No single word accurately captures the depth and poignancy of A Light Undimmed by April Gardner. I could think of a few: heart-gripping, page-turning, thought-provoking, pulse-shaking, but they only serve to shine a light on the different layers that come out in this masterfully written story. The well-paced narrative keeps you fully engaged in a way that makes you want to keep reading while not wanting to reach the end.

From the start, Gardner drops you alongside Liora as a companion in her demoralizing walk through an enemy encampment. Faith in her God becomes a beacon in Liora’s heart that slowly pushes against the dark shadows of a brutal enemy and a royal betrayal that leaves her at the whims of a monster, the infamous Butcher of Babylon. While you want to hate the man in a manner worthy of such villains, with touching story development, Gardner opens her reader’s eyes with a grace that sees the heart within the beast.

I enjoyed that ‘beauty and the beast’ vibe as it mingled with the difficult history of a tough time in Israel when the consequences of sin meant captivity. With trembling self-reflection, I wondered about the depth of my faith’s roots if tested by a despicable, yet divine, assignment. Favorite quote: “Trust in the Lord did not mean instant loss of fear, but a moment-by-moment surrendering of it.”

As one of my favorite authors, Gardner does not disappoint. This is a five-star read for me – a book that had me thinking even when I wasn’t reading it. Don’t miss A Light Undimmed. Truly an April Gardner classic. You will definitely want to add this one to your reading list. The spiritual takeaways will leave you with plenty to think about as anticipation for the next novel builds.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the author but was not required to post a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.