Stephanie
Written on Dec 1, 2017
Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon - it's an idyllic place for a girl to grow up, except that every year they have to pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other. Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life begins to eclipse the other. . .
The brand new novel from Jay Asher, New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why.
- ISBN10 1509840761
- ISBN13 9781509840762
- Publish Date 20 October 2016 (first published 18 October 2016)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 16 June 2023
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Pan Macmillan
- Imprint Macmillan Children's Books
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 256
- Language English
Reviews
Joséphine
Written on Dec 24, 2016
In light of recent developments, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book anymore. Hence, my lowered rating.
_________
December 24, 2016
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Initial thoughts: [Redacted]
Jo
Written on Dec 20, 2016
Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.
I love to read a Christmas book in the lead up to Christmas, and so when I hear Jay Asher's latest novel, What Light, was a Christmas novel, I was so excited to read it! Unfortunately, I was a little let down.
Like every other year, Sierra and her family are moving from their Christmas Tree farm in Oregon to California for a month, where they sell their trees. Like each year, she's excited to get to California, eager to see one of her best friends, Heather, again and sell trees to the customers, but she's also sad to be leaving her home and her other best friends behind for another Christmas. This year is different though; Sierra has overheard her parents talking, and their lot hasn't been doing as well as it has done in previous years - if things don't pick up this year, this might be the family's last Christmas in California. Everything about this month is heightened because it could be happening from the very last time. What she doesn't expect - and the last thing she needs - is to meet a guy. But Caleb is sweet and gorgeous, and he's interested in Sierra. Her life is complicated enough at the moment, does she really need to add to it with a Christmas romance, one that will end once she goes back home, one that might end there completely, as she may not be coming back? And with a guy who is the focus of some pretty scary rumours?
What Light is not a bad story as a YA romance. It was nice and light, and it did fill me with aww's. But it isn't a Christmas story - it's a story set at Christmas. The fact that Christmas is coming has no real bearing on the story itself. You could have exactly the same story, but make Sierra's family run a different kind of farm, and set it at a different kind of year, and it would still work. I was expecting a Christmas story, instead I got just a romance, and that's why I was so disappointed.
But as I said, it's not a bad story. I loved watching Sierra come to terms with the fact that she might not come back, that she may not see her best friend again for who knows how long, that she won't be able to sell trees to the regulars, and see the excited looks on the faces of children as they come to pick their tree. This isn't just a job to Sierra, she loves it, and loves being a part of the family business. It's an important part of her life, and the idea that the family may not be able to sell the trees themselves anymore is heartbreaking to her.
Then there's the romance. Sierra is notorious with her friends for being fussy when it comes to guys, so for her head to be turned by hot a guy who comes to her lot to buy a Christmas tree, it's a pretty big deal. It's even bigger that she's considering this guy, seeing him when she can, when she'll be leaving on Boxing Day to go back to Oregon. I loved seeing her and Caleb together and how their relationship developed! It was so cute! And I empathised with Sierra as she went back and forth over what she was doing with this guy.
Caleb does have some pretty scary rumours flying around about him, and although there was a "give people a chance, not everything you hear is true" vibe to this story, I still felt kind of uncomfortable about it. When we find out the actual, real truth, I really struggled. I know people shouldn't be defined by their past, but all the same, I'm not sure the seriousness of what happened was dealt with well enough. I feel the need to really talk about this, but it means spoilers, so don't click below if you don't want the story spoilt for you.
So Caleb went at his sister, Abby with a knife, and stabbed her door several times. I get that this was the result of everything building up and up because of his sister's incessant digs and accusations about how their father was doing after their split, how Caleb was wrong and their dad wasn't fine. But what I want to know is what happened after that? Were the police involved, because he did stab her bedroom door several times in a rage! Was he given some kind of treatment for anger issues or counselling for dealing with his parents divorce and all the feelings that came with it? I'm sorry, but Abby going off to live with her dad and Caleb spending the rest of his life feeling guilty and losing a friend and that's it, with some rumours... that's not good enough. You can't just leave things there. It wouldn't have just been left there! Something would have had to happen to Caleb, he wouldn't be allowed to pretty much carry on as normal, but without his sister and best friend. What he did was serious, and I think that should have been better dealt with in the story.
So because nothing like that was mentioned, I found it really difficult to be for Sierra being with Caleb - it just didn't seem like a wise choice, as lovely as Caleb is now. Had there been mention of counselling or something, then maybe I could have rooted for them more, but without, I just found the whole thing really uncomfortable, because how does she really know something like that won't happen again? There is no evidence in this book that the problem was solved. And I can't get on board with Sierra being with a guy who has a violent past that hasn't been dealt with in any way. I don't think that's safe or wise. It goes back to Asher not having dealt with this topic well enough. If he simply wanted a nice and fluffy romance, he shouldn't have given Caleb such a violent past that had no other ramifications.
Despite it not being a Christmas story and the pretty major issues I have discussed in the spoilers, White Light is a nice story with a sweet romance.
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Books for the proof.
readingwithwrin
Written on Dec 12, 2016
See Reviews first on my blog
Seirra is torn between loving her time in California and missing her friends back in Oregon. But she also can't imagine not going or spending Christmas without snow.
Once in California though she gets back into the groove of selling christmas trees and loving them. Plus she also has to deal with her dad being overprotective when it comes to dealing with the boys that work on the lot, making them all afraid to even have a conversation with her.
Seirra also gets to reunite with her best friend and they fall back into the same pattern it was so nice to see a real friendship that lasts through distances.
"This season was supposed to be perfect, not bogged down with what-ifs. They're all around me, though, in everything I do. I don't know how to fully enjoy any of these moments without wondering it it's the last."
Then they also have the added problem of the tree lot and it maybe not happening again next year. This is something that weighs n Seirra's mind the whole time and at first makes it hard for her to enjoy her time in California.
"I've also been raised to believe that everyone can become better."
Overall I thought this story was okay. I was very torn on the problem that surrounded Caleb and if he really was okay now and if it really was just a fluke or if it would happen again. I also had some problems with Sierra I got it this was supposed to be a memorable year, but I feel like she really didn't spend much time with her best friend or with her parents. As for the romance that this was focused on, it was nice to seem them taking it slow. Instead of just jumping into it and having super insta-love that would fizzle out before the book was over. What I did really like though was Seirra's love for christmas time and her family business. This is a quick Christmas read that is sweet.
whisperingchapters
Written on Dec 11, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was expecting this cutesy and adorable romance, which I got, but it also deals with forgiveness, friendships, and Christmas spirit!
Sierra lives on a tree farm in Oregon with her family. And then her family travels to California to set up a Christmas tree farm from the day before Thanksgiving until Christmas. Sierra actually likes this because she has friends in both states. But at the same time, she wishes she could finish school in Oregon instead of finishing all her school work at the trailer she lives in while staying in California. At the same time, she can't imagine spending the Holidays in California. Unfortunately, this year may be Sierra's last time at California since her parents may not go down to set up the tree lot.
I did mention this had an adorable romance so let's introduce the guy! Caleb has had a rough past that he's still dealing with. When he meets Sierra, she's skeptical of him when she hears rumors about him, but she decides to give him a chance and see for herself if he's dangerous or not. And this is where all the forgiveness comes to play. You see, Caleb still tortures himself over what he did all those years ago. When he shares with Sierra what he did, she sees past what he did and starts showing him that it's okay to move on. Besides, it's obvious Caleb isn't dangerous. The guy works at a diner and the money he earns, he uses it to buy Christmas trees to families who can't afford to buy a nice tree. I found that to be so nice from him and my heart was melting with all his good deeds.
I loved Sierra's parents and how they were protective, but at the same time giving her space to make the right decision. I wish we would see more of that in YA stories since I think this shows to be a healthy relationship between a parent and their child. Now, the ending of the story could have been better. I would say it was left open to the imagination, in a way, and I like when there's full closure. At the same time, I liked it since it seemed fitting.
Overall, What Light is great for a Christmas read. It's full of Holiday spirit, sharing, caring, forgiveness, opportunities, and love.
I received a finished copy from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.
lizarodz
Written on Oct 20, 2016
After reading Thirteen Reasons Why by Asher I added What Light to my TBR list as soon as I learned about it (and look at the gorgeous cover!) I was mistakenly expecting a powerful and heartbreaking read, but that's not what this book is about. What Light was really good in a completely different way.
Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon and every year right before Thanksgiving, they leave for a lot they own to sell trees in a small town in California. She's always have this life and looks forward to the trip and to spend time with her friends and working in the lot. Sierra is very down to earth, smart, loving, a bit sarcastic, responsible and sweet. She almost seems too good to be true.
Caleb meets Sierra when he goes shopping for a Christmas tree. He sees in her a pretty girl that doesn't know about his past and takes the opportunity to make a new friend. A few years before Caleb did something that he regrets ever since. In a small town, no one allows him to forget about it and made him a pariah. I felt bad for him because deep down he felt guilty and he didn't forgave himself either. Caleb is handsome, sweet, generous, loyal, and fun.
I like how Sierra gave Caleb the benefit of the doubt, how she allowed him to prove himself, to be innocent until proven guilty. She made his life better and try to understand him and even fight some of his battles. They made a cute couple and got to know each other well, but developed feelings for each other quite fast-like.
I'm always happy to see parents that are involved in their teens' lives. I mean, my mom was that way and I'm that way with my sons, so it seems more realistic to me. That's the case with both Sierra's parents and Caleb's mom. I like how they kept tabs on them while giving them advice, but enough freedom to make their own mistakes.
I felt like the ending could have been better. It was not a cliffhanger per se, but it left a lot of questions for the future wide open. Of course, Caleb and Sierra only new each other for less than a month, so it's just the beginning for them and not the end. The writing is insightful, and thought provoking.
Overall, What Light was an easy, and fairly happy read full of holiday spirit and the power of second chances, redemption and truth.
The narrator for What Light is Mandy Siegfried and I think she did a great job. I had listen to some of the books in the Wings series in audio (by Aprillyne Pike) so I was familiar with Siegfried's work. The voices were distinctive from each other, even the male voices which I appreciated. The pace and the acting were booth great too.This review was originally posted on Quite the Novel Idea
Sam@WLABB
Written on Oct 2, 2016
This was an adorable and sweet Christmas story. It really encompassed the spirit of the season, as you had acts of kindness, understanding, and forgiveness at play. I got the warm-fuzzies over and over again, and ended the book with a big grin on my face. I have seen some comments on how this could be a great Hallmark movie, and I wholeheartedly agree. Note: I love Hallmark movies
A fun and sweet story of first love, friendship, and family, but most of all, a story of hope and forgiveness.