Lightlark By Alex Aster: A Book Review

Authors Using TikTok

I’ve talked about booktok before when reviewing a book. But this time it’s different. It has to do with the comments not directed at the book, but at the person who wrote the book.

Alex Aster, the author of Lightlark, has used TikTok to promote her series. Many of these include her going to bookstores to sign her books and meeting people who have read it. All with a smile on her face. But the comments bash her saying how cringe she is for all the promotion or how she acts on camera. I, myself, had found a few on the cringer side but didn’t need to say my thoughts in the comments because what she’s doing seems to work.

People often don’t know when your book is picked up by a publisher the author themselves have to promote it. And what other way then TikTok? In this case, Aster uploads regularly causing her book to reach best seller status while also allowing her to continue her series. I say if a cringy TikTok is what gets her there then so be it. Instead of going after her let’s review the work instead.

Overview of Lightlark

After being cursed for centuries, every 100 years leaders from the six realms unite to see if they can break the curse and restore the realms back to their former glory. That’s all fine and well except Isla, leader of the Wilding realm, is going in blind, and to her dismay without any powers. Will she survive the curse, or will she be scarified to save the realms that have been without magic for too long while trusting those she has met along the way?

The Cons of Lightlark

· Worldbuilding

When it comes to world building this book leans on the lighter side. Which I think is great for people who don’t like it. But the worldbuilding in this novel was missing something. Every time an issue would arise it seemed as if the author would throw a power in as a way for one of the leaders to get the main character out of trouble. Many things didn’t make sense or were hardly described leaving one confused.

· The Twist Ending

I had read many reviews before purchasing this book. All of them even the 2-3 stars said the twist ending was great. But I was sorely disappointed because it was a trope we have seen again and again and again. I saw it a mile away which made the ending not as great or impactful as it should have been.

· Character Names

I understand authors want characters to have a name that holds meaning, but to literally have the characters names coinciding with their realm tends to lean a little childish and naive. Oro for light/gold, Celeste for the star realm are just a few examples of immature writing.

· Scenes

As an author should, create scenes that move a story forward. In this case, almost each scene was an action scene, or very over the top to the point everything seemed on the same playing field. The stakes weren’t high because it seemed the character got out of every situation possible. It would have been nice to have some easy more laid back scenes filtered in to give it a more realistic feel.

· Working Together

Many of the leaders have lived since the curse was first brought to them meaning they have been to several of the centennials to break the curse. It seemed instead of working together and putting all the knowledge they had into solving the curse they wasted their time being scared of one another or trying to figure it out themselves. There was no haste with the time limit of 100 days with many of those days walking around the castle. The curse could have been broken so much faster if it wasn’t for this.

The Pros of Lightlark

· Cover

Besides the TikTok videos one of the main reasons I wanted to read this book was due to the beautiful cover. Its easy to read, but has a powerful image that can translate to the rest of the series.

· Dialog

I notice most authors struggle with dialog especially when it comes to characters sounding the same to one another. The dialog in Lightlark was great and kept moving the story forward. You knew exactly who was talking and the emotions behind it. Grimm's character was one of my favorites.

· Love Interests

I couldn’t decide if I wanted this under pros or cons but I think it deserves a pro. I’m not one to like a love story but the author does it well with two of the main characters. The tension between them is great and it didn’t even matter to me that they new each other for a few days. This overshadows the thrown in love triangle.

Overall Review Summary

As you can see I didn’t have very many pros to reading Lightlark. It was a great attempt at a fantasy with many elements inspired by Hunger Games.

When it came to worldbuilding there was a lack of understanding and elements I think needed to be taken to the next level. Even though the characters had great dialog their horrible names were something I couldn’t get over.

The main character was also a little insufferable with her internal dialogue of self doubt and the fact that two of the leaders, who were over 500 years old, were in love with a 20 girl… for what reason I wouldn’t know because she seemed average to me when compared to everyone else.

The twist was something anyone who reads a lot would pick up on pretty quickly but for new readers I could see this being a shock.

Overall, I’m going to give it 2 out of 5 stars. Not the worst I’ve read but it had so much potential to be more.

It’s been awhile since I’ve rated a book so low! What would you rate this if you’ve read it. Here are some other low rated books you might want to avoid! The Witch's Kind, and the Fox and I.