The Light Between Worlds by Laura E Weymouth

The Light Between Worlds

by Laura E. Weymouth

Five years ago, Evelyn and Philippa Hapwell cowered from air strikes in a London bomb shelter. But that night took a turn when the sisters were transported to another realm called the Woodlands. In a forest kingdom populated by creatures out of myth and legend, they found temporary refuge.

When Ev and Phil finally returned to London, nothing had changed at all—nothing, except themselves.

Now, Evelyn spends her days sneaking into the woods outside her boarding school, wishing for the Woodlands. Overcome with longing, she is desperate to return no matter what it takes.

Philippa, on the other hand, is determined to find a place in this world. She shields herself behind a flawless exterior and countless friends, and moves to America to escape the memory of what was.

But when Evelyn goes missing, Philippa must confront the depth of her sister’s despair and the painful truths they’ve been running from. As the weeks unfold, Philippa wonders if Ev truly did find a way home, or if the weight of their worlds pulled her under.

Content Warnings

The Light Between Worlds portrays characters dealing with depression, self-harm, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation, illness and disordered eating, and the loss of a loved one. It refers to possible suicide, contains scenes of violence and war, and brief mentions may be unsettling to readers with emetophobia.

Reviewed by Kat @ Novels & Waffles on

4 of 5 stars

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The Light Between Worlds by Laura Weymouth is a hauntingly beautiful tale full of lyrical writing and melancholy magic that spotlights both the deep depressions and high hopes of life.

WHAT I LIKED:
-A poignantly written narrative full of pure, raw emotion.

-Weymouth really knows how to make her characters feel real. What's more, she knows how to make her readers care about them. Philippa and Evie were both flawed and broken, and yet they were still immensely likeable. You couldn't help but root for them and want them to find happiness.

-I love the whole concept of this story! I've often wondered how Chosen Ones cope when the adventure ends. When they have to return to their own mundane lives and magic-less worlds. Weymouth executes this idea in a deftly realistic and hauntingly beautiful way.

-This is not merely a story about the Chosen Ones trope or about visiting a Narnia-eque world, it is about finding your place. It is about the hope and the healing that comes after you've broken your soul into more pieces than can be put back together. The depression rep in this book is real and it doesn't shy away form the dark parts of mental illness.

WHAT I LIKED...LESS:
-This is a heavy book that tackles heavy topics. Through Philippa and Evie's bittersweet story, Weymouth strives to capture the full spectrum of emotions that accompanies depression. Full of intense emotions, this novel is a trigger minefield for anybody who might have once or is currently dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide. However, I think the author approaches this topic respectfully and does not use it as a hasty plot point.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 26 July, 2019: Finished reading
  • 26 July, 2019: Reviewed