When Light Left Us by Leah Thomas Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens on February 13th 2018
Pages: 416
Format:ARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review
When the Vasquez siblings’ father left, it seemed nothing could remedy the absence in their lives . . . until a shimmering figure named Luz appeared in the canyon behind their house.
Luz filled the void. He shot hoops with seventeen-year-old Hank’s hands. He showed fourteen-year-old Ana cinematic beauty behind her eyelids. He spoke kindly to eight-year-old Milo. But then Luz left, too, and he took something from each of them. As a new school year begins, Ana, Hank, and Milo must carry on as if an alien presence never altered them. But how can they ever feel close to other people again when Luz changed everything about how they see the world and themselves?
In an imaginative and heartfelt exploration of human—and non-human—nature, Leah Thomas champions the unyielding bonds between family and true friends.
This is a very… different sort of book. I mean, you see in the synopsis that Luz is an alien who is having an impact on this particular family. A huge impact, basically. But I’ll let you read about that. Point is, an alien invading a family isn’t your run of the mill story. Also, this alien is kind of an asshole.
The book started off in a bit of a confusing way, and I wasn’t wholly sure what I was even reading. Was this contemporary? Was it sci-fi? The story is told through several POVs- the three siblings and their mother (technically, a little from Luz, too). I didn’t mind that part, actually. It’s a very character driven story, so I liked the opportunity to get to know all the characters in depth. My real problem with the beginning was that there wasn’t much happening, and I was confused, and it led to me not connecting immediately.
But then, as the book went on (and it’s a bit long for a contemporary, at over 400 pages), I really grew to care about this family. I needed to know their stories, I wanted them to be okay. Frankly, I wanted to know if Luz was even a real thing or a construct of their imagination, or something else entirely. I really had no idea where the story was headed, and I quite liked that!
I was also mildly disappointed by the end; it wasn’t quite as epic/surprising as I’d hoped. It wasn’t terrible or anything, mind you, and it very well may just be my personal taste. Maybe you’ll love it. But my investment in the characters outweighed my disappointments in this book. I loved watching them grow and develop, make friends and see their relationships change and evolve. I loved their interactions as a family, too. While they were often messy, they also seemed realistic. Their mother cared so much for them, but always felt overwhelmed and like she wasn’t doing enough. In turn, each of the children had their own crosses to bear. It all felt incredibly honest.
Bottom line: While the plot was on the slow side, and I had some moments of confusion, the characters and the love they shared made up for my dislikes.
I do really really like character driven novels!! And I actually felt this way about the author’s debut though, like I liked it but it was also confusing as to where it was going?!? So I’m interested to read this one AND cautious. ? Because I’m a distrustful grape apparently.
I consider myself a character driven reader. I have read a bunch of, what I consider, “Seinfeld” books, where very little happens, but you get to know the characters very well. I get attached, I care, and it doesn’t seem to bother me that they are just trudging through their mundane existences. I am glad this story picked up for you (because I am reading it soon), but I may struggle with a disappointing ending, because that’s my thing.
I was torn on whether I wanted to pick this one up but I hate seeing it was slow especially since it is on the longer side. I am glad your investment in the characters outweighed the things you didn’t like. Great review!
I’m all for character-driven plots, as long as the characters can capture my interest. Otherwise, it doesn’t really work, does it? This is on my list of books I wanted to read this year, and I probably will, as soon as I can get my grubby little hands on it. :3 I’m interested in the characters, if they were that good. I’m a sucker for good characters.
I am glad you stuck with this one. I struggle when I don’t connect well with the characters in the beginning of the book. Great review!
I like character-driven novels. If the characters are interesting, I don’t care if the book is plotless. I don’t like confusing books, though. This novel sounds kind of cool. I love that cover. Great review!
I was curious because “asshole alien”. I love character driven books too. They are always super memorable for me. I’m sorry the ending was a bit disappointing though. That sucks. I’m glad it didn’t take away from your enjoyment too much!
Great review, Shannon!
Aliens? Really. From Leah Thomas?? I’m not sure what to think about that. I might give this a try. Not sure though. Thank for the review.
Great review! I’ve been debating on whether to pick this one up or not because it does sound extremely intriguing! I definitely have not read anything like it before but, at the same time, I’ve been known to DNF slow paced books. It is on my Wishlist and I’ll just have to think about it a bit more!
I’m definitely a character-driven reader but, man, am I on the fence about this one. I like the paranormal(ish) synopsis but the fact that things are somewhat unclear (like wondering if Luz was even just a figment of their imagination)… I don’t know. With that kind of uncertainty I feel like I need a big pay-off at the end but it sounds like even that was on the low-key side. Gonna have to think about this one.
I tend to prefer strong plots. The depth of character development matters to me, but if it’s just a book about nothing I can’t even start to care.
Ooh nice cover! I do like character driven stories, and a good plot too, but if I had t pick one I’d probably go with characters- if I like the characters, or if the development really works, which is a whole other topic I guess lol. Anyway this one sounds really different! One of those books where you’re like WTF is happening at some points, maybe? And it’s funny about the whole is Luz real? Like if you find out at the end I would be good with that, but if it’s all ambiguous there’s a good chance I might get frustrated? Depending on how it’s handled of course. Still, the family relationships sound fabulous, and the author obviously made you care, so that sounds like a win. 🙂
I just found out about this one a few weeks ago and I was also very confused by the synopsis… BUT also equally intrigued. I love stories that focus on characters and how they grow (how I connect with them is so much more important to me than the actual plot), so I’m pushing this one a bit higher up on my TBR! Excited for it to come out. Awesome review, Shannon! <3
Hmmm… slow really gets me (especially when combined with confusing), so I don’t think I’ll read this one. Though I do like your investment in the characters.
Huh somehow this one slipped under my radar because I have never heard of it. It doesn’t sound like a book for me but I’m glad you really enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing,
~Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
I haven’t heard of this one either but probably because it is yet to be published. Great review. I appreciate your honesty on this one because it’s one I would likely add to my to-read list.
I really enjoy character-driven novels! I have seen this one around and I have read the author’s debut a little while ago now. I remember enjoying it and really caring for the characters, so… I think I might enjoy that one as well? The idea is quite original and… to be honest, I’m all for books where I end up caring a whole lot about the characters, so… I can’t wait to read that one 🙂
Lovely review! 🙂
Love me a character-driven story, and I like the idea of not fully knowing whether Luz is legit an alien or a figment of the family’s collective consciousness or what. Twisty plot points like that always hook me! It’s too bad about the ending though, I definitely know the feeling…like the bookish version of a deflated balloon. ?
I love character driven stories – it’s the reason I loved Leah Thomas’ previous books so much. I’m a fan of strange sci-fi/contemporary blends so I’m hoping to love this book just as much as the other books I’ve read from her. But I know it doesn’t work for everyone in that the sci-fi element often is more of a backdrop – which can be annoying if you were expecting more explanation. I’m glad you could find things to enjoy about this book even though it wasn’t totally for you!
Yep yep yep I agree with you on all the things. I did enjoy the end, but I admit it was a very weird turn for the author to make. Since this was a contemporary, I was kind of expecting the book to take a mental illness sort of approach, but surprisingly it didn’t. And that was kind of cool to me haha.
I am not sure this one is going to be one for me because it just seems a bit long for what it is supposed to be. And the general confusion feels like something that would effect me too. But I am glad you were able to enjoy getting to know the characters in this one, it sounds like the best aspect of the book!