Book Review: Lightlark
Book name: Lightlark
Author: Alex Aster
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Intro: Each realm has a different curse, a different element that they can control, and a different flair (a secret ability). Each ruler of a realm is playing a game at Lightlark to try to break their curses of their realm, but of corse they have to try to kill a ruler first.
My rating: 4.5 ⭐️
My review: Honestly, this was my first fantasy book I’ve read so far (ACOTAR is on my list don’t worry) and I loved this!! I decided to read it because I saw this (and Nightbane which is the second book) on my TikTok and I had to get it. The love triangle in this book, let me tell you, if I was the Isla I wouldn’t know who I’d choose between Grim and Oro. This was a semi quick read, took me 4 days from start to the finish.
⚠️SPOILER ALERT⚠️: The second to last chapter literally blew my mind. Like between the whole intertwined past and future characters literally blew my mind. Like the evil lady took Isla’s power but also has a secret alliance with Grim (which also happens to be Isla’s ex partner but she doesn’t know because Grim erased all her memories but turned them into dreams??) NOT TO MENTION Celeste ISN’T Isla’s friend after all?? NO! WE’VE BEEN BAMBOOZLED!! She takes Isla’s powers, her man (Grim), and she’s also Aurora (Oros’ brother’s fiancé before he turned her down and married someone else) 💀💀 like this whole book was so good but got better at the end.
If you're anything like me, you probably stumbled upon 'Lightlark' through TikTok, wondering what all the hype was about! After devouring Alex Aster's fantasy romance, I totally get it. For those asking 'what is Lightlark about,' imagine a world where 12 realms are cursed, and their rulers must compete in a deadly 'Centennial game' to break them. Our protagonist, Isla Crown, is burdened with a curse that makes her irresistible, but she must 'LIE. CHEAT. BETRAY.' to survive and save her people. It definitely gives off those 'Hunger Games and Harry Potter vibes' that were mentioned on the cover – a truly immersive and dangerous world! Now, for the burning question: 'is Lightlark a love triangle?' Oh, absolutely! The romance is central to the story, and Isla finds herself caught between two powerful, enigmatic rulers: Grim and Oro. Their dynamic is palpable, making you constantly guess 'who does Isla end up with?' Without giving everything away, let me tell you, the tension is *real*. The book explores themes of 'forbidden romance' and intense emotional connections, which are expertly woven into the high-stakes plot. Many of you also ask, 'is Lightlark dark romance?' While it's definitely a fantasy romance with mature themes, I wouldn't strictly categorize it as 'dark romance' in the traditional sense, which often implies more explicit or morally grey elements. However, it does feature significant betrayal, morally ambiguous characters, and deadly challenges, aligning with the 'betrayal' theme from the cover. For 'Lightlark age rating' or 'recommendation,' I'd say it's suitable for young adult (YA) readers and up, probably 16+ due to the complex relationships, violence implied by the game, and intense plot twists. It's not overly graphic, but the stakes are high. The 'Lightlark book aesthetic' is simply gorgeous – from the stunning cover to the vivid descriptions of the realms. You're truly transported. And if you're like me, once you finish, you'll be desperate for more. Luckily, the story continues with the sequel, 'Nightbane,' which I'm eagerly looking forward to! Knowing that Alex Aster crafted such an intricate world makes me want to dive into everything she writes. Finally, for those curious about the 'lovers to enemies' trope, there are definitely layers to the relationships in Lightlark that play with past connections and present conflicts. Without giving away major spoilers, Isla's past with certain characters is revealed to be far more intertwined and complex than she initially realizes, blurring the lines between ally, enemy, and former flame. It adds another thrilling dimension to the romance and betrayals.
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