The Color of Light

stories in stories

If you could sum up The Color of Light in three words, what would they be?

three words are: past and present story lines, wonderful vampire, a little too long. I was surprised I liked the book. I purchased it to hear Simon Slater. Other than Bram Stroker's Dracula, I have never had an interest in vampire stories. Because I studied art, I loved the author's setting of art school studio classes & art analysis; though frequently the students' conversations was somewhat boring--very adolescent for mid-twenty year old supposedly serious artists (except for the wonderful great prank).

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Color of Light?

The second part of the story is the best of the author's writing. Rafe's life narrated by Simon Slater. The historic horror and sadness the Jews in Poland suffered; the description of the love and suffering of Rafe for Sophia was boundless. I was taken aback. Could be me but I wasn’t clear about Tessa's family generational ties to Sophia. Could use more time, clarity and detail on this very interesting aspect of the book. It did seem a bit too long, I would have changed the ending.

What about Simon Slater and Jennifer Ikeda ’s performance did you like?

I love audible books, the next thing to seeing a play, a good narrator is so entertaining. I would listen to anything narrated by Simon Slater. He is fabulous. Simon Slater's voice brings the Rafe to life. hmmm.. Even if you have never been there, you will feel it. As always, his treatment of the other characters is perfect with maybe a need for a little more American girl in Tessa. He does a great German Rudi. Jennifer Ikeda was very good. Her Tessa voice is very believable, clear and pleasant. She was a good choice for the beginning of the book.

If you could take any character from The Color of Light out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Of course, I would take Rafe to dinner, if he would promise not to have me for dinner.

Any additional comments?

Yes, Simon Slater is incorrectly introduced as Simon Slate. Rather insulting.. Correction should have been made. And btw another mistake, rather important, thank god for us North Americans, Rommel was in North Africa, not North America.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Beautifully Heartbreaking Story

To start, There were a few audio indiscretions during this story, repeated lines etc. Overall, this story broke my heart and filled me with joy. The story was beautifully written and very well read by the narrator. The characters had lots of depth and conflicting emotions. The story was engaging and emotional. I could not wait to continue the story every time I had to pause it. I loved this book!

Good story

I liked the concept of this story a lot, and that kept my interest throughout. The author did a stellar job if creating empathetic, believable characters. Though there are few female narrators I enjoy, Jennifer Ikeda is high on my list if favorites. Some issues. The male narrotor didn't live up to Ikeda's standard. Not bad, but not a voice and delivery I personally would have purchased. The author may have intended an omniscient 3rd person perspective, but lacking a (written) overarching marrative voice, it comes off as headhopping, jarring and requiring me as reader/listener to 'adjust,' preventing a smooth flow through the story. Far too many instances of pronoun confusion create a similar issue. The descriptive passages were a bit long. All that said, it is a testament to the strength of the story thst I kept listening all the way to the end.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

A must listen!!! What a beautiful blend of history and fantasy. I was swept away by the authors flowing colorful descriptions of the characters and their surroundings. I was taken back in time with my heart on the edge of breaking as I learned more and more of the truth from Raphael Sinclair. I cant wait to see if there will be another book.

BORING OVERWROUGHT AND SILLY

Don't bother ..it was free so I tried it . Ridiculous attempt at weaving vampires, art and the Holocaust . All. Very clumsy

Good listening, but a bit too long

Would you consider the audio edition of The Color of Light to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version, but both narrators did a great job and it was very entertaining.

What other book might you compare The Color of Light to and why?

There are a lot of books about vampire love stories and a lot of books about the holocaust, but I do not any other book combining both topics.

Which character – as performed by Simon Slater and Jennifer Ikeda – was your favorite?

I loved Simon Slater's performance of Raphael, but I also liked a lot all of Jennifer Ikeda's narration.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I do not want to give any spoilers, but the last three hours of the narration were especially moving.

Any additional comments?

It was a very interesting listen, but in my opinion a bit too long. I knew Jennifer Ikeda from the All Souls trilogy and she was perfect as always, but Simon Slater has been a great discovery and I would love to listen to other books narrated by him.

Wonderful!

I have over 100 titles in my library and this one, along with The All Souls Trilogy (narrated by Jennifer Ikeda as well) are the very best. I just listened for the second time and was just as entranced as I was the first time. I so wish there were more titles by this author on Audible. Amazingly romantic and I love the historical background.

I had high hopes

I was 1/4 through when I realized I've wasted my time. I love long books, supernatural, romance, art, and Jennifer Ikeda. I figured this would scratch my reading needs for the month but nope. The author gets stuck in details of scenery and skips actual plot and story. Also the twists are cringy, I won't spoil anything but who would be okay with all this happening?? OOH, I know! deathless characters that's who!
I kinda really want my money back

Well Read But Not My Cup of Tea

I have listened to Jennifer Ikeda's reading of the All Souls trilogy three times, so I thought I would enjoy this story. I guess I am just not a vampire story fan. Spoiler alert ... at least it had a happy ending.

I absolutely LOVED this one!!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Color of Light to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I do think that Jennifer Ikeda, the main narrator was absolutely perfect for this particular book, I loved the way she narrated it. So maybe for that reason it may be better. The narrator can make it better or worse and I very much suspect that Jennifer Ikeda made it better.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Color of Light?

There were a few parts of the book in which my eyes watered quite a bit, I don't want to give it away so I won't get into it. Also the way that a few of the characters treat Tess is really despicable. The dance scene with Tess and Rafe was great. I enjoyed Tess's friends, they really helped to make the story.

What about Simon Slater and Jennifer Ikeda ’s performance did you like?

They fit their parts so perfectly the way that they narrated them. I couldn't imagine anyone else doing Jennifer Ikeda's narration. Simon was also very good, his narration was some of the parts that brought me to tears.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I got through it pretty quickly for being as long as it was.

Any additional comments?

I LOVED this story. Possibly part of the reason I loved it so much was because I like romance, vampire stories and I have always had an interest in and been passionate about Art, especially the type of Art that is focused on in this book, I think its my favorite. Some people gave this fewer stars and I'm not sure why but at the same time I'm sure there are stories in which they gave 5 stars that I would give less. Also I saw someone say it was porn, lol. This was probably one of the most tame books I have read while still having sex scenes in it, it was pretty tame compared to some of the other books I read. I hate to see what they think of those books, lol.