A Certain Slant of Light (Light #1)
User reviews
13 reviews with 5 stars
25 reviews
Overall rating
4.6
Plot
4.2(25)
Characters
4.5(2)
Writing Style
5.0(2)
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A very beautiful, haunting story
(Updated: November 15, 2012)
Overall rating
4.7
Plot
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Characters
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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!!!
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!!!
D
Denice
Top 500 Reviewer
Dark, Enthralling, and Beautiful
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
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Characters
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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.
Good Points
-I loved the way this book made you think about life. The honesty in discussing adult themes, and the author's ability to make me think about life, religion, and the afterlife were all written beautifully.
-This book deals with real issues like violence, drug abuse, sex, death, depression, and it's character's handle them like real people. Laura Whitcomb has written these themes perfectly and is able to show them without glamorizing them or belittling their effect.
-I loved the relationship between Helen and James, but also between James and his brother Mitch, and between Carol and Dan. All of the characters are well written, and their relationships believeable.
-This book deals with real issues like violence, drug abuse, sex, death, depression, and it's character's handle them like real people. Laura Whitcomb has written these themes perfectly and is able to show them without glamorizing them or belittling their effect.
-I loved the relationship between Helen and James, but also between James and his brother Mitch, and between Carol and Dan. All of the characters are well written, and their relationships believeable.
A beautiful ghost story
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by Meghan
Helen is a ghost, who attaches herself to "hosts," although she doesn't know why. She doesn't haunt her place of passing, or someone she once loved. No, she haunts people she doesn't know. When one dies, she haunts another. She doesn't even remember how she died, just that she's been dead for more than 130 years.
When she attaches herself to a high school English teacher, Mr. Brown, things change drastically for her. One of the boys in his class can see her. And not in the way that he just happened to look in her direction. He can see her and is perfectly aware of her.
Helen, who is uncomfortable at first by this new turn of events, finds out the truth about this new boy, and with his help, she goes on a quest so they can be together. In flesh.
This book is amazing, with some minor bumps in the road that are flattened by the sheer awesomeness of the rest of the book. Laura Whitcomb gave a fresh take on the ghost cliche, that I loved.
The characterization was beyond phenomenal. I knew these people. Laura Whitcomb wrote their personalities and fear and hopes so well, that you feel like you know them. You ache when they ache. I loved the romance between James and Helen. It felt so real. It did, however come way too fast and that is one of the minor bumps that I was talking about. But the realness of the romance flattened this bump out right away. All the other minor characters had personalities too, and depth not normally received from minor characters in other books.
The plot was awesome. The way Whitcomb described "Light" and "Quick" was effortless, and you pretty much instantly knew what she was talking about, once she explained. She described things so wonderfully and it makes me not want to take for granted the small things like the way things taste and smell and being able to touch people. The twists were well thought out and placed, keeping my attention to the final page. The writing in this novel was fantastic. The other minor bump in the road didn't bother me, but it might bother other people. There are swear words and teenage sex (not graphically written, just the bare basics). Like I said, that fact didn't bother me, so it does not effect the score I gave this book.
The ending was one of the best endings I've read in a novel. I actually got tears in my eyes and was smiling as I read. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful book.
Overall, this book stands high and proud. This was a wonderful first book by Laura Whitcomb. If I didn't know better, I would have assumed she had years of experience by her excellent writing. I am now a fan of hers and will pick up any new and/or old books of hers in a heartbeat.
I give this book a 5 out of 5 (obviously).
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
One of the best books of all time!
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
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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!
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!
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Riveting, don't even think of putting the book down!
Overall rating
5.0
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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 !
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 !
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Absolutely Beautiful
Overall rating
5.0
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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!
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!
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Wow! Will read this again!
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by SDaugherty
I loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone. Helen is a ghost that has been around for around 150 years. She has never seen anyone else like herself and has never had a living person notice her. But some strange boy in her "host's" class sees her and talks to her. This is not just a ghost story but a tangled web of ghost/teen drama/romance. I could have sat and read this in one sitting but had to make it two.
This is not just a book for those who like ghost stories, it's one for everyone.
I loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone. Helen is a ghost that has been around for around 150 years. She has never seen anyone else like herself and has never had a living person notice her. But some strange boy in her "host's" class sees her and talks to her. This is not just a ghost story but a tangled web of ghost/teen drama/romance. I could have sat and read this in one sitting but had to make it two.
This is not just a book for those who like ghost stories, it's one for everyone.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Insightful
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by Lana
A certain slant of light was a book I picked randomly of the shelf at the library. What first attracted me to the book was the facinating cover art; it made me curious. After reading the summary I was ready for a regular little love story with some elements of supernatural suprise, but I was the one pleasently suprised when I began the reading of the book. I could not put it down! Everything from the unconventional love to the more intruiging theories of spiritual happenings captured my imagination and made me question some things about life as I know it. This story was one of those perfect finds: unconventional, passionate, intellectually stimulating, and excellently thought out. This book is absolutely innovative and should be read by anyone looking for something a little more out of the ordinary.
A certain slant of light was a book I picked randomly of the shelf at the library. What first attracted me to the book was the facinating cover art; it made me curious. After reading the summary I was ready for a regular little love story with some elements of supernatural suprise, but I was the one pleasently suprised when I began the reading of the book. I could not put it down! Everything from the unconventional love to the more intruiging theories of spiritual happenings captured my imagination and made me question some things about life as I know it. This story was one of those perfect finds: unconventional, passionate, intellectually stimulating, and excellently thought out. This book is absolutely innovative and should be read by anyone looking for something a little more out of the ordinary.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Ghostly Romance
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by rachpaige11
Helen is a spirit. She walks the earth being unseen and unheard. That all changes when in the first time in over a hundred years, someone can see and hear her. Its a teenage boy, named Billy. When Helen gets up the nerve to talk to him she discovers that he is also a spirit, just one with a body. With his help she learns how to inhabit a vacated body (a living and breathing body with no soul). They also fall in love.
This book was fantastic! I read it three times (not in a row!). I loved the story and the characters. There is love out there for everyone including ghosts.
Helen is a spirit. She walks the earth being unseen and unheard. That all changes when in the first time in over a hundred years, someone can see and hear her. Its a teenage boy, named Billy. When Helen gets up the nerve to talk to him she discovers that he is also a spirit, just one with a body. With his help she learns how to inhabit a vacated body (a living and breathing body with no soul). They also fall in love.
This book was fantastic! I read it three times (not in a row!). I loved the story and the characters. There is love out there for everyone including ghosts.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Beautiful and haunting
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by Grace
Helen is Light, caught between the dead and the living, unable to move on due to something in her past that she can't remember. She's had several hosts, all them of having a love for literature. It is in her latest host's classroom that she sees a boy looking right at her, and thus a strange and impossible romance begins.
What first interested me in this book was the cover, and then I found out that the story itself is very interesting and told with a lyrical style.
Helen is Light, caught between the dead and the living, unable to move on due to something in her past that she can't remember. She's had several hosts, all them of having a love for literature. It is in her latest host's classroom that she sees a boy looking right at her, and thus a strange and impossible romance begins.
What first interested me in this book was the cover, and then I found out that the story itself is very interesting and told with a lyrical style.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
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