Intertwined with Demetrius’s experiences are occasional chapters telling the story of his mother, Olivia, detailing her cruel upbringing and roiling mind. Cracks of Light is raw and frank by design: Even advanced readers will likely be challenged by harrowing events such as a convenience store shooting or incidents of incest, and sensitive and younger readers should probably avoid the novel. Although the voice, focus, and narrative are strong, the sequel hinted at in an epilogue would benefit from more rigorous editing.
Despite the heavy themes, a welcome colloquial lyricism and humor come through Demetrius’s voice, which is that of an honest, level-headed, and superhero-loving boy typical of fourth grade. Reedburg’s dialogue often soars, and the narrative device of the Light and impervious young voice of Demetrius lift Cracks of Light, resulting in a singular urban novel, about a boy seeking refuge and strength in fantasy, that will appeal to young adults already exposed to adult language and content
Takeaway: This raw YA coming-of-age story finds a young boy’s hard upbringing lightened by fantasy.
Great for fans of: Lamar Giles’s Let Me Be a Man, Ibi Zoboi’s anthology Black Enough.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A-
“Raw and lyrical, harrowing, funny, and deeply human, Cracks of Light is a spellbinding novel, a riveting meditation on identity and ancestry. Reedburg is a natural born storyteller, vividly moving back and forth from early 90's South Los Angeles to other dimensions. He confidently takes on a complex plot of mental illness, abuse and addiction, deftly weaving in themes of religion and the supernatural. His voice is a mashup of Stephen King, Walter Mosley, and Charles Dickens, yet distinctly his own, fearlessly telling us Afrofuturist stories that haven’t yet been told.”
Cracks Of Light by John Charles Reedburg centers around the life of a young boy named Demetrius. He lives with his mother in a cramped two-bedroom apartment on the third floor of the Park Arms Apartment. Their lives are anything but ordinary, Demetrius’ mother is bipolar. She raises her son with “Geppetto”, but “Geppetto” isn’t Demetrius’ father or her boyfriend. “Geppetto” is her bipolar disorder. Demetrius is wary of her manic moods and prefers to avoid the terrible pain his Momma’s “other half” often inflicts. However, things start to change when Demetrius forms a hidden friendship with a being called “The Light”. He hesitates to tell his mother about this strange happening and soon Demetrius is taken into a different realm called “The Other Side” and finds out some unexpected things.
Cracks of Light is unlike anything I have ever read before. The blend of unique fantasy and traumatic drama captured my interest from the very start. This book has taken me through an unexpected but riveting journey of the characters’ past, present, and future. Nine-year-old Demetrius is a wary, frightened boy, which isn’t surprising considering the trials he has been through in his short life. He is careful and walks on eggshells around his mother, who could be unpredictable and often violent. My heart broke as I read through the abuse Demetrius, Olivia, and Lydia went through. John Charles Reedburg is not afraid to show us the far-reaching consequences of psychological and physical trauma and that bravery has shaped this story into something distinctive and unforgettable.
Mystery is woven skillfully among the words and often I found hidden gems in the pages. An example is this excerpt from chapter 27: “Anytime she fought with Geppetto it was hard to tell who was wrong. I just thought that was how violence and chaos got along. Stillness was the escape I found inside myself.” I was often left speechless by how beautiful and heartrending this story is. The words are often melodic in expression in the heavier aspects of the book and just added to the overall magnetism and beauty of the story. The ending definitely left me curious for more! Overall, this was definitely an eye-opening, brilliant book. Great job!
What can you tell us about your new release, Cracks of Light?
Cracks Of Light is an urban fantasy horror in one aspect conveys a young boy’s experiences living with an untreated bipolar mom and her substance abuse habits, while he also cultivates a friendship with a mysterious supernatural being that appears to him as an orb of light. Though, on a deeper level it’s a story and testimonial mash-up about a child and how their world of trauma coincides with their family’s history and legacy that leads him to learning more during a trip to a metaphysical realm called The Other Side where he meets loving and informative ancestors. After that, dark and disturbing secrets about his mother’s family come to light.
What or who inspired you to become an author?
Growing up, my father was the founder and original owner of a local black newspaper in South Los Angeles called the L.A. Watts Times and another one called the Watts Local. Before then (before I was born), he was an editor at the Los Angeles Sentinel and reporter at the Herald Examiner. He also wrote novels and poetry. My mother told me that every night when he wrote his stories and ideas on his favorite notepad before typing them up, I would mimic him by jotting things down on one of his blank pads without even knowing how to write or spell anything. So, I guess what made me want to become a writer was my dad and a lot of the guys he hung around. One of his friends was Mr. Alex Haley. The first actual full-length book I ever read was “The autobiography Of Malcom X.” I remember my dad giving that book to me as a gift for my 7th birthday. He always swayed my away from children books, while my mom always made sure I read books by Mr. Stephen King. So, with that said, in rephrasing my initial response. My mom and my dad inspired me to write. They always knew I had it in me. Regardless, as if, it was as an author, screenwriter, or journalist.
What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?
- “The Color Purple” by Alex Walker
- “Beloved” by Toni Morrison
- “The Shining” by Stephen King
- “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens
- “Different Seasons” by Stephen King
Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?
My first guest would be Stephen King. I would ask him to talk about the moment in his life where he first discovered his truth as an author. I would have him expound on the through lines of his inspiration, like what’s purpose behind the thing that keeps him going?
What’s your favorite thing about writing?
Playing God. When you write you create worlds and lives and even have the power to decide when its someone’s time to die. You can solve problems or create as a God you can control all of that.
What is a typical day like for you?
During Covid-19 where I live in Los Angeles, there isn’t much happening, so I’m writing as much as I can while on lockdown.
What scene from Cracks of Light was your favorite to write?
My favorite scene to write was the final scene in Chapter 7 “What The Pig Told The Wolf.” In that scene you see the true dynamic of what it is like being a young boy living in a challenging predicament and going through the things he has to go through. It causes the reader to understand the complex relationship between Demetrius and his mother Olivia and his true gift of insight. The scene is gritty and visceral.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Every breath we take leads us closer to death, so enjoy every moment as if it’s the last.
Readers' Favorite announces the review of the Fiction - Fantasy - Urban book "Cracks Of Light" by John Reedburg.Readers' Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the "Best Websites for Authors" and "Honoring Excellence" awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
