This Raging Light by Estelle Laure has an absolutely stunning cover, however, I had a very hard time enjoying this book. The main character isn’t one that I could easily connect with. Also, there are many loose ends at the end of the book, which left me wondering so many things. However, the writing in this book is truly beautiful and I was able to keep reading because of it.
Author: Estelle Laure
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: December 22, 2015
Rating:
For fans of Jandy Nelson and Rainbow Rowell comes a gorgeous debut novel about family, friends, and first love.
Lucille Bennett is pushed into adulthood after her mom decides to “take a break”…from parenting, from responsibility, from Lucille and her little sister, Wren. Left to cover for her absentee parents, Lucille thinks, “Wren and Lucille. Lucille and Wren. I will do whatever I have to. No one will pull us apart.”
Now is not the time for level-headed 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.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: This Raging Light by Estelle Laure
❀ Main Character is Whiny
The main character in This Raging Light, Lucille, was one that I just couldn’t bring myself to relate to. I actually found her to be quite whiny and not very considerate of her friends. It really felt unrealistic and actually rude that Lucille was so pushy with her friends and forcing them to help her. I just feel like considering the situation Lucille is in, she could have been a lot kinder to those she loves instead of demanding things from them all the time. There was just something off-putting about Lucille and I really need to empathize with a main character to find a book enjoyable.
❀ Too Many Loose Ends
This Raging Light seems sort of incomplete at the end. There are so many loose ends, like where the mom actually went, and how the characters take care of themselves in the end. I believe that this is a stand-alone, so I wish that I could figure out exactly what happened to each of the characters in the end of the book, instead of never knowing. This is another personal opinion, so if you are fine not knowing how things work out at the end of a novel, this book may be one that you enjoy.
❀ A Well-Written Novel
Despite the fact the the main character in This Raging Light is not very likeable, and there are questions left unanswered, this book is very well written. There are some very beautiful passages that add to the sadness of the book and help the reader realize what is really going on. This fact made up for the main character and the ending, and kept me reading.
❀ Debut Novel
This Raging Light by Estelle Laure has a pretty bossy main character and so many loose ends that affected my enjoyment of this novel immensely. However, the writing in this book is really wonderful. I look forward to reading more from this debut author, as I believe she has some real talent, despite my criticisms of this particular book.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.