The Light Through the Leaves

The Light Through the Leaves

  • Downloads:5319
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-04-12 08:33:24
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Glendy Vanderah
  • ISBN:B08CZD46SK
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

One unbearable mistake at the edge of the forest。

In a moment of crisis, Ellis Abbey leaves her daughter, Viola, unattended—for just a few minutes。 But when she returns, Viola is gone。 A breaking point in an already fractured marriage, Viola’s abduction causes Ellis to disappear as well—into grief, guilt, and addiction。 Convinced she can only do more harm to her family, Ellis leaves her husband and young sons, burying her desperate ache for her children deeper with every step into the mountain wildernesses she treks alone。

In a remote area of Washington, a young girl named Raven keeps secrets inside, too。 She must never speak to outsiders about how her mother makes miracles spring from the earth, or about her father, whose mysterious presence sometimes frightens her。 Raven spends her days learning how to use her rare gifts—and more important, how to hide them。 With each lesson comes a warning of what dangers lie in the world beyond her isolated haven。 But despite her mother’s cautions, Raven finds herself longing for something more。

As Ellis and Raven each confront their powerful longings, their journeys will converge in unexpected and hopeful ways, pulled together by the forces of nature, love, and family。

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Reviews

Linda Marie

Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for sending me this Kindle version of The Light Through the Leaves。 This novel was very beautifully written and at times unbearably sad。 I really felt the mom's pain when she realized that a moment's inattention has changed the lives of her family forever。 However, I had a very hard time understanding her decision to leave her two sons to travel aimlessly around the U。S。 Is this something a mom would really do? An interesting take on dealing with ravenous grief。 We Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for sending me this Kindle version of The Light Through the Leaves。 This novel was very beautifully written and at times unbearably sad。 I really felt the mom's pain when she realized that a moment's inattention has changed the lives of her family forever。 However, I had a very hard time understanding her decision to leave her two sons to travel aimlessly around the U。S。 Is this something a mom would really do? An interesting take on dealing with ravenous grief。 We do discover that Raven is alive and safe having been taken by a mentally ill woman who believes that forest spirits gave her the baby。 It was interesting to watch Raven grow and scheme to meet other children and finagle her way into school。 This was an enjoyable and satisfying read even though some of the story was a little difficult to believe。 。。。more

Linda Shippee

I could not get into this book。

Susan

A very interesting story with intriguing characters。 This is a story told by the each of the very different main characters throughout the intertwining plot。 There are many twists and turns。

Kim Hanson

A book about pain, loss and renewalThis lovely story starts with pain and ends with joy。 In between are struggles and forward steps that many will recognize。 But mostly it’s about growth, personal strength and the risk we all take when we fall in love。

Sara

It started out good then it was just okay。

Cheryl Gelbaugh

Started strong This story started strong and kept my interest until the final few chapters。 The final few chapters were as if, written by someone else。 Almost as the author got tired of writing and hurried to finish it。

Desiree Swanson

4。5。。。would have been a 5 star read for me but it wrapped up a little too perfectly the last 7%。。。

Leslie Heath

WonderfulWhat a gloriously written novel。 The author takes you on quite a journey through addiction, desperation, forgiveness, empathy (kudos for making 3 heroes out of those boys!) acceptance and lastly JOY! It was hard to put down, stayed up till 3am to finish。 I'll definitely read more of her books WonderfulWhat a gloriously written novel。 The author takes you on quite a journey through addiction, desperation, forgiveness, empathy (kudos for making 3 heroes out of those boys!) acceptance and lastly JOY! It was hard to put down, stayed up till 3am to finish。 I'll definitely read more of her books 。。。more

Heather

I loved this authors first book, where the forest meets the stars and was not disappointed in the least bit by her second one! The story is of a baby who is kidnapped after being accidentally left behind in a forest。 It tells both the moms story and her road to recovery after leaving her baby and the child’s story- of her growing up。 When their worlds collide? Cue the tears。

Sheri

I loved this book。 。 。the characters, the storyline, nature and family through love and loss and everything in between。 I’ll be on the lookout for more from Glenda Vanderhah

Gwen

This book started off strong for me; I was quickly drawn into the plot and the characters, and enjoyed the alternating narration。 About 2/3 in, I started to feel disappointed as the plot became more and more unbelievable。 In addition, I think the author tried to delve into too many topics by the end of the book。 It just ended up feeling like excess drama。 The story had potential if only it hadn’t taken so many unneeded twists and turns。 Thank you very much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing This book started off strong for me; I was quickly drawn into the plot and the characters, and enjoyed the alternating narration。 About 2/3 in, I started to feel disappointed as the plot became more and more unbelievable。 In addition, I think the author tried to delve into too many topics by the end of the book。 It just ended up feeling like excess drama。 The story had potential if only it hadn’t taken so many unneeded twists and turns。 Thank you very much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more

Carol

I really loved this book, a very different but really lovely story, very well written, I would really feel the emotion and struggles of the various characters and could really picture some of the lovely places this was set。A new author for me, but have just downloaded Where the Forest Meets the Stars by the same author as I see that has really good reviews too。

Don Mead

Heartwarming read。。。Really loved this refreshing novel。 The story of a catastrophic event and the lives it touched is expertly told by this author。 Highly recommend this book。。。。

Amanda Brumbley

Im so in love with this story。 Once again, Glendy captures you with her imagery and ability to take the journey with these characters。 Where the Forest Meets the Stars is one of my all time favorites, I gave out several copies as Christmas gifts last year and this book is every bit as beautiful。 Glendy Vanderah is a beautifully gifted writer and we are so fortunate to get to admire and love her art。

Alexa

Wow, what an incredibly beautiful story。 Glendy Vanderah has done it again。 I loved Where the Forest Meets the Stars, and The Light Through the Leaves packs the same emotional punch。 From heartbreaking tragedy comes a great deal of love and strength, and the power of relationships resonates throughout this novel。 Following immense tragedy, Ellis Abbey leaves behind her family in New York and embarks on a journey to get to grips with grief, trauma, and addiction。 Meanwhile, 7 year old Raven Lind Wow, what an incredibly beautiful story。 Glendy Vanderah has done it again。 I loved Where the Forest Meets the Stars, and The Light Through the Leaves packs the same emotional punch。 From heartbreaking tragedy comes a great deal of love and strength, and the power of relationships resonates throughout this novel。 Following immense tragedy, Ellis Abbey leaves behind her family in New York and embarks on a journey to get to grips with grief, trauma, and addiction。 Meanwhile, 7 year old Raven Lind lives an isolated existence in Washington with her mother。 As she grows up, she needs to reconcile the beliefs she was raised with with those of the outside world。 Nature is a prevalent theme for both characters, providing a source of sanctuary and healing, and drawing their stories together。 The alternating storylines kept me engaged, and I found myself quickly immersed in the beautifully written story。 The characters are all flawed and complex, with inter-generational trauma coming into play alongside tragic events。 The only let down for me was the ending, as I found some things to be a bit too easily resolved for the sake of a happy ending。 Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book to review。 。。。more

Tori Quinn

Two thumbs upExcellent book!story kept me engaged from the first page to the last。Highly recommend。 Such an interesting story。 Two thumbs up

Melanie

A beautiful book, filled with love, the healing power of nature, heartbreak, and the damage people can do to themselves and each other。 The story flows well, and I loved the characters and the ending。

Sharron Browinski kurland

Loved this story, the relationships between the people and the relationships with nature were so nurturing。 Yes, it was a story based on a horrific, traumatic experience but it was crafted so well and the ending was so heartfelt。 Truly enjoyed the journey。

L McLean

There is always light in natureDifferent to books I would normally read, but an absolute joy。 A beautiful story, and I only wish more people in the world had such appreciation for the land and all that inhabits it。

Joni

If The Glass Castle, Where the Crawdads Sing, and One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow had a baby, The Light Through the Leaves would be that baby。 The plot is submerged in nature, communing with nature, self-insufficiency in nature, and using nature to find great healing。 I felt there was even a little hint of Native American spiritualism hidden as mental illness。 At one point, I felt I could no longer suspend my belief and continue on with the charade of this young girl living such an odd e If The Glass Castle, Where the Crawdads Sing, and One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow had a baby, The Light Through the Leaves would be that baby。 The plot is submerged in nature, communing with nature, self-insufficiency in nature, and using nature to find great healing。 I felt there was even a little hint of Native American spiritualism hidden as mental illness。 At one point, I felt I could no longer suspend my belief and continue on with the charade of this young girl living such an odd existence and that is when the rose-colored glasses came off and realty set in。 Although the ending was a little too neat and tidy, it was satisfying, and I won't spend any additional moments reflecting on the characters。 。。。more

ShipmyDeal

What a story!!!I just loved it。 Was hard to be away from TBE book。 Each character is well described and the plot is so。。。so great!

Arlene Pasternak

Fabulous!Truly one of the most captivating, interesting, kept me up all night, beautifully written books I've ever read。 This is definitely in my top 3。 This was the first book I've read by this author and I'm so glad I stumbled upon her。 Cannot wait to read more of her work!!! Thank you!!! Fabulous!Truly one of the most captivating, interesting, kept me up all night, beautifully written books I've ever read。 This is definitely in my top 3。 This was the first book I've read by this author and I'm so glad I stumbled upon her。 Cannot wait to read more of her work!!! Thank you!!! 。。。more

Vickie

3。5+I enjoyed this book。 The ending though。。。may be a bit too wrapped up (in an unbelievable sappy way) for some。 On the other ha d I hate a vague ending too。

Cassidy

Loved it。 I cried several times reading this book。 It was a great read! If I had to find a fault, My only complaint is that time moved forward and the reader never knew exactly how much when starting a new chapter。

Stephanie Brown

Another 5 ⭐️ read from Glendy Vanderah。 I read Where The Forest Meets The Stars late last year and loved it so naturally I was very excited to read The Light Through The Leaves。 The story starts out with the tragic loss of Ellis’s daughter Viola that ultimately leads to Ellis to rely on pills and alcohol to dull the pain she feels from the loss。 A controlling mother in law and a husband who blames her leaves Ellis with no choice but leave the family she ruined。 Leading a nomadic life alone with Another 5 ⭐️ read from Glendy Vanderah。 I read Where The Forest Meets The Stars late last year and loved it so naturally I was very excited to read The Light Through The Leaves。 The story starts out with the tragic loss of Ellis’s daughter Viola that ultimately leads to Ellis to rely on pills and alcohol to dull the pain she feels from the loss。 A controlling mother in law and a husband who blames her leaves Ellis with no choice but leave the family she ruined。 Leading a nomadic life alone with no contact with anyone is the medicine she needs to get clean and find herself。 But she eventually finds herself in a life or death situation and needs to ask for help。 We meet Raven a young girl whose mother shelters her from the outside world。 Raven is extremely intelligent but when she meets children her own age by chance it becomes clear how naive she is because of her up bringing。 She eventually convinces her mother to let her go to public school but her mother doesn’t give in to her request without taking from her too。 It’s becomes clear as Raven grows that her mother has lead her to believe some interesting things about life and herself。 We don’t really know what to believe and what not to believe because it’s all Raven knows。 Her mother’s protective nature sounds a lot more like paranoia and possibly issues with her mental health but with no one allowed into their little world Raven is left to care for her mother and believe everything she says。 Beautifully written story about life, love, loss and everything in between。 There are so many emotions felt when reading this book。 I wanted to cry so many times for Ellis and Raven and their friends and family but at the same time I was able to find joy and happiness in the tender moments that happen to them as they develop throughout the book。 。。。more

Mary Beene

Kept me up half the nightI couldn't put this book down as I wanted to see how it might all come together。 It was a bit of a trite ending, but who doesn't love a happily ever after? Kept me up half the nightI couldn't put this book down as I wanted to see how it might all come together。 It was a bit of a trite ending, but who doesn't love a happily ever after? 。。。more

Trina Bell

Not badThere were some really long dragged out dry patches that had me contemplating whether or not to finish it speed reading just to get through it。 Overall it was ok。

Amy Hietapelto

Fantastic。 A stay-up-all-nighter。 Must read。

Jessica Russell

This book is full of complex and authentic characters who made me so angry but who I loved so much。