Published: August 2022
Series: Lightlark (Book 1)
Author: Alex Aster
Illustrator: N/A (Not Applicable)
Genres: Young Adult Fantasy, Romantasy, Adventure, Mystery
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 7-12 (Middle School and High School)
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads Link: Lightlark by Alex Aster
Triggers: Violence, Loss, Deception
Review By: Patricia Ranieri
Publisher’s Summary:
An instant #1 national bestseller—soon to be a major motion picture. #BookTok phenomenon and award-winning author Alex Aster delivers readers a masterfully written, utterly gripping YA fantasy novel
Welcome to the Centennial. Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die.
Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial. To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything. Filled with secrets, deception, romance, and twists worthy of the darkest thrillers, The Lightlark Saga is a must-read for fans of legendary fantasy writers Marie Lu, Marissa Meyer, and Leigh Bardugo.
Review:
My inner teenage girl absolutely LOVED this book! It immediately took me on the most magical adventure I’ve been on in a long time and I finished it in mere days. From the very first page, I felt like I was right there with the characters, exploring the enchanting world of Lightlark and beyond. Aster does a fabulous job of painting a vivid landscape and breathing life into every character. I love creating a visual world in my head when I read and this book made that easy to imagine.
What really sealed the deal for me was the magic. I loved learning about the differences between the main characters and what their powers had to offer in totality. Aster masterfully intertwines elements of magic with raw, emotional truths, creating a narrative that feels both fantastical and deeply relatable. As the story unfolds, layers are peeled back, revealing unexpected twists and revelations that keep the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end. There were also some hints of romance that added a sweet and tender layer to the story amidst the magical adventures, which I thoroughly enjoyed. But beyond the magic, “Lightlark” is a story about friendship and bravery, about finding your own light in the darkest of times. It’s the kind of book that leaves you feeling uplifted, and there is nothing I love more than a strong female lead.
I laughed, I gasped, and I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it. If you’re looking for a heartwarming adventure that will whisk you away to another world, look no further. If you love this, you’ll also want to read the second book that was recently published entitled “Nightbane.” And the best news of all? It’s going to be made into a movie! Trust me, it’s a five-star journey you won’t soon forget!
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- English Language Arts (Creative Writing & Tropes): Use the book to analyze the “Enemies to Lovers” and “Deadly Tournament” tropes in young adult fiction. Students can write a short story detailing a custom seventh realm, defining its unique curse, ruler, and magical powers.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Discuss the heavy themes of deception, isolation, and burden that Isla carries. Students can explore how characters balance their duties to their communities against personal morality and relationships.
- Extension Activity (Book-to-Film Scriptwriting): Since Lightlark is slated to become a major motion picture, students can work in groups to select a pivotal scene from the book and write a 2-3 page screenplay adaptation, focusing on how to visually translate Aster’s vivid imagery and magic system.
- Read-Alikes: The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann, Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.
