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The Lamplighters
A cursed city. A young warrior. A magical journey.
It’s always night in the city of Iveron. Black clouds smother the sky, and monsters called vexors lurk in the dark, ready to drag away the unwary.
Twelve-year-old Gan dreams of becoming a Lamplighter, one of the young heroes with their flaming spears who light the city’s streetlamps and keep the darkness at bay. Gan’s dream comes true—until his lamplighter crew gets ambushed beyond the wall and his beloved brother Brall is carried away by vexors. Gan vows to get him back, but his only remaining companion is Lyona, the ill-tempered daughter of the city’s most notorious miscreant.
Together, they must cross enchanted forests, befriend magical beings, and battle viscous creatures, until they reach the palace of the evil Fairy Empress Nymia, whom the vexors serve. In order to defeat the empress and get Brall back, Gan and Lyona will have to uncover the truth about Iveron’s curse, a mystery that could either save their city, or doom it.
It’s always night in the city of Iveron. Black clouds smother the sky, and monsters called vexors lurk in the dark, ready to drag away the unwary.
Twelve-year-old Gan dreams of becoming a Lamplighter, one of the young heroes with their flaming spears who light the city’s streetlamps and keep the darkness at bay. Gan’s dream comes true—until his lamplighter crew gets ambushed beyond the wall and his beloved brother Brall is carried away by vexors. Gan vows to get him back, but his only remaining companion is Lyona, the ill-tempered daughter of the city’s most notorious miscreant.
Together, they must cross enchanted forests, befriend magical beings, and battle viscous creatures, until they reach the palace of the evil Fairy Empress Nymia, whom the vexors serve. In order to defeat the empress and get Brall back, Gan and Lyona will have to uncover the truth about Iveron’s curse, a mystery that could either save their city, or doom it.
260 pages, Hardcover
Published December 15, 2022
6 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
J. Gabriel Gates
15 books218 followersAuthor J. Gabriel Gates is a native of Marshall, Michigan. The son of an English teacher, his passion for the written word began at a young age. During college, another passion – for performing – led him to get his B.A. degree in theater from Florida State University.
During his years in Los Angeles, he appeared in a dozen national TV commercials and penned several screenplays while laying the groundwork for his career as a novelist.
J. Gabriel now lives in Michigan, where he is on the city council of his small town and is the executive director of a prominent arts organization.
His novels include horror novel "The Sleepwalkers," and dystopian sci-fi epic "Blood Zero Sky" as well as the YA fantasy books "Dark Territory: The Tracks Book 1," "Ghost Crown: The Tracks Book 2," "Shadow Train: The Tracks Book 3."
Look for his new urban fantasy novel "Girl of Hearts" coming in June of 2022!
During his years in Los Angeles, he appeared in a dozen national TV commercials and penned several screenplays while laying the groundwork for his career as a novelist.
J. Gabriel now lives in Michigan, where he is on the city council of his small town and is the executive director of a prominent arts organization.
His novels include horror novel "The Sleepwalkers," and dystopian sci-fi epic "Blood Zero Sky" as well as the YA fantasy books "Dark Territory: The Tracks Book 1," "Ghost Crown: The Tracks Book 2," "Shadow Train: The Tracks Book 3."
Look for his new urban fantasy novel "Girl of Hearts" coming in June of 2022!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 30, 2023
The kids and I listened to this in the car on the way to school every day and we had an absolute blast with it. This is a classic style YA fantasy adventure that is so much fun. Definitely worth checking out. And Staghorn was our favorite. Kudos to the narrator as well.
January 13, 2023
So after some sleep, here are my thoughts about The Lamplighters by J Gabriel Gates. This book had me crying at 1 am and finishing it at 2 am on a workday so you know it's good!
So this book follows Gan a young boy from a high class family in Iveron, the cursed valley, who wants to prove himself, who wants to make his family proud and has a high sense of duty.
Gan wants to become a lamplighter like his father and siblings before him. A lamplighter defends their valley from horrible monsters called vexors. How do they do it? By keeping the lamps lit!
Our overconfident hero works throughout this book te become the best Lamplighter he can possibly be. He always tries to be heroic and make the best of every hand dealt to him. He's courageous, loyal and ready to defend everyone and everything he holds dear. Always with the best intentions even though his actions might backfire at some point.
While he sets out on an adventure with his comrades and everything goes terribly wrong, he ends up with a very unlikely ally. Lyona, the person he doesn't really like and thinks is a very odd girl. But how will he handle the hard truths he discovers allong the way? What happens when his ideals and believes don't entirely match up with his findings along the way?
Will Gan hold to what he knows or is everything he believes to be true based on lies?
Read to find out.
This book has adventure, mythical creatures, a fun magic system, is a real pageturnes, a great middle grade book that gave me Percy Jackson vibes at some point. Great read, 10/10 would recommend.
So this book follows Gan a young boy from a high class family in Iveron, the cursed valley, who wants to prove himself, who wants to make his family proud and has a high sense of duty.
Gan wants to become a lamplighter like his father and siblings before him. A lamplighter defends their valley from horrible monsters called vexors. How do they do it? By keeping the lamps lit!
Our overconfident hero works throughout this book te become the best Lamplighter he can possibly be. He always tries to be heroic and make the best of every hand dealt to him. He's courageous, loyal and ready to defend everyone and everything he holds dear. Always with the best intentions even though his actions might backfire at some point.
While he sets out on an adventure with his comrades and everything goes terribly wrong, he ends up with a very unlikely ally. Lyona, the person he doesn't really like and thinks is a very odd girl. But how will he handle the hard truths he discovers allong the way? What happens when his ideals and believes don't entirely match up with his findings along the way?
Will Gan hold to what he knows or is everything he believes to be true based on lies?
Read to find out.
This book has adventure, mythical creatures, a fun magic system, is a real pageturnes, a great middle grade book that gave me Percy Jackson vibes at some point. Great read, 10/10 would recommend.
January 15, 2023
The Lamplighters by J.Gabriel Gates @jgabrielgates
Release date: 1/19 on Amazon!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Middle Grade, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
🔥 Summary 🔥
Gan has dreamed his entire life to become a lamplighter and fulfil his duty to his city. Its not until he meets an Odd girl and embarks on life or death quest does he realise that not all is as it seems in his city of Iveron.
🤩 Review 🤩
What a stellar read to start the year! This one was pretty darn epic!
All the characters are so unique and quirky - we have our Mr Sunshine MC Gan, Miss Grumpy MC Lyona and a range of mysterious mythical companions. The character development was strong and it was so brilliant to see how the characters grew mentally and tackled challenges with a developed perspective.
Loved the dystopian adventure vibes of this one too, the world-building is absolutely beautiful and I loved being whisked away into this magical dreamland full of adventure and danger.
This middle-grade novel was utterly captivating and I can't wait for the young-ins to sink into this one ~ it was filled with this nostalgia, adventure and a good helping of hope. ~
The ending was quite unexpected too but satisfying!
J.Gabriel Gates. I need to read more! 😍
Stay safe, keep your spark alight and keep on reading,
Ellie 🔥
Release date: 1/19 on Amazon!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Middle Grade, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
🔥 Summary 🔥
Gan has dreamed his entire life to become a lamplighter and fulfil his duty to his city. Its not until he meets an Odd girl and embarks on life or death quest does he realise that not all is as it seems in his city of Iveron.
🤩 Review 🤩
What a stellar read to start the year! This one was pretty darn epic!
All the characters are so unique and quirky - we have our Mr Sunshine MC Gan, Miss Grumpy MC Lyona and a range of mysterious mythical companions. The character development was strong and it was so brilliant to see how the characters grew mentally and tackled challenges with a developed perspective.
Loved the dystopian adventure vibes of this one too, the world-building is absolutely beautiful and I loved being whisked away into this magical dreamland full of adventure and danger.
This middle-grade novel was utterly captivating and I can't wait for the young-ins to sink into this one ~ it was filled with this nostalgia, adventure and a good helping of hope. ~
The ending was quite unexpected too but satisfying!
J.Gabriel Gates. I need to read more! 😍
Stay safe, keep your spark alight and keep on reading,
Ellie 🔥
February 3, 2023
I backed this book on a Kickstarter run by the author and got an early e-book copy to read. The book reminded me of Jeanne duPrau's City of Ember series with a more magical, fairytale aesthetic. The main protagonist, Gan, has a fantastic story arc. Wanting to follow in the footsteps of his family, the dutiful (and sometimes prideful) Gan desires only to be the best Lamplighter in the city of Iveron, protecting his beloved city from the world beyond the walls. It's not long until he goes out on his first mission, led by the Grand Regent himself, and quickly finds his entire campaign party attacked by horrible monsters. Gan steps out into a dangerous world of vicious centaurs, duplicitous sirens, and corrupted beings known as Vexors. Following what he believes to be his duty, Gan embarks on a quest to save his fellow Lamplighters, only to have his ideals challenged by enemies and friends alike.
This is a great book for middle grade readers. Along with Gan, there are plenty of other enjoyable characters such as Lyona, Mira, and Staghorn the Wild, who each help Gan on his journey to end the curse upon Iveron that has plagued his city for several generations.
This is a great book for middle grade readers. Along with Gan, there are plenty of other enjoyable characters such as Lyona, Mira, and Staghorn the Wild, who each help Gan on his journey to end the curse upon Iveron that has plagued his city for several generations.
May 24, 2023
First I have to say we love audiobooks when we drive. This is the first adventure book we listened to as a family. My son (4) made me swear not to listen ahead and to pause it if he fell asleep. We had a long drive to see family and he was so caught up he didn’t sleep at all. He the told anyone who would listen about Lamplighters,Vexers and how he knew the Regent was evil but couldn’t prove it. We finished the book shortly after we made it home, listening on our sound bar while we unpacked and made dinner.
This story is a fun thoughtful listen if you are an adult. It felt very Narnia and City of Ember. It is gripping and worth of being acted out on playgrounds if you are a kid. I have a feeling I may need to figure out how to make a Lamplighter costume for Halloween. The author kept the tension without scaring the bejesus out of you and balance the funny, sweet moments with the main character growing into himself.
The narrator is pitch perfect! You believe from the first word he is Gan and the other characters flow so naturally you never have to guess who is speaking. Bravo.
Please tell me there are more stories of Gan to come.
This story is a fun thoughtful listen if you are an adult. It felt very Narnia and City of Ember. It is gripping and worth of being acted out on playgrounds if you are a kid. I have a feeling I may need to figure out how to make a Lamplighter costume for Halloween. The author kept the tension without scaring the bejesus out of you and balance the funny, sweet moments with the main character growing into himself.
The narrator is pitch perfect! You believe from the first word he is Gan and the other characters flow so naturally you never have to guess who is speaking. Bravo.
Please tell me there are more stories of Gan to come.
January 13, 2023
This is an enjoyable story about a boy who learns some hard truths about life and sometimes those around him. Gan spends most of the story pushing to be the best lamplighter possible, or at least what he’s made to believe is the best. Despite many opportunities presenting themselves for him to see that the things he’s been told his whole life may all be built on lies, he still holds strong to the only things he knows. But slowly, with the help of Lyona and the friends he makes along the way, he starts to see the truth. Seeing him come into himself and find his inner strength is great. Lyona and Staghorn are great supporting characters. Honestly all of the characters in this story are very well written and the little lessons the author through in are so great. I think this is definitely a great story for adolescents.
January 11, 2023
I enjoyed every minute of The Lamplighters by J. Gabriel Gates. It is a perfect middle grade story of an overconfident hero, who has a lot to learn and does so through the school of hard knocks. Gan lives in a world of darkness, where keeping lamps lit is the city's salvation from horrible monsters, called vexors. He longs for nothing more than to be a lamplighter like everyone else in his family. When things go south, he finds himself traveling with an unlikely companion, a girl he doesn't like named Lyona. Together they face hardships and challenges to find out the truth of their city's curse and undo it. I recommend this book to any young reader. It is fast-paced and will keep you glued to the edge of your seat.
January 27, 2024
This was an excellent book. Extremely well written. I would have given it seven out of five stars if I could because it was far above the average middle school material available. The word choice is poetic, inventive, and expressive. The book is fast paced. I finished it in two days. There is so much symbolism in the book that could be interpreted in so many ways. If I was still a middle school teacher, I would absolutely be adding this to my reading list. Book gave me Naria vibes but was more modern and relatable than Naria. I loved this book and enjoyed it as an adult. It’s a fantastic clean read. This one. This book deserves a lot more attention than it’s getting. The book has Sirens, fairies, and cintars. There are a lot of plot twists. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
January 19, 2023
I really liked this book! The world was super interesting and I had to know what happened. The main character did drive me a little crazy at times, but I had to remember he was very young. So he would be behaving that way. This would be a great book for younger readers to get into fantasy!
July 15, 2023
Must read!
I absolutely loved this book. I have enjoyed Gate's writing style in his other books but this tale was simply amazing to me. Character development is perfect. So many twists and turns, surprising developments and all storylines wrapped up. I highly recommend.
I absolutely loved this book. I have enjoyed Gate's writing style in his other books but this tale was simply amazing to me. Character development is perfect. So many twists and turns, surprising developments and all storylines wrapped up. I highly recommend.
May 2, 2024
This was a great read. I loved the characters and the world building. It's a satisfying one and done adventure but I'm really hoping this will be a series. I'm not ready to leave Gan behind.
November 23, 2024
Reminded me of how eragon is set up honestly. Took a bit to get into but once I was about 60 percent in I was hooked. I cant say I would read a followup but this wasnt bad.
December 5, 2023
This was fun middle grade fantasy story. It could be a bit dark at times, but the story was told through the eyes of a protagonist who had a rather sunny disposition—over confident, trusting, loyal and eager to prove himself—which made the dark parts feel much lighter. It was also a stand alone (although it feels like the door was left open for future adventures).
Gan has lived his whole life in the cursed valley of Iveron, where the sun never shines. Terrible monsters attack in the dark, and are only kept at bay by magical lamps lit by the Lamplighters—teenagers chosen to defend the city and heralded as heroes. Gan is eager to follow in his family’s footsteps and be selected for the Lamplighters, and the story starts near his selection day.
More and more layers start to peel back as the story progresses. Gan volunteers for a mission which goes sideways, and he ends up traveling outside of the valley with another Lamplighter, Lyona, and they embark on a dangerous quest, making new friends along the way.
Gan has a hard time accepting that the stories he’s always heard might not be true, and it does bring up some themes of thinking for yourself and not blindly following orders. I liked his character development, even though sometimes I wanted to slap some sense into him. But for being such a young character it does make sense that he would be so easily trusting of authority figures.
This book was a bit of a gem, because it was a middle grade book that actually felt like it was written for kids. A lot of middle grade or YA books lately have really felt like they were written for adults. Its a fun book to read as an adult, but this is definitely a good stand alone for kids.
Gan has lived his whole life in the cursed valley of Iveron, where the sun never shines. Terrible monsters attack in the dark, and are only kept at bay by magical lamps lit by the Lamplighters—teenagers chosen to defend the city and heralded as heroes. Gan is eager to follow in his family’s footsteps and be selected for the Lamplighters, and the story starts near his selection day.
More and more layers start to peel back as the story progresses. Gan volunteers for a mission which goes sideways, and he ends up traveling outside of the valley with another Lamplighter, Lyona, and they embark on a dangerous quest, making new friends along the way.
Gan has a hard time accepting that the stories he’s always heard might not be true, and it does bring up some themes of thinking for yourself and not blindly following orders. I liked his character development, even though sometimes I wanted to slap some sense into him. But for being such a young character it does make sense that he would be so easily trusting of authority figures.
This book was a bit of a gem, because it was a middle grade book that actually felt like it was written for kids. A lot of middle grade or YA books lately have really felt like they were written for adults. Its a fun book to read as an adult, but this is definitely a good stand alone for kids.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews