Book Review: Absonbrite: Shadows in the Lighthouse by Aaron LA.V.R.

I was compensated with a small amount for my time and effort in reading the book and writing this review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and are based on my honest personal experience reading the book. Nor did the publisher in any way shape or form ever pressure me to give a positive review.

Absonbrite: Shadows in the Lighthouse by Aaron LA.V.R. is a gripping tale that follows two African American youths, Zeke Cobalt and Ivory Gear, and their journey with an unique power to alter humanity’s destiny. Aided by a mysterious man and Vee, they unlock the depths of their abilities while braving a sinister forest connected to another dimension on Bermuda. Forced to master their powers, adapt to Lighthouse, and place trust in the dubious, they unravel the facility’s secrets and gradually unveil the enigma of their own pasts.

The book kicks off with a fast-paced start that immediately grabbed my attention, evoking a Hollywood action movie vibe with the way the almost espionage-like atmosphere was invoked. While my first impression was that the writing style isn’t my personal favorite cup of tea when it comes to the heavy use of onomatopoeia for visualizations and descriptions, I enjoyed the way the story unfolds, especially in the initial stages.

The decision to focus the introduction of the story more on the adults rather than the kids adds an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative and was a fantastic way to introduce us the stakes, who the children are and why they are significant, and other relevant world-building information at the start. This approach allows the book to skillfully employ a show-not-tell technique when setting the stage. And undoubtedly, this was one of the major factors contributing to why the beginning of the book managed to capture my attention so effectively.

While there are many books with a writing style that aligns with my preferences but failed to kept me interested, that’s the complete opposite for me in this case. Surprisingly, although the initial writing style of this book doesn’t typically align with my preferences, it undeniably captivated me. I found myself eagerly delving into the pages, craving to unravel what would unfold next. At its essence, this book is enjoyable for me. In fact, I would go as far as to say it’s one of the most enjoyable ARCs I’ve had the pleasure of reading, purely because it elicited an irresistible urge to continue reading throughout irregardless of everything else.

I appreciate the way the writing skillfully establishes mysterious settings layer by layer. The progression from the real world to the forest and then to the lighthouse unfolds like Alice descending through layers of wonder, each level becoming more inciting than the next. With each adding on top of each other its own intrigue as it funnels us through the necessary settings. This narrative approach is captivating and adds an element of excitement to the story and contributes to one of the important reason why I couldn’t put down the book.

I also thoroughly enjoyed how the young cast was portrayed in both their dialogue and overall characterization. Their interactions and expressions make them feel authentic and true to their age, yet still surprisingly engaging for a more mature reader like myself. I never felt too disconnected from them in a way where it negatively impacts my experience with the story. It always feels refreshing and not annoying which was pleasantly surprising. I have seen when authors try to write a younger cast, a more mature reader maybe put off if they are not properly executed because it negatively influence their reading experience and connectivity to the plot. Younger casts needs to be younger (because they are), but also need to be logical within reason and…overall not annoying to read. And I believe that is not the case here.

In sum my biggest joy with this book was just how genuinely enjoyable it was for me to read! I wanted to keep reading and finish it, not just because it’s an ARC but because I’m actually interested and engaged. It made me so happy and I felt like when writing this review is all I can think about. Really, really loved it.

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