Beacon

Lantern #2

by Chess Desalls

This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B01N32H2TJ.

When Serah’s life in Havenbrim becomes unbearable, she accepts an apprenticeship with a celestial mechanic and glazier. Her master assigns her the task of opening a globe framed in copper. But the glass and seal are unbreakable. The solution to the puzzle traps Serah inside the globe, and transports her to a world where she longs for home.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2017

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does Machin have a feel for finding the lost and lonely children of Havenbrim? There clearly is something kind within the mysterious celestial mechanic and glazier’s soul as another forlorn teen comes to his door in search of the coveted apprentice position that will provide food and shelter for the one he chooses.

Serah has been tossed from her home by her stepmother. Alone, homeless and without food, she timidly approaches the door of the Master Machin’s shop, determined to show him how willing she is to work. When given the job, her greatest fear is making a false move and losing the master’s favor. But need she worry? She must dust the lanterns while pondering one question: how does the light get in the lanterns? What Serah will find is this is more than a mysterious puzzle. It is the question she will be able to answer in the most unexpected way as she is taken to another place and time, only to find that she does not belong and never will. It is through a magic portal that she will find her way home, back to Havenbrim, but will things be the same? Why has she come back when others have not?

Master Machin works in strange ways and author Chess Desalls has once again, brought a heart-warming tale of another life changed by the magical man. BEACON is another short, but magnetic read that brings the magic of words and the worlds they create to life. Another warm read filled with the magic of Chess Desalls’ imagination that shines like a diamond!

I received this copy from Chess Desalls in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Lantern - Book 2
Publisher: Czidor Lore, LLC (January 9, 2017)
Publication Date: January 9, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Print Length: 82 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Amy Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story more revealing of the mysteries and questions left from the first book. I love that the characters were more rounded and the word building was extended. The story itself was fascinating and fun to read.

Serah is desperate for an apprenticeship from Master Machin. Her family has given up on her and thrown her out to live on the streets. After her interview she is distraught to hear Master Machin tell her to come back in two weeks. What will she do for two weeks living in the forest? She barely survives and finds her apprenticeship full of mystery. Master Machin takes her into a room full of lanterns and asks her to open one. Nothing she tries works and he tells her it will take a while and has her clean all the other lanterns full of a mysterious light with no flame. One night with a full moon her destiny changes...

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this story for a fair and honest review!

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beacon is the sequel to Lantern, a novellette that I truly adored in 2016 and blogged about it here. I adored Lantern with all of my heart, and while Beacon was slightly different, I did enjoy it as well. This series does well in changing up the main story, but keeping it fitting the tone of the series. And this is one of those series that you'll want to read on a rainy or even snowy evening, while enjoying a warm tea or cocoa. It will make you all warm inside.

While Lantern was set in present day, Beacon takes us back to the times that Lantern doubled upon – and by 'times' I also mean sort of a different universe. This time we are following a half-orphaned girl who has no place to go and is feeling very abandoned. She gets to be an apprentice at Machin's workshop – the place where the lanterns from the first book are made. We get to see slightly more about how the lanterns work and we see how they will help Serah find a new place in the world where she feels like she'll never belong again. It's also a lovely take on how you can have a similar style of ending that is very different from the way the first story went! I truly enjoyed Serah's story and definitely do recommend this series.


Read Post On My Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter

[Tena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this as an audio-book in a LibraryThing Member giveaway. Wow... pretty darn good! The narrator, Janine Haynes, was awesome and the writer, Chess Desalls, even better. The characters were well developed for a novella. The time/ different-world travel was a great twist. I was actually starting to get attached to the characters when the story ended... I must have more!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid edition to trilogy. We learn more about Havenbrim and how Machin works whilst seeing it from a completely new set of eyes. Again, there's a hint of a mystery, so perfect for the Halloween season. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beacon by Chess Desalls was a good read. Sarah accepted an apprenticeship as a celestial mechanic and glazier. Some of her tasks take her to a world where she longs for home.

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beacon is book #2 of the Lantern series of young adult fantasy short stories. I read book #1 as part of the Darkness Echoes Halloween anthology in 2015.

Havenbrim is a medieval style village in Llum. Serah Kettel has been thrown out of her family home, and seeks an apprenticeship with Master Machin, a celestial mechanic and glazier. His home is filled with strange lanterns which glow with magical light. Serah’s job is to dust the lanterns and to work out a puzzle: just how does the light get in?

With the help of moonlight, Serah discovers herself inside a globe in a far off land. This place is very strange for Serah and she’s not sure this is where her future lies. She uses a magical doorway to return home, but much time has passed since she left.

Book #1 left many questions about Master Machin, some were answered here, although, with the length of the story, there are plenty more questions left unsolved. For myself I wanted a deeper storyline to sink my teeth into and more character explanation, however I am aware that I am reading a book intended for the YA market.

[Christina McMullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful follow-up to Lantern. In the foreword, the author states that she did not set out to write anything but a standalone story and I'm incredibly glad she changed her mind. While I enjoyed Lantern, I sure had some questions, especially about Machin and his motives. Beacon gives us a closer look at the curious lantern maker, along with a delightfully heartwarming story of his apprentice. Wonderful and highly recommended, like all of Desalls' works.

[Marco Marek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serah is a young girl but sadly she isn't welcome in her family. She interviewied Master Machin, but her goal is to be his apprentice, she make it after two weeks.
I liked she get into the globe and she was able to get out in another world and through a portal she were able to get back home. Nice book to read, the idea of the magic lanterns it's amazing.

[Tayla Potayta · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was okay. I hate when a series has different characters for each book. But I’ll get over it lol. The plot line was okay but it was the exact same as the first book. Except with this one she isn’t as happy as Jared was lol. She still has a miserable life lol.

[[ J o ]]

(Read the first book in the The Call to Search Everywhen series. Did not enjoy, therefore will not be reading anything else by this author.)

[Melissa Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The journey to the end is different. It's different for each person through the globes. I didn't expect the story to take the turn it did here, and I like it. The globe, the locket that's a door, and the delight to see who's where in the end. I know it sounds like I'm rambling, but it'll all make sense when you read or listen to the story.

****FULL REVIEW****
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Serah Kettel interviews with Master Machin to be an apprentice, to tend to the lanterns and let him know when one burns out. Machin asks her which new lantern bulb she likes. When she touches the one she picks, it smokes inside and she feels a shock that lands her on the ground. She's to return for her position as apprentice. When she returns, she expects to learn Machin's secrets to the lanterns. She didn't expect to live it.

Janine is a new voice for me. I thought she did well with the accents of Havenbrim and where Serah ends up. Giving each land a different feel from each other. The audio book sounded seamless as Janine narrated.

Serah is from a time when Halloween is very different than it is now, or where she ends up. Halloween scares Serah with all the creatures, blood, and body parts we have at parties. Seeing this new world and the way things are done opens Serah's eyes to what's important in life, and what she really wants with her family.

Of course we get a pleasant ending for Serah, after all. But the journey to the end is different through the globes. It's different for each person. I didn't expect the story to take the turn it did here, and I like it. The globe, the locket that's a door, and the delight to see who's where in the end. I know it sounds like I'm rambling, but it'll all make sense when you read or listen to the story.

Machin is always an interesting catalyst for stories. He creates the lanterns which lead these characters down their paths to where they need to be in their lives. I'm not sure if he finds them or if they find him, but he knows they will eventually find their happy ending.

It's a pleasant story that Young Adults can read/listen to and enjoy what the characters learn along the way about themselves.

[Melannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

I love Beacon even more than Lantern. I would love to read more. I see potential for many stories about Machin's apprentices.

[Ashlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

**contains spoilers**
I absolutely loved the first book in this Lantern series, but the sequel was a disappointment in comparison. I felt like it was building up quite a bit for the first 3/4 of the story and then it hit climax when she came to Grady's world. Then.... she went back home after a terrible experience there. Everything had changed in Havenbrim and she felt so alone until she found a different version of Grady. She decided to stay with him and "supposedly" lived happily ever after. The End.
There was no development at all with their relationship, the Tennessee Grady or the Havenbrim Grady, so I was shocked when she took the offer to live with him at the end. Both seemed very rude and unapproachable. Not much of a love story, but the world building was cool! Seeing Machin's shop a bit more was unique and fun. That's the only reason I gave it two stars.
I look forward to reading the 3rd book to see if it's better, like the first!

[Pintu Saw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beacon is a thrilling and fast-paced novel that mixes elements of science fiction and fantasy in a gripping way. The story follows a young protagonist who embarks on a journey that unravels mysteries about her world and her true identity. Desalls does an excellent job of building a unique and imaginative setting that captures your attention from the very first page.

The characters are well-developed, and the main character's growth throughout the story is compelling. The plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The book's pacing is steady, and while some parts are a bit predictable, the overall journey is enjoyable.

One of the highlights of the book is Desalls' writing style, which is clear and engaging. The world-building is intricate, and the mix of suspense, action, and emotional depth creates a balanced and immersive reading experience.

While the book does have its clichés, it doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the story. If you're a fan of YA sci-fi or fantasy, Beacon is definitely worth a read.

[Jenny Houle · Rating 4 out of 5]

So now I know a LITTLE bit more than I did in the first novella, but I'm desperately hoping that the third one will tie them all together and answer any remaining questions.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beacon ha una copertina che si discosta moltissimo dagli altri due, specie dal primo, Lantern, che ho inserito tra le migliori copertine di sempre.
Le due storie di Beacon e Torch si svolgono in gran parte nell'altro mondo, quello di cui avevamo sentito parlare pochissimo in Lantern, ossia il mondo all'interno delle lanterne.
Beacon si apre quindi ad Havenbrim dove vive Serah in condizioni miserevoli, sola e affamata nel bosco, fino al giorno in cui non inizia il suo apprendistato dal maestro che costruisce le lanterne. La sua casa nel bosco sembra incantata, piena zeppa di queste lanterne che non funzionano ad olio o con le candele, e che non si spengono mai.
Ma tutto cambia quando anche Serah viene intrappolata in una di queste lanterne.
Da qui in avanti il racconto prende una piega più triste rispetto a prima, forse perchè più triste è il luogo in cui finisce Serah, ossia il nostro mondo. I personaggi che compaiono da qui in avanti infatti non hanno nulla a che vedere con gli abitanti di Havenbrim, e mostrano il peggio dell'umanità.
Per quando riguarda entrambi i racconti, l'autrice è stata bravissima ad incentrare tutta la storia su un semplice oggetto come una lanterna, e creare uno splendido mondo fatato ben realizzato, ben strutturato e raccontato davvero molto bene.
Beacon ha un sottofondo molto più triste e malinconico, mentre Torch è più romantico, sull'onda del primo, Lantern.
Sono contenta che l'autrice abbia preso a cuore il suggerimento di dare un seguito al primo volume, perchè ha creato una trilogia semplice da leggere ma romantica e sognatrice, che consiglio ovviamente a tutti.