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Lumens: A Ghost Story
What if the ghost in your head is more frightening than the one right in front of you?
Fifteen-year-old Libby has spent her whole life in the shadow of her superstar sister. Then her sister dies, and the light goes out. When Libby's parents drop her off in Sayers Beach, Maine, to stay at her aunt and uncle's inn for the summer, she sees a chance to escape her secrets and reinvent herself. Libby's finally caught the attention of the cute, popular guy, no one sees her as the lonely bookworm, and nobody knows why she blames herself for her sister's death. Nobody except the ghost in the lighthouse. And the ghost has a few secrets of her own. Lumens is an unexpected story of mystery, of love, and of finding your own way through the darkness.
Fifteen-year-old Libby has spent her whole life in the shadow of her superstar sister. Then her sister dies, and the light goes out. When Libby's parents drop her off in Sayers Beach, Maine, to stay at her aunt and uncle's inn for the summer, she sees a chance to escape her secrets and reinvent herself. Libby's finally caught the attention of the cute, popular guy, no one sees her as the lonely bookworm, and nobody knows why she blames herself for her sister's death. Nobody except the ghost in the lighthouse. And the ghost has a few secrets of her own. Lumens is an unexpected story of mystery, of love, and of finding your own way through the darkness.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2018
About the author
Mary Jane Capps
3 books20 followersMary Jane Capps writes young adult novels about witches, mermaids,
and ghosts-or some combination of the three.
She likes to keep things spooky, magical, and reasonably upbeat.
Mary Jane lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina with her husband and daughter,
down the road from her parents, in a house that is probably haunted.
Connect on Instagram @maryjanecapps
Sign up for book info and fun giveaways at www.maryjanecapps.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 5, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, I read it less than twelve hours. It was gripping from the first line, I mean if that’s not a hook then what is?! It was not what I was expecting though, I had not expected there to be so much talk of addiction and have that be the reason behind Ver’s death. I love the mystery and intrigue. Not a scary story by any means, but just enough spook balanced with a troubled girl trying to deal with the hardships of life. Definitely recommendation worthy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2018
Mary Jane Capps has crafted a touching and spellbinding story in Lumens.
Libby, 15, is sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt and uncle who run an inn next to a historic lighthouse on the Maine coast after struggling with grief and guilt over her sister’s death.
Libby immediately connects with the ghost of the lighthouse, supposedly just tale her aunt has embellished to entertain tourists. As Libby struggles to come to grips with the drug-related death of her seemingly more successful, prettier and better-loved big sister, she is unraveling the haunting story of Elizabeth, daughter of the lighthouse keeper, who died in 1900, after her fiancé, a ship captain, was killed in a shipwreck.
Things get more interesting when a freak storm uncovers the wreck of the ship, including the dead captain’s skeleton. They also get more interesting as Libby tries to get a handle on her emotions around hunky Ryan and geeky Nick, two boys her age who live nearby.
A parallel begins emerging between the ghostly Elizabeth, who shows up only in Libby’s photographs, and her dead sister Veronica. Eventually, Libby and her family come to terms with the tragedy.
Capps manages to mix a little spine-tingling with plenty of pathos and soul-searching in a well-crafted and satisfying story. She tackles the tough issue of families left behind after (and feeling complicit about) overdose deaths. Capps is a true wordsmith and an outstanding story teller. Her book drips with profound and poignant verbiage:
Nobody knew where to stand when my sister was on stage. Now that she’s gone, there’s just a spotlight on an empty space.
That’s the most, and least, I can say to keep from igniting altogether.
“Everyone is different. We’re all so horrible and special.”
The dialogue is excellent, both interior from the first-person narrator and between characters. I chuckled aloud several times and was certainly teary-eyed at the end.
Poignant. Profound. Entertaining. This is an outstanding read.
Libby, 15, is sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt and uncle who run an inn next to a historic lighthouse on the Maine coast after struggling with grief and guilt over her sister’s death.
Libby immediately connects with the ghost of the lighthouse, supposedly just tale her aunt has embellished to entertain tourists. As Libby struggles to come to grips with the drug-related death of her seemingly more successful, prettier and better-loved big sister, she is unraveling the haunting story of Elizabeth, daughter of the lighthouse keeper, who died in 1900, after her fiancé, a ship captain, was killed in a shipwreck.
Things get more interesting when a freak storm uncovers the wreck of the ship, including the dead captain’s skeleton. They also get more interesting as Libby tries to get a handle on her emotions around hunky Ryan and geeky Nick, two boys her age who live nearby.
A parallel begins emerging between the ghostly Elizabeth, who shows up only in Libby’s photographs, and her dead sister Veronica. Eventually, Libby and her family come to terms with the tragedy.
Capps manages to mix a little spine-tingling with plenty of pathos and soul-searching in a well-crafted and satisfying story. She tackles the tough issue of families left behind after (and feeling complicit about) overdose deaths. Capps is a true wordsmith and an outstanding story teller. Her book drips with profound and poignant verbiage:
Nobody knew where to stand when my sister was on stage. Now that she’s gone, there’s just a spotlight on an empty space.
That’s the most, and least, I can say to keep from igniting altogether.
“Everyone is different. We’re all so horrible and special.”
The dialogue is excellent, both interior from the first-person narrator and between characters. I chuckled aloud several times and was certainly teary-eyed at the end.
Poignant. Profound. Entertaining. This is an outstanding read.
April 7, 2023
*I received a free copy of the audio in exchange for my honest opinion*
Sad but true, I got this a while ago but I just dove in. I believe I won it in a giveaway from the author's newsletter? But regardless, I finally picked this book up. Going in, I honestly didn't know what it was about. But as the story went on, it was clear that this story was about a young girl grieving her sister's death. I really enjoyed this story and the rawness of this. Typically, when someone is dealing with a death in a book, it's due to an accident or some terminal illness. And while this was an illness, it wasn't what you expected. As the story goes, we learn about Libby and her relationship with her sister. I thought the way Libby reacted to being sent away while dealing with the ramifications of her sister's death was done amazingly. How it poured into her personality and daily routine. This book does such a good job with grief and addiction.
Libby is such a realistic character. At first she feels betrayed and lashes out, mostly in her head, at those surrounding her. She is shipped off to live with her Aunt and Uncle while she heals from the loss of her sister. At first she feels betrayed by her parents because Libby feels as if she is just tossed aside while they grieve. If I was Libby, I honestly would have been feeling the exact same way. I felt like all of her actions and thoughts were very believable. I loved how she progresses throughout the story and really settles in and learns to forgive herself.
AUDIO REVIEW
It took a bit to get used to the narrator but overall I enjoyed it. It's a quick listen and Stephanie Quinn does a great job narrating it. At first though I thought Libby was younger than 15 due to her voice but then I realized that who am I to judge what a 15 year old sounds like now? But I would recommend this audio if you want something quick to listen to.
Sad but true, I got this a while ago but I just dove in. I believe I won it in a giveaway from the author's newsletter? But regardless, I finally picked this book up. Going in, I honestly didn't know what it was about. But as the story went on, it was clear that this story was about a young girl grieving her sister's death. I really enjoyed this story and the rawness of this. Typically, when someone is dealing with a death in a book, it's due to an accident or some terminal illness. And while this was an illness, it wasn't what you expected. As the story goes, we learn about Libby and her relationship with her sister. I thought the way Libby reacted to being sent away while dealing with the ramifications of her sister's death was done amazingly. How it poured into her personality and daily routine. This book does such a good job with grief and addiction.
Libby is such a realistic character. At first she feels betrayed and lashes out, mostly in her head, at those surrounding her. She is shipped off to live with her Aunt and Uncle while she heals from the loss of her sister. At first she feels betrayed by her parents because Libby feels as if she is just tossed aside while they grieve. If I was Libby, I honestly would have been feeling the exact same way. I felt like all of her actions and thoughts were very believable. I loved how she progresses throughout the story and really settles in and learns to forgive herself.
AUDIO REVIEW
It took a bit to get used to the narrator but overall I enjoyed it. It's a quick listen and Stephanie Quinn does a great job narrating it. At first though I thought Libby was younger than 15 due to her voice but then I realized that who am I to judge what a 15 year old sounds like now? But I would recommend this audio if you want something quick to listen to.
November 25, 2018
Fifteen year old Libby is struggling to cope with the guilt and regret she feels following the death of her older sister Veronica. Her parents decide to drop her off at her Aunt and Uncle’s inn for the summer at Sayers Beach in Maine, in the hope that a break will help her heal.
No sooner has she settled in at the inn, unexplainable events and sightings lead Libby to realise that the local lighthouse is haunted. As she learns more about the ghost’s past, Libby’s connection to her deepens. Can Libby help her to find peace and in doing so come to terms with her own guilt over her sisters death?
Lumens: A Ghost Story, was my first introduction to the author and she didn’t disappoint. The book was a
beautifully written, engrossing read which packed an emotional punch.
Libby is an appealing protagonist who is vulnerable and flawed at the same time. From the offset, one can’t help relating and sympathising with her loss. Her journey of self discovery as she learns to cope with her grief was a revelation to read.
The writer has a wonderful knack for characterisation. The characters are quickly introduced, developed and understood. As a result the reader becomes invested from the get go. The irrepressible Marnie and Nick in particular stood out.
The wonderful vivid and stunning imagery used to describe the atmosphere around the beach was remarkable. I felt like I was there with Libby, experiencing the extraordinary sights, smells and sounds.
All in all the book was a captivating read on teen angst, love, loss and redemption coupled with a tragic ghost story. By the end I was sorry to say goodbye to
the characters. I recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal/urban fantasy.
No sooner has she settled in at the inn, unexplainable events and sightings lead Libby to realise that the local lighthouse is haunted. As she learns more about the ghost’s past, Libby’s connection to her deepens. Can Libby help her to find peace and in doing so come to terms with her own guilt over her sisters death?
Lumens: A Ghost Story, was my first introduction to the author and she didn’t disappoint. The book was a
beautifully written, engrossing read which packed an emotional punch.
Libby is an appealing protagonist who is vulnerable and flawed at the same time. From the offset, one can’t help relating and sympathising with her loss. Her journey of self discovery as she learns to cope with her grief was a revelation to read.
The writer has a wonderful knack for characterisation. The characters are quickly introduced, developed and understood. As a result the reader becomes invested from the get go. The irrepressible Marnie and Nick in particular stood out.
The wonderful vivid and stunning imagery used to describe the atmosphere around the beach was remarkable. I felt like I was there with Libby, experiencing the extraordinary sights, smells and sounds.
All in all the book was a captivating read on teen angst, love, loss and redemption coupled with a tragic ghost story. By the end I was sorry to say goodbye to
the characters. I recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal/urban fantasy.
January 11, 2019
Absolutely loved it!
I absolutely LOVED Lumens by Mary Jane Capps!
Lumens is about Libby, a teenage girl with a heavy heart. After the loss of her older, dazzling sister she suffers from grief and guilt. Libby moves from the big city to a small coastal town where her eccentric aunt Sharon and her uncle Frank live and run a light house. But shortly after arriving, Libby begins noticing some odd things, like how there’s a shadow in the light house and her necklace keeps moving from her nightstand to the window in the night.
This book address addiction, grief and guilt in a really tasteful way.
I really love the wit, sass and humor sprinkled throughout the story, like how Libby wants to trip someone one to make them distracted from a topic she’s uncomfortable with. Or how Libby is always saying “shut up” or one instance where she thinks about flinging a slice of pizza at someone! It’s pulled off so well. Mary Jane is a very polished and talented writer and I’m super stoked to read more of her work. The plot was very well thought out and done so well. As a writer myself, I’ll definitely be taking notes from Mary’s work!
Over all
10/10 stars
Sexual content
Libby kisses two boys but nothing further happens
Profanity
Very little. A few minor profanities.
Negatives
Underage drinking. May trigger some dealing with guilt after a loved one’s death. Drugs are used and talked about but never viewed as a positive thing to do.
Over all I highly recommend this book! It was a fast read and really fun, intriguing and heartfelt.
I absolutely LOVED Lumens by Mary Jane Capps!
Lumens is about Libby, a teenage girl with a heavy heart. After the loss of her older, dazzling sister she suffers from grief and guilt. Libby moves from the big city to a small coastal town where her eccentric aunt Sharon and her uncle Frank live and run a light house. But shortly after arriving, Libby begins noticing some odd things, like how there’s a shadow in the light house and her necklace keeps moving from her nightstand to the window in the night.
This book address addiction, grief and guilt in a really tasteful way.
I really love the wit, sass and humor sprinkled throughout the story, like how Libby wants to trip someone one to make them distracted from a topic she’s uncomfortable with. Or how Libby is always saying “shut up” or one instance where she thinks about flinging a slice of pizza at someone! It’s pulled off so well. Mary Jane is a very polished and talented writer and I’m super stoked to read more of her work. The plot was very well thought out and done so well. As a writer myself, I’ll definitely be taking notes from Mary’s work!
Over all
10/10 stars
Sexual content
Libby kisses two boys but nothing further happens
Profanity
Very little. A few minor profanities.
Negatives
Underage drinking. May trigger some dealing with guilt after a loved one’s death. Drugs are used and talked about but never viewed as a positive thing to do.
Over all I highly recommend this book! It was a fast read and really fun, intriguing and heartfelt.
December 18, 2018
I received a free copy for review.
This story started slow for me and ended on good note but is not as interesting as I thought it would be. There is just enough plot to get me through the story, to find out how Libby deals with the lighthouse's ghost and her sister's death. The childhood friend-turned-lover plot is a bit cliche, albeit better than the other 'popular' guy which disappears from the story after the boat ride incident.
All in all, it is a good read for dealing with the death of a sibling or a problematic family; the guilt left behind. However, it can be a bore if you are not interested or do not face this issue.
This story started slow for me and ended on good note but is not as interesting as I thought it would be. There is just enough plot to get me through the story, to find out how Libby deals with the lighthouse's ghost and her sister's death. The childhood friend-turned-lover plot is a bit cliche, albeit better than the other 'popular' guy which disappears from the story after the boat ride incident.
All in all, it is a good read for dealing with the death of a sibling or a problematic family; the guilt left behind. However, it can be a bore if you are not interested or do not face this issue.
Read
December 31, 2019Well, definitely not trying to rate and review my own book. It’s tacky, even if I do like the stuff I write. But I accidentally rated it 2 stars and come on, not doing that to myself. Tried to clear it. Asked Goodreads. Haven’t cleared it up yet. So I bumped it to 5 stars because that’s what you would do.
If you read LUMENS, A Ghost Story, please please leave a review so that mine drops to the bottom and we can forgot this whole debacle.
Thanks for your support, dear reader. 🏄🏼♀️🏄🏼♀️🏄🏼♀️
If you read LUMENS, A Ghost Story, please please leave a review so that mine drops to the bottom and we can forgot this whole debacle.
Thanks for your support, dear reader. 🏄🏼♀️🏄🏼♀️🏄🏼♀️
December 12, 2018
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
I tried finishing the book but I couldn't. The story has a good potential story where a girl visits an island that is haunted. However, parts of the story don't connect and flow from one to the other. Also I couldn't get engrossed in reading the book
Mary thank you for the ARC opportunity
I tried finishing the book but I couldn't. The story has a good potential story where a girl visits an island that is haunted. However, parts of the story don't connect and flow from one to the other. Also I couldn't get engrossed in reading the book
Mary thank you for the ARC opportunity
January 16, 2021
A suspensful book with an underlying message of redemption. Focuses on young adults.
July 25, 2023
Wish there was more character development? Some parts were super random and I didn’t really get attached to anyone. Def had potential.
May 22, 2019
Lumens, A Ghost Story, is very fast-paced. It’s a young adult read where a parallel develops between Libby and the long dead Elizabeth, explaining how people easily dissipate when they’re lost in tragedy. It's also about forgiveness, not just for others, but for self. Lumens share the importance of communication- the entire book is about not telling something that should have been shared, without being forced or condemnation/criticism. I hope that's what she meant to give because that's what I took from it all.
I appreciated the story; what tripped me up was the narrator. Stephanie Quinn had the right voice, but her speed was speedy. I found myself slowing down the speed in the Audible app to make sure my ears weren't playing with me. It still ran fast to me, bringing me not like her as a storyteller. That was my only gripe.
And check out the book cover- isn’t is absolutely gorgeous? I’ve always loved lighthouses, so this just made my day. Her covers are always magical, and more than HD. It's like you can reach in and actually feel what's there. Okay, so check out a copy of Lumens, A Ghost Story and see if you enjoy the tale. I'm moving on to the next read.
Cheers!
For the full review, please visit http://bit.ly/LighthouseGhostStory
I appreciated the story; what tripped me up was the narrator. Stephanie Quinn had the right voice, but her speed was speedy. I found myself slowing down the speed in the Audible app to make sure my ears weren't playing with me. It still ran fast to me, bringing me not like her as a storyteller. That was my only gripe.
And check out the book cover- isn’t is absolutely gorgeous? I’ve always loved lighthouses, so this just made my day. Her covers are always magical, and more than HD. It's like you can reach in and actually feel what's there. Okay, so check out a copy of Lumens, A Ghost Story and see if you enjoy the tale. I'm moving on to the next read.
Cheers!
For the full review, please visit http://bit.ly/LighthouseGhostStory
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews