Graphia / Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2009

Germany:  Droemer Knaur

Spain:  Ediciones Nabla

Awards

Indies Choice Book Award nominee, 2009

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A Certain Slant of Light

Your First Novel

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Under The Light

Calder is a Fetch, a death escort, the first of his kind to step from Heaven back to Earth. The first to fall in love with a mortal girl. But when he climbs backwards out of that Death Scene, into the chaos of the Russian Revolution, he tears a wound in the ghost realm, where the spirits begin a revolution of their own.

Booklist (starred review):

The rich descriptions, particularly of the exquisitely imagined afterlife, are exceptionally drawn, as are the sympathetic characters and the unusual premise. A challenging book with an intriguing conclusion, this will lead thoughtful readers to spirited discussions.

School Library Journal:

The author's romantic vision of the hereafter could be fodder for thoughtful discussion, as well as a satisfying escape for those who thrill to disembodied lovers.

The Bulletin:

Whitcomb's writing is clear and thoughtful, and she makes elegant sense of this unusual and original plot. Though the real-life connections certainly add to the story's intrigue, the quasi-historical subplot is really secondary to Calder's own absorbing journey and his introspection about his past life, his work as a Fetch, and his possible future with Ana in Heaven. The title's genre-crossing nature will make it appealing to fans of several different categories: supernatural stories, mysteries, historical fiction, and/or romance.

Shelf Awareness:

Teens will appreciate most how Whitcomb ties the symbolism of the woman in the white gown back to Calder's own mortal childhood. If readers can stick with the plot's historical meanderings, they will find a rewarding ending.

ReadingRants.org:

An inspired combination of history, religion and the supernatural, Laura Whitcomb's unique second novel pushes at the boundaries of teen literature, nudging the field in a startling new direction. Whitcomb’s gorgeous descriptions of the afterlife are comforting and original, and my heart lifted as almost never before when I read the final few pages.