Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1)
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4.0 • 3 Ratings
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
An instant #1 national bestseller—soon to be a major motion picture. #BookTok phenomenon and award-winning author Alex Aster delivers readers a masterfully written, utterly gripping YA fantasy novel
Welcome to the Centennial.
Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die.
Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial.
To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything.
Filled with secrets, deception, romance, and twists worthy of the darkest thrillers, Lightlark is a must-read for fans of legendary fantasy writers Marie Lu, Marissa Meyer, and Leigh Bardugo.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
With shades of the Hunger Games series, Alex Aster’s action-packed fantasy combines breathtaking magic with heart-stopping danger. Lightlark is an island that appears once every 100 years for 100 days. During that time, the rulers from the six surrounding realms descend on the island to compete in a grand championship for a treasured prize: a chance to break the curse that’s been tormenting the people of all six realms for centuries. Aster has serious world-building chops. We were particularly bewitched by Isla Crown, the ruler of the realm of Wilding, whose subjects have been cursed to kill those they fall in love with. Romance, danger, and captivating fantasy live side by side in this unforgettable story, the first book in the Lightlark series.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Every century, the island of Lightlark emerges from the tempest cloaking it to host the Centennial, a 100-day competition between the rulers of six cursed realms, in this beguiling series opener from Aster (the Emblem Island series). To break the curse, one ruler must die during the contest, thus also destroying their realm. In 500 years, none of the immensely powerful participants has ever volunteered their life, nor has anyone been bested, but now that the curses have rendered their lands irreparable, this Centennial is sure to end in bloodshed. The situation terrifies teenage Wildling realm ruler Isla Crown, who, unlike her predecessors, was born without the Wildlings' innate ability to control or wield nature, making her vulnerable to the other participants' powers. While relying on her wits and training to survive, Isla must hide her secret lest she become an obvious target. Though the novel's mythology is murky and its supporting cast lacks depth, Isla's courage, determination, and compassion invest readers in her plight, imparting tension and drive. The story hits many well-loved and familiar beats, and sumptuously detailed feints, twists, and betrayal lend vibrancy and intrigue. Characters have varying skin tones. Ages 13–up.
