When it comes to startling twists, I prefer them to be realistic rather than random sci-fi that pulls me out of the story so this wasn't for me but I can see why a lot of people would enjoy it and I hope the story falls into the right hands!

This was...certainly a book. I'm not usually a fan of Suddenly Sci-Fi, but I went into this with an open mind. Oshiro is a great writer and the book flows well enough, but the twist was a little heavy handed.

I was captivated by Manny’s adventures with the Varela family and the detailed exploration of Reconciliation, which was both gripping and tough to read. For the initial part of Into the Light, the story was a definite five-star experience. However, the twist at the end didn’t quite resonate with me and somewhat undercut the earlier parts of the book. Still, I can see how others might find the twist to be the standout moment.

Into the Light is truly a unique and haunting book that I can tell Mark Oshiro has poured so much of their soul into. This book made me uneasy and gave me a sense of dread for what hellish thing would happen next to Manny. That is certainly the mark of a well written book. The situations that Manny was experiencing were haunting and left me staring into the ceiling to process what I just read, knowing these situations are all too real for human beings. I would suggest this read to EVERYONE.

This was an okay story that turned super bizarre. I didn’t love any aspects of it, but I was intrigued the whole time. It turned very unbelievable at one point and I lost my interest in it.

Manny and his sister, Elena, are foster kids who got brought into a religious cult, led by the charismatic Deacon Thompson. Deacon preaches about Reconciliation as the only true way to bond with God, and Elena really embraces this dogma. Despite being (potentially) Afro-Latinx, they were both adopted by the Sullivans within days of traveling to the cult’s compound. Elena was immediately embraced by this community of white people who have quite a habit for adopting children of color lost in the foster system.

Eli can’t quite understand the pathway to Reconciliation and struggles with gaps in his memories, especially how he came to be in the isolated mountain camp where the cult attempts to be a self-sustaining community called Idyllwild. Deacon hosts a YouTube channel, where he solicits new members and donations to continue “God’s Work” of Reconciliation. When Manny’s not able to perform in the dog-and-pony show, he finds himself literally left for dead, separated from Elena and with no reasonable chance of finding her.

It’s now been a year of searching, combing through Deacon’s videos for evidence Elena’s okay. For a pathway back to the only family he’s known. In his searching, Manny discovers a body was found outside the Idyllwild encampment, and he’s afraid it’s Elena. Manny feels compelled to discover if his sister has been discarded from the community, like he was, and hitchhikes his way back to Idyllwild to find out the truth.

This is a YA coming of age mystery story that contains on-page recollections of physical and emotional abuse, abandonment, possible trafficking, and attempted sexual coercion of a minor. I’ll be honest, I struggled with this story’s flow and plot line, as Manny and Eli report their experiences through inconsistent narration. There are no actual chapters in this book, and the transitions between POV changes and the timeline of the story happen…whenever. Manny’s not sure about his next meal, his next ride, his next opportunity. Eli’s not able to figure out the path to Reconciliation, and this is an issue as he’s not able to facilitate other children choosing Deacon’s bizarre path toward enlightenment. Are those moments all flashback? Whose body has been found?

The book has some autobiographical elements, per the author, which added some gravitas to the prose. The religious cult experiences resonated for me, based on my own personal history. I liked Manny and his mission to find not only the truth about Elena, but also to bring Idyllwild and the cult into the light. To share the traumas he suffered there with people in the world who could love him for who he is: a queer kid caught in the guardianship of people who’ve never cared for him. Manny does find good people in his crusade, and he’s certainly better off in the end than he was in the cult.

I think this was an interesting book, but it didn’t actually read like a thriller, to me. The format was an impediment for me, though not because I’m all that concerned about a linear plot line. The lack of transitions just had me constantly questioning who was talking and when/where I was in the story. Enormous gaps in time, location, and experience caused me to go back to re-read a lot, and made it hard to keep that “thriller” pace, as a result. It’s also really, really long. I’m a fan of thick books, but my trouble with the pace and content made it boggy instead of anticipatory. The twist fell flat for me, mostly because it just simply didn’t mesh with the highly realistic prose to that point. The jarring discordance had me underwhelmed and feeling slightly betrayed.

While I’d like to hope these stories of abuse of kids–through religious or foster outlets–are not commonplace anymore, it seems like I read about them with abhorrent frequency in real life. I think that readers who’ve experienced trauma in their youth will find touchstones in this story.

This book ruined me. Raw and emotional, with Oshiro's signature beautiful prose and deep characters. I was introduced to Oshiro by his co-written book with Rick Riordan, but I'm devouring my way through his backlist now.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC. I am anticipating reading this soon and reviewing on my socials.

I tried reading this twice before coming to a conclusion that i dont care about the story, at all🥲 nothing personal and I wish Manny well and successfully find what he’s been searching for

This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book, as this book has already been published, I will not share my review on Netgalley at this time.

i only made it to page 2. but i already have something to say. and it is this: can we just fucking stop with the phrase "empty calories" already? are we trying to give people eating disorders? seriously. not off to a good start, my dude. this is a ya book. the teens do not need this. it doesn't serve a purpose and also i stupid.

not getting a star rating because i don't want to read beyond this and as such won't.

I spent almost all of this book with my hand over my mouth, deeply invested in every twist and turn this took as my brain tried to furiously figure out what was going on.

So much of this book is dependent on not knowing where the story is going so I will not spoil any of that in my review here. But Mark Oshiro dives into deep and difficult ideas, cults, and conversion therapy disguised as something else and much more sinister. Oshiro handles their work with such precision and care. It’s clear from the very beginning that this is a story close to them and comes from a personal place.

Do not go into this book lightly, but trust that you’re in the safest hands.

4 stars

I don’t know why I kept putting off this book but I really should have read it right away. It was so good. I cried (literally while driving and listening to the audio) so hard. It was one of those books I think will stay with me for a while.

Into the Light tells the story of a lost young man trying to find his way back to a home he's not sure still exists. Mark Oshiro leads a beautifully painful exploration of what 'family' means when the only one you've ever had turns it back on you. The main character Manny is relatable on so many levels, least of all in that all he really wants, even when he thinks he doesn't deserve it, is love and understanding. An incredibly poignant story that I'm sure we can all wish wasn't as necessary as it so clearly is. Especially in light of the Shiny Happy People documentary.

What a great story by an amazing author ! I This book was amazind and i'm sure you will love it too !

Wow. I don’t know what I was expecting for this book, but this book really surprised me, in a majorly good way. I tried to start this book back in April, and I really couldn’t get into it. I don’t know if it was the fact that I was in a reading slump, or I was just in the wrong mindset, but I had to wait, and I tried it again two months later, and this time I really got into the story. And I needed to be in the right mindset, because it is not an easy read. It touches on some heavier subjects, and if you’re not in the mindset for it, you won’t be able to get hooked. It is a story that builds over time, as we get to learn more and more about Manny’s story and past, and it just keeps you reading.

The story follows multiples timeline, as we get to see the past intertwined with the current events. While I do find that it can sometimes be a little confusing, it does work nicely as it helps build the story and show us the events that lead Manny where he is.

The one thing that I didn’t like was part of the ending, as it felt unnecessary, and it took away something away from the story for me.

Overall, I still think it is a really great read, though it is not an easy read and it can be worth looking at the trigger warnings that are included in the book, as it might be too much for some people. It was my first time reading anything from Mark Oshiro, but I do find myself wanting to check out his other books, so if anyone has any recommendations for which of his novels to read next, let me know.

This book is a work of art. It is so beautifully written and structured. It keeps you guessing until the very end, and takes the reader in directions they never could have seen coming. It was so clear and heartbreaking that the book was based on personal experiences, it was crafted with so much care for the reader and the characters. I felt every single possible emotion while reading it. This book is important. There is no other way to describe it,

Mark Oshiro's Into the Light is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of grief, healing, and the power of community. This moving novel delves deep into the human experience, taking readers on an emotional journey that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting.

The story follows the life of Rey, a young man burdened by the weight of immense loss. After the tragic death of his best friend, Rey is left shattered and consumed by guilt. As he navigates his grief, Rey discovers a mysterious artifact that allows him to revisit the memories of his past and confront the demons that haunt him.

Oshiro's prose is stunning, capturing the rawness and vulnerability of his characters' emotions with remarkable precision. Through Rey's introspective narrative, readers are drawn into his tumultuous world, feeling the weight of his pain as if it were their own. The author's ability to convey complex emotions and inner turmoil is truly remarkable, and it serves as the beating heart of the novel.

This was such an enthralling read! I loved following Manny, who was such an endearing character. The world was very fleshed out and vivid. I cannot wait to read more by Mark Oshiro!