The Luminaries by Susan Dennard – Book Review

I somehow managed to write a thorough book review of The Luminaries by Susan Dennard and then in one fell swoop delete it instead of copying it. A quicker review will have to suffice as it’s not fun to re-write a long review! This is my first book read by Susan Dennard. I actually listened to the audiobook instead of reading the book. I was on a beach vacation and wanted something to listen to while walking the beach and this fit the bill. It was about 7 hours of listening time and I sped that up as usual by listening to at a faster rate. I enjoyed the book overall as it fulfilled its purpose – something I can listen to without having to give 100% attention to. The plot outline had a lot of promise and it fulfilled it. Winnie used to be from a prominent Luminary family. Her remaining family (mom, brother, and her) are outcasts after her dad was discovered to be the enemy – a Dianna. We do not get much info about the Diannas except that they are the enemies who want to take over the world. Winnie still lives amongst other Luminary families – people who fight to kill the creatures that spawn in the forest beside her small town (think vampires, werewolves, and the like). These evil beings spawn nightly around the world in special areas and each area has a neighbouring town of Luminaries to help keep the rest of the world safe. Winnie wants to bring her family back into the fold of the Luminaries but the only way she can restore faith in her family is to wait several more years or to pass three tests to become a hunter herself (the job her mom used to excel at prior to their family becoming outcasts). Winnie has been training in secret for four years on her own to try to pass the hunter challenges. The main plot of the book is her trying to pass the three tests. I won’t ruint he plot for people but it is predictable. Sub plots include her struggles with being an outcast and the personal shame of keeping it a secret that she shouldn’t have passed the first test; new romantic feelings for her old best friend Jay who helps her train for the challanges; and a discovery about her dad leaving secrete messages for her in some birthday cards she didn’t know he had mailed to her over the years since he was banished. W The book was entertaining but just without much pizazz and the ending was abrupt without leaving the reader (or listener) wanting to rush out and look for the next book in the series. If you like YA coming of age books, then this will likely be more up your alley than it was mine! CLICK HERE TO CHECK THIS BOOK OUT ON AMAZON.