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Night Lights
A remote cabin. A family on edge. They are not alone.
It was meant to be a family bonding exercise: two weeks in a mountain cabin on the outskirts of a former gold-mining town. These days, Wooralla’s only claim to fame is a retro diner called The Flying Saucer and a dusty museum dedicated to the area’s history of UFO sightings. Sixteen-year-old Owen knows it’s all bogus, but at least it gives him something to do.
Half a day into their holiday, Owen’s family is already bickering. By day two, his little sister is sick. On the third night, they witness peculiar lights in the sky.
By day nine they are fleeing, too panicked to grab their phones, belongings, even the family dog. Owen doesn’t know what they’re running from, he only knows he needs to keep his little sister safe. But how can he tell anyone about his dad’s erratic behaviour? Weird howling from deep in the bush? Strange entities hiding in the trees? How does he explain what was real and what wasn’t when he doesn’t even know himself?
In Owen’s search for answers, nothing is as it seems. And what he’ll uncover is beyond anything he imagined.
It was meant to be a family bonding exercise: two weeks in a mountain cabin on the outskirts of a former gold-mining town. These days, Wooralla’s only claim to fame is a retro diner called The Flying Saucer and a dusty museum dedicated to the area’s history of UFO sightings. Sixteen-year-old Owen knows it’s all bogus, but at least it gives him something to do.
Half a day into their holiday, Owen’s family is already bickering. By day two, his little sister is sick. On the third night, they witness peculiar lights in the sky.
By day nine they are fleeing, too panicked to grab their phones, belongings, even the family dog. Owen doesn’t know what they’re running from, he only knows he needs to keep his little sister safe. But how can he tell anyone about his dad’s erratic behaviour? Weird howling from deep in the bush? Strange entities hiding in the trees? How does he explain what was real and what wasn’t when he doesn’t even know himself?
In Owen’s search for answers, nothing is as it seems. And what he’ll uncover is beyond anything he imagined.
392 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2022
4 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Epstein
7 books139 followersSarah Epstein is an award-winning Australian author who resides in Melbourne with her family. Her young adult novels have been translated into multiple languages and have also been nominated for numerous literary awards. Sarah is the recipient of the Adelaide Festival Young Adult Fiction Award, the Davitt Award for Best YA Crime Novel, Honour Book from the Children’s Book Council of Australia, and CBCA Notable Book. Sarah’s short fiction is featured in the Hometown Haunts anthology, and she also writes and illustrates picture books.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 9, 2024
✰ 3 stars ✰
“It’s amazing what you find up there if you keep your eyes peeled,” he said. “We’re all so busy staring at our shoes that we forget to look at what’s going on above our heads.”
I had enjoyed my previous go with Sarah Epstein's works, so I was cautiously optimistic that Night Lights would successfully deliver, as well. And while it wasn't on the same level, it was a decent enough YA thriller that convinced me to keep going till the end. Regardless of whatever the actual twist the storyline would take, it is always a credit to the author that they are able to keep the mystery level heightened enough to gauge my interest. 👏🏻👏🏻 To provide enough context clues and intrigue that give you enough of an idea that the story can shift in any specific direction. And here - where there lies the option of whether or not it's actual UFOs and aliens that are causing a stir in the remote corners of Wooralla, or some other insidious and devious scheme underway, then it is something that you won't quite figure out till you reach the end. 😥
“This all sounds crazy. Completely and totally whacked.
We’re just a normal family on a boring winter getaway. How did we end up like this? How did things spiral into chaos?”
Or if you're the main character, sixteen-year-old Owen, then you're going to find yourself smack right in the middle of it - as he and his family get caught up in mysterious undertakings and unbelievable occurrences, when all they wanted was a casual family retreat to spend the winter holidays in a run-down cabin in a small secluded community that's built its reputation by drawing attention to the UFO sightings that have been reported here. 🛸 The dual timeline also helped heighten the tension of what led Owen and his younger sister, Nika to be separated from his parents and Uncle Marty.
I liked how the unsettling unease over the premise - how there were so many instances which convinced me that these coincidences were steeped with extraterrestrial evidence. There were plenty of fearful moments - that scene in the cabin, when he and his sister were trapped with no idea what crept upon their roof - I got chills. Not so much as the actual scene, but the way the descriptions captured the intensity of the fear of the unknown presence - really well done. 👌🏻 And amidst all that was happening, there was also a well-developed character growth for Owen, as well. He was a relatable if not agreeable protagonist who had a good head on his shoulders and made some very reasonable decisions even in the most dire of situations.
“You know what courage is? It’s not about being fearless. It’s being able to act in spite of your fears.”
The author did a good job in portraying how the dangers that he found himself in, helped him to become more confident and more sure of himself. All his doubts, his fears, his anxious desperation to try and figure out what situation he and his family had ended up in was believable and palpable. His close relationship with his uncle, while a conflicting one for his father, it was a very strong and supportive one. 🥺 It was interesting to see the difference between the two of them and how Owen struggled to appease his father, but still was able to connect so deeply to his uncle.
The suspense was built up well; the dual timeline alternating between the past and the present convincingly portrayed just how awry things had gotten to the point where I believed that the truth was out there - sorry, couldn't help myself! With even a small cast, there was just the right amount of drama and intrigue that kept a steady pace that cast a hint of doubt for the story to go in any direction. And when it did - well, it certainly was a surprise! 😅 Even if not what I was expecting, it was explained well enough to fit the tone of the overall story. So, as far as YA thrillers go, it certainly was a pleasant enough one. 👍🏻
“It’s amazing what you find up there if you keep your eyes peeled,” he said. “We’re all so busy staring at our shoes that we forget to look at what’s going on above our heads.”
I had enjoyed my previous go with Sarah Epstein's works, so I was cautiously optimistic that Night Lights would successfully deliver, as well. And while it wasn't on the same level, it was a decent enough YA thriller that convinced me to keep going till the end. Regardless of whatever the actual twist the storyline would take, it is always a credit to the author that they are able to keep the mystery level heightened enough to gauge my interest. 👏🏻👏🏻 To provide enough context clues and intrigue that give you enough of an idea that the story can shift in any specific direction. And here - where there lies the option of whether or not it's actual UFOs and aliens that are causing a stir in the remote corners of Wooralla, or some other insidious and devious scheme underway, then it is something that you won't quite figure out till you reach the end. 😥
“This all sounds crazy. Completely and totally whacked.
We’re just a normal family on a boring winter getaway. How did we end up like this? How did things spiral into chaos?”
Or if you're the main character, sixteen-year-old Owen, then you're going to find yourself smack right in the middle of it - as he and his family get caught up in mysterious undertakings and unbelievable occurrences, when all they wanted was a casual family retreat to spend the winter holidays in a run-down cabin in a small secluded community that's built its reputation by drawing attention to the UFO sightings that have been reported here. 🛸 The dual timeline also helped heighten the tension of what led Owen and his younger sister, Nika to be separated from his parents and Uncle Marty.
I liked how the unsettling unease over the premise - how there were so many instances which convinced me that these coincidences were steeped with extraterrestrial evidence. There were plenty of fearful moments - that scene in the cabin, when he and his sister were trapped with no idea what crept upon their roof - I got chills. Not so much as the actual scene, but the way the descriptions captured the intensity of the fear of the unknown presence - really well done. 👌🏻 And amidst all that was happening, there was also a well-developed character growth for Owen, as well. He was a relatable if not agreeable protagonist who had a good head on his shoulders and made some very reasonable decisions even in the most dire of situations.
“You know what courage is? It’s not about being fearless. It’s being able to act in spite of your fears.”
The author did a good job in portraying how the dangers that he found himself in, helped him to become more confident and more sure of himself. All his doubts, his fears, his anxious desperation to try and figure out what situation he and his family had ended up in was believable and palpable. His close relationship with his uncle, while a conflicting one for his father, it was a very strong and supportive one. 🥺 It was interesting to see the difference between the two of them and how Owen struggled to appease his father, but still was able to connect so deeply to his uncle.
The suspense was built up well; the dual timeline alternating between the past and the present convincingly portrayed just how awry things had gotten to the point where I believed that the truth was out there - sorry, couldn't help myself! With even a small cast, there was just the right amount of drama and intrigue that kept a steady pace that cast a hint of doubt for the story to go in any direction. And when it did - well, it certainly was a surprise! 😅 Even if not what I was expecting, it was explained well enough to fit the tone of the overall story. So, as far as YA thrillers go, it certainly was a pleasant enough one. 👍🏻
September 21, 2022
Let me start by saying this is not the kind of book I’d usually pick up, but it caught my eye and I’m so glad I gave it a chance!
The main character was very relatable, good character development and overall, I enjoyed the plot!
The dual time line kept my interest and when it came to merge, the back story was clear and well set out.
The complicated family relationships were given enough attention (in my opinion) and further developed the plot and characters.
Overall, I’m happy I picked something I usually wouldn’t and throughly enjoy the fun ride!
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The main character was very relatable, good character development and overall, I enjoyed the plot!
The dual time line kept my interest and when it came to merge, the back story was clear and well set out.
The complicated family relationships were given enough attention (in my opinion) and further developed the plot and characters.
Overall, I’m happy I picked something I usually wouldn’t and throughly enjoy the fun ride!
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 2, 2023
After re-reading the blurb, i have no idea how i convinced myself this story was going to be about climate change and not aliens, but that's on me. This was a really fun ride, leaving the reader to guess throughout if Owen and his family were being visited by aliens, or if there was something else the town was trying to keep secret.
I liked that this tied together a lot of different elements - an abusive father, family dynamics, a gay uncle who I loved very much (and was not made into a caricature which I appreciated), an adopted sister, a missing brother, suspicious locals and UFO enthusiasts. There was enough going on that kept me reading, without making me feel confused by what was happening.
I liked that this tied together a lot of different elements - an abusive father, family dynamics, a gay uncle who I loved very much (and was not made into a caricature which I appreciated), an adopted sister, a missing brother, suspicious locals and UFO enthusiasts. There was enough going on that kept me reading, without making me feel confused by what was happening.
September 15, 2022
Thank you BookSirens and Sarah Epstein for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was well written, thrilling, scary, and relatable.
This is a story of a teen named Owen and his family who decide to spend winter holidays in a run down cabin in the remote town of Wooralla. The town is a small community who's fame revolves around many historical UFO sightings.
As tension and paranoia rises in their isolated, grimy cabin, their relationships are put to the test. Things are not always as they seem... Or are they?
I found Owen to be a realistic and relatable main character and absolutely adored his bond with his sister and uncle. I felt for him as things started to go bump in the night and test his sanity.
He does his best to navigate the unstable reality he is faced with. He faces his fears even when panic starts to set it.
Epstein has written a wonderful thriller with just the right amount of comic relief. Her world and relationship building are incredibly enjoyable and authentic. I highly enjoyed Night Lights and look forward to reading more of her work.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was well written, thrilling, scary, and relatable.
This is a story of a teen named Owen and his family who decide to spend winter holidays in a run down cabin in the remote town of Wooralla. The town is a small community who's fame revolves around many historical UFO sightings.
As tension and paranoia rises in their isolated, grimy cabin, their relationships are put to the test. Things are not always as they seem... Or are they?
I found Owen to be a realistic and relatable main character and absolutely adored his bond with his sister and uncle. I felt for him as things started to go bump in the night and test his sanity.
He does his best to navigate the unstable reality he is faced with. He faces his fears even when panic starts to set it.
Epstein has written a wonderful thriller with just the right amount of comic relief. Her world and relationship building are incredibly enjoyable and authentic. I highly enjoyed Night Lights and look forward to reading more of her work.
November 4, 2022
NIGHT LIGHTS is my first time reading Sarah Epstein and now I know why she has such a following in the community. This story was so engaging! From the plot itself to the characters, their development, and all the things going on around them I was hooked. The main character, Owen, was the true star of the story, which I guess could be said about most books. But with this one, unlike a lot, I will think about him a lot and even outside of just when I think back on this book. Epstein's ability to weave in the suspense is definitely noteworthy. The dual narrative (past and present) as well as the assortment of interludes (newspaper articles, chat messages, etc) only fueled my need to read more and kept the pace moving along at the exact level it needed to be.
Thanks to Book Sirens for this one as well as exposing me to Sarah Epstein. I am definitely going to check out more!
Thanks to Book Sirens for this one as well as exposing me to Sarah Epstein. I am definitely going to check out more!
April 1, 2023
Trigger warnings: parental abandonment, homophobia, violence, kidnapping, gambling addiction,
3.5 stars
I absolutely adored Epstein's first book, Small Spaces. It was clever and different and tense and legitimately creepy. So when I heard about the premise of this last year, I was extremely excited about it. And so I grabbed it from work the second it was ready because I was desperate to read it. And then I felt like I was walking through quicksand waiting for things to really get going. I'm not kidding, the early stages - and by early stages, I mean the first 100-150 pages - really dragged for me. I legitimately couldn't tell you why (maybe something to do with jumping between the past and the present??), but I was on struggle street for the first half of the story.
Thankfully, the second half picked up dramatically and I was hooked to the weirdness. There were plenty of twists and I liked the way it played out, although I did kind of wish there had been some kind of wrap up about the younger sister. Anyway, it wasn't as compelling or memorable as Small Spaces, but it was still a fun and occasionally creepy read.
3.5 stars
I absolutely adored Epstein's first book, Small Spaces. It was clever and different and tense and legitimately creepy. So when I heard about the premise of this last year, I was extremely excited about it. And so I grabbed it from work the second it was ready because I was desperate to read it. And then I felt like I was walking through quicksand waiting for things to really get going. I'm not kidding, the early stages - and by early stages, I mean the first 100-150 pages - really dragged for me. I legitimately couldn't tell you why (maybe something to do with jumping between the past and the present??), but I was on struggle street for the first half of the story.
Thankfully, the second half picked up dramatically and I was hooked to the weirdness. There were plenty of twists and I liked the way it played out, although I did kind of wish there had been some kind of wrap up about the younger sister. Anyway, it wasn't as compelling or memorable as Small Spaces, but it was still a fun and occasionally creepy read.
December 16, 2022
UFOs are not normally my thing. I was drawn by the complex characters and the family relationships. The main character is a teen boy whose trying figure things out. I could relate to his fears with all the stuff going on, alternating between past and present which flows nicely and enables reader to fully understand. *I was given a copy via BookSirens and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
September 30, 2022
4.5 stars
Sarah Epstein is one of my favourite YA Australian authors and this book did not disappoint either! Sarah has an amazing ability to bring tension throughout a book and I am always finding myself flying through her books desperate to figure out the mystery. Owen was such a wonderful character who is just trying to be himself despite his dad always telling him he should 'man up'. Uncle Marty is gay so we have some good diverse rep and he is such a good role model for Owen. Nika is Owen's sister and adopted. I loved Owen and Nika's bond. The town they stayed at reminded me of so many little Australian small towns that you see on a road trip and it was easy to get lost in the atmosphere. There was twists and turns throughout and times when the reader is questioning if something could be aliens....or just a coincidence. Another amazing book Sarah!
Sarah Epstein is one of my favourite YA Australian authors and this book did not disappoint either! Sarah has an amazing ability to bring tension throughout a book and I am always finding myself flying through her books desperate to figure out the mystery. Owen was such a wonderful character who is just trying to be himself despite his dad always telling him he should 'man up'. Uncle Marty is gay so we have some good diverse rep and he is such a good role model for Owen. Nika is Owen's sister and adopted. I loved Owen and Nika's bond. The town they stayed at reminded me of so many little Australian small towns that you see on a road trip and it was easy to get lost in the atmosphere. There was twists and turns throughout and times when the reader is questioning if something could be aliens....or just a coincidence. Another amazing book Sarah!
October 19, 2022
I am new to this author but will definitely be looking for her other books. I know it says its YA, but trust me, it's for anyone. Having an Aussie vocabulary dictionary was very helpful, but putting it at the beginning rather then at the end would have been more helpful.
This book really held me in suspense, not just by the plot, but the writing style and the characters. It totally had me creeping out. I would recommend this to anyone regardless of age. It's such a good read. The only problem is it's given me a serious case of the willies.
This book really held me in suspense, not just by the plot, but the writing style and the characters. It totally had me creeping out. I would recommend this to anyone regardless of age. It's such a good read. The only problem is it's given me a serious case of the willies.
January 1, 2023
Outstanding work from the very talented Sarah Epstein. I am a huge fan of Sarah’s writing, and Night Lights was everything I was anticipating and more.
Epstein sheds light on the idea of an unreliable narrator through the protagonist, Owen. What really hooked me was his unstable memory and recollection of events that occur throughout the book. The split narration and time lapse works effectively in drawing the events together and enhancing the creepy and ominous events that transpire.
There is effective plot tactics that make the reader thirsty to find out answers. I was gripped - even if I was frustrated with Owen and his reliability - I needed to keep reading.
Call me crazy but I’m into the whole Alien theories as the X Files taught me more than high school put together. I like the way the author dips into the medical advancements that occur due to exposure to alien technology. The ambiguity surrounding the creatures in the story also begs the question - are ET’s real?
Go on - have a read. The truth is out there.
Epstein sheds light on the idea of an unreliable narrator through the protagonist, Owen. What really hooked me was his unstable memory and recollection of events that occur throughout the book. The split narration and time lapse works effectively in drawing the events together and enhancing the creepy and ominous events that transpire.
There is effective plot tactics that make the reader thirsty to find out answers. I was gripped - even if I was frustrated with Owen and his reliability - I needed to keep reading.
Call me crazy but I’m into the whole Alien theories as the X Files taught me more than high school put together. I like the way the author dips into the medical advancements that occur due to exposure to alien technology. The ambiguity surrounding the creatures in the story also begs the question - are ET’s real?
Go on - have a read. The truth is out there.
October 30, 2022
You can find this review and all my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com
I received a copy of this book from the author via Booksirens, in exchange for an honest review.
One family's attempt at bonding in the rural town of Wooralla turns into something way more than they bargained for. The plan was to stay at a remote cabin and take some time to reconnect as a family, however, not even half a day into their holiday, the family are already bickering. By day two Owen's little sister is sick, and by day three, they've seen strange lights in the sky. The former gold mining town's claim to fame is frequent UFO sightings, could this be what Owen and his family have witnessed over the ridge? By day nine, the family are fleeing in terror, leaving so quickly they forget to take their phones and their dog with them. Owen has no idea what they're running from, and he has no idea how to explain his father's erratic behaviour, nor the strange things that he's seen and heard in the bush. Owen has no idea what he's encountered and on his search for the truth, he'll uncover something wilder than he could have ever imagined.
As soon as I saw the cover for this one, I requested it as quickly as I could. I know they say never judge a book by its cover but let's be real, the cover is a book's first draw and this one has is in spades. When I read the synopsis, I was even more excited. A young adult traipse through horror with a sci-fi twist. I am here for it! And I'll tell you straight up, this one did not disappoint, it actually exceeded my expectations, especially because I'd been in a bit of a reading slump before this.
This story is told through alternating chapters, beginning in present day as Owen is in the car with his father and sister, fleeing the cabin; and recent past which starts from the family arriving in Wooralla on day one of their family vacation. I really loved the dual timelines in this, and I feel like Epstein did a fantastic job of switching between them. When dual timelines aren't done right, things can become confusing and muddy, which was not the case at all with this book. I feel like Epstein did a brilliant job of telling us the story of what lead the family to flee, while also taking us through the mystery of what they were fleeing from and Owen trying to uncover the truth and whereabouts of his missing family members. The present-day storyline really gave you that solid mystery feels, while the recent past one really brought the creepy, unsettling, isolated horror vibes. And while this isn't up there as the most terrifying horror that I've ever read, it is still up there as one of the top horror reads for the year, purely because this was horror of a different nature and I loved that it was something different. And the ability that Epstein has to create such a rich atmosphere that did a fantastic job of send shivers down my spine is phenomenal.
I really enjoyed the characters. Owen is our MC, he's a teenage boy and I was prepared for the bratty teenage angst that you see in a lot of the young adult genre, but I was pleasantly surprised. Owen wasn't whiney at all, and I really feel like I could relate to him. He had his struggles and we got to see some of these which really added another dimension to his character. While some people might look at his character and think he's too mature for a teenager, or that his character is unrealistic because he's not a whiney brat, where for me, he was more real because of this. He keeps to himself, he's smart, he doesn't care about showing off or being the best at anything and I loved that about him. And his love for his family was wonderful to see. I also really enjoyed the character of Owen's uncle, and I loved the little life lesson imparted at one point of the book "once you say something, it's out there". It probably doesn't hold much sway for some people, but for me, for some reason, I really loved that. All of the characters encountered in this story were well written and diverse and I really enjoyed every single one of them.
The story itself was very well thought out and crafted. I didn't pick a couple of the major reveals which was nice, and it can be hard to find a book that can still give me that surprise after reading so many books. I do feel that the experience that Owen and his Uncle had towards the end of the book, while written beautifully and still made me smile, it seemed a teeny bit anticlimactic for me and I'm not sure why. This hasn't impacted my rating at all - as you can see - but I just wanted to mention it, I feel like maybe because the story seemed to have a slightly shadowy undertone for most of it, and was a little more towards the horror genre than what I expected, so with the ending that we encountered, it seemed maybe too optimistic for me? I don't even know, because I honestly enjoyed the ending and I left the book feeling light and like I'd read something brilliant, so I don't even know what I'm trying to say hahaha.
All in all, this was a pleasantly surprising read that I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did. I loved that Epstein did something different while still bringing that horror feel and the story really kept me glued to the page. I honestly had a lot of trouble putting it down, which is amazing because nothing could really hold my attention for around a month. I flew through this book and it's narrative was so easy to read and had a wonderful flow to it that just made it overall a pleasant experience. If you're looking for something in the YA genre that brings a sci-fi twist to a touch of horror, give this one a go. I really enjoyed it. Oh! And for people like me. The dog is fine <3
I received a copy of this book from the author via Booksirens, in exchange for an honest review.
One family's attempt at bonding in the rural town of Wooralla turns into something way more than they bargained for. The plan was to stay at a remote cabin and take some time to reconnect as a family, however, not even half a day into their holiday, the family are already bickering. By day two Owen's little sister is sick, and by day three, they've seen strange lights in the sky. The former gold mining town's claim to fame is frequent UFO sightings, could this be what Owen and his family have witnessed over the ridge? By day nine, the family are fleeing in terror, leaving so quickly they forget to take their phones and their dog with them. Owen has no idea what they're running from, and he has no idea how to explain his father's erratic behaviour, nor the strange things that he's seen and heard in the bush. Owen has no idea what he's encountered and on his search for the truth, he'll uncover something wilder than he could have ever imagined.
As soon as I saw the cover for this one, I requested it as quickly as I could. I know they say never judge a book by its cover but let's be real, the cover is a book's first draw and this one has is in spades. When I read the synopsis, I was even more excited. A young adult traipse through horror with a sci-fi twist. I am here for it! And I'll tell you straight up, this one did not disappoint, it actually exceeded my expectations, especially because I'd been in a bit of a reading slump before this.
This story is told through alternating chapters, beginning in present day as Owen is in the car with his father and sister, fleeing the cabin; and recent past which starts from the family arriving in Wooralla on day one of their family vacation. I really loved the dual timelines in this, and I feel like Epstein did a fantastic job of switching between them. When dual timelines aren't done right, things can become confusing and muddy, which was not the case at all with this book. I feel like Epstein did a brilliant job of telling us the story of what lead the family to flee, while also taking us through the mystery of what they were fleeing from and Owen trying to uncover the truth and whereabouts of his missing family members. The present-day storyline really gave you that solid mystery feels, while the recent past one really brought the creepy, unsettling, isolated horror vibes. And while this isn't up there as the most terrifying horror that I've ever read, it is still up there as one of the top horror reads for the year, purely because this was horror of a different nature and I loved that it was something different. And the ability that Epstein has to create such a rich atmosphere that did a fantastic job of send shivers down my spine is phenomenal.
I really enjoyed the characters. Owen is our MC, he's a teenage boy and I was prepared for the bratty teenage angst that you see in a lot of the young adult genre, but I was pleasantly surprised. Owen wasn't whiney at all, and I really feel like I could relate to him. He had his struggles and we got to see some of these which really added another dimension to his character. While some people might look at his character and think he's too mature for a teenager, or that his character is unrealistic because he's not a whiney brat, where for me, he was more real because of this. He keeps to himself, he's smart, he doesn't care about showing off or being the best at anything and I loved that about him. And his love for his family was wonderful to see. I also really enjoyed the character of Owen's uncle, and I loved the little life lesson imparted at one point of the book "once you say something, it's out there". It probably doesn't hold much sway for some people, but for me, for some reason, I really loved that. All of the characters encountered in this story were well written and diverse and I really enjoyed every single one of them.
The story itself was very well thought out and crafted. I didn't pick a couple of the major reveals which was nice, and it can be hard to find a book that can still give me that surprise after reading so many books. I do feel that the experience that Owen and his Uncle had towards the end of the book, while written beautifully and still made me smile, it seemed a teeny bit anticlimactic for me and I'm not sure why. This hasn't impacted my rating at all - as you can see - but I just wanted to mention it, I feel like maybe because the story seemed to have a slightly shadowy undertone for most of it, and was a little more towards the horror genre than what I expected, so with the ending that we encountered, it seemed maybe too optimistic for me? I don't even know, because I honestly enjoyed the ending and I left the book feeling light and like I'd read something brilliant, so I don't even know what I'm trying to say hahaha.
All in all, this was a pleasantly surprising read that I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did. I loved that Epstein did something different while still bringing that horror feel and the story really kept me glued to the page. I honestly had a lot of trouble putting it down, which is amazing because nothing could really hold my attention for around a month. I flew through this book and it's narrative was so easy to read and had a wonderful flow to it that just made it overall a pleasant experience. If you're looking for something in the YA genre that brings a sci-fi twist to a touch of horror, give this one a go. I really enjoyed it. Oh! And for people like me. The dog is fine <3
November 25, 2023
"Something had freaked me out down there. I was quite happy never finding out what it was."
I was loving this, until that whole situation at the end. I guess I should have seen it coming, but it ruined a perfectly good story.
June 20, 2025
Did I like this or did I not like this? I really don’t know the answer to that but 4 stars for pacing, dang. That book was as fast as the night lights (haha).
July 9, 2023
The truth is out there... In remote Australia. Nice.
3.5/5
3.5/5
December 13, 2022
When Owen and his family arrive in Wooralla, an old mining town with a history of UFO activity, their family bonding trip quickly goes awry. The dilapidated and filthy cabin is not what they had expected. The nearby secluded woods ring out with eerie noises and strange figures stalk their cabin. Within the first few days, several of their party have fallen ill with a mysterious illness.
The novel paints a painfully realistic portrait of a family at the brink: a chauvinistic father who belittles his son for a lack of stereotypically masculine interests, who lashes out at his wife and brother-in-law, and buries his rage in the bottle.
Oscillating back and forth between two timelines, an already tense family vacation takes a sharp turn for the worse as isolation and paranoia begin to sink in. With each passing day, as the tension grows and the walls close in, Owen finds himself increasingly affected by local stories of UFOs and other unexplained happenings, and struggles to distinguish fact from fiction.
Unfortunately, as someone who reads a lot of sci-fi, I didn't find the UFO plot particularly compelling, particularly when compared to all the other storylines. There were some entertaining twists, such as the way the townspeople capitalized on the sightings, but overall, this could have been a really strong novel about the darkness that lies in rural towns without the paranormal element.
Thank you to BookSirens and Sarah Epstein for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The novel paints a painfully realistic portrait of a family at the brink: a chauvinistic father who belittles his son for a lack of stereotypically masculine interests, who lashes out at his wife and brother-in-law, and buries his rage in the bottle.
Oscillating back and forth between two timelines, an already tense family vacation takes a sharp turn for the worse as isolation and paranoia begin to sink in. With each passing day, as the tension grows and the walls close in, Owen finds himself increasingly affected by local stories of UFOs and other unexplained happenings, and struggles to distinguish fact from fiction.
Unfortunately, as someone who reads a lot of sci-fi, I didn't find the UFO plot particularly compelling, particularly when compared to all the other storylines. There were some entertaining twists, such as the way the townspeople capitalized on the sightings, but overall, this could have been a really strong novel about the darkness that lies in rural towns without the paranormal element.
Thank you to BookSirens and Sarah Epstein for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
December 14, 2022
Great and relatable characters that makes you want to keep reading to know what will happen to them next. This young adult book can be enjoyed by anyone. The second half of the book was a bit slower and would have been better if the pacing stayed the same throughout the whole book. The plot was good.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 25, 2022
This book was an absolutely wonderful read. I was greatly entertained all the way through. There were a lot of different mysterious questions throughout the story that needed answers, and a couple of them I was able to guess the answer- but as for most of them, I was caught off guard until the actual reveal of the answer. I don't want to give anything away, and I don't like spoilers, so I can't be any more specific than that... Suffice it to say, this was a really intriguing story with great character development and some interesting twists and turns, and a fabulous ending. I will read this author's work again for sure.
I received an ARC of this book to read for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC of this book to read for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
October 9, 2022
When Owen his parents his uncle and little sister Nica go on a vacation to Morales in The gold country Australia it was so everyone could relax oh instead tugger was usually hard on him but once they got to their mountaintop cabin it seems him riding Owen got worse and his mom and little sister kept feeling ill. Not to mention Owens sleepwalking had returned. On the first night in their cabin they all stood on the veranda looking at strange lights in the sky then a few days into the trip while Owen was walking the family dog he kept hearing someone mimicking everything he would say that wasn’t the only strange event though people were watching the cabin or at least oh and thought it was a person. This vacation would only get weirder before it’s over half of his family would go missing and with the help of a local girl named Zoe he’ll find out things that he will wish he knew at the beginning and although she explains the town secrets it doesn’t explain everything. I thoroughly enjoyed this book I enjoyed the dual timelines that met and carried you through to the end of the story I thought that was so cool I love the overall feel of the book and how even though it brings up the questions of aliens by the end of the book it really is still left to your own discernment. I read this book twice because the way the due timelines were set up I thought I missed something but I didn’t and it was so good I just figured I would finish it a second time as well. This is a total five-star read if you love books about the strange and obscure in vacations going awry you really need to read this book. There’s no para normal events per se and even when it is it totally seems authentic. I really love this book I received it from book Sirens and the author but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
October 11, 2022
Thank you BookSirens and Sarah Epstein for the ARC for an honest review.
This is my first time reading one of Sarah’s books. It was well written, thrilling, scary, and grabbing unexpectedly so I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
This is about a teen named Owen and his family who decide to spend winter holidays in a cabin in the remote town of Wooralla. The town is a small community whose fame revolves around many historical UFO sightings.
Not long after their arrival, the family starts fighting, and kannika (Owen's sister) comes down with a mystery illness. Add to the fact that the family has seen peculiar lights in the sky, and suddenly Owen doesn't think they're as alone as he once thought.
That roof scene though! Oh My God!
So, after fleeing without personal belongings, Owen must keep his little sister safe, and find the rest of his family.
I found Owen to be a realistic and relatable main character and absolutely adored his bond with his sister and uncle. He does his best to navigate the unstable reality he is faced with. He faces his fears even when panic starts to set it.
Epstein’s world and relationship building are incredibly enjoyable and authentic. She has an amazing ability to bring tension throughout the book.
Definitely going to read more from this author.
This is my first time reading one of Sarah’s books. It was well written, thrilling, scary, and grabbing unexpectedly so I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
This is about a teen named Owen and his family who decide to spend winter holidays in a cabin in the remote town of Wooralla. The town is a small community whose fame revolves around many historical UFO sightings.
Not long after their arrival, the family starts fighting, and kannika (Owen's sister) comes down with a mystery illness. Add to the fact that the family has seen peculiar lights in the sky, and suddenly Owen doesn't think they're as alone as he once thought.
That roof scene though! Oh My God!
So, after fleeing without personal belongings, Owen must keep his little sister safe, and find the rest of his family.
I found Owen to be a realistic and relatable main character and absolutely adored his bond with his sister and uncle. He does his best to navigate the unstable reality he is faced with. He faces his fears even when panic starts to set it.
Epstein’s world and relationship building are incredibly enjoyable and authentic. She has an amazing ability to bring tension throughout the book.
Definitely going to read more from this author.
October 18, 2022
I'll start by saying I have found very few YA books that I've enjoyed reading in recent years, but the plot of this one stuck out to me so I decided to give it a try. All in all, it was a pretty good read! I really enjoyed the setting as I can't recall ever having read anything set in Australia before and it was fun to learn a bit about the setting. As a reader from the US, I especially appreciated the index at the back of the book explaining cultural/geographical differences and vocabulary terms.
Overall, I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half. The first half read much more like a mystery, with the reader trying to piece together what happened between "now" and the "past". The pacing in the second half was a bit slower than I would have liked and it felt a bit repetitive with characters going to the same places and asking the same questions before we got any answers. I enjoyed all of the characters except for the father, for whom I feel we didn't get a good enough explanation for his completely irrational and hostile behavior which seemed to be a trait even before they arrived to the campsite.
In the end, this was a good YA read -- I just wish there was a bit more detail when it came to characters and a bit of adjustment to the pacing in the second half.
A HUGE thank you to BookSirens for the advance copy!
Overall, I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half. The first half read much more like a mystery, with the reader trying to piece together what happened between "now" and the "past". The pacing in the second half was a bit slower than I would have liked and it felt a bit repetitive with characters going to the same places and asking the same questions before we got any answers. I enjoyed all of the characters except for the father, for whom I feel we didn't get a good enough explanation for his completely irrational and hostile behavior which seemed to be a trait even before they arrived to the campsite.
In the end, this was a good YA read -- I just wish there was a bit more detail when it came to characters and a bit of adjustment to the pacing in the second half.
A HUGE thank you to BookSirens for the advance copy!
October 31, 2022
An already tense family dynamic, strained father/son relationship, failing husband/wife relationship, insert third wheel wife's brother to accompany on the 2 week middle of nowhere "back to basics" family vacation and you have the makings of domestic violence on tap. Fortunately this story didn't go too far down that road before being pulled back by the largely overshadowing plot lines of alien contact, and what is really going on in the small outback town of Wooralla, Australia? That's not to say Epstein didn't do a masterful job keeping you on the edge of your seat with the tension between husband and uncle - you knew they'd go at it, you just didn't know when, and the back and forth timeline served to make this a great mystery for the majority of the story.
Our hero, young Owen, does his best to balance keeping his little sister safe, navigating the touchy relationship with the local waitress who comes to his rescue, and handling a father who only sees him as less than his older brother - Owen is timid, but Owen has also had enough and chooses his moment with great care despite dueling threats from within his household and without. Overall an engaging and suspenseful read that will keep you guessing.
Thank you BookSirens and Sarah Epstein for the ecopy in exchange for an honest review.
Our hero, young Owen, does his best to balance keeping his little sister safe, navigating the touchy relationship with the local waitress who comes to his rescue, and handling a father who only sees him as less than his older brother - Owen is timid, but Owen has also had enough and chooses his moment with great care despite dueling threats from within his household and without. Overall an engaging and suspenseful read that will keep you guessing.
Thank you BookSirens and Sarah Epstein for the ecopy in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2022
This was an engaging and entertaining tale of a family/son that becomes entrenched in a myriad of action and mystery in a town full of the paranormal. It was such a good book and I highly recommend it.
August 17, 2023
Night Lights, by Sarah Epstein
Sarah Epstein, the award-winning author of young adult suspense, gives us “Night Lights”, a tightly-woven suspense thriller about teenaged Owen and his family’s misadventures on winter break in a mysterious little Australian town, Wooralla.
The timeline jumps back and forth from the present to the family’s arrival at Cooee Cabin, a rustic rental with a mysterious past. Intriguing local characters join in as the family and their loyal dog are swept up in the drama. Watch out for red herrings, and suspend your own disbelief as this mix of mystery and mayhem unfolds.
Here in the Aussie wilderness, we find a dysfunctional family, a questionable adoption, a hatred for an in-law, an addiction. We find drug production, a kidnapping, and a history of outright fabrication. In the end, what pulls us through is the main character, the sweet, innocent Owen, and his ultimate decision to accept the answer to the universe’s most enduring question: are we alone?
Sarah Epstein, the award-winning author of young adult suspense, gives us “Night Lights”, a tightly-woven suspense thriller about teenaged Owen and his family’s misadventures on winter break in a mysterious little Australian town, Wooralla.
The timeline jumps back and forth from the present to the family’s arrival at Cooee Cabin, a rustic rental with a mysterious past. Intriguing local characters join in as the family and their loyal dog are swept up in the drama. Watch out for red herrings, and suspend your own disbelief as this mix of mystery and mayhem unfolds.
Here in the Aussie wilderness, we find a dysfunctional family, a questionable adoption, a hatred for an in-law, an addiction. We find drug production, a kidnapping, and a history of outright fabrication. In the end, what pulls us through is the main character, the sweet, innocent Owen, and his ultimate decision to accept the answer to the universe’s most enduring question: are we alone?
October 2, 2022
This book was entertaining, gripping and eerie… Untill we got to the last 40 pages of the book.
Let me start of by saying that I think this book is extremely well put together. There is a lot of mystery and the way the timeline jumps adds supsense without making the wait for answers too long.
The book had a great pace and things kept happening all throughout it.
I also really enjoyed the way the landscapes and town were described, it made it really easy to picture this setting and it almost felt like I was standing there right next to the characters.
I thought the whole revelation was very clever and definetly not the standard eay thrillers will wrap up. I just felt like the last event in the book spoiled my fun a bit. Just because of this I couldn't give the book five stars. Everything felt very twisty untill the last bit of the book.
All in all the book was great, I couldn't put it down and I genuinly felt for our main character. I just wish I hadn't read the last few pages.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Let me start of by saying that I think this book is extremely well put together. There is a lot of mystery and the way the timeline jumps adds supsense without making the wait for answers too long.
The book had a great pace and things kept happening all throughout it.
I also really enjoyed the way the landscapes and town were described, it made it really easy to picture this setting and it almost felt like I was standing there right next to the characters.
I thought the whole revelation was very clever and definetly not the standard eay thrillers will wrap up. I just felt like the last event in the book spoiled my fun a bit. Just because of this I couldn't give the book five stars. Everything felt very twisty untill the last bit of the book.
All in all the book was great, I couldn't put it down and I genuinly felt for our main character. I just wish I hadn't read the last few pages.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 20, 2022
Thank you to BookSirens and Sarah Epstein for an advanced copy of this book.
This year I decided I wanted to read more books from genres that I don't typically gravitate towards. That is what originally made me request this book and I am so glad I did! This was also my first Sarah Epstein book and I really enjoyed her writing style.
The book was just the right mix of creepy and thrilling with just the right amount of comedic relief sprinkled in. It touched on some really important issues regarding peer pressure and negative self-talk that were handled really well.
I absolutely loved Owen. His character was so relatable and I really enjoyed watching him grow. His relationship with his little sister Nika and his Uncle Marty were so beautiful and I just absolutely adored them. I thought the pacing of the book was really good, it caught my attention early on and kept it through the whole book. There were some great twists and turns, some of which were completely unexpected. Overall a really great book that had me questioning what was and wasn't real.
This year I decided I wanted to read more books from genres that I don't typically gravitate towards. That is what originally made me request this book and I am so glad I did! This was also my first Sarah Epstein book and I really enjoyed her writing style.
The book was just the right mix of creepy and thrilling with just the right amount of comedic relief sprinkled in. It touched on some really important issues regarding peer pressure and negative self-talk that were handled really well.
I absolutely loved Owen. His character was so relatable and I really enjoyed watching him grow. His relationship with his little sister Nika and his Uncle Marty were so beautiful and I just absolutely adored them. I thought the pacing of the book was really good, it caught my attention early on and kept it through the whole book. There were some great twists and turns, some of which were completely unexpected. Overall a really great book that had me questioning what was and wasn't real.
September 27, 2022
Night Lights is the new, YA, paranormal thriller from award winning author, Sarah Epstein. And it does not disappoint.
The Australian-isms within this book are fantastic. There is no denying where this title is set or where the characters are from. It makes the book so much more relateable for me (an Aussie reader) and I think it will give it an extra layer of authenticity to readers who aren't from Australia.
The relationship our protagonist, Owen, has with his sister is heartwarming. Their bond is so special, he truly is the embodiment of a protective big brother and she (Nika), the adoring little sister. I also love Nika's story, I won't elaborate to avoid spoilers, but if you've read the book, you'll know what I mean.
Incredibly easy to read, fast paced and filled with characters that everyone will be able to relate to.
If you're thinking about dipping your toe into the world of paranormal thrillers, this is the perfect place to start!
The Australian-isms within this book are fantastic. There is no denying where this title is set or where the characters are from. It makes the book so much more relateable for me (an Aussie reader) and I think it will give it an extra layer of authenticity to readers who aren't from Australia.
The relationship our protagonist, Owen, has with his sister is heartwarming. Their bond is so special, he truly is the embodiment of a protective big brother and she (Nika), the adoring little sister. I also love Nika's story, I won't elaborate to avoid spoilers, but if you've read the book, you'll know what I mean.
Incredibly easy to read, fast paced and filled with characters that everyone will be able to relate to.
If you're thinking about dipping your toe into the world of paranormal thrillers, this is the perfect place to start!
October 9, 2022
If you’d like to read a YA psychological thriller that keeps you on your toes (no way could I have guessed what happened 😲🫢😮) and is just the right amount of creepy and clever then Night Lights is for you. This new novel from award-winning Aussie author @sarahepsteinbooks is a page turner with a good smattering of likeable characters and great plot twists and turns.
With missing people, unidentified flying aircraft, strange bumps (and lights) in the night and a family on edge this is a coming of age story with a difference.
I wonder if we’ll see more of Owen and his Uncle Marty, because I really appreciated their bond. I’d be very keen to read more about their family and any more mysteries they encounter for sure. The relationship between Owen and his dad is complex and was dealt with really honestly and realistically.
Sarah’s previous YA thriller books Small Spaces and Deep Water really captivated me and this new one is just as good.
With missing people, unidentified flying aircraft, strange bumps (and lights) in the night and a family on edge this is a coming of age story with a difference.
I wonder if we’ll see more of Owen and his Uncle Marty, because I really appreciated their bond. I’d be very keen to read more about their family and any more mysteries they encounter for sure. The relationship between Owen and his dad is complex and was dealt with really honestly and realistically.
Sarah’s previous YA thriller books Small Spaces and Deep Water really captivated me and this new one is just as good.
October 14, 2022
Thanks to BookSirens for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Beware, if you read this book at night, you won't want to go to bed - not only because Epstein keeps you wanting to know what happens next, but also because you'll be too afraid of the dark!
In all seriousness though, I loved this book!
With magnificent writing and a well paced, non linear timeline that dovetails artfully, Epstein does a fantastic job of building tension and bending reality so that the reader, along with the 16 year old protagonist, is questioning what is real and what is imagined.
The characters are relatable and fleshed out, with their own inner demons which add to the growing conflict. Owen's sister is especially endearing, Uncle Marty provides much needed comic relief during tense moments and I particularly enjoyed Zoey's sassiness.
Overall, this book is brilliant, everyone should read it and it would make an excellent movie one day!
Beware, if you read this book at night, you won't want to go to bed - not only because Epstein keeps you wanting to know what happens next, but also because you'll be too afraid of the dark!
In all seriousness though, I loved this book!
With magnificent writing and a well paced, non linear timeline that dovetails artfully, Epstein does a fantastic job of building tension and bending reality so that the reader, along with the 16 year old protagonist, is questioning what is real and what is imagined.
The characters are relatable and fleshed out, with their own inner demons which add to the growing conflict. Owen's sister is especially endearing, Uncle Marty provides much needed comic relief during tense moments and I particularly enjoyed Zoey's sassiness.
Overall, this book is brilliant, everyone should read it and it would make an excellent movie one day!
November 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this book!! Well-deserved 5* in my opinion.
The pace of the story was just right, moving the story along well and keeping me wanting to turn the pages.
The character development was well done, I definitely had my favourites. I loved the way that the author developed Owen's character. The relationships between Owen and his father, his uncle, his mom and his baby sister Nika really came through so well on the pages.
Building of the suspense, the twists and turns and developments as the story progressed, actually kept me guessing.
Enjoyed the author's writing style as well. So will definitely be reading more of her work, already have my eye on one of her other books.
So, for sure, if you enjoy suspense, sci-fi, mystery, great plot and characters, grab this book, you won't be disappointed.
Highly recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The pace of the story was just right, moving the story along well and keeping me wanting to turn the pages.
The character development was well done, I definitely had my favourites. I loved the way that the author developed Owen's character. The relationships between Owen and his father, his uncle, his mom and his baby sister Nika really came through so well on the pages.
Building of the suspense, the twists and turns and developments as the story progressed, actually kept me guessing.
Enjoyed the author's writing style as well. So will definitely be reading more of her work, already have my eye on one of her other books.
So, for sure, if you enjoy suspense, sci-fi, mystery, great plot and characters, grab this book, you won't be disappointed.
Highly recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 5, 2022
TW: mentions of drugs, domestic abuse/violence, homophobia, death
There's just SOMETHING about small Australian town thrillers that Sarah does well, and this one certainly doesn't disappoint!
A dual timeline - alternating between events and the aftermath kept me intrigued even at its twistiest point.
There was also drama and tension, there was atmosphere, a dysfunctional family, and there was character development. All these things just really hit the spot for me.
Also Nika. I'd hate for something to happen to that little bb. Such a precious character.
Note: I received a paperback copy from Sarah herself, and I'm reviewing voluntarily because I really love her writing!
There's just SOMETHING about small Australian town thrillers that Sarah does well, and this one certainly doesn't disappoint!
A dual timeline - alternating between events and the aftermath kept me intrigued even at its twistiest point.
There was also drama and tension, there was atmosphere, a dysfunctional family, and there was character development. All these things just really hit the spot for me.
Also Nika. I'd hate for something to happen to that little bb. Such a precious character.
Note: I received a paperback copy from Sarah herself, and I'm reviewing voluntarily because I really love her writing!
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