Fantasy Fiction Book Review: Secrets of Hopelight
Book cover image from Anderson’s Book Shop
Secrets of Hopelight is a dystopian young adult fiction by Eva Blackstone. The story centers around a thirteen-year-old girl named Nubbin Beck, her family, and friends. They live in one of the enclaves, a series of interconnecting caves, beneath the surface of the planet Earth.
Sleep takes place during the day, while all other activities are nocturnal. The sun is so hot it will boil a man’s blood if he’s not wearing protective garments.
These enclaves act as protective housing with homes, schools, food services, and other businesses that serve the enclave and, of course, The Company. The Company takes care of all the enclaves. All Hail the Company!
The productivity of the enclave is all that matters. People are tools to be used and tossed aside. One might starve for The Company, dehydrate themselves for The Company, and possibly die for The Company.
Ends justify the means. Nubbin has seen a family disappear because of non-compliance. She is terrified of disobeying The Company.
So, everyone is happy at Hopelight, the largest of the enclaves and the richest in resources. That is, until the stranger arrives. Although an authoritarian government is not named, parallels are easily drawn, especially after the stranger reveals his secret. Then Nubbin learns a truth about herself. A horrible, secret, beautiful truth.
Secrets of Hopelight is the first book in a series that is going to be amazing. Although it was written for young adults, it does not feel as though it is talking down to the teen nor having to alter itself for an adult.
The world Eva Blackstone created is so believable in our current eco-political climate, that I was drawn in completely. The similarities of climate change, diversity, and socioeconomic viewpoints brought this book to life.
Each character is asked to make huge sacrifices in order to serve the highest good of The Company. Complete obedience is expected. Would I make that kind of sacrifice to a conglomeration? Probably not.
The characters are powerful motivators to the spirit of individuality in a place where individuality is not the norm. I felt a close kinship to Nubbin. Her spirit, bravery, and attitude towards The Company resembles mine. She never hesitated to help a friend in need.
There is no mistaking the cautionary aspect of this book. Climate change is real, and a driver of all that is done in the Hopelight enclave, as well as all the other Earth enclaves.
Yet I absolutely loved how the author allows readers to come to their own conclusions. Do you give your all to The Company and live? Or should people be microchipped in order for their bodies to live longer and become a stronger workforce for The Company?
These are questions that you have to answer for yourself as you read through Nubbin’s ordeal.
Secrets of Hopelight is about personal freedoms. Do you follow the company line and be a good little worker bee, or do you buck the system and regain your freedom?
It’s all about freedom.
If you like this story, check out these reviews.
- Humbug, the Unwinding of Ebennzer Scrooge – Dark Holiday Review
- The Tainted Cup – Fantasy Fiction Review
- Go Hex Yourself – Speculative Rom-Com Review
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Sue Cook lives in Freeport, Illinois with her husband Randy and two dogs. Her passions include assistance dogs, rescue dogs, music, acting, theater, poetry, and Doctor Who. She’s been in both film and theater and is a regular cast member of the podcast Doctor Who’s Line is it….Anyway? Sue is an advocate for the use of Service Dogs to assist their disabled handlers to maintain their independence. Quigley’s Quest, her first children’s book, addresses how a dog becomes a Service Dog.
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