Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Superbly written, deeply ...
342563
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Superbly written, deeply moving, and inspiring. This is worthy of a read and then your recommendation to a friend.
3910221
Absolutely brilliantly written.  The author's adventures took my breath away -- sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so good.  But that's how it is when we're in the process of becoming a whole person, of growing up. . . . . .I know that this seventy-five year old woman (the reviewer) has developed a bit more on the evolutionary scale thanks to Ms. Strayed. . . . . .I also loved that the author shared her reading list with us;  I'll soon be enjoying those books that I have not already read.
4147306
I'M STANDING CLAPPING!  BRAVO BRAVO, BRAVO.<3 I LOVE THIS BOOK.<3 A BEST SELLER!  Easy reading different emotions running through my mind!  It had me on the edge of my seat!  OH MY THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!  Would love to see this on the  "BIG SCREEN".  EXCELLENT BOOK!!
1892941
Excellent. Creative. Authentic. Marvellous. Awesome. I'm in shock. This has got to be one of the best books I've EVER read.. hands down. Looking for the second book now!
202891
Hard to put down.  Imperative to pick up.  A superb read.  Causes deep introspective thoughts to the end.  I loved it!
4272173
Brilliant!  An amazing story combined with exceptional writing!  The audio performance is well earth the upgrade; very well performed.  I loved the realism ... how would we really react Brilliant?  This book hits the nail on the head ... scary but true.
2696073
If I had the same command of words as Latayne Scott, I would use them to describe this exquisite book.  It is breathtaking!  I found it hard to stop reading, but it is meant to be savored.  Rich in historical evidence, profoundly researched and wonderfully penned, it is a book for the ages.  I am grateful for every stunning word.
1969382
This is a phenomenal story written by an author with an authentic style and incredibly compelling story! Kudos! If you want to be moved and engaged by a riveting story, read this book!
3828676
Brilliant, brilliant writing; tight, absolutely no loose ends! The timing is impeccable, no one shows up that you "forgot all about," in spite of how much time is covered and how many stories are told. And not one misspelling or typographical error! I manage to find those in every single book I read lately, but not in this one! The main character is a fascinating woman and the story is told primarily from a woman's point of view about her friendships and how they support one another in difficult times. I loved that! Best novel I have read in a long time!
361342
Marvellous, magnificent, mind-blowing... words will not do justice to this book, at least not mine. Everything about it is heartbreakingly superb. The characters, the backstory, the plot, the dialogue, everything was perfect.
I received an ARC of the book and this is my honest review.
3795296
A fabulous book I could not put down. Simple but deeply sensitive prose...and what an astonishing concept! A woman grieving for her two children comes home to find a new little boy in her kitchen. "Are you my mommy?" A line no one could turn away from...and we're off. Into an amazing, totally original story where the poor woman is blamed for abducting the child, but resolves to find out for herself what really happened. She is brave, quiet, intent on clearing herself while simultaneously worrying about the child's welfare. Who is the little boy, really? Read and find out. It's a stunning surprise, and this book is sensational - ten stars!!
674280
Applause.. Standing Ovation!  B. G. Harlan is fearless in this portrayal of terror.  BRAVO!
The simplicity of 2 characters and one location leaves the door wide open for a dazzling myriad of psychological struggle for both characters.  Thrilling, page turning, vicious terror.. the story will make you cry, scream, throw up, and sit with your mouth open in disbelief.  The ending is to die for!!!! Superb writing and use of vocabulary... A novel for Adults!
I can't give this author enough praise for the courage to publish this powerful story!
BE WARNED The surface story is about physical and psychological rape and the description of the book tells you that.  This story offers so much more for those who look for the imbedded subtleties.  The psychological brawl ( and it is a back alley, down and dirty brawl) between these 2 people will nudge at your unconscious and cause you to look back and wonder what you missed.  This story is so deep and intricate it must be read more than once.
3029747
Compelling to read, this is a fascinating and gripping totally authentically written book about the 'shadow' that continues to stalk and to intrude on boundaries.... Not only are the characters so convincing that you feel as though you know them, but the plot is very cleverly worked out, offering all of the elements of a well written novel and more... This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish and I loved every minute of it.

The tone in this novel 'Prowl' is just right and it allows the reader to see how unnerving such an experience must be in this insightful portrait of what becomes a harrowing story, yet the reader  is guided through expertly by the writer to the end, leaving us with a sense that we have read a brilliant masterpiece....

Superb! This really is a book that I will be recommending to family and friends for Christmas!
2112068
Absolutely superb!! Perhaps the best book I ever read.
4248900
Superb, exciting, alive, written with historical skill!
You won't be able to stop once you dip your mind into this magnificent story of ancient Eygptian
2696748
I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher via First To Read.

This was a remarkable book! I didn't know that there was a sad little gap in my reading life until I read this book. I found that I now have a new favorite genre that I never even knew truly existed before: a historical book with fantasy or paranormal elements. Seriously, I am hooked and I need more books like this pronto!

What did I like, you might ask? The WRITING! OMG, the writing is insanely good! Everything is written so beautifully and flawlessly. There are plenty of details to gain an understanding of how this time era is and what is happening within the story, but not so much that it gives away anything. It is just brilliantly written. Goodman definitely did her research and it shows. This world is complex and all of the elements come together perfectly.

The character development is outstanding. The characters are written in such a way that you get the sense that you know these characters completely. Especially the main character, Helen. She is an engrossing character and I felt so many of the things that she felt while reading this. I tremendously liked the way that the two main characters come together. While there wasn't really romance involved, there is a tension between them that cannot be denied. It is invigorating! I can't wait to see what happens between them in the next book in this series. I also very much loved the female friendship between Helen and her personal maid.

I felt that the supernatural part of the story took a long while to come to light. I expected to be thrust into it more quickly. I can't say that it necessarily took anything away from the story, but I can't deny that I felt less than immersed in the story at the beginning. After the supernatural part of the story presented itself, I was immediately hooked. If you are the type of reader to put a book down if it isn't immediately gratifying then this book may not suit you.

I would absolutely recommend this! This book has so many compelling components and leaves you wanting more. I couldn't put this book down, and I am sure that it will have the same effect on you. I truly loved this book! The next book in this series will not be released soon enough for me!
1973443
When I read a book such as The Light Between Oceans, I am pleasantly reminded that there are still magnificent writers out there. While, as other reviews accurately point out, this story is about choices, it is so much more. What depth! What breadth! What incredible ability m. l. stedman has in character development, in putting the reader into the mind and heart of each and every character. She pulls off a stunning coup by giving us Tom and Izzy Sherbourne who are both protaganists and antagonists. Masterful, simply masterful writing! We are treated to a full frontal view of Tom's damaged soul, the product of survivor's syndrome from the war that did not end all wars, and we understand why he makes his choices. We cannot help but admire him for his most difficult choice, as we ask ourselves, "Could I have made that same choice?" His unending love, devotion, and compassion for Izzy is the common thread in the story, weaving through good times, hard times, and even harder times. Tom's wife, Izzy, is every mother who gives unconditional love to a child, even at the terrible expense of causing pain in others, Tom in particular. You will love Lucy, and Ralph and Bluey and the scenically stunning days and nights m. l. stedman etches into the pages of her novel. I will not spoil the plot for anyone who might be reading this review, yet I feel I must congratulate the author on her powerful, perfect prose ... especially on her marvelous ending that took as many twists and turns as any ending I can recall in any story. I truly did not see "it" coming. It is a most wonderful ending. Sad, but the story itself is sad ... a reminder of the fragile nature of life. Do not miss the opportunity to learn about lighthouses, circa 1921 - 1924, off the Australian coast, and of the horrors of a war that is all but forgotten, and of love that will leave you clutching at your heart as you lower your head, with a very, very slight twist of a smile on your lips.