Book review: The Lightkeeper's Daughters by Jean Pendziwol

Well hello to you my reader chums! Another book, another review, and one I especially fell in love with. Don't get me wrong, I love pretty much all the books I read but there are only a select few which touch my heart in some way - and that was this book.

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As I'm a twin, when a book has a synopsis with twins in it, I always pick it up as the narrative is incredibly relatable and I find myself hooked instantly. The Lightkeeper's Daughters was one of those books that had plenty of unexpected plot twists and packed with both love, heartbreak and sacrifice - and here are my thoughts on the novel.

Book review: The Lightkeepers Daughters by Jean Pendziwol

Plotline

The book is all about Elizabeth and Emily who were inseparable twins that grew up in a lighthouse on a remote island. Their father, the lighthouse keeper kept journals of their life on the island and the twins growing up. Decades later, after his journals are discovered on a shipwrecked boat, Elizabeth is living in a retirement home and her eyesight is failing. She seeks the help of a troubled teenager Morgan who helps her read the journals and they form a very sweet bond. Through reading the journals, Elizabeth discovers her past isn't exactly what she remembered it to be and learns the answers to unexplained events which have haunted her for years.

Characters and relationships

I always say this but the best way to rate a book is by the characters and how their relationships unfold within it. In this book, relationships are at the core of the plot and that's why it's such a heart warming read. Undoubtedly, the relationships between Elizabeth and Emily is at the forefront of the novel and is kept constant throughout - as majority of things Elizabeth will talk about will involve Emily; they are inseparable and basically each other's life. With any twins, you're bonded from birth and have a best friend for life. And although, their relationship isn't exactly what you think from the off, as you delve further into the story, their strong bond is what keeps their love for each other and makes the sacrifice so worth while.

The book is very family based and Elizabeth talks about her relationship with them quite often, including the love of her father and the separation she experienced with her mother, and all about her brothers leaving the island, and leaving both her and Emily behind; the abandonment.

One of the most important relationships is Elizabeth's and Morgan's as it's what separates the novel and flips it from the past and modern day and how their stories end up overlapping. A lot of things come of their bond which you wouldn't expect and there are many plot twists that involve them both - which adds even more depth to the novel.

Book review: The Lightkeepers Daughters by Jean Pendziwol

Thoughts on the book

This book had the true power of storytelling which made it very difficult to put down. With every page or new chapter, there was huge amount of description from the author which painted the picture of the setting and the raw emotion behind every scene - which helped magnify the plot's main purpose and allowed myself to have a deeper connection with what was going on in the plot.

To sum up what I thought of the book; it was simply beautiful. The thought that went behind every page was filled with a lot of love, sentiment and intelligence. As you delve into a new chapter more secrets are unfolded and there were quite a few instances where my mouth dropped at the plot twists which occurred. The book shares the tale of love, how it can make or break you and the sacrifices you do for it, and the power of new friendships and how they can help you in life.

Overall, I absolutely loved it and would happily re-read it again. Entering Elizabeth's world and discovering her story was enlightening but also insightful as you venture back in time to the early 20th century and learn about the simpler way of life on a remote island where love conquers all.

Ending 

I won't give anything away about the ending, however, the book ended on a satisfying note. It didn't stop on a cliffhanger but came at a halt where it leaves the reader able to imagine the next part of the story - of what comes of both Elizabeth's and Morgan's lives. I felt content closing the last page and also inspired as the book had the power to trap me in for a little while.

I hope you enjoyed this book review. Are there any books you'd recommend at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3

1 comment

  1. I never heard of this author, but this books sounds very interesting! I love when stories are centred in the relationship between sisters, I think they always bring a great story! I will add it to my list, thanks for sharing x

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