Book Review: Glow of the Fireflies by Lindsey Duga

Glow of the Fireflies
By: Lindsey Duga
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Source: eARC from the publisher in exchange for a honest review
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Briony never planned to go back to the place she lost everything.

Firefly Valley, nestled deep within the Smoky Mountains, is better kept in her past. After an unexplained fire gave Briony amnesia, her mother disappeared and her dad moved them to Knoxville.

But now her grandmother needs a caretaker and Briony's dad volunteers her to help. The moment she returns, her whole world shifts. She feels a magical connection to this valley, as if it's literally part of her somehow.

And when she meets a hot guy who claims he was her childhood friend but now mysteriously keeps his distance, Briony starts piecing together her missing past...and discovers her mother didn't leave to start a new life somewhere. She's trapped in the hidden world within the valley.

Now, Briony will do whatever it takes to rescue her, even if it means standing up against dangerously powerful nature spirits. Even if it means giving up her first love.

My Thoughts:

Glow of the Fireflies was a unique, and adventurous fantasy.  It was simplistic and imaginative. This story is perfect for middle schoolers.  I loved the vivid imagery that Lindsey Duga crafted with the setting of Firefly Valley.  I could clearly see the Smoky Mountains, the wisps, the animal spirits, and all of nature.

Briony has both literal and metaphorical scars from a fire that occurred in her old home in the Smoky Mountains.  She suffered amnesia after the incident and can't remember her past.  Shortly after, her mother left and Briony always blamed herself; thinking that it was because her mother couldn't handle her amnesiac condition.  

Briony's father moved them to Knoxville, but after her maternal grandmother needs a caretaker, she is tasked with returning to the Smoky Mountains.  She meets the gorgeous and mysterious Alder, and together, they are about to embark on a perilous journey to rescue her mother from a dangerous nature spirit...

Glow of the Fireflies had beautiful and descriptive writing.  The pacing was moderate, and I loved the main characters Briony, and Alder.  Briony persevered against all of her obstacles and never even thought of giving up when circumstances were at their bleakest.  I loved Alder, because he was loyal, heroic, sweet, and willing to sacrifice himself for Briony.  He encompassed unconditional love, and gave me all of the feels.  My only critique of the story was that I expected the plot to be a little more layered, and complex.  Like I said, it was a pretty simple story, and I think it would be perfect for middle schoolers.

If you are an animal and nature lover, and enjoy a unique and imaginative story with lovable characters, adventure, and beautiful visuals, I highly recommend Glow of the Fireflies!

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound | TBD

About the Author:

Lindsey Duga is a middle grade and young adult writer with a passion for fantasy, science fiction, and basically any genre that takes you away from the real world. She wrote her first novel in college while she was getting her bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.

Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TV show and practicing yoga.

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