Elaine White's Life in Books

Book – Light Shaper (Haven Prime #2)
Author – Albert Nothlit
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 340

Cover – Gorgeous!
POV – 3rd person, multi POV
Would I read it again – Yes!

Genre – Sci-Fi, Adventure, Apocalypse, Alternative History, MM Romance


** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY DSP PUBLICATION, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine


To start, I have to say that I'm not going to compare this to book 1. I could, but it feels like these books, though a series, need to be evaluated on their singular merits. Each focuses on a different Haven, each differently effected and alternating in time/advancement since the Cataclysm. Therefore, it's unfair to compare the post-apocalyptic world of book 1 with the 200+ years later advanced, but relatively normal, life of book 2.

Saying that, this book takes place almost directly after book 1, so 200+ years after The Cataclysm, in a modern world.

With brand new characters (none of the Crew from book 1) and a new Haven (III, but also involving IV, which we know from book 1 was the only other Haven, with VII, that was overrun by the centipedes), we entered a new world with no centipedes, more desert and a new challenge.

Kyrios was being used fruitlessly (as he'd see it), his fragment in Haven III, Atlas, being used for simulations for those who could afford it. The world building, here, was incredible. Not only did it build on what we had already learned from book 1, but it also introduced us to new concepts and expanded on what we already knew. The only thing even remotely similar to this book is Minority Report (with the simulation aspect). From the Otherlife concept, to the compound, the Shadow and the Night Market and Slums, nothing was skimmed over, when it came to detail, planning and relevance to the advancement to the story.

Thankfully, I was already familiar with some aspects because of book 1, so was able to adapt to them quicker. But, even if I hadn't been, everything was nicely explained in a way that anyone new to the series could understand the concepts, without massive, complicated explanations.

I loved that we explored Haven Prime in a little more depth, without going there. I sense that may be the final destination for the series, but I appreciate the hints and clues we get as to its importance. The same goes for Atlas, who is a little more forth coming with the sly attitude than Kyrios was before.

The Shadow, in a similar way, is much more of a deadly, frightening 'evil' than the centipedes, because he's much more alien. At least the centipedes had been considered an evolutionary/scientific advancement. The Shadow is much more unpredictable and widespread.

Unlike book 1, there are only a few POV's here, and all in 3rd person. Rigel and Barrows are the main and predominant POV's, while we also get Dr Fey and Tanner when they become relevant. I like this format for this book, since there was a lot less going on and it was less complicated POV wise, with far fewer characters. It was helpful that Rigel referred to 'Barrows' by his first name, Steve, so that we could easily and quickly tell their POV apart.

Character wise, I loved both of the main characters and I finally got my romance. However, just like book 1, it was appropriate to the characters and plot. It was also YA, so great for all ages. The flirting and jealousy were fun to read. I also really liked that the MC's both had disabilities – Rigel's was physical, while Steve's was mental. As someone with a painful, invisible disability like Rigel's, I appreciated the way he was written – frustrated, accepting, but also strong despite it all. And I loved that Steve never outwardly pitied him, even when they were strangers.

Plot wise, I have to admit that I found the second half of the book much more exciting. This was just because of the world building and the time needed, to get to know the characters and their situation. For this reason, I appreciated and approved of the much shorter length, compared to book 1. Neither felt too long. This one was just as long as it needed to be; no more, no less.

I did notice a few misplaced commas and speech patterns that could be an accent/way of speaking or a spelling issue - “I got to” and “and we got to”. I would accept it as speech and not mention it at all, except it was mostly Rigel, who is described as a city boy – well spoken and well mannered. However, as this is an ARC, I'm not taking this into account for the rating, as I have no doubt they'll be corrected before the final publication.

Overall

I loved it. The MC's were new and original; their struggle interesting and built upon what book 1 already gave us, while leaving room for more.

The romance and world building were fantastic. The Epilogue had me grinning like a loon and I enjoyed the whisper of Haven VII and the centipedes, while exploring the new threat of the Shadow.

I can't wait for book 3!

Favourite Quote

“Rigel smiled, and to Barrow the world seemed a little brighter.”