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Estelle #1
Bright
Estelle's entire life was planned. Her career had been chosen. Her future husband had been picked. Sure, she had her faults, but she tried to behave. She really tried. She just had too many questions.
She wanted to change everything about the world, starting with the night sky. The overly lit, decorated by projections, careening and spiraling, night sky.
So she came up with a bright idea.
Now she's a celebrity. She's a rebellious outlaw. She's a criminal.
And chances are, everyone she loves will be disappeared.
How could she have risked so much just to see the stars?
She wanted to change everything about the world, starting with the night sky. The overly lit, decorated by projections, careening and spiraling, night sky.
So she came up with a bright idea.
Now she's a celebrity. She's a rebellious outlaw. She's a criminal.
And chances are, everyone she loves will be disappeared.
How could she have risked so much just to see the stars?
Unknown Binding
First published December 31, 2013
57 people are currently reading
1778 people want to read
About the author
H.D. Knightley
13 books74 followersH.D. Knightley loves weaving tales about characters who are in way over their head. People faced with huge environmental issues—light-polluted skies, droughts, piles of hoarded things, encroaching water—that rise above and carry on anyway.
She likes a story in which everything is a disaster, yet they kiss in the end, so it's all good.
Her characters are not perfectly strong, more like creatively ordinary, yet capable of amazing things.
They include Estelle (The Estelle Series) who becomes a celebrity dissident for starting a farm; the Princess Amelia (Fly: The Light Princess Retold) who discovers gravity and rescues her kingdom from a drought; Edmund who scales heights to rescue Violet (Violet's Mountain); and the paddleboarder Luna (the upcoming Leveling) who finds love, shelter, and possible disaster, at the edge of a rising ocean.
H.D.Knightley lives in Los Angeles in real life and online at http://www.hdknightley.com
She likes a story in which everything is a disaster, yet they kiss in the end, so it's all good.
Her characters are not perfectly strong, more like creatively ordinary, yet capable of amazing things.
They include Estelle (The Estelle Series) who becomes a celebrity dissident for starting a farm; the Princess Amelia (Fly: The Light Princess Retold) who discovers gravity and rescues her kingdom from a drought; Edmund who scales heights to rescue Violet (Violet's Mountain); and the paddleboarder Luna (the upcoming Leveling) who finds love, shelter, and possible disaster, at the edge of a rising ocean.
H.D.Knightley lives in Los Angeles in real life and online at http://www.hdknightley.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 7, 2017
This book was a really great read, I’d even say it was one of the best books I’ve read all year.
The writing was great, the characters were real and relatable and interesting, the story was captivating, and there are many hidden layers within the story that you will easily find parallels within our own society.
I loved the character of Estelle and how she viewed her own little world in New City and began to question things around her, part of her “awakening”. Estelle always wanted to see the stars in the sky at night, but in her world there was too much light pollution so she wasn’t able to. I liked the ways Estelle discovered that things may not be all that they seem in New City and that there are other people living in the Beyonds enjoying a far different way of life, and how she wanted to give that life a try, despite all the barriers and consequences of doing so. The effect Estelle had on other people was amazing, not just on her family but on strangers in New City and the Beyonds as well.
This book was hard to put down at times as I became so immersed in Estelle’s story of striving for a different way of life that would make her feel like a real person and be a part of something, and educating others that it’s okay to question things, that it doesn’t necessarily mean that the present situation is wrong, just that there are other ways and means. I was hooked from the very beginning right through to the slightly emotional but happy ending.
Although this is the first book in a series, this could easily be read as a standalone as it answered all the questions in the ending, however, I will be interested to see what’s next for Estelle and her family and new friends so I’ll be moving onto the next book.
If you’ve ever dreamt of starting a new life, or dream of seeing the twinkling stars in a dark night sky, or thought of making significant changes in your life, then you will enjoy this book and be motivated and inspired to pursue your dreams.
The writing was great, the characters were real and relatable and interesting, the story was captivating, and there are many hidden layers within the story that you will easily find parallels within our own society.
I loved the character of Estelle and how she viewed her own little world in New City and began to question things around her, part of her “awakening”. Estelle always wanted to see the stars in the sky at night, but in her world there was too much light pollution so she wasn’t able to. I liked the ways Estelle discovered that things may not be all that they seem in New City and that there are other people living in the Beyonds enjoying a far different way of life, and how she wanted to give that life a try, despite all the barriers and consequences of doing so. The effect Estelle had on other people was amazing, not just on her family but on strangers in New City and the Beyonds as well.
This book was hard to put down at times as I became so immersed in Estelle’s story of striving for a different way of life that would make her feel like a real person and be a part of something, and educating others that it’s okay to question things, that it doesn’t necessarily mean that the present situation is wrong, just that there are other ways and means. I was hooked from the very beginning right through to the slightly emotional but happy ending.
Although this is the first book in a series, this could easily be read as a standalone as it answered all the questions in the ending, however, I will be interested to see what’s next for Estelle and her family and new friends so I’ll be moving onto the next book.
If you’ve ever dreamt of starting a new life, or dream of seeing the twinkling stars in a dark night sky, or thought of making significant changes in your life, then you will enjoy this book and be motivated and inspired to pursue your dreams.
November 3, 2014
I love the premise: there's so much light pollution that it's impossible to see the stars...more than that, there's really only one person that would like to, or even cares that she can't. Stars you see are rather old fashioned, out dated and have been vastly improved by sky projections in New Town! At first I thought New Town (newer, better, improved) had shades of the Capitol in Hunger Games, then with officially sanctioned betrothals I thought I had the measure recalling Matched by Ally Condie or Delirium by Lauren Oliver but I was wrong. Bright stands on its own merits.
The descriptions of New Town aspirations, the sheer materialism of it all, absent of emotions ploughing through their natural resources in quest for new and improved are great. And Estelle. Gradually awakening and resisting the environmental degradation New Town champions; forging her own path. There's drama, there's romance, there's overbearing bureaucracy, there's a struggle. There's everything you're looking for!
The descriptions of New Town aspirations, the sheer materialism of it all, absent of emotions ploughing through their natural resources in quest for new and improved are great. And Estelle. Gradually awakening and resisting the environmental degradation New Town champions; forging her own path. There's drama, there's romance, there's overbearing bureaucracy, there's a struggle. There's everything you're looking for!
August 20, 2016
Awesome!
This book is in my opinion a modern version of The Handmaiden's Tale. It is a story, that while entertaining and fun to read with the prerequisite happy ending, nevertheless has vast depths and a multitude of layers that can be discovered by a reader with each rereading, dependent upon their level of maturity and awareness. Like the movie "Idiocrocy", it too tells a tale of where our current path may take us, draws attention to possible consequences of actions, choices and habits that tend to slide under the radar of our consciousness until pointed out, brightly colored and left never to be unseen again. Absolutely a great read. Marvelous contemporary take on relevant issues. Two thumbs up. Five shooting stars.
This book is in my opinion a modern version of The Handmaiden's Tale. It is a story, that while entertaining and fun to read with the prerequisite happy ending, nevertheless has vast depths and a multitude of layers that can be discovered by a reader with each rereading, dependent upon their level of maturity and awareness. Like the movie "Idiocrocy", it too tells a tale of where our current path may take us, draws attention to possible consequences of actions, choices and habits that tend to slide under the radar of our consciousness until pointed out, brightly colored and left never to be unseen again. Absolutely a great read. Marvelous contemporary take on relevant issues. Two thumbs up. Five shooting stars.
September 12, 2014
trying again - I'd nearly finished my review and then it disappeared.
***THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS - READ AT YOUR OWN RISK***
I greatly enjoyed this book. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I read it a second time soon after reading it the first - mostly because the first time, I was so enthralled, I read it very quickly and the second time, I savored it instead.
The characters are well developed and really made me feel like I knew them.
New City felt a lot like I feel The Capitol is in The Hunger Games. Everything is always better, faster, newer, more. Don't worry about other people, just worry about yourself. It also reminds me a bit of how things often are here in our times. The blindly destroying/following/buying new and trashing old is better. So many follow along in that way, while, truth be told, reusing, repurposing, taking care of the old is such a good thing, and necessary too.
I love Estelle's window seat and when she has the gumption to make sure she continues to have that seat, I really fell in love with her. Will is SUCH a wonderful character, as is Terran. The names, Estelle (who looks for the stars) and Terran (who loves the dirt) are perfect.
MJ seemed a little judge-y at first, but then, when she realizes the full extent of what Estelle and her little group have done, I think she truly understands them and their desire to make their own choices and live in their own way.
I thought the protests were interesting - and how Estelle reacts to them. I was so happy when she started questioning.
I found Jack very interesting. I really didn't like him at various times in the book. In the end, I did. And I was glad that he and the rest were finally friends - or, at least tolerated one another.
Part of what I think I liked so much about Estelle is how real she was. Even when she was creating her own life and living outside, rarely showering, etc, she was so real in her wanting of things she didn't have. I think this is often the case. I know that there are times that I wish I had this or that object.
MJ and Estelle are wonderful female leads, which is refreshing. Neither of them truly need someone to save them. MJ is amazing. I love that she is a baby slinging/breastfeeding mama. SO cool to have that depicted in a novel. And she is so great about teaching Estelle, William, Terran, and Frederick about farming and growing and making your own food.
I know this is sort of disjointed. It is hard to put it all together while still trying to keep spoilers to a minimum.
I definitely recommend this book - especially for the tween/teen group, so they can see that it is okay to question things. In fact it is GOOD to question. Figure out your own path and make it happen.
Thank you, HD Knightly, for this thought provoking book.
***THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS - READ AT YOUR OWN RISK***
I greatly enjoyed this book. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I read it a second time soon after reading it the first - mostly because the first time, I was so enthralled, I read it very quickly and the second time, I savored it instead.
The characters are well developed and really made me feel like I knew them.
New City felt a lot like I feel The Capitol is in The Hunger Games. Everything is always better, faster, newer, more. Don't worry about other people, just worry about yourself. It also reminds me a bit of how things often are here in our times. The blindly destroying/following/buying new and trashing old is better. So many follow along in that way, while, truth be told, reusing, repurposing, taking care of the old is such a good thing, and necessary too.
I love Estelle's window seat and when she has the gumption to make sure she continues to have that seat, I really fell in love with her. Will is SUCH a wonderful character, as is Terran. The names, Estelle (who looks for the stars) and Terran (who loves the dirt) are perfect.
MJ seemed a little judge-y at first, but then, when she realizes the full extent of what Estelle and her little group have done, I think she truly understands them and their desire to make their own choices and live in their own way.
I thought the protests were interesting - and how Estelle reacts to them. I was so happy when she started questioning.
I found Jack very interesting. I really didn't like him at various times in the book. In the end, I did. And I was glad that he and the rest were finally friends - or, at least tolerated one another.
Part of what I think I liked so much about Estelle is how real she was. Even when she was creating her own life and living outside, rarely showering, etc, she was so real in her wanting of things she didn't have. I think this is often the case. I know that there are times that I wish I had this or that object.
MJ and Estelle are wonderful female leads, which is refreshing. Neither of them truly need someone to save them. MJ is amazing. I love that she is a baby slinging/breastfeeding mama. SO cool to have that depicted in a novel. And she is so great about teaching Estelle, William, Terran, and Frederick about farming and growing and making your own food.
I know this is sort of disjointed. It is hard to put it all together while still trying to keep spoilers to a minimum.
I definitely recommend this book - especially for the tween/teen group, so they can see that it is okay to question things. In fact it is GOOD to question. Figure out your own path and make it happen.
Thank you, HD Knightly, for this thought provoking book.
November 11, 2014
Actual rating 4.5
I enjoyed this book alot. It took me a long time to read it because I wasn't sure what the quality was going to be like. I liked the story, but I was able to predict some minor plot points. Overall the story was concise and conclusive both of which I appreciate.
I enjoyed this book alot. It took me a long time to read it because I wasn't sure what the quality was going to be like. I liked the story, but I was able to predict some minor plot points. Overall the story was concise and conclusive both of which I appreciate.
April 24, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads give away.....I loved it! Very different from the dystopian type books I have read before. Really enjoyed the premise and how everything revolved around Estelle wanting to see the stars! Highly recommend, and will definitely read this author again!
August 26, 2014
Amazing!!! Dramatic. Capturing. Restraining. Steps on you a million times with confusion. Then ends with the most predictable ending in the world. My typical book.
June 18, 2018
Apparently it took me two full years to actually finish this. The book was better than that, but the time span certainly tells you how much I have NOT read regularly for a long time. Just finished the last 15 or so pages. The book was not unique or earth shattering in its premise but was still an enjoyable read. I won this book through a contest here on Goodreads and love that I own an autographed copy. I do plan to read the sequel.
January 7, 2021
Ok I MIGHT be just a tad biased. This author writes my all time favorite series "Kaitlyn and the Highlander." She writes that under Diana Knightley
I like this one too. Not as much but it's a good story. While it's under the genre of Young Adult, it certainly isn't too young for even me...an 'old' lady. lol
Her series Leveling is also very good. Give them all a try.
I like this one too. Not as much but it's a good story. While it's under the genre of Young Adult, it certainly isn't too young for even me...an 'old' lady. lol
Her series Leveling is also very good. Give them all a try.
June 18, 2017
Wow, an amazing story, I loved it! I read the Estelle series out of order but would suggest reading all 3 in order:) It is so well written and easy to follow that it didn't matter I read book 1 last. I'm hooked and hoping for a 4th book!
April 26, 2023
Bright,curious
Searching to spot the DIFFERENCES requires you to focus like a true detective,this book I think is written so well,I have laughed cried been outraged, and felt her plight. So thank you D.N.
Searching to spot the DIFFERENCES requires you to focus like a true detective,this book I think is written so well,I have laughed cried been outraged, and felt her plight. So thank you D.N.
August 9, 2021
Cute story
Defiance after finding out the government controls all their citizens. Everyone is given drugs to cooperate. A 16 yr old figures it out and changes things.
Defiance after finding out the government controls all their citizens. Everyone is given drugs to cooperate. A 16 yr old figures it out and changes things.
July 10, 2023
**I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. **
It was OK. More for YA readers. First in a series of 3.
It was OK. More for YA readers. First in a series of 3.
December 24, 2015
Opening this book reminded me of the beginning of The Giver, or Fahrenheit 451, where small clues that this world is not quite what you are expecting begin to appear, and the curiosity to know more mounts very quickly. Like any good dystopian model, the things wrong with the society are actually things wrong with OUR society, just exaggerated. What makes this story a little different though is the warmth and heart, the lovable characters, and the feeling that you really do have so much in common with this band of revolutionary thinkers. If Bright were a fable, its moral would be, "Be the change you want to see," and far from pedantic, I still felt inspired after reading it. Then I ran for book 2! :)
January 24, 2015
I didn't know what to expect of this self-published debut novel. I received a free e-book edition of the book but it sat on my Kindle for several months before I finally came to it this week. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I breezed through the book. The characters were likeable; the story pulled me in. It may have been a bit fluffy at times, but I was happy to read a dystopian novel that for once didn't have excessive violence.
April 22, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads contest.
I could not get into the book so am passing it on to another reader.
I could not get into the book so am passing it on to another reader.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews