The Light

The Light

by Kate Thomas

4 out of 5

Synopsis
With the truth of Ellie’s place among the Balance Keepers finally coming to light, training now begins. She must learn to harness the powers that are growing within her, some spiraling out of control. Confusion and frustration become her constant companions, as her search for answers does nothing but push her further from the man she’s come to love.

David is The Light, the speaker of truth, the whisperer of good in the world. His desire for more than he can have with his new apprentice tears at the fabric of his own stability, bit by bit. He knows what the future holds — and just how damning it will be for Ellie if she’s not prepared to handle it — but he’s forbidden to help.

As tragedy becomes reality, will she reach for The Light, or run into the soothing arms of The Darkness?




Review
Ellie has accepted her part in the elite group that work tirelessly to maintain balance on earth.  Now all she has to do is learn how to control her powers, as well as discover the mystery of why she has been chosen.

The Light is a fun short read.  It is part 2 in the new Equilibrium series, following smoothly on from The Core.
I was cautious about reading something that classed itself as New Adult - it's a genre I have a little less patience with.  But I needn't have worried, this is a good book, regardless of genre.  It has a little bit of romance, and a little bit of the paranormal, and keeps your attention until the end.

I like Thomas' writing style, she manages to easily draw you along on the adventure and, as I have said before, she loves a good cliche.  I have a theory that the author scoops up all the cliches in the genre and says "this is how you're supposed to write them."
The main character is from a single-parent family; she discovers she's special; and you know that's a love triangle raising it's head!

Ok, let's start with Ellie.  To be honest, she's not my favourite character from Thomas' back catalogue.  For the strongest and most balancing element in the world, she cries.  A lot.  I get that she's going through transitions and an emotional time, but I struggled to feel any sympathy for her when she broke down.

David was a suitable love interest.  The immortal, angelic being, whose desire to do the right thing is challenged only by his desire for Ellie.  Although he keeps it (mostly) professional when he's training his new student in the skills of the Equilibrium.
His "brother" and opposite, Victor, is sure to cause trouble.  I was pleasantly surprised with the way the relationship builds between Victor and Ellie, especially as Victor's opening gambit is to invite Ellie to join him in the shower.

I really liked how the story followed Ellie's family, going deeper into their trouble and history.  Her mum and brother are a perfect human contrast to the world of the Equilibrium.

Otherwise, I found the plot a little lacking, there didn't seem to be a real climax to the story.  That, and the way the book just ended as though mid-chapter, made The Light feel like it was strengthening the foundation for the rest of the Equilibrium series to be built on.  It has a somewhat episodic feel about it - short, and the story ready to be picked back up with the next instalment.
The only other point that I was... curious about were the rules.  Ellie & co. must use their gifts when Gods decrees.  How does God decide where to interfere?  The outcomes were really interesting, but some of the initial situations didn't scream for ethereal help.  In which case, why isn't God stepping in more often?
And if Ellie has to do obey her gift, or be punished - why are they free to use their gifts as they wish - for example, Victor causes a guy to crash his car, just because.

Anyways, I'll be looking forward to the next instalment in August.

Goodreads link
Amazon.co.uk