You realize there must be a part two when you finish it. This is very unfair to the reader. If I were editing this book, I would have had Sanford chop out a good deal of the book because it does not advance the story. The 'romance' between Lillian and Warren stays in the same place for too many pages. The reader gets the idea and wants to move on. And if I were the editor I would have slapped her hand every time she typed "his sea green eyes.
The Girl in the Lighthouse & All That is Beautiful
The second half was too long, too lacking in motivation, and too much like a romance novel, when it should have been the continuation of a historical novel. This book demonstrates the problems with self published books. There are two types of editing. First is copy editing, which finds misspellings, typos and should have noticed that the Kindle edition does not indent paragraphs, which can be awfully confusing.
The second type is content editing. Does the story make sense? Is the flow correct? Is the grandmother filled out. An author will always listen to a copy editor. Most think they don't need the other type. The book has become very popular and that's good.
I just wish it was a little more finished. And I wish I had found out if Heath became a doctor without having to read the second book or the third. With a rich tapestry of characters, author Roxane Sanford paints a vivid picture of a life filled with unexpected twists and turns, the unpredictability of which is sure to hold the interest of any reader. Furthermore, her central storyline is taut and compelling, and her ability to keep the reader guessing at the real truth until the very end is quite masterful. A highly rewarding, entertaining literary treat, The Girl In The Lighthouse is recommended reading for lovers of imaginative, well-crafted stories with the superb balance of action and character development.
Be on the lookout for more from this promising new storytelling talent. Sanford captures the period well as she introduces young Lillian Arrington. View all 5 comments. Oct 03, Miss Kim rated it it was ok Shelves: It starts off with great potential and was very fast paced set in post civil war times, we live with 10 year old Lillian and her family on an island off the coast of Maine. She has been so isolated her entire life, that each small thing her new friends Oh dear. She has been so isolated her entire life, that each small thing her new friends Heath and Ayden show her is amazing.
It becomes obvious that later in life there will be a painful love triangle between the three of them. Her mother is delusional, and locked in her room. Her father seems to love only her mother, and there is some secret brewing in the background, which I called out early. This is where I start to think WTF? Am I reading a VC Andrews novel? Granny keeps her locked up in a room for three years, cuts off her hair, half starves her, etc. The boys don't show up again, we have two ghosts milling about for no reason, we really don't know why daddy ditches here and runs away. There are a couple odder plot changes before it ends abruptly.
In a very VC Andrews way I might add. After peeking at GR I noticed this is listed as the first in a series, so I may pick up the second one out of morbid curiosity. Jan 23, Sheri rated it it was amazing. Roxane Sanford writes with passion.
She grabs the readers by the heart and pulls you into her story. Filled with emotions, shocking secrets, young love and family betrayal, makes for a page turner and all night read. Lillian Arrington lived a secluded life as the daughter of a Lighthouse Keeper and beautiful loving mother. When her father is relocated to Jasper Island he life changes. Heath dreams of becoming a doctor, while Ayden wishes to follow his father and become a lighthouse keeper. Soon the three become close friends. Lillian's life seems perfect. She now goes to a real school and as the years pass she begins to fall in love for the first time.
Her days happy days on Jasper Island soon come to an end, when her lovely mother succumbs to mental illness and eventually passes away. Lillian is taken to Sutton Hall, the Arrington Family plantation, where she is in the care of her sinister grandmother Eugenia. She finds no love there, and longs for her loving family. Lillian soon finds out her life was based on secrets and lies. As the truth unfolds her parents past is revealed, a past full of lies, secrets and deceit.
There is only one thing she must do, one thing to make her feel whole again, that is to find her way back home. I liked this book but there were a few things I didn't like and found a little overboard for me. I didn't care much for how the main character seemed throughout the book to want every older male to "crave"her and seemed preoccupied with the "poor pitiful me" woes if each male character in her life didn't fall hungrily at her feet.
At times, it seemed inappropriate because of her young age at like 9 and 13 etc. I think there was just too much of that throughout the book.
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I had to keep reminding m I liked this book but there were a few things I didn't like and found a little overboard for me. I had to keep reminding myself the book was set in the 's so that accounted for the old fashioned dialogue between the characters. I had the feeling the book was intended for a young reader until I got to the end part and then thought otherwise!
I did like how the book moved along at a good pace and built some suspense. It seemed to twist and turn more and faster as I got nearer the end but then was kind of grossed out at the very last "shocker", which I feel was intended to be the main shocker of the whole book. The end kind of left me dangling though.
Arrington Series
Maybe that is where her next book picks up? Overall, I liked the book and will probably read her next one All that is Beautiful. Oct 14, Marcia rated it did not like it. I started out enjoying this book which I would consider light reading as opposed to good literature. The further into the story I got, however, the more farfetched and ridiculous it became. It follows main character Lillian from the age of nine to sixteen. She starts out obsessed with an older boy and later in the book is obsessed with a man old enough to be her father.
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She is abandoned by her "loving" father to the care of her hateful, cruel grandmother who keeps her locked up with starvation r I started out enjoying this book which I would consider light reading as opposed to good literature. She is abandoned by her "loving" father to the care of her hateful, cruel grandmother who keeps her locked up with starvation rations and even beats her. She just becomes so pathetic that her character is not even particularly likeable. Several story lines are left unresolved and the book itself finally just stops without really ending.
This is apparently a ploy by the author to draw the reader into reading the next book in the series. I opted to read the synopsis and a couple reviews and saved myself the torture of reading more of this drivel. Jan 05, Heather rated it really liked it Shelves: My expectations were high and I was definitely not let down. The Girl in the Lighthouse is a historical fiction novel packed with plenty of action. I couldn't help but feel my heart breaking for the main character, Lillian Arrington, as she suffered through all of the pain and strife in her adolescence. As the story came to an end, there were many surprising twists that left me wanting more.
My only issue is that I felt I didn't get enough closure on Lillian's story. There was so much more I wanted to know about her journey and her family's past. Jun 27, Karyl rated it did not like it Shelves: This book was terrible. The writing was extremely repetitive and elementary. All the men in the book "mumbled" everything they said. The characters were flat and uninteresting. Plus it seemed as though the author had no idea of American history. The grandfather was supposed to have fought in the War of , while the father was a Confederate veteran.
Yet Lillian, his daughter, was 10 years old in The time line doesn't seem to add up. Also the whole story was just unbelievable. Prepubescen This book was terrible.
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Prepubescent girls in the early s would have no idea about sex or attraction to the opposite gender, yet the author gives her year-old protagonist the yearnings and desires of a woman twice her age. I will definitely not be reading any more of this series. Oct 09, Heather rated it it was ok Recommended to Heather by: First half period piece of 19th-century little girl, daughter of lighthouse keeper, hints of family weirdness.
Which makes the childhood part just an intro, which means it was way too long. Also there's not a whole lot of redemption at the end of the book, and apparently the next book gets even worse. Oh, and I almost forgot. The writing was awful. At least at first. Either i First half period piece of 19th-century little girl, daughter of lighthouse keeper, hints of family weirdness. Either it got better as the book went on or I got better at tuning it out. It felt like it was written by a high-school student. This book was alright. I picked it up because 1. Andrews would love this series.
I see the similarities in writing style, but V. It had the same formula, and even certain parts were the same like the main character's impromptu haircuts , but it didn't wow me. It's an alright start to her series, but there is definitely room for improvement. Maybe some This book was alright. Maybe some originality would help. It seemed to be two separate books smashed together The first half of the book is about a girl and her parents meeting another two boys and their parents both meeting on an island where the two boys father's work at lighthouse.
Then her life totally changes her Mom dies, her dad becomes a drunkard, gets fired, she gets sent to her Grandmother that she doesn't know and hates her, beating and starving her. The first half I would describe as pleasant the second half I would describe as ugly. The It seemed to be two separate books smashed together The author didn't even seem to want to finish the book. She ends it on a note where her love interest tries to bring her back but he is forceful about it.
So protagonist just shoved him in front of galloping horses. Very, very, very, lazy writing. That's about the most inexplicable paragraphs I've ever seen in a novel. I can't recommend it. Oct 01, Yvette rated it it was ok Shelves: Okay here are the pros: This book captivates the reader from the start. The characters unfold quiet nicely and although told from the point of view of the protagonist, who is only nine years old when the book begins, the reader is able to connect and relate to, or at least understand the other characters.
The author's writing is enjoyable; descriptive, without being too wordy. The emotions are believable and raw. The scenery vivid and highly imaginable. The first half of the book is definitely a Okay here are the pros: The first half of the book is definitely a five star. What I didn't like or didn't understand: I was once a ten year old girl and at that age, boys were still icky. Yes, girls married at an earlier age back then, but I still feel that there was an enormous innocence for prepubescent girls, especial one as sheltered as Lillian that was missing.
Okay, something that confused me a bit were the ghosts.
Arrington Series by Roxane Tepfer Sanford
Why were only Ayden and Lillian able to see the ghost of Victor? I thought I understood that he was there to help the families or to be some type of protector, and only kids could see him. However, if that's the case, why didn't Heath also see him when he was just a fourteen year old kid? And then, later on Amelia also sees him and he scares the crap out of her? Why would his ghost scare her, if number one she was out of her mind and living in the past so she wouldn't even notice his presence anyway and two, he wasn't suppose to be scary, but helpful to the families?
Then there's the ghost of Jacob-Thomas, why was he still lingering around the house? Okay, it was somewhat explained when his mom stated that she would never leave the mansion because her son still lived there, but then his mother ends up leaving with Eugenia anyway! Now here are some things that I really didn't like and I felt like did an injustice to the characters and it ruined the unfolding of the story. Why in the freaking world would Garret leave his beloved daughter with the woman who tortured the love of his life?!
Why would he devote his entire life to protect her from secrets, pain, and his family to then just hand her right over?! Why not leave her with Opal and Edward until he could better provide? Heck, why not leave her in an orphanage? Anything would have made better sense to Garret's character than what ended up happening.
This is where I felt the story stop unfolding flawlessly. It was as if the author got impatient and wanted to just get to the "twist. A way that was more believable and authentic to the characters. You can't build Garret up, make him this loving, protective father, and then just make him a weasel who drops his kid off to the monster who ruined his life! It doesn't make sense to who he is. Also, the entire story revolving around Warren was just stupid and creepy. Okay, one incestuousness relationship I can understand well not really, but you know what I mean. It's believable that Amelia fell in love with a brother who she never knew.
However, it's not believable that Warren can go from a protector, who risks his life for Lillian, who is kind and gentle, to a freaking nasty brute who rapes his own daughter. Again, a character assassination. Why couldn't Lillian get on that train with Richard and lose Warren in another way? Why couldn't some jerk from the town have raped her destroying her innocence and then Warren maybe be so angry that he treats her the victim like crap because he warned her to stay away from men and she didn't listen, so she leaves because of her shame and hurt over Warren's reaction, etc.
My point is that there were more believable ways to come to the same place without throwing in useless scenes just to create another "twist," and to add more pain. To me it was useless "fluff. And no, I don't believe it was clever, sorry. Maybe had it unfolded slower with foreshadows of truth then maybe it would've been more believable, but for it to just come out of nowhere was stupid. And then he is suppose to be remorseful, but a few pages later turns around and justifies his actions and even wants to continue them?!
Makes no freaking sense. I didn't like the way it ended. Yes, it was a cliffhanger and I know more books are coming, but there are ways to have a tidy ending, even with a cliffhanger I will read the sequel because the author is very talented and I am hoping that the second book will make sense of the first. This had potential of being a five star book, but because of the flaws that I mentioned it was just okay. View all 4 comments. Jan 12, Carolyn rated it really liked it Recommends it for: This was a really good easy to read book.
It is set in the 's on the East Coast of America. Lilian is a 10 year old girl who has lived on a remote island with her mother and lighthouse keeper father her entire life. Her father gets transfered to another Lighthouse station and she finally gets to live in the company of 2 boys Heath and Ayden and gets to go to the mainland every week and even attend a real school for the first time. Having been brought up just by her mother and father she is ve This was a really good easy to read book.
Having been brought up just by her mother and father she is very naive, but soon learns to trust others and even falls in love for the first time. When her mother goes mad and eventually dies no spoiler as on the back of the book she is shipped off to live with her psycho grandmother in Savannah and uncovers about her family's hidden past. Yes they even had skeletons in the closet back in the Civil War days. By this stage she is about 13 and starting to develop into a young lady. I really felt sorry for Lilian having led such a sheltered life, then having to endure the psycho grandmother.
I found she was a little too naive and trusting and am worried about what will happen to her in the second book if I ever find a copy of it. I really loved Heath to start with, but he grew up too much for Lilian. And Ayden started off not very nice but became a firm friend later on. I think he was jealous of Heath to start with. I did pick the POW that occurred towards the end of the book, as it does become obvious as you are reading.
It is definitely young adult, but some YA readers may not like it due to the setting era and the way Lilian behaves. But I found it is typicl of the era and really liked it. If you liked Flowers in the Attic you will love this.
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Dec 29, Meredith rated it it was ok Shelves: The protagonist, Lillian, was a very strong female character and it was enjoyable watching her grow out of her childhood. At 9 years of age she seemed quite mature to be so young. The book follows Lillian from age as she grows up on a small island with her family manning the lighthouse, and as she is abruptly uprooted from all things familiar and sent to live in the South where family secrets unfold.
I feel that the book is either mis- 2. The book could have ended nicely and tied in to the lighthouse theme and the fortune telling made by the gypsy, however, the story terminates with lots of loose ends and makes many events in the first half seem unnecessary. For example, what role do the ghosts play, and why is it important that only Lillian and a few other characters can see the apparitions?
I was expecting more from this novel, but was left hanging at the end. Dec 01, Ceylan Pelin rated it really liked it Shelves: The Girl in the Lighthouse was really gripping. And the final was amazing! And the atmosphere was really magnificent; all the parts about the Jasper Island and especially the south. I will definitely read the second book. The drama was spread throughout The Girl in the Lighthouse was really gripping. The drama was spread throughout the book and the events take a sharp turn unexpectedly.
When I was younger; I read the books of V. May 06, Jenni rated it it was amazing Shelves: I expected a coming-of-age story and a love triangle, but was surprised by the novel's dark undertones and unexpected plot twists. I thought I had added up all of the hints to the overarching secret correctly, but there were surprises until the very end. This book reminds me of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness in that there were times I was unsure I would like the novel; I expected a coming-of-age story and a love triangle, but was surprised by the novel's dark undertones and unexpected plot twists.
This book reminds me of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness in that there were times I was unsure I would like the novel; however, I was drawn to keep reading and I'm looking forward to reading All That is Beautiful. Oct 02, Laurie rated it really liked it Shelves: This was a very V. Andrews-esque, dark victorian, sometimes depressing, romantic drama. I wanted to stop reading it at times, thinking either that it was either too depressing or the main character was too naive and whiny. I also could not stop reading it. I am almost through with the sequel and hopes it comes to some sort of happy conclusion, even though I don't have my hopes up.
Lillian can't seem to make up her mind as to who she loves and what she will do to gain that love. If you like the This was a very V. If you like the V. Andrews type of books, you will like this and its sequel "All Things Beautiful". I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though it is a tale of darkness, very reminiscent of Flowers in the Attic.
I'm glad I decided to boost it up to the top. The second in the trilogy has been purchased and sitting on my Kindle, vying for a place in the "next" pick. Looking forward to reading it. Oct 10, Emily rated it did not like it.
I cannot believe I wasted my time and finished this book! I am so mad at the ending! I absolutely refuse to waste my time on the second book to even try to see if the author resolves some major issues not resolved in the first book. Oct 15, Angie rated it really liked it. Strange story I was casting about in my Kindle for an interesting story, and this one caught my eye. Lillian Arrington tells her story of life on Jasper Island as the daughter of the lighthouse keeper. Lighthouses have always fascinated me, and Lillian's story of her childhood was no different.
Both very good books! Of course I think I like just about anything that takes place in a lighthouse. Eimermann rated it it was amazing Jan 13, Kimmie Ellis rated it liked it Aug 23, Sue rated it really liked it Dec 07, Christie rated it liked it Jan 27, Melissa rated it really liked it Jul 14, R'shelle rated it really liked it Jun 05, Jodi Fletcher rated it really liked it Aug 30, Bettyjean Murphy rated it it was amazing Feb 22, Melissa rated it liked it Dec 26, Sonyaluvslit rated it really liked it Jan 08, Aug 07, Nicole rated it it was amazing Shelves: Three books in the series other on Eli's called Sacred Intentions.
Jessica rated it liked it Sep 14, Cindy Wilford rated it really liked it Apr 24, Nancy Macintosh rated it it was amazing Jun 04, Tawnya Rainey rated it really liked it Apr 30, Amanda rated it liked it Jan 09, Tiffany Jacoby rated it it was amazing May 01, Tegan Sheffield rated it it was ok Feb 08, Shirley rated it really liked it Sep 29, Jennifer Hickman rated it liked it Oct 19, Cheryl rated it liked it Aug 21, Diana rated it did not like it Jan 31, There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
About Roxane Tepfer Sanford. Her writing style has been compared to that of well known gothic fiction author, V. Roxane is the very busy mother of six children, and whatever spare time is left, she dedicates to writing novels. The Girl in the Lighthouse Twitter: Personalized digital inscriptions for your kindle www.
Praise for Roxane Tepfer Sanford: The authors choice of incident is well honored in the way the individual scenes reveal character through action and dialogue; an entertaining and informative read. If you enjoy V. The web which holds the plot together is reminiscent of V. I had to know more. Other books in the series. Books by Roxane Tepfer Sanford.
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