Lightbringer (Lightbringer, #1)

May 19, 2013 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

“Lightbringer” by K. D. McEntire is a YA urban fantasy about a teenager, Wendy, who does much more than just “see” ghosts after the death of her best friend’s father in a car wreck. As a Lightbringer, Wendy has the power to send spirits wandering the Never into the light, but this power comes at a cost. For each ghost sent into the Light, Wendy gives up a bit of her own life. Yet, if a soul remains in the Never, it risks fading into nothing. This fate-worse-than-death is what Wendy fears lays in...more “Lightbringer” by K. D. McEntire is a YA urban fantasy about a teenager, Wendy, who does much more than just “see” ghosts after the death of her best friend’s father in a car wreck. As a Lightbringer, Wendy has the power to send spirits wandering the Never into the light, but this power comes at a cost. For each ghost sent into the Light, Wendy gives up a bit of her own life. Yet, if a soul remains in the Never, it risks fading into nothing. This fate-worse-than-death is what Wendy fears lays in store for her comatose mother, whose soul has inexplicably vanished during a strange accident involving the Lost, child souls in limbo. After bringing herself to the point of exhaustion searching for her mother’s soul every night, Wendy meets a dead boy whose presence might be the key to this mystery and more.

I love that Wendy is not an impossible super woman who stays up every night battling Walkers with no consequences. K. D. McEntire skillfully points out that her protagonist is running herself ragged – falling grades, plummeting body weight, and a complete breakdown of social niceties marks her internal struggle throughout the novel. Underlying all of this is a touch of horror genre, with flaps of skin here and an overturned bus there that reminds us that we are talking about dead people.

The girl-meets-ghost love story is more than it appears to be on the jacket cover. McEntire has an intriguing reason for Piotr and Wendy to be together, a mystery in and of itself that ties into the bigger whole. For, like all good novels, not all of the characters are what the protagonist assumes them to be. In fact, nearly every character has something about them that the author saves for the explosive climax – but, ah! No spoilers!

All in all, Lightbringer is a fun read full of mystery and surprises, and one that will leave you looking for the upcoming sequels.

You can find K. D. McEntire’s website at http://kdmcentire.com/.
Original review posted at: http://bryanthomasschmidt.net/sffwrtc...(less)

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Aug 21, 2012 Sarahharper rated it 5 of 5 stars

I found "Lightbringer" to be a very good read. It starts off just a little slow but once you get the hang of the world the author throws you into the story and you take off running. I didn't think the story was overly complex like some other reviewers do, you just have to actually use your head for a second instead of expecting the story to be fed to you like you're a little kid. I actually really like that about "Lightbringer". The author treats you like you're smart enough to figure things out...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Rhiannon Ryder rated it 1 of 5 stars

Sounds uber complicated right? Unfortunately this constitutes my biggest complaint about Lightbringer. It's a story with many different angles, mysteries and convergences. The relationships alone are rubix cube-esque in their complexity. Wendy and Eddie go way back, Eddie wants Wendy, and Wendy kinda wants Eddie? Maybe? I wasn't totally sure, so moving on- Piotr has a variety of past relationships, but he kind of doesn't remember them, but they do and there is all sorts of unexplained tension yo...more Sounds uber complicated right? Unfortunately this constitutes my biggest complaint about Lightbringer. It's a story with many different angles, mysteries and convergences. The relationships alone are rubix cube-esque in their complexity. Wendy and Eddie go way back, Eddie wants Wendy, and Wendy kinda wants Eddie? Maybe? I wasn't totally sure, so moving on- Piotr has a variety of past relationships, but he kind of doesn't remember them, but they do and there is all sorts of unexplained tension you suspect comes from lost memories of Piotrs. Except you're not told right away he's forgotten things.
Large, large swaths of things. So um, still confused, but whatever, I'll get it sooner or later.

Then there's the whole mystery of the kidnapped Lost. Less convoluted, unfortunately. I- who never guess the big mystery in books- saw this one coming a mile off. Which was a bit disappointing, but not story crushing. However the explanation left a lot to be desired. I saw who the culprit was going to be, but couldn't anticipate the big reveal of why, so when it came and I didn't buy it, there was a problem. There was a great deal of angry Harrumphing on my part while reading the end, with an angry toss across the room when I got to the last page. This was a first for me. I was waiting patiently for everything to come together, telling myself there was a lot of possibility here still, and I was going to get to the pay off soon. Right? Right!? Not so much.

I was really miffed, Robin Wasserman had glowing things to say in her blurbs, the story premise sounded cool, and although there were many clunky relationships I thought the puzzle of the premise was really going to win me over in the end. I was impressed by how completely it didn't.

I was so disappointed by this book, it made me feel like I'd obviously missed some inherent component somewhere along the way. Suffice it to say, me and Lightbringer were not compatible. But since credible others have blurbed glowing things about it I would venture to tell you not to write it off on my bad experience. I mean Robin Wasserman of the amazingly wonderful The Book of Blood and Shadow liked it. I must be insane, or maybe my book was missing a few chapters.

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Jul 01, 2012 Vanessa rated it 3 of 5 stars

LIGHTBRINGER is newcomer K.D. McEntire's first novel in a new young adult series. It starts off with Wendy's twelfth birthday, and a terrible car accident that awakens her inherited latent ability--she's a reaper, and can help lost souls to leave limbo and find the Light. But she came into her powers too early, and learning the nuances of guiding the dead has come with a price.

By the time she reaches high school she's already reaped a thousand souls under her mother's strict tutelage. But during...more LIGHTBRINGER is newcomer K.D. McEntire's first novel in a new young adult series. It starts off with Wendy's twelfth birthday, and a terrible car accident that awakens her inherited latent ability--she's a reaper, and can help lost souls to leave limbo and find the Light. But she came into her powers too early, and learning the nuances of guiding the dead has come with a price.

By the time she reaches high school she's already reaped a thousand souls under her mother's strict tutelage. But during the summer mom was in an accident and lays comatose at the hospital while Wendy struggles with helping her dad with two younger siblings, a secret but increasing reaper load due to her mother's absence, and as a result her grades are slipping. Poor girl has no time just to be a regular teenager.

But something is wrong in the Never. A new evil is causing chaos among the dead and Wendy promises new-found friend Piotr her help. Even though he's a ghost and needs help moving beyond a limbo he's been stuck in for many centuries, she finds herself drawn to him, and to their surprise they can even touch. Then she asks for his help to find her mother's missing spirit, and figuring out what really happened to her.

Wendy is interesting as the goth teen with a sense of duty drilled into her by a now absent mother. As the primary PoV character, her voice carries the book; she can be snarky, but she's smart and her responsibility as a reaper has grounded her in reality much more than a normal teen. Piotr's PoV can be confusing, but it has great value in that we see the viewpoint of the ghosts, and how limbo isn't just haunting the house you died in. Unfortunately, when Wendy and Piotr are in the same scene their PoVs can get jumbled, which is confusing. Secondary characters such as Wendy's brother Eddie and sister Chel add depth to Wendy's life, and those involved with Piotr are are all well drawn and McEntire does her best to make them unique and recognizable.

But the most important person in Wendy's life we really don't see in the book: her mother. We see her in a few flashbacks, and Wendy talks about her a little bit. Unfortunately for the story we don't understand the real relationship between them even though it becomes vital to the narrative--and this little tidbit is what tipped the book into mediocre. In order for the entire novel to make sense I needed to understand Wendy's mother and their relationship much more than I did. Sure there are hints, but as a reader who likes subtely in a novel, even I think McEntire was too subtle.

Fortunately McEntire makes up for this failing with a world of ghosts that is much more menacing than we'd expect. Although all the details of life/death, and the exceptions to the rule aren't clear--mostly because Wendy still has a lot to learn--McEntire reveals the background and information steadily without overwhelming her potential YA readers. The plot tends to be a little predictable, and stumbles with the occasional flashback, but it's well paced with events that build on each other and lead to an exciting conclusion.

Easily the best part of the book is McEntire's delightful prose, with lovely imagery and details that really draw the reader in. And it's her prose, fascinating setting, and the engaging characters that will keep readers turning pages despite its flaws.

Recommended Age: 16+ for themes, language, and sexual references
Language: Mixed, with a handful of the harsher stuff
Violence: Scattered scenes with some blood and detail, but not gruesome
Sex: Referenced frequently in crude teenage-talk(less)

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May 21, 2012 Hylary Locsin rated it 2 of 5 stars

Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!

After she witnessed the death of her best friend Eddie’s father in a tragic car accident when she was twelve, Wendy, now sixteen, has been able to see Earthbound spirits: those who have died but continue to exist in the Never, a world similar to that of the living, but visible only to a select few. Wendy, like her mother, is a Lightbringer and has the ability to call forth the Light that sends sou...more Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!

After she witnessed the death of her best friend Eddie’s father in a tragic car accident when she was twelve, Wendy, now sixteen, has been able to see Earthbound spirits: those who have died but continue to exist in the Never, a world similar to that of the living, but visible only to a select few. Wendy, like her mother, is a Lightbringer and has the ability to call forth the Light that sends souls into the world beyond the Never, setting them free and bringing them peace. Wendy can’t discuss her abilities with anyone but Eddie, and spends of her spare time training with her mom, trying to perfect her skills and learning about the intricacies of the afterlife. Everything changes, however, when Wendy’s mom inexplicably falls into a coma, her soul nowhere to be found. Wendy gives up reaping lost souls in order to search for her mother in the Never, hoping to find her and reunite her with her body, bringing her back to life. One day, Wendy encounters Piotr, the ghost of a Russian teenager who has spent his afterlife as a Rider: someone who protects the souls of children caught in the Never. Piotr is on a hunt of his own, trying to find out why some of the children he and the other riders in San Francisco watch over have begun to disappear. Piotr and Wendy decide to work together, and begin to form a relationship that seems to be more than just business. Can Wendy find her mother and help Piotr save the children he has sworn to protect?
From debut author K.D. McEntire comes this interesting if somewhat strange new series that creates an afterlife that is much more than ghosts simply haunting graveyards and rattling chains. Set in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, Lightbringer is the story of Wendy, a goth-girl who actually has something to be morose about. Unlike other stories with similar concepts, Wendy begins the story knowing about her powers and being familiar with how to send ghosts into the Light. Many novels that have had a protagonist discovering that they have some kind of supernatural ability tend to spend a lot of chapters focusing on said person learning how to do whatever it is they can do. That is not the case in Lightbringer. Instead, Wendy is more comfortable with her powers, and uses them to help solve the mystery of her mother’s condition and Piotr’s missing children. Although the storyline does have some interesting portions, however, much of the novel is, simply put, odd. The relationship between Eddie and Wendy is confusing, as are the details of her inevitable romance with the very-much-dead Piotr. There is also quite a bit of cussing, but it doesn’t always seem to fit in the moment. The end of the novel does pick up quite a bit and become exciting, but, overall, the story is a mixed-bag. The next installment in the series, Reaper, is set to be released on August 24, 2012.

This was one of those novels that, after I finished reading it, I wasn’t really sure what to think. Since I live in Silicon Valley, I naturally enjoyed the setting and references to things like Great America, the Great Mall, etc. I also thought that the minor characters in the novel were interesting, especially Piotr’s fellow Riders. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what exactly was going on with Wendy, the White Lady, and Piotr’s missing children. I was struggling to understand what was happening, and it seemed to get more and more confusing with each chapter. I also found the relationship between Wendy and Piotr to be unsettling, even though I’ve read novels with human/ghost romances before. I’m interested to see what happens in the sequel, but I don’t know if I would recommend this title readily.

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Mar 21, 2012 Justin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lightbringer was an interesting book. I don't really know what I was expecting, I was just intrigued by the concept. I did feel that it was lacking a little, there were a lot of times where the book just didn't hold my interest but then there were other parts where I couldn't put it down. It was just a give and take scenario.

I felt that the story was fairly unique, at least based off of all the books I have read in the past. I would of loved to have seen a little more depth to the characters, es...more

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Jan 03, 2012 The Romantic Cynic rated it 3 of 5 stars

Thank God, Thank God, Thank God this book wasn't crap. I've had bad luck with books lately and was reluctant diving into something new. The cover just begged me to pick it up, though, and I was rewarded.

It starts off kind of Meh, but quickly picks up thank God. It had a plot (which is more than I can say for some YA books) filled with twists and has good pacing. The ending was the only thing I didn't like because I picked this up expecting a stand-alone novel and it becomes pretty apparent when...more Thank God, Thank God, Thank God this book wasn't crap. I've had bad luck with books lately and was reluctant diving into something new. The cover just begged me to pick it up, though, and I was rewarded.

It starts off kind of Meh, but quickly picks up thank God. It had a plot (which is more than I can say for some YA books) filled with twists and has good pacing. The ending was the only thing I didn't like because I picked this up expecting a stand-alone novel and it becomes pretty apparent when you're coming down to the last 20 pages and they're still building up the climax that this has to have a sequel as only half of it is tied up.

Now onto characters. Wendy was an alright heroine, not as dumb as most but not a brilliant shining star in a sea of Mary-Sues--she's more like this little star that you can sometimes see if the whole city will cooperate with you and turn off the lights. She had a brain, which I applaud, and actually thinks things through rather than just relying on her male counterpart. Her abilities were kick-ass and I like that she grew over the course of the novel, realizing that she didn't have to reap if she didn't want to.

Piotr... Okay, first off I get why his name was spelled like this, but I'm one of those people where weird spelling ticks me off. It confuses me and makes me think I should pronounce the name different in my head. It actually took me a little while to realize his name was Peter rather than Pi-o-ter or something unpronounceable like that.

I digress. Piotr was...alright. I didn't hate him, didn't love him, at least he wasn't abusive. I found it intriguing that he was slowly losing his memories (I mean, think about it, he could be a totally different person at one point) and wanted to explore this but it was treated as more of subplot here. Hopefully in the sequel McEntire will expand on this.

The White Lady was an excellent villain and she had me creeped out right until the very end. I kind of predicted her identity but that's just me. The dynamic between her and Wendy was excellent and it really came down to an epic battle with neither side really winning.

Eddie...was just there. He was the necessary third wheel to the love triangle. The fact that his soul is floating around in the afterlife does not distress me at all.

The rest of the characters were okay. I hated Elle, whose dialogue was like nails on a chalkboard to me. It was just that kind of obvious slap that warrants as a sarcastic, "Subtle." You know those throw-away characters in films and TV shows like the Latin-America woman who uses 'chica' and other Spanish words thrown in at random to show that they're, you know, DIFFERENT? Yeah, her flapper speak is kind of like that. It needed to be toned down.

I liked the mythology. It was new and interesting and (thankfully) explained. I really felt that the author created her own world and was privileged to be a part of it.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this. I will be buying the sequel and hope that it takes this unique world and expands on it. (less)

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Nov 07, 2011 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lightbringer illuminates a world that exists parallel to our own, one where life and death coexist simultaneously and where dead in no way means gone. It’s a world we could potentially reach out and touch if we knew it was there, feeling real enough through the paper pages to draw us in and have us itching to explore what exists just beyond the reach of our reality. Because we enter into this story at a point in Wendy’s life when she’s already cognizant of her role as a reaper of ghosts, we are...more Lightbringer illuminates a world that exists parallel to our own, one where life and death coexist simultaneously and where dead in no way means gone. It’s a world we could potentially reach out and touch if we knew it was there, feeling real enough through the paper pages to draw us in and have us itching to explore what exists just beyond the reach of our reality. Because we enter into this story at a point in Wendy’s life when she’s already cognizant of her role as a reaper of ghosts, we are left to play a bit of catch up with regard to the terminology and the distinguishing characteristics that define each type of spirit (Rider, Walker, Lost, Shade). Our resulting detachment from this initial role as an outsider does begin to fade as we slowly learn the the rules that govern the Never and its inhabitants, allowing us to fully engage with our somewhat temperamental heroine, her ghostly love interest, and her steadfast best friend.

Wendy is a character who has a gift for pulling us close and then pushing us away with shocking strength just as she does those around her, at times earning our sympathy for the hand she’s been dealt but then a few pages later knocking us back several steps with her abrasiveness. She often snaps at her family, Eddie, and Piotr, treating them to an attitude they did little to earn, and while we admire the bravado she frequently projects but doesn’t necessarily feel, the negativity that sometimes gets the better of her can be an touch off-putting. Luckily for us though, this tendency and behavior does not go unacknowledged by either Wendy or those on the receiving end of her wrath, and she is quick to remedy her wrongs with sincerity.

One of the more fascinating aspects of this story is Wendy’s role as Lightbringer, her inherited legacy of sending spirits into the Light one that remains difficult to decipher, leaving us to wonder whether or not this gift makes her a savior or monster. Given Piotr’s initial impression of her as well as the seeds of doubt planted by the White Lady, we begin to question, as Wendy does, the certainty that she’s doing the right thing. Wendy slowly begins to realize just how blindly she's been following her mother’s teachings without ever questioning the whys of it, and the more she learns about her ability the more a haze of confusion begins to replace what was once crystal clear to leave us all in an intriguing limbo scrabbling for purchase.

Though Wendy can be problematic at times and our general ignorance in the beginning keeps us at a bit of a distance, the overall story is rather captivating. We are given a little romance, a little heartbreak, a lot of emotional intensity, and a truly horrifying hooded villain even more grotesque once we finally see the face hidden beneath. We’re left with a solid conclusion for the most part with one huge exception, the uncertainty of one character’s fate sure to haunt us as we wait not-so patiently for a second installment.

Rating: 3.5-4/5

(I couldn't really decide between a 3.5 and a 4 - sometimes when I thought back on the story Wendy's behavior and attitude bothered me more than others, so I'm just giving a range:-) (less)

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Aug 01, 2012 VampireNovelFan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: free, mystery, review-request, science-fiction, young-adult

Lightbringer Carries Dark Themes

Young Adult paranormal fans, specifically those who love ghosts, may want to consider checking out K.D. McEntire's debut effort, Lightbringer. Wendy is a not-so-everyday teen with a peculiar six sense; she can see ghosts--ghosts of the Never to be exact--which consist of children who've died too young. Not only can she see them, but they know she can and so they seek her out routinely for help. Only she can bring them to the other side, setting their souls free....more

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Nov 13, 2011 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, young-adult, urban, arcs

LIGHTBRINGER was a book of extremes for me. The story, the characters and their relationships, the mythology of the Lightbringers; all of these things fascinated and entertained me. The teenagers of this story, both dead and alive, piece together their own interpretation of the world around them in a fashion that I found riveting. Even better, by book's end I had more confidence in the children's new interpretation of the relationship between spirits and Lightbringers than anything that was reve...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have to say I really enjoyed this book. It is a story that is a mishmash of Peter Pan and Wendy. Just trying to figure out who was who made me smile. Plus, the story itself was strange and unusual which also grabbed my attention (yes, I'll say it... because I myself, am strange and unusual!... lol).

I did enjoy many of the characters, mainly Wendy, Piotr, and Eddie. They were fully fleshed out and interesting to read. Some of the secondary characters, particularly the other "riders" who help th...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-review-copy, contemporary, coming-of-age, fantasy, read-in-2011, pyr

Lightbringer does take some time to get into, which might cause some people to quibble with the pacing, but at the end of the day this is a refreshing twist on a paranormal young adult book. Lightbringer isn’t filled with sappy, unbelievable romance, nor does it have a large chunk of the plot dedicated to the protagonist coming to terms with her abilities and her new understanding of the world. Instead, the reader is thrown into a story where the protagonist, an incredibly strong, if hot-and-col...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: youngadult, romance-y, paranormal-fantasy, fairy-tales

Short & Sweet: This retelling of Peter Pan is quite interesting. Wendy is a lightbringer, a human that can see ghosts and helps them move on to where they belong. Piotr is the first Rider and helps the Lost, the children ghosts who are stuck in the in-between. When they first meet is the first time Wendy sees a ghost, after a car crash in which her best friend Eddie lost his father. When she sees him years later, he does not remember her. Together they must figure out who is gathering the so...more

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Apr 06, 2012 the golden witch. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teenage-shennanigans, 2012, fairy-tales-retold, magical-reality, phantasmagoria, reviewed

You know, I really never thought of the Never being part of the ghostly/faerie realm, but McEntire really did a good job with how she crafted and twisted the old tale to not only create a reboot, but a very creative one at that. "Lightbringer" is not for the faint of heart (or of stomach, in some chapters), but it cuts to the heart of the truth about death, and what it can do to the soul. And it fundamentally makes us ask ourselves - is our heroine really a heroine because she's the main charact...more You know, I really never thought of the Never being part of the ghostly/faerie realm, but McEntire really did a good job with how she crafted and twisted the old tale to not only create a reboot, but a very creative one at that. "Lightbringer" is not for the faint of heart (or of stomach, in some chapters), but it cuts to the heart of the truth about death, and what it can do to the soul. And it fundamentally makes us ask ourselves - is our heroine really a heroine because she's the main character? Or is she the unreliable narrator and possibly the villain after all? This one really messes with your mind, kids, so beware.

It always had occurred to me whilst reading the original "Peter Pan" that maybe the Lost Boys were really just ghosts of childhoods past - we know that in the original Neverland was a place of eternal youth, where you never had to grow up, and where you could always have your own adventures - and each child had their own version of Neverland, there were never two of the same. But in a rather Dickensian way, McEntire makes us question that of the original text - what if, much like the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future in Dicken's "A Christmas Carol", that the Never was a place full of ghosts of the past - of childhood (the Lost), teenagers (the Riders), and the adults (who occasionally turned into Walkers). I thought that was a very clever spin on the entire old concept of Neverland, which in turn has been used in various retellings and reconstructionist tales in YA over the years.

So in this vein, she tells the story of one girl who can bring all of these ghosts peace (or is she really bringing them obliteration?), in a dark world that sits next to our own, full of memories of forgotten things and people. I really liked that spin on it, and liked the deep darkness that McEntire attached to her entire story - the Lost were like "batteries" to the Riders and the Walkers (and as we find out later, to the Lightbringers over the course of their female line of descendents). She never gives us an origin story of the never, which I both liked and didn't like - it was confusing at first, but once you see things start to tie together around the end of the first third of the book, you relax into it.

Then bringing in Peter (or rather, Piotr in this version), the original leader of the Lost Boys as the leader of the Riders with a huge Alzheimer's problem in terms of what he's done in the past. While I think the love triangle with Wendy's BFF was unneeded, I can see why McEntire did it - to make Wendy's choice between her "destiny" as truly becoming the Lightbringer for her generation or to run from it into the arms of the living. It was cleverly done, but it did bring down my enjoyment of the book just because I'm sick of love triangles in general in YA. But she handled it well and it didn't really tie in until the very end of the book.

There were parts where it dragged and were repetitive (Wendy's hunts for her mother's soul and out to reap the Walkers), which also kind of slowed me down and let my mind wander a bit, but that was within the first half. All in all, perhaps the first third could have used one more draft to tighten things up in the dragging/repetitive areas. It kicks into high gear at the end of the first third of the book, and from there snowballs into one of the most explosive endings that I've read in YA in awhile. The payoff is HUGE, and let me say that I admire McEntire for being able to ruthlessly torture and kill her darlings (no pun intended) whenever she needed to. The ending was fabulous, though I can safely say we all knew who the White Lady was all along with all of the hints she dropped throughout the book.

And her use of sensory language was at times overpowering - but this is a good thing. The Walkers interacting with the White Lady (really any scene with the White Lady in it) was so visceral there were times I had to put down the book and walk away because it made me react so hard in a physical way. In a way that would make the crew of "The Walking Dead" TV series proud, the scenes with the Walkers cannibalizing their own kind only to be "healed" by the White Lady were stomachturningly awesome. These were some of the scenes I enjoyed the most, and I hope for more Walker interaction in book 2.

Finally, there's the question of Wendy being an unreliable narrator - is she really a savior to the Lost and other trapped souls in the Never? Or is she really a murderer? I loved that this question was posed at all - it seems very rare in YA lit as a whole as of late that authors are doing this with their MCs. I won't giveaway the answer, but it was definitely something for me to chew over when I took breaks from the book.

Final verdict? Definitely worth the read if for just the luscious zombie soul scenes alone. "Lightbringer" is out now via Pyr/Prometheus books and book two, "Reaper" will be out this August. Be sure to check it out as it's definitely one of the more original and fascinating retellings in YA I've read in awhile.

(posted to goodreads, shelfari, and birthofanewwitch.wordpress.com)
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Jan 01, 2012 Haley rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book had me very confused in the beginning. I wasn’t sure who Piotr was or how to pronounce his name (It’s Peter, not Pietree) and where Wendy had went. I eventually figured out that Piotr is a ghost (and Russian) and Wendy is the Lightbringer and that they were gonna be all romantic together. So, awesome. I started liking it. This book reminds me of a whole lot of books and series I have read (Meridian, Angelfire, Demon Trapper’s Daughter, Die For Me, Possess, ect.). Sadly, no angels, but...more

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Aug 17, 2012 C.G. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal, read-in-2012, romance, young-adult

I was hoping this was a stand-alone book as I wasn't sure I wanted to read any more, but when I reached the end with several questions still unanswered, I realised I probably will read the next one.

I did figure out one of the major point quite early on. Some of the world-building was a bit confusing in spots but it was consistent. I would like to see more of Wendy's siblings, especially her younger sister, who was referenced in the final pages - although calling her Michelle at that point threw...more

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Dec 18, 2011 Ashley rated it 3 of 5 stars

What I liked.
World and mythology. Lightbringer is set both in our world, and in a place called the Never, where ghosts and souls dwell in a sort of limbo. These worlds overlap each other, and our main character Wendy has the power to see the Never. What's more, she has the special power to reap straggling souls and send them into the light, onto the true afterlife. The Never was a really interesting place, reminiscent of the Netherworld in the Soul Screamers series. At first, it's all a bit conf...more What I liked.
World and mythology. Lightbringer is set both in our world, and in a place called the Never, where ghosts and souls dwell in a sort of limbo. These worlds overlap each other, and our main character Wendy has the power to see the Never. What's more, she has the special power to reap straggling souls and send them into the light, onto the true afterlife. The Never was a really interesting place, reminiscent of the Netherworld in the Soul Screamers series. At first, it's all a bit confusing because we're thrown into it without much explanation, but then we learn that there are different types of beings in the never, such as Walkers, Riders, and Lost. Riders are basically dead teenagers that guard the souls of the Lost, which are children that haven't crossed over into the light. Walkers are gruesome creatures that eat the souls of the Lost, at the cost of rotting and decaying into terrible creatures.Each of these plays an important part in the story, and it's interesting to see how things aren't always what they seem to be.

The characters. I liked the characters in Lightbringer, especially Piotr and Eddie, the former being a Rider and the latter being Wendy's best friend. Wendy herself ran a bit hot and cold with me, because she could be annoyingly snappy at times, pushing away the people that cared for her and tried to help her. I'm glad to say that romance wasn't a huge part for a change. I mean, it was there, but Wendy's main goal was to beat the White Lady and save the Lost. Plus, romance-wise, the ending was a bit sad. But there will be more books, so all hope is not lost!

Also, Piotr is Russian. Russian. That's totally sexy.

The villain. This is one of those 'I hated her so much that I loved her' moments. The antagonist of the story, which is the White Lady, was so absolutely disgusting. She's like the ultimate bad guy, because when it's revealed who she truly is, it's like a slap in the face. (Although I kind of guessed it a bit earlier) Towards the end, every word that came out of her mouth just ignited the ire in me even further. She was so absolutely horrendous that I had to appreciate just how much I hated her character. It's easy to love a character, but pretty difficult to make me honest-to-God loathe one. I know it sounds weird, but for that reason I loved the White Lady, because I hated her.

What I didn't like.
The pacing. The only thing I didn't really like in Lightbringer was the pacing. I felt like it just took too long to get the good parts. About 100 pages in was when it started to get really good, and even then it was still lagging a bit. I sometimes would skim the long descriptions in favor of the dialogue

Overall, Lightbringer was a great YA debut for K.D. McEntire. I will definitely be picking up the sequel, and if you're looking for a good, inventive story about your not-so-average ghosts, then Lightbringer is definitely for you. 3 out of 5 stars.(less)

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Mar 24, 2012 Emma rated it 1 of 5 stars

received for review from publisher

Kirkus sums up everything I have to say quite nicely: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

I was put off by reading the blurb about Wendy only to spend the beginning of the story (post prologue with Piotr). I also detest books where characters speak dialect--cadence can be created with word choice instead of dropping g's and so on.

I also truly believe there is a different between having young adults (teens) as characters in a book and having a book BE a Young...more

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May 21, 2012 Natalie (Mindful Musings) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: from-publisher-finished-copy, young-adult, urban-fantasy, ghosts, special-powers

In a Sentence: Though the ending felt a little forced to me, overall, Lightbringer was an enjoyable read that is sure to be a hit with fans of gritty supernatural tales.
My Thoughts
I've always been a sucker for retellings, so when I heard that Lightbringer was supposed to be a reimagination of Peter Pan, a childhood favorite of mine, I knew I had to check it out. One of the things I really ended up liking about Lightbringer was how it used the original Peter Pan story as a basis, but it put an i...more In a Sentence: Though the ending felt a little forced to me, overall, Lightbringer was an enjoyable read that is sure to be a hit with fans of gritty supernatural tales.
My Thoughts
I've always been a sucker for retellings, so when I heard that Lightbringer was supposed to be a reimagination of Peter Pan, a childhood favorite of mine, I knew I had to check it out. One of the things I really ended up liking about Lightbringer was how it used the original Peter Pan story as a basis, but it put an incredibly different and creative spin on the story. Honestly, if I hadn't known prior to reading Lightbringer, I'm not sure I would have realized that it was inspired by Peter Pan. Still, the connections are there if you look for them, which made reading Lightbringer all the more fun.

The aspect of Lightbringer that I liked the most was the overall atmosphere of the book. What I mean by that is that Lightbringer has this gritty, ghostly feel to it that immediately drew me into Wendy's world and made me curious to read more. I also really enjoyed the mythology behind the book, like "the Lost" being the souls of children who couldn't cross over.

Wendy was an interesting protagonist. It's obvious from the beginning that she's a damaged piece of work. After all, she can see the dead in a world of people who are skeptical of the supernatural, not to mention the fact that her mother's in a coma and she can't figure out what happened to her. To me, Wendy seemed like a very strong girl with a lot going on beneath the surface. She's got this incredible responsibility handed down to her by her mother, and her mother, the only one who was capable of understanding what Wendy was going through, is now gone from her life. This leaves Wendy barely holding it all together at times, especially when she starts to call into question all that she's known and believed.

I also really liked that Wendy's family wasn't left out of the picture, which tends to happen on a semi-regular basis in YA literature. Though Wendy's father and siblings were minor characters in Lightbringer, they still made regular appearances, and I got to see enough of them to realize just how much they were suffering as a result of losing a loved one as well.

My only complaint about Lightbringer was the ending and the resolution of a major plot point that had been a mystery throughout the majority of the book. I can't go into a lot of detail without spoiling it for those of you who haven't read it, but I just found it to be not only predictable, but a bit hard to believe (for me, personally) as well. Oddly enough, even though the book ends with an open end, clearly setting it up for a sequel, I felt like things were wrapped up a little too quickly and a little too neatly.

In spite of this, I found Lightbringer to be an overall enjoyable read. I'm definitely willing to look into more books by K.D. McEntire in the future! For those of you who are interested, the sequel to Lightbringer, Reaper, is scheduled for release in August! I liked the first book enough to continue the series, so I'll probably be adding Reaper to my bookshelf in the future!(less)

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Nov 11, 2012 Chayse Sundt rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I first saw this book, I was expecting one thing but as soon I dove into it, my whole perspective changed and I was instantly sucked into the world and held on for the ride till the last page.

I thought Wendy was a good girl but she complained a lot. It kind of started to get on my nerve but than I thought that if maybe I was in her position, I would be pounding my fists on the floor like a baby, complaining on how I didn't want to do anything. It's true!

I loved how we were able to see the...more

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May 13, 2012 carole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

Lightbringer is one of those books that has a fantastic and original plot filled with great imagery and phenomenal world building. The setting that K.D. McEntire creates is filled with elements and characters that I think anyone could enjoy. The main character, Wendy, is truly a fighter. Overall this book is amazing, one I recommend!

Wendy spends her nights reaping ghosts and shades and leading them into the light. On top of that, her mother is in a coma and her father is never around. Left to ta...more Lightbringer is one of those books that has a fantastic and original plot filled with great imagery and phenomenal world building. The setting that K.D. McEntire creates is filled with elements and characters that I think anyone could enjoy. The main character, Wendy, is truly a fighter. Overall this book is amazing, one I recommend!

Wendy spends her nights reaping ghosts and shades and leading them into the light. On top of that, her mother is in a coma and her father is never around. Left to take on the responsibilities at home in addition to her duties passed on from her mother, her life is pretty busy. She's an all around amazing character. And, bonus, she kicks major butt. Her sarcastic attitude makes the book enjoyable and fun to read, even with the dark nature of the story.

My favorite character is Eddie, Wendy's best friend, he's sweet and really cares about her. They have been through a lot together. Then there are Wendy's younger brother and sister, Michelle and Jon, freshman twins. The sibling relationship that K.D. shows is one that anyone with a brother or sister can relate to.

Wendy's reapings bring her into the Never. The Never is where she meets Piotr, for the second time. It's the place where souls go once a person has died, it's a limbo of sorts. Piotr is a Rider protecting the Lost children from the Walkers (a dark breed of ghost destroying the Lost). He's also Russian, way cool, reminded me of Pietr from Shannon Delany's 13 to Life series! It's an ever changing landscape and K.D. does an amazing job describing this fascinating world and not making it too complicated, as fantasy and science fiction can sometimes be.

It's a well written and very original story about love, loss, and growing up! It's an emotional ride and a journey that was well worth the ups and downs. The ending was great and definitely builds for a series. I'm looking forward to the next book featuring Wendy, Reaper, out in August! And, I also can't wait for more from this wonderful author!(less)

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Mar 19, 2012 Angela rated it 3 of 5 stars

??? I like the book and the ending is good. It’s just that throughout the story, it was a bit slow and a little confusing.
Wendy is the Lightbringer; the one who reaped soul to their afterlife. But no one understands what she is or do except for her mother—although no she can’t because her mother is in a coma. The only person she now has is Piotr, a Rider who guard the Lost soul...plus he also dead. A Walker (one who eats soul) is on the loose and many Lost soul are missing. The only way that t...more

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Apr 18, 2012 Shanise {Camisado Mind} rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, own-arc, for-review, paranormal-fantasy, review-arc

When I began Lightbringer I was confused and I honestly wasn't sure I would be able to finish the book, but I'm glad I did because it ended up being really good, and quite entertaining.

I enjoyed the world that K.D. McEntire created with the Never and back to the living world. I understood Wendy's pain completely throughout with having to reap the dead, deal with her best friend's love, falling for a ghost all while trying to find her mother's soul.

When reading the summary I expected more of Piot...more

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Nov 16, 2011 Melissa (i swim for oceans) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-arcs, paranormal, sci-fi-and-fantasy

Wendy lives in a world that exists right within our reach, yet infinitely far, as we have never known of its actual existence. It's in this world that Wendy, a Lightbringer, follows her destiny and legacy to guide lost spirits into the light and into peace. But when the spirit of Wendy's mother goes missing, Wendy is determined to find out where she has gone and help her find peace. In the same breath, Piotr is having his own problems - his spirit children are being kidnapped, and he doesn't kno...more Wendy lives in a world that exists right within our reach, yet infinitely far, as we have never known of its actual existence. It's in this world that Wendy, a Lightbringer, follows her destiny and legacy to guide lost spirits into the light and into peace. But when the spirit of Wendy's mother goes missing, Wendy is determined to find out where she has gone and help her find peace. In the same breath, Piotr is having his own problems - his spirit children are being kidnapped, and he doesn't know why. Wendy and Piotr might need to team up to fight the dark forces at play, but there is always a choice. Do either of the two have the strength to make the right choice?

Lightbringer is one of those novels that's nearly hidden in utter obscurity due to the sheer volume of titles entering the paranormal young adult market today. It's a shame, however, because Lightbringer is a hidden gem of complexity that completely envelops the reader in a world entirely different yet wholly tangible for the reader. Debut author, K.D. McEntire has created a mesmerizing and haunting tale rich with engaging characters, tense adventures and a guiding theme of love and trust that seals the deal for the story. Lightbringer might not be a name you have heard of before, but it is one that will surely be passed forward if you give it a chance.

Lightbringer presented a dynamic and realistic protagonist in Wendy. She was strong and capable, albeit perhaps a bit abrasive at times, but then again, who doesn't have their moments. Despite the character flaw, it made Wendy accessible to me and, though she was extremely strong-willed and temperamental, it made me want to find out her motives even more. Likewise, Piotr was an engrossing character, fully-fleshed out and capbable in his own right. Though leagues different from Wendy, the connection between the two was undeniable, and their traits played off one another well. The world of Lightbringer is the true beauty of the novel though. There was such a strong theme of mythology woven throughout that it almost made me believe that the stories of these Lightbringers might very well be true. That's a skill in and of itself. There were a few minor flaws of note in the story - namely the character of Elle who, honestly, felt very false and foreign to me, and the lack of true presence of Wendy's father. Lightbringer redeems itself with a villain, however, that is repulsive, grotesque and so foul that I almost couldn't stomach reading about it. That's how creatively vile the character was.

Overally, Lightbringer was a solid, entertaining read that I'm sure I will read again. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal stories involving ghosts.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.(less)

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Nov 04, 2011 Sarah Snyder rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs-i-own, books-i-own

The story of Lightbringer was incredibly creative. Wendy is a lightbringer; she sends lingering spirits to rest. When her mother’s spirit goes missing, Wendy makes it her mission to find it and return her to safety. At the same time, Piotr is having problems of his own. Piotr is a rider; a teenage ghost that oversees the safety of several ghost children. One by one, the ghost children are being kidnapped and Piotr and his friend have no idea why. Wendy and Piotr meet and they decide to help each...more The story of Lightbringer was incredibly creative. Wendy is a lightbringer; she sends lingering spirits to rest. When her mother’s spirit goes missing, Wendy makes it her mission to find it and return her to safety. At the same time, Piotr is having problems of his own. Piotr is a rider; a teenage ghost that oversees the safety of several ghost children. One by one, the ghost children are being kidnapped and Piotr and his friend have no idea why. Wendy and Piotr meet and they decide to help each other out with their mysteries. I am over simplifying this, but you get the gist of it.

Wendy is an interesting character, but she wasn’t terribly memorable. I just did not feel that connection that you want to feel with characters. I felt the same about the overall book. Like I said, I found it undeniably creative, but I would not classify it as a page-turner. When I put the book down, my fingers didn’t itch to pick it up again. I didn’t have to force myself to read slower, so that I didn’t miss anything. I was interested in the book, I just wasn’t captivated by it.
I also wasn’t too fond of Eddie (Wendy’s best friend). But for the life of me, I cannot exactly tell you why. To me, he was presented as Wendy’s alternative to Piotr, more than her partner in crime. He is meant to be her best friend, who wants more out of the relationship. But I struggled to really figure him out. At times he flirts with Wendy, but then follows it up with a joke. So, like Wendy, I was confused about where he stood.

I would love to see more of Wendy's family in next book. I am interested in seeing how Wendy’s siblings play into the upcoming story arcs. I doubt Jon has any paranormal abilities (it seems to be a girl thing), but I wonder if Chel’s powers will ever awaken. That would present an interesting story arc.

I enjoyed Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire, I just didn’t love it. It was a rather creative story, but I found it to be a bit slow at times. I was impressed with how unpredictable the story was. I left like there were twists and turns around every corner. That coupled with the creative storyline, McEntire was able to create a rather impressive book.The characters and storyline were interesting; I just wasn’t pulled into the book. Still, it was entertaining and I will be keeping an eye out for the upcoming books.(less)

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Nov 28, 2011 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it 3 of 5 stars

As I began this book, I love the idea of it. It wasn't all what I was expecting, but I still liked it.

Ms. McEntire brings a world of the beyond front and center to her readers. I adored that right from the beginning we see the start of a new light bringer. One that can help souls cross over. I enjoyed this main character Wendy come into her place. I like how she fought her destiny and I really like how her destiny entangled her.

One gripe about the main character I had, is that I felt she is a li...more

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Nov 13, 2011 All Things Urban Fantasy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-by-julia

LIGHTBRINGER was a book of visceral reactions for me; characters and mythology that I adored juxtaposed against a villain that I absolutely hated. The teenagers of this story, both dead and alive, piece together their own interpretation of the magic around them in a fashion that I found riveting. Even better, by book's end I had more confidence in the children's new interpretation of the relationship between spirits and Lightbringers than anything that was revealed by authoritative adults.

While...more LIGHTBRINGER was a book of visceral reactions for me; characters and mythology that I adored juxtaposed against a villain that I absolutely hated. The teenagers of this story, both dead and alive, piece together their own interpretation of the magic around them in a fashion that I found riveting. Even better, by book's end I had more confidence in the children's new interpretation of the relationship between spirits and Lightbringers than anything that was revealed by authoritative adults.

While McEntire does give us a villain (who was so loathsome I could barely stand to read her dialogue in the end), the main thrust of this story revolves around these teenage characters trying to make sense of their world. Wendy learns about her family, her friendships and the world around her in an organic and realistic way. The smooth integration of home, school, and magic was impressive. The supporting characters, as well, break out of all the stereotypical boxes that siblings, friends, and love interests fall into to become nuanced and interesting in their own right. Only Wendy's father remains fuzzy and vague in the background, but that provides a vacuum of responsibility to keep the pressure on Wendy to hold her family together as well as fulfill her Buffy-esque Lightbringer duties. Even Elle, whose flapper cant was so obnoxious I skipped it whenever possible, still managed to have a nuanced relationship with Piotr that piqued my interest.

Elle’s speech patterns was the only aspect of LIGHTBRINGER that felt like it wasn’t achieving McEntire’s intended effect (my hatred of the villain, though over the top virulent, was masterfully fanned by the author). Those two reactions were enough knock this book down a bat, if only because they took me out of the story, but the positives are striking enough that I’ll be back for more. Though LIGHTBRINGER is satisfying as a stand alone novel, there is definitely room to continue into a series. Regardless, well paced action, interesting relationships and an emphasis on character growth all combine to guarantee that I’ll keep my eyes peeled for McEntire’s next offering, whatever it may be.

Sexual Content: Kissing, references to sex.(less)

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Jan 06, 2012 Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) marked it as to-read

Dec 13

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Mar 08, 2012 Tashina rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book had potential, but in the end, I was left disappointed. The characters didn't 'click' for me, their emotions and ways of dealing with the problems a little too much, or at times, not enough. It made it hard to relate with them, especially Wendy. And the relationship between Piotr and Wendy...it just wasn't there. At all. And don't get me started on the mother-daughter relationship, even though I knew exactly what was going to happen around chapter 2.

I'm still reeling from how annoyed I...more

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Nov 28, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'll preface this by noting that I received a free copy, signed by the author, through a giveaway on Reddit. This does not change my review at all.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. An easy YA read, that makes you ponder life after death. The characters had easy to spot faults, and weren't book superheros, something some stories tend to play on too much. I certainly hope the next book comes out soon... I can't wait to read more!

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