A GLEAM OF LIGHT

by T.J. Wolf, M.L. Wolf, Rebekah Sather (Illustrator)

In 1995, at the age of eight, Una Waters survived a terrifying encounter at 30,000 feet aboard Flight 564 from Dallas to Las Vegas. It changed her forever. After 21 years, and a decade away from the Hopi Reservation where she grew up as a child, a surprise plea for help brings Una back, to solve a mystery that threatens their traditional way of life. The U.S. Army's sudden interest regarding a cave discovery in the Sacred Peaks has triggered alarm, leading to violence. With the help of friends, new and old, Una must confront her painful past, seek proof to qualify the ancient site for protection under law, and stand up to a stiff-necked general, whose agenda is more concerned with retrieving a mysterious power source.

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2016

About the author

T.J. & M.L. Wolf joined forces in the field of Healthcare, exploring mutual interest in the work of UFO researchers like Budd Hopkins and movie directors like Steven Spielberg. The History Channel's "Ancient Aliens" became a focal point of their quest to uncover the truth regarding humanity's purpose and how it pertains to our future. They write speculative fiction that appeals to Women and Young Adults. Married over twenty years, they live in Boardman, Ohio with their six-pound Yorkie, who keeps the family in line.

Reviews

[Savannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

**I was sent this book by the authors in exchange for an honest review**

Before I officially start my review, I would firstly like to thank the authors for sending this book to me. This was the first book that I have ever gotten sent to me for review and for that, this book will forever and always have a special place in my heart.

A Gleam of Light will be an interesting book for me to review because I have yet to read a book in this type of genre. The main character is from a Native American Hopi tribe, which is mainly what peaked my interest in accepting this book for review. What I didn’t know was that this book follows her as she tries to uncover UFO-like objects and secrets that the military is hiding.

As the characters go, they each had their own personalities but I didn’t seem to click with any of them. It may have to do with me being a teenager and me being so used to reading about teenagers, but none of the characters felt real enough for me to sympathize with any of them. They also felt lackluster and plain, most of them being used as plot points to move the story farther.

Following that, I felt like Una was the only person with drive and any sort of reason to uncover the truth. Not just that, but I also felt like things were too easy for her. Whenever there was a roadblock it seemed like a solution was thrown her way in order for her to overcome that roadblock.

The story itself felt kind of flat to me. There were a lot of truths being uncovered and discovered by the characters but it still felt like nothing was actually happening or changing.

This story did fall due to the showing instead of telling of the writing, which is unfortunate because it could’ve been something great if the authors spent some more time developing the characters and brushing up plot points.

What I did like is the Native American culture explored in this book. I am part Native American myself so it was nice to read a book about that. In the future I would like to read more books with Native American culture because it is a topic that peaks my interest.

The ending was satisfying enough for me. There are supposed to be two other books coming out in this trilogy for those who are interested in learning more about these characters and how everything ends up going down. Since I was satisfied with how things ended I don’t think I will be picking up the second and third books, but I will be reading reviews to see if the structural issues I had are fixed and improved upon.

Overall, the premise of this book was intriguing but for someone that doesn’t believe in UFOs, I’m unsure whether I was the right fit for this book or not. If you’re interested in UFOs then this book would be more your taste than it was mine, but I appreciate the authors sending the book to me nonetheless because it’s something I never would’ve picked up on my own.

You can check out my blog for more book reviews here.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read my review on my blog
A good read and quite a change from anything else I've previously read. Being from the UK, Native American Indian land protection laws are not something one comes across in everyday life and this book has given me an insight. The plot, whilst interesting, lacked pace and could have benefited from being cranked up a notch. I presume that's due to it being book one in a trilogy; i.e. book one sets the scene, book two develops the plot and book three ties up loose ends. It will be interesting to see how authors T.J. & M.L. Wolf move the story forwards in books two and three.

Thanks to authors T.J. & M.L. Wolf for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sci-fi mystery set in the land of the Hopi captured my imagination and I simply had to pick up my earbuds and listen in.

Una Waters grew up on the Hopi reservation and the story opens when she is a child on Flight 564 when a strange phenomenon is spotted outside the plane. It is her first encounter with strange circumstances and it is a call for help, years later, that brings her full circle to home, to her Hopi heritage, and another set of strange circumstances.

My knowledge of the Hopi is limited to where they live, Kachina dolls that represent gods, blue corn, and a bit of their mythology about coming from another dimension through a hole in the ground that I gleaned from other stories. Needless to say, I was thrilled that A Gleam of Light had a Hopi heroine and delved into the Hopi people, their circumstances, their history, and their beliefs with a careful attention to accurate detail. I was not disappointed at all when the plot slowed to explain.

I enjoyed how the story was both the sci-fi mystery I was anticipating, but also a journey of the heart for Una. She left her Hopi past behind when she fled the reservation after losing her parents and as a result, she lost a bit of herself. I liked that the story emphasized her struggle for what she felt were two separate people inside her and slowly she came to have peace and understanding.

There was some danger and suspense as Una searched for answers of what brought the military to the reservation while protecting her people who were caught up in the trouble and I was happily startled to see some familiar, if much older faces, of some people Una met briefly in the past take pivotal side roles.

But, as much as I enjoyed this story, I do have to admit that it could be a struggle because of long sections of monologue, but also how the suspense deflated each time circumstances allowed Una out of what should have been tight spots. I also felt that there should have been more attention to character development for those around Una. I couldn’t quite connect to them as a result of not having enough on them. Maybe this comes in future books.

Kat Bohn was a new to me narrator. I took a bit to get used to her style. Eventually, I settled in but I had to do this each time I left the story and came back to it. I thought she did well at the Native American accent though I couldn’t tell you if it was southwestern or not. I thought she did well with male voices and there were several though some didn’t quite match the age of the person or so it seemed to me. I thought the Native music and drums between chapters was a nice extra in the excellent production side of the book.

All in all, I enjoyed A Gleam of Light and am curious about what comes next for Una though a listener could treat this as a standalone story just fine. I recommend this one for those who don’t mind a story split between sci-fi suspense, descriptive details, and thoughtful passages.

My thanks to the authors via Audiobook Empire for providing a copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review.

[Marian Thorpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two-and-a-half stars is my actual rating. Drawing on ‘documented’ UFO sightings, Hopi cosmology, and some non-mainstream interpretations of various petroglyphs, religious practices, and experiences from around the world, A Gleam of Light pits a young Hopi woman and a reporter against the U.S. Army in a race for the secrets buried deep within a cavern on Hopi land.

The concept of using the cosmology of a people whose beliefs can be interpreted to mesh with UFO and alien sightings isn’t new – I’m old enough to remember – and to have read - Chariots of the Gods, by Erik Von Daniken (although that was marketed as non-fiction.) It’s a decent premise for a book, and in many ways A Gleam of Light reminded me of Dan Brown’s books, building a story around a race to interpret symbolic messages left by a previous generation. Throw in some action and settings reminiscent of Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, and you’ve got the general idea.

But while it’s a decent premise, the Wolfs don’t quite pull it off. The book suffers from a number of structural issues: uneven pacing; exposition disguised as conversation (usually almost monologue) to give background or explanation; coincidences that stretch credulity, solutions to dilemmas that just come a little too easily. I think there is a good adventure story here, and one more rewrite under the guidance of a good developmental editor could have brought it out.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Magical World of Words

(Thank you to the authors for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.)

This was a fun book! It's quite different from the books I usually read, and although it didn't blow me away, it was a fun, solid novel that kept me entertained.


The writing is good, and although it's in third-person the narration is smooth and very engaging. The scenes are strong and easy to place, and there's just the right amount of description for them to be vivid but not overwhelming.

It's a sparkling story. Richly, deeply researched, and overflowing with diversity and a side of history I've personally never heard about. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into Hopi culture and way of life, and the story makes the facts interesting. But it is a very complicated story, and in part due to the structure (which I'll get to in a bit) it does get very confusing towards the end. I honestly struggled to understand the ins-and-outs of Una's mission.
One of the biggest issues with this book is the structure. It's a mess, with no clear plot points and terrible direction. There's also far too much exposition, and the info dumps unload information that's cluttered, complicated, and hard to follow. I was frequently confused.

The dialogue glows with characterization, but unfortunately it's also rather on-the-nose. That gets distracting as the story goes on, and it personally irritated me.

The main characters are clearly defined and Una is a strong and capable heroine. She grows a lot throughout the course of the book and has a nice heap of back story, but I also felt like she was missing something. Maybe I would've liked to have seen more of her childhood and relationship with her parents (which is so frequently referred throughout the story) instead of it just being mentioned and addressed in the story. I needed the hint of back story, and I needed to see it in action. I didn't feel like that was properly balanced.
The romance is basically nonexistent, and that left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, it's nice to see Una's motivation so focused on her people, and yet it's also hard to believe Jack and Una's friendship is so completely clean. Their relationship lacks even the commonplace male-female sexual tension, and is so completely neutral that it feels unrealistic. That was something I struggled to understand.



A Gleam of Light is a rich, solid story sparkling with engaging writing and historical detail. But the structure is a mess, and the plot itself could use a lot of work. It's a good book, but not an amazing one.

[MaryEllen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Gleam of Light is the first book in the trilogy about Una Waters. After leaving the Hopi reservation, she is drawn back to her childhood home to help her people uncover the mystery behind the US Army’s occupation of their land and why they have such an interest in a cave discovered in the Sacred Peaks. She soon finds her past experience onboard Flight 564, along with some of those who were also aboard, are entwined with the current events she finds herself in and as she becomes more involved, she is reunited with her Hopi ancestry and their traditional way of life.

This was an interesting story in which suspense, mystery, science fiction and history all entwined to create a modern government conspiracy involving the Hopi Indians and the possibility of alien influence. There were a variety of relational plots surrounding most of the main characters that kept me reading and wondering how all of them were going to work together to the book’s conclusion. I enjoyed reading A Gleam of Light because it sparked my imagination. I also really liked the cover illustration created by Rebekah Sather. The colors depicted on the cover were beautiful and triggered my imagination as well.

The writing of T.J. and M.L. Wolf was engaging and easy to read; however, there were a few dialogs between the characters that were missing a word or two. Not a big deal overall, but it did distract from the story when that happened. I tend to engulf myself in the story, so when a sentence doesn’t run ‘smoothly’, it throws me out of the story and takes me back to reality. This only happened a few times, but it was enough to notice. (I thought about jotting the pages down when I came across them to send to the authors, but of course when this happened I didn’t have a notebook or pen around to write it down.)

If you are a fan of conspiracy theories, or like a good mystery novel, then reading A Gleam of Light will definitely be worth your while. Same for those who like history and learning about the Hopi Indian. I liked how the authors began each section of the book, there are 5, with a Hopi quote. This quote gave you a little sneak peek at what the following chapters would hold, kind of like a clue to help you along your way.

For more information about the trilogy, visit the authors’ website at http://tjwolfauthor.com/.

*** Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ***

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Gleam of Light is a fresh take on Science Fiction that combines history, mystery, and the classic “we are not alone” alien intrigue. Centering on a woman’s return to the Reservation of her childhood, the first book of The Survival Trilogy is more than a conflict between the Hopi people and the U.S. Army whose suspicious interest in their land threatens everything; it is also a personal journey that involves confronting the mysteries of the past. The Wolfs infuse their narrative with Hopi mythology and actual reportings of UFO sightings, and the grounding elements of authenticity in an otherwise fantastical story bring a thrilling shock of reality to the reading experience.

Although my knowledge of Hopi history is weak, it was clear that the authors had done extensive research on the topic. I loved that they chose Native American settings and mythology as the focus of their novel – especially considering the fact that I’ve never truly been exposed to it in the past, much less in the SciFi genre. However, there were passages when the integration of research into the story itself was weak. It’s difficult to weave background information into a plot without it compromising the storytelling effect, and unfortunately there were more than a few instances where the scales tipped a little bit too much towards “textbook”. This had a huge impact on the pacing of the novel, which was rather stilted at the beginning where the information dumps were most frequent.

The other issue I had with A Gleam of Light was the lack of tension. There was simply no thought given to the pulse of the story – sure, there was a plot and a general direction for the characters to follow, but it felt dead. Any conflict that could have won back my interest either sprung up out of nowhere or disappeared with zero implications for the larger storyline. Stories need a heartbeat, they need to make the reader feel something, and the way to do that is by building suspense and subverting expectations. Sadly, this was the main area where the writing really fell flat.

Criticisms aside, though, I truly appreciated the authors’ obvious investment in their work, both in terms of the endless hours they must have spent writing and researching and rewriting, and with regards to the emotional energy they poured into it. It was so refreshing to have diverse characters at the forefront of a SciFi novel, especially considering the fact that it aimed to educate readers about Hopi lifestyle and history. Overall, A Gleam of Light is worth a try for its refreshing perspective.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Gleam of Light has many of the elements of a first-rate thriller: a sympathetic protagonist, mystery, conflict, and a fascinating backdrop. It's clear that a great deal of thought and research has gone into this book. These elements, however, need to be put together differently to keep the reader really turning its pages.

With respect to the characters, Una Waters is an appealing heroine. The deaths of her parents and her estrangement from her ancestral tribe and lands give the potential for a very moving character arc as the story unfolds. Unfortunately much of her backstory is "told" rather than "shown," as are the revelations that this or that plot development "changed her life." Colin and Jack are also intriguing characters, but are underdeveloped in various ways. I'd like to know more about Una's unfinished business with her childhood friends, her life in DC after her parents were killed, and how Colin rose to the rank of general at such a young age (if he was a bratty child on the opening plane flight, he couldn't be much older than Una herself). In general I wanted to know what Colin and Una saw in each other. In over 300 pages I didn't get a good sense of what any of these characters really looked like, let alone what specific mannerisms of speech or behavior they might have as adults.

In addition to those three main characters, there are just too many secondary characters in this book to keep track of. Many have unusual names, and they surface briefly only to disappear again for long stretches, or forever. The archaeologist seems to exist only to provide info dumps about tribal cultures and UFO sightings. And this may be just personal taste, but I don't need to see the "surprisingly precocious genius child wows adults with unexplained alien knowledge" trope in SF ever again. Or if I do, it needs to come with a really unique twist, which it doesn't here.

This book opens with "You have to believe in gods to see them." --Hopi proverb. I'm a skeptic by nature. I don't watch the X-files and I am impatient with conspiracy theories. That being said, I enjoy reading and watching Science Fiction and Fantasy, and I am happy to suspend my disbelief to immerse myself in a well-imagined, well-written fictional universe. In order for the universe in this book to function that way for me, it needed more suspenseful plotting and a more climactic ending. It also needed to integrate the authors' painstaking research more seamlessly. Instead, its tone and setting waver unsatisfyingly between gray realism and New Age spaceyness. I am an outsider to Hopi culture, so I trust that the research and cultural anthropology in this book are authentic, but I don't know if that is the case. I became more confused and overwhelmed than awestruck by everything that was discovered during the journey into the cave. This material might make a better screenplay than novel, because I got the sense that the characters were seeing something that I wasn't. I also didn't understand why the main events of that journey had to remain secret at the end, except that this is the first book in a trilogy. This is a worthy effort but the authors may have bitten off a bit more than they can chew.

[L. S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure what goes better together than traditional Native American legends and ancient aliens. Seriously. Looking back at tales of sky people and creation stories—why can’t aliens be the answer? Now, the word ‘alien’ is never technically used, but…we all know. We want to believe.

After a crazy incident on a plane at 30,000 feet, Una Waters ends up distancing herself from her home. Now, as an adult, life has called her back to her Hopi roots. It winds up being exactly what she needs. A cave’s been discovered not far from her home, and now the military threaten the place she grew up.

The first thing this novel makes clear is that the main character, Una, is a POC. Not white, not ambiguous—she’s straight up Hopi and proud of it. In fact, not only does it focus on Hopi legends and traditions, but the plight of the Hopi and many other Native American cultures. They’re trying to preserve what little they have left with all the resistance from the white man. In many ways, the story parallels current events. There’s a lot of information given about the tribe, and it helps the reader to sympathize with Una’s plight. The information comes in intervals, as it becomes relevant to the plot. Quite a bit of time and effort appear to have gone into researching the subject matter. Things don’t feel stereotypical.

With very much a Circle of Life vibe, the novel eventually comes full circle, as well. Coincidence is one thing, but the foreshadowing placed at the beginning of the novel shows that coincidence and fate are very intertwined.

If you’re looking for an action-packed thriller, you’re looking in the wrong place. For all of the conflict that does occur, the tone of the novel is still pretty mellow. It reflects Una’s character well. While she recognizes when she should have a sense of urgency, she feels very much at peace with herself and things around her. It’s an envious state of mind, to be sure. The relaxing narrative helped the reader to sit back and learn something new.

There was an incredible message wrapped within the entertaining narrative. It’s educational. A Gleam of Light is spun in such a way that it would make many UFO chasers sit down and say: “yes, please.” It’s only book one, and I’m very interested to see where Una’s journey’s takes her next.

[Carrie Westmoreland Kurtz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that A Gleam of Light isn't my favorite genre book. I don't often enjoy many science fictiony books. They just aren't my preference. With that being said, I'm still not sure that my lack of love for this genre is the reason that I didn't really enjoy the book.

I actually had a few issues with it. Not major issues, but when you add them up it makes for a lower rating. First, I think that there was just too much going on in this book. Too many themes and circumstances. Maybe if they were all in individual books, or ever a few per book, it could have been a little better.

Next, I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. Usually when I read a book I connect with at least one of the characters. I can either picture the situation they are in as if I'm living it or I can feel as if I know the person and can somewhat sympathize with the character. I never felt a connection throughout this whole book. It was very disappointing to me. It makes a book really hard to read.

There were cringe-worthy lines and sections of the book that made it especially hard to read. I came across another reviewer who brought up one line in the book (They laugh at me because I'm different, I laugh at them because they are all the same) and she mentioned that she has come across that statement enough times that she wonders if it could be considered plagiarism and even if it isn't, it is such a cliche line to be used yet again. There was also a part where Una started crying because her friend was crying and it was referred to as being a "woman thing." Not my favorite part, for sure.

I think that the only thing I enjoyed about A Gleam of Light was learning some things about the Hopi Culture that I hadn't heard of before. I haven't read many books about Native Americans before so I found that pretty interesting.

All in all, I didn't really care for this book. I hate posting negative reviews. It's heartbreaking to say negative things about something that someone worked so hard at. However, I have vowed to be honest in my reviews. No matter how hard it may be sometimes.

*Note: I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

[K.J. Simmill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una Waters had left the Hopi Reservation after her parents' death, she was unsure if she would have ever returned if not for a letter begging for her aid. Something was happening on the sacred peaks, and they hoped as a recognised person, she could act as a mediator between people, keep the peace, and find a way to stop the unwanted military activities in the years. Something strange was happening there. The military had arrived in force and a strange light, a death, and an unexpected gift seem to be just the start of the mysterious events. The military is determined to find answers, and they don't care about respecting the land and beliefs of others. Unless Una can find the proof she needs to protect the site then an integral part of the Hopi history could be lost forever. But finding proof when the site is guarded by the military is near impossible, and there is more occurring than meets the eyes, something that links back to something she experienced as a child. Eager for answers she undertakes this journey, but can she face the truth of what she may find?

A Gleam of Light is a science fiction story by T.J and ML Wolf. One of the things I appreciated most about this book was the fact I not only enjoyed a captivating tale, but I also learnt something. I enjoyed reading about different aspects of Hopi beliefs, combined with adventure, challenges, and Una's journey. Her journey is one of discovery, not only into the events occurring on the peaks and the past, but into herself and the connection she had almost forgotten with the land and life. A Gleam of Light has a strong cast of main and supporting characters, all of whom have their own roles to play in advancing the plot. There are many aspects woven wonderfully into this story, from beliefs and culture, to alien abductions, UFOs, and conspiracy theories. This is the first book in The Survival Trilogy, but it was written in such away the story stands alone, while paving the path for what may follow.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Una Waters was nine years old, she had a strange experience. She spends the rest of her childhood impatiently waiting to get off the reservation, which she does when she turns eighteen. Now Una works for the Department of the Interior and is called back when the military starts performing operations on a mountain sacred to the Hopi. Of course Una is ready to fight for her people and ends up on an adventure beyond this world.

This story combines history about Native Americans, the possibility of UFO’s and aliens, and a government conspiracy. Una has an interesting experience that shakes her at an early age and she watched the US government cover everything up. Now she works for the government and now has the knowledge to fight back when she learns of them trying to take over a sacred cave. From there we go on a race against time, following clues, and finding out the truth.

Whenever you talk about aliens the Hopi will eventually work into the conversation because of the pictograms that resemble people in space suits or aliens. The Hopi mythology leads a lot to interpret to many people that believe in aliens. Just watch an episode of Ancient Aliens and you will understand what I mean.

This part of the book I had no problem with. Unfortunately it was the execution of the story that cause me trouble. The narration was rough and jumped all around. It is the first book in the series and I know you have to work out the bugs but I think they could have reviewed it just one more time before releasing it. Having said that, A Gleam of Light is a good story and leaves thing open for the next book. I would be interested in reading the second book.

I received A Gleam of Light from the author’s for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Gleam of Light is my favorite of The Survival Trilogy. I am appreciative of character-driven plots, and book 1 did a great job of defining the three main protagonists of the story. Una Waters, the Hopi Indian woman, Jack Howser, the reporter and Colin Ashcroft, US Army General. The three actually met briefly as children on an airplane flight that happened to bump into a mysterious UFO. Years later, fate brings them together again as the military develops a sudden interest in something on Hopi land.

Una’s childhood with her parents and later, her government job serve as her background to becoming the Hopi representative to face the Army and help protect the land. Jack is the reporter digging up a story and Colin is the general in charge of the Army operation to determine what is under the mountain on the Hopi land.

Kids getting into trouble, mysterious effects of touching an ancient artifact, the need to protect the land and the desire to learn the truth all affect the story that has an end that is also a beginning. There is a hint of a coming change and people like Una may be the ones to best make sense of it and survive the aftereffects.

Alien conspiracy, Hopi, Chinese, similar ancient cultures separated by geography, invasion, military secrets and black ops, missile attack, red-yellow-white-black, teletransportation, alien abduction, transcendental wisdom. If any (or all) of these subjects have ever piqued your curiosity, A Gleam of Light is what you should be reading.

Thanks to the authors who provided copies of their books in exchange for my honest review.

[Jessica Foley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I was provided with this book, A Gleam of Light, free of charge so I could read it and create this review. All opinions are my own.*

A Gleam of Light is a sci-fi mystery story. The authors T.J. and M.L. Wolf put together an interesting novel. It’s the story of a young aboriginal woman who must return to the reservation where she grew up to help the community save their traditional way of life.

When Una moved away from the reservation with her family, the flight she left on encountered something otherworldly. She and the other passengers were never given an adequate explanation. Then a plea for help brings her home to the traditional life she left behind.

The Sacred Peaks of her home are suddenly of interest to the US Army, and the local folks are up in arms. They reach out to Una to return home and help them protect the ancient site from the hands of the US Government. She feels the pull of her homeland and returns to confront her past, only to discover there is a lot more going on than a random government mission.

The writing of this novel is quite good. There are some areas where it is not clear who is speaking, or of whom the author is writing. It did take me some time to really get immersed in the story, as I was unsure what importance the introduction had to the rest of the novel. It’s another example of a good story with a weak beginning. Once you get to the meat of the story the flow really improves.

If you like quick sci-fi stories, I’d recommend A Gleam of Light.

[Donna Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you ever feel like you were searching for a type of book that you didn't even realize you were looking for? The perfect book that was just what you wanted to read at that particular moment and time? And when you run across a book that fits the bill perfectly, it feels like serendipity? Well, "A Gleam of Light," by husband and wife writing team T.J. and M.L. Wolf, was that book for me. From the moment I opened and read the first pages of this enchanting tale, I was hooked. The description didn't give me a whole lot of clues as to what I was going to read, but as the story unfolded, I found it to be a mystical, otherworldly and totally riveting story.

Una Waters is a Hopi Indian, raised on a reservation that she couldn't wait to leave, who is called back to investigate the mysterious actions of the U.S. government in guarding a secret in a sacred cave. Hoping to have their presence removed and the site classified for protection under the law, Una is determined to help in any way she can. Having encountered the alien and supernatural as a child, and with her experience as a Department of the Interior worker, she is more than capable of investigating this mystery.

As she stumbles across old faces from her past, a series of events will lead her even deeper into the extraordinary and magical secrets of the universe. And as you read this wonderful book, you'll begin to think that all things come together for a purpose and the very fact that you're holding this great book in your hands was meant to be. This is book one of The Survival Trilogy, and I can't wait to delve into this world once again when book two is available. What a fantastic reading experience this was.

**I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review**

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una Waters experienced an encounter at 30,000 feet on a flight when she was eight and it changed her from that point forward. 21 years later she returns to the Hopi Reservation she grew up on to answer a plea for help from a childhood friend. It appears that the US Army has become interested in a cave on their tribal grounds. She finds she has to try to prevent violence, deal with the General in charge and produce proof to register it for protection as an ancient site. As part of doing that she has to revisit the past and retrieve whatever the US Army is really there to find.

There are many layers in this story that are seamlessly woven together to build a story that chronicles the traditional clash between Native American culture, progress with a hint of something not of this world mixed in. A dramatic story that will pull you in so that you have a need to read the next story to find out what happens next. Well written and very enjoyable.

[Linz The Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a copy of A Gleam of Light from T.J. and M.L. Wolf in exchange for an honest review.

I appreciate being sent a copy of A Gleam of Light, but unfortunately, I did not enjoy it at all. I think there was just way too many themes and ideas going on and it didn't make it feel cohesive or believable. There were some good ideas, but the characters were flat and had no personality. There were some very cringe-worthy phrases in the book, and overall it just wasn't enjoyable to read.

For my complete review, please check out : http://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2...

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book was really exciting and different. I have yet to come across a book that ties Native American culture with the idea of ancient aliens. There are some who believe that aliens visited the first civilizations and helped them develop new technology to make their lives easier. This concept meshes perfectly with the mystery and folklore behind Native American culture. I haven't read any other books linking these two ideas so I was very interested in seeing what this book had to offer.

Unfortunately, there are quite a few things that take away from the potential this story had. My biggest issue was that the story had no sense of suspense because every obstacle that challenged the character was easily overcome. Stalked by a mysterious being? Una and her group of friends skate through the encounter completely unscathed. Labyrinth of passages to traverse? Una and her group never get lost and reach their destination in perfect time. Una needs to question a general of the U.S. army about what they want with the ancient site? No problem; Una, a civilian, is easily allowed into a classified, presumably top-secret, area to meet the general. The plot is chaotic in what occurs including my least favorite moment of the book which put me over the edge. At one point, Una and a character suddenly establish a romantic relationship which comes literally out of thin air. There is no hint of chemistry between the two before that moment and seems to go against who we've known the male character to be this entire book.

There is still a good premise between these pages but I just could not get behind some of the choices made with the plot. More time needed to be spent overcoming the challenges the main character faced so that it gives the plot a greater sense of urgency. And if there has to be a romantic aspect to the story, this needs to be developed so that it doesn't feel like it is just being thrown in for the sake of having romance in the story. With a few grammatical errors added to the mix, this book just did not live up to my expectations.

*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, going into this series, I was expecting more of a Sci-Fi story. Instead, I got a Native American-based contemporary with hints of Sci-Fi elements. 

The first few chapters got me invested, but unfortunately, I was disappointed shortly after that. 

I did find interest in the backstory with the Native American and government ties. I think that if you are looking for a series that involves their relations (or lack there of), this would be a great one to pick up. 

I gave this one 2 out of 5 stars. 

[Danielle Urban · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Gleam of Light holds a promising adventure ahead. The characters' struggles were realistic. The plot itself held some suspense over me. I was instantly intrigued as to what was going on that was so interesting that the army wanted to find. Then both Jack and Una have fears. Una's fear is the greatest. Her fear of planes is one that I could definitely relate to. The writers, T.J. & M.L. Wolf both combined multiple words within this one read. The Native Americans and that of the white Americans worlds. Loneliness, survival, and violence break out on the pages. The journey was good. However, I felt someething was missing. The pace seemed to be at a constant steady walk. A cave discovery held the entire interest. I felt that Una got her peace that she was searching for too soon. The ending itself didn't feel complete. As for characters like Jack, I didn't really get to connect with him as much as I did with Una. I would have liked to have explored more on him and Colin as well. Other than that, I liked reading A Gleam of Light.

[Jennifer Tooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Disclosure – I was provided a free copy of this book by the authors but have voluntarily chosen to write a review.

A thought provoking work of speculative fiction

“A Gleam of Light” is the debut novel by the author duo T.J. and M.L. Wolf. The story follows Una Waters, a Native American woman. As a child, she along with the other passengers and crew of America West Flight 564, encountered what can only be described as a possible UFO sighting at close range while traveling with her family from Dallas to Las Vegas. Now as an adult working in Washington D.C. the event so changed her that she has never traveled by air since. When she receives a message from a childhood friend urging her to come back to the Hopi reservation where she grew up, she feels compelled to return to her home and try to help the villagers with their problem. There has been an increase in military activity around the Sacred Peaks surrounding a discovery in one of the caves. The Hopis maintain that the site should be left alone as part of their history and may contain Hopi artifacts. The military does not agree and has set up a perimeter around the peaks that they are defending with deadly force as they dig and explore for an object they are only describing as “a mysterious power source.” Una hopes she can bridge the gap between the villagers and the military to bring the conflict to an end peacefully. Obtaining proof of the site’s historical significance for the Hopis would qualify the area for protection under the law but it will not be easy. Una will need the help of many if she is to accomplish this task.

When I was first contacted by the authors, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the story. I have read my share of fiction but have never really strayed into the realm of aliens or UFOs before. After poking around on the authors’ website, I stumbled on the trailer for the book. I didn’t even know that book trailers existed, so this was definitely a neat thing to see. Suffice it to say, the trailer grabbed my attention and I happily accepted a copy. Overall, I loved the story of the prodigal child returning home after many years, not knowing if she will be accepted or shunned. As a Hopi, she grew up there and belongs with her people on the reservation but having spent the last two decades in the “white man’s” world working in the US Capitol, she fears that she may be looked upon as not to be trusted. Carrying terrifying memories of flight 564 along with her parents’ tragic passing, Una must face more than just the military issue upon her return to her ancestral home as she realizes that she must embrace her heritage no matter what others may think.

Using the America West incident, which is a documented possible UFO encounter, as the backdrop of the novel, the authors have created an enjoyable read that is part “Indiana Jones” in places with also a bit of “Twilight Zone” tossed in for good measure. While not fast paced, A Gleam of Light moves at a pace that will keep the reader’s attention and interest. For me, this was one of those books where you cannot let your guard down and assume that things are being described just to set a scene or to tell a back story. As they story progresses, Una learns that she wasn’t the only one affected by the events of so long ago and finds comfort in this knowledge. Overall, this is a solid first novel from a pair of new authors. Being the inquisitive person I am, I found myself Googling many different places and ideas in this book which served to provide additional information that I was not aware of. For me, reading a novel that is a good story is great, but one that makes you think and maybe even learn something new while reading a work of fiction is even better. After reading “A Gleam of Light”, I am looking forward to book 2 in the Survival Trilogy – “The Dragon’s Glare”. Whether it is a continuation of Una’s story or another situation entirely, I am certain that I will not be disappointed and may even learn something new along the way.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This science fiction story is filled with UFOs, aliens, and Hopi mythology. Una Waters first encountered an unexplained - possibly alien - sighting when she was nine years old on a flight from Texas to Las Vegas. She saw through nine-year-old eyes the government cover-up of the incident. She spent her childhood living on a Hopi reservation until leaving for the outside world after the death of her parents when she was eighteen. Now, ten years later, she's working for the Department of the Interior in Washington, DC.

Una is called home to the reservation because some strange things are going on. The military is conducting some sort of operation on a mountain that is sacred to the Hopi. There has been a death of one of the young men from the town and another has been greatly changed. Her friend's son is the only one of the three boys who has seemingly escaped their adventure unharmed. As Una begins to investigate, she is assisted by Jack Howser who is a newspaperman from Winslow, Arizona, and another survivor of the same alien-viewing flight that Una was on.

Together the two begin investigating what is going on on the mountain and run into obstruction from General Colin Ashcroft. Una later learns that he was also on that fateful flight when he was a child. The story was filled with Hopi mythology and Una finds herself reengaging with the culture and beliefs she thought she had set aside when she left the reservations.

This book is a conspiracy theorists dream novel. All sorts of information about alien sightings and government coverups fill the pages. Fans of that sort of thing will enjoy this fast-paced story.