The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble

Summary

Addie Sullivan leads a quiet life in a northern California lighthouse. She mourns the death of her father and endured her mother’s bitterness, until the night a storm brings an inured stranger and a dark secret to her home. The man insists she is not who she thinks she is, but rather “Julia Eaton”—the child long lost and feared dead by her wealthy family. Seizing the chance to be reunited with the Eatons, Addie leaves her lighthouse home but decides to keep her true identity a secret until they can unravel the mystery.

Addie loves the Eaton’s palatial home tucked away among the California redwood forests. She feels secure with the jovial family, adores the young boy who is her charge as a governess, and finds romance with his father John, a young widower. But sinister shadows overtake Addie’s joy. As dusty rooms and secret compartments give up their clues about her past, Addie finds a faith and a love she could never have guessed. To embrace this new world of promise is to risk her life; but to run away is to risk losing the greatest love she’s ever known.

• Number of pages: 306

Review

If you have read the summary to this book then you will understand that this is a Christian book with lots of spiritual messages intertwined with each word. Being a Christian, I myself enjoyed this book thoroughly as it opened up a few points in my faith. Books like this one tends to remind me of things I’ve either overlooked in my faith or never acknowledged. That how it works for me, but, understandably, that is not how it works for every, and I respect that. Which means I also appreciate respect back on my own views.

With that said, I will get on with my review of The Lightkeeper’s Daughter. This is just the kind of book that I use to read when I was younger, when I first started opening myself up to the love of reading. It reminded me of that time because it was sweet in nature, mystery to decipher, a simple love story, and is takes place in the past. I have always had a special sweet spot for historical fictions, and this one happened to take place in one of my favorite times. A time of ladies gowns, bowler hats, and manners is where I found Addie. The time gave the characters a charming nature where I really felt the differences between my time and theirs. That has always interested me, and it was especially highlighted in this book.

The plot itself was interesting enough. Don’t you just hate when a mystery’s answers seem obvious? That wasn’t the case with this book. Well, to be honest, when the mystery was coming to a close I found myself anticipating the answer before it was revealed, which was kind of disappointing in a way but didn’t ruin the whole book’s experience at the same time.

On the religion aspect of this story, I found it subtly yet firm in its beliefs. I liked that. I didn’t feel like the main character, or in this case the author, was shoving her beliefs down my throat, but being a Christian who was looking for the religiousness of the story was intrigued by the little lessons I received from it. I found that while there were obvious religious feelings, I do believe that if you aren’t of the same faith you could still pick up the book and enjoy the story. It was a sweet story if that is what you might decide to do. So from 1-10? The Lightkeeper’s Daughters  is a 6.5

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury

Summary

She took a stand . . .

He took a chance . . .

Holden Harris is an eighteen-year-old locked in a prison of autism. Despite his quiet ways and quirky behaviors, Holden is very happy and socially normal—on the inside, in a private world all his own. In reality, he is bullied at school by kids who only see that he is very different.

Ella Reynolds is a part of the “in” crowd. A cheerleader and star of the high school drama production, her life seems perfect. When she catches Holden listening to her rehearse for the school play, she is drawn to him . . . the way he is drawn to the music. Then Ella makes a dramatic discovery—she and Holden were best friends as children.

Frustrated by the way Holden is bullied, and horrified at the indifference of her peers, Ella decides to take a stand against the most privileged and popular kids at school. Including her boyfriend, Jake.

Ella believes miracles can happen in the unlikeliest places, and that just maybe an entire community might celebrate from the sidelines. But will Holden’s praying mother and the efforts of Ella and a cast of theatre kids be enough to unlock the prison that contains Holden? This time, friendship, faith, and the power of a song much be strong enough to open the doors to the miracle Holden needs.

• Number of pages: 319

Review

I took a chance reading this book, and was not disappointed. This story was deep. I cant say that everyone out there is going to be compelled to read this book because it isn’t one of the usual genres that kids out there are into. And by that I mean there is not one vampire, werewolf, faerie, or love triangle. But should that stop teens from reading Unlocked? I don’t think it should. This book captivates a reader such as myself because of the genuine feeling that comes from it. This book takes you on a spiritual journey through the family and friends of Holden Harris, a guy locked in the grip of autism. Other than praying for the mental return of Holden Harris from his “prison” I didn’t see much of the Christianity aspects in this book. That could be good for anyone out there that isn’t Christian who might want to read this book because I didn’t get the feeling that it pushes this religion to make you want to be a Christian or anything. I, on the other hand ,do believe in God so this was a good book that reminded me of the help the Father can give to those who call to him. Mostly I saw that from the parts where you look through the eyes of the mom of Holden. That poor woman, I can’t even pretend to understand what she went through. And the fact that this actually happens, that there are still kids out there who can’t break from their autism is so sad. I saw in this book how devastated these people who live with an autistic family member or friend might affect them and how much they want that person to come back. I actually did learn a lot from this book, which was good. I think all stories should always give you a little lesson in between pages. After reading I went on a little Google spree, and read a little more on this problem. I can’t say that it wasn’t a little tedious during the beginning when everything is coming into place and there is still no sign of recovery from Holden, but once I started to see some changes in him is when I really could put down the book.

From 1-10? Unlocked get a 6 because I did have to push myself for this book, but was rewarding at the end