Title: The Light Dweller
Author: Miguel Lopez de Leon
Publisher: Galadria Worldwide
ISBN: 9780692888586
Pages: 240
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
Reviewed by: Anita Lock
Pacific Book Review
Two weeks had passed since twelve-year-old Ben Winter and his parents moved into his grandmother’s sprawling old house. Summer is quickly drawing to a close, and with school just around the corner, this seems to be the perfect time to explore the unused rooms that have been closed up for years. One room off the kitchen strikes Ben’s fancy. It is a dark and dingy storage space filled with old furniture, crates, trunks, and boxes. Camping out overnight, Ben discovers the storage area leads to a second room and a spiral staircase which descends into a third room replete with tunnels. Ben chooses a tunnel which leads him to a dark and dank cavern.
Through a bizarre set of circumstances, Ben suddenly lands in Gren, a realm laden with glowing stones, shimmering metals and a race of beings with overly large eyes. Ben encounters Lina, the Head Guard of Gren and King Krens, Gren’s ruler. The king requests Ben embark on a perilous journey with Lina to three enemy cities. While the chances of their visit turning into a war are high, the plan is for Lina and Ben to garner favor from Cindel in the hope of procuring the needed objects to reenergize Gren’s light source. If Ben refuses to take up the king’s offer, he would be sent to the cavern to live in darkness and solitary confinement.
Author Miguel Lopez de Leon creates a vast underground world in his latest youth fantasy. Centered on Ben, he places his underdog protagonist amid a host of enchanted and hideous creatures within realms which are unparalleled to anything ever seen or read about in stories. The beings and realms are nothing less than fantastical, and fantasy enthusiasts, especially middle-grade readers will find Ben’s journey engaging. Of course, as with most fantasy stories there are underlining themes woven into plots. In The Light Dweller, the book’s themes will resonate with those who have experienced the undesirable aspects of life.
While there is not a wealth of information on Ben, what Miguel Lopez De Leon does touches upon are three issues in Ben’s background: his relationship with his parents; his school life and his friendships; and the area of trust. These relatable topics will have readers nodding their heads in more ways than one. Ben’s indifference to his parents is disconcerting. In fact, there is no parental appearance anywhere throughout the plot. It is sad to read about a character which has little or no interaction with the very people who have the responsibility of shaping and molding a child’s persona.
School life is always a hot topic. In Ben’s case, high on his chart is the incessant bullying. A close second, is his friendships—or lack thereof. Without a close parental relationship, meaningful friendships and low self-esteem, Ben trusts no one. He is a bit of a loner. Middle-grade readers understand, first hand, what it is like struggling with self-esteem issues, in particular with the above-mentioned topics playing critical roles to define who they are. While these uncomfortable issues pop up at various moments in his journey with Grenian being, Lina, and he has to face a flurry of uncomfortable situations, the good part is that Ben ends up learning a lot about himself. Closing differently than one may expect, it would be really nice to see a sequel to add a strong sense of satisfaction to Ben’s life.
The Light Dweller offers fantasy readers fast-action adventure with plenty to ruminate on in the process.
