REVIEW: The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy


Publisher: HarperTeen

ISBN: 0062696874

Format: Hardback, Paperback, E-Book,
Audio-Book

Release Date: 23rd October 2018


Links: Goodreads, Amazon.com, Indigo,
B&N, Book Depository


Rating: 9/10


Synopsis:

Five years ago, Evelyn and Philippa Hapwell cowered from air strikes in a London bomb shelter. But that night took a turn when the sisters were transported to another realm called the Woodlands. In a forest kingdom populated by creatures out of myth and legend, they found temporary refuge.

When they finally returned to London, nothing had changed at all—nothing, except themselves.

Now, Ev spends her days sneaking into the woods outside her boarding school, wishing for the Woodlands. Overcome with longing, she is desperate to return no matter what it takes.

Philippa, on the other hand, is determined to find a place in this world. She shields herself behind a flawless exterior and countless friends, and moves to America to escape the memory of what was.

But when Evelyn goes missing, Philippa must confront the depth of her sister’s despair and the painful truths they’ve been running from. As the weeks unfold, Philippa wonders if Ev truly did find a way home, or if the weight of their worlds pulled her under.

Review:



**Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for gifting me a review copy**

I knew I would love this book as soon as I heard about it at the Fall Frenzy Presents event. Everything about it drew me in; from the storyline to the book cover. I couldn't wait to start reading it.

This book is what would have happened if girls had travelled to a magical land and returned. It delves into their struggles at coming to terms with everything that they had been through as well as learning to adapt to a world without magic.

The story follows two main characters: Evelyn and Philippa Hapwell. The story switches between the past and present, showing the struggles and hardships the two sisters are facing.  The siblings connections and relationships were some of my favourite parts of the book. The author did a wonderful job at portraying how they relied on one another to cope.

The first half of the book focused on the younger of the two sisters, Evelyn almost 6 years after their return from The Woodlands. Evelyn was only 11 and it was her call during the war that transported them to the magical land. All she had wanted was somewhere to call home, which was difficult during the war. In returning, she is struggling the most at coping with everything that had happened and finding it difficult to find her place in the world. The second half of the book follows her older sister Philippa and focuses on their return from The Woodlands. While Evelyn cannot forget their live in The Woodlands, Philippa is more concerned about her younger sister and her struggles. 

Laura Weymouth is a wonderful writer. Her writing was magical and full of emotion. The prose was amazing and I couldn't put this book down. I found that the beginning was a little slow, but as the story progressed my love for the sisters and the struggles that they were going through only grew.

The story is incredibly emotional, dealing with loss, depression, and feeling lost. It deals with the implications of having found who you are in a magical world but being forced back to a boring one where you have to start again. It is heart wrenching and definitely a fantastic read for the fall or winter months. 

The book is a standalone fantasy book and a debut for Laura Weymouth. I cannot wait to read more of her work. The Light Between Worlds is quickly becoming one of my favourite books of the year and I cannot wait to pick up a finished copy.