The Light Between Worlds by Laura Weymouth
Five years ago Evelyn, Philippa and James Hapwell escaped to the safety of their air raid shelter as bombs fell all around the streets of London. In the terrifying darkness waiting for their parents to join them, Evelyn prayed to be anywhere else, a plea that was answered by The Woodlands. One moment in grey London and the next surrounded by a rich green forest, the three children were transported from one world trapped in war, to another on the brink of its own.
| The Light Between Worlds by Laura Weymouth | |
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| Category: Teens | |
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Reviewer: Olivia Tierney
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| Summary: An enchanting tale of following your heart's desire and discovering where you belong. The Light Between Worlds is a story of adventure and growing up woven beautifully into a mystery that readers will eagerly want to solve. | |
| Buy? Maybe | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 416 | Date: November 2018 |
| Publisher: ChickenHouse Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1911490036 | |
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When the siblings finally return to London, they find nothing has changed, and yet, everything has changed. Each have their own method of coming to terms with what happened. Philippa, determined to make a place for herself in their world, escapes her memories by attending university overseas and keeping everyone at arm's length. James focuses all his energy on study and away at University can almost escape the life he spent in the Woodlands. But Evelyn, the youngest, spends her days walking through forests. Haunted by her memories. She spends each waking moment longing for the Woodlands life she always wanted. Alone she constantly dreams of the land she never wanted to leave.
Each has settled comfortably into their own coping routines until Evelyn goes missing. And with her disappearance, Philippa returns to try and find her. Back in London she will be forced to confront their unthinkable past and the painful truths she has been running away from.
I really loved the layout of Weymouth's novel, so much so that I truly believe that besides the enchanting concept it is her debut's best feature. The first half of the novel is detailed from Evelyn's perspective and inside her narrative there are alternate chapters unveiling the children's arrival in The Woodlands world and their lives afterwards. As the novel continues readers grow to understand their time in the unusual world and the after effects of returning to their own world but not how the two are connected and just how the children left The Woodlands. As such what I was expecting to be a magical Narnia type of story became an intricate mystery, which was only accentuated by the second half of Weymouth's debut with the introduction of of Philippa's narrative, narrative which I loved for its refreshing touch to the story and the depth it gave. It was a narrative that I clicked with instantly - no doubt other readers will too - and this really added to my enjoyment of the story.
The balance between the fantasy land of The Woodlands and reality was also very well done. I loved the descriptions of such a detailed world on the brink of its own war for survival and the parts the children paid to contribute to their war effort.
I would have loved to learn more about the Woodlands world but I can appreciate that the focus of the novel were the characters and their struggle to find where they belong.
Many thanks to the publishers for providing a copy for review!
A dark and deep adventure of a book, perfect for autumn as the nights grow darker. The Light Between Worlds is a beautiful tale about new beginnings and finding your way back home.
In terms of further reading, why not try Witchborn by Nicholas Bowling, another fantastic coming of age story, brimming with sorcery and wicked darkness - perfect for those who have enjoyed The Light Between Worlds.
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Light Between Worlds by Laura Weymouth at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy The Light Between Worlds by Laura Weymouth at Amazon.com.
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