This Raging Light by Estelle Laure Pages: 288
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on December 22, 2015
Genres: Young Adult, contemporary, Romance
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
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.
This Raging Light is author, Estelle Laure’s debut novel. It is a young adult standalone contemporary romance, and it is a very moving read. Lucille is the main character, and after some issues with her parents, she is left to care for her younger sister Wren. It is a lot to dump on anyone, let alone a teenager.
Lucille made a bad romantic decision right off the bat. One that had me cringing, because it is one of those things that you know is not going to end well for someone. She fell hard for her friend’s twin brother. And oh yeah, he had a girlfriend. I wasn’t sure how everything was going to play out, but Estelle Laure made me believe. She made me believe in the characters and most importantly, she made me believe in the romance between Lucille and Digby. Estelle Laure’s writing had a very lyrical feel to it, which helped made me fall into a reading rhythm easily. This kind of writing is very hit or miss for me, but it worked well in This Raging Light.
What I really enjoyed about This Raging Light was how flawed and messy the situations in the plot were. I know that may sound kind of strange, but I found myself getting closer and closer to the characters because of their flaws and because of the imperfectness of this first love story. It was all very true to teenage dramatics. (which, by the way is another element that is very hit or miss with me. ) I sometimes feel the drama to be over the top and annoying, but if it is well done and plays an appropriate role in advancing the story, I don’t mind it. I don’t like drama just for drama’s sake. And I don’t feel like that was the case in this book.
Bottom line: If you are a fan of angsty teenage contemporary romances, with beautiful writing, This Raging Light is a great book for you. If you are not one of angst and drama in your young adult, maybe look for a different read. I enjoyed This Raging Light. I found it to be a very moving read.
This Raging Light by Estelle Laure is 'a very moving read' @HMHKids @starlaure @BookBriefs #review #ya Click To Tweet
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Check out the rest of the tour
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
1/4/2016- The Cover Contessa– Interview
1/5/2016- Just Commonly– Review
1/6/2016- Fire and Ice– Guest Post
1/7/2016- Adventures in Reading– Spotlight
1/8/2016- Once Upon A Twilight– Review
Week Two:
1/11/2016- Curling Up With A Good Book– Interview
1/12/2016- The Candid Cover– Review
1/13/2016– BookHounds YA– Guest Post
1/14/2016– Book Briefs– Review
1/15/2016– Such a Novel Idea– Interview
About Estelle Laure
Estelle 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.
Ally Swanson
Excellent review! This book sounds like such a fun and interesting read. Also, I really like the book cover! Very pretty and colorful! Looking forward to checking out this book.
Penny Olson
Great cover. I enjoyed the review. Thanks!