First Light

by Frouke van Es

132 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2026

Reviews

[Aelynn Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Light is a quiet, deeply introspective story about grief, desire, and finding a reason to want life again. I especially appreciated the portrayal of Kiyun's grief and his lack of desire for life—not necessarily wanting to die, but having very little pulling him towards tomorrow.

The prose is highly lyrical and abstract, with a strong focus on imagery and sensory impressions rather than dialogue or straightforward storytelling. I believe I found one actual spoken sentence? There are some beautiful turns of phrase throughout. Readers who enjoy literary fiction that asks them to slow down and interpret what lies between the lines will likely find a lot to appreciate here.

Personally, I sometimes found the abstract style a little confusing (my editor-brain was on!) and this created some distance between me and the characters. I tend to connect more easily through dialogue and concrete imagery, making it easier for me to be immersed into the story.

But for readers who love quiet, poetic and interpretive storytelling, First Light is definitely worth checking out.

[Sandra Hoving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely impressive! My English is just good enough to understand everything, though I sometimes had to read certain passages a few times. But it’s so beautifully written—rich with emotion and a deep sense of surrender. The pacing is wonderful, with perfect accelerations and decelerations. Incredible writing!