Title: This Raging Light
Author: Estelle Laure
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Release Date: December 22, 2015
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ABOUT THE BOOK
Can the
best thing happen at the worst time?
Her dad
went crazy. Her mom left town. She has bills to pay and a little sister to look
after. Now is not the time for level-headed seventeen-year-old Lucille to fall
in love. But love—messy, inconvenient love—is what she’s about to experience
when she falls for Digby Jones, her best friend’s brother. With blazing longing
that builds to a fever pitch, Estelle Laure’s soulful debut will keep readers
hooked and hoping until the very last page.
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MY THOUGHTS
If I had to choose a word to describe Estelle's debut novel, This Raging Light, it would be "poetic." In many ways, the initial struggle Lucille and Wren faced in This Raging Light may very well be what we don't see happening all around this world. Their mom left them to fend for themselves, while only sending one $100 bill in the mail, once in weeks, not caring if they can survive or possibly encounter dangerous situations!! I don't understand how parents can do that to their child(ren), and stories as such does happen. The responsibility to take care of Wren falls heavily on Lucille's shoulders and it pains me to think of how realistic their situation are.
How Lucille manages to "survive" through the help of friends, with every step easily resolved seems a little far-fetched, especially when no one reports to authorities regarding their situations. However, I still like to believe it is possible. There are good people out there. Those that will encourage you, pray for you and help in practical and non-practical ways.
Life is constantly moving. There will be surprises and many situations that are unexpected, and what makes this poetic is how we see everything come together. There may not be an ending as you wish or how you'd like it to be, but it's the journey and what one learns through this journey that moves you forward.
There is a love story, though it's not something I want to dwell on, because for me, Lucille's process is what makes this book worth the read. And it's the process that readers hope for. Estelle's debut novel is one that gives surprising insight to the convoluted and easily matured minds of young adult / teens. A fast and quick read, that will tug at your emotions. Interested? Enter below for the tour-wide giveaway to win your own copy (hardcover) AND Essie nail polish, color to match this awesome cover! (Love this cover, by the way!)
NOTE: I received an ARC through Rockstar Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
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GIVEAWAY
3 winners will receive a hardcover of THIS RAGING LIGHT and a bottle of Essie Nail Polish that matched the book cover. US Only.
3 winners will receive a hardcover of THIS RAGING LIGHT and a bottle of Essie Nail Polish that matched the book cover. US Only.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOREstelle Laure is a Vonnegut worshipper who believes in love and magic and the power of facing hard truths. She has a BA in Theater Arts from New Mexico State University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and thinks everyone should have to wait tables or work in a kitchen at least once in their lives. She lives in Taos, New Mexico with her children.
Nice thoughts. Sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful book to read. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great- and like just the type of book I love to read! I can't wait to pick it up! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFirst, this cover is BEAUTIFUL! Adding to my TBR now. Great review!
ReplyDelete