The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.Īutumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart their mothers are still best friends.

Characters in this world are varied in physical appearance.įollows a formula many have loved and will continue to enjoy. Grim, one of Isla’s love interests, is a total scene-stealer, often making other characters seem flat by comparison their steamy scenes are a definite highlight.

Some readers will delight in the familiar beats and tropes, while others might find it all a little too predictable. This YA debut is deeply reminiscent of the era in young adult speculative fiction that produced the Hunger Games and Divergent series-for better and worse. She’ll have to keep dangerous secrets close, however, if she wants to survive and free the Wildings from their suffering. Once the game begins, Isla is quickly consumed by interrealm politics, life-threatening stakes, and a flirtatious rival. Isla is leader of the Wildlings, a people gifted in nature-based abilities but cursed to eat human hearts and kill those they love.

When the island of Lightlark emerges from the storm that hides it and becomes accessible again after a century of isolation, a competition takes place wherein the rulers of this world’s six realms fight to undo the curses placed upon their people. Isla Crown has trained for the Centennial ever since she was a child. A deadly game takes place on an island that only appears once every 100 years.

Lightlark book 2