A Certain Slant of Light (Light #1)

Cover: It looks so creepy… *Shudder*

Helen:

Basically, the story is told from Helen’s POV… I can really feel her emotions from the very start of the book… I felt her loneliness, her confusion as to why she is still here on earth and why can’t she remember her old life and her desire to go to the afterlife…

I’ll just skip to the more exciting part… When Helen went to Jennifer’s body, her life seems to be more dangerous (and monotonous) than when she was a ghost… Her (Jennifer’s) parents were very strict… They do every little thing on a certain time… For example, before Jennifer (Helen) sleeps, she must say her prayers; she must do her assignments with her mom on this time and etc (No wonder, the real Jennifer was an empty shell)… And to top it all, Helen must act like she’s Jennifer but she doesn’t have Jen’s memories that’s why adapting to her new life was hard for her… It was very fortunate that James was with her…

In the end, Helen’s memories came back and it was really a sad one but I think if anyone will be put in that situation, she/he will do what Helen did…

And lastly, the thing I like most about her is her unwavering love for classic literature… No matter where she is or what era she landed in, her love for reading is still there…

James:

Sometimes I think James is a little bit modernized than Helen… Modernized because if he was born during the time when coupling was not allowed until you’re married, what he did with Helen is accepted in the modern times not during his time… He didn’t have any control over his biological desires… He’ll just kiss Helen and poof, they did it… But at least, he really loves Helen until the end…

Story:

It was fascinating… The emotions were really felt throughout the book and the plot itself was very beautiful… When I was reading the story, by the way Helen told it, I felt I was in the olden times and at the same time in the modern world… I say this because the words used were contemporary but the structure of the sentences, paragraphs were akin to the structure of the poems of the classic literature (I’m not a big fan of them but I know enough)… It gave me the idea that the speaker lived in the past and Helen really did in the past… I really can’t say anything anymore… Just read the story… Overall, it’s a hauntingly beautiful heartbreaking story…

Reminder:

Oh, and one last thing… The book contained some sexual scenes but they were not really described… They were written just to give the readers an idea on what the characters are doing… Don’t worry, you will not find obscene words there…

Happy Reading!!! Thank you!!!

This book has a lot of mystery to it. As Helen struggles with being stuck on earth as a spirit or Light she will have you pondering questions about life, the afterlife and the meaning of it all. More so though, the book looks at grief and the power that tragic events can have on people even after death. This book starts out rather dark and oppressive, but the depressing moments are resolved in the end in a way that makes everything feel complete and right. The last few chapters will have you on edge, and it's not a happy, everything is fixed, this seems to easy kind of ending; it's one that when you read it you feel like it couldn't have ended any differently.

Reader reviewed by Meghan

Reader reviewed by T.T.A

An overall good read. This book has an interesting take on ghost stories and love stories. Beautifully written but the plot is alright. The book is very different but it could've been much better in my opinion. This novel was still intriguing and a good read. I'd recommend it for anyone looking for a book with a fresh perspective on ghost and love stories. 

Reader reviewed by Crimin

Helen is Light - a spirit who cannot find peace and, in a desperate attempt to stay far away from her hell -chilled water, churning mud, the sensation of choking, drowning - she attaches herself to a series of human hosts, hovering around them unseen and unheard.   That is, until one day, someone does see her and changes her life (if itd be called as such) entirely.

What took my breath away was Laura Whitcombs intricate storytelling, as it left my heart aching, brought tears to my eyes, and made me love Helen and her consort, James.  I loved it so much, that I wished for it to never end - but, alas, it did, as all books must.  Although, the ending was perfect - I feel that there is no need (or rather, no point) in a sequel, as it ended so perfectly.

Now for the recommendation?  Took care of that already (sorta)!   One of my friends noticed I was reading it one day, and when I had put it down to go and fetch something to eat, she sprung on it, intrigued by the cover.  She read the back and the first couple of pages before I returned and caught my wrist, holding the book up to my attention. Youre letting me borrow this, right? After youre done?  Because it sounds amazing!  That same night, I went over to her mothers house and she saw the book and begged me to let her borrow it as well.

Its that amazing.  So, yes, I recommend this book to any and all who want to read one of the best romances of all time.

I daresay that Helens and James love for each other blows a certain vampire couple out of the water!

Reader reviewed by Misty

A Certain Slant of Light is the story of a ghost who attaches herself
to human hosts to avoid going to what she assumes is hell, for a crime
she does not remember. While attached to her current host -- a high
school english teacher -- she realizes that a boy in the classroom can
see her. She eventually learns he too was once a ghost, and is now
inhabiting the body of an overdose victim. This begins their romance
and her realization of herself.
I liked this book for its breezy style and interesting premise,
which was handled nicely and thoughtfully. I wasnt too pleased with the
heavy-handedness of the religious aspect at the end, but overall would
recommend this as a fun, somewhat thought provoking read, with the
caution to parents that there is sexuality in the book, and a not
always pleasant view on religion (for those of you whom that concerns).

Reader reviewed by Suzanne

Very surprised by how the book turns out. At first your not sure what's going on, but as you get deeper into the book, your dizzy(in a good way)with all the different directions. There's deep and dark thoughts that pass through the main characters mind, and only her will power to survive helps her. Amazing !

Reader reviewed by Kaycee Joy

 Helen has been Light for 130 years. For
those 130 years she has attached on to several hosts, never being able
to speak or be spoken to. She has went unseen for those 130 years,
until finally someone sees her. His name is Billy, but its really
another ghost named James in Billy's body. James gets Helen to find a
body she can take, which ends up being a girl named Jenny. Helen and
James fall in love but they body's they took are people with complicated lives, which they make more complicated.
They have to find a way to be together but return the bodies. They also
struggle with why they are still on earth and were not aloud to go to
heaven.
 It sounds weird like demonic possession or something but its not like that at all, its pretty gracefully
done. I enjoyed the ending with the real Billy and Jenny. There is a
good deal of religion in this book (Jenny's life), ( Im not a religious
person and dont like reading about it) but this was okay to deal with. 
I would recommend it for someone who likes very mild ghost stories and
passionate romance with a mix of teenage life. Very good book, absolutely not what I expected though.

Reader reviewed by Natalie

AMAZING!
This is the best book I have read in my lifetime, and it's only followed by Boy Meets Boy and Breathe my Name!
I love this book, I love Helen, and I love James, and I love everyone else!
It's great, there isn't anything wrong!
The only issue younger kids may have is some of the sex is a bit...much. But other than that this book is great for everyone!
Read it!

Reader reviewed by Kelsey

Helen died many years ago as a young woman, yet she was unable to enter Heaven because of a certian guilt she carried with her through death. She clings to people so she can stay on Earth and enter a place she can't stand; No one can see her, until one day she senses someone looking straight at her. The boy ends up to be James and he is just like her, but inhabitating a body. Helen, herself, finds a body to live in, and she develops a relationship with James. I recommend this book for highschoolers only for it has parts in the book which aren't suitable for young readers!