Beckoning Light (The Afterglow Trilogy, #1)

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Beckoning Light (The Afterglow Trilogy #1)

by Alyssa Rose Ivy (Goodreads Author)

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 · rating details · 250 ratings · 66 reviews

As Charlotte steps through the gate, she has a strong feeling that nothing will ever be the same again.

Moving back to South Carolina after three years away, Charlotte knows she's going to have to face people from her past and adjust to a new high school, but she's completely unprepared for what else waits for her in Charleston.

Drawn through an old garden gate, Charlotte...more

Paperback, 256 pages

Published July 25th 2011 by Createspace (first published July 15th 2011)

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Jan 07, 2012 Sarah Grace James-Miller rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amazing-main-character, over-just-amazing-books

4.5 out of 5 stars

In this amazing story we see through the eyes of Charlotte (age 16) and her brother Kevin (age 18). After some events they have to move back to South Carolina (where they grew up) to live with their uncle on their mother's side. As I said before we see through both character's eyes. Usually I freaking hate that, but Ivy made it work. It made the story better to see both POVs, although I preferred Charlotte's (although that's probably because I'm a girl). Throughout the book we...more

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Aug 09, 2012 Alis Bookshelf rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Beckoning Light, was a journey filled book. A book that took me into a whole new world and let me live there with the characters. I love a book that creates a whole new world and is so detailed that you can see it in your head. That is exactly what Alyssa Rose Ivy does with Beckoning Light.

I loved the characters of this amazing book. The wonderful author brings her characters to life for you with her words and those very words are the characters stepping stones to climb out of the pages and tell...more

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Sep 02, 2011 Amos Fairchild rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Teen readers and the young at heart.

This is the story of two teenagers, a brother and sister (aged 18 and 16), who have come back to their childhood home to live with their uncle after spending some three years in Alaska. They are reasonably relaxed teens, which is nice to see for a change, with Charlotte being somewhat socially reserved and her brother Kevin being suitably protective. Their lives and world, however, are not quite as normal as it would seem, and the strange locked gate near the historic house they live in is just...more This is the story of two teenagers, a brother and sister (aged 18 and 16), who have come back to their childhood home to live with their uncle after spending some three years in Alaska. They are reasonably relaxed teens, which is nice to see for a change, with Charlotte being somewhat socially reserved and her brother Kevin being suitably protective. Their lives and world, however, are not quite as normal as it would seem, and the strange locked gate near the historic house they live in is just the tip of the iceberg. Beyond is another world of both beauty and magic and danger, and it will be up to Kevin to try to rescue his sister from what lay beyond.

The story is written in first person from the point of view of both the brother and sister, and I must admit I took me a little while to come to terms with this approach. I was always more comfortable when it was Charlotte's voice I must admit, but I think this is a personal preference. This was a bold move by the author, I think, where most would have taken the easier third person approach, but in the end it worked very well and led to great tension building toward the end of the novel.

This also had some of the great attributes I love about indie works in that the author didn't find the need to start with a dramatic fight or a train wreck. Instead the story built slowly and steadily, allowing the reader to really get to know the characters and develop their relationships. Another thing I really loved was something that is often neglected in these journeys to other worlds. When a girl finds herself in an ancient castle in an unknown world, it is nice that there is somebody there who can show he where the toilet is.

The story was well paced and easy to read and I really didn't put it down aside for the necessary food and other stops until it was finished. This has a nice straight forward but not overly simple plot, yet still there were more surprises than I was expecting. It is also nicely self contained, and yet leaves the reader eager for the next book in the series.

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the next adventure of Charlotte and Kevin. (less)

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Sep 28, 2011 Gabby (What's Beyond Forks?) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

I related to Charlotte from the very beginning. Her outlook on things reminded me a lot of how I was in high school making it very easy for me to live vicariously through her as I read the book. The relationship between Kevin and Charlotte portrayed siblings very realistically. You knew the two loved each other, but they were hilarious when they fought. Kevin was a classic big brother. He was both protective of her and oblivious to his best friend, Liam's, attraction to her. Liam was a constant...more

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May 17, 2012 Eileen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: tour-stop, owned, paranormal, romance, young-adult

First, I want to thank ATOMR Book Blog tours for letting me be a part of such an awesome blog tour, and then to the author herself for actually sending me an ARC of the next book, Perilous Light, and you can see my review here. Anyway, isn't this cover SOO beautiful? This is also really awkward, but I signed up for this in February or something, and I completely forgot about it until they sent me an email in March saying that I'd signed up and I started flipping out and was like, "What? I don't...more

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Jan 07, 2012 Danica Page (One Page at a Time) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: asked-to-review, fantasy, high-school, coming-of-age, floater, paranormal, relationships, romance, series, series-i-need-to-finish, self-discovery, teenage-favorite, young-adult

I was asked to review you this...but I truly did love this book. I'll post my formal review on here tomorrow as well as on my blog.

Wow! I was supposed to post my review on here eight weeks ago. :( Don't know how I didn't.

Here's part of my review: I read the synopsis for this novel and was really excited to read it and then I got swamped with book reviews I have to review for work and so it got lost in the shuffle.

What was I thinking? Please, somebody tell me why on earth I'd put such a beautif...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Lynne Cantwell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

A couple of Christmases ago, I won a whole bunch of indie e-books in a contest. Last year, I talked myself into attacking the virtual stack with vigor -- which is why I have so many books to write reviews for.

When I first glanced over the stack, I found, in general, a 50-50 split. About half the books I won't review, either because I bailed due to lack of interest in the subject matter or due to the book not being up to par -- either the story had a major flaw or the book needed a thorough edit...more A couple of Christmases ago, I won a whole bunch of indie e-books in a contest. Last year, I talked myself into attacking the virtual stack with vigor -- which is why I have so many books to write reviews for.

When I first glanced over the stack, I found, in general, a 50-50 split. About half the books I won't review, either because I bailed due to lack of interest in the subject matter or due to the book not being up to par -- either the story had a major flaw or the book needed a thorough edit. (To be fair, I've found a similar 50-50 split among the traditionally-published books I get in my World Fantasy Convention goodie bags: sometimes the writing is lame, sometimes I've read the basic story too many times, and sometimes the subject matter isn't to my taste.)

Beckoning Light was one of the books I won, and I liked it well enough that I sought out, and paid money for, the second book in the trilogy.

The book is a YA fantasy. The main character is Charlotte, a teenaged girl who has been living in Alaska for the past several years, following her mother's death. Now she and her older brother Kevin have moved back to South Carolina while their father pursues a job opportunity in the Arctic. They're living back at the old homestead with their mother's brother, Monty. Kevin picks up right where he left off, hanging out with his best friend Liam and making the basketball team. But he's worried about Charlotte, who, he thinks, needs a more active social life.

Charlotte is more ambivalent about their homecoming. For one thing, she had a crush on Liam before they left, and she wonders where that will lead now. For another, on her first day of school, she meets an annoying kid named James who keeps turning up at odd moments, and who can't seem to stop staring at her. And she's drawn inexplicably to a gate in the garden of the old house -- a gate their mother told both Kevin and her to never go through.

Of course, Charlotte goes through the gate, into another world, and immediately becomes emotionally attached to the first person she meets there -- a young man named Calvin. He feels the same way about her. Why is it so hard for the two of them to part? Why did Charlotte's mother want to keep her out of the world beyond the gate? And what if her mother didn't die, after all?

I thought Ivy did a good job in handling both the real world and the fantasy world she's created. The characters are mostly well drawn and the plot seems fresh, even though it's a story that's been told many times before. I liked Charlotte's spunk. And as I said, I was interested enough to buy the sequel. Now I'm hoping that the third Afterglow Trilogy book will be out soon. (less)

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May 17, 2012 Splash Of Our Worlds *Yiota* rated it 3 of 5 stars

So you have a door, getting in and you go into an entire different world? Who doesn't like that?

I find the strongest part of the story, this new world i mentioned. It's so well created, with its own lore, people, ideas, magic and so well explained it's just feel so real. My favorite parts were when Charlotte was over there. And for the sake for it, the book deserves a read. No it's not the only good thing about it, but it's just so good.

Of course except Charlotte who is our main heroine there a...more

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May 16, 2012 Alaiel Kreuz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Charlotte and Kevin, her brother, move to South Carolina to live with their uncle. It's been three years since they left and althoug Kevin is okay with the situation Charlotte is not so happy about it.
First there's that akward last moment with Liam, Kevin bestfriend and Charlotte' secret crush, after she decided to kiss him and got basically rejected. Right?
And second because well, she is shy. Easy-going but shy and making friends would be a little difficult. The only thing she could do? Take it...more Charlotte and Kevin, her brother, move to South Carolina to live with their uncle. It's been three years since they left and althoug Kevin is okay with the situation Charlotte is not so happy about it.
First there's that akward last moment with Liam, Kevin bestfriend and Charlotte' secret crush, after she decided to kiss him and got basically rejected. Right?
And second because well, she is shy. Easy-going but shy and making friends would be a little difficult. The only thing she could do? Take it easy, watch and learn and then make friends.

But then everything changes when she remembers something: one of the rules she always respected was to never cross the old garden gate. Never. Until now. Now her curiosity is bigger than that old childhood fear... And so she does cross the gate and a whole new world appears before her eyes.

Alongside gorgeous Calvin, Charlotte discovers the truth about her inheritance. Now would she be able to cross back to her old wold? More important: Does she want to go back?

Without realizing it she is going to need all the help she can get to see her brother and her friends again.

Personal opinion:
This is on of those books that you can easily read in one day. The plot is not new but it is well written. And somehow, after reading the blurb, my mind connected it with The Secret Garden (one of my favorite books when I was a child); it must be the whole gate thing...

Anyway, as I was saying, I enjoyed the book a lot. The fact that the author decided to divide it between Charlotte and Kevin's POV was a clever and good decision.
Maybe, if you are not familiar with it can be a little bit confusing or you just might find yourself wanting to skip pages to continue. I really encourage you not to do it. The change of POV increases the intrigue and the rush of adrenaline.

The characters are really easy to relate to: Charlotte is shy but at the same time has this inner strong girl that comes to surface when she needs it most; Kevin is the usual brother that watches out for her even after they fight (and their fights are hilarious).
Then we have Liam, the one that somehow rejected Charlotte a few years ago but now has a crush on her (and a character I really want to see more in the next book). And finally Calvin towards whom I have mixed feelings... I know Charlotte likes him and he is very mysterious and cute but... oh, well, I'm not going to spoil anything, I suggest you just read it and then tell me your opinion about him.

Maybe you will find the beginning to be a little slow but don't worry too much about it, a good book needs a good foundation and Beckoning Light is a clear example.(less)

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May 05, 2012 Cami Hensley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-paranormal

http://myaddictionisreading.blogspot....

This story stared out a bit odd for me. I had a hard time figuring out what was going on, I was a little lost. I know from the beginning that James made me extremely uncomfortable and I did not like him one bit.
When Charlotte finds the key and meets Calvin for the first time, I was a little shocked at how quickly things progressed for them, now, this is explained later on.

As the chapters flew by I was hooked. I absolutely loved Kevin and Liam I thought the...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Brianna Kilcrease rated it 5 of 5 stars

First Line: "We were flying over Canada when the panic set in. I felt a mild tightening in my chest as I thought about the plan that was taking me closer to the place so unimaginably full of memories that I couldn't quite process it."

Enchanting. That is the one word description for Beckoning Light. I started this book just in the morning the day before this tour, and finished it by the time I went to bed. I was completely overwhelmed by the world that Ivy has created. Such a great great story!

I...more First Line: "We were flying over Canada when the panic set in. I felt a mild tightening in my chest as I thought about the plan that was taking me closer to the place so unimaginably full of memories that I couldn't quite process it."

Enchanting. That is the one word description for Beckoning Light. I started this book just in the morning the day before this tour, and finished it by the time I went to bed. I was completely overwhelmed by the world that Ivy has created. Such a great great story!

I simply loved the way that this was written. Sometimes a chapter is written in Charlotte's point of view, and sometimes it is written in her brother Kevin's. Either way, each chapter was an adventure! I mean, a whole new world beyond the gate in your back yard? What would you do?

Charlotte is confused and lost when she moves back to Charleston, but she slowly begins to start anew. She makes friends, meets a weird/creepy guy named James, and she even joins the school newspaper club. Not bad right?

But then the truth about her family comes out, and she is thrust into a world where people fight over her, and love and duty are her only choices.

Now, pause for a second. A big part of this story I feel is the poem that is quoted both before the book, and in it.
It is by Edgar Allen Poe, and goes like so.

"Was it not Fate, (whose name is also Sorrow,)
That bade me pause before that garden-gate,
To breathe the incense of those slumbering roses?
No footstep stirred: the hated world all slept,
Save only thee and me. (Oh, Heaven! - oh, God!
How my heart beats in coupling those two words!)
Save only thee and me. I paused - I looked -
And in an instant all things disappeared."

Amazing huh? I love poetry and have even written a bit myself *shines fingernails on her shirt like shes BA*

So yes, onto the rest of the review. I loved the world, Energo, where everything is so beautiful and amazing. I just want to learn so much more about it. When Liam and Kevin begin their training, I squeed! Yes I literally did. I love Liam and I think that Charlotte should forget Calvin and just be with him. I'm a little mixed about Calvin really. I usually am when it comes to boys.....

And after THAT ending, I will definitely be reading Perilous Light (I have to anyways because I'm doing a blog tour review for it on Friday, and a character interview!)

Oh, and before I forget, I'm doing a giveaway for Beckoning light, and to enter it, you have to open the gate and click here.(less)

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Mar 26, 2012 Mindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dream-reader-dreamer2229-blo

Beckoning Light book Review

Oh my, where to start. First, a brief apology that this is so late in posting. I have been having major computer issues with my computer randomly turning off and just got my new computer today and it too much longer than I anticipated getting it set up. But enough about me, let’s get to the good stuff.

“Beckoning Light” by Alyssa Rose Ivy was an engrossing read. I was drawn into the story almost immediately. At first I thought it was just going to be a sweet romance bet...more

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Mar 21, 2012 Arthistorychick rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

After three years in Alaska, Charlotte Calloway and her older brother Kevin are moving back to their ancestral home in Charleston. As usual, Kevin is relaxed and ready for the adventure while Charlotte, ever the social recluse, is anxious and uncertain. You see, despite her brother’s best efforts and intentions Charlotte has never quite felt that she belongs anywhere. Things are about to change in Charlotte and Kevin’s world. And so, the real story begins . . . .

While Kevin begins to fall seamle...more After three years in Alaska, Charlotte Calloway and her older brother Kevin are moving back to their ancestral home in Charleston. As usual, Kevin is relaxed and ready for the adventure while Charlotte, ever the social recluse, is anxious and uncertain. You see, despite her brother’s best efforts and intentions Charlotte has never quite felt that she belongs anywhere. Things are about to change in Charlotte and Kevin’s world. And so, the real story begins . . . .

While Kevin begins to fall seamlessly back into life in Charleston with school, basketball, and friends, Charlotte struggles. Being back in Charleston brings back a flood of memories for Charlotte especially those related to her dead mother. Solace is found in the one place her mother loved beyond all others, the lush and verdant garden behind the family home. Growing up, Charlotte loved the garden as much as her mother but was always warned to never, ever go through the iron gate at the back of property. Mother’s warning had always been headed until one night Charlotte notices a bright light near the gate and in an instant Charlotte’s decision is made and her life is irrevocably changed forever.

Beyond the boundary of the gate is Energo, quite literally a whole new world that Charlotte neither understands nor completely believes. That is, until she meets Calvin, her one true mate and the man destined to walk by her side for all eternity. What?? Let’s add to this the fact that while in Energo Charlotte also discovers she is a very precious and powerful entity that is coveted by all. Holy cats! In a heartbeat, Charlotte goes from being a socially awkward teenager to finding her soul mate and discovering some immensely powerful (and nifty) new talents. Whew! No wonder her mother warned her never to go through that gate! For a short time, the secret of Calvin and Energo is all Charlotte’s and she is blissfully happy with this arrangement. And then she is kidnapped.

Well crap! From this moment on the family secrets begin to spill out all over the place and Charlotte’s safety and rescue becomes the ultimate priority for Kevin, his best friend Liam, and the kid’s uncle, Monty. The rescue party launches itself into Energo with the sole purpose of rescuing Charlotte. The problems? 1) How do you separate a young girl from her soul mate? 2) How do a handful of people breach the walls of a virtually impenetrable castle? and 3) What if Charlotte doesn’t want to leave? From the moment the rescuers enter Energo the story unfolds at a lightning pace. Action is mixed beautifully with background information, each major character really begins to develop, and the ride is worth it! Ivy’s writing style is smooth and easy, the plot flows, and the action and limited romance are absolutely appropriate.

The bottom line: this first part of the Afterglow Trilogy is a fantastic young adult read. The story is gripping, the characters are relatable, and the cliff hanger is tantalizing. I am certain I will be diving into book two, Perilous Light, at the earliest available moment!(less)

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Mar 19, 2012 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: relationships, romance, scifi-fantasy, young-adult, suspense

First in Alyssa Rose Ivy’s Afterglow trilogy, Beckoning Light evokes The Secret Garden, Narnia, and other young adult fantasies. Brother and sister Charlotte and Kevin follow a well-worn path of parentless teens when they return to South Carolina from Alaska. Their mother was lost in a car accident a while ago, and their father’s gone travelling. So the teens return home to their uncle just a few days before school begins.

The story’s told in first person through Kevin and Charlotte’s eyes. Diffe...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Tima rated it 5 of 5 stars

Charlotte and Kevin are returning to Charleston, SC after a three year hiatus in Alaska. Kevin is the confident, social older brother. Charlotte is the shy, quiet younger sister. They move into their family home with their uncle a few days before school starts.
When Charlotte returns to school she meets some unusual people and re-finds a gate that her mother (now deceased) has told her to stay away from.

Just to clarify - I don't, as a rule, enjoy reading YA or fantasy. But I figured I'd give it a...more

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Sep 24, 2011 Krystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

http://livetoread-krystal.blogspot.co...

One of the best qualities of this book was the characters. Charlotte and Kevin are the perfect brother/sister duo. They recently returned to their childhood home after being in Alaska for roughly three years. Charlotte is reserved, somewhat shy, and brave while Kevin is caring, protective, and thoughtful.

They discover a strange gate near a historical home and Charlotte, ever curious, tries the handle. Now Kevin has to protect her from a strange force that...more

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Sep 18, 2011 Katie Cody rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, paranormal

The Beckoning light is not only a great fantasy read, it is also an excellent coming of age story where the characters have to deal with many of the same challenges growing up that we all go through. Within the first few pages I had already become attached to Charlotte. She is just so real and it was very easy to relate to her. The interactions between the characters were very well written and made it seem like you were really there with them. The imagery used in this book was amazing and the de...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Kerry rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-have

Where do I start?

Well, how about with, I didn't hate this exactly, but...I didn't like it either.

Okay, now that that is out of the way!

Charlotte

What was going on with her? She was a lousy character. There was no real relationship between you and her--or any of the others for that matter. There was no real character build up. She was all over the place.
I was wary of him but at the same time, I found him comfortable to be around.
I didn't get this vibe from her at all. All I got was disdain.
Her att...more

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Jan 24, 2012 Mandy (I read Indie) Anderson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Charlotte is back in Charleston after being gone for 3 years; going to live at her family’s home with her older brother and uncle. One thing keeps bugging her…the gate in the backyard that she was forbidden to enter as a child. And once she enters she soon realizes why. Things are different behind the gate; it’s a whole other world. At first entering she meets Calvin and has an instant connection to him. All she knows is that he is all she has ever wanted and needed. But things are not what they...more

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May 01, 2012 Cecilia Robert rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: won-giveaway, blog-tour, young-adult

Beckoning Light is written in two POVs, Charlotte and her brother, Kevin.

Charlotte is a normal teenage girl, or so she thinks until things start happening, spurning the story forward sailing the reader through the world of Energo, a world completely different than our own, where Charlotte discovers things about her, and the nature of who and her brother are.

Kevin, first enters energo in seearch of his sister, accompanied by his uncle Monty and his best friend, Liam. - Liam's loyalty is astoundi...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Heather from NightlyReading rated it 3 of 5 stars

Charlotte is kind ofa loner, where her brother, Kevin is kind of the more popular one that is always going to parties and loves playing on sports teams. Charlotte does not want any part of any kind of teams and she never goes to parties even when her brother throws them at her own house. she just stays in her room reading or playing her cello.

After living in Alaska for the past three years, Charlotte and her brother move back to their home town of Charleston, NC. This is when Charlotte starts ha...more

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Feb 04, 2013 zapkode.marie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read4review, ebooks

{my thoughts} - This book is about a girl named Charlotte and her family’s secret. She is born and raised in the United States, but that isn’t where she is really from. Her family has secrets and with her dad away on a job and her mother dead she and he brother are left in the care of their Uncle.

Things I loved about this book. I loved how it was slow to get to the point. I loved how it was eased into the paranormal portions and it wasn’t forced immediately at the beginning of the book. I also e...more

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May 14, 2012 Autumn Review rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: blog-tours, review

My Summary:
After living in Alaska for three years since her mother's death, Charlotte and her brother Kevin return to their home in Charleston, South Carolina. Their father has left them in the care of their uncle Monty. Not only is she reunited with her uncle, but she also sees her childhood crush Liam. Before she left for Alaska, Charlotte kissed Liam and has thought of nothing since. So, now as she enters a new high school and Liam is seeing her as possibly more than his best friend's sister,...more My Summary:
After living in Alaska for three years since her mother's death, Charlotte and her brother Kevin return to their home in Charleston, South Carolina. Their father has left them in the care of their uncle Monty. Not only is she reunited with her uncle, but she also sees her childhood crush Liam. Before she left for Alaska, Charlotte kissed Liam and has thought of nothing since. So, now as she enters a new high school and Liam is seeing her as possibly more than his best friend's sister, she accidentally enters a completely different world through a gate in her back yard. However, it may not have been an accident at all.

Charlotte enters the world of Energo, where she meets Calvin and falls instantly in love with him. She must return home, but makes plans to meet back up with Calvin a few days later back at the gate. Once she returns to Energo to meet Calvin, her true identity is revealed and she's abducted. It's up to her brother Kevin to come to her rescue. As Charlotte tries to uncover her new found abilities, Kevin must find a way to get her to leave Calvin behind and return home to safety.

My Take:
I'm struggling a bit with what to say about the book, because I didn't feel like I really connected to any of the characters. That being said, I'm going to keep my review pretty short and hit the key points of what I liked about it.

As some of you know, I'm a sucker for a good love story and I was really interested in seeing how Charlotte's crush on Liam played out. Then she met Calvin and my hopes were crushed. Not that I don't like Calvin, but he's not my pick for Charlotte. Calvin and Charlotte develop and instant love that is supposed to mean that they are destined to be together. I get why Charlotte had doubts about that connection truly being real and was glad to see she was questioning it. I suppose I feel that way because there's something about Calvin that I either don't like or don't trust. I can't put my finger on it quite yet.

The characters I did have a strong interest in were Liam, Kevin, and Monty. They are all very important men in Charlotte's life and their protectiveness in Charleston carries over into Energo. I feel like they provide strength to Charlotte.

I appreciated the alternating point of view's between Charlotte and Kevin. It's always nice to see the male perspective. Overall, I'd say I liked it. It was an interesting story that took me to another world. If you are interested in fantasy/fairy tale like stories, this is a great pick for you. (less)

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May 17, 2012 Novels On The Run rated it 4 of 5 stars

MICHELLE'S REVIEW:

RATING : 4.25 BECKONING STARS!!

How much of a surprise read was this little gem? Well, yes, very much so.

I can ‘feel’ how much potential already without having read Perilous Light # 2, this trilogy has.

Charlotte and Kevin have come to live with Monty their uncle in Charleston. Back to the family home they once lived in with their mother. Dad’s in Alaska doing his thing, and mum is dead.

This story is told from Charlotte and Kevin’s POV’s , which I kinda liked.

There is a Forbi...more

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Nov 26, 2011 KatieBookQueen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gorgeous-covers

Check out my interview with Alyssa about Beckoning Light:
http://queenofteenfiction.blogspot.co...

Beckoning Light is an epic adventure story. By the end of the first chapter I was completely hooked!

This novel sees siblings, Charlotte and Kevin, moving back to their childhood home in Charleston, where they discover a whole different world, literally! The story is told from both Kevin and Charlotte’s point of view. I was a bit unsure about the dual narrative at first but I completely grew to love b...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Vone Savan rated it 4 of 5 stars

With their mother deceased and their father taking a job in Siberia, the shy Charlotte Calloway and her outgoing, older brother, Kevin, move back to Charleston, South Carolina from Alaska to live with Monty, their sweet-natured uncle. Once in SC, the fifteen-(almost sixteen)-year-old has a difficult time adjusting, while her brother, once again, does just fine.

Fast-forward a few chapters into the book, where Charlotte ventures into her uncle’s garden and literally discovers a gateway to another...more With their mother deceased and their father taking a job in Siberia, the shy Charlotte Calloway and her outgoing, older brother, Kevin, move back to Charleston, South Carolina from Alaska to live with Monty, their sweet-natured uncle. Once in SC, the fifteen-(almost sixteen)-year-old has a difficult time adjusting, while her brother, once again, does just fine.

Fast-forward a few chapters into the book, where Charlotte ventures into her uncle’s garden and literally discovers a gateway to another world. This new world, though astonishing at first, soon reveals more than what Charlotte bargained for—because it is there that Charlotte finds her first love, learns about her mysterious past, and unravels what potential dangers are lurking in her future.

I thoroughly enjoyed Beckoning Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy. It was a fun and easy read with a plot that intertwines secrets, lies, and magic. It was thrilling to unravel the mystery of Charlotte’s history, and see how that ultimately affects her destiny. The story was well paced, creative, and the incorporation of magic was—for the most part—pretty cool to read about. But my favorite part of the book has to be the strength that Charlotte acquired by the end of the book, which leads to the universal message of inner strength.

With all that said, the story does have a few drawbacks. The characterization of Charlotte and Kevin was lacking. Though there were many aspects of their lives that were nicely described, I never fully connected with their characters, which lessened the impact of my sympathy for them.

Also, the alternating narration between Charlotte and Kevin was difficult for me to adjust to. Though Alyssa Rose Ivy did a great job stating whether Charlotte or Kevin will be the one to narrate the chapter, the fluctuation between the two different points of view still felt jarring to me, even by the time I got to the end of the book.

But in spite of these drawbacks, I still really enjoyed Beckoning Light, and would recommend this novel to anyone who prefers reading fun, creative, magic-filled fantasies with hints of love and danger—and a powerful message. I look forward to reading the sequels.
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Mar 05, 2012 Lover of Paranormal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Beckoning Light was a story full of beautiful imagery, fascinating history and enthralling characters. I was immediately drawn into this story when I read of the gate shrouded in mystery, set in an overgrown garden. Having grown up on “The Secret Garden”, my childhood was over-run with fantasies of this nature. Be honest now, haven’t we all wished, somewhere deep down, that amidst our unkempt ivy sat a gated entrance to an unknown world?
I finally got my chance to live this out this small fant...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Tara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, romance, kindle, review-copy

I have to admit, when I received this book, I approached reading it with trepidation. From the synopsis, I could imagine it being a mish-mash somewhere between The Secret Garden and Narnia. And I have to admit, after being forced to read it an over-analyze it in school, I’ve never really liked The Secret Garden. However, you should never judge a book by it’s cover, and when I got around to reading this, I actually really enjoyed it.

The story follows Charlotte, a girl who has just moved back to...more I have to admit, when I received this book, I approached reading it with trepidation. From the synopsis, I could imagine it being a mish-mash somewhere between The Secret Garden and Narnia. And I have to admit, after being forced to read it an over-analyze it in school, I’ve never really liked The Secret Garden. However, you should never judge a book by it’s cover, and when I got around to reading this, I actually really enjoyed it.

The story follows Charlotte, a girl who has just moved back to her hometown of Charleston from Alaska, and is once again living in a house that has been in her family for years. She and her brother Kevin (the other main focus of the story) have moved in with their Uncle Monty (their dead Mother’s brother – this is important later) after their Father got relocated for research (he’s a Geologist).

Everything in Charlotte’s life is fairly normal – she attends a normal high school, meets guys and has friends – except for a locked gate that the bottom of her garden. Charlotte has noticed it before, but never as she is noticing it now, and is somehow drawn to it.

Beyond the gate is the world of Energo, where it turns out her Mother’s family line is the royal family, and produces The Essence – a female of great importance and power in Energo’s society. Charlotte finds herself on dangerous territory in Energo, and it’s left to Kevin and Monty to save her.

One thing I will comment on with this novel is how well it was written – especially for an independent release. I was really impressed with this, as I was with character development. The Charlotte you see at the end of the novel is very different from the Charlotte at the beginning of the book, however, she doesn’t snap-change – it’s very gradual and organic.

I also enjoyed the relationships between the characters in the novel. I want to know what’s actually going on with Charlotte and Liam, and what will happen with Charlotte and Calvin. I don’t even know which one of them I prefer right now if I’m honest!

I have to admit, I did feel like there were references to both The Secret Garden and Narnia within the book, but it wasn’t overpowering. I’m actually looking forward to the release of the second book in the series, Perilous Light which is due for release in 2012.

I’d recommend this as a good bargain read on Kindle, and as a good relaxing read. Definitely worth a look!
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May 14, 2012 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, kindle, blog-tour, review-on-blog

Beckoning Light got me excited about reading again. I have been so busy lately, and the past few review books that I have picked up have been kind of eh for me. Not that they were bad, but they just didn't get me excited like truly awesome books do. I was in kind of a reading slump. But boy did that change when I picked up Beckoning Light. I knew when I was only 6 pages in, and I got super annoyed that my mom tried interrupted my reading with a silly question, that I was really going to love thi...more

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Nov 08, 2011 Unabridged Bookshelf rated it 4 of 5 stars

Beckoning Light is the story of Charlotte and Kevin. After moving away from their childhood home three years earlier, Kevin and Charlotte moved back to live with their Uncle Monty. After living in Alaska, there is more for them to get use too, then just the climate change. There is a new school, and being back in home, they lived in, before their mother died. Charlotte is social awkward, and her brother Kevin does not really help by trying to push her out of her comfort zone.

The best feature of...more

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About Alyssa Rose Ivy

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she...more

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Perilous Light (The Afterglow Trilogy, #2)

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Beckoning Light (The Afterglow Trilogy #1)

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