Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1)

Name: Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1)
Rating: 4.518518447875977 (54 reviews)

Alex Aster

Aug 2022 · The Lightlark Saga Book 1 · Abrams

54 reviews

Ebook

384

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Eligible

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About this ebook

THREE MILLION SERIES COPIES SOLD!

An instant #1 national bestseller—soon to be a major motion picture. #BookTok phenomenon and award-winning author Alex Aster delivers readers a masterfully written, utterly gripping YA fantasy novel

Welcome to the Centennial.

Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood.

The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die.

Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial.

To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray...even as love complicates everything.

Filled with secrets, deception, romance, and twists worthy of the darkest thrillers, The Lightlark Saga is a must-read for fans of legendary fantasy writers Marie Lu, Marissa Meyer, and Leigh Bardugo.

THREE MILLION SERIES COPIES SOLD! An instant #1 national bestseller—soon to be a major motion picture. #BookTok phenomenon and award-winning author Alex Aster delivers readers a masterfully written, utterly gripping YA fantasy novel Welcome to the Centennial. Every 100 years, the island of Lightl...

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Ratings and reviews

54 reviews

Aryaman Doc

February 6, 2023

this book has potential but is a letdown. the editor in my opinion was unable to bring out its worth. the writing is fit for a younger audience as fits the YA but could have done more to set the scene and flush out the characters. Over all this book was plain and cookie cutter. the plot is predictable, the twists are curves and the characters lack depth. perhaps that's because of the narrative perspective but the stakes of the book felt middling. The author was unable to bring the dread and tension until far too late and barely to a simmer. the disdain booktok has for this is acceptable and I hope significant improvements are made to the next books. I for one will be least likely to continue the series, as there is nothing keeping me engrossed. I hope the directors and screen writers can bring out the potential of the work in their multimedia plans.

Douglas Grimm

April 23, 2026

The best thing I can say about this book is that the setting was imaginative. There were some very intriguing world-building elements that I found quite fascinating. But that's about all. The characters were absolute caricatures. Nothing about Isla rings true. The overall quality of the writing is bad. The plot weaves around in a way that isn't "fast-paced and mysterious" so much as "incoherent and incomprehensible". The relationships have no chemistry, especially the "romance".

Charlette Christ

January 30, 2026

I 100% think this is in my top 3 favorite books I highly suggest for anyone who likes a good romantic fantasy ദ്ദി˶˃ ᵕ ˂ )✧

About the author

Alex Aster is an author of YA fiction as well as award-winning middle grade fiction, including the Emblem Island series, which was published to critical acclaim. Alex graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied creative writing. Find out more on TikTok (@alex.aster) or Instagram (@byalexaster).

Alex Aster is an author of YA fiction as well as award-winning middle grade fiction, including the Emblem Island series, which was published to critical acclaim. Alex graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied creative writing. Find out more on TikTok (@alex....

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