The Lightkeeper: Sherry Shenoda

The Lightkeeper is one of those books that makes you wonder, “Why have I not read this a long time ago?!” Mystery, romance, a bit of spice, and time travel test the boundaries of love, and further test the boundaries of a person’s capacity to love, even in sheer uncertainty. The book’s introduction leaves the reader with much foreshadowing that would not be understood unless the book is fully read. With every reading, it almost establishes a connection with you, awaiting to tell you more and more with each twist and turn in the journey.

The unique thing about the Lightkeeper is how it speaks to the human need to feel loved by someone. I saw this love manifest in the relationship between Ronan and Aine, between Aine and Wisdom, and between Aine and the author herself. It’s one of those things that makes you want a love so poignant and deep, a love as mature yet young at heart, and yet one that stands the test of time, or in this case, the test of time-bending.

To truly understand the interaction between Aine and Wisdom, and all of what Wisdom says in the novel, one must rest his analytical mind for a moment, and take in the natural beauty of Wisdom as it is presented. Wisdom serves to be the backbone on which everything in the novel is established, and it is no surprise, for King Solomon said, “Wisdom has built her house,… She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” (Proverbs 9:1,3-4) and also Joshua son of Sirach mentions, “she [Wisdom] is created with the faithful in the womb. She made among men an eternal foundation, and among their descendants she will be trusted.” (Sirach 1:14b-15). This novel does a terrific job of displaying Wisdom as it is mentioned biblically, following the utmost Orthodox understanding of Wisdom while at the same time painting it in light of modern times, thus retaining its internal beauty while at the same time presenting it in most orthodox and canonical fashion.

“The Lightkeeper” by Sherry Shedoda stands to be a wonderful crossover between the worlds of fantasy, history, and the Orthodox faith in a lightness and humor never seen before and in a grave seriousness that makes the hearts wonder. Truly, after reading the book, one cannot help but feel that they lived a whole life with the characters, sharing their every pain and grief while at the same time laughing with them on the couch, facing the warm fireplace that gives the whole novel its warmth. Each detail in the book is described impeccably and with utmost care, as if Wisdom Herself arranged it all as Solomon himself declared. Each quote at the beginning of the chapter gives insight that is only understood after fully reading. And while you may ask yourself, my dear reader, what the whole purpose of such a novel is, I come here to tell you plainly that the novel’s goal is to turn the heart in pursuit of Wisdom, in spite of all the challenges.

I ask the author to forgive my weakness, since I was supposed to write this review since last May, 2021. A whole year and two months passed by me, this review in my mind and heart, awaiting the right moment. I thank God that I finally got around to writing this review as a testament that this book is one worthy of not just mere reading, but sincere understanding of its profound wisdom and beauty. May God bless this work for the glory of His Most Holy Name.