| Title | : | Night Light (Restoration, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0310257689 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780310257684 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 355 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2006 |
Survival has become a lifestyle. When two young thieves break into the Brannings' home and clean out the food in their pantry, Jeff Branning tracks them to a filthy apartment and discovers a family of children living alone, stealing to stay alive. Where is their mother? The search for answers uncovers a trail of desperation and murder . . . and for the Brannings, a powerful new purpose that can transform their entire community - and above all, themselves.
Night Light (Restoration, #2) Reviews
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Sometimes I have a hard time assigning stars to books I read and this is one of those times.
Do I think this is the great American novel? No. I enjoy Terri Blackstock's books and although she has quite a few books to her name, they are not cranked out with cookie cutter formula like some writers do. This book, like the first in the series, makes you think about what you would do if you faced the lifestyle crisis presented in the Restoration series. I find myself thinking about the story through my day--a person or event that just doesn't go away.
I didn't like this book at first--it started with children stealing from the main characters, the Branning family. I asked myself if I was uncomfortable with the thought that children could be abandoned and forced to fend for themselves, and honestly, that was part of it. But even more, I didn't like the shift from the Branning family that I had followed in the first book. Finally the story again turned to the main characters and I was happier with it. Also, I felt some of the childrens' conversations and actions were not age appropriate, more like young teenagers. As the oldest of four, at age 9 I would have done my best to take care of my younger siblings, but I don't think most 3 year-olds would have the vocabulary and understanding sometimes attributed to little Sarah.
This book makes me think. And has seriously affected my shopping habits. I'm shopping more frugally and planning things to keep on hand if we would ever face a similar crisis. And figuring out how to do more with less.
A series and a book that are sticking with me and will for a long time. -
This book is the second in a series. It continues the story of a town that had a blackout caused by a pulsar in outer space. I found it spiritually fulfilling to see how the members of the town helped each other and how they used their faith to help them get through their situation. The story applies to many situations that may occur for people and for that reason, I think it is very relatable. There were places in the plot where the characters were forced to rethink their values and as a result, they redefined themselves and their relationships with God.
I wanted to read a book that would give me a break from the sex, violence and language of the books I had been reading. This book certainly gave me that. This was the first book of Blackstock's that I ever read. I hope to read others. -
What would you do when all electronics is down, you only have the bare minimum of food, then all your food gets stolen and you track the thieves to a family of 4 children, the eldest nine, the youngest 3, with a mother missing and having to fend for themselves.
The Branning's had to deal with this question in book 2 of the series. They decided to take these children in and care for them until family is found.
Terri Blackstock produced another great read which challenge you as reader and provided enjoyable suspense that kept me up late to finish the book. I found myself saying, one more chapter, just one more chapter.
My heart broke for Aaron, the eldest sibling who looked after his brothers and sisters, and poor Sarah, only 3. I wished I could appear in the book and just cuddle them with love. I loved the theme for Aaron, that even though adults disappoint you, God loves us and sees us worthy.
Terri did a great job in describing the set up at the poor area's apartments - I found myself cringing while reading those parts.
I enjoyed to see how Deni changed from the whining girl in book 1. She grown and was more dependable. Her finance, Craig really irritated me.
It was another great book from Terri Blackstock and will recommend all her books to anyone who loves suspense. -
This second book of the Restoration Series continues the saga of the Branning Family and their Oak Hollow neighbors. Technology is a thing of the past as a power outage covers the globe. One family struggles to do what’s right when so much is going wrong. When the Brannings catch two boys breaking into their home, Jeff tracks them to a filthy apartment and discovers a family of children living alone, stealing to stay alive. Where is their mother? The search for answers uncovers a trail of desperation and murder… and for the Brannings, a powerful new purpose that can transform their entire community—and above all, themselves.
The suspense and action as well as the character development continues in this second book. Each of the Branning family members continues to grow and rely more on God as the situation with the power outage continues on. I like the fact that each of the family members and neighbors seem like real people with their good points and bad. The storyline keeps your interest and the ending leaves you waiting for the next book. Looking Forward to reading Book 3 in the series. -
A good sequel! Though it was quite predictable, almost as predictable as the first book, it was still a very enjoyable read!
I'm still loving the community in this series and how they're still growing closer. It's also great to see how people are growing closer to God in their personal relationships with Him!
I've definitely become attached to the characters and even found myself panicking when I saw that something bad was going to happen, and that's always a good sign, the characters seem real.
On to the third book! -
All of America is trying to cope with the elctromagnetic pulses of the universe. They have no electricity and their bank accounts are frozen so they have no money to buy food. All of the families in the communities are digging wells for fresh water, tilling their yards so they can be used for planting fresh vegetables, and they are bartering amongst themselves for animals, clothing and items that can used in everyday life.
The community starts to hold town meetings down by the river. Families bring their lawn chairs and it is during these times that the neighbors talk and visit amongst themselves. The neighbors had just waved to each other in passing before the pulses. Now, they are conversing with each other and helping their community in anyway possible.
There is alot of theft in this community because they are unable to get medicines for the sick, food for the hungry and no air conditioning to get relief from the heart. We read that there is a murder dealing with the mother of four children. The oldest boy, who is nine, has been taking care of his siblings. They live in an apartment building and the oldest steals food so they can live. When the Brannings' discover this tragedy , they move the children into their home and provide for them.
Eventually, they are able to locate the address of their grandparents' and send a letter to them. Since the postal system is overloaded and does not work on a time schedule, they are not sure when the letter will get its destination. It is late at night several weeks later that there is a knock at the door. The grandparents have come for the grandchildren.
I have enjoyed this series very much. There is another book in this series which hasn't come my way yet. The books remind me of what happens when the lights go out in our house. My family lights candles and gets together to do other things than computer. I can not wait to read what happens to this community and its people when their electricity comes 'back on'. -
Book 2 in the Restoration series. When children steal from the Branning's food they soon find out that the children have no one to take care of them, so they take them in. Searching for the mother they find out that she was murdered, but who would do such a thing. This book continues the process of recovering from a total blackout. Now they are giving each individual $25 each to live on. Can they survive on this amount? Also the eldest daughter finance comes to bring her back to Washington, can she leave her family now during this crisis? I have to admit this isn't the best Terri Blackstock series but still a great one to read. We are going thru a pandemic ourselves and we need to think beyond our cars and McDonalds. Can we survive if the unthinkable happens to us. Would you put Christ in the middle of a situation like this, have you with the pandemic? This will have you thinking and that is what a good series does!
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Second in a series of Christian sci fi books, this story follows the trials and tribulations of the Branning family near Birmingham, Alabama.They must learn to live without electricity and technology after a series of electromagnetic pulses from space shut down the world. The family begin using the old fashioned ways of survival, including hauling water, growing their own food, sorting trash for reuse. In this book, the family has become accustomed to their more primitive lifestyle. But other trials await them, such as four young foster children placed in their care. The author shows the struggles the characters face to live in such a time and the difficulty they have to live a Christian life when those around them don't.
I enjoyed this book and plan to finish the series. I found some inspiration for dealing with our current global CoVid issues. In the book, one of the characters, Deni, recognized that God allows trials in our lives to draw us closer to Him. I find some hope in this idea, although I understand many may not agree. -
Audiobook
There were a lot of nearly TSTL (too stupid to live) moments whether it was settling on a spouse or not believing people really wanted to help you. I think one of these story lines dragged on until the last second even though I'm sure every reader was yelling at how TSTL one of the characters was. If the person would have gone through with what they were doing, I would have not felt sorry for the person at all! You made your bed, now lie in it. God gave you discernment!! Anyway, I like how the story is progressing and although there are glimpses of horror, we don't see the play-by-play. 3-1/2 stars. -
Life with no electricity in the world, brings out the best and the worst in people. This book will leave you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next.
Also a story with a mama shot, leaving 4 orphan children struggling to survive in the midst of the chaos. Will friends and neighbors come together to survive? -
I enjoyed the continuation of this series. I found the characters more likable/relatable this time around and appreciated the realistic growth they experienced. I enjoy the thriller aspects to the books so far!
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Definitely better than the first book… but Deni is still the WORST
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3.5 stars.
Still enjoying this series. Fun and interesting (and renewing my desire to STOCK ALL THE FOOD). -
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING.
The book opens on two young boys, thieves, on their job of stealing from the Brannings. At first, I wasn’t sure why this book opened up on two boys previously completely unrelated to the plot, and I was mostly SUPER irritated at them for taking the Branning’s food and really frustrated and waned to scream at the page. So from that perspective, then the book succeeded in yanking ahold of my thoughts and emotions from page one. And from then on, the story involving these boys grew so much that I couldn’t remember ever not understanding their place in the story. The author is incredibly talented and that’s all I can say.
As for characters...I’m honestly not sure how the author did it here. I've read very few casts of characters this alive—so alive that I feel like any moment I could call them up or go visit them and they’d be there. Like the author wrote about real people instead of inventing characters from her mind. It was absolutely mindblowing. And I didn’t necessarily love all of them, either, which made them all so much more realistic. Just like in real life you don’t necessarily like every person you know, you don’t really like some characters in this book. Doug was fantastic and I really liked the transformation I saw in him. He’s not my favorite character, but he’s easily the most developed and most round, the most consistent. Kay is such a close second to Doug she almost beats him. She’s got such a wonderful heart and there’s such a miraculous transformation in character throughout the book, too—and likely more coming.
Sometimes I loved Deni and sometimes I wanted to smack her across the face with her own book. Like the Craig situation. UGHHH. Don’t even get me STARTED. She seemed a little inconsistant with everything there, too. She had finally built up some great character, and it seemed she just fell way too easily and way too fast when Craig showed up, and kept changing her mind. Yes, true to real life, but in certain areas it felt fake. Otherwise, great development on her—we’ve gotten to know her a lot, and though sometimes we dislike her, we know deep down inside we do love her.
And Craig? Otherwise known as the most repulsive, awful, uncaring character to ever cross the pages of the fictional world. I loved hating him.
Mark, though... the complete opposite of Craig and basically he NEEDS to marry Deni or I’m going to decide I hate this series. He’s absolutely amazing. He’s incredible. He’s kind. He’s caring. He’s thoughtful. He’s genuinely interested in Deni as a friend and not as a love interest. He finds her a TYPEWRITER FOR GOODNESS SAKES. DENI. GET YOURSELF TOGETHER.
Setting: The author so clearly researched so much of this, despite the fact I have no idea how one would research something like this. She writes as if it could happen logically (and who knows—maybe it could). She didn’t skip out on a single detail when figuring out this setting: this setting where modern-day America has to live in the pioneer times again. A captivating premise all on its own, and she did not fail to deliver. I was brought in from the moment I started, held captive by this incredibly thought-provoking concept.
The plot was long, but I treasured and inhaled every word of it. There was no need to cut it either: everything written serves to the plot and elaborates when needed. All the time presented gives us to get to know these characters better, setting the stage for the events and settings to take effect. Terri Blackstock does love her murder mysteries, so of course there’s another one in this book, but she did a fantastic job of tying it in naturally and without force.
Other Negatives: I didn’t like the prologue at the beginning. It was basically just a summary of the previous book and it was completely unnecessary.
Notes: I thought the Christian thematics edged on cheesiness at first, but thanks to the incredible character development most of it felt very natural. I was a little unsure at first, but it has proved itself.
Overall: Amazing, amazing, amazing book! Never thought I’d be reading and loving this genre but here I am inhaling every book as fast as I can. The story is incredibly suspensful, and there are murders, but it’s not graphic or gory in the least, which is always appreciated. Can you say AAAAAH one more time? I’m IN LOVE AND I CAN’T STOP READING.
Who would I recommend it to? If I were a typical person I might say for fans of suspense, except I never thought I’d be a fan of suspense and here I am. So I’d recommend it to ANYONE ages 14 and over looking for a solid, good book that makes you think and gives you the ride of your life while you’re at it!
Like my reviews? Follow my blog:
http://jcbuchanan.com -
An interesting continuation of the Restoration series. They are still struggling and without modern conveniences and I can't wait to see what happens next!
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Book 2. Without knowing about the others in this series I picked this book up independently, attracted by Blackstock's reputation for suspense, good writing, and Christian commitment. I am not one to read books on Armageddon or some futuristic catastrophes that affect the whole world, so for a while I was put off by the setting of this book. When I did pick it up again, I enjoyed it.
A power outage caused by pulses has plunged the whole world into a power failure. Technology is useless. No electrical or electronic machine works. People, three months into this crisis are forced to return to using horses for transportation except where enough gas can be found. Supplies are suddenly cut off. Each community must fend for itself. Planting food. Digging wells. Barter becomes the norm.
The story centres around a Christian family, the Brannings. Well this family's Christian faith inform their generosity and neighbourliness in a self-centred world, or will they too yield a self-focused survival mode. Will their daughter's love for her fiance endure? What will they do when two young thieves break into their home and steal all their food. Will they have compassion these parentless orphans and their other sibling...compassion enough to offer them shelter?
It is a well-told story that takes the Christian faith dumps into into a down and dirty world -
Book 2 in the Restoration series.
This picks up right where the first book left off. The Brannings are learning to deal with the outages and make do with their new lifestyle. They know that it takes a lot of hard, honest work to make their lives a little easier. Unfortunately, not everyone has their same values. When someone breaks into their house to steal food, they follow the perpetrators home only to find a big surprise. The thieves turn out to be four children under the age of 9 who are living in very poor conditions. Their mother disappeared before the outages, so they were left to fend for themselves. It's tough enough for the Brannings to feed their family of six, but they know they can't leave the children alone. This book has a great mystery to it as you learn about the children's past. You also meet and learn about Dani's fiance, Craig. I can't wait to start the next one! -
Good, just not as good as the first one, in my opinion.
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A worthy successor to the first book, this second part of the Restoration series is a real page turner. I had a hard time tearing myself away from it.
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THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
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What would you do when all electronics is down, you only have the bare minimum of food, then all your food gets stolen and you track the thieves to a family of 4 children, the eldest nine, the youngest 3, with a mother missing and having to fend for themselves.
The Branning's had to deal with this question in book 2 of the series. They decided to take these children in and care for them until grandparents are found.
**This picks up right where the first book left off. The Brannings are learning to deal with the outages and make do with their new lifestyle. They know that it takes a lot of hard, honest work to make their lives a little easier. Unfortunately, not everyone has their same values. When someone breaks into their house to steal food, they follow the perpetrators home only to find a big surprise. The thieves turn out to be four children under the age of 9 who are living in very poor conditions. Their mother disappeared before the outages, so they were left to fend for themselves. It's tough enough for the Brannings to feed their family of six, but they know they can't leave the children alone. This book has a great mystery to it as you learn about the children's past. You also meet and learn about Dani's fiance, Craig.
My heart broke for Aaron, the eldest sibling who looked after his brothers and sisters, and poor Sarah, only 3. I loved the theme for Aaron, that even though adults disappoint you, God loves us and sees us worthy.
I enjoyed to see how Deni changed from the whining girl in book 1. She grown and was more dependable. Her finance, Craig is really irritating, a Washington Big Shot Wanna Be.
**
This second book of the Restoration Series continues the saga of the Branning Family and their Oak Hollow neighbors. Technology is a thing of the past as a power outage covers the globe. One family struggles to do what’s right when so much is going wrong. When the Brannings catch two boys breaking into their home, Jeff tracks them to a filthy apartment and discovers a family of children living alone, stealing to stay alive. Where is their mother? The search for answers uncovers a trail of desperation and murder… and for the Brannings, a powerful new purpose that can transform their entire community—and above all, themselves.
The suspense and action as well as the character development continues in this second book. Each of the Branning family members continues to grow and rely more on God as the situation with the power outage continues on. I like the fact that each of the family members and neighbors seem like real people with their good points and bad. The storyline keeps your interest and the ending leaves you waiting for the next book. Looking Forward to reading Book 3 in the series. -
Notable Content: Mentions of rape; a few other sex references; kissing. This book also deals quite a bit with child abuse and drug addiction.
Terri Blackstock has my heart to break and to warm as she sees fit (okay, that sounds weird, but you probably know what I mean). This book shattered me into pieces. I don’t think I’ve ever written a book before that’s made me as emotional as these. It feels so real. My heart is now in these pages and in Terri Blackstock’s hand. This book had me smiling, it had me breathing heavily. I’ve never cried before because of a book, but if any author can make me, it will be Terri Blackstock. I feel so close to these characters. I don’t feel like they’re fictional at all. The idea seems almost laughable. It’s crazy how real this all feels to me; it feels so real that I find myself praying for the characters sometimes and have to stop myself. If the first book drew me in entirely, this one irrevocably wrapped my heart into it. I just… wow. Wow. I don’t know how I’m going to read another book after these because I think no other book can capture my heart like these have. I think I’ve already repeated myself a few times, and I think if I continue this review for too long, I’ll just repeat over and over how much these books have broken me and healed me and broken me again. So much darkness is found in these books, but the light never goes out. Never. There’s always hope. Always. I’m almost afraid to start the next book because I’m sure I’ll be lost in it too, and I’ve probably neglected some of my responsibilities to finish this. I’ve never felt such a deep connection to a book. It almost feels wrong to call it a book because it can’t possibly be fiction. I think these books will change me. Maybe they already have. Terri Blackstock, I just… you deserve every literary award for these books. And I really should stop the review here because I’m still repeating myself, so just.. Thank you. Thank you for pouring yourself into these books and bringing them to life. -
This is the second book in this series and continues the story of the residents of a small town coping with the end of civilization as they know it - no electricity, no communications, nothing electronic works at all after an electromagnetic pulse activity destroys everything. If you haven't read the first one, Last Light, you'll enjoy this more if you read it first. However, the author gives a brief synopsis of what happened at the beginning of the novel, so this novel can stand alone. Like the first one, it has an "ending" but it will leave you wanting more and reaching for the third novel in the series!
I love what the author does with the characters in these novels. She shows them as real people who make some bad (although well-meaning) choices and who learn from their mistakes. This is Christian fiction, so there is some of the "rely on God" and bible verses sprinkled in, but not enough to distract from the storyline or to turn off a reader who wouldn't ordinarily choose Christian fiction.
The situations in the novels are SO believable. The reader will think about what would happen to them if they were in this situation and how they might react. This is one of my favorite series that I've read, and I've already started the third book. Highly recommended 4.9/5 stars. -
[Audiobook Review]
I was a bigger fan of the narrator this time around, I guess I'm getting used to her. But I was not a fan of her voices for some of the characters, especially for little Sarah. It didn't sound like the voice of a child, but rather it just sounded like an adult doing baby talk. *shakes head furiously* Uh-uh, no thank you!
The book itself was good if lacking in the "suspense" that I was hoping for. But I'm interested in this story, seeing these people move forward with their lives after the power goes out across the globe. I don't know how realistic this is, if people really could pull themselves together like this as quickly as these people do. But maybe....who knows.
With everything electronic out, this feels like a book set in the 1800s, with the people buying goats and chickens, sharing canned vegetables, and having community parties in the street.
But you do see that not everyone picks themselves up by their bootstraps and keeps moving. There are those who only get worse under pressure. Crime rates rise in this atmosphere, and the law and medicine are severely limited.
Overall, I love this story, and I think the books are very well written. Deni is also getting better, now that she's no longer the whiny, self-centered girl she was. The characters show remarkable growth, and I'm excited to see what the next book holds. -
It's ten weeks into the Outage and the Branning family and their neighbors are starting to adjust to the "new normal." They've learned how to compost their garbage and have started digging a well for fresh, clear water. Some old-style (before computer chips) cars are running, and trains are connecting distant cities.
But how will the Brannings deal with:
* The Gatlin children -- Aaron, Joey, Luke, and Sarah, three to nine years old. Orphaned and alone, the only way they are surviving is by stealing from others.
* Deni's fiance Craig. He comes back to Oak Hollow and insists that Deni marry him right away and return to Washington, D.C. with him. But Deni, who has recently become a Christian, is no longer sure she can share her life with an unbeliever.
* Moe Jenkins. Probably Sarah's father, he wants to acquire the Gatlin children and use them to get money for his drug habit.
"Restoration" is a powerful series dealing with people in the worst sort of circumstances, and the Christian responses to those circumstances.
*** VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *** -
Terri Blackstock is the best Christian mystery writer that I know of. I have read her entire Cape Refuge series and loved it. I also read If I Run which is the first book in a series, the second book, called If I'm Found, comes out in March and I am looking forward to it very much! In this book, the Brannings have already dealt with many trials and matured, but it isn't over yet. They will have to face many difficult times and have to make hard decisions. Especially Deni. This book is a little more romancy than the first one but still a good Christian mystery/suspense. As with the first one I would recommend it to anyone early teen and above. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the next one! You can wait for my review when I finish it!!! This book deals with a lot of things ranging from trust issues to relationships to drugs and abuse. I would recommend it too everyone though, not just Christians. Enjoy!
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The Branning family and their neighbors are adjusting to no electricity, running water, electronics, and having to grow or barter for their food. The six of them have about all they can do to provide for themselves. Suddenly, four children are added to their family, and the family and some church members take on helping dwellers of an apartment complex. And just when Deni thinks her life is settled, she discovers it isn't, and she has to make a difficult decision as to whether she wants to merry the man she is engaged to or whether she needs to stay with her family and community.
This book was as engaging as the first in the Series. The characters continue their spiritual journey, and Terri Blackstock writes more about each in this compelling story. Real life struggles don't dim because the lights go out!
