Book Reviews,  Katherine's Posts

Daylight: A 9/11 Short Story by Grace A. Johnson Book Review

September 4, 2021 / 23 Comments

Genre: Christian fiction, romance, contemporary/historical 

Age Range: 15 and up / new adult

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Reviewed by Katherine

Summary

He tried to save her father, but he was too late.

August is in the hospital after the incident on 9/11, and let’s just say he’s not in the best condition. Broken bones, burned patches of skin. The severity of it all is beyond imaginable. August is all Sylvie has left. But for how long will she have him? For how long will he survive in the hospital?

“He might not wake up.”

Near to tears, the weight of it all is crashing on Sylvie. The hurt. The emotion. The pain. She bears it all.

“I’ve got to be strong. Not guilty or self-pitying, not pouting or crying. Strong, brave, selfless. Just like August was, rushing into the ashes and rubble.
For me”

My thoughts on the story

Oh boy, where do I begin?? “Daylight” was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! What more do I need to say? The emotional depth of everything that happened came across the page amazing! (So, bring tissues when you read this story. You’re gonna need it.) And the characters are incredible!!! August and Sylvie, aah!!! They’re so sweet together!!! And I love Sylvie’s unique character voice!!!! I mean, listen to this:

“All that heavy lifting he loved doing on jobs? Yeah, that’ll be a no-no for a long time . . . .”

See what I mean? Unique character voice! These are characters you care about and want to cry with. “Daylight” tugged at my heart and brought me to the reality of the events of 9/11. I felt as if I was experiencing the trauma that the characters experienced. 9/11 always brings me to tears, and I am so glad that there are stories like “Daylight” that give us a glimpse into the event so that we can relate and understand those who lived through it.

“What happened yesterday will never fade. We will never forget. For the sake of the soldier, the first responder, the dead, the dying, and the grieving…for the sake of America and every person who ever lived or ever will live in our great country…we will never forget.”

As far as language goes, there were some slang words used a few times and taking God’s name in vain in the form of g*sh. But other than that, there weren’t any curse words, which is always a good thing.

Oh, and don’t worry. “Daylight” has a happy ending! 😉

“‘And even in the midst of all this mess, He’s workin’ things out. He’s makin’ something bright, something beautiful, outta what the devil meant for evil.’”

–

P.S. make sure you read the “Author’s Note” at the end of “Daylight.” You’ll be moved by it!

About the author:

Grace A. Johnson is a teenage Christian fiction authoress, book reviewer, and avid reader. She lives in beautiful (but humid) South Georgia, surrounded by farmland and forestry, with her parents and six younger siblings. She has written four novels, three of which are published, and a smattering of short stories and novellas, which you can find on Amazon. She’s also a homeschooler who loves learning about history, linguistics, art, and the world around her. You can find her on Goodreads, Pinterest, BookBub, or blogging on her website at www.graceajohnson.com. Join her for a virtual cup of tea and a free short story when you sign up for her e-newsletter!

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You can preorder “Daylight” HEERRREEEE or HEEERRREEE. And if you preorder it between now and September 10th, you can get it for $O.99! (That’s a great deal y’all!!)

This post is part of the “Daylight” blog tour. If you’d like to join in on the tour, here’s the schedule: 

Sept. 1st: 

Blog Tour/Giveaway Kickoff – www.graceajohnson.com

Character Q&A – www.thepeninspired.wordpress.com

Sept. 2nd:

Review – www.Kristinahallauthor.wordpress.com

Sept. 3rd:

Review + Interview – www.egbella.com

Sept. 4th:

Review – www.teenwritersnook.com (Well, what do ya know, that’s this post.😜)

Sept. 5th:

Book Club Kit – www.graceajohnson.com

Sept. 6th:

Spotlight + Review – www.whimsicalwanderings.home.blog

Author interview – www.gloryforgodalone.blogspot.com 

Sept. 7th:

Author interview – www.intomywritingjourney.wordpress.com

Sept. 8th:

Character Q&A + Review – www.eccoltonauthor.wixsite.com/quillofhope

Sept. 9th:

What Readers Are Saying About Daylight – www.graceajohnson.com

Sept. 10th:

Review – www.vanessahallauthor.wordpress.com

Sept. 11th:

Review – WWW.abigailkayharris.wordpress.com

Review – www.thebookcubicle.wordpress.com

Never Forget – www.graceajohnson.com

Sept. 12th:

Giveaway Wrap-up – www.graceajohnson.com 

Now, before you head over to the next stop of the tour, tell me in the comments which quote above was your favorite? Also, if you entered in TWN’s giveaway, winners will be announced next week, so stay tuned!

~ Katherine

23 Comments

  • Lorelei A.

    September 4, 2021 at 8:14 am Reply

    WOOHOO I can’t wait to read this!! :))) Awesome job Grace!!!!

    Oh goodness, I like all of those quotes!!!

    “I’ve got to be strong. Not guilty or self-pitying, not pouting or crying. Strong, brave, selfless. Just like August was, rushing into the ashes and rubble.
    For me.” That one is sooo good! <33333

    “‘And even in the midst of all this mess, He’s workin’ things out. He’s makin’ something bright, something beautiful, outta what the devil meant for evil.’” But this one was my favorite. 😊

    <33333 Amazing review, Kat!!!

  • Kristianne

    September 4, 2021 at 8:34 am Reply

    Great review! I agree with you that Grace did an awesome job bringing out the emotions from that day. And the characters felt so alive and authentic! I’d have to say my favorite quote is the one about never forgetting. It’s SO important that we remember history so that we don’t repeat its mistakes, and I love that Grace mentioned the important of remembering!

    • Katherine

      September 8, 2021 at 7:53 am Reply

      Thank you so much, Kristianne!!!!!! Aaahh, yes, she did!!! 😉 I know, right?! I was blown away by how amazing the characters were!!!!!! Ooh, that’s one of my favorites too!!!!!! Agreed! 😉 It is so important that we learn from history, and I love that Grace mentioned it as well!!!<33

  • Emma

    September 4, 2021 at 11:28 am Reply

    Ooooo…..I can’t wait to read Daylight!!!!!!! IT LOOKS AMAZING!!! Ah man, all the quotes were epic! But the second and fifth ones were probably my favorite! I loved this review, Kat!!!!!!!!

    • Katherine

      September 8, 2021 at 8:20 am Reply

      EeeEee, I can’t wait for you to read it too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 I’m sure you will LOVE it!!!!!!!!!! AAAHHH, YES, IT IS SO AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! 😀 I know, right?! They totally were!! 😉 Oooh, yes, I LOVE those quotes, and they were so beautifully written!!!!! Aww, THANK YOU, Emma!!!!!!!!!<3333333

    • Katherine

      September 11, 2021 at 11:07 am Reply

      Aah, yes, it is an incredible story!!!!!!!! 😉 Me too!!!!!!!!! 😀 Ooooh, making a word art is a FANTASTIC idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *wonders why I didn’t think of it* 🤔 XD Okay, now I want to go make a word art of that quote too!!!

  • Lily

    September 4, 2021 at 2:23 pm Reply

    “All that heavy lifting he loved doing on jobs? Yeah, that’ll be a no-no for a long time . . . .”

    Love it! Congrats Grace!! This is really exciting; and I love your cover! 🙂

    • Katherine

      September 11, 2021 at 11:30 am Reply

      AWWWW, THANK YOU SO MUCH, Victoria!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so happy you loved it!!!!!!! Aah, yes, I love those too!!!!!!! Eeee, I CAN’T WAIT for you to read it either!!!!!!!!!!! You will LOVE it!!!!!!! (And don’t forget to bring tissues of course.😉)

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