Another excellent story from Malinda Lo. I was a bit unsure about A SCATTER OF LIGHT at first--most likely because I am a huge fan of LAST NIGHT AT THE TELEGRAPH CLUB and am always recommending it to my students. However, the characters in A SCATTER OF LIGHT are fascinating and their stories intersect with each other in some very moving ways. I especially appreciate the exploration of art and science that threads through this novel.

Malinda Lo is a master at character development. Aria, her grandmother Joan, Steph, and the whole cast of supporting characters were multidimensional and distinct. Aria is a compelling narrator and fascinating character. Her growth over the summer after her high school graduation is both nuanced and propulsive. I'm already looking forward to re-reading this novel and discussing with my students how Lo develops her characters.

Malinda Lo and historical fiction go together like PB&J so I was excited to see how this companion to Last Night at the Telegraph Club would be. Don't get it twisted, it is a story in it's own right, but knowing those characters makes this all the more enjoyable.

A Scatter of Light follows Aria who is sent to live with her grandmother for the summer. Aria expects it to be a boring summer. But she soon meets Steph who is her grandmother's gardener. Aria soon starts second guessing who she is and who she wants to be. This summer might just change Aria's life forever. 

I really enjoyed this book. I love how Aria found who she was by the end of this book. I am going to be honest I did feel like this book dragged on a little bit for me. I really enjoyed the queer representation. Also, this book did have a few call backs to Last Night at the Telegraph Club. For the most part I really did like Aria's and Stpeh's relationship. But I do think the way they got together was a little messed up. But overall, I think this was a really good story and I would suggest it. Thank you so much Netgalley, Malinda Lo, and Dutton Books for the ARC of this book.

I loved how tender and real this coming of age story about a girl discovering her bisexuality was. I will definitely be posting about it on my platforms :)

Not really a "second book" but there are some reoccurring things. But very amazing book trying to tackle real life events like legalizing gay marriage

A Scatter of Light by @Malinda Lo🎨

overall rating - ☆☆☆☆☆

tears - 💧💧

I cannot possibly put into words how amazing this book was. I went into it expecting a romance (i did not read any synopsis or anything lol), but I was pleasantly surprised to read a heart wrenching coming of age story! If you want a story full of emotions, this is the one for you!

Thank you @penguin and netgalley and malinda lo for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book hits shelves on October 4, 2022

while writing this review, all i can think is “no thoughts, just tears and anger.” and yet, as i pull a somehow comprehensible review out of my ass, i want you to know that i have never meant that more. i sit here in complete awe of this free-spirited story, because it was so far from what i was expecting, from my telegraph-club shaped vision of 2013 and malinda lo. as i got into it, i let go of anything i knew, and just let this story drive me. let aria make mistakes and fall in love with others and art and life, and talk to me. before i knew it i was sobbing.

let’s rewind. it’s 2013, and aria tang west, resident new-englander, is barred from her planned summer trip to martha’s vineyard with her besties before she goes to MIT in the fall. instead, she’s sent to joan’s house, her artist grandma who lives in marin county of california’s bay area. fog, ocean, wind, art, and a large number of gay weddings given california’s law allowing same sex marriage that just passed. aria tang west, meet steph. joan’s butch gardener steph. enter: the lesbians.

leaving you on that cliffhanger from my riveting retelling, because aria tang west? i didn’t think i’d like her. i can’t explain it, but she’s eighteen and pretty and smart and popular. and then,,, of course. malinda lo knows how to write better than just about anyone. aria is messy and brave and as she meets steph and her friends, as she falls in love with this new world of people and art and dykes, i get her. i think this book doesn’t live in a realm of plot, it just exists. do i think it’s as versatile as telegraph club was? not at all. but that’s so special. it’s about aria and steph and a life-changing summer and joan and her art and aria’s passion for science-y things and being in such a specific, in-between point in your life.

this book is going to be pitched nonstop as a companion novel to last night at the telegraph club. i was promised closure with lily and kath, and that didn’t disappoint, but as much as i loved hearing a similar voice to telegraph club, familiar tones and a sort of parallel action, i think it’s almost stronger to let this book be on it’s own. malinda lo cinematic universe if you will: lily hu on one plane, aria tang west on another, tears and sobs connecting them.

i’m sending love to anyone who needs it right now, because the way this book made me tremble and basically collapse in on myself in sadness and shock driven sobs was humbling. so, i love you. stay safe out there.