!
This book was really engaging, and I liked the dual perspectives of the twins. I enjoyed it all, however I have read a lot of novels about the war, and this one didn't really stand out too much so can't imagine it staying with me like other historical novels I have read.
It was an emotive read, and a lot happens but I think I would have preferred it being just a little shorter.
I think fans of Kristen Hannah will certainly enjoy this one!
September 8, 2025
One of the best books I’ve read this year. The author impresses not only with the research she has carried out but also the way in which she weaves this into an altogether believable story. Towards the end she leaves a lot of loose threads, which would be inevitable in the chaotic aftermath of the Second World War, but then cleverly addresses many of them through the ploy of having a fictional PhD student open up the files in the National Archives in her own research.
April 16, 2026
I bid farewell to bookbeats with this stunning listen.
It’s not them, it’s me.
All the 🌟
#Jorecommends
It’s not them, it’s me.
All the 🌟
#Jorecommends
May 5, 2026
Tessa en Theo zijn een tweeling, een tweeling die altijd alles met elkaar deelden. Totdat Tessa een zomer in Parijs spendeert en met geheimen voor haar tweelingbroer terugkomt. De Tweede Wereldoorlog breekt uit en zowel Tessa als Theo raken betrokken bij de oorlog. Theo wordt gerekruteerd door de RAF en Tessa sluit zich aan bij de geheime Special Operations Executive (SOE). Vanuit de SOE wordt Tessa opgeleid om als Engelse spion in bezet Frankrijk te werken. Niemand van haar familie weet dat ze dit van plan is, en ze houdt dit ook geheim voor Theo.
Twee jaar later keert één van hen terug en diegene zal nooit meer hetzelfde zijn.
Namens Ambo Anthos mocht ik deze debuutroman van Lori Inglis Hall lezen. Een roman over de tweeling Tessa en Theo, over de Tweede Wereldoorlog, over de impact hiervan op families tijdens, maar vooral ook na de oorlog. Hoe ga je om als je tweeling wederhelft niet terugkeert uit de oorlog en je in het ongewisse blijft wat er is gebeurd? Hoe ga je om met de onmacht, de onwetendheid, maar ook de schuldgevoelens die hierbij komen kijken?
De schok van het licht is een historische roman over de Tweede Wereldoorlog dat zijn licht werpt op Britse vrouwen achter de Franse linie, maar daarnaast is het zoveel meer.
Het verhaal wordt vanuit meerdere perspectieven en verhaallijnen verteld. Zowel Tessa als Theo komen aan het woord, en later in het boek maakt de lezer kennis met student Edie; zij doet onderzoek naar de vermiste. Dit laatste hoofdstuk is interessant. Edie verdiept zich in de tweeling, in de SOE en alles wat door de Britse regering in de doofpot is gestopt. De verhaallijn van Theo had wat mij betreft korter gekund, zodat er meer aandacht was voor de uitwerking van de SOE.
De schrijfstijl van Lori is beeldend, maar er wordt ook veel tussen de regels door gezegd en verzwegen. Bijzonder is de band tussen Tessa en Theo, aan de ene kant heel sterk, aan de andere kant geschaad door bepaalde gebeurtenissen. Ik vond het een bijzonder boek, omdat het de nadruk legt op familietrauma’s en het leven na de oorlog. Ik ben wel benieuwd naar de volgende boeken van Lori Inglis Hall!
Twee jaar later keert één van hen terug en diegene zal nooit meer hetzelfde zijn.
Namens Ambo Anthos mocht ik deze debuutroman van Lori Inglis Hall lezen. Een roman over de tweeling Tessa en Theo, over de Tweede Wereldoorlog, over de impact hiervan op families tijdens, maar vooral ook na de oorlog. Hoe ga je om als je tweeling wederhelft niet terugkeert uit de oorlog en je in het ongewisse blijft wat er is gebeurd? Hoe ga je om met de onmacht, de onwetendheid, maar ook de schuldgevoelens die hierbij komen kijken?
De schok van het licht is een historische roman over de Tweede Wereldoorlog dat zijn licht werpt op Britse vrouwen achter de Franse linie, maar daarnaast is het zoveel meer.
Het verhaal wordt vanuit meerdere perspectieven en verhaallijnen verteld. Zowel Tessa als Theo komen aan het woord, en later in het boek maakt de lezer kennis met student Edie; zij doet onderzoek naar de vermiste. Dit laatste hoofdstuk is interessant. Edie verdiept zich in de tweeling, in de SOE en alles wat door de Britse regering in de doofpot is gestopt. De verhaallijn van Theo had wat mij betreft korter gekund, zodat er meer aandacht was voor de uitwerking van de SOE.
De schrijfstijl van Lori is beeldend, maar er wordt ook veel tussen de regels door gezegd en verzwegen. Bijzonder is de band tussen Tessa en Theo, aan de ene kant heel sterk, aan de andere kant geschaad door bepaalde gebeurtenissen. Ik vond het een bijzonder boek, omdat het de nadruk legt op familietrauma’s en het leven na de oorlog. Ik ben wel benieuwd naar de volgende boeken van Lori Inglis Hall!
March 31, 2026
What an exquisitely written debut novel. I was not interested in reading another WW II story. However, I’m so glad I did. Thank you Jen!!! What makes this such a moving story is that it depicts the reality of war through the lens of human relationships. We see how it affects individuals and their bonds with others. I really felt transported to a time and place through the lives of these unforgettable characters especially the twins Tessa and Theo Armstrong. The emotional tie between the twins adds an unexpected element Not only is this a compelling story of women's bravery during WWII, especially with the Special Operations Executive (SOE), but it highlighted the role of British women who participated behind the scenes in dangerous, clandestine activities It was so suspenseful and incredibly tense. I couldn’t put the book down. I highly recommend this book.
March 25, 2026
now, this is a book i would actually recommend to someone who isn't a really big fan of historical fiction like me. but this hits really good. and i need more of this book. such a powerful debut!
this novel centers on twins, Tessa and Theo, whose bond feels almost otherworldly in its closeness. when World War II begins, both are pulled into the conflict in very different ways: Theo as an RAF pilot and Tessa as a covert agent with the Special Operations Executive. the contrast between their roles and the secrets each must carry creates a compelling tension that drives the story forward.
i would say that this is a very fun book. i enjoyed Tessa and Theo's perspective in their different jobs. this book didn't bore me at all, their journey really pulled me in. Tessa's work in occupied France is very tense and gripping. meanwhile Theo's post war struggles show the long shadow trauma casts. Edie is also an interesting character too, i liked her more through her partnership with Theo later.
this book hits hard and is beautifully written. one of the best debut books i have read. recommend!
this novel centers on twins, Tessa and Theo, whose bond feels almost otherworldly in its closeness. when World War II begins, both are pulled into the conflict in very different ways: Theo as an RAF pilot and Tessa as a covert agent with the Special Operations Executive. the contrast between their roles and the secrets each must carry creates a compelling tension that drives the story forward.
i would say that this is a very fun book. i enjoyed Tessa and Theo's perspective in their different jobs. this book didn't bore me at all, their journey really pulled me in. Tessa's work in occupied France is very tense and gripping. meanwhile Theo's post war struggles show the long shadow trauma casts. Edie is also an interesting character too, i liked her more through her partnership with Theo later.
this book hits hard and is beautifully written. one of the best debut books i have read. recommend!
April 22, 2026
Not sure if it was intentional or bad editing but there were a number of times that it felt like something wasn’t said or you we’re supposed to make inferences. Too descriptive at times and missing importance details at others.
The ending felt like it was just tacked on.
The ending felt like it was just tacked on.
April 14, 2026
I found the writing of this novel to be lacking. Part one was loosely constructed & part two was drawn out. Part three did pick up & I liked Edie's part of the story better; still, there were gaps in the conclusion & things left unresolved.
March 31, 2026
This book is way too highly rated. It was just okay.
I think the author was trying to be different by focusing on the non-war aspects of war. She spent a lot of time on the main characters getting into the war, touched on a couple of war scenes, then a lot of time post-war. To me, it just didn’t work. There were so many times where I wanted to know what happened during the parts she skipped.
I think the author was trying to be different by focusing on the non-war aspects of war. She spent a lot of time on the main characters getting into the war, touched on a couple of war scenes, then a lot of time post-war. To me, it just didn’t work. There were so many times where I wanted to know what happened during the parts she skipped.
December 24, 2025
Oh I love this book. This is the story of twins, Tessa and Theo. A world war two story told over several decades, but at its heart it’s an ode to the love between siblings, an unshakeable bond between twins, a bond that can’t be broken no matter how much time and distance comes between them.
This is a novel that will break your heart and stay with you forever. It is expertly crafted & researched, with an incredible feminist hero in Tessa, there is romance for both Theo and Tessa, and a representation of what it’s like to be gay in the early 20th century.
If you loved In Memoriam, Still Life and All the Light We Cannot See, you’ll love this too. It has so much heart, and an incredible dual perspective format, and all the makings of a modern classic.
This is a novel that will break your heart and stay with you forever. It is expertly crafted & researched, with an incredible feminist hero in Tessa, there is romance for both Theo and Tessa, and a representation of what it’s like to be gay in the early 20th century.
If you loved In Memoriam, Still Life and All the Light We Cannot See, you’ll love this too. It has so much heart, and an incredible dual perspective format, and all the makings of a modern classic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2026
I love that feeling when you’ve been anticipating a book for months and then when you finally get hold of a copy, it turns out to be as fantastic as you could ever have hoped a book to be.
Synopsis:
It’s 1942 in Cambridge and Theo knows there’s something wrong with his twin Tessa after her return from studying in Paris because they have never kept secrets and he knows she is definitely hiding something.
Before he can find out though, he leaves to join the RAF as a pilot.
Tessa, quick witted, independent and strong willed is a perfect candidate to train with the Special Operations Executive and is parachuted into occupied France to work undercover.
The draw of returning to her beloved France and to the love of her life is so strong that she is willing to risk her life to carry out this perilous work.
But only one will make it home.
This sweeping and expansive work of historical fiction based on real events, begins around the start of World War II and takes us through those war years, the aftermath and up to the beginning of this century where a student is researching the secretive world of the women who worked undercover.
The narrative centred around Tess and her twin Theo where harboured secrets damaged their special relationship and the author expertly explored themes of love and loss, duty and sacrifice and courage and selflessness and I was totally immersed in this sprawling and captivating story.
This remarkable debut is a tribute to those incredibly brave women who risked their lives in the war effort and have never fully received the recognition they so rightly deserved, their efforts having been minimised, lost or forgotten unlike their male counterparts.
This will definitely be one of my top reads of this year and it deserves all the love it’s receiving.
Outstanding.
Synopsis:
It’s 1942 in Cambridge and Theo knows there’s something wrong with his twin Tessa after her return from studying in Paris because they have never kept secrets and he knows she is definitely hiding something.
Before he can find out though, he leaves to join the RAF as a pilot.
Tessa, quick witted, independent and strong willed is a perfect candidate to train with the Special Operations Executive and is parachuted into occupied France to work undercover.
The draw of returning to her beloved France and to the love of her life is so strong that she is willing to risk her life to carry out this perilous work.
But only one will make it home.
This sweeping and expansive work of historical fiction based on real events, begins around the start of World War II and takes us through those war years, the aftermath and up to the beginning of this century where a student is researching the secretive world of the women who worked undercover.
The narrative centred around Tess and her twin Theo where harboured secrets damaged their special relationship and the author expertly explored themes of love and loss, duty and sacrifice and courage and selflessness and I was totally immersed in this sprawling and captivating story.
This remarkable debut is a tribute to those incredibly brave women who risked their lives in the war effort and have never fully received the recognition they so rightly deserved, their efforts having been minimised, lost or forgotten unlike their male counterparts.
This will definitely be one of my top reads of this year and it deserves all the love it’s receiving.
Outstanding.
April 21, 2026
Het boek De schok van het licht van Lori Inglis Hall speelt zich af in Cambridge in 1942, midden in de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Het verhaal draait om de tweeling Tessa en Theo, die een bijzonder hechte band hebben en elkaar volledig begrijpen. Wanneer de oorlog uitbreekt, kiezen ze allebei hun eigen pad: Theo sluit zich aan bij de luchtmacht, terwijl Tessa een gevaarlijke rol op zich neemt als spion voor de Special Operations Executive in bezet Frankrijk.
Na de oorlog keert alleen Theo terug. Hij is zichtbaar getekend door wat hij heeft meegemaakt en draagt een groot, onuitgesproken verdriet met zich mee. Jaren later raakt student Edie, die onderzoek doet naar de SOE, gefascineerd door Theo’s verhaal. Samen proberen ze te achterhalen wat er werkelijk met Tessa is gebeurd en welk geheim zij met zich meedroeg.
De roman is spannend en meeslepend geschreven en laat goed zien hoe ingrijpend oorlog het leven van mensen kan veranderen. Thema’s als moed, verlies, familiebanden en liefde lopen als een rode draad door het verhaal. Wat het boek extra bijzonder maakt, is de emotionele diepgang en de manier waarop het verleden langzaam wordt ontrafeld.
De schok van het licht is een indrukwekkend en aangrijpend verhaal dat je aan het denken zet en nog lang blijft hangen.
Na de oorlog keert alleen Theo terug. Hij is zichtbaar getekend door wat hij heeft meegemaakt en draagt een groot, onuitgesproken verdriet met zich mee. Jaren later raakt student Edie, die onderzoek doet naar de SOE, gefascineerd door Theo’s verhaal. Samen proberen ze te achterhalen wat er werkelijk met Tessa is gebeurd en welk geheim zij met zich meedroeg.
De roman is spannend en meeslepend geschreven en laat goed zien hoe ingrijpend oorlog het leven van mensen kan veranderen. Thema’s als moed, verlies, familiebanden en liefde lopen als een rode draad door het verhaal. Wat het boek extra bijzonder maakt, is de emotionele diepgang en de manier waarop het verleden langzaam wordt ontrafeld.
De schok van het licht is een indrukwekkend en aangrijpend verhaal dat je aan het denken zet en nog lang blijft hangen.
April 19, 2026
The book emphasizes that women behind enemy lines had a vastly different, often harsher, experience than their male counterparts. It also highlights the ineptitude of some British authorities and the devastating consequences—such as betrayal and cover-ups—that led many agents to their deaths.
April 26, 2026
I was excited about this one because of the World War II aspect with the siblings and the ratings that this book received. However, this did not deliver. I found the writing to be un-engaging. I felt like many times the story was missing something or it was disjointed. It seems like a lot of the events were just happening in retrospect and there was a lot of talking about what had happened but not a lot of character development or storyline development. Everything wrapped up in the last 20%. Unsatisfying and honestly a little predictable.
April 15, 2026
I truly cannot understand why this is rated by others higher than a three. It takes forever for any of the questions that arise throughout the entire book to be answered, which is at the very end and then it just kind of fizzles out. This could’ve been so much better if the author had gone into way more depth about Tessa and what she endured. I was very bored and very annoyed with this book.
April 12, 2026
Loved this book, it will be on my mind for a long time
November 15, 2025
What an absolute fabulous read. An emotional rollercoaster to say the least. Theo and Tessa are twins. As with most twins theirs is a close loving relationship in which they share everything, until they don’t. As the world is engulfed by war Theo joins the RAF. Tessa, bored and frustrated at being ‘just a typist’, jumps at the chance of being recruited into the SOE (Special Operations Executive), set up for spying and sabotage. Tessa is highly intelligent, resourceful and, she thinks, fully aware of the dangers. The author has done some in depth research and brings into the narrative the oversights, the errors and the ineptitude of the powers that be in relation to the women recruits, which have dire, fatal consequences.
Tessa is parachuted into France, behind enemy lines in order to act as courier to the French resistance. Immediately, things go horribly wrong and the consequences of this disaster resonate throughout the book. Meanwhile, Theo is traumatised by the events and sights of his time in the RAF.
This is a fantastically researched, heart rending novel dealing with the true horrors of war, and its effects on ordinary people, turned into extraordinary brave people through facing death or worse. It’s also a story of uncompromising love, of ‘forbidden’ love found amid the chaos and horror of a world at war.
The second part of the novel, post war, is equally compelling. One twin fails to return home. The other is damaged, physically and mentally, angry at being fobbed off about the fate of their twin, and pays the price of trying to find out what happened to them as the government cover up a huge wartime scandal. But truth will out. Even if it emerges decades later from a surprising source.
This book is sad and tragic but it resonates with truth and humanity. It’s not about the superficial derring-do of “heroes” at war, so not an “adventure” story. I think it’s more profound than that and the characters, especially Tessa and Theo, are portrayed with all their frailties and strengths, fears and joys. So don’t let my “sad” and “tragic” comments put you off. It’s an emotional brilliant read and the characters, fictional though they may be, will stay with me for a while yet.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC for my kindle. It is my honest opinion after a full read of the novel.
Tessa is parachuted into France, behind enemy lines in order to act as courier to the French resistance. Immediately, things go horribly wrong and the consequences of this disaster resonate throughout the book. Meanwhile, Theo is traumatised by the events and sights of his time in the RAF.
This is a fantastically researched, heart rending novel dealing with the true horrors of war, and its effects on ordinary people, turned into extraordinary brave people through facing death or worse. It’s also a story of uncompromising love, of ‘forbidden’ love found amid the chaos and horror of a world at war.
The second part of the novel, post war, is equally compelling. One twin fails to return home. The other is damaged, physically and mentally, angry at being fobbed off about the fate of their twin, and pays the price of trying to find out what happened to them as the government cover up a huge wartime scandal. But truth will out. Even if it emerges decades later from a surprising source.
This book is sad and tragic but it resonates with truth and humanity. It’s not about the superficial derring-do of “heroes” at war, so not an “adventure” story. I think it’s more profound than that and the characters, especially Tessa and Theo, are portrayed with all their frailties and strengths, fears and joys. So don’t let my “sad” and “tragic” comments put you off. It’s an emotional brilliant read and the characters, fictional though they may be, will stay with me for a while yet.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC for my kindle. It is my honest opinion after a full read of the novel.
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