Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire★★★★☆
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Prometheus Books, Pyr
Age: YA
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Death, Paranormal Romance, Afterlife, Urban Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher for review
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository
Wendy has the ability to see souls that have not moved on—but she does not seek them out. They seek her. They yearn for her . . . or what she can do for them. Without Wendy’s powers, the Lost, the souls that have died unnaturally young, are doomed to wander in the never forever, and Wendy knows she is the only one who can set them free by sending them into the light. Each soul costs Wendy, delivering too many souls would be deadly, and yet she is driven to patrol, dropping everyone in her life but her best friend, Eddie—who wants to be more than friends—until she meets Piotr. Piotr, the first Rider and guardian of the Lost, whose memory of his decades in the never, a world that the living never see, has faded away. With his old-fashioned charms, and haunted kindness, he understands Wendy in ways no one living ever could, yet Wendy is hiding that she can do more than exist in the never. Wendy is falling for a boy who she may have to send into the light. But there are darker forces looking for the Lost. Trying to regain the youth and power that the Lost possess, the dark ones feed on the Lost and only Wendy and Piotr can save them—but at what cost? Lightbringer is a YA urban fantasy/romance set in a world a breath away from our own. Similar in tone to Tithe and Unleashed, Lightbringer tiptoes down the line between love and horror as Wendy discovers herself and the darkest parts of the afterlife.Lightbringer is one of those books that has a fantastic and original plot filled with great imagery and phenomenal world building. The setting that K.D. McEntire creates is filled with elements and characters that I think anyone could enjoy. The main character, Wendy, is truly a fighter. Overall this book is amazing, one I recommend!
Wendy spends her nights reaping ghosts and shades and leading them into the light. On top of that, her mother is in a coma and her father is never around. Left to take on the responsibilities at home in addition to her duties passed on from her mother, her life is pretty busy. She's an all around amazing character. And, bonus, she kicks major butt. Her sarcastic attitude makes the book enjoyable and fun to read, even with the dark nature of the story.
My favorite character is Eddie, Wendy's best friend, he's sweet and really cares about her. They have been through a lot together. Then there are Wendy's younger brother and sister, Michelle and Jon, freshman twins. The sibling relationship that K.D. shows is one that anyone with a brother or sister can relate to.
Wendy's reapings bring her into the Never. The Never is where she meets Piotr, for the second time. It's the place where souls go once a person has died, it's a limbo of sorts. Piotr is a Rider protecting the Lost children from the Walkers (a dark breed of ghost destroying the Lost). He's also Russian, way cool, reminded me of Pietr from Shannon Delany's 13 to Life series! It's an ever changing landscape and K.D. does an amazing job describing this fascinating world and not making it too complicated, as fantasy and science fiction can sometimes be.
It's a well written and very original story about love, loss, and growing up! It's an emotional ride and a journey that was well worth the ups and downs. The ending was great and definitely builds for a series. I'm looking forward to the next book featuring Wendy, Reaper, out in August! And, I also can't wait for more from this wonderful author!
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The lovely publisher sent me a hardcover copy to review and now I'd like to pass that copy onto someone new!
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