Bookseller Reviews
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Wow!
This is incredible! The beginning of a new YA dystopia trilogy, this follows multiple characters in a future world where people with Songlight are persecut... READ MORE
The best new fantasy I’ve read in a long while
I’m writing this in early dawn delirium, having feverishly finished this book through the small hours of the morning. Songlight’s dystopian far future back... READ MORE
Synopsis
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Songlight is an extraordinary debut from a renowned screenwriter. A cinematic masterpiece in storytelling, the explosive first book in the Torch trilogy is the hottest release of the decade!
They are hunting those who shine . . .
Don't be deceived by Northaven's prettiness, by its white-wash houses and its sea views. In truth, many of its townsfolk are ruthless hunters. They revile those who have developed songlight, the ability to connect telepathically with others. Anyone found with this sixth sense is caught, persecuted and denounced.
Welcome to the future.
Lark has lived in grave danger ever since her own songlight emerged. Then she encounters a young woman in peril, from a city far away. An extraordinary bond is forged. But who can they trust?
The world is at war. Those with songlight are pawns in a dangerous game of politics. Friends, neighbours, family are quick to turn on each other . . .
When power is everything, how will they survive?
An extraordinary debut - the first in a trilogy - from an award-winning, internationally acclaimed screenwriter, Songlight promises to set the world alight!
Publisher information
- Publisher: Faber & Faber
- ISBN: 9780571385669
- Number of pages: 480
- Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allGet ready for this epic fantasy debut to take over the world - you don't want to miss this one!
As a former bookseller, this book surprised me in a very good way! A dystopian post-apocalyptic universe, magic with a twist, endless intrigue, and charact... READ MORE
Fantastic and fast paced
The first book in a trilogy starts very strong - and fast paced. It’s really early on in the story that our hopes are raised and then dashed into pieces on... READ MORE
Songlight: a gripping dystopian fantasy
When I first picked up Songlight, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. But as soon as I started reading, I was hooked. This dystopian YA fantasy felt lik... READ MORE
Fantasy for older teens and up
Fantasy for YA and older teens. Such is the story given to the reader I wouldn’t suggest that under sixteens are given this book. It saddens me that much o... READ MORE
Loved this exciting 1st instalment of the Songlight trilogy
Can’t believe this accomplished and riveting novel is Moira Buffini’s debut. The premise of this first book in the trilogy is well thought through and bril... READ MORE
Epic
From the first pages I could tell this book was going to be EPIC, and it really was! The characters are all amazing and Moira Buffini really lets you under... READ MORE
unique fantasy
Songlight is a post apocalyptic story about people with telepathic ability who are treated as lesser. I loved this story, it is slow to start but once the ... READ MORE
A bright start
Brightland and Ayland are two countries at work in a world that could be our not-too-distant post-apocalyptic future, in which some individuals develop son... READ MORE
Totally Brilliant!
Brightland has been at war for years. Young men go away to fight as youths. The girls become choir maidens taught how to be a good wife, preferably a first... READ MORE
Captivating!
YA is something I thought I had loved and then left behind as my tastes matured and moved onto pastures new…
How very wrong I was!!!!!
This is everythi... READ MORE
Epic!!!
What can I say about this book. EPIC!!
I know I'm not the target audience for this YA Dystopian, and I going to admit I did struggle with the first half b... READ MORE
One of my favourite books of the year so far!
*ARC received from Netgalley - all opinions are my own*
TLDR: Great dystopian book which, in my opinion, will appeal to those outside the YA genre. The ... READ MORE
Loved this book!
This was such a brilliant book. The characters are written so well and each fit into the story perfectly in their own ways. Incredible world building and t... READ MORE
The Power meets the Handmaid's Tale
Star-crossed lovers that use their song light to communicate while apart, living in a war torn dystopian society that is much more complex than our protago... READ MORE
Cinematic storytelling: a New YA Fantasy series that will not disappoint!
I soooo enjoyed reading Moira Buffini’s Songlight, debut novel!! This is a post-apocalyptic and dystopian science fiction novel tackling themes of racism, ... READ MORE
An excellent, extraordinary book.
What an extraordinary book- set in a dystopian world. Wasn’t sure what to expect when I started it but was delighted I continued on. Looking forward to w... READ MORE
Dystopian thriller
At first, I was concerned about the number POVs - more characters were getting added to the narrative by the minute - but it works really well to get a bet... READ MORE
Post-apocalyptic, speculative fiction of the highest order : for YA and also older adults
This book, reminding the reader of other outstanding novels for adult readers in the loose, science fantasy, speculative fiction is the first part of what ... READ MORE
Gripping fantastical dystopian yet familiar story
Kindly gifted by the publisher for an honest review.
I started reading this book not expecting to enjoy it but became quickly hooked on the characters an... READ MORE
Brilliant
I read 100 books a year, and this one stands out as something special. It packs so much in in terms of both plot and themes and is gripping without being r... READ MORE
Fabulous dystopian worldbuilding
Wow! I loved this…and that came as a huge surprise as I didn’t think it would be my sort of thing. I enjoyed the Hunger Games and I think that’s the most s... READ MORE
Fantastic Debut!
Songlight is an extraordinary debut that captivated me from the very first page. Buffini’s world-building is nothing short of masterful, creating a dystopi... READ MORE
Pacey and Immersive.
This book was gripping. The dystopian Handmaid's Tale style world, blended with the telekinetic mutation along the vein of Jean Grey from the X Men was rea... READ MORE
A beautiful, mesmerising and devastating YA dystopian novel
Beautiful, mesmerising, devastating. Songlight is an extraordinary dystopian novel set in the pristine Northaven. With echoes of The Handmaid's Tail the... READ MORE
Captivating Debut!
The first book in a new dystopian series. Songlight by Moira Buffini is her debut novel, but her background of screenwriting is so apparent throughout the ... READ MORE
A grim future
Set in the future, this novel casts a grim picture of life in a dysfunctional but highly organised community. Some of the inhabitants can read minds. Songl... READ MORE
A brilliant dystopian fantasy
Telepathy has long fascinated me. Watching The Tomorrow People as a child, the ability to talk to another human secretly and over distance was an incredibl... READ MORE
What an absolutely gorgeous book!
What an absolutely gorgeous book!
The story follows three women with a form of telepathy called songlight, which they can use to find other telepaths, o... READ MORE
An Amazing Set of Young Heroes and Heroines
Immerse yourself in this wonderful series. Heroes and heroines come of age as they forge a place for themselves inside a harsh reality. A few true bonds-- ... READ MORE
This book shines!
I was drawn in by the cover of this book (I’m a total magpie when it comes to book design) and from there I was completely hooked.
Set in a dystopian fu... READ MORE
Debut dystopian fantasy full of potential
Another opening novel of a trilogy, this is full of interesting ideas but fails to satisfy. Following three inter-related characters in a dystopian new Ear... READ MORE
Songlight
What an amazing start to a series with so much promise! I loved this book and young people will love it too. A brilliant multiple narrative showcasing a dy... READ MORE
A beacon of light in dark times.
I loved this book, I really didn't want it to end and I'm glad that it doesn't and it's the first part of a trilogy, I'm just sad now that I have to wait f... READ MORE
Amazing book
This is an absolutely amazing book. I really enjoyed it and i can’t wait for the second book to come out. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a dystop... READ MORE
A perfect example of dystopian fiction
Another case where I chose the book because of its beautiful cover and found the story to be equally so.
In Brightland those who have developed songligh... READ MORE
Fabulous new YA series
I was hooked into this story from page 1. The characters are rounded, and the setting is all-too believable; a little too close to Handmaid's Tale for com... READ MORE