Review by Martina A J -- Spirit of the Season
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Martina A J
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Review by Martina A J -- Spirit of the Season
[Following is a volunteer review of "Spirit of the Season" by Brian Lamont.]
An introverted and sensitive young man follows in his father’s footsteps to become a candlemaker. Though his occupation brings light to his entire village, he remains a recluse focused solely on his work. His father’s death further alienates him from the people around him. But despite his retiring nature, love and happiness find him and after a few blissful years, so do loss and grief. Heart-broken he retreats into his shell and resolutely shuts out the world, until many years later when a young boy knocks on his door pleading for help. Suddenly aware of the literal darkness his absence has brought upon the village, he turns his remorse into a personal mission of giving. That is the unusual beginning of his yearly mission to bring light and joy, which soon extends to include the world beyond his small village.
Spirit of the Season by Brian Lamont is an uplifting story about love, loss and redemption. The plot is also a creative origin story for everyone’s favorite mythical character. With the protagonist as a candlemaker, the author cleverly utilizes light (in both the literal and metaphorical senses) as the core theme. There are no wicked antagonists or any malicious motivations in this tale, only ordinary people and their emotions. The writing evokes a fairytale-like atmosphere, but that does not distance the reader from the characters.
As the title suggests, it is an ideal read for a winter night. The author has carefully composed an uncomplicated sketch full of delightful yuletide flavor. The narrative is well-paced, and the story is more fun to read than the synopsis suggests. All the principal characters are likeable, and the descriptions are a bit poetic with an old-world charm.
I don’t have many negative issues to point out except that the book could have been shorter. A few of the characters and situations felt unnecessary, especially the meeting with a circus owner. I felt the author wanted to have twelve chapters to stand for the Twelve Days of Christmas and may have added one or two chapters to make that happen. However, the book is easy to read and has only around a hundred pages, so under no circumstances is this a big drawback.
I am rating the book 4 out of 4 stars. This book has been edited professionally and includes no obvious errors. It is an excellent Christmas/holiday reading choice for children and teenagers. This book is also for all readers looking for a short Christmas read that will pair perfectly with a delicious cup of eggnog.
******
Spirit of the Season
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
An introverted and sensitive young man follows in his father’s footsteps to become a candlemaker. Though his occupation brings light to his entire village, he remains a recluse focused solely on his work. His father’s death further alienates him from the people around him. But despite his retiring nature, love and happiness find him and after a few blissful years, so do loss and grief. Heart-broken he retreats into his shell and resolutely shuts out the world, until many years later when a young boy knocks on his door pleading for help. Suddenly aware of the literal darkness his absence has brought upon the village, he turns his remorse into a personal mission of giving. That is the unusual beginning of his yearly mission to bring light and joy, which soon extends to include the world beyond his small village.
Spirit of the Season by Brian Lamont is an uplifting story about love, loss and redemption. The plot is also a creative origin story for everyone’s favorite mythical character. With the protagonist as a candlemaker, the author cleverly utilizes light (in both the literal and metaphorical senses) as the core theme. There are no wicked antagonists or any malicious motivations in this tale, only ordinary people and their emotions. The writing evokes a fairytale-like atmosphere, but that does not distance the reader from the characters.
As the title suggests, it is an ideal read for a winter night. The author has carefully composed an uncomplicated sketch full of delightful yuletide flavor. The narrative is well-paced, and the story is more fun to read than the synopsis suggests. All the principal characters are likeable, and the descriptions are a bit poetic with an old-world charm.
I don’t have many negative issues to point out except that the book could have been shorter. A few of the characters and situations felt unnecessary, especially the meeting with a circus owner. I felt the author wanted to have twelve chapters to stand for the Twelve Days of Christmas and may have added one or two chapters to make that happen. However, the book is easy to read and has only around a hundred pages, so under no circumstances is this a big drawback.
I am rating the book 4 out of 4 stars. This book has been edited professionally and includes no obvious errors. It is an excellent Christmas/holiday reading choice for children and teenagers. This book is also for all readers looking for a short Christmas read that will pair perfectly with a delicious cup of eggnog.
******
Spirit of the Season
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: Someone Else's End by Matthew Tysz
