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Xhea has no magic. Born without the power that everyone else takes for granted, Xhea is an outcast—no way to earn a living, buy food, or change the life that fate has dealt her. Yet she has a unique talent: the ability to see ghosts and the tethers that bind them to the living world, which she uses to scratch out a bare existence in the ruins beneath the City's floating Towers.When a rich City man comes to her with a young woman's ghost tethered to his chest, Xhea has no idea that this show more ghost will change everything. The ghost, Shai, is a Radiant, a rare person who generates so much power that the Towers use it to fuel their magic, heedless of the pain such use causes. Shai's home Tower is desperate to get the ghost back and force her into a body—any body—so that it can regain its position, while the Tower's rivals seek the ghost to use her magic for their own ends. Caught between a multitude of enemies and desperate to save Shai, Xhea thinks herself powerless—until a strange magic wakes within her. Magic dark and slow, like rising smoke, like seeping oil. A magic whose very touch brings death.
With two extremely strong female protagonists, Radiant is a story of fighting for what you believe in and finding strength that you never thought you had.
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I can't rave to enough people about how much I love this book. It's quiet moodiness and vivid world-building are the very thing I search for in a fantasy novel, the qualities that allow me to sink into a story and leave me craving more long after it's over. In this world magic is currency and there's the implication that we are in a distant future, where magic has made modern technology obsolete and privileged society has risen to the sky in grand towers. It's also a ghost story. Xhea, an anomalous dark spot in a world of bright magic users has the ability to see ghosts, and she becomes embroiled in the (after)life of Shai, young and dead before her time. Through Xhea's colorblind eyes, we explore this world, discover the pasts of both show more girls, and delve deeper into a plot that may doom Shai to nothingness. It's a tale of great friendship between two girls as well, and I'm always a fan of such relationships. Radiant is rich and savory in its prose, I've become a huge fan of Sumner-Smith, and I can't wait until the next book. show less
We are introduced to the world of Radiant through the eyes of Xhea, an unreliable narrator filled with bias, prejudice and a thick, brittle coating of insecurity and pride. In a world of the very rich and the very poor, Xhea is at the very bottom, one of the few - if not the only - who possess no natural magic. Instead she is forced to buy it, like a drug.
Magic gives color to her grey, unhappy life and makes her feel, for a time, normal, as if she were just like everyone else. But Xhea is not like everyone else, and as far from normal as you can get. Not only does she have no magic, she can see ghosts. More than just see them she can talk to them, communicate with them, banish them.
With the help of one ghost in particular Xhea will do show more more than just talk. Together they'll change their world.
Xhea's story isn't given to us in an info-dump or with lengthy exposition, instead it's doled out slowly, allowing us to piece the truth together as we get to know the character. The world is given the same careful treatment, Sumner-Smith has made a world that feels both fantasy and post-apocalyptic at the same time. The slums of her city feel dirty, and when we visit the of towers, we see their beauty and wonders through Xhea's eyes.
The relationship between the ghost - Shai - and Xhea feels natural and unforced. They aren't pushed into liking each other because the author makes them; in fact, there's very little love lost between the pair at the beginning of the book. They develop like real people, reacting to real events, and the emotions they go through feel genuine.
It's a slow story that takes its time, letting us explore both characters and setting while the plot is handled much like a mystery with just enough information given to the Xhea reader at any one time, allowing you to make your own guesses as to what will happen next. It doesn't end on a cliff-hanger but it is one of a trilogy. You could easily read it as a stand-alone, but if the sequels hold up to the same writing and story telling I'll be picking them up.
* I received a free copy of this book through Good Reads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review. show less
Magic gives color to her grey, unhappy life and makes her feel, for a time, normal, as if she were just like everyone else. But Xhea is not like everyone else, and as far from normal as you can get. Not only does she have no magic, she can see ghosts. More than just see them she can talk to them, communicate with them, banish them.
With the help of one ghost in particular Xhea will do show more more than just talk. Together they'll change their world.
Xhea's story isn't given to us in an info-dump or with lengthy exposition, instead it's doled out slowly, allowing us to piece the truth together as we get to know the character. The world is given the same careful treatment, Sumner-Smith has made a world that feels both fantasy and post-apocalyptic at the same time. The slums of her city feel dirty, and when we visit the of towers, we see their beauty and wonders through Xhea's eyes.
The relationship between the ghost - Shai - and Xhea feels natural and unforced. They aren't pushed into liking each other because the author makes them; in fact, there's very little love lost between the pair at the beginning of the book. They develop like real people, reacting to real events, and the emotions they go through feel genuine.
It's a slow story that takes its time, letting us explore both characters and setting while the plot is handled much like a mystery with just enough information given to the Xhea reader at any one time, allowing you to make your own guesses as to what will happen next. It doesn't end on a cliff-hanger but it is one of a trilogy. You could easily read it as a stand-alone, but if the sequels hold up to the same writing and story telling I'll be picking them up.
* I received a free copy of this book through Good Reads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review. show less
Is Radiant science fiction? Or is it fantasy? Perhaps it is both, just as I like to think this book could fit comfortably in both the Adult and Young Adult categories. No matter how you look at it, it seems there’s something for everyone in this brilliant and unique cross-genre piece from debut novelist Karina Sumner-Smith.
It all begins with a ghost. Teenager Xhea may have been born without magic – not one bit at all – but she has a power that allows her to see and speak to the dead. Forced to live in the Lower City where those with little to no magic struggle to eke out a living, Xhea manages to survive by scavenging and selling her services to the haunted, offering to take on their ghostly burdens for a few days in exchange for show more some food or money.
This is how Shai comes into Xhea’s life. Even as a ghost, Shai has so much magic that she can use it to generate the power that keeps the floating towers of the city’s upper class supplied with endless fuel and energy. This is because Shai is a Radiant, a rare individual who is literally a magic generator and there are powerful factions out there who will stop at nothing to get their hands on her. To these individuals, Shai is nothing but a tool. They care nothing about the pain and torture her ghost will endure, and it is up to Xhea to protect and fight for her new phantom friend.
The story of Radiant revolves around this incredibly beautiful relationship. Xhea is a down-on-her-luck outcast who has survived years of abuse and trauma. Shai is a dead girl who, in her living years, only knew a life of luxury and comfort, albeit burdened with the responsibility of being a Radiant. And yet, a friendship is forged between these two very different characters, and the bond only strengthens with every page.
This central dynamic serves as the novel’s entire backbone, and I’m glad for it. There is very little fluff or filler content to distract from the main plot, no stale romantic arcs or angsty teenage drama to get in the way, just a compelling journey of two strong young women who go through many adventures and much strife in order to help one another. Even divided into three parts, the story is tightly told, and I enjoyed Sumner-Smith’s straightforward and easy-on-the-eyes writing style. She doesn’t go overboard with the descriptions or details character’s backgrounds, providing enough to keep the reader engaged and yet also satisfy the folks like me who crave world building and character development.
The remarkable friendship between Xhea and Shai alone makes this a very special novel, but I also loved the world the author has created here. Like I alluded to in my introduction, it would be impossible to assign just one genre to Radiant – and quite honestly, it wouldn’t do the book justice if I did. There’s a mix of so many things here. Potent magical spells existing in harmony with advanced technology. The images of glimmering gargantuan towers in the sky suggest a futuristic setting, while the dirty and crumbling ruins of buildings and defunct subway tunnels in the Lower City are reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic dystopian. Mindless, shambling undead creatures resembling zombies stalk the broken streets at night, injecting a bit of horror into this already mind-blowing blend of spec fic elements.
Radiant truly stands out. As a debut novel from an author already highly acclaimed for her short stories, there is a quality of rawness to some parts of it, but it’s nevertheless a very polished and great book. Karina Sumner-Smith is one to watch, and I’m definitely looking forward to the release of the next installment of the Towers Trilogy. show less
It all begins with a ghost. Teenager Xhea may have been born without magic – not one bit at all – but she has a power that allows her to see and speak to the dead. Forced to live in the Lower City where those with little to no magic struggle to eke out a living, Xhea manages to survive by scavenging and selling her services to the haunted, offering to take on their ghostly burdens for a few days in exchange for show more some food or money.
This is how Shai comes into Xhea’s life. Even as a ghost, Shai has so much magic that she can use it to generate the power that keeps the floating towers of the city’s upper class supplied with endless fuel and energy. This is because Shai is a Radiant, a rare individual who is literally a magic generator and there are powerful factions out there who will stop at nothing to get their hands on her. To these individuals, Shai is nothing but a tool. They care nothing about the pain and torture her ghost will endure, and it is up to Xhea to protect and fight for her new phantom friend.
The story of Radiant revolves around this incredibly beautiful relationship. Xhea is a down-on-her-luck outcast who has survived years of abuse and trauma. Shai is a dead girl who, in her living years, only knew a life of luxury and comfort, albeit burdened with the responsibility of being a Radiant. And yet, a friendship is forged between these two very different characters, and the bond only strengthens with every page.
This central dynamic serves as the novel’s entire backbone, and I’m glad for it. There is very little fluff or filler content to distract from the main plot, no stale romantic arcs or angsty teenage drama to get in the way, just a compelling journey of two strong young women who go through many adventures and much strife in order to help one another. Even divided into three parts, the story is tightly told, and I enjoyed Sumner-Smith’s straightforward and easy-on-the-eyes writing style. She doesn’t go overboard with the descriptions or details character’s backgrounds, providing enough to keep the reader engaged and yet also satisfy the folks like me who crave world building and character development.
The remarkable friendship between Xhea and Shai alone makes this a very special novel, but I also loved the world the author has created here. Like I alluded to in my introduction, it would be impossible to assign just one genre to Radiant – and quite honestly, it wouldn’t do the book justice if I did. There’s a mix of so many things here. Potent magical spells existing in harmony with advanced technology. The images of glimmering gargantuan towers in the sky suggest a futuristic setting, while the dirty and crumbling ruins of buildings and defunct subway tunnels in the Lower City are reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic dystopian. Mindless, shambling undead creatures resembling zombies stalk the broken streets at night, injecting a bit of horror into this already mind-blowing blend of spec fic elements.
Radiant truly stands out. As a debut novel from an author already highly acclaimed for her short stories, there is a quality of rawness to some parts of it, but it’s nevertheless a very polished and great book. Karina Sumner-Smith is one to watch, and I’m definitely looking forward to the release of the next installment of the Towers Trilogy. show less
Interesting lady-protags, interesting post-apoc(?) dystopia, complex magic world systems, good atmosphere... but just not grabbing me, even after a hundred-odd pages. No harm, no foul, just not for me.
I was recommended this one a while back and I feel slightly sheepish that I’m only just now getting to it.
I wanted something close to Jemison’s Fifth Season and I can see a few similarities, but other than the eventual near-end blow-out that takes on some huge-magic ramifications, it’s really its own beast.
Skyscrapers of magic. This part is rather cool. Kinda modern but after some huge collapse, the technology is now almost entirely based on magic. I’m reminded of Max Gladstone and dystopian urban fantasy mixed heavily with ghost talking. Sound cool? It is.
It takes a while to get into the magic system, otherwise focusing mainly on relationship building, a friendship between an abused ghost and the mc girl who, rather than show more disposing the half-alive mostly-ghost for the complicated job that it is, develops a strong friendship, instead.
Later on, however, is where I think this novel shines, when the world building blooms and the magics develop and then, all of a sudden, everything goes to hell.
It is technically a YA fantasy, but it is easily strong enough as a regular modern fantasy. I’m definitely continuing this. show less
I wanted something close to Jemison’s Fifth Season and I can see a few similarities, but other than the eventual near-end blow-out that takes on some huge-magic ramifications, it’s really its own beast.
Skyscrapers of magic. This part is rather cool. Kinda modern but after some huge collapse, the technology is now almost entirely based on magic. I’m reminded of Max Gladstone and dystopian urban fantasy mixed heavily with ghost talking. Sound cool? It is.
It takes a while to get into the magic system, otherwise focusing mainly on relationship building, a friendship between an abused ghost and the mc girl who, rather than show more disposing the half-alive mostly-ghost for the complicated job that it is, develops a strong friendship, instead.
Later on, however, is where I think this novel shines, when the world building blooms and the magics develop and then, all of a sudden, everything goes to hell.
It is technically a YA fantasy, but it is easily strong enough as a regular modern fantasy. I’m definitely continuing this. show less
I just finished the book Radiant last night in the middle of a thunderstorm. It was fitting to read about magic battles by the flash of lighting. It was better to discover a new young-adult fantasy author with potential.
Radiant starts with Xhea, a lone girl whose main source of income is expelling ghosts. In a world where everybody is born with magic and the rich live in floating towers, Xhea has no magic and lives on the ground. Yet she can see ghosts, and discern the flow of magic.
Xhea takes a job, thinking only to make a little money and to get high on somebody else's magic. Instead she becomes embroiled in a major struggle over the fate of a girl who is already dead.
While this book is clearly not as polished as it could be, it show more showcases the talents of a growing author with good pacing, compelling characters, and beautiful settings. The lower world is gritty while the travel in the Towers is beautiful. Though the author never explains a few key elements, this story is still a gem.
This is the first in a trilogy, though it stands on its own. I look forward to the next installments and you should look forward to this one. It comes out September 2 from Talos Press. show less
Radiant starts with Xhea, a lone girl whose main source of income is expelling ghosts. In a world where everybody is born with magic and the rich live in floating towers, Xhea has no magic and lives on the ground. Yet she can see ghosts, and discern the flow of magic.
Xhea takes a job, thinking only to make a little money and to get high on somebody else's magic. Instead she becomes embroiled in a major struggle over the fate of a girl who is already dead.
While this book is clearly not as polished as it could be, it show more showcases the talents of a growing author with good pacing, compelling characters, and beautiful settings. The lower world is gritty while the travel in the Towers is beautiful. Though the author never explains a few key elements, this story is still a gem.
This is the first in a trilogy, though it stands on its own. I look forward to the next installments and you should look forward to this one. It comes out September 2 from Talos Press. show less
3,5 stars
I've often expressed my dislike of YA-themed stories,mostly due to the sameness and predictability of the stories themselves and/or the characters they focus on, yet this book caught my attention because a few reviews I read stressed its very difference from the usual fare. They were quite right.
In this case the story does not rest on the usual, tired trope of the exceptionally gifted but neglected girl who falls for the brooding guy with a secret, nor on the equally abused love triangle. The main characters are two girls who form a strong bond of friendship to survive dramatic circumstances: a refreshing point of view that breathes new life into the sub-genre.
FULL REVIEW: show more target="_top">https://spaceandsorcery.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/radiant-karina-sumner-smith/ show less
I've often expressed my dislike of YA-themed stories,mostly due to the sameness and predictability of the stories themselves and/or the characters they focus on, yet this book caught my attention because a few reviews I read stressed its very difference from the usual fare. They were quite right.
In this case the story does not rest on the usual, tired trope of the exceptionally gifted but neglected girl who falls for the brooding guy with a secret, nor on the equally abused love triangle. The main characters are two girls who form a strong bond of friendship to survive dramatic circumstances: a refreshing point of view that breathes new life into the sub-genre.
FULL REVIEW: show more target="_top">https://spaceandsorcery.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/radiant-karina-sumner-smith/ show less
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Karina Sumner-Smith is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
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Awards
Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Radiant
- Original publication date
- 2014-09-30
- Dedication
- Dedicated with love to my parents,
Lindy and Martin,
for always believing. - First words
- Curled in a concrete alcove that had once been a doorway, Xhea watched the City man make his awkward way through the market tents, dragging a ghost behind him.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Her stretcher was lifted and they began the slow walk back to the Lower City.
- Blurbers
- Greenwood, Ed
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- 183,071
- Reviews
- 10
- Rating
- (3.84)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 2
- ASINs
- 2
