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An Absence of Light
by
Leah’s always seen the shadow creatures. She thought she was immune to their evil—until now.
She’s walked into a massacre, stolen a BMW, and is running from the law for a crime she didn’t commit. Nineteen-year-old Leah’s life just went from mildly abnormal to totally crazy at lightning speed. But no one will believe that the shadow creatures are framing her for the murder, ...more
She’s walked into a massacre, stolen a BMW, and is running from the law for a crime she didn’t commit. Nineteen-year-old Leah’s life just went from mildly abnormal to totally crazy at lightning speed. But no one will believe that the shadow creatures are framing her for the murder, ...more
Paperback, 250 pages
Published
October 31st 2014
by Evernight Teen
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Leah Madison is exceptional. She started college at age 16, after all. She sees things that others don’t. She senses things that are invisible to most. Unfortunately, what she sees and senses are … well, unbelievable, to society at large. And these things have murder on the mind.
Leah’s extraordinary gifts are not enough to save her family. Nor are they enough to keep her from being implicated in their deaths, and ultimately driven towards a fateful confrontation that will determine the destiny o ...more
Leah’s extraordinary gifts are not enough to save her family. Nor are they enough to keep her from being implicated in their deaths, and ultimately driven towards a fateful confrontation that will determine the destiny o ...more

I was curious to read one more book by Meradeth Houston. Books I've read earlier made a great impression on me, they created very strong emotions. I wondered if this one would too.
Well, it again captured me with the first sentence. It was powerful. And other sentences followed. The beginning of the story was quite shattering. It created mystery. This made me eager to know more. The idea of the Shadows was new to me. As long as I can remember I haven't read about them. Further in the story bits ...more
Well, it again captured me with the first sentence. It was powerful. And other sentences followed. The beginning of the story was quite shattering. It created mystery. This made me eager to know more. The idea of the Shadows was new to me. As long as I can remember I haven't read about them. Further in the story bits ...more

*ARC provided as a R2R per the group Lovers of the Paranormal*
I thought this was a good story with an interesting premise. The writing was skillful, drawing you in easily, though I thought the dialogue was a bit stilted and unrealistic, which drew the rating down for me. The idea of 'shadows' and people that can see them was an intriguing one, made more so by what the shadows really turn out to be.
This twist actually reminded me slightly of Dean Koontz's book,
The Taking by Dean Koontz, a stor
...more
I thought this was a good story with an interesting premise. The writing was skillful, drawing you in easily, though I thought the dialogue was a bit stilted and unrealistic, which drew the rating down for me. The idea of 'shadows' and people that can see them was an intriguing one, made more so by what the shadows really turn out to be.
This twist actually reminded me slightly of Dean Koontz's book,


Leah has always been haunted by the shadows, evil creatures only she can see. When the shadows murder her family and frame her for it, Leah steals a BMW and flees her hometown, ending up at a garage when the car runs out of gas. It seems fate has led her to this place. Not only does the owner of the garage also see the shadows, but so does Adam, the infuriating, gorgeous, belligerent, sweet mechanic who works there. Together this unlikely trio discovers a new way to fight the shadows. And the de
...more

The novel starts with a grisly scene. Leah walks into her home and her entire family has been slaughtered. She has to run away because of two things—she knows the police are going to blame her for the murders and the shadow creatures who have been following her are responsible for the deaths. She steals a car and is out on the road when she stumbles into a group of helpful people.
There are others like her who can see the shadows when she used to think she was the only one. The people who take he ...more
There are others like her who can see the shadows when she used to think she was the only one. The people who take he ...more

If Shakespeare had written paranormal YA (well, he almost did – what about the ghost in Macbeth?), he might have written ABSENCE OF LIGHT by Meradeth Houston. Why Shakespeare? Because he had the gift of drawing characters that were multifaceted – there were no villains in his plays who were evil, through and through, with no redeeming characteristics. Houston is up to her usual artistry here, creating characters that you empathize with in one moment, and then, in the next moment, you question yo
...more

I'm a fan of Ms. Houston's previous "Sary" series. Very well-written and entertaining. But, I have to say, this is Ms. Houston's most accomplished work yet. Suspenseful, unpredictable, romantic, very empathetic characters. Can't go wrong.
Leah's battling demons, inner and outer. Mostly outer, but they're to blame for her inner demons. The shadow creatures killed her family. She seeks salvation, survival. Temporary shelter. She finds a temporary weigh-station in a compatico group of people, but wi ...more
Leah's battling demons, inner and outer. Mostly outer, but they're to blame for her inner demons. The shadow creatures killed her family. She seeks salvation, survival. Temporary shelter. She finds a temporary weigh-station in a compatico group of people, but wi ...more

Nov 05, 2014
S. Usher Evans
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
fallfortheindiebook2014,
recommended-reads
And for my very last #FallfortheIndieBook - a new favorite author.
An Absence of Light sucked me in from the very beginning and only slightly lost my interest towards the end (the Shadows were not what I expected them to be, more after the jump), and everything was wrapped up quickly for all of the damage caused. But - even so, a solid output from an author whose voice I definitely loved.
We start with Leah, or rather, Leah's family, who has just been murdered. And if that weren't enough, Leah kno ...more
An Absence of Light sucked me in from the very beginning and only slightly lost my interest towards the end (the Shadows were not what I expected them to be, more after the jump), and everything was wrapped up quickly for all of the damage caused. But - even so, a solid output from an author whose voice I definitely loved.
We start with Leah, or rather, Leah's family, who has just been murdered. And if that weren't enough, Leah kno ...more

Leah Madison is exceptional. She started college at age 16, after all. She sees things that others don’t. She senses things that are invisible to most. Unfortunately, what she sees and senses are … well, unbelievable, to society at large. And these things have murder on the mind.
Leah’s extraordinary gifts are not enough to save her family. Nor are they enough to keep her from being implicated in their deaths, and ultimately driven towards a fateful confrontation that will determine the destiny o ...more
Leah’s extraordinary gifts are not enough to save her family. Nor are they enough to keep her from being implicated in their deaths, and ultimately driven towards a fateful confrontation that will determine the destiny o ...more

An Absence of Light reminded me of the Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series and The Host by Stephenie Meyer.
The story starts out with a bang with a murder scene and Leah escaping because she knows she will look guilty - was set up to look guilty.
I found the idea of the Shadows (which reminded me of the bodachs in Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas books) intriguing, especially since everyone can't see them. Even more interesting is Houston's description that they are blacker than night, despise and avoid light ...more
The story starts out with a bang with a murder scene and Leah escaping because she knows she will look guilty - was set up to look guilty.
I found the idea of the Shadows (which reminded me of the bodachs in Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas books) intriguing, especially since everyone can't see them. Even more interesting is Houston's description that they are blacker than night, despise and avoid light ...more

I enjoyed this book -- I found it fast-paced and exciting and the characters endearing. I was especially fond of the Shadow Zoey, for reasons you'll discover when you read the book.
I understand that Madeleine L'Engle is one of Houston's favorite authors, and I imagined I could see L'Engle in Absence of Light -- in the concept of earth endangered by darkness from space, in the warmth of the bonds formed among the main characters and the feeling that they were special people brought together for a ...more
I understand that Madeleine L'Engle is one of Houston's favorite authors, and I imagined I could see L'Engle in Absence of Light -- in the concept of earth endangered by darkness from space, in the warmth of the bonds formed among the main characters and the feeling that they were special people brought together for a ...more

An Absence of Light does not start off lightly, easing you into the story and Lee's world. HECK no! It starts off with a heartbreaking BANG, and Lee having to run away from everything that she has ever known. Running from the Shadows. She doesn't know what they are exactly, but she knows what they can do. She has since she was a little girl. Now, they have done the unthinkable, and Lee blames herself for it. She vows that she will have revenge, and prevent the Shadows from doing to someone else
...more

I received an eARC copy of AN ABSENCE OF LIGHT by Meradeth Houston in exchange for an honest review.
The novel grabbed my attention right away by opening with the murder of the main character's family. Of course, it made me want to read on to find out who or what killed them. Forced to flee because of the evidence stacked against her, the MC, Lee, finds herself out of gas with no money, stopped in front of a car repair garage. It almost seems like fate when the owner of the garage is the only per ...more
The novel grabbed my attention right away by opening with the murder of the main character's family. Of course, it made me want to read on to find out who or what killed them. Forced to flee because of the evidence stacked against her, the MC, Lee, finds herself out of gas with no money, stopped in front of a car repair garage. It almost seems like fate when the owner of the garage is the only per ...more

I've only read one other Meradeth Houston book, and that was almost a full year ago- one of my first indie books, one of my first blog events- and the first author that I spoke to- and while Surrender The Sky wasn't a mindblowing book, it is most definitely one imprinted into my memory- and here I am, at the end of another one of her books- one that I loved VERY much!
I suppose what got me into the book after who it was written by and what that meant to me was the title itself- An Absence of Ligh ...more
I suppose what got me into the book after who it was written by and what that meant to me was the title itself- An Absence of Ligh ...more

Leah (aka Lee) is a great character. She's a little like me - sarcastic, witty, but fierce and loyal, too. I liked her immediately. She never lets the circumstances of her life break her - though she does give in to a little bit of pity-partying on occassion. I thought the book could have done with just a tad more back story, but I was definitely riveted by the intro which tosses the reader straight into the action and presents a lot of questions to be answered throughout the rest of the story.
...more

I really enjoyed An Absence of Light. It was a nice change of pace from my normal reads these days. Right from the opening scene, the reader is pulled into what Leah’s world is like, filled with these shadow creatures that she doesn’t understand. Her struggles, her sadness, and her guilt compile to make this story stand up a little straighter. Leah’s just nineteen, but she’s had to grow up quickly. As she leaves the home she’s known and stumbles across a small group who can empathize with her lo
...more

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
This book started off with a bang and I was immediately enthralled. I was in the mood for a little bit darker read, so this was perfect. Death, revenge, evil phantoms who feed off lechery and deceit? Perfect.
Lee was a great character. I liked that she was a good balance of weak and strong. She had moments of determination and courage, but she also had moments where she cried and said 'you know what? This sucks.' And I found that t ...more
This book started off with a bang and I was immediately enthralled. I was in the mood for a little bit darker read, so this was perfect. Death, revenge, evil phantoms who feed off lechery and deceit? Perfect.
Lee was a great character. I liked that she was a good balance of weak and strong. She had moments of determination and courage, but she also had moments where she cried and said 'you know what? This sucks.' And I found that t ...more

**Given the book in return of honest review**
I did not know what to expect from this book, it being the first book I have received in return of an honest review! (the amazing author Meradeth Houston
was also new to me). I was pleasantly surprised!
An absence of light is such an amazing book and shocked me so much, the plot is amazing and I fell in love with many of the characters! My favourite character has tobbe the amazing main character ((Leah))- I feel I connected with her through the way ...more
I did not know what to expect from this book, it being the first book I have received in return of an honest review! (the amazing author Meradeth Houston

An absence of light is such an amazing book and shocked me so much, the plot is amazing and I fell in love with many of the characters! My favourite character has tobbe the amazing main character ((Leah))- I feel I connected with her through the way ...more

I was given this book y Lovers of paranormal in exchange of an honest review.
Leah has always seen them....Lurking in shadows and dark alleys, in her home and killing her family making her the one responsible for that...Leah is on the run now
She decides she has had enough of them invading her life....and her meeting with 2 boys who can see them too..oh well..it's the shadow's death wish...
but what if not all shadows were wicked and malicious, what if there was a reason a certain shadow in particu ...more
Leah has always seen them....Lurking in shadows and dark alleys, in her home and killing her family making her the one responsible for that...Leah is on the run now
She decides she has had enough of them invading her life....and her meeting with 2 boys who can see them too..oh well..it's the shadow's death wish...
but what if not all shadows were wicked and malicious, what if there was a reason a certain shadow in particu ...more

A strong YA novel dealing with the paranormal. "Shadows" taking control of people and doing absolutely horrific things with them to and to them. The book starts off right after Leah's family had been killed and the police were on their way. Leah knew she couldn't stay because everything pointed at her. If only her family had listened to her.
A well written and intriguing book, I was captured right away with the story and found myself thinking about aspects of it and the Shadows, even when I wasn' ...more
A well written and intriguing book, I was captured right away with the story and found myself thinking about aspects of it and the Shadows, even when I wasn' ...more

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. It was given to me by Lovers of Paranormal on Goodreads.com.
Lee is on the run. No money, stolen car, bloody clothing...
Her entire family has been slaughtered and she knows the noose is tightening. Both the authorities and the killers are breathing down her neck. And if either of them catch her, she's done for. The police will lock her up forever and the killers are unstoppable, unkillable, Shadows invisible to everyone but he ...more
Lee is on the run. No money, stolen car, bloody clothing...
Her entire family has been slaughtered and she knows the noose is tightening. Both the authorities and the killers are breathing down her neck. And if either of them catch her, she's done for. The police will lock her up forever and the killers are unstoppable, unkillable, Shadows invisible to everyone but he ...more

I was given an ARC book for an honest review free of persuasion from the author or anyone else affiliated with this book.
CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS
This book was Amazing. I would give it 10 stars if I could. It gripped me from the very first page and didn't let go until the end. I wasn't able to fly through reading it. I had to take my time reading each and every word afraid that I would miss something.
Leah is a smart young girl. She started college at age 16. Leah's only problem is that she sees and ...more
CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS
This book was Amazing. I would give it 10 stars if I could. It gripped me from the very first page and didn't let go until the end. I wasn't able to fly through reading it. I had to take my time reading each and every word afraid that I would miss something.
Leah is a smart young girl. She started college at age 16. Leah's only problem is that she sees and ...more

If Shakespeare had written paranormal YA (well, he almost did – what about the ghost in Macbeth?), he might have written ABSENCE OF LIGHT by Meradeth Houston. Why Shakespeare? Because he had the gift of drawing characters that were multifaceted – there were no villains in his plays who were evil, through and through, with no redeeming characteristics. Houston is up to her usual artistry here, creating characters that you empathize with in one moment, and then, in the next moment, you question yo
...more

Leah...oh my poor Leah.
An Absence of Light by Meredith Houston was an incredible read. It's been a while since I've read a book where right from the start, I'm captivated. Ms. Houston's approach is a bit different. She begins the novel with Leah and the death of her family, and it was done with only the finesse a veteran author could pull off.
Instead of gradually building the characters, story, plot, etc. Ms. Houston jumps right in and takes you on a wild ride. It's throughout the story that w ...more
An Absence of Light by Meredith Houston was an incredible read. It's been a while since I've read a book where right from the start, I'm captivated. Ms. Houston's approach is a bit different. She begins the novel with Leah and the death of her family, and it was done with only the finesse a veteran author could pull off.
Instead of gradually building the characters, story, plot, etc. Ms. Houston jumps right in and takes you on a wild ride. It's throughout the story that w ...more

*I’m posting this as part of the XpressoBookTours An Absence of Light Blog Tour. I recieved a free ebook copy of this in order to do so.
An Absence of Light is a book full of action, growth, bravery, romance, and perhaps even horror. I honestly didn’t find it scary, however if I were to deal with something like that in real life, then yeah, I’d be pretty terrified. We follow Leah in the beginning after the tragic death of her family, and then she runs away and stumbles upon a man who can also s ...more
An Absence of Light is a book full of action, growth, bravery, romance, and perhaps even horror. I honestly didn’t find it scary, however if I were to deal with something like that in real life, then yeah, I’d be pretty terrified. We follow Leah in the beginning after the tragic death of her family, and then she runs away and stumbles upon a man who can also s ...more

This story pulled me in from the very first scene. Leah's entire family has been murdered and only she knows who is responsible. No one else can see the shadows—or so Leah thinks. She flees, not wanting to be blamed for the deaths of her family members, and winds up finding a group of people who can see the shadows like she can. Only they seem to be more prepared to fight the shadows.
There is a love story here, but it never overshadows (ugh, really bad pun) the story. There's plenty of action to ...more
There is a love story here, but it never overshadows (ugh, really bad pun) the story. There's plenty of action to ...more

Part of this book reminded me of the way The Mortal Instruments started off, in the way that only Leah could see the evil things known as Shadows. So, when her whole family was killed, she could not stay because people would obviously view her as a suspect in murdering her family. The Shadows. That's what she called them. I got really excited while reading this book, because it became so alien-ish. And the other thing that I quite liked was that there wasn't really a main romantic focus in this
...more
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Meradeth Houston lives in Montana where she’s an anthropology professor and scientist. If you let her, she’ll tell you more than you ever wanted to know about getting DNA out of dead stuff. She enjoys escaping the snow by imagining herself back in her favorite places in her home state of California, with a little drama or supernatural flare added in. She’s a proud dog mom and represented by Cristi
...more
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