Songlight by Moira Buffini

Reviewed by Nadia Marie Rojas , age 17

Songlight by Moira Buffini is a dystopian, post-apocalyptic story set in a world where telepathic abilities, called “songlight,” are both a blessing and a curse. Those with songlight, known as “unhumans,” are disowned, hunted, and forced into lives of constant fear and survival. The story follows Elsa Crane, a girl from the village of Northhaven, where even friends and family will betray anyone who has songlight. As Elsa struggles to keep her secret and navigate a forbidden relationship with Rye, her journey intertwines with other characters, like Lark, whose life is deeply connected to hers. The multiple perspectives the book is told in allows readers to see different sides of this harsh, divided world and how each character faces the challenges of living in it, somehow all intersecting together in a significant way.

This book is an emotional roller coaster that dives into themes like resistance, fear, survival, and the struggles of being different. Elsa’s strength and resilience really stood out to me, and I admired how hard she fought to protect herself and those she cared about. The multiple perspectives made the story even more compelling, letting you see how every character’s choices and struggles tie into the bigger picture altogether. The mix of suspense, action, and heartfelt themes like love, trust, and faith brought the story to life and made it easy to relate to. I found myself connecting with the characters in surprising ways. Whether it was the fear of standing out, the loneliness of hiding something, or the need to find a place where you truly belong, there was something deeply personal in their experiences. This story can be relatable to people in so many ways, as there are several different characters that all have their struggles.

Overall, I rate this book 3.5 stars out of five. While I didn’t fully connect with every part of the storyline, Songlight is a powerful and exciting read. I’d recommend it to young adults or anyone who loves a thrilling dystopian story that blends adventure with raw, real emotions.

3.5 stars of 5 stars

Find this book in our catalog: Songlight

Catalog Number: YA SF BUFFINI,M

376 pages