It’s been 2 weeks since I’ve discovered Aleatha Romig’s The Light, 2-book series when I was searching for a new read on Goodreads. First book Into the Light was ranked among the best thriller/mystery books for previous year. And oh boy, this story is so good, so captivating, I was literally skipping lines (with pages it would be too much) because I wanted to find out what happened at the end. Despite shocking main events which includes indoctrinating a woman into a cult and making her believe fake story to make her compliant to her make-believe husband,. Who own her completely (body and thoughts) and if she hides anything from him or is disobedient, he has a right to correct her. For her own success. Totally unacceptable for today’s society we live in.
In my opinion first book describes and sets the background and next book Away from the Dark tries to resolve and uncover mysteries of the first (we also learn there’s a bigger picture to the cult than just religious stuff but also a plethora of illegal activities). When I finished with the last one, I didn’t get the feeling it was a 2-book story. But if it were one book, it would be over 700 pages long which I admit is not practical from publisher’s point of view. This also has to be one of the rare books from the genre from female writers I read and shamefully I’ve admit I didn’t expect story so good. Although there is less technical knowledge as male writers like to incorporate in thrillers, Aleatha Romig exceeds at storytelling and keeping reader’s attention. I also noticed love-making parts of the story are much more detailed which didn’t leave me, let say, indifferent. 😀
There are many parts of the story I enjoyed. For example, like when Sara (the woman who was indoctrinated), previously stopping taking her birth control medicine, starts to remember her true self and despite this she keeps her new mantle to save herself and buy time. Clever writing by Aleatha Romig! Or in earlier part, when she is in conversation with other wives of the chosen (privileged people of the community, do less and elite work, live in better and bigget apartments), they discuss about their jobs and despite how awkward that would be in real world, author keeps exploring the idea.
Definitely 5/5!
A note about book covers: First one is mostly blue, the second is red but the background shows the same scene of girl running in the forest with clearing (the light) at the end of it. What differs, apart from book title text, is the direction girl is running. In first in she runs towards the light, in second away from the light. Although trivial, I think this is a nice little detail.