Beckoning Light (The Afterglow Trilogy, #1) in Goodreads Self Published Authors

Aug 31, 2011 Amos Fairchild rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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

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

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

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

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

7 likes · Like · see review

Sep 24, 2011 ILoveBooks rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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

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

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

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 04, 2011 Vone Savan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Like · see review

Jan 02, 2012 Nancy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really liked this book and I will definitely buy the second when it is available.

The last 25% of the book was exceptional – Great Ending!! I don’t like to give things away about the story in a review, so I'll only say: the book’s setting is in Charleston, SC and involves a parallel world. The plot was intriguing.

Okay Alyssa, bring on the second in the series! 4 very strong stars for Beckoning Light! ...more

1 like · Like · see review