A Trick of the Light

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4.7 (2)

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Author(s)

Lois Metzger

Publisher

Balzer + Bray

Genre(s)

Age Range

14+

Release Date

June 18, 2013

ISBN

006213308X

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Mike Welles had everything under control. He was a good student, an outfielder on the baseball team, a good son, a loyal friend. But that was before. Now things are rough at home, and they’re getting confusing at school. He’s losing his sense of direction, and he feels like a mess.

Then there’s a voice in his head. A friend, trying to help him regain control. More than that: The voice can guide him to be better and stronger than he was before, to rid his life of everything holding him back. To figure out who he is again. If only Mike will listen.

Writing with devastating power and precision, acclaimed author Lois Metzger gives us the story of one young man’s battle with his own shadows—a spare, stark, and vital tale of the way in which the things we build to protect ourselves can threaten to destroy us.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

A Powerful Contemporary Told in A Unique Voice

August 12, 2013

Overall rating

3.0

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A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger is a powerful read that sheds light on an important issue - girls aren't the only one to suffer from eating disorders. A Trick of the Light follows Mike's struggle with an eating disorder.

Told in a powerful voice, A Trick of the Light is narrated by anorexia itself - it was a very different and intriguing to read. A Trick of the Light is a rapid read, with a writing style that keeps you turning the pages at a lightning fast speed.

The characters were very well rounded - Amber and Mike were such complex characters. They have an atypical start to their friendship and bond over their mutual weightloss and anorexia.

I loved that Lois Metzger chose to tell this story - I think it is such a crucial topic - so often boys are overlooked when it comes to issues such as these. A Trick of the Light is raw and real - it is a book teens in particular will connect with.

Erica Top 50 Reviewer 192 reviews

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User reviews

2 reviews

Overall rating

4.7

Plot

5.0(2)

Characters

4.5(2)

Writing Style

4.5(2)

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Great

November 19, 2013 (Updated: November 19, 2013)

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

5.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Great to find YA with a boy protagonist. Writing from Mike's two internal points of view was very interesting. I loved how the anorexic Mike battled to take control of Mike's soul. Mike's constant denial of his problem and the relentless provocation of anorexic Mike was thrilling. And Mike's reliance on Amber really worked well. A unique and powerful plot which tells the story of an illness that's not often associated with teenage boys.

Mark Lichtenfeld---Author of LINE CHANGE.

Mark Lichtenfeld Top 500 Reviewer 10 reviews

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Wonderful and Insightful Read

September 11, 2013

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

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N/A

A trick of the Light is the narrative-style story of Mike Welles's unspoken pain and struggle to have a "strong body, strong mind, strong enough to master the chaos." Mike has been on control of everything until things at home start changing. He starts hanging out with Amber, who he shares a common friend Anna (commonly known/short for anorexia). Anna will speak to him on his mind to get some control of his life by changing his eating habits. Later on, by going to the hospital he will learn to finally shut that voice.
This books with an interesting and creepy narrator bring hope to people struggling with a eating disorder. It's wonderfully and beautifully written. The characters are all important to help Mike bring light to his life. The story is told in a whisper kind of way that makes it more heart-wrenching. Mike's story as a anorexic bring a lot of insight of what it's happening with eating disorder in males, which are happening more commonly now. I absolutely love this books, yeah it's a very deep and intense subject, but it leaves you with hope. A fantastic and unique read. A trick of the Light touched and entered my heart and will not let me go. A book that everyone must read. 5 starts