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White Lights #1
White Lights
When mysterious Rafe de la Cruz rolls into Desdemona’s life to recruit her to the elite film school Acheron, Dez has no reason to trust him—and no other option. A violent attack has just put her brother in the hospital…and Dez is the only suspect. Guilt-ridden and grieving, she finds herself running from the law to chase her longtime dream of making movies, at a school she’s never heard of. Soon, she’s dropped into Acheron’s cutthroat world of seductive intrigue, power on an otherworldly scale, and deadly competition.
Acheron may seem like the ticket to a future Dez has always wanted, but as she delves deeper into the secret work being done there, she finds herself trapped in an existential conflict on a cosmic scale—with more than her heart on the line.
Acheron may seem like the ticket to a future Dez has always wanted, but as she delves deeper into the secret work being done there, she finds herself trapped in an existential conflict on a cosmic scale—with more than her heart on the line.
416 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2026
About the author
Lauren Kate
31 books26.9k followersLauren Kate is the author of novels 15 novels including the FALLEN series, now an Emmy-winning television series on AMC+. Her forthcoming angel-focused romantasy trilogy, WHITE LIGHTS, will publish in June 2026. She lives in Laurel Canyon with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
February 14, 2026
This book was, frankly, absurd. It was the literary equivalent of a 52 car pile-up trammeled by a runaway rail-car. It felt like if you read the plot of every early 2010's Paranormal Fantasy Romance from the teen section and then hallucinated a more adult-forward plot, with the adult elements just being... more sexual content.
I still don't entirely understand why lust/sex played such a huge role in many of the main world mechanics at play here. It was spotlighted in a way that bordered on unnatural. It also felt a bit... out of accordance with the type of beings that take center stage in this book? The only rationale I can think of is that it makes for a more adult book, but it certainly doesn't make for a more interesting narrative.
And yet I found it to be addicting, to the point that I'll probably still read the second book when it comes out. But boy oh boy, there was so much about this plot that was absolutely ludicrous, and my reading of this book required multiple pauses just so that I could briefly stare at my ceiling and contemplate what on earth I was spending my time reading.
Bottom line: The central concept itself was extremely cool and unique. I've never seen another author take on such an ambitious idea and make it completely their own. I just wish it wasn't sidelined by weak character-building, tacky dialogue, and romantic attachments that don't make any sense (she met Asher ONCE and hardly knew him. Why was she so obsessed with him, and how could a single-day encounter possibly be life-altering for the both of them?)
I still don't entirely understand why lust/sex played such a huge role in many of the main world mechanics at play here. It was spotlighted in a way that bordered on unnatural. It also felt a bit... out of accordance with the type of beings that take center stage in this book? The only rationale I can think of is that it makes for a more adult book, but it certainly doesn't make for a more interesting narrative.
And yet I found it to be addicting, to the point that I'll probably still read the second book when it comes out. But boy oh boy, there was so much about this plot that was absolutely ludicrous, and my reading of this book required multiple pauses just so that I could briefly stare at my ceiling and contemplate what on earth I was spending my time reading.
Bottom line: The central concept itself was extremely cool and unique. I've never seen another author take on such an ambitious idea and make it completely their own. I just wish it wasn't sidelined by weak character-building, tacky dialogue, and romantic attachments that don't make any sense (she met Asher ONCE and hardly knew him. Why was she so obsessed with him, and how could a single-day encounter possibly be life-altering for the both of them?)
Want to Read
April 25, 2026OMG guys, Lauren Kate is back with a brand new angel series and it’s a trilogy! 😍 I’m so excited because she confirmed it’s in the same metaverse as Fallen, so even though it focuses on new characters, we might get some small connections to the world we love. It’s not a continuation of the old characters (sadly 😢).
The prologue is already out and you can read it here: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertai...
I’m already hyped to see what she does with it. And yes, I’ll be keeping an eye out for every little hint that connects back to the Fallen series 😉
Update: There’s a preorder bonus called Samael’s Choice, a short story from the Angel of Death’s POV. It’s described by Lauren as a “secret scene” with a “shocking revelation,” and she hinted it might reveal something important about the connection or lore with Fallen. It's only available if you preorder White Lights (any format), you can get digital access (US and Canada only).
The prologue is already out and you can read it here: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertai...
I’m already hyped to see what she does with it. And yes, I’ll be keeping an eye out for every little hint that connects back to the Fallen series 😉
Update: There’s a preorder bonus called Samael’s Choice, a short story from the Angel of Death’s POV. It’s described by Lauren as a “secret scene” with a “shocking revelation,” and she hinted it might reveal something important about the connection or lore with Fallen. It's only available if you preorder White Lights (any format), you can get digital access (US and Canada only).
June 7, 2026
This may be a first for me, I've DNF'ed an ARC.
I just could not get past the writing. How this made it through multiple rounds of editing is beyond me. What I did read felt like a first draft.
Honestly, it was so silly that I couldn't continue past 30%. The writing was messy, choppy and childish. I was not invested whatsoever and couldn't push through.
If anything, this book has me questioning whether the Fallen series was actually as good as I remember. Unfortunately, White Lights was a huge miss for me!
I received an advanced reading copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I just could not get past the writing. How this made it through multiple rounds of editing is beyond me. What I did read felt like a first draft.
Honestly, it was so silly that I couldn't continue past 30%. The writing was messy, choppy and childish. I was not invested whatsoever and couldn't push through.
If anything, this book has me questioning whether the Fallen series was actually as good as I remember. Unfortunately, White Lights was a huge miss for me!
I received an advanced reading copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Want to Read
March 31, 2026✨🪽 White Lights 🪽✨
I really wanted to love this, as I’m a big fan of this author, but I struggled with it. The first 150 pages felt quite slow for me, and I found myself putting it down frequently because I had a difficult time staying focused.
This may be a case where the audiobook format works better for me, so I am open to revisiting it that way. Overall, I was a bit disappointed, as I had been hoping for a stronger interest to the story.
🖤 What to Expect
• Angel romantasy
• Elite film school
• Dark academia
• Deadly competition
_ _ __
⭐ Final Score: 3 stars
📅 Pub Date: June 9, 2026
📝 Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
I really wanted to love this, as I’m a big fan of this author, but I struggled with it. The first 150 pages felt quite slow for me, and I found myself putting it down frequently because I had a difficult time staying focused.
This may be a case where the audiobook format works better for me, so I am open to revisiting it that way. Overall, I was a bit disappointed, as I had been hoping for a stronger interest to the story.
🖤 What to Expect
• Angel romantasy
• Elite film school
• Dark academia
• Deadly competition
_ _ __
⭐ Final Score: 3 stars
📅 Pub Date: June 9, 2026
📝 Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
May 12, 2026
Lauren Kate had me in an absolute chokehold back in the early 2010s and she is the sole responsible for my obsession with paranormal romances featuring angels. When I tell you I had read Fallen then went and bought every single angel featuring book after. It’s a core memory for me as a reader.
So imagine how absolutely pleased I was to see little Easter eggs in her newest books nodding back to Daniel Grigori and his ever resurrecting Luce. But here’s the thing, I was used to her very clean character driven YA writing so imagine my absolute surprise reading this and realizing we are definitely not in Kansas anymore. Yes, I read the words “holy cock” and yes my eyes were popping out of my sockets at the sheer absurdity of WHAT AM I READING. But boy did I have a fantastic time.
I finished the entire thing in one evening. I loved the academy setting (once again a full circle moment from fallen) and the mortal girl meets angel. Mystery plot, grief, absolute insane unhinged spice scenes, the entertainment value is over the roof. This is a very much 5 stars because I could not put it down, I needed to read what happens next and honestly while ridiculous in the best possible way, I truly enjoyed the plot. And the last 50 pages whoaaa, maybe I should have seen it coming but I definitely did not. The cliffhanger is brutal and I did not think this is the direction we were heading into. Absolutely can not wait to see the world expansion that it will be book 2 and sad times for me cause this was an arc so I’ll have to wait even longer.
I want to quickly touch on the characters because, again, the ones from her early YA series really stayed with me and I appreciate Rafe and Dez so much. Rafe is very charismatic devil may care attitude while Dez is reserved, focused on her art and finding the truth of what is happening around her. I really enjoyed where their story went and enjoyed them together. I am especially interested in seeing where Rafes character ends up.
My heart is happy and reading this book truly felt like a full circle moment for me. Pick this one up if you want those 2010s paranormal romance vibes.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc, I am forever grateful!
So imagine how absolutely pleased I was to see little Easter eggs in her newest books nodding back to Daniel Grigori and his ever resurrecting Luce. But here’s the thing, I was used to her very clean character driven YA writing so imagine my absolute surprise reading this and realizing we are definitely not in Kansas anymore. Yes, I read the words “holy cock” and yes my eyes were popping out of my sockets at the sheer absurdity of WHAT AM I READING. But boy did I have a fantastic time.
I finished the entire thing in one evening. I loved the academy setting (once again a full circle moment from fallen) and the mortal girl meets angel. Mystery plot, grief, absolute insane unhinged spice scenes, the entertainment value is over the roof. This is a very much 5 stars because I could not put it down, I needed to read what happens next and honestly while ridiculous in the best possible way, I truly enjoyed the plot. And the last 50 pages whoaaa, maybe I should have seen it coming but I definitely did not. The cliffhanger is brutal and I did not think this is the direction we were heading into. Absolutely can not wait to see the world expansion that it will be book 2 and sad times for me cause this was an arc so I’ll have to wait even longer.
I want to quickly touch on the characters because, again, the ones from her early YA series really stayed with me and I appreciate Rafe and Dez so much. Rafe is very charismatic devil may care attitude while Dez is reserved, focused on her art and finding the truth of what is happening around her. I really enjoyed where their story went and enjoyed them together. I am especially interested in seeing where Rafes character ends up.
My heart is happy and reading this book truly felt like a full circle moment for me. Pick this one up if you want those 2010s paranormal romance vibes.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc, I am forever grateful!
misc
November 7, 2025We are so back
July 4, 2026
⭐️3.9 🌶️2.5 ABSOLUTELY ABSURD, WIERD, SILLY and ADDICTIVE!
At first your like what is my OG/first love author (of the fallen series) doing! Like these angels just ski down a fk hill to “pair” ABSURD! then you just go with the flow and find that you love it because the concept is so unique and fun! (They are film makers don’t judge tho)! If you love her fall series and zodiac academy you will enjoy this! It’s honestly so addictive and the end so unexpected! The eyeball jokes also had me gagging 🤣 I genuinely cannot wait for the next book!
At first your like what is my OG/first love author (of the fallen series) doing! Like these angels just ski down a fk hill to “pair” ABSURD! then you just go with the flow and find that you love it because the concept is so unique and fun! (They are film makers don’t judge tho)! If you love her fall series and zodiac academy you will enjoy this! It’s honestly so addictive and the end so unexpected! The eyeball jokes also had me gagging 🤣 I genuinely cannot wait for the next book!
May 28, 2026
3.5. Thanks to NetGalley and Lauren Kate for the ARC of White Lights.
So... That was a hell of a ride. And what a ride! Honestly I grew up with Fallen and knowing Lauren was having a new book about angels had me in... And I loved it! I know I know, you loved it but only 3.5 stars? WELL DARLING I HAVE MY EXPLANATION BUT I LOVED IT I SAY
Okay so. Let me begin.
Desdemona is a normal girl with a dream and that may be in danger because of Rafe, a mysterious man that I personally love and would leave everything for him, even if he behaves kind of toxic but girl what can I say I like men hahaha The thing is I don't know how to talk about the book without giving away the plot so let me write it down the best way I can:
Dez wants to be a film director and after a huge attack that sent her brother to the hospital, Rafe takes her to a private and super cool and fancy film school. That's it. That's the plot I can give away. Where are the angels? WELL. WELL. The thing is in the prologue you're told that Sam is leaving his angelic place because he wants to feel love. That's it. I'm not saying anything more.
SO. I LOVED IT.
As I was saying, I loved White Lights and the concept everything works around it. The things they do in the film school, why the angels are involved and how the book gives more and more... I mean, White Lights work so well and so smooth it had me hours reading without being able to stop.
Dez, the main character, goes through ups and downs and everything in between and poor her, my girl. But let's be honest, her relation with Rafe and the way she interacts with the other characters is really well done. I was reading the book like: okay, I would've do this too. BUT. I have only ONE but and why this doesn't have 4 stars.
She's obsessed with one guy she met one time. Okay, I get what Lauren is trying to do here and I would LOVE to ask her about it and have a little chat because I feel is a theme not worked before in a book like this and I enjoyed it. But in general, this obsession had me thinking that I didn't understand the chemistry with Rafe and the way Dez interacts with him. You want both men? Go on darling, but don't try to be in the middle because you're giving me a headache.
If I have to talk about the religion, the angels and the mythology around them... Thanks, Lauren, for taking me to the origin of everything and for giving me glimpses of what we can have in books if we take the Eden, Eve and Adam as a mythology and we explore all that world through angels and mortals and everything.
So, at the end, Lauren gave me something I thought I lost: my deep love for angels. So please, Lauren, I need the second book ASAP.
So... That was a hell of a ride. And what a ride! Honestly I grew up with Fallen and knowing Lauren was having a new book about angels had me in... And I loved it! I know I know, you loved it but only 3.5 stars? WELL DARLING I HAVE MY EXPLANATION BUT I LOVED IT I SAY
Okay so. Let me begin.
Desdemona is a normal girl with a dream and that may be in danger because of Rafe, a mysterious man that I personally love and would leave everything for him, even if he behaves kind of toxic but girl what can I say I like men hahaha The thing is I don't know how to talk about the book without giving away the plot so let me write it down the best way I can:
Dez wants to be a film director and after a huge attack that sent her brother to the hospital, Rafe takes her to a private and super cool and fancy film school. That's it. That's the plot I can give away. Where are the angels? WELL. WELL. The thing is in the prologue you're told that Sam is leaving his angelic place because he wants to feel love. That's it. I'm not saying anything more.
SO. I LOVED IT.
As I was saying, I loved White Lights and the concept everything works around it. The things they do in the film school, why the angels are involved and how the book gives more and more... I mean, White Lights work so well and so smooth it had me hours reading without being able to stop.
Dez, the main character, goes through ups and downs and everything in between and poor her, my girl. But let's be honest, her relation with Rafe and the way she interacts with the other characters is really well done. I was reading the book like: okay, I would've do this too. BUT. I have only ONE but and why this doesn't have 4 stars.
She's obsessed with one guy she met one time. Okay, I get what Lauren is trying to do here and I would LOVE to ask her about it and have a little chat because I feel is a theme not worked before in a book like this and I enjoyed it. But in general, this obsession had me thinking that I didn't understand the chemistry with Rafe and the way Dez interacts with him. You want both men? Go on darling, but don't try to be in the middle because you're giving me a headache.
If I have to talk about the religion, the angels and the mythology around them... Thanks, Lauren, for taking me to the origin of everything and for giving me glimpses of what we can have in books if we take the Eden, Eve and Adam as a mythology and we explore all that world through angels and mortals and everything.
So, at the end, Lauren gave me something I thought I lost: my deep love for angels. So please, Lauren, I need the second book ASAP.
June 9, 2026
05/31/2026-06/05/2026
Thank you Grand Central / Hachette for the gifted physical proof of “White Lights” by Lauren Kate 🪽
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(OUT 06/09/2026)
I don’t think I’ve cried this hard in a long time 😭
It took me a long time to be able to write a review for this one because this was one of the most depressing books I’ve ever read, but it was just so beautiful.
What’s truly unique concept of having a school full of “visionaries” and “scribes” dedicated to creating film moments for (REDACTED) where the entire school is actually (REDACTED) and ran by (REDACTED) and if you succeeded you get to become a (REDACTED) 😆 if you’ve read it this will make sense 💛
Please read this one!
It’s so unique and so special!
Please do NOT forget to bring the tissues for the end 🤧
Thank you Grand Central / Hachette for the gifted physical proof of “White Lights” by Lauren Kate 🪽
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(OUT 06/09/2026)
I don’t think I’ve cried this hard in a long time 😭
It took me a long time to be able to write a review for this one because this was one of the most depressing books I’ve ever read, but it was just so beautiful.
What’s truly unique concept of having a school full of “visionaries” and “scribes” dedicated to creating film moments for (REDACTED) where the entire school is actually (REDACTED) and ran by (REDACTED) and if you succeeded you get to become a (REDACTED) 😆 if you’ve read it this will make sense 💛
Please read this one!
It’s so unique and so special!
Please do NOT forget to bring the tissues for the end 🤧
June 13, 2026
Lauren Kate delivers a masterclass in angelic romantasy with White Lights. The dark academia setting of the Acheron film school was incredibly immersive, and the chemistry between Dez and Rafe absolutely set the page on fire. The blending of grief, mystery, and celestial power struggles kept me hooked from the very first page. As a fan of the original Fallen series, returning to this dangerous world felt like coming home. Highly recommend. Thank you to publisher for sending me an advanced copy.
June 9, 2026
When I tell you I have been chasing the feeling this book gave me since I was a teenager!!!
Fallen was one of one of first books that made me fall in love with reading, 17 years ago. This book had a LOT to live up to, and it did not disappoint.
ANGELS ARE SO BACK!
I was hooked from the very start 👁️ I could not put it down. And that ending?! GAGGED.
Lauren Kate, my therapy bill is in the mail.
Fallen was one of one of first books that made me fall in love with reading, 17 years ago. This book had a LOT to live up to, and it did not disappoint.
ANGELS ARE SO BACK!
I was hooked from the very start 👁️ I could not put it down. And that ending?! GAGGED.
Lauren Kate, my therapy bill is in the mail.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Lauren Kate for my ARC read of White Lights.
White Lights is unlike any book I have read before. The plot of this book includes angels and what happens behind the scenes that mortals can't see. The story follows an aspiring film maker Desdemona (Dez) in her daily life until one night something unexpected happens that changes the course of her life and everything she thought she knew about it. Following the events of that night she meets Rafe, who becomes a big part of her new reality. Dez goes through some more events that don't add up to her until she pieces it all together. After that everything changes.
The story itself was good overall and kept me entertained. It can be slower in parts and more through the middle but overall a good read. #WhiteLights #NetGalley
White Lights is unlike any book I have read before. The plot of this book includes angels and what happens behind the scenes that mortals can't see. The story follows an aspiring film maker Desdemona (Dez) in her daily life until one night something unexpected happens that changes the course of her life and everything she thought she knew about it. Following the events of that night she meets Rafe, who becomes a big part of her new reality. Dez goes through some more events that don't add up to her until she pieces it all together. After that everything changes.
The story itself was good overall and kept me entertained. It can be slower in parts and more through the middle but overall a good read. #WhiteLights #NetGalley
June 22, 2026
Booksta Link✨
Publish Date: June 30th, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️½
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Themes & Tropes: Angel Romance, Elite Film Academy, Forbidden Romance, Mystery & Deception, Hidden World, Fate vs Free Will, Insta-Lust, Love Triangle
Thank you so much to the HarperCollins team for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest review.
Plot:
White Lights follows Desdemona - otherwise known as Dez (and honestly, I absolutely adore this name) - after her life is turned upside down by a horrific accident that leaves her brother fighting for his life in the ICU. With Dez emerging as the only suspect in the incident, she suddenly finds herself recruited by the mysterious and handsome Rafe, who appears at exactly the right place and time and offers her an escape from what seems like inevitable jail time. Before she knows it, she’s whisked away to Acheron, an elite and secretive film academy unlike anything she’s ever known.
As Dez settles into life at Acheron, it quickly becomes apparent that there is far more happening beneath the surface than anyone is willing to admit. The school’s promises of success, opportunity, and artistic fulfilment seem almost too good to be true, and Dez becomes increasingly determined to uncover the truth behind the academy and its secrets.
Without venturing too far into spoiler territory, I found the first half of the book intriguing enough to keep me turning the pages. However, somewhere around the 200-page mark the pacing and plot began to lose me. While the story eventually pulls itself together in the final third, I struggled to remain invested during the middle section.
Overall, I would say the book is roughly 60% romance and 40% mystery, intrigue, and academia. It definitely feels like the first instalment in a planned trilogy, with much of the story focused on laying foundations for a larger narrative to come.
World Building:
The strongest aspect of the novel for me was undoubtedly the world-building.
The concept of Acheron itself (a prestigious film academy hidden from the rest of the world) is incredibly unique and immediately captured my attention. It felt fresh, creative, and unlike anything I had personally encountered before. As the story progresses and the angelic elements begin to reveal themselves, the world expands significantly. This is where Lauren Kate’s writing truly shines. As someone who adored her Fallen series as a teenager, there was something wonderfully nostalgic about returning to her take on angels, fate, and forbidden connections.
While I would have loved even more exploration of the mythology, I found myself consistently intrigued whenever the story focused on the hidden world surrounding Acheron.
Writing:
Although this is marketed as an adult romantasy, the writing often felt very similar to Lauren Kate’s young adult work. That’s not necessarily a criticism in itself - I love YA and still have a huge amount of affection for Lauren’s earlier books - but I found that some of the romance-heavy scenes, particularly in the opening chapters, felt forced rather than organic.
There was also a strong focus on physical attraction and sexual tension throughout the story that didn’t entirely work for me. Instead of strengthening the emotional connections between the characters, it often had the opposite effect and made it harder for me to become invested in the relationships.
That being said, I did find the writing more engaging in the final 30–40% of the book. By that point, the larger mysteries were beginning to unfold and the story finally gained the momentum I had been hoping for from the beginning. Unfortunately, I had already become somewhat disconnected from the narrative by then.
Characters:
This was ultimately where the book struggled the most for me. No matter how much I wanted to connect with the cast, I never found myself becoming emotionally attached to any of the characters. Initially, I was quite drawn to Dez. She had a compelling setup and plenty of reasons to be an engaging protagonist. However, as the story progressed, I found myself becoming increasingly frustrated with some of her choices and priorities — particularly regarding her family situation and the aftermath of her brother’s accident.
What surprised me most was how little she seemed to question throughout the story. Given her circumstances and age, I expected her to be far more suspicious of the increasingly strange events unfolding around her. Instead, she often accepted things at face value, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with her perspective.
Unfortunately, I also struggled with Rafe as a love interest, and the secondary cast never really clicked for me either. This lack of connection made it difficult to feel invested in the story’s emotional stakes.
Romance:
Sadly, the romance was another area that didn’t quite work for me. My biggest issue was that both romantic dynamics felt underdeveloped. With Rafe, the attraction felt heavily rooted in physical chemistry from the outset, which made it read more as insta-lust than a romance I could genuinely invest in.
As for Asher, his role in the story felt too limited for me to become attached to that relationship either. Because he appears relatively little throughout the novel, any romantic development between him and Dez felt sudden and somewhat unearned.
As someone who typically loves slow-burn romance and emotional tension, I found myself disconnected from both love interests and consequently from the central romantic storyline.
Overall Summary:
Unfortunately, White Lights wasn’t the book for me. While I loved the concept of a hidden elite film academy and found the angel mythology intriguing, I struggled to connect with the characters and romance, which ultimately impacted my enjoyment of the story as a whole. The middle section felt slow, the relationships never fully convinced me, and I often found myself wanting the mystery and world-building to take centre stage instead.
That said, I can absolutely see the potential in what Lauren Kate is building here. The final portion of the book introduced several intriguing developments, and it’s clear that this first installment is laying the groundwork for a much larger story. Readers who enjoy angel romances, secret schools, and relationship-driven fantasy may find far more to love here than I did.
While this one didn’t quite work for me personally, I remain curious to see where the trilogy goes next.
Publish Date: June 30th, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️½
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Themes & Tropes: Angel Romance, Elite Film Academy, Forbidden Romance, Mystery & Deception, Hidden World, Fate vs Free Will, Insta-Lust, Love Triangle
Thank you so much to the HarperCollins team for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest review.
Plot:
White Lights follows Desdemona - otherwise known as Dez (and honestly, I absolutely adore this name) - after her life is turned upside down by a horrific accident that leaves her brother fighting for his life in the ICU. With Dez emerging as the only suspect in the incident, she suddenly finds herself recruited by the mysterious and handsome Rafe, who appears at exactly the right place and time and offers her an escape from what seems like inevitable jail time. Before she knows it, she’s whisked away to Acheron, an elite and secretive film academy unlike anything she’s ever known.
As Dez settles into life at Acheron, it quickly becomes apparent that there is far more happening beneath the surface than anyone is willing to admit. The school’s promises of success, opportunity, and artistic fulfilment seem almost too good to be true, and Dez becomes increasingly determined to uncover the truth behind the academy and its secrets.
Without venturing too far into spoiler territory, I found the first half of the book intriguing enough to keep me turning the pages. However, somewhere around the 200-page mark the pacing and plot began to lose me. While the story eventually pulls itself together in the final third, I struggled to remain invested during the middle section.
Overall, I would say the book is roughly 60% romance and 40% mystery, intrigue, and academia. It definitely feels like the first instalment in a planned trilogy, with much of the story focused on laying foundations for a larger narrative to come.
World Building:
The strongest aspect of the novel for me was undoubtedly the world-building.
The concept of Acheron itself (a prestigious film academy hidden from the rest of the world) is incredibly unique and immediately captured my attention. It felt fresh, creative, and unlike anything I had personally encountered before. As the story progresses and the angelic elements begin to reveal themselves, the world expands significantly. This is where Lauren Kate’s writing truly shines. As someone who adored her Fallen series as a teenager, there was something wonderfully nostalgic about returning to her take on angels, fate, and forbidden connections.
While I would have loved even more exploration of the mythology, I found myself consistently intrigued whenever the story focused on the hidden world surrounding Acheron.
Writing:
Although this is marketed as an adult romantasy, the writing often felt very similar to Lauren Kate’s young adult work. That’s not necessarily a criticism in itself - I love YA and still have a huge amount of affection for Lauren’s earlier books - but I found that some of the romance-heavy scenes, particularly in the opening chapters, felt forced rather than organic.
There was also a strong focus on physical attraction and sexual tension throughout the story that didn’t entirely work for me. Instead of strengthening the emotional connections between the characters, it often had the opposite effect and made it harder for me to become invested in the relationships.
That being said, I did find the writing more engaging in the final 30–40% of the book. By that point, the larger mysteries were beginning to unfold and the story finally gained the momentum I had been hoping for from the beginning. Unfortunately, I had already become somewhat disconnected from the narrative by then.
Characters:
This was ultimately where the book struggled the most for me. No matter how much I wanted to connect with the cast, I never found myself becoming emotionally attached to any of the characters. Initially, I was quite drawn to Dez. She had a compelling setup and plenty of reasons to be an engaging protagonist. However, as the story progressed, I found myself becoming increasingly frustrated with some of her choices and priorities — particularly regarding her family situation and the aftermath of her brother’s accident.
What surprised me most was how little she seemed to question throughout the story. Given her circumstances and age, I expected her to be far more suspicious of the increasingly strange events unfolding around her. Instead, she often accepted things at face value, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with her perspective.
Unfortunately, I also struggled with Rafe as a love interest, and the secondary cast never really clicked for me either. This lack of connection made it difficult to feel invested in the story’s emotional stakes.
Romance:
Sadly, the romance was another area that didn’t quite work for me. My biggest issue was that both romantic dynamics felt underdeveloped. With Rafe, the attraction felt heavily rooted in physical chemistry from the outset, which made it read more as insta-lust than a romance I could genuinely invest in.
As for Asher, his role in the story felt too limited for me to become attached to that relationship either. Because he appears relatively little throughout the novel, any romantic development between him and Dez felt sudden and somewhat unearned.
As someone who typically loves slow-burn romance and emotional tension, I found myself disconnected from both love interests and consequently from the central romantic storyline.
Overall Summary:
Unfortunately, White Lights wasn’t the book for me. While I loved the concept of a hidden elite film academy and found the angel mythology intriguing, I struggled to connect with the characters and romance, which ultimately impacted my enjoyment of the story as a whole. The middle section felt slow, the relationships never fully convinced me, and I often found myself wanting the mystery and world-building to take centre stage instead.
That said, I can absolutely see the potential in what Lauren Kate is building here. The final portion of the book introduced several intriguing developments, and it’s clear that this first installment is laying the groundwork for a much larger story. Readers who enjoy angel romances, secret schools, and relationship-driven fantasy may find far more to love here than I did.
While this one didn’t quite work for me personally, I remain curious to see where the trilogy goes next.
July 12, 2026
Recieved an e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
White Lights pleasantly surprised me. I am usually 'iffy' when it comes to angels, just because I read The Shadowhunter chronicles as a tween along with Fallen by Lauren Kate and the Sweet series, and now it's almost like I got my fill with the biblical and the divine. But I knew I had to try this because I owe it to Lauren Kate.
I did NOT expect the smut, but I don't mind it. Was it a little over the top sometimes? Yeah. Do I think it being a plot device and part of the lore to be a little strange? Yeah. But this is not Fallen, this is the angel book we adults are meant to read.
Dez as an FMC surprised me, and I genuinely loved how she's not a teenager with no one else in the world left to her. Instead she's headtstrong, with years of life behind her and loved one's who leaned on her. She's stubborn, but she cares so much. She’s constantly thinking of her loved ones, and undermining the angels who claim to want to help her. Rafe is just... so interesting. In a good way. I gotta stop there before spoilers.
The story features countless plot twists, and really leaves you questioning everything and everyone you read prior. It's a little dense in plot building, but I think that's common in first books in a series that feature heavy lore like White Lights.
The angels themselves were very interesting characters. I don't know if I genuinely care about the side characters besides Dez and Rafe. But the worldbuilding was definitely intriguing. The use of filmaking within this story was definitely very unique, but I did get a little lost in some explanations.
The cliffhanger left me wanting more! I hope to see a sequal soon, I need Dez to kick some angel butt in the next one.
White Lights pleasantly surprised me. I am usually 'iffy' when it comes to angels, just because I read The Shadowhunter chronicles as a tween along with Fallen by Lauren Kate and the Sweet series, and now it's almost like I got my fill with the biblical and the divine. But I knew I had to try this because I owe it to Lauren Kate.
I did NOT expect the smut, but I don't mind it. Was it a little over the top sometimes? Yeah. Do I think it being a plot device and part of the lore to be a little strange? Yeah. But this is not Fallen, this is the angel book we adults are meant to read.
Dez as an FMC surprised me, and I genuinely loved how she's not a teenager with no one else in the world left to her. Instead she's headtstrong, with years of life behind her and loved one's who leaned on her. She's stubborn, but she cares so much. She’s constantly thinking of her loved ones, and undermining the angels who claim to want to help her. Rafe is just... so interesting. In a good way. I gotta stop there before spoilers.
The story features countless plot twists, and really leaves you questioning everything and everyone you read prior. It's a little dense in plot building, but I think that's common in first books in a series that feature heavy lore like White Lights.
The angels themselves were very interesting characters. I don't know if I genuinely care about the side characters besides Dez and Rafe. But the worldbuilding was definitely intriguing. The use of filmaking within this story was definitely very unique, but I did get a little lost in some explanations.
The cliffhanger left me wanting more! I hope to see a sequal soon, I need Dez to kick some angel butt in the next one.
June 29, 2026
This book was weirdly addicting and super unique, BUT the "romance" in this book was GARBAGE.
February 23, 2026
I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t keep reading. I had the ick so hard, I DNF’ed at 18%.
I don’t know where this book is going and I don’t care. Not only is the writing choppy, but it is all graphic violence (by chapter 4 someone’s eyeball pops out and another guys face melts off) and so much sex. I stopped when we discovered our FMC’s roommate is a dominatrix and rude to Dez. I’m not a prude but I can only take so much. Especially when the MMC was cuddling up with another naked woman all evening while the FMC felt abandoned at the bar because she didn’t know anyone.
I love Lauren Kate and I loved the Fallen series. I would read that series a million times more before I picked this book up again.
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t know where this book is going and I don’t care. Not only is the writing choppy, but it is all graphic violence (by chapter 4 someone’s eyeball pops out and another guys face melts off) and so much sex. I stopped when we discovered our FMC’s roommate is a dominatrix and rude to Dez. I’m not a prude but I can only take so much. Especially when the MMC was cuddling up with another naked woman all evening while the FMC felt abandoned at the bar because she didn’t know anyone.
I love Lauren Kate and I loved the Fallen series. I would read that series a million times more before I picked this book up again.
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2026
3.5
This was a really unique concept and there were an insane number of moving parts that Kate managed to keep on track whilst maintaining originality. You could tell Lauren has put a lot of time, effort and thought into staying true to the film-making element and it really strengthened the story.
It was reminiscent of the Fallen series creating a nostalgic read, but the book stands well on its own as a spicier standalone set in the same world. There were a few mentions of our Fallen MCs but not in a way that would be confusing to new readers.
I am really excited to see where this goes next and I would very very much like more Samael content pls and ty Lauren 👀
It did read very much like a YA novel but with spice thrown in.
Really struggled with what to rate this as at times it felt childish and disjointed. There were a lot of sexual references that seemed to now fit the flow. There's also a very strange dynamic going on that was unsettling and didn't get much of a conclusion before the plot twist at the end. I'll be continuing the series for sure but time will tell whether I'll finish it!
Thankyou to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
This was a really unique concept and there were an insane number of moving parts that Kate managed to keep on track whilst maintaining originality. You could tell Lauren has put a lot of time, effort and thought into staying true to the film-making element and it really strengthened the story.
It was reminiscent of the Fallen series creating a nostalgic read, but the book stands well on its own as a spicier standalone set in the same world. There were a few mentions of our Fallen MCs but not in a way that would be confusing to new readers.
I am really excited to see where this goes next and I would very very much like more Samael content pls and ty Lauren 👀
It did read very much like a YA novel but with spice thrown in.
Really struggled with what to rate this as at times it felt childish and disjointed. There were a lot of sexual references that seemed to now fit the flow. There's also a very strange dynamic going on that was unsettling and didn't get much of a conclusion before the plot twist at the end. I'll be continuing the series for sure but time will tell whether I'll finish it!
Thankyou to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 11, 2026
This story follows Desdemona as she finds herself being recruited to an elite film school right after her brother is gravely injured. Rafe, her mysterious recruiter, seems pretty sketchy, but it’s either run off with him to fulfill her dream or be arrested as the only suspect of her brother’s attack. The overall concept and twists in this book were so unique and well done. I can’t really go into it more than that without giving away the secrets! Dez learns pretty quickly that this magical school is more than it seems, and I really enjoyed the big reveals about the angels and how they are involved in life and death. The romances were very instalust, and the spicy scenes felt a bit out of place and cringy. HOWEVER, after reading the chaotic, twisty ending, all of that makes more sense to me. Overall, the ending was enough of a cliffhanger that I am very curious to see where things go.
June 9, 2026
I’ve heard a lot about the Fallen series but never read it, although I did watch some of the tv show that was made for it so I already had an idea of the style of book this would be.
With that said wow, this was a trippy mind f**k! I’ve been mostly reading romance and while there was a romance aspect to it definitely isn’t the focus of the story. This story kept me guessing and trying to figure out what was going on and what secrets were being hidden all throughout. I’m still a little confused actually but intrigued on how it will continue in the next book.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the early copy of this book.
With that said wow, this was a trippy mind f**k! I’ve been mostly reading romance and while there was a romance aspect to it definitely isn’t the focus of the story. This story kept me guessing and trying to figure out what was going on and what secrets were being hidden all throughout. I’m still a little confused actually but intrigued on how it will continue in the next book.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the early copy of this book.
July 8, 2026
O início desse livro foi bem difícil. Não estava entendendo muito bem o que a autora queria fazer aqui, muito menos a história. Mas a confusão é extremamente proposital depois que o plot twist do livro chega em 70%. Eu continuei a leitura porque estava curioso pra saber sobre o universo, mas não é todo leitor que vai ter essa paciência.
A Lauren Kate não evoluiu na escrita dela kkkkkkkk mesma coisa de Fallen. A diva realmente parou no tempo, porque até a construção dos personagens e os plots são parecidos. Não diria que é um livro adulto, mas sim um New Adult dark academia. É bom! Mas não revolucionário.
A Lauren Kate não evoluiu na escrita dela kkkkkkkk mesma coisa de Fallen. A diva realmente parou no tempo, porque até a construção dos personagens e os plots são parecidos. Não diria que é um livro adulto, mas sim um New Adult dark academia. É bom! Mas não revolucionário.
July 4, 2026
The author of the Fallen series is back to the world of angels and this book was absurdly hilarious yet so addicting!
I buddy read this with my bestie because we’d both been feeling a romantasy slump and wanted something that felt different and this delivered!
The unhinged aspects of the book were reminiscent of Zodiac Academy, and everything unfolds at a mysterious film school, with even more interesting assignments.
Can’t wait for book 2!
I buddy read this with my bestie because we’d both been feeling a romantasy slump and wanted something that felt different and this delivered!
The unhinged aspects of the book were reminiscent of Zodiac Academy, and everything unfolds at a mysterious film school, with even more interesting assignments.
Can’t wait for book 2!
February 15, 2026
I'm a HUGE Lauren Kate fan, so when I was approved for an eARC of White Lights on my NetGalley account I couldn't wait to start reading. I love that she takes us back to a story that feels reminiscent of the Fallen series. I was hanging on every word and stayed up half the night to finish it. It's often said that all of the stories have already been written, just in different ways and with different characters, but White Lights hits a little different. When Dez gets recruited by Rafe to the elite film school, Acheron, she knows it's her best option given the circumstances of her involvement in her brother's violent attack that left him critically hospitalized. Dez and Rafe's relationship feels complex from the get-go, so I knew it was going to be a tumultuous ride, but I was completely blown away as more and more of the story unfolded. I also loved the other characters and their importance to the storyline. What I found most mesmerizing was the way Dez's filmmaking skills were described and revealed. White Lights is so well written that I felt like I was truly immersed within the story. It has all the perfect elements of a must-read--romance, suspense, deception, complicated relationships, and the possibilities of what happens in the next book in the series. Thank you immensely to Grand Central Publishing, NetGalley, and Lauren Kate for the opportunity to read White Lights as an eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. I've already got my physical copy preordered!
July 1, 2026
Carissimi Book Lovers, oggi sul blog vi porto dentro "White lights" di Lauren Kate, il nuovo, spietato romanzo di Lauren Kate che vi catturerà l'anima tra segreti cosmici e passioni brucianti.
Dez si ritrova con le spalle al muro: accusata ingiustamente di un reato che non ha commesso, con la polizia che le dà la caccia e un fratello in fin di vita, non ha più nulla da perdere. L'ancora di salvezza le viene offerta da Rafe de la Cruz, un uomo tanto magnetico quanto pericoloso, che la trascina ad Acheron, un'esclusiva e misteriosa scuola di cinema sperduta nel nulla della Death Valley. Per Dez sembra la grande occasione per diventare regista, ma dietro le quinte di quell'accademia libertina ed eccentrica si nasconde un potere oscuro e una competizione mortale.
Dez è una ragazza spezzata dagli eventi, terrorizzata per il destino del fratello, ma mossa da un'ambizione artistica e da un istinto di sopravvivenza pazzeschi. Quando entra ad Acheron, sa che non dovrebbe fidarsi di Rafe, eppure il loro legame si trasforma in un'ossessione bruciante che toglie il respiro. Rafe de la Cruz è un personaggio pazzesco: è il suo mentore, il suo enigma costante, la tentazione più grande. Rappresenta la sua unica possibilità di salvezza, ma anche la sua rovina. La chimica tra loro due non è fatta di semplici paroline dolci, è una tensione costante, un gioco di potere spietato che mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine.
L'accademia è un labirinto spietato. L'ambiente è libertino, eccentrico, governato da un'élite che gioca con regole proprie. Mi è piaciuto tantissimo come l'autrice sia riuscita a trasmettere quel senso di costante pericolo: man mano che Dez scava nei segreti dell'istituto, la verità viene a galla con la forza di una tempesta di sabbia. La sua ammissione non è stata un colpo di fortuna. Dez si ritrova, senza volerlo, al centro di un conflitto ancestrale di proporzioni cosmiche. La posta in gioco si alza capitolo dopo capitolo: non si tratta più solo di proteggere il proprio cuore o di vincere un festival cinematografico, ma di salvare la propria vita in un mondo dove sopravvivere richiede un prezzo che lei non è ancora pronta a pagare.
Lo stile della Kate è magnetico, fluido e intriso di un sentimento vero che arriva dritto alla pancia. Ha saputo diversificare questo romanzo da qualunque altro romantasy in circolazione grazie a questa fusione unica tra la magia del cinema e il mito angelico.
È una storia intensa, che consiglio a chiunque cerchi un amore profondo e complicato.
Dez si ritrova con le spalle al muro: accusata ingiustamente di un reato che non ha commesso, con la polizia che le dà la caccia e un fratello in fin di vita, non ha più nulla da perdere. L'ancora di salvezza le viene offerta da Rafe de la Cruz, un uomo tanto magnetico quanto pericoloso, che la trascina ad Acheron, un'esclusiva e misteriosa scuola di cinema sperduta nel nulla della Death Valley. Per Dez sembra la grande occasione per diventare regista, ma dietro le quinte di quell'accademia libertina ed eccentrica si nasconde un potere oscuro e una competizione mortale.
Dez è una ragazza spezzata dagli eventi, terrorizzata per il destino del fratello, ma mossa da un'ambizione artistica e da un istinto di sopravvivenza pazzeschi. Quando entra ad Acheron, sa che non dovrebbe fidarsi di Rafe, eppure il loro legame si trasforma in un'ossessione bruciante che toglie il respiro. Rafe de la Cruz è un personaggio pazzesco: è il suo mentore, il suo enigma costante, la tentazione più grande. Rappresenta la sua unica possibilità di salvezza, ma anche la sua rovina. La chimica tra loro due non è fatta di semplici paroline dolci, è una tensione costante, un gioco di potere spietato che mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine.
L'accademia è un labirinto spietato. L'ambiente è libertino, eccentrico, governato da un'élite che gioca con regole proprie. Mi è piaciuto tantissimo come l'autrice sia riuscita a trasmettere quel senso di costante pericolo: man mano che Dez scava nei segreti dell'istituto, la verità viene a galla con la forza di una tempesta di sabbia. La sua ammissione non è stata un colpo di fortuna. Dez si ritrova, senza volerlo, al centro di un conflitto ancestrale di proporzioni cosmiche. La posta in gioco si alza capitolo dopo capitolo: non si tratta più solo di proteggere il proprio cuore o di vincere un festival cinematografico, ma di salvare la propria vita in un mondo dove sopravvivere richiede un prezzo che lei non è ancora pronta a pagare.
Lo stile della Kate è magnetico, fluido e intriso di un sentimento vero che arriva dritto alla pancia. Ha saputo diversificare questo romanzo da qualunque altro romantasy in circolazione grazie a questa fusione unica tra la magia del cinema e il mito angelico.
È una storia intensa, che consiglio a chiunque cerchi un amore profondo e complicato.
June 19, 2026
Hang in there for me for this review. This book is why I struggle to DNF. I honestly was not a huge fan of the first half of the book. I did not like how the main characters seemed to hate each other but kept making out, etc. because they were physically attracted to one another. I could not figure out the bigger picture or if there even was a deeper meaning, so it just seemed like a weird school (with hindsight I feel like I should have pieced it together though. 😅 I do put some blame on myself here). Simply put, it was feeling like a pretty typical spicy dark academia book. I was losing hope that something was going to happen to make this book feel special or standout from the others.
Then the bigger picture starts coming together, and there’s a beautiful message about humanity and what it means to live. It ended up being such a poignant read that I was not expecting with the start of the book. There’s also a much larger conflict, and the things the MMC did that drove me crazy make a whole lot more sense. I still can’t say I really like him, and he is giving me red flags, but I also think I may be feeling the way the author wants me to feel at this moment.
There is possibly a true love triangle on the horizon for this series which makes me hesitant to continue. Our FMC seems to have an emotional attachment to one man and a strong physical attraction to another. I’m so torn on who or what to root for. This is the kind of stress from love triangles that I struggle to handle and why I am hesitant to read them. I want to know how the plot plays out though. I might just need someone to hold my hand 🤣
If you enjoy or don’t mind the instant attraction and can handle a trust the process type of book, this one is worth picking up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an e-arc! All thoughts are my own.
Then the bigger picture starts coming together, and there’s a beautiful message about humanity and what it means to live. It ended up being such a poignant read that I was not expecting with the start of the book. There’s also a much larger conflict, and the things the MMC did that drove me crazy make a whole lot more sense. I still can’t say I really like him, and he is giving me red flags, but I also think I may be feeling the way the author wants me to feel at this moment.
There is possibly a true love triangle on the horizon for this series which makes me hesitant to continue. Our FMC seems to have an emotional attachment to one man and a strong physical attraction to another. I’m so torn on who or what to root for. This is the kind of stress from love triangles that I struggle to handle and why I am hesitant to read them. I want to know how the plot plays out though. I might just need someone to hold my hand 🤣
If you enjoy or don’t mind the instant attraction and can handle a trust the process type of book, this one is worth picking up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an e-arc! All thoughts are my own.
June 7, 2026
White Lights by Lauren Kate fuelled the romantasy need I had, and I can’t quite believe that I don’t have the full trilogy yet to binge read! The only reason I didn’t rate White Lights a full five stars is that it took me a little while to get into the story. There are a lot of moving parts, and this book gets right into the plot from the beginning. I needed some time to fully grasp what was happening and where the story was taking me. But once everything clicked? Wow. There was absolutely no stopping this train, and I was more than happy to be along for the ride!
White Lights delivers angels, romantasy, dark academia vibes, and a mysterious elite film school that seemingly nobody has heard of before, with what I’m hoping will be an enemies to lovers romance (we all know I’m a sucker for these!). Through Des’ eyes, we’re thrown headfirst into a world of secrets, intrigue, hidden agendas, and bodies that literally keep falling from the sky, with a headteacher whose cover stories are not adding up. This book is definitely not YA - unlike Lauren Kate’s Fallen series, so expect spice!!
A lot does happen within the pages of this book, but it doesn’t feel wasted or unnecessary. Instead, this is used to lay the foundations for what promises to be an incredible trilogy! The suspense is relentless, and there’s a constant feeling that bigger revelations are lurking just around the corner. Every answer seems to come with even more questions, and I found myself just as desperate as Des to discover the truth. By the time I reached the final page, I was completely invested in the world, the mysteries and the characters. I need the next book immediately! Thank you to GCP for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
White Lights delivers angels, romantasy, dark academia vibes, and a mysterious elite film school that seemingly nobody has heard of before, with what I’m hoping will be an enemies to lovers romance (we all know I’m a sucker for these!). Through Des’ eyes, we’re thrown headfirst into a world of secrets, intrigue, hidden agendas, and bodies that literally keep falling from the sky, with a headteacher whose cover stories are not adding up. This book is definitely not YA - unlike Lauren Kate’s Fallen series, so expect spice!!
A lot does happen within the pages of this book, but it doesn’t feel wasted or unnecessary. Instead, this is used to lay the foundations for what promises to be an incredible trilogy! The suspense is relentless, and there’s a constant feeling that bigger revelations are lurking just around the corner. Every answer seems to come with even more questions, and I found myself just as desperate as Des to discover the truth. By the time I reached the final page, I was completely invested in the world, the mysteries and the characters. I need the next book immediately! Thank you to GCP for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
June 15, 2026
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for entrusting me with an early gifted galley and finished copy!
White Lights by Lauren Kate
White Lights book 1
Narrated by Candace Joice
Candace did a lovely job with this narration. I really enjoyed her voice and pacing. She also brought the needed emotion to the story and it made me even more invested in the book. Audio note: My brain needs faster speeds for audio and this narration/recording sounded great at higher speeds.
Dark academia
Angels x humans
Mentor x mentee
Forced proximity
Graduate film school
Deadly competition
Twists and mystery
Dez's life implodes one evening with an attack at work that ends with her brother hurt and her looking guilty. A mysterious man, Rafe, shows up to offer her escape to a filmmaker's school he claims is the best. As she learns the unconventional methods of predicting films at Acheron, mysterious happenings have Dez quite suspicious and asking questions. But the more answers she gets, the more alarming the picture becomes.
This was an intriguing premise! There is so much mystery and the more we find out along side Dez, the grimmer and darker the picture becomes. Things definitely start clicking the farther you get and there were definitely things that had had me giving the side eye but had me guessing wrong what was going on. The end opens up a whole new level of world building that I'm excited to get to explore in the next book!
White Lights by Lauren Kate
White Lights book 1
Narrated by Candace Joice
Candace did a lovely job with this narration. I really enjoyed her voice and pacing. She also brought the needed emotion to the story and it made me even more invested in the book. Audio note: My brain needs faster speeds for audio and this narration/recording sounded great at higher speeds.
Dark academia
Angels x humans
Mentor x mentee
Forced proximity
Graduate film school
Deadly competition
Twists and mystery
Dez's life implodes one evening with an attack at work that ends with her brother hurt and her looking guilty. A mysterious man, Rafe, shows up to offer her escape to a filmmaker's school he claims is the best. As she learns the unconventional methods of predicting films at Acheron, mysterious happenings have Dez quite suspicious and asking questions. But the more answers she gets, the more alarming the picture becomes.
This was an intriguing premise! There is so much mystery and the more we find out along side Dez, the grimmer and darker the picture becomes. Things definitely start clicking the farther you get and there were definitely things that had had me giving the side eye but had me guessing wrong what was going on. The end opens up a whole new level of world building that I'm excited to get to explore in the next book!
June 20, 2026
GIRL WHAT?!?!
I was expecting fun absurd but in the first 50 pages there wasn’t an ounce of believability and I simply could not go on.
Our main girl is planning to apply to a film graduate program but apparently does not have an undergraduate degree and has no professional experience in film… so it seems highly unlikely that would have worked out.
In the first 20 pages she has GOUGED OUT SOMEONES EYEBALL AND PUT IT IN HER POCKET.
While it was self defense, she’s terrified she’s going to be in legal trouble, which didn’t make sense to me but then apparently the police really think she staged a robbery and crashed her car??????????????????????? For why????????? Why would they jump to that conclusion???????????
On her way to the private airplane hanger to fly to some film school in the mountains with some rando she just met she takes a ride share, which is fine. BUT then the police are following them and the driver is like “do you want me to lose them?” and she says “yes please” and this man proceeds to DAMAGE THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE by clipping a police car?????? For a random person you’re driving???? THAT WOULD COST TOO MUCH MONEY TO FIX!!!! She did not pay anyone enough to damage their car. Why would anyone on the planet do that?!?!?!?!
This felt like a middle schooler trying to write adults and it simply does not make any sense in any context on any planet.
I was expecting fun absurd but in the first 50 pages there wasn’t an ounce of believability and I simply could not go on.
Our main girl is planning to apply to a film graduate program but apparently does not have an undergraduate degree and has no professional experience in film… so it seems highly unlikely that would have worked out.
In the first 20 pages she has GOUGED OUT SOMEONES EYEBALL AND PUT IT IN HER POCKET.
While it was self defense, she’s terrified she’s going to be in legal trouble, which didn’t make sense to me but then apparently the police really think she staged a robbery and crashed her car??????????????????????? For why????????? Why would they jump to that conclusion???????????
On her way to the private airplane hanger to fly to some film school in the mountains with some rando she just met she takes a ride share, which is fine. BUT then the police are following them and the driver is like “do you want me to lose them?” and she says “yes please” and this man proceeds to DAMAGE THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE by clipping a police car?????? For a random person you’re driving???? THAT WOULD COST TOO MUCH MONEY TO FIX!!!! She did not pay anyone enough to damage their car. Why would anyone on the planet do that?!?!?!?!
This felt like a middle schooler trying to write adults and it simply does not make any sense in any context on any planet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2026
Reading White Lights brought back a wave of nostalgia for me. I remember loving Lauren Kate’s Fallen series years ago, so it was nice stepping into a new story from her again.
Overall, I really enjoyed the premise. It’s intriguing and clearly setting the stage for a much bigger story, which makes me curious to see where the rest of the series goes.
There were a few things that didn’t fully work for me, though. Some of the moments where Dez expresses—and acts—on her physical attraction to Rafe felt a bit awkwardly placed. At times it was also the wording of her desire for him that pulled me out of the scene, and those moments didn’t always flow naturally with what was happening in the story. That said, I still felt a strong underlying tension between them, and I really enjoyed that dynamic regardless.
At times, the more overtly sexual elements of the story felt like an attempt to move the narrative out of the YA space and into a more adult category, which makes sense given how many readers enjoy a spicier read. Personally, I think those elements could have been integrated more smoothly into the emotional flow of the story. That said, I would have enjoyed the story just as much without them.
Interestingly, I also found myself rooting for Rafe—even after learning more about him. His chemistry with Dez felt very intense and palpable, which made their interactions compelling to read.
In comparison, I struggled with the lingering attraction Dez had for Asher. Considering she only spent a short time with him, it felt hard to believe that those thoughts and feelings followed her throughout her entire time at Acheron—though it could hint at some kind of fated connection. That tension culminates in a moment near the end where she declares her love for him, which appears to shift his fate in a way that promises big consequences for the rest of the series.
More broadly, the story seems to explore the importance of love, not just for her but for those around her. Many of the characters seem to have accepted that they cannot feel love in order to fully embrace who they are, which adds an interesting layer to the dynamics. It makes me wonder if her desire for love might eventually disrupt the absence of love that those around her have long accepted, showing what they might be willing to risk to feel it themselves.
Nevertheless, since this is only the beginning of the series, I’m definitely reserving some judgment to see where the story goes. There’s enough intrigue here that I’m looking forward to seeing how everything develops in future books.
Overall, I really enjoyed the premise. It’s intriguing and clearly setting the stage for a much bigger story, which makes me curious to see where the rest of the series goes.
There were a few things that didn’t fully work for me, though. Some of the moments where Dez expresses—and acts—on her physical attraction to Rafe felt a bit awkwardly placed. At times it was also the wording of her desire for him that pulled me out of the scene, and those moments didn’t always flow naturally with what was happening in the story. That said, I still felt a strong underlying tension between them, and I really enjoyed that dynamic regardless.
At times, the more overtly sexual elements of the story felt like an attempt to move the narrative out of the YA space and into a more adult category, which makes sense given how many readers enjoy a spicier read. Personally, I think those elements could have been integrated more smoothly into the emotional flow of the story. That said, I would have enjoyed the story just as much without them.
Interestingly, I also found myself rooting for Rafe—even after learning more about him. His chemistry with Dez felt very intense and palpable, which made their interactions compelling to read.
In comparison, I struggled with the lingering attraction Dez had for Asher. Considering she only spent a short time with him, it felt hard to believe that those thoughts and feelings followed her throughout her entire time at Acheron—though it could hint at some kind of fated connection. That tension culminates in a moment near the end where she declares her love for him, which appears to shift his fate in a way that promises big consequences for the rest of the series.
More broadly, the story seems to explore the importance of love, not just for her but for those around her. Many of the characters seem to have accepted that they cannot feel love in order to fully embrace who they are, which adds an interesting layer to the dynamics. It makes me wonder if her desire for love might eventually disrupt the absence of love that those around her have long accepted, showing what they might be willing to risk to feel it themselves.
Nevertheless, since this is only the beginning of the series, I’m definitely reserving some judgment to see where the story goes. There’s enough intrigue here that I’m looking forward to seeing how everything develops in future books.
July 9, 2026
My experience of this book felt like a roller-coaster. The first half felt absurd and without any logic. It read like a young adult novel that you just added a lot of sexual content to.
For the first part of the book, I strongly considered DNF the book. But the premise and central concept were so unique that I wanted to push on and see how it all played out.
And while the second part full out save the train wreck that started out this book, it took a turn that made me invested and explained a lot of the bizarre aspects from the beginning.
I could see myself trying out the sequel, but I also fully understand all the people that rate this one star or didn’t even make it to the ending.
For the first part of the book, I strongly considered DNF the book. But the premise and central concept were so unique that I wanted to push on and see how it all played out.
And while the second part full out save the train wreck that started out this book, it took a turn that made me invested and explained a lot of the bizarre aspects from the beginning.
I could see myself trying out the sequel, but I also fully understand all the people that rate this one star or didn’t even make it to the ending.
July 5, 2026
I'm writing this feeling quite gutted as this was a highly anticipated release for me that sadly didn't hit the mark. There were several plot elements that frankly felt out of place and illogical, and a strange fixation around sex that usually I'd be onboard for but here felt forced. I will say that the ending was intriguing enough that I will likely pick up the sequel when it comes out, if only out of sheer curiosity as to where this story is going
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