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The Light of the World
At the back of her grandmother’s closet lies a mystery.
After her grandmother’s death, Eva finds a series of diaries detailing the life of a girl caught up in the magic of the Roaring Twenties. She cannot reconcile the young girl in these diaries with the miserable old woman she loved so fiercely. What happened to change her grandmother so drastically?
Eva starts to investigate the puzzle her grandmother left behind. With the help of a local historian and his enigmatic assistant Olivia, they find a forgotten labyrinth under the city streets. But they are not the only ones down there. Someone else is searching for the light of the world.
After her grandmother’s death, Eva finds a series of diaries detailing the life of a girl caught up in the magic of the Roaring Twenties. She cannot reconcile the young girl in these diaries with the miserable old woman she loved so fiercely. What happened to change her grandmother so drastically?
Eva starts to investigate the puzzle her grandmother left behind. With the help of a local historian and his enigmatic assistant Olivia, they find a forgotten labyrinth under the city streets. But they are not the only ones down there. Someone else is searching for the light of the world.
259 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2015
About the author
Ellen Simpson
5 books63 followersEllen graduated from the University of Vermont in 2010, with a degree in political science with an emphasis on media and its effects on society. She is the author of two novels and is the co-creator and social media editor for the popular webseries, Carmilla.
She resides in North Carolina.
She resides in North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 23, 2015
Hooked, that is the first thing that comes to mind after reading The Light of the World by Ellen Simpson. I was hooked right from the beginning. Sleep be damned, this book had me reading well into the night. The Light of the World is full of imagination, wonderment, history and love. I literally could not put it down.
Eva Kessler is such an interesting main character. She is cautious, thoughtful, reverent and kind. Eva has not had an easy life, unfortunately she is one of the many that battles with depression. I think because of her personal struggles she sees the world from a different perspective. The way Eva sees people is so very thoughtful and it is really quite captivating.
The book begins as Eva has just lost her grandmother, the one person she felt completely comfortable around. Her grandmother was someone who understood that at times life seems bleak for reasons beyond our control. The grandmother, Mary Kessler, could relate to the sadness that often engulfs Eva. The elderly woman lived a very long life, but was filled with a sorrow and at times bitterness. Why her grandmother felt this way, has always been a mystery to Eva. Did Mary Kessler suffer from depression as Eva does, or had something happened to her early in life that broke her spirit?
While cleaning out her grandmother’s apartment, Eva stubbles upon her grandmother’s journals from 1925. These diaries are preserved in such away Eva knows immediately that these were important to her grandmother. Upon reading of Mary's early life, Eva has a gut feeling that these journals will give her the knowledge of why her grandmother was often sad and melancholy. Eva reaches out to a local bookstore owner and this is where the story really takes off.
This book is enchanting in the way that the writer, Ellen Simpson brings us a main character that is so different and yet so very charming. Eva is not perfect, none of the characters are. Simpson expertly arcs the stories of the past with the present. Mary and Eva's lives are both equally important. Never does the story bog down and make you wish she would just get on with it. No, each piece of the puzzle is important, as well as interesting to the story as a whole. This book is a journey, one with romance, history, fantasy and friendship. This book with will hook you right from the beginning.
Thanks to Ylva Publishing for the ARC.
Eva Kessler is such an interesting main character. She is cautious, thoughtful, reverent and kind. Eva has not had an easy life, unfortunately she is one of the many that battles with depression. I think because of her personal struggles she sees the world from a different perspective. The way Eva sees people is so very thoughtful and it is really quite captivating.
The book begins as Eva has just lost her grandmother, the one person she felt completely comfortable around. Her grandmother was someone who understood that at times life seems bleak for reasons beyond our control. The grandmother, Mary Kessler, could relate to the sadness that often engulfs Eva. The elderly woman lived a very long life, but was filled with a sorrow and at times bitterness. Why her grandmother felt this way, has always been a mystery to Eva. Did Mary Kessler suffer from depression as Eva does, or had something happened to her early in life that broke her spirit?
While cleaning out her grandmother’s apartment, Eva stubbles upon her grandmother’s journals from 1925. These diaries are preserved in such away Eva knows immediately that these were important to her grandmother. Upon reading of Mary's early life, Eva has a gut feeling that these journals will give her the knowledge of why her grandmother was often sad and melancholy. Eva reaches out to a local bookstore owner and this is where the story really takes off.
This book is enchanting in the way that the writer, Ellen Simpson brings us a main character that is so different and yet so very charming. Eva is not perfect, none of the characters are. Simpson expertly arcs the stories of the past with the present. Mary and Eva's lives are both equally important. Never does the story bog down and make you wish she would just get on with it. No, each piece of the puzzle is important, as well as interesting to the story as a whole. This book is a journey, one with romance, history, fantasy and friendship. This book with will hook you right from the beginning.
Thanks to Ylva Publishing for the ARC.
March 29, 2016
I can't decide if this is a 3/4 star, for me it's something in between. The only reason for this is that I struggled with the concept of the light of the world. I did read this book while extremely busy in work and I'm not sure the breaks in reading helped me with the flow of the story.
I have to say I really enjoyed the way this author writes, the slow burn of Eva and Liv and the historical story of Mary and her life as a teenager living away from home.
The story starts with the death of Eva's grandmother Mary, as the family go through her belongings they come across a set of old journals. Hoping to find a reason for her grandmothers seeming unhappiness Eva begins to read the journals. From this comes a mystery which Eva is attempting to solve with the help of Liv, Theo and Al.
I would like to read other work from this author as I enjoyed her style of writing. I wouldn't let my inability to grasp the concept of the light of the world stop anyone from reading this book. It's a nice story with an undercurrent of something bigger running through it.
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley.
I have to say I really enjoyed the way this author writes, the slow burn of Eva and Liv and the historical story of Mary and her life as a teenager living away from home.
The story starts with the death of Eva's grandmother Mary, as the family go through her belongings they come across a set of old journals. Hoping to find a reason for her grandmothers seeming unhappiness Eva begins to read the journals. From this comes a mystery which Eva is attempting to solve with the help of Liv, Theo and Al.
I would like to read other work from this author as I enjoyed her style of writing. I wouldn't let my inability to grasp the concept of the light of the world stop anyone from reading this book. It's a nice story with an undercurrent of something bigger running through it.
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley.
May 23, 2016
Eva Kessler has just lost her grandmother, Mary Kessler, and discovers diaries her grandmother kept while preparing the apartment to sell. In order to find out more about the time her grandmother was a teenager, she seeks help from a local historian. There she meets his assistant Olivia "Liv" Currance. Together they find the secrets of the Light of the World.
Eva was an interesting character to read about, but I found myself more immersed in her grandmother's and Wren's story. I didn't find any of the shifts from Eva reading Mary's journal and the present to be detracting at all, in fact, it flowed well.
It took me a while to get immersed into the book but once I did, it was hard to stop. The Light of the World was an interesting concept and had me intrigued throughout the story. My only nitpick about the book would be that it was fairly easy to predict what was going to happen.
I really enjoyed the author's style of writing and would like to read her future books.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-hO
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Eva was an interesting character to read about, but I found myself more immersed in her grandmother's and Wren's story. I didn't find any of the shifts from Eva reading Mary's journal and the present to be detracting at all, in fact, it flowed well.
It took me a while to get immersed into the book but once I did, it was hard to stop. The Light of the World was an interesting concept and had me intrigued throughout the story. My only nitpick about the book would be that it was fairly easy to predict what was going to happen.
I really enjoyed the author's style of writing and would like to read her future books.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-hO
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2016
You know those books that weave the title somewhere in the heart of the story in a delicious, subtle way? This isn't one of those books. The phase "light of the world" must appear throughout these pages no less than 500+ times. If it were a drinking game, you'd be dead.
This story read to me much more as urban fantasy, despite the summary which sounded more like a historical mystery. That's not a bad thing per se, but I never felt fully entrenched in this world the author created. The story unfurls at a snail's pace and is mostly an internalized narration through the character Eva. I never felt much of anything for Eva, who is described as one-time suicidal and fighting depression. There's not really much more to her than that, and because she's not particularly unique or interesting, her interactions with the other characters as well as her love interest are flat and just pretty much "meh".
My biggest gripe, aside from the big ones of dull characters and improper story pacing, is the completely out of place final "interview" chapter. That chapter has nothing to do with the rest of the book and instead feels more like something I'd read in a piece of fan fiction. Wherever it came from, a proper editor should have hit the Delete key.
ARC provided by NetGalley
This story read to me much more as urban fantasy, despite the summary which sounded more like a historical mystery. That's not a bad thing per se, but I never felt fully entrenched in this world the author created. The story unfurls at a snail's pace and is mostly an internalized narration through the character Eva. I never felt much of anything for Eva, who is described as one-time suicidal and fighting depression. There's not really much more to her than that, and because she's not particularly unique or interesting, her interactions with the other characters as well as her love interest are flat and just pretty much "meh".
My biggest gripe, aside from the big ones of dull characters and improper story pacing, is the completely out of place final "interview" chapter. That chapter has nothing to do with the rest of the book and instead feels more like something I'd read in a piece of fan fiction. Wherever it came from, a proper editor should have hit the Delete key.
ARC provided by NetGalley
December 3, 2015
I really liked the atmosphere of this book. Scary at first and then just charming, really. Especially when the reader gets to read Eva's grandmother's diary.
The characters weren't as captivating as the atmosphere, sadly, although I liked grandmother Mary. There are some serious parallels between Eva's story and her grandmother's, which felt a little bit forced. But maybe that is because I didn't get Eva. The way her depression was shown/dealt with felt too nonchalantly in my eyes.
This is a fascinating story in theory. But sadly there were absolutely no surprises for me, so I was a little bit bored. It still makes a nice afternoon read. Don't expect any great insights and you'll be fine.
Disclaimer: I was provided by Ylva-Verlag with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
The characters weren't as captivating as the atmosphere, sadly, although I liked grandmother Mary. There are some serious parallels between Eva's story and her grandmother's, which felt a little bit forced. But maybe that is because I didn't get Eva. The way her depression was shown/dealt with felt too nonchalantly in my eyes.
This is a fascinating story in theory. But sadly there were absolutely no surprises for me, so I was a little bit bored. It still makes a nice afternoon read. Don't expect any great insights and you'll be fine.
Disclaimer: I was provided by Ylva-Verlag with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
February 7, 2017
History, mystery, romance and fantasy rolled into one great, detailed story. Definitely worth the read.
January 8, 2016
The greatest strength of this novel is the sensitive and intriguing way in which it explores relationships. Thankfully, although the theme would certainly have lent itself to this, Simpson avoids turning the relationship between Eva and her grandmother Mary into a quest to fulfil a dead loved one’s supposed wish. Instead, she writes Eva as trying to understand important influences on someone she cared deeply about. She also draws parallels between her two protagonists’ lives – Eva’s depression and Mary’s unexplained bouts of ‘sadness’, Mary’s unlabeled relationship with Wren and Eva’s own identity as a bisexual woman. But, ultimately, these parallels are neither used to fully ‘explain’ Mary’s life in retrospect, nor taken as a reason to make her granddaughter’s choices for her.
One of the things this is evident in is Eva’s slow discovery of her grandmother’s relationship with another woman. Repeatedly, she reflects on how she wouldn’t want to “label[…] someone who couldn’t choose a label for herself.” As someone thoroughly tired of both queer erasure in history and the ‘I don’t need labels’ rhetoric often used as a stand-in for bisexual identity in media, I confess I was at first suspicious about this reluctance to use labels. But I’m happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised: Eva indeed seems to have little interest in labelling herself, but instead of endlessly dancing around stating her identity, she mentions that she is bisexual, moves on and does not return to the topic. Similarly, Mary’s relationship with Wren is not explained away with ‘they would never have labelled this as romantic,’ but rather, Eva acknowledges that her grandmother’s relationship was probably much like what she begins to feel for Liv, without suggesting that she has inside knowledge on how the two women would have labelled this.
Another aspect of Simpson’s writing I immensely enjoyed was what felt like a sympathetic, but not euphemistic, depiction of depression. I have never been diagnosed with depression, so I would not presume to be a good judge of how ‘realistic’ the depiction is. I did, however, note that it sidesteps some common tropes (‘depression is just in your head, if you try hard enough, you can overcome it’, ‘if you find something/one that makes you happy, you will get over it’, ‘depression is just being sad an crying all the time’). Instead, Eva’s experiences with depression is depicted as something that she cannot always influence, but always takes an active part in: “She had to struggle to find the motivation to get up sometimes, to make herself take the pills that would quiet everything down to the point where she felt that she could function again (p.112).”
My one major critique, really, would be that while the characters are all very believable and authentic, in some cases, their decisions and reflections seem hard to follow. Two cases in particular stood out to me: For a long time, Eva chooses not to share her insight into her grandmother’s life with her family, since “She couldn’t wrap her head around what that might mean for her family. This changed everything.” (p. 99) By this point, both Eva’s own sexuality and her parents’ acceptance of it are well established. Since she herself has had relationships with men and women, Eva is also clearly aware that her grandmother having a relationship with another girl in her teens does not necessarily mean the later marriage to Eva’s grandfather was a forced affair. Then what, exactly, would be ‘changed’ by the revelation?
In the second case, Liv informs Eva of a secret which she ‘cannot tell her,’ because it would be too dangerous for Eva, only to tell her for reasons not apparent to me within the same scene. Part of the reason why both of these scenes seemed a bit illogical to me might be the fact that The Light of the World focuses so strongly on Eva and her dialogue with her grandmother’s memory. Much of the novel consists of alterations between diary entries and Eva’s life, which is a feature I immensely enjoyed. It does, however, mean that less central characters, such as Liv and Eva’s parents, take up much less room in the plot and their motivations are much less explored.
Another minor issue I ran into while reading The Light of the World was its font formatting. I read the novel on my e-reader, where the font was adjustable, but I actually preferred the pre-set font. However, when writing this review and viewing the ebook on my computer (with Adobe Digital Editions), I was unable to adjust the font, and found the given one hard to read on screen.
All in all, though, these seem like very small flaws for a captivating and beautifully written novel, and I would definitely recommend it, especially to fans of the webseries Carmilla, which Simpson co-created. I was not aware of the connection while reading the novel (which will teach me to do some research before I start reading in the future!), but looking back, both works definitely show some parallels, especially in the way in which their central romantic relationships develop. If you have enjoyed Carmilla and are looking for another modern-fantasy world starring lady loving ladies, give this book a try!
One of the things this is evident in is Eva’s slow discovery of her grandmother’s relationship with another woman. Repeatedly, she reflects on how she wouldn’t want to “label[…] someone who couldn’t choose a label for herself.” As someone thoroughly tired of both queer erasure in history and the ‘I don’t need labels’ rhetoric often used as a stand-in for bisexual identity in media, I confess I was at first suspicious about this reluctance to use labels. But I’m happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised: Eva indeed seems to have little interest in labelling herself, but instead of endlessly dancing around stating her identity, she mentions that she is bisexual, moves on and does not return to the topic. Similarly, Mary’s relationship with Wren is not explained away with ‘they would never have labelled this as romantic,’ but rather, Eva acknowledges that her grandmother’s relationship was probably much like what she begins to feel for Liv, without suggesting that she has inside knowledge on how the two women would have labelled this.
Another aspect of Simpson’s writing I immensely enjoyed was what felt like a sympathetic, but not euphemistic, depiction of depression. I have never been diagnosed with depression, so I would not presume to be a good judge of how ‘realistic’ the depiction is. I did, however, note that it sidesteps some common tropes (‘depression is just in your head, if you try hard enough, you can overcome it’, ‘if you find something/one that makes you happy, you will get over it’, ‘depression is just being sad an crying all the time’). Instead, Eva’s experiences with depression is depicted as something that she cannot always influence, but always takes an active part in: “She had to struggle to find the motivation to get up sometimes, to make herself take the pills that would quiet everything down to the point where she felt that she could function again (p.112).”
My one major critique, really, would be that while the characters are all very believable and authentic, in some cases, their decisions and reflections seem hard to follow. Two cases in particular stood out to me: For a long time, Eva chooses not to share her insight into her grandmother’s life with her family, since “She couldn’t wrap her head around what that might mean for her family. This changed everything.” (p. 99) By this point, both Eva’s own sexuality and her parents’ acceptance of it are well established. Since she herself has had relationships with men and women, Eva is also clearly aware that her grandmother having a relationship with another girl in her teens does not necessarily mean the later marriage to Eva’s grandfather was a forced affair. Then what, exactly, would be ‘changed’ by the revelation?
In the second case, Liv informs Eva of a secret which she ‘cannot tell her,’ because it would be too dangerous for Eva, only to tell her for reasons not apparent to me within the same scene. Part of the reason why both of these scenes seemed a bit illogical to me might be the fact that The Light of the World focuses so strongly on Eva and her dialogue with her grandmother’s memory. Much of the novel consists of alterations between diary entries and Eva’s life, which is a feature I immensely enjoyed. It does, however, mean that less central characters, such as Liv and Eva’s parents, take up much less room in the plot and their motivations are much less explored.
Another minor issue I ran into while reading The Light of the World was its font formatting. I read the novel on my e-reader, where the font was adjustable, but I actually preferred the pre-set font. However, when writing this review and viewing the ebook on my computer (with Adobe Digital Editions), I was unable to adjust the font, and found the given one hard to read on screen.
All in all, though, these seem like very small flaws for a captivating and beautifully written novel, and I would definitely recommend it, especially to fans of the webseries Carmilla, which Simpson co-created. I was not aware of the connection while reading the novel (which will teach me to do some research before I start reading in the future!), but looking back, both works definitely show some parallels, especially in the way in which their central romantic relationships develop. If you have enjoyed Carmilla and are looking for another modern-fantasy world starring lady loving ladies, give this book a try!
January 20, 2016
I'm thinking 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it but it was slow going at some parts. I thought there was going to be more romance to this story. I mean there was romance but it definitely wasn't the focus, which I'm totally good with.
This story revolves around the MC who finds her recently passed Grandmother's journals, which outlines a read between the lines love between the Grandma and a girl names Wren. By reading the journals she becomes increasingly curious as to the life her Grandma led and what could've happened to create the kind of crabby woman that everyone came to know her as. Her curiosity leads her to an antique book seller who happens to be very interested in the Grandmother's reference of "The Light of the World". What happens after this is a low key semi-thriller of a story to find out who Grandma was, what The Light of the World is, and how our MC really feels about her new "friend" Liv (Olivia).
I'm not sure what else to say on this read as there are some kind of paranormal/spiritual elements that I wasn't anticipating. I'm not usually one for magical realism reads and this was definitely that. I would say if that's your kind of genre than you would probably love this read. The writing was well done and I truly enjoyed the characters and their development. I just had a harder time with the fantastical aspects.
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
This story revolves around the MC who finds her recently passed Grandmother's journals, which outlines a read between the lines love between the Grandma and a girl names Wren. By reading the journals she becomes increasingly curious as to the life her Grandma led and what could've happened to create the kind of crabby woman that everyone came to know her as. Her curiosity leads her to an antique book seller who happens to be very interested in the Grandmother's reference of "The Light of the World". What happens after this is a low key semi-thriller of a story to find out who Grandma was, what The Light of the World is, and how our MC really feels about her new "friend" Liv (Olivia).
I'm not sure what else to say on this read as there are some kind of paranormal/spiritual elements that I wasn't anticipating. I'm not usually one for magical realism reads and this was definitely that. I would say if that's your kind of genre than you would probably love this read. The writing was well done and I truly enjoyed the characters and their development. I just had a harder time with the fantastical aspects.
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
December 6, 2015
Ellen Simpson creates a vivid world with beautiful, sensory language that pulls the reader into Eva's life. The natural flow and overall beautiful atmospheric writing made me want to devour "The Light of the World" over and over and over again.
The characters, such as Eva, that Simpson has created have organic chemistry with one another that allows readers to fall wholeheartedly without fear into their world of mystery, of shadows, of the battle of good versus evil, in a way that escapes cliches. Readers will cheer for Eva and her friends as they delve deeper into the mystery that erupted after Eva's grandmother Mary's passing (at over a hundred years old!). While Mary's teenage years unfold through the pages of the beautifully written journals, Eva's own life will change in ways most unexpected. Parallels will be drawn in thin arcs of brilliant light between the past and the present, beckoning readers to continue at their own risk, to explore under cities and challenge shadows.
If you're like me and into eloquently written, queer-normative fiction that combines the fantastic and the realism of the world around us while simultaneously giving readers a romantic side plot and a non-neurotypical main character that doesn't detract from the wonderfully addictive driving force behind the main story line, then this is the book for you.
The characters, such as Eva, that Simpson has created have organic chemistry with one another that allows readers to fall wholeheartedly without fear into their world of mystery, of shadows, of the battle of good versus evil, in a way that escapes cliches. Readers will cheer for Eva and her friends as they delve deeper into the mystery that erupted after Eva's grandmother Mary's passing (at over a hundred years old!). While Mary's teenage years unfold through the pages of the beautifully written journals, Eva's own life will change in ways most unexpected. Parallels will be drawn in thin arcs of brilliant light between the past and the present, beckoning readers to continue at their own risk, to explore under cities and challenge shadows.
If you're like me and into eloquently written, queer-normative fiction that combines the fantastic and the realism of the world around us while simultaneously giving readers a romantic side plot and a non-neurotypical main character that doesn't detract from the wonderfully addictive driving force behind the main story line, then this is the book for you.
January 2, 2016
"The Light of the World" by Ellen Simpson is a captivating read. The protagonist, Eva, is such an interesting character. She's thoughtful, kind, and inquisitive- but has a unique perspective on the world around her due to her depression. The way Simpson deals with this in her writing is different from what we usually see, as well. Unlike many other books where the protagonist is depressed, this isn't a book solely about Eva's struggle with her mental illness. It's not disregarded or made light of by any means, but isn't the sole purpose of Eva's character- she's much more than her past and her struggles.
The tone of this book is very charming and compelling. The prologue was intriguing, I was hooked and excited to read more right off the bat. "The Light of the World" is definitely a different kind of story than what I was expecting it to be. I was pleasantly surprised by the direction this book went, and although it felt predictable at times, there was still enough intrigue to keep me invested in Eva and the other characters.
Perhaps the most important character in the story, other than Eva herself, was someone who only appeared in the novel in memories preserved in journals. Eva's grandmother, Mary Kessler, is the main thing that sparks Eva's curiosity. Mary was one of the few people who Eva felt really understood her and her struggles with depression, and it was the love for her grandmother that inspires the whole story. There are many parallels drawn between Mary and Eva through past and present, and while at times it felt a bit forced, overall it is a compelling touch, drawing readers into the tale.
The other characters in this book, however, fall a little bit flat. I appreciated their contributions to the plot, and purpose in the story, but none of them really intrigued me. However, this is made up for with the eloquent writing and compelling plot- as well as Mary and her diaries, which definitely carried a good portion of the book.
Overall, "The Light of the World" is a worthwhile read, and while it doesn't contain anything groundbreaking, it makes for a good afternoon book. It's well written, entertaining, and does a good job of mixing a story rooted in the real world with the fantastic and mysterious. It's also very refreshing to read a story that's not only queer normative, but allows a non-neurotypical main character to take the spotlight without having her mental illness as the focal point of the story. While this book wasn't one of my favourites, it's definitely worth a read.
Special thanks to Ylva Publishing for the ARC.
The tone of this book is very charming and compelling. The prologue was intriguing, I was hooked and excited to read more right off the bat. "The Light of the World" is definitely a different kind of story than what I was expecting it to be. I was pleasantly surprised by the direction this book went, and although it felt predictable at times, there was still enough intrigue to keep me invested in Eva and the other characters.
Perhaps the most important character in the story, other than Eva herself, was someone who only appeared in the novel in memories preserved in journals. Eva's grandmother, Mary Kessler, is the main thing that sparks Eva's curiosity. Mary was one of the few people who Eva felt really understood her and her struggles with depression, and it was the love for her grandmother that inspires the whole story. There are many parallels drawn between Mary and Eva through past and present, and while at times it felt a bit forced, overall it is a compelling touch, drawing readers into the tale.
The other characters in this book, however, fall a little bit flat. I appreciated their contributions to the plot, and purpose in the story, but none of them really intrigued me. However, this is made up for with the eloquent writing and compelling plot- as well as Mary and her diaries, which definitely carried a good portion of the book.
Overall, "The Light of the World" is a worthwhile read, and while it doesn't contain anything groundbreaking, it makes for a good afternoon book. It's well written, entertaining, and does a good job of mixing a story rooted in the real world with the fantastic and mysterious. It's also very refreshing to read a story that's not only queer normative, but allows a non-neurotypical main character to take the spotlight without having her mental illness as the focal point of the story. While this book wasn't one of my favourites, it's definitely worth a read.
Special thanks to Ylva Publishing for the ARC.
January 12, 2016
I’ll start by saying that I really enjoyed this book. To me the characters were heartfelt and charming, the plot was engaging, and many passages were wonderfully lyrical.
At its heart Light of the World is a book that explores puzzles. There is of course the overarching mystery of Eva’s grandmother as detailed in the book description. However, beyond that arc the book explores several interpersonal puzzles as well. The varying mysteries of family, friends, love and adulthood are explored and navigated by Eva in her journey to learn more about her grandmother, and I think Light is much richer for it.
One particularly interesting aspect was the narrative gave me pieces of the mystery that the characters Eva and her grandmother Mary didn’t have. To me it created a very engaging tension for me as the reader as I tried to pull my pieces of the puzzle together with the pieces that the characters discovered through their exploration.
I think most of all I enjoyed Eva’s daily life and exploration of the puzzle of adulthood, family, and love. Simpson very handily captures one’s ability to simultaneously love and be infuriated by one’s family. I have read few things that have encapsulated my own complexed feelings toward my loved ones as Light so perfectly does.
Beyond the puzzles I very much enjoyed the author’s ability to create turns of phrase that are vivid and lyrical. My favorite passage “She has pulled open my ribs and settled herself right beside my heart, nestled in against my soul and I do not think I could ever carve her out,” is indicative of Simpsons talent and storytelling ability as these passages are written not just for the joy of language but also serve narratively as well. Such lyrical passages often show the similar traits that Eva and her grandmother have in common and as such help to emphasize the parallels that Eva’s own story has to her grandmother’s.
Overall, definitely an enjoyable book that I recommend to anyone in the mood for a light mystery.
Note: I received a copy of this book from Ylva in exchange for an honest review
At its heart Light of the World is a book that explores puzzles. There is of course the overarching mystery of Eva’s grandmother as detailed in the book description. However, beyond that arc the book explores several interpersonal puzzles as well. The varying mysteries of family, friends, love and adulthood are explored and navigated by Eva in her journey to learn more about her grandmother, and I think Light is much richer for it.
One particularly interesting aspect was the narrative gave me pieces of the mystery that the characters Eva and her grandmother Mary didn’t have. To me it created a very engaging tension for me as the reader as I tried to pull my pieces of the puzzle together with the pieces that the characters discovered through their exploration.
I think most of all I enjoyed Eva’s daily life and exploration of the puzzle of adulthood, family, and love. Simpson very handily captures one’s ability to simultaneously love and be infuriated by one’s family. I have read few things that have encapsulated my own complexed feelings toward my loved ones as Light so perfectly does.
Beyond the puzzles I very much enjoyed the author’s ability to create turns of phrase that are vivid and lyrical. My favorite passage “She has pulled open my ribs and settled herself right beside my heart, nestled in against my soul and I do not think I could ever carve her out,” is indicative of Simpsons talent and storytelling ability as these passages are written not just for the joy of language but also serve narratively as well. Such lyrical passages often show the similar traits that Eva and her grandmother have in common and as such help to emphasize the parallels that Eva’s own story has to her grandmother’s.
Overall, definitely an enjoyable book that I recommend to anyone in the mood for a light mystery.
Note: I received a copy of this book from Ylva in exchange for an honest review
July 19, 2018
Full disclosure: I received a free copy from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars.
So, for the record, I have a weakness for these kinds of stories: ones where you have two characters, set in different times periods, and you play them off of each other other and draw parallels; and it's always interesting to see how their lives play out side-by-side. (And I definitely have a weakness for epistolary novels, so getting to learn about Mary through only her diary is a nice touch for me too.) That being said, while both stories are interesting, it really was Mary's that captivated me the most, and I wouldn't have minded it if the book had been all about her.
The story does feel very YA-ish from time to time, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing (though at times it can be a bit rushed and the writing isn't always as strong as it could be). It's nice to read more YA that handles topics like depression without being heavy handed -- and definitely always nice that has queer main characters.
(There were some anachronisms in the way Mary spoke/wrote that really stood out to me; nothing really grinds my gears more than vernacular anachronisms in historical fiction.)
I was kind of surprised at where this book ended up going and it's always nice when a book surprises you in a good way. This is Simpson's first book, and I think it's a solid start with room to grow.
2.5 stars.
So, for the record, I have a weakness for these kinds of stories: ones where you have two characters, set in different times periods, and you play them off of each other other and draw parallels; and it's always interesting to see how their lives play out side-by-side. (And I definitely have a weakness for epistolary novels, so getting to learn about Mary through only her diary is a nice touch for me too.) That being said, while both stories are interesting, it really was Mary's that captivated me the most, and I wouldn't have minded it if the book had been all about her.
The story does feel very YA-ish from time to time, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing (though at times it can be a bit rushed and the writing isn't always as strong as it could be). It's nice to read more YA that handles topics like depression without being heavy handed -- and definitely always nice that has queer main characters.
(There were some anachronisms in the way Mary spoke/wrote that really stood out to me; nothing really grinds my gears more than vernacular anachronisms in historical fiction.)
I was kind of surprised at where this book ended up going and it's always nice when a book surprises you in a good way. This is Simpson's first book, and I think it's a solid start with room to grow.
February 8, 2016
I like to refrain from giving a synopsis or summary. I rather share my observations and feelings.
The book was incredibly engaging. I wanted to ignore all my responsibilities of my own life to stay in Eva's and Mary's worlds. Just as Eva who couldn't let go of Mary's diaries. From the first page on I was intrigued and captivated. Eva has a unique voice. Although the relationship to her parents is similar to many other protagonists I have encountered in other works it doesn't feel stale or derivative. Eva's interest in men and women alike is well presented. It is a vital part of the story but not a major theme or "issue". The delicate way in which depression and people's reactions to it get explored and treated is amazing. Simpson captured what it feels like to cope and never be healed from that particular mental illness.
At times the passing of time felt off. I cannot put my finger on it exactly, but some scenes read like minutes after the previous one but where meant to have happened days later.
Picturing the environment the characters inhabited was incredibly easy because of the detailed descriptions, which at no point became overwhelming.
The novel is a must read. It can be read by YA and "regular" adults.
The book was incredibly engaging. I wanted to ignore all my responsibilities of my own life to stay in Eva's and Mary's worlds. Just as Eva who couldn't let go of Mary's diaries. From the first page on I was intrigued and captivated. Eva has a unique voice. Although the relationship to her parents is similar to many other protagonists I have encountered in other works it doesn't feel stale or derivative. Eva's interest in men and women alike is well presented. It is a vital part of the story but not a major theme or "issue". The delicate way in which depression and people's reactions to it get explored and treated is amazing. Simpson captured what it feels like to cope and never be healed from that particular mental illness.
At times the passing of time felt off. I cannot put my finger on it exactly, but some scenes read like minutes after the previous one but where meant to have happened days later.
Picturing the environment the characters inhabited was incredibly easy because of the detailed descriptions, which at no point became overwhelming.
The novel is a must read. It can be read by YA and "regular" adults.
January 18, 2016
I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I liked a lot of the elements of this book, but overall it didn't really pull me in. The plot was slow to get started with too much filler and repetition in the first half of the book. Then it was a bit predictable at the end.
I liked the characters and their development. I appreciated the inclusion of bi-racial and queer characters. I was glad for the attempt at portraying depression and it's effects on Eva, but it fell somewhat short. I liked the bit about not labeling folks as gay based on behavior decades ago. I enjoyed the slow romance at the end.
The typos were at times distracting. But more distracting was the modern language in Eva's grandmother's journals from 1925. I'm no historian, but I'm pretty sure phrases like "she got all up in her face" and "legs for days" were not in use then. I had a few uncertainties with the plot too, like why did it take Eva months to finish reading her grandmother's journals? She was so excited about them, I thought she'd finish them in weeks at most.
I liked a lot of the elements of this book, but overall it didn't really pull me in. The plot was slow to get started with too much filler and repetition in the first half of the book. Then it was a bit predictable at the end.
I liked the characters and their development. I appreciated the inclusion of bi-racial and queer characters. I was glad for the attempt at portraying depression and it's effects on Eva, but it fell somewhat short. I liked the bit about not labeling folks as gay based on behavior decades ago. I enjoyed the slow romance at the end.
The typos were at times distracting. But more distracting was the modern language in Eva's grandmother's journals from 1925. I'm no historian, but I'm pretty sure phrases like "she got all up in her face" and "legs for days" were not in use then. I had a few uncertainties with the plot too, like why did it take Eva months to finish reading her grandmother's journals? She was so excited about them, I thought she'd finish them in weeks at most.
January 1, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this book.
At times it was mysterious, intriguing, and charming. Grandmother Mary's journal was compelling and most of the characters were well-written. Eva's depression was handled well: it wasn't the sole determining factor of who she was and she wasn't just sad [depression is a lot more than sadness]. The way it impacted her family seemed realistic as well. The story had a great atmosphere and the plot was interesting.
But the story lagged due to unnecessary detail, some typos, and a predictable ending. Some characters [such as Charlie and his date] seemed like cardboard cut-outs.
Overall, however, this is an enjoyable read. It's refreshing to see a main character struggle with mental illness in a healthy way.
If you enjoy stories that combine a realistic setting with the fantastic, and if you are seeking a light, charming read, you would probably enjoy The Light of the World.
Disclaimer: Ylva provided me with this book free in exchange for my honest review.
At times it was mysterious, intriguing, and charming. Grandmother Mary's journal was compelling and most of the characters were well-written. Eva's depression was handled well: it wasn't the sole determining factor of who she was and she wasn't just sad [depression is a lot more than sadness]. The way it impacted her family seemed realistic as well. The story had a great atmosphere and the plot was interesting.
But the story lagged due to unnecessary detail, some typos, and a predictable ending. Some characters [such as Charlie and his date] seemed like cardboard cut-outs.
Overall, however, this is an enjoyable read. It's refreshing to see a main character struggle with mental illness in a healthy way.
If you enjoy stories that combine a realistic setting with the fantastic, and if you are seeking a light, charming read, you would probably enjoy The Light of the World.
Disclaimer: Ylva provided me with this book free in exchange for my honest review.
December 31, 2015
I loved the vaguely unsettling yet entirely captivating atmosphere of this book. The symbolism and foreshadowing were a bit heavy-handed, making the end of the novel fairly easy to predict early on, but it was an interesting read regardless. The characters were charming and relatable, and I really loved the symmetry between past and present in the narrative, especially as seen through Eva’s grandmother’s journal entries, which added a unique layer to the narrative.
While refreshing to see discussed so candidly, the depiction of Eva’s fight with depression was a bit unrealistic, talked about more in the abstract than as an actual experience. The discussions about depression and mental illness felt a touch forced, but again, I really appreciate that the topic was brought up at all.
Overall, definitely a book worth reading: an enjoyable story, charming characters, and refreshing moments of candid discussion of sexuality, race, and mental illness.
While refreshing to see discussed so candidly, the depiction of Eva’s fight with depression was a bit unrealistic, talked about more in the abstract than as an actual experience. The discussions about depression and mental illness felt a touch forced, but again, I really appreciate that the topic was brought up at all.
Overall, definitely a book worth reading: an enjoyable story, charming characters, and refreshing moments of candid discussion of sexuality, race, and mental illness.
January 17, 2016
I absolutely loved this book. The writing and the description of characters and places was fantastic. I loved the characters and how deep and heartfelt they all were. I laughed, cried and smiled through this fantastic novel, and it left me thinking. This is differently one of my all time favorite books and I will recommend this to everyone. The love-story is fantastic and the shift between the modern world in the dairies from 1925 is a perfect and absolute fantastic combination.
This book deserves all the fantastic reviews because it is such a fantastic adventure. Eva is such an amazing and real character whom with the combination of her companions makes this book one of the best I've read.
This book deserves all the fantastic reviews because it is such a fantastic adventure. Eva is such an amazing and real character whom with the combination of her companions makes this book one of the best I've read.
January 7, 2016
I am a big fan of this book! I really loved the main character, and felt deeply for her every time her struggles with her mother came up. The book was slow to start, but once it got going I could barely put it down. I loved the grandmother's story so much, I found myself hanging on to every line written about it. I appreciate the element of historical mystery, which is one of my favorite genres.The fantasy element was also spot on, even if many of the mysteries of the light were glossed over or left out. But it just made me want to know more. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes frank discussions of mental illness, sexuality within a fantasy/mystery setting with relatable characters.
January 12, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I felt this book was very well done. The characters felt fully developed and had very natural dialogue, which can be difficult to pull off when there is also a lot of information that is being conveyed. I also felt that a very good job was done balancing past and present and in laying out the mystery while developing the relationships between the characters. I really liked the journals, and would have liked to have had more of them as I was very interested in Mary.
There were a few areas that I felt were a little slow but overall I really enjoyed this book and felt it was very well written.
I felt this book was very well done. The characters felt fully developed and had very natural dialogue, which can be difficult to pull off when there is also a lot of information that is being conveyed. I also felt that a very good job was done balancing past and present and in laying out the mystery while developing the relationships between the characters. I really liked the journals, and would have liked to have had more of them as I was very interested in Mary.
There were a few areas that I felt were a little slow but overall I really enjoyed this book and felt it was very well written.
January 18, 2016
Based on the synopsis of the book, I wasn't sure what to expect from it. That feeling continued on with me during the first few chapters, but somewhere along the way I was completely charmed by The Light of the World. If I wasn't reading the novel, then I wanted to be reading it. If I was reading the novel, I was wishing for more minutes to keep reading it. I was reading it everywhere. At home, on the bus, during breaks at work -- you name it. No matter where I was I probably had my head buried in my phone to read this novel. I'm glad I read through my initial doubts because I was entranced.
December 21, 2015
The Light of the World is beautifully written, the imagery is so immersive it feels like you're there with the characters.
As captivating as the plot is, it's really difficult to connect with the main character. Eva was a little hard to relate to, her depression was somehow the center of the story and yet treated like it was irrelevant at the same time. Her story line felt a little predictable as well, but it was charming nonetheless.
Mary and her letters are definitely the highlight of the book, and it gave the overall feel of the book an air of mystery.
As captivating as the plot is, it's really difficult to connect with the main character. Eva was a little hard to relate to, her depression was somehow the center of the story and yet treated like it was irrelevant at the same time. Her story line felt a little predictable as well, but it was charming nonetheless.
Mary and her letters are definitely the highlight of the book, and it gave the overall feel of the book an air of mystery.
December 24, 2016
This was a very interesting read. Nice characters and an interesting plot. But just as things got really exciting, it kinda fell apart for me. I think the story is just too big for one book. Too much is left unexplained making it feel very rushed when it could have easily gone on and on. It's a shame really, because the writing is good. It could have been great.... But for me, ended up being just ok.
December 19, 2015
From the first page. I was drawn in. No book has completely captivated me like this one did Inc a long time. It only took me about three hours to read and I'm glad I did.
From the vast and numerous descriptors that utterly draw you in, to the accurate depiction of a girl surviving depression while not making it the focal point of the story, this one definitely deserves a 10/10 rating.
From the vast and numerous descriptors that utterly draw you in, to the accurate depiction of a girl surviving depression while not making it the focal point of the story, this one definitely deserves a 10/10 rating.
March 23, 2016
The book started really slow for me and it took a lot for me to get into the story, But once it did the characters, the plot where interesting, and things got really interesting. But the ending seemed all rushed and a lot things just didn't seem to be explained.
All in all, good quality writing and strong storyline... My rating 3.5
All in all, good quality writing and strong storyline... My rating 3.5
October 12, 2020
I expected to rate this book higher but for me it just did not work. I didn't work as a mystery, aa thriller, a fantasy or a romance - for me. Some folks - see other reviews - differ. The characters for me never really came to life even though the relationship between Eve and Liv felt real, the supporting characters were kinda gray.
This is just my opinion and to an extent reflects my state of mind when reading it so please make your own opinion.
This is just my opinion and to an extent reflects my state of mind when reading it so please make your own opinion.
December 21, 2022
I’m a fan of Ellen Simpson because of her work on the webseries Carmilla, so I was stoked to see that she wrote a book.
It’s a bit of a slow start but it starts to pick up speed when Eva finds her grandmother’s dairies. What started off as a pursuit to get to know her grandmother better after she has passed. Became an adventure to save everyone and everything existence.
*Trigger warning: mentions of suicide*
It’s a bit of a slow start but it starts to pick up speed when Eva finds her grandmother’s dairies. What started off as a pursuit to get to know her grandmother better after she has passed. Became an adventure to save everyone and everything existence.
*Trigger warning: mentions of suicide*
March 7, 2017
Mixed feelings. I enjoyed reading it and looked forward to the time I could spend reading it each day, but the writing was bumpy. A lot of times the characters had reactions that didn't make sense given what the readers had been told, but did make sense given what was coming later, which I see as the author not setting the scene correctly. For instance, it really bothered me that the main character Eva was upset that Theo, the historian, wasn't more interested in researching her grandmother and was instead focused on finding the Light of the World. But why should he be interested in Eva's grandmother, rather than the concept he tried to write a thesis on and that has apparently existed for centuries? He never felt selfish or ominous to me, even though Eva's comments about his obsessive focus on his own research (again, seems pretty normal) were clearly meant to be foreshadowing. And half of the "mystery" Eva was trying to solve could've been figured out by reading her grandmother's diaries, which for some reason she takes months to get through. It felt like the book needed a lot of re-writes, but I did care about the story.
April 9, 2016
At the back of her grandmother’s closet lies a mystery.
After her grandmother’s death, Eva finds a series of diaries detailing the life of a girl caught up in the magic of the Roaring Twenties. She cannot reconcile the young girl in these diaries with the miserable old woman she loved so fiercely. What happened to change her grandmother so drastically?
Eva starts to investigate the puzzle her grandmother left behind. With the help of a local historian and his enigmatic assistant Olivia, they find a forgotten labyrinth under the city streets. But they are not the only ones down there. Someone else is searching for the light of the world.
*I received digital copy from publisher through Netgalley, in exchange for review*
What an astonishing, beautiful novel.
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD is my type of a novel; it has mystery, suspense, love and fantasy in the mix which made it more fascinating to read. When I first came across it on Netgalley I had a feeling that it would end up being one of those novels that I would fall in love with. I did, I loved it from a minute that I picked up, because afterwards I couldn’t put it down till I reached the end. It’s an unusual love story, most of all because most of it was based around Evas’s grandmother’s diary entries after her death. Just like Eva, I got engaged into those entries like Eva did, and I wanted to figure out the mystery, I wanted to know who this Wren was and what happened to her, as much as Eva did. There was so much mystery and suspense that surrounded Mary’s old diary entries. It caused Eva to discover part of her grandmother that she wasn’t aware of. I felt like I went on this journey of discovery, along with Eva. I had a feeling that I was there with Eva, reading the entries along with her and getting sucked into her grandmother’s secrets that I wanted to recover.
Of course like Eva I loved reading Mary’s entries, I felt myself getting so into Mary’s story like Eva did and at same time wondering if there was more between Wren and Mary than a friendship. The bond that two of them seemed to have, just like Eva I had a feeling that there was more than friendship. It would also make sense about the moods that her grandmother would get on occasion, because of what happed to Wren. It was like she couldn’t get over her first love. It like the light went out of her, just like her grandmother kept telling her for most of her life. Even though I loved the relationship between Mary & Wren, I loved one that Eva and Olivia had even more. The relationship that two of them was different, you could tell that there was something there, but yet it felt like Liv was afraid to act upon those feelings, and it made sense why that is later on. I could tell that Liv had a big effect on Eva right from a start, and I had myself wishing they would get together and of course that kiss towards end, had me smiling because I knew that it was what they been waiting for all this time.
The suspense, mystery and fantasy added into mix, made the story come alive. Despite THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD being a fictional novel, it felt real to me, every single page and every single chapter. Olivia, Eva and Al surrounded by the mystery of her grandmother, and finding out who Wren was and of course The Light of the World who Theo seemed obsessed over most of his life. Of course it made me curious about as well. Even though I had a feeling that Liv was hiding something, especially way that she would distance herself sometimes; I never imagined that she would be part of it. She surprised like she surprised Eva. The action and suspense in this novel was amazing and so vivid that I could actually picture everything that was going on. I still can’t get the story out of my mind. I keep wondering what will come for them after. I ale ready have feeling that ELLEN SIMPSON would be an author that I am going read for years to come. I can’t wait to see what adventures she comes up with next.
After her grandmother’s death, Eva finds a series of diaries detailing the life of a girl caught up in the magic of the Roaring Twenties. She cannot reconcile the young girl in these diaries with the miserable old woman she loved so fiercely. What happened to change her grandmother so drastically?
Eva starts to investigate the puzzle her grandmother left behind. With the help of a local historian and his enigmatic assistant Olivia, they find a forgotten labyrinth under the city streets. But they are not the only ones down there. Someone else is searching for the light of the world.
*I received digital copy from publisher through Netgalley, in exchange for review*
What an astonishing, beautiful novel.
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD is my type of a novel; it has mystery, suspense, love and fantasy in the mix which made it more fascinating to read. When I first came across it on Netgalley I had a feeling that it would end up being one of those novels that I would fall in love with. I did, I loved it from a minute that I picked up, because afterwards I couldn’t put it down till I reached the end. It’s an unusual love story, most of all because most of it was based around Evas’s grandmother’s diary entries after her death. Just like Eva, I got engaged into those entries like Eva did, and I wanted to figure out the mystery, I wanted to know who this Wren was and what happened to her, as much as Eva did. There was so much mystery and suspense that surrounded Mary’s old diary entries. It caused Eva to discover part of her grandmother that she wasn’t aware of. I felt like I went on this journey of discovery, along with Eva. I had a feeling that I was there with Eva, reading the entries along with her and getting sucked into her grandmother’s secrets that I wanted to recover.
Of course like Eva I loved reading Mary’s entries, I felt myself getting so into Mary’s story like Eva did and at same time wondering if there was more between Wren and Mary than a friendship. The bond that two of them seemed to have, just like Eva I had a feeling that there was more than friendship. It would also make sense about the moods that her grandmother would get on occasion, because of what happed to Wren. It was like she couldn’t get over her first love. It like the light went out of her, just like her grandmother kept telling her for most of her life. Even though I loved the relationship between Mary & Wren, I loved one that Eva and Olivia had even more. The relationship that two of them was different, you could tell that there was something there, but yet it felt like Liv was afraid to act upon those feelings, and it made sense why that is later on. I could tell that Liv had a big effect on Eva right from a start, and I had myself wishing they would get together and of course that kiss towards end, had me smiling because I knew that it was what they been waiting for all this time.
The suspense, mystery and fantasy added into mix, made the story come alive. Despite THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD being a fictional novel, it felt real to me, every single page and every single chapter. Olivia, Eva and Al surrounded by the mystery of her grandmother, and finding out who Wren was and of course The Light of the World who Theo seemed obsessed over most of his life. Of course it made me curious about as well. Even though I had a feeling that Liv was hiding something, especially way that she would distance herself sometimes; I never imagined that she would be part of it. She surprised like she surprised Eva. The action and suspense in this novel was amazing and so vivid that I could actually picture everything that was going on. I still can’t get the story out of my mind. I keep wondering what will come for them after. I ale ready have feeling that ELLEN SIMPSON would be an author that I am going read for years to come. I can’t wait to see what adventures she comes up with next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2016
With the first half of the blurb and the cover I was expecting a book that was primarily historical fiction, Eva sitting in a closet and reacting to her discoveries of a side of a loved one that she hadn’t seen before. This is not that book, well, maybe slightly. Instead of a tale of forbidden love in the 1920s, we’re given a story that hugely incorporates fantasy elements to weave a tale of duty, destiny, love, and family, and the book is probably better for deviating from a standard concept.
The Light Of The World centers of Eva Kessler who, following the death of her grandmother, discovers diaries from 1925-1926 in a box in the closet of her grandmother’s apartment, which they are clearing in order for it to be sold. Eva becomes enamoured with the tales of Mary’s past life and soon wants to investigate the people mentioned in it, plus the concept of ‘the light of the world’. This leads her to Theo, Al, and Liv, who help her investigate the events of 1925 and how they may possibly be linked to the current day. This leads them on a journey that none of them could have expected.
I wasn’t expecting two queer storylines in this book, nor was I expecting talk about depression and mental health, and I was pleasantly surprised on both counts. There are obvious parallels between Mary and Eva, which we see almost immediately, and as we learn going through the book, there are parallels between Wren and Liv too. I did like these, and the ideas they brought up about true love and destiny, however I felt some of the concepts didn’t fit.
The concept of ‘the light of the world’ was also a little confusing, and whilst it was nice to see a different approach to a queer love story, it sometimes felt like the fantastical elements were a little confusing. I walked away feeling as though the concept wasn’t actually explained in the book, and it was just a thing that was there. The idea of the cycle being broken and Liv and Eva being free to love each other didn’t feel completely explained either. It seemed to go a little against the idea of Liv and Eva being drawn to each other. I would have been able to believe that upon their deaths, a part of the souls of The Guardian and Their One would have been transferred to Liv and Eva, and a sort of reincarnation process happening. This could have explained the immediacy of Liv and Eva’s feelings, and why they were attracted to each other, however it felt that the breaking of the cycle meant this wasn’t the case, even though this was the impression I got halfway through the book.
I also think there wasn’t enough explanation or fight from the antagonists, the shadows, and why light and darkness was such a big deal. I also think the magic of the light was unexplained too, it was simply there and something we had to accept as we were reading it.
Admittedly, I did prefer reading Mary’s diary entries and seeing the relationship between Wren and herself develop, and I wish we could have seen more of this. I thought Mary was an incredibly interesting character and I loved the glimpses of her that we got to see, as tragic as they were.
I appreciated the crossover of fantasy and historical fiction however I think there could have been a different idea, or execution of the current idea, that would have made the story flow better.
Most of all, I love that these girls got a happy ending, and the epilogue/interview showed us that Liv managed to write her book, get it published, and that people loved it. I think if Ellen Simpson ever did want to write a sequel or spin-off to this, then Talbot’s Girls – Tales of the 1920s would be a great and interesting fictional book to write.
The Light Of The World centers of Eva Kessler who, following the death of her grandmother, discovers diaries from 1925-1926 in a box in the closet of her grandmother’s apartment, which they are clearing in order for it to be sold. Eva becomes enamoured with the tales of Mary’s past life and soon wants to investigate the people mentioned in it, plus the concept of ‘the light of the world’. This leads her to Theo, Al, and Liv, who help her investigate the events of 1925 and how they may possibly be linked to the current day. This leads them on a journey that none of them could have expected.
I wasn’t expecting two queer storylines in this book, nor was I expecting talk about depression and mental health, and I was pleasantly surprised on both counts. There are obvious parallels between Mary and Eva, which we see almost immediately, and as we learn going through the book, there are parallels between Wren and Liv too. I did like these, and the ideas they brought up about true love and destiny, however I felt some of the concepts didn’t fit.
The concept of ‘the light of the world’ was also a little confusing, and whilst it was nice to see a different approach to a queer love story, it sometimes felt like the fantastical elements were a little confusing. I walked away feeling as though the concept wasn’t actually explained in the book, and it was just a thing that was there. The idea of the cycle being broken and Liv and Eva being free to love each other didn’t feel completely explained either. It seemed to go a little against the idea of Liv and Eva being drawn to each other. I would have been able to believe that upon their deaths, a part of the souls of The Guardian and Their One would have been transferred to Liv and Eva, and a sort of reincarnation process happening. This could have explained the immediacy of Liv and Eva’s feelings, and why they were attracted to each other, however it felt that the breaking of the cycle meant this wasn’t the case, even though this was the impression I got halfway through the book.
I also think there wasn’t enough explanation or fight from the antagonists, the shadows, and why light and darkness was such a big deal. I also think the magic of the light was unexplained too, it was simply there and something we had to accept as we were reading it.
Admittedly, I did prefer reading Mary’s diary entries and seeing the relationship between Wren and herself develop, and I wish we could have seen more of this. I thought Mary was an incredibly interesting character and I loved the glimpses of her that we got to see, as tragic as they were.
I appreciated the crossover of fantasy and historical fiction however I think there could have been a different idea, or execution of the current idea, that would have made the story flow better.
Most of all, I love that these girls got a happy ending, and the epilogue/interview showed us that Liv managed to write her book, get it published, and that people loved it. I think if Ellen Simpson ever did want to write a sequel or spin-off to this, then Talbot’s Girls – Tales of the 1920s would be a great and interesting fictional book to write.
April 6, 2016
Actual rating: 3.5
For me, The Light of the World was a very confusing book. I couldn't exactly understand what 'the light' was about and felt like the explanation was always only half there. Maybe it's because Eva it's too distant from the guardian's life and it would be better if Liv (or Wren) weren't so portrayed as these mysterious figures with nothing else besides their task.
Things I liked:
- Nice romance between the two girls with not too much drama. Very refreshing.
- Eva is a nice character who is easy to relate to.
Things I didn't like that much:
- The whole 'soulmates' subtletly was just too much. I don't think it was necessary.
- What is the Light of the World? I still don't understand.
- Too long chapters that made me feel like the story was dragging at some parts. Especially close to the end.
Still, this is a good LGBT+ book that I would recommend for people wanting to read some nice f/f stories.
For me, The Light of the World was a very confusing book. I couldn't exactly understand what 'the light' was about and felt like the explanation was always only half there. Maybe it's because Eva it's too distant from the guardian's life and it would be better if Liv (or Wren) weren't so portrayed as these mysterious figures with nothing else besides their task.
Things I liked:
- Nice romance between the two girls with not too much drama. Very refreshing.
- Eva is a nice character who is easy to relate to.
Things I didn't like that much:
- The whole 'soulmates' subtletly was just too much. I don't think it was necessary.
- What is the Light of the World? I still don't understand.
- Too long chapters that made me feel like the story was dragging at some parts. Especially close to the end.
Still, this is a good LGBT+ book that I would recommend for people wanting to read some nice f/f stories.
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