The following review is a guest post.
Before reading any further, know that the review below contains some minor spoilers.
There is something about Riley LaSheas style of writing which is both compelling and absorbing.
Style snippet …
Winter wore relentlessly on, and nothing changed for the better.
There was life happening all around me, but no one was living.
It felt as if we were all just biding our time, and for what, I wondered.
Until Scott shipped off to war?
Until the war ended and all right changed again?
Everyone just existed, no one thrived.
We got by on what we had, and stopped dreaming about what we wanted.
In those dreams, we were real friends who touched and laughed together where everyone could see us.
I said in confusion when I spotted the mirage of the person moving about my room.
Shhh, she glanced back at me as she went through my things without asking.
Dont wake everyone up.
I want to show you something.
Where are your warm clothes?
Where are we going?
It was then that the first light streaked across the sky.
I do, I whispered.
Its a meteor shower, Ariel answered the question I never got around to asking.
Its a really good one.
I had never seen anything like it.
It had been a long time since I had stared into the stars like that.
It had been a long time since I had remembered to look up at the sky at all.
You and Nan talk about me?
Youre important to her.
No, Ariel responded.
There will be a few more before sunrise.
That had to have been the best of it, though.
Can we stay a while longer?
Do you know what I think?
Ariels voice came softly out of the night, like a trick of the wind, some moments later.
I was dying to know what she thought.
I had been dying to know for weeks what went on inside Ariels head.
I was so tired of not knowing.
I think one day people will reach the stars.
She stated it plainly, as if she wasnt saying something utterly absurd.
Theyve already had rockets reach up there, she said.
Eventually, it will be people.
Do you think anyone will waste money on that?
I couldnt help but question.
What would be the use?
Wouldnt it be silly?
I dont think so, Ariel returned softly.
When this war ends, there will be something else that comes.
Humanity cant go on like that forever.
Without hope, Elizabeth… My favorite character …was probably Nan Elizabeths grandmother.
In that respect, Id say its a very important book, and I highly recommend it.
