“God’s gone. I was his firstborn. I am your master now.”There’s something very wrong with Lily Wright. Gripped by a mysterious illness, and with strangers opting to jump from windows rather than speak to her, Lily concludes that she’s been demonically possessed. Yet the truth is far darker than she imagines, and Lily soon discovers a world haunted by a past that won’t stay dead. Trapped with an inescapable new identity, Lily finds herself at the heart of a ten-thousand-year-old love story, an apocalyptic war between Heaven and Hell, and a rivalry that dates back to the dawn of time.

J. V. Defnas lives on the edge of Dartmoor with two labradors, Rowan and Kotze. A historian by trade, Lightbringer is their debut novel. When not writing, Defnas can be found wandering through bookshops, walking the moors, or wondering what the dogs are staring at in the basement.

Customer Reviews

5.0

9 reviews

Maggie Low

I thoroughly enjoyed this riveting book. The number of unexpected twists makes it hard to say much about the plot without giving away spoilers. In short, this action-packed adventure follows a mysterious girl who struggles with her sense of identity and must come to terms with her true self. Interspersed with the other-worldly, supernatural elements that drives the fast-paced narrative, the author explores age-old philosophical questions of right vs. wrong, good vs. evil, self-determination vs. fate, etc. Cleverly woven into the story are references to historic facts, myths, legends and other known texts. The author Victor Defnas succeeds in telling a creative tale that challenges expectations. I found it to be a rewarding read and would recommend it to anyone.
XM

This excellent debut novel from Defnas is a thoroughly entertaining read, while also being incredibly thought-provoking and offering some genuinely interesting and original ideas. The story and its characters are themselves engaging and had me captivated throughout, so I'd recommend this to anyone looking for an exciting escape, but particularly for anyone with any interest in philosophy and/or theology, who will find lots to love here. Overall I really enjoyed delving into the wonderfully created world of Lightbringer, and look forward to see what Defnas produces next.
GBseafire

With Lightbringer, Defnas proves himself as a delightfully devilish wordsmith in an accomplished and captivating fantasy debut. From the first chapter, the reader is plunged into the disorientated shoes of Lily, an ostensibly normal teenager subject to a series of intriguing but highly disturbing events. Following Lily’s search for answers, a motley band of supporting characters are introduced in a world where the scope and stakes seemingly grow with every page turn. Defnas’ use of pacing in the early chapters does much to engross the reader and should be particularly applauded. Common tropes are upended, while the vicissitudes of the plot keep the reader second-guessing. The heady themes of philosophy, religion, morals, and life are ably addressed. The tone is balanced by Defnas’ curation of well-timed and cromulent pop-culture humour. Ultimately Lightbringer is a highly enjoyable read and by all rights should embolden Defnas to forge an exciting literary future.
Annonymous

A teenage girl finds herself questioning her sanity and her faith when she discovers her part in the longstanding conflict between Heaven and Hell. Littered with historical and biblical references, as well as a whole lot of humour and sass, this YA fantasy is like nothing I have ever read before. Lily, the protagonist, is absolutely mesmerising, and I would argue that she is one of the most morally ambiguous and complex characters I have seen for a long time. The supporting characters are well-developed too, particularly Rosh and Toffee, who together with Lily make a dysfunctional trio of friends who are effortlessly funny and had me laughing out loud in public more than a few times. Overall, a stunning debut novel by Victor Defnas that confirms the rumours are true: he is certainly one to watch.
Richard Wilson

A refreshing storyline that takes the reader to unexpected places. Extremely well written and researched, drawing on deep themes that combines later Harry Potter with Twin Peaks. Would make a good TV movie. Can't wait to see what this talented new author creates next.
D.

Victor Defnas' debut novel is certainly the culmination of careful research and a wealth of creative scope. As a first novel, Defnas should be praised for sustaining a compelling storyline that borrow from both Judaic folklore and Christian scripture. Lily's sharp-tongued humour should sit well with a disenchanted generation of young people. There are, however, also themes that will be accessible for readers of all ages: the exploration of identity, friendship, adventure, disobeying your parents (we've all been there), and the grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one. I was particularly pleased to see that Defnas has included a same-sex relationship within this book.
Amelia Graham

Just when you think YA is getting dull and repetitive, something like this comes along. Complex characters, with unique protagonists, and a villain whose motives are arguably better. There's a unique twist to this book that has never been attempted before, and wow is it interesting. Pros- -Complex and real characters who you can't help but root for but then feel bad for doing so -Wit and humour. The second narrators annotations are particularly unique and humorous -Themes and philosophy. For a book that deals with heaven hell and the paranormal, there are a lot of interesting ideas here. The philosophy is easily understandable, and adds complex moral dimensions to the book that will leave you pondering -Style; dialogue is smooth and sharp, prose is poetic at times without being dense Cons- -Pacing was fantastic until the end, where a lot happens very quickly. It's not rushed as such, but could do with more breathing space. Most of the pacing is great however. -The main characters were great, although some minor characters in Hell weren't too developed
Kat

I quite enjoyed reading Victor Defnas' debut novel which I highly recommend. Defnas has created a world that grips the reader and doesn't let go until the very last page. Lily is a complex but relatable protagonist who must come to terms with a past that she can not ignore. Her best friends Eve and Rosh are just as well-written. The plot is incredibly imaginative. The settings, characters, and situations Lily encounter throughout her journey are elegantly described with such well-crafted prose. Lily's wit scattered throughout the novel provides comic relief to another wise terrifying tale. While many YA novels can be considered superficial, Defnas' work breathes new life into the genre. Defnas is definitely an author to keep on your radar.