I was initially really drawn to the premise of this book, and still think it's got a great story to it, but I really struggled to stay in the zone while reading. Honestly, I had a hard time with the way the dialogue is written, and the writing style just isn't something that flows easily. I absolutely love the concept of the gargoyles! I'm such a fan of gargoyles, and I don't think sentient gargoyles are in enough fantasy books and so I love that about this story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for providing me with an ARC of 'keeper of the light' by Keira F. Jacobs.
Publication date 04 March 2025
In my opinion, keeper of the light is a fantasy adventure book with the subplot of romance. It has a unique magic system and heroic quest . The Light and dark duality takes on a refreshing twist in this book. The book is plot driven, fast paced and multi pov. I personally really enjoyed this book as it gave similar vibes to 'six of crows' and ' one dark window ' . The romance between Naomi and Ferrin is subtle and cute.

I was so excited to read this after reading the blurb and I was not disappointed! The story follows Naomi who is thrust into a world of magic to uncover her true destiny. I loved the gothic vibes of the book and felt immersed in the world that was created. The plot was easy to follow and I was drawn to the 4 main characters as they embark on their hero journey to defeat the calamity. It kept me hooked and interested and I actually felt the story could have been longer and included more detail. I am already excited for the next book and what will happen! There were hints of a slow burn romance which added an extra layer to the story but it focuses more on fighting evil and self discovery and some very exciting magic wielding!

I appreciate the opportunity to read this but unfortunately I will not be finishing it.

I was intrigued by the premise of this and thought the idea of sentient gargoyles was cool but as the story progressed I didn't feel like there was much in the way of world building or character depth.

I loved the idea of gargoyles coming to life, but where this book really disappointed me was in the dialogue- there was too much 'telling' and not enough 'showing'. Too much explanation in the dialogue is anti-climactic. And the main character keeps apologizing and 'thinking her thoughts' when body language is good enough to get the message across.

Keeper of the Light follows a classic Hero’s Journey, centring on Naomi as she uncovers her family’s history, discovers her identity, and unlocks her powers. The premise is intriguing, and the story introduces readers to an interesting world of magic and intrigue.

Pros:
- The short chapters and concise writing style make this an easy, bingeable read.
- The premise is compelling, drawing the reader into Naomi’s journey.
- The lore dump was well-executed, providing a smooth introduction to the world without overwhelming the reader.

Cons:
- While the book started strong, it gradually lost momentum, making it difficult to stay engaged.
- The dialogue initially felt natural, but as more characters were introduced, their voices lacked individuality.
- Descriptions of settings and action were sparse, making it hard to visualize the world and events.
- Character consistency was an issue; their actions often did not align with their established personalities.
- The enchanted gargoyles were an exciting concept, but they were quickly sidelined. Their greater involvement could have significantly enhanced both the worldbuilding and the plot.

While I do enjoy YA books occasionally, this one wasn’t for me. However, if you like fast-paced YA novels that keep things straightforward, Keeper of the Light might be a good fit for you.

This is an amazing book. The characters are so lovable and you go on this amazing journey with them. I loved the self discovery and journey we get to go on with the main character and am so excited for the next book in the series. The author did a great job making you want to read more and more… I couldn’t put the book down and I wish I didn’t have to wait to read more. Definitely going to read more from this author! Highly recommend

I loved everything about this book!

Fin the beginning we meet Naomi who has to flee to a new city alone. She grows up taking care of herself thinking she’s nothing special. Soon she flees and meets some allies on her quest to find out about who she is and what her destiny is. Each character we meet has a past they are working on overcoming and maybe their purpose is to be together.

Who is Naomi and what is her future? Can she save Thaen from the hand of Calamity? I just finished the first book and I am already wanting the next in the series!

Although this is a YA book with zero spice I was immediately drawn in and my attention was kept for the entirety of the book. The author did a fantastic job with world building slowly but surely answering your questions while also simultaneously leaving you on your toes wanting more!

Thank you to Oliver Henry Books for my ARC of this book!