In Your Light

Lil's sister, Mella, disappeared after a family argument. Four months on there has been no word from her and Lil and her mother are struggling to cope. Then Lil meets Alice, who has run away from a community called The Sisterhood of the Light. They seem to be a peaceful group - but then why is Alice fleeing from them? And could she hold the key to Mella's disappearance? This is an atmospheric and thought-provoking novel for young adults. The premise is unusual - the cult described in the book is made up solely of females, and their leader, Moon, is a very scary character. The opening chapters are set during a violent storm, which gives the novel a dark, almost claustrophobic feel. There are alternate chapters set within the cult itself which give a disturbing insight into the beliefs of The Sisterhood, and instil into the reader a sense of dread as to Brilliance's impending fate. The characterisation is excellent. I loved Lil, a feisty, mixed-up teen who blames herself for her sister's disappearance and is desperate to find her. I also very much enjoyed the way in which the author portrayed the budding romance between Lil and her friend Kiran. The story is fast-paced and exciting. There were a couple of points at which I had to suspend my disbelief a little; Lil and Kieran do take the law into their own hands a couple of times! However this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book at all. I applaud the author for taking a serious subject - missing people - and turning it into an interesting, thoughtful and very well written novel. I shall be recommending this title to the keen readers in the school library which I run. 328 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 11+

Mella, a beloved sister and daughter, disappears. Since she had a history of running away, had recently been troubled and dropped out of college, the police soon give up the search and conclude that she just doesn't want to be found. Lil, her sister, never gives up hope that Mella will be found and will come back, keeping her alive by having conversations with her in her head. When Lil finds a girl injured on the road in a storm who says she is from The Sisterhood of the Light everything changes, and the clock starts ticking for Mella. This is a pacey, exciting tale about love, hope and sisterhood with plenty to make you think. Annalie Grainger writes in an utterly believable and authentic voice as Lil describes her life after the loss of her older sister, Mella. The constant questioning of herself over what she could have done to prevent it and the sense of guilt and betrayal every time she laughs or finds herself enjoying something for a short time. The strained relationship between Lil and her mother is equally genuine and illustrates something of the impact missing people have on the family they have left behind. 140,000 children and young adults go missing in the UK each year; In Your Light would make a very good starting point for exploring the issues involved. Great for PHSE and RE, it would also make a good book to use as a springboard for discussing the nature of belief, its relevance today and the difference between cults and religions. 328 pages/ Ages 12+/ Reviewed by Melanie Chadwick, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 11+