9780062272836
Play Sample

Arclight audiobook

(3999 ratings)
33% Cheaper than Audible
Get for $0.00
  • $9.99 per book vs $14.95 at Audible
    Good for any title to download and keep
  • Listen at up to 4.5x speed
    Good for any title to download and keep
  • Fall asleep to your favorite books
    Set a sleep timer while you listen
  • Unlimited listening to our Classics.
    Listen to thousands of classics for no extra cost. Ever
Loading ...
Regular Price: 27.99 USD

Arclight Audiobook Summary

A harrowing sci-fi thriller about a teen who’s survived horrors but lost her memory, for fans of Veronica Roth, Stephen King, and Justin Cronin.

Arclight is a bold and astonishing debut about identity, unnerving connections, tortured romance, and the courage we find when we face our worst nightmares.

The Arclight is the last refuge in a post-apocalyptic world consumed by terrifying monsters called the Fade. No one crosses the wall of light that keeps the last human survivors safe. There’s nothing else left and nowhere to go. Or so they thought, until Marina, a lone teenage girl, stumbles out of the Dark.

Marina doesn’t remember who she is, where she came from, or how she survived. And the Fade want her back. When one of them infiltrates the compound and recognizes Marina, she begins to unlock secrets she didn’t even know she had. Marina knows she’s an outsider in the Arclight, but she’ll do anything to protect those who saved her. Whether they want her help or not.

Other Top Audiobooks

Arclight Audiobook Narrator

Tara Sands is the narrator of Arclight audiobook that was written by Josin L. McQuein

Josin L. McQuein was born and raised in Texas. Now she and her three dogs live in a town so small that the buffalo outnumber the people. She is the author of Arclight and Premeditated.

About the Author(s) of Arclight

Josin L. McQuein is the author of Arclight

Subjects

The publisher of the Arclight is Greenwillow Books. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Action & Adventure, General, Juvenile Fiction

Additional info

The publisher of the Arclight is Greenwillow Books. The imprint is Greenwillow Books. It is supplied by Greenwillow Books. The ISBN-13 is 9780062272836.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Steph

April 29, 2013

Dystopian novels disappoint me the most out of any other sub-genre. Arclight has to be one of my most anticipated books of 2013 and I was not disappointed. Despite the fairly predictable plot twist, Arclight does offer strong writing and imaginative creatures: The Fade. Which basically means this review will be a lovefest of all things Fade.The strongest point in Arclight is without a doubt Josin's writing style and her beautiful descriptions. Every scene was so visual in my head and this was so important because by only reading the blurb, it's hard to understand what the book is really about. The world is so different and it's covered in darkness. Josin slowly reveals to the reader how things came about while still maintaining some sort of ambiguity. I really think that is where a lot of dystopian novels fail to grab me. Some don't seem to let the reader know anything about their world. It's just usually a "My world is terrible, people die. Deal with it." kind of thing. But not in Arclight. The reader finds out more as Marina does and that part was not predictable.You may have heard that there is a love triangle and that is true, but it's not a bad one. There are two guys who are vying for Marina's affection, Tobin who I wasn't really sold on and the other is... "Honey Bunches". That is what I will call him because he was filled to the brim with sweetness! Both guys do have their faults. Tobin carries a chip about on his shoulder and blames Marina for something that happened in the past. And on the other hand, "Honey Bunches" is the jealous type, but I honestly can't blame him for his anger (you'll have to read the book to see what I mean). And then you have the Fade themselves which was nothing short of brilliant. I absolutely love them and it's what really sold me on this novel. They are so different and fascinating. I especially love the way they communicated and their ability to say so little, but their words packed so much punch. It was the way they viewed the world and each other and the way their names transcended human language that made me truly believe Josin did an AMAZING job developing them. And OMGosh, I just want to tell everyone about my favorite part, but spoilers! I will say it was right before the ending when secrets are being revealed and Marina has this moment of clarity. She looks at "Honey Bunches" and ahhhhh!!! My feels and that scene made sweet, sweet lovin'.Now that isn't to say that Arclight was perfect. It's one of those books that dives into the whole "I'm the new girl in this strange world and I don't know who I am". I really love those books for the mystery and for finding out the story behind the main character's memory loss. The problem is when you already see it coming and that anticipation that should have been building for a good period of the novel is all for nothing. However, even though this was Arclight's biggest problem, it didn't really bother me that much and gave me similar feelings to how I felt about the plot twist in Cinder . By the time the Big Reveal came around, I was already so invested in the story and the characters.But strangely, there was a good that came out of the predictability. I was very surprised about all the characters' reactions to the twist, especially Marina's. She chooses one guy over another and I did not approve. All throughout the novel, and particularly the second half, I was shipping Marina and Honey Bunches hard. Like, there was no doubt in my mind that Marina would end up with the guy I was rooting for. And yet, she didn't and I was so unhappy. I felt all my feels melting faster than the Wicked Witch of the West. Thankfully, I did discover the other day that there is a sequel, Meridian, and I honestly couldn't be happier because knowing this completely changes my original thoughts on the ending. All is not lost and dammit, THIS SHIP SHALL SAIL ON. *pumps fist* Plus, I need to read more about the Fade. Overall, I *really* enjoyed this book and I can't wait to find out more about the characters.I received an e-ARC from the publisher for review, but was later gifted a physical ARC from Christina @ A Reader of Fictions. Thank you!More reviews and other fantastical things at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.

Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

November 09, 2013

3.5 starsAs someone who’s grown tired of the dystopian genre altogether, I’ve become exceedingly difficult to please. So rarely do these stories work for me anymore, it takes a lot to keep me interested, but Josin McQuein succeeded with seeming ease.By far the best thing about Arclight is its pacing. The plot moves forward unrelentingly, mercilessly, giving the reader no time to breathe. The story is full of excitement, with strong elements of horror to ensure the reader’s interest throughout. The sweet and unusual romance serves to soften the rough edges, but it never becomes dominant and overwhelming, which I appreciated greatly. Unfortunately, the rapid pacing leaves very little time for the reader to bond with the characters. While I liked Marina and appreciated the fact that she was no delicate flower, a lack of emotional connection was notable. It was, in part, due to her personality: she was meant to be a bit detached and strange. Her connection with Tobin, odd as it was, made me understand her better and appreciate her more. But emotion-wise, the real protagonist of this book is Tobin himself. Out of all the characters, he is the one with enough emotional complexity to keep me glued to the pages. He often did things without really knowing why he was doing them, which was understandable given his age the circumstances, and it was always interesting to try to figure out his motives. Among several weaknesses of Arclight, the writing is its Achilles’ heel. Not badly written per se, but poorly structured, the story tended to get extremely confusing, especially in more eventful chapters. Given the rapid pacing, those chapters made the majority of the book. Marina’s communication with the Fade was also messy, partly because it was meant to be, and partly because of the way it was written.Another thing that deems mentioning is predictability. The twists and turns that were meant to surprise or even shock were painfully evident from the first few chapters, minus the few finer details of the story. It is a shame in what is otherwise a great story, but it’s also something I can live with, if the good outweighs the bad, which it certainly does. The gorgeous cover, in this case, actually hides a very good story, which is a rarity indeed. If you haven’t yet decided to read Arclight, I hope this review will push you in the right direction. Arclight wraps up nicely, but the world McQuein created is filled with possibilities, which gives me so much hope for Meridian, the sequel scheduled to be released in April 2014.

Kat

November 17, 2015

I was beginning to give up on dystopian novels. After reading The Hunger Games series, Divergent & Insurgent, and a few others that really impressed me, I soon found that a lot of dystopian novels were bandwagon books. Unoriginal and badly written. Too many try too hard when it comes to concept and voice and just end up creating a hot mess.I worried that this book would be more of the same, but happily that isn't so.Well, not entirely--there were a few things that struck me as negative, and I'll start with those. Some details about the story felt like more of the same, such as the whole girl-thrust-into-dire-situation thing where she meets the perfect guy with whom to rebel. Of course the people in power have secrets, and are led by a stereotypical tyrannical woman. And some small things bugged me like the male lead being named Tobin--it's too close to Tobias from Divergent (and in my uncorrected advanced copy there was actually one spot in the story where his name was typed as Tobias instead of Tobin). Another character is named Rue (although it's not a little girl, but still, that name is so distinctively Hunger Games). The reason I mention those is that it kept bringing to mind those other books and all it would have taken is the author to pick different names and I would not have that lingering thought of "copycat" every time I read them. And the "Dark" reminded me a lot of Shadow and Bone, but only in the beginning.That said, I found so much about this novel distinctive and original. The nanites, the realistic relationships and interactions between the teens, both amongst themselves and with the adults. The author didn't try too hard with voice (even though it is first person present), so it felt very natural. The writing is very, very good. And even though I tend to get really irritated with books that start off with massive action in the first pages, this time it worked for me. The way the backstory was presented really worked, too. The pacing of the whole novel did, in fact. And to hopefully not give spoilers, there is a sort of a love triangle but it is done so completely uniquely I was really impressed.The very end had one issue for me in that some important action took place while the main character was unconscious, but it wasn't too much and I'm not sure it would have been any better to actually show all that--it might have actually made the end clunky.Anyway, this renewed my love of dystopian fiction and if there is to a be sequel (when are there not?) I will definitely be keeping my eye out for it!My WebsiteFind me on FacebookMy YA fantasy series:book 1 book 2

Jenny

June 18, 2015

3.5 starsThe last quarter of this one was really good! I wish the first 3 quarters had been as good. I was really struggling with this one, and was majorly confused, but I think I got it by the end.

starryeyedjen

April 11, 2013

I still remember when I first discovered that this book existed.  Or would exist, at any rate.  And then I saw the cover, and I was in love.  I knew that this book and I were destined for a long and happy life together.Arclight is a creepy science fiction thriller that keeps the suspense building and building until the bottom drops out and you're left with your mouth hanging wide open and your constitution severely shaken.  Creatures lurking in the shadows -- or blending into the walls altogether, as the case may be -- these are the things that elicit the most visceral of reactions in me and end up haunting my dreams until I move on to something warm and fluffy.  (Just thinking about that click-clack again gives me the chills!)  This book is equal parts eerie and scientific speculation, with most of the crazy scary stuff occurring in the first half of the book.  If you were under the impression that this story held a tale of dystopian woe, you are looking in the wrong place.  This is a community formed after the fall of the world as we know it, but that is a lesser focus of the book, much to my delight.This narrative focuses on Marina, a girl who mysteriously survived the Fade (more on them in a bit) but has no recollection of who she was prior to arriving at the Arclight.  That in itself is frightening, but add to it the fact that the Fade want her back, and the situation becomes pretty bleak.  Marina takes everything in stride, all things considered, but she finds it hard to fit in and even harder to make friends.  In truth, I found it hard to identify with Marina myself, most especially because she had nothing to identify herself with, not even her real name.  Even though this story is narrated by Marina, it's hard to connect with her, though I eventually overcame that.  Her lack of memory means there's a distinct lack of introspective reflection, meaning the only way to get to know her better is through her interactions with others.There's a boy -- isn't there always? -- who remains just as much of a mystery to Marina as she does to the rest of the Arclight.  Through a series of events (the aforementioned creepy), they are forced together, and despite an awkward start, something kind of awesome develops between them.  Unfortunately, there is a bit of a triangle, but it never really plunges into that cringe-worthy territory, mostly because Marina is able to leave the past in the past, even if she is unsure of who she is in the present.Those Fade...they're a part of the past, present, and future.  There's no avoiding it.  And once we learn what they are and where they came from -- and that they've evolved since their first incarnation -- they become a little less frightening.  I think it was always a fear of the unknown, of that big, dark void beyond the Arclight, that truly plagued its residents.  Sure, the fear of the Fade, not knowing their motivations or their intentions, was real, especially after losing loved ones to the darkness outside the Arclight, but I think it also stems from the perceived protection of the Arclight.  Taking down those barricades and seeing how each side reacted was exhilarting, to say the least.The only really negative thing I have to say about Arclight is with regards to how predictable a certain plot development was and the protagonist's refusal to acknowledge it, even though most readers will see the big twist coming from a mile away.  And honestly, the predictability didn't bother me all that much because the story as a whole was so entertaining, so well-written.  Arclight is a really great mix of horror and sci-fi, and I had a hard time putting it down.  This was such a great book about loss and finding oneself, and I can't wait to see what the author does with similar themes in the more contemporary novel she has due out later this year.  I don't want to call her a master of suspense quite yet, but I have a feeling I won't be disappointed with her future endeavors either.Thanks to Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins for providing a review copy.This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.

Debby

April 16, 2021

4 starsHoly crap! This book was awesome! Arclight is an astonishingly powerful debut by Josin L. McQuein. Even for someone who usually is weary of thrillers, this sucked me in and had me totally engrossed. With a great group of characters and an imaginative and beautifully depicted world, this book is a keeper.Let me start right there, with the writing. I adore Josin L. McQuein's writing style. She describes everything with such gripping imagery and just has an amazing way with words. From the very first page, I was immediately impressed. And after having read some YA novels recently where the writing really was nothing to shout about, this made me so happy. You want quotable quotes? Read Arclight, seriously."You diminished me beyond words, and fractured me to less than nothing--a single voice pulled from the roar of the wind." - Arclight by Josin L. McQuein The world she created was also amazingly creative and offered tons of opportunities for her to showcase that lovely writing style. The world is shrouded in the Dark, with monsters called the Fade terrorizing humans. It's hard to describe much more without me giving things away, but it's truly one of the more unique worlds I've read about lately. However, because the world was so complex, sometimes I felt it was hard to understand. While I really loved the writing style, at some points a little less embellishment and a little more clarity would have been appreciated.I actually really loved so many of the characters, it's ridiculous. Marina strangely touched my heart. Though in the long run her personality may not be so memorable, I really sympathized with her a lot and ..yeah, she was really intriguing to read about, since most of the book covers the mystery of her identity. Tobin was really cool, at least for the first half, and dare I say it, a pretty swoon-worthy boy. But it's mostly about Rue. Rue is awesome. And Rue and Marina, it totally needs to happen.That being said, the romance here is very light. It's mostly a background thing, and most of the book centers on the mystery/thriller aspect. I suppose one could say this is almost a love triangle, but it's a very complicated situation. However, I loved all of it. Like I just said: Rue and Marina. It touched my heart and it needs to happen. So give me the next book already.The plot packed a punch with all its mysteries about the world, the Fade, and Marina's identity. I didn't want to stop reading, I just had to know the answers to all my questions. The plot is aptly twisty-turny, and that just makes for a really engaging read. (Also! It wasn't AS scary as I expected. Other bloggers claimed it would be best to read it in the daylight, but I was surprisingly not that scared - which is a good thing, for me, since I get nightmares easily.) Summing Up: This was an awesome debut from Josin L. McQuein which gives me high hopes, not only for the sequel, Meridian, but also for the next books she comes up with. Her writing is just amazing and engrossing, and this world was extremely creative. This was just a great read! What more can I say? GIF it to me straight! Recommended To: Fans of thrillers, unique world building, and beautiful writing.

Kristen

May 10, 2013

Interview with Josin L McQueinReview is also on my blog, My Friends Are FictionI read this with Scott Reads It, Read his reviewThe Story:Arclight has an original premise which kept me interested from start to finish. McQuein has created an intriguing concept with the Arclight, Grey and Dark and with the Fade. As I read I had a hard time really grasping the full scope of the world and its inhabitants. This might frustrate some readers but I honestly loved it. It kept me alert the entire time I was reading, looking for clues and piecing things together. In no part of the story did I want to stop learning about the world McQuein described. I wanted more; I need to know about the Fade: do they eat? sleep? I want to know every detail possible to help flesh out this vastly unique world.The thing I loved so much about Arclight was the subtle creepiness. Nothing out right scary but the Fade and Dark are ominous. The lack of knowing all the details really let my imagination run and added to the atmosphere. Part of my enjoyment of this book was in the mystery of the world and bad guys. I want so badly for there to be a prequel that takes a character through the world's transition to Dark.The Characters: For the most part I enjoyed all the characters McQuein created and developed. Our main character, Marina was strong-willed and resilient. I enjoyed watching her discover answers to her questions and grow. The one character that was lacking most for me was Tobin. I never found myself really caring about what became of him though I didn't dislike him, he just fell to the wayside because I cared much more for Rue. Tobin was also rather belligerent in the beginning and his character's growth seemed sudden and a little disjointed.Final Thoughts: I really loved Arclight because of its mysterious Fade and ominous atmosphere mixed with some great sci-fi elements. I am beyond happy that there will be a sequel.

Liviania

April 24, 2013

I am loving the current crop of dystopias. They're moving away from aping THE HUNGER GAMES and towards incorporating more science fiction and thriller elements. Stories about despotic governments are okay, but not really what I'm into. Stories about crazy future technology and uncovering the truth? I'm there.Marina lives in the Arclight, now. The people in the Arclight are protected by constant light preventing the Fade from getting in. But Marina came from outside the Arclight. She has no idea how she managed to survive because she doesn't remember anything before she was rescued. But fitting in is hard, especially because several people died retrieving her.The Fade are very different from humans in how they think, how they're organized, their goals. There may be similarities, but it's hard to know since the only contact between the humans and the Fade is hostile. Marina wants answers, however, and she's willing to put herself in danger to get them. I enjoyed the thought debut author Josin L. McQuein put into the conflict between the two communities, as well as the communities themselves. The Fade are scary since they're so alien. It's no wonder the humans fought. At the same time, that doesn't mean the humans are always on the side of the angels. ARCLIGHT raises many complicated questions about identity and ethics.There is a love triangle, which I could live without. There's enough conflict in ARCLIGHT without adding in a romantic dilemma. I did appreciate that it didn't overwhelm the novel. Marina is pretty clueless that Tobin is into her. And why wouldn't she be? She's preoccupied with figuring out where she came from and not dying. Dating is a distant concern.ARCLIGHT will satisfy science fiction fans looking for a fast-paced tale of culture clash, war crimes, and hidden truth. The action starts on page one and just keeps going. There's a lot of plot packed in these pages. It's a fun ride and I'll be back for MERIDIAN, the forthcoming sequel.

Kevin

March 10, 2013

If you are into creeptastic feels and something unique this book is for you. Arclight is a dystopian meets sci fi book that will give you that 'why are there bugs crawling all over my skin' feeling? This book starts off with quite the bang, quickly revealing the threat to the people living within the Arclight. The Arclight is basically a city on its own that separates its people from safety and the darkness of the forest that contains the Fade. Oh, the Fade, oh my. The fade are basically (in my imagination) Dementors with more basic human features, at least based on how they are first described. Marina the main character, is semi-new to Arclight after she was discovered outside of the Arc, the first person to have ever survived the darkness and the clutches of the fade. Marina doesn't remember anything from her life before and how she ended up in the darkness alone, let alone survived. Most of the rest of the important cast of characters are met pretty quickly in the chaos of the first chapter. Unfortunately, I had some wavering opinions concerning some of them. Marinas best and only real friend is so so annoying early on, just to thankfully turn into a bad ass later in the book. Tobin, Marinas potential love interest has a more entertaining back story then his and Marina's relationship, which I found rather stale a lot of the time. It didn't hurt my overall feelings about the book though because I didn't think a romance was even really necessary here. I also felt like there were three adults TOTAL living within this city. Whenever there was an issue all three of them would have to chime in with what they thought and how to handle it, while each having their own secrets or knowledge of previous events. I didn't enjoy any part in which any of them had extended talking parts. Obviously this book contain a lot of mystery about the fade and what really happened to make the world like this. So I wasn't bothered by the lack of not knowing what the hell was going for some of the parts, however I did find some of the writing at times more confusing then necessary. Once things come together and you know what and who are really at risk I enjoyed it even more. Obviously this book absolutely excels at what it wanted to do, and that's creep its readers out. The fade combined with the darkness gives an eerie feeling that doesn't leave you soon after finishing this. I loved that part of this book and it really should be it's major selling point. This book has been sold for movie rights, and I can only imagine what a Hollywood studio could do to amp up the creepy with this one. Come for the creepy, stay for the story. The ending puzzled me a bit. I felt like most things were pretty resolved (which I loved, complete novel check ), but I'm not sure how the series will move on... There will be more installments as well, I even asked the author via twitter. (Look at me being all social and shit).http://s1106.beta.photobucket.com/use..." target="_blank">I'm not upset at all by more books from this series, since I did in fact enjoy it, but I am concerned about what direction it will take! Hopefully it comes together and is as wonderful as this was! Book was provided via Edelweiss.

Booknut

July 15, 2014

I've stumbled across another fantastic dystopian series! Instantly intriguing, Arclight grabbed my attention from the very first chapter. In fact, I didn't want to put it down, & decided to have a late night reading session (a.k.a reading under the covers using a flashlight). And the overwhelming sense of tiredness the next morning was certainly worth it! I can't wait to read Book #2 and see what Josin L. McQuein has in store for us readers next :)

Dayla

April 16, 2013

Review first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest reviewJosin L. McQuein's Arclight is a creepy, but very cool young adult novel. McQuein's debut is teeming with individual stories begging to be told, as well as a mystery that pulses with a life of its own. Basically, who is Marina? We are plagued with this question for the majority of the novel as we follow Marina, the protagonist, and the other characters on her quest to self-discovery. But the creepy tone of the novel is what will surely capture the reader's attention. McQuein takes the common fear of the dark and twists it into her own horrifying perfection. She does not simply create monsters who lurk in the dark, she creates creatures who are made of the dark and so much more--giving them the disturbing ability to blend in with nearly anything. The pacing is great. The story begins in the heart of a crises, giving us a chance to see which characters will stand out in the novel, and what side they will sit on (either they are bad guys, or good guys). The introduction also works for me because I am not left wondering why Marina isn't popular, and why the people living in the Arclight are so scared of the dark. Having complimented the pacing, I think it's important to state that the storyline (and rising action) can be described as a very action-filled read--never a dull moment. We are continuously led from one terrifying moment, to another.There is romance, as there usually is in post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels. The affairs between these young characters add not only blush-worthy story lines, but also hope to the bleak setting. The romance between Marina and her love interest makes you hope for the best for them, even as the dark encroaches on their world. The complexity of the novel is brought up a notch as we learn more about the Fade, the creatures that live beyond the light barrier. McQuein somehow makes a terrifying creature into a thing of beauty by using poetic prose in her descriptions. She touches on the power of nature in a world seemingly bereft of life, she explores familial connections, and how trust can be more powerful than fear. The one thing I am not a huge fan of is how stubborn Marina is. I also find her behavior near the end to be slightly hypocritical. Here's a girl who's been shunned by those around her because she's different, yet she cannot offer the same compassion to others in similar situations. Her attitude mimics that of the people who mistreat her, which completely baffles me. While I like the other characters, like the thoughtful and hopeful Tobin, or even the chatty Anne-Marie, Marina acts just like the other ignorant people in the Arclight--even though she was not born there. Which adds to the fact that, no matter if the subject is human or not, prejudices run deep in this one. At first, I was extremely happy to have found a post-apocalyptic/dystopian novel that was a standalone, but then I found out that Arclight is simply the beginning of a series. I have mixed feelings about this because while I would like to know what happens to the characters beyond Marina's story, I'm going to need a heck of a new mystery and discovery for the sequel to intrigue me. Arclight's mystery explains and disproves so many of the prejudices and fears in the novel, that a sequel feels a little dangerous. I recommend Arclight to readers of post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction. If you like novels that play with the dark, offer fearful situations that have more depth than simply being terrifying, and like complex mysteries, then you might want to check this one out. This year is looking good for dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels, and Arclight is a nice addition to the already impressive collection.

Katy

May 05, 2013

Book Info: Genre: Sci-Fi/ThrillerReading Level: Young AdultRecommended for: Anyone!Trigger Warnings: violence, tortureMy Thoughts: I had just read about this very interesting-sounding book on John Scalzi's Big Idea blog post when I found it in my Amazon Vine newsletter, so I was very excited to have the chance to read this one so quickly (even though there were others I should have read first).Scalzi did not steer me wrong. This book was just awesome! You're thrown right into the situation with no understanding of what's going on. What are the Fade? What is the Dark? The Grey? Explanations are sparse; you simply have to keep up. The beginning is wonderful. “Someone's attention shouldn't have a physical weight, but it does. Hate's a heavy burden; hope is worse.” Wow, huh? I love a great beginning, and this one jumps right in and keeps you running.In the end, this book is very much about obsession, how people use fear to keep control, and how fear often leads to much worse consequences than understanding. It's fast-paced, excellently plotted, and the characters are wonderful. I can highly recommend this book to anyone to whom it appeals.There is a sequel planned for this book. Honestly I'm not sure where it will go, because this book wrapped up just perfectly, but I really did enjoy this world, so I'm sure I'll be following along to see what's next. Meridian is the title of book 2, but no release date has been set.Disclosure: I received a paperback ARC/Galley from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.Synopsis: No one crosses the wall of light . . . except for one girl who doesn’t remember who she is, where she came from, or how she survived. A harrowing, powerful debut thriller about finding yourself and protecting your future—no matter how short and uncertain it may be.The Arclight is the last defense. The Fade can’t get in. Outside the Arclight’s border of high-powered beams is the Dark. And between the Light and the Dark is the Grey, a narrow, barren no-man’s-land. That’s where the rescue team finds Marina, a lone teenage girl with no memory of the horrors she faced or the family she lost. Marina is the only person who has ever survived an encounter with the Fade. She’s the first hope humanity has had in generations, but she could also be the catalyst for their final destruction. Because the Fade will stop at nothing to get her back. Marina knows it. Tobin, who’s determined to take his revenge on the Fade, knows it. Anne-Marie, who just wishes it were all over, knows it.When one of the Fade infiltrates the Arclight and Marina recognizes it, she will begin to unlock secrets she didn’t even know she had. Who will Marina become? Who can she never be again?

Samantha

August 06, 2014

Originally at The Secret Life of a BookwormEver since I heard about Arclight I was extremely curious about it. I saw a lot of positive reviews for it around release time and I couldn't wait to read it. I've had it sitting on my bookcase for quite a while and finally got the push I needed to read it when I got a review copy of Meridian.Arclight takes place in a world that has been destroyed by monsters called The Fade. I adored finding out more about the world Marina lives in. The Arclight is surrounded by lights to protect the human survivors - and keep The Fade out - but they breach the building in the very first chapter (which it turns out is the first time they've breached the security). The Fade were intriguing and I was dying to find out more about them. I was pretty sure that we weren't being told the whole truth by the leaders in The Arclight, and I really loved discovering more about The Fade.I really adored Marina's character. She's strong, feisty and doesn't give up. She knows when something isn't right and is determined to find out the truth. There was a lot of mystery surrounding Marina. She was found out in the Grey (area outside The Arclight) and brought back, but she has no memories of what happened to her before she woke up there. There was a lot to discover about her. She was a fantastic main character.Tobin was alright. I'm actually not a major fan of Tobin, I actually think he's kind of an ass. Sure he has his nice moments, but overall, I'm just not a fan of him. He's kind of mysterious. Also, one moment he seems to hate Marina and the next he's being nice to her. He ran hot and cold and I just didn't like him.There was a love triangle in Arclight, but it actually didn't bother me. I thought it was pretty well done and I was actually enjoying it, until Marina made her choice and then I wanted to shake her for making the wrong decision. In my opinion, she chose the wrong guy. I'm hoping she'll come to her senses in Meridian (fingers crossed!).I really loved the plot of Arclight. It was fast-paced, there were so many secrets to uncover and I never felt bored reading it. I was completely sucked into the world of Arclight and I wanted to know more about what was going on with Marina and find out more about The Fade. I loved everything about the storyline.The ending was fantastic and I'm dying to pick up Meridian and find out what's going to happen next. Also, I'm pretty sure were still being kept in the dark about a few things.Overall, I really enjoyed Arclight. It was captivating, and I found myself getting lost in the Arclight world. I can't wait to pick up Meridian and continue on in this world.

Sara

April 18, 2013

You can find more of my reviews at Forever 17 Books.Arclight is one of those novels where I went in not knowing what to expect. Just from the synopsis it is hard to place the genre. Is it a dystopian? Paranormal? Science-fiction? Well, I believe it to be a mix of all three!One thing you will not find lacking with this novel is action, and it hits you from the very first chapter. Our main character, Marina, is in class when they are attacked by the Fade. This is where I feel the paranormal feel plays in because I honestly had no idea exactly what these Fade creatures were. Their click-clack sound when they entered a room, the way they could blend into their surroundings... yep, I was thoroughly creeped out and beyond intrigued. I mean, who were these things and where did they came from? The majority of the plot is figuring out just that. The mystery of these creatures unravels as you read since what Marina and the humans 'think' they know about the Fade may or may not be entirely the truth. What started out with a paranormal feel turned into an extremely unique and interesting sci-fi unlike anything I've read. Just don't ask me to thoroughly explain the Fade. It's complicated, though I did manage to get the overall gist, finding them quite fascinating. I don't think I can still fully picture them in my mind though because their looks almost evolved, at least for me. For some reason my mind kept wanting to turn them into dementors, a la Harry Potter. lolOur main character, Marina, is the only one to have survived the Fade and she comes to the Arclight with no memory of her life before. This causes an interesting dynamic with her character because even though I didn't really connect with her all that much, a lot of it felt like it was because she didn't really connect with herself. It's quite evident that she hasn't made many friends, feeling like the others are out to get her. And well, some of them are. She doesn't know who to trust, which is understandable given her situation. So of course her relationship with Tobin is of the love/hate variety for a bit. I was pushing for them though! We do get some sweet moments too. Then there is Rue... I feel like I can't talk about him too much without being spoilery but I loved him too!Although some reveals were a little predictable, I didn't find myself upset about it because there was so much else to explore. I was engrossed from start to finish, which is a huge bonus for me in a read. I highly recommend this one for those looking for something unique and exciting!

Frequently asked questions

Listening to audiobooks not only easy, it is also very convenient. You can listen to audiobooks on almost every device. From your laptop to your smart phone or even a smart speaker like Apple HomePod or even Alexa. Here’s how you can get started listening to audiobooks.

  • 1. Download your favorite audiobook app such as Speechify.
  • 2. Sign up for an account.
  • 3. Browse the library for the best audiobooks and select the first one for free
  • 4. Download the audiobook file to your device
  • 5. Open the Speechify audiobook app and select the audiobook you want to listen to.
  • 6. Adjust the playback speed and other settings to your preference.
  • 7. Press play and enjoy!

While you can listen to the bestsellers on almost any device, and preferences may vary, generally smart phones are offer the most convenience factor. You could be working out, grocery shopping, or even watching your dog in the dog park on a Saturday morning.
However, most audiobook apps work across multiple devices so you can pick up that riveting new Stephen King book you started at the dog park, back on your laptop when you get back home.

Speechify is one of the best apps for audiobooks. The pricing structure is the most competitive in the market and the app is easy to use. It features the best sellers and award winning authors. Listen to your favorite books or discover new ones and listen to real voice actors read to you. Getting started is easy, the first book is free.

Research showcasing the brain health benefits of reading on a regular basis is wide-ranging and undeniable. However, research comparing the benefits of reading vs listening is much more sparse. According to professor of psychology and author Dr. Kristen Willeumier, though, there is good reason to believe that the reading experience provided by audiobooks offers many of the same brain benefits as reading a physical book.

Audiobooks are recordings of books that are read aloud by a professional voice actor. The recordings are typically available for purchase and download in digital formats such as MP3, WMA, or AAC. They can also be streamed from online services like Speechify, Audible, AppleBooks, or Spotify.
You simply download the app onto your smart phone, create your account, and in Speechify, you can choose your first book, from our vast library of best-sellers and classics, to read for free.

Audiobooks, like real books can add up over time. Here’s where you can listen to audiobooks for free. Speechify let’s you read your first best seller for free. Apart from that, we have a vast selection of free audiobooks that you can enjoy. Get the same rich experience no matter if the book was free or not.

It depends. Yes, there are free audiobooks and paid audiobooks. Speechify offers a blend of both!

It varies. The easiest way depends on a few things. The app and service you use, which device, and platform. Speechify is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks. Downloading the app is quick. It is not a large app and does not eat up space on your iPhone or Android device.
Listening to audiobooks on your smart phone, with Speechify, is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks.

footer-waves