Last Light

Restoration, Book 1

By: Terri Blackstock

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The world as they know it ceases to exist because of a global power outage. Is it a terrorist attack . . . or something far worse?

Birmingham, Alabama, has lost all power. Its streets are jammed with cars that won’t start, its airport engulfed in flames from burning planes. All communications—cell phones, computers, even radios—are silent. Every home and business is dark. Is it a natural disaster . . . a terrorist attack . . . or something far worse?

In the face of a crisis that sweeps an entire high-tech planet back to a time before electricity, the Branning family faces a choice. Will they hoard their possessions in order to survive—or trust God to provide as they share their resources with those around them? Yesterday’s world is gone. Family and community are all that remain. And the outage is revealing the worst in some.

Desperation can be dangerous when a killer lives among them.

New York Times bestselling suspense author Terri Blackstock weaves a masterful what-if novel in which global catastrophe reveals the darkness in human hearts—and lights the way to restoration for a self-centered world.

“Blackstock is absolutely masterful at bringing spiritual dilemmas to the surface and allowing readers to wrestle with them alongside her characters.” —RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars (of Dawn’s Light)

©2005 Terri Blackstock (P)2005 The Zondervan Corporation

If it does nothing else it will get you thinking

I have listened, to "Last Light" and having been with out electricity for over three weeks after the hurricanes that hit Fla., I felt much the same way that these characters felt. And believe me after the first week my family was on each other's nerves. Just knowing the electricity would soon be back on was all that got us through.
And as I was looking for a good Christian author, it felt good to read this book and then recommend this book to others, with out saying, just ignore the few bad parts. Thanks Terry for this book.
And as for bringing Christ into the Book, It made me stop and take a good long look at my own life.
To see where I stand with God, myself. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books by this author.

A thought provoking,Christian based novel

I was really moved by the plot of this novel.Could I live without all the luxuries of my life? I think that Terri Blackstock has introduced a book series that,for me, can help me address that question.Her characters are not super human but just ordinary people faced with a crisis of global magnitude.As far as her pushing Christian values on others,I did not see it that way.I saw her as a writer bringing Christian values and principles into her characters lives at a time when I believe that I would have also done if I were in the same situation.I believe that Terri Blackstock did a very good job and can't wait to start the rest of this series.I have listened to "The Cape Refuge series" and loved that one too.So I hope that this series is just as good.

Liked it.

I enjoyed this book, even though I really wanted to choke one particular character(no spoilers). I think many of us would be whinny and unappreciative, when put in similar circumstances. Overall a pretty good book and series.

Narrator ruined it for me

I have only been able to listen to about 20 minutes of this audiobook, which is a shame because I think the story might be engrossing. Instead of reading the book, the narrator attempts to act it out, with different voices (with accents seemingly from different parts of the country) for each family member. I prefer to use my imagination to picture what is happening rather than have someone dictate what the characters sound like. If you think a whining teenager is annoying in real life, try listening to a grown man imitate one.

We don't talk that way

Would you consider the audio edition of Last Light to be better than the print version?

No

Did Dick Hill do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I almost take offense to the southern accent used in this audio book. I'm from Alabama and live 45 minutes from Birmingham. I rolled my eyes when I heard the southern drawl used. Loved the book but think I'd rather read it.

Really makes you think!

What made the experience of listening to Last Light the most enjoyable?

The story. It brought a lot of things to mind considering the state of our country.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The father because of his strong faith in the Lord.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

All of it.

If you could take any character from Last Light out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The parents.

Any additional comments?

Terri Blackstock has never let me down. Her books are wonderful.

so preachy it's distracting

The author has chosen to try to shove Christianity down the reader's throat using the format of a novel and it really diminished my enjoyment of the book.

The premise of the story is interesting, but I'm about 3/4 of the way through and having to make myself finish listening because I have the constant urge to tell the author that I am fully grown and don't need him to try to form my character, thank you.

I won't download any more of his books.

Interesting End Times Scenario

I thought this was a good story, although I would have enjoyed a little more depth. The major characters were reasonably believable, and the basic premise was a new take on an old theme. As I listened, I found myself taking stock of my own possessions and wanting to lay in a stock of canned goods. I thought the reading was fine, and don't understand the gulping noise some others have commented about. I listened for it and never quite caught it. Overall, a good listen. I will be getting the rest of the series.

Awesome book!

If you could sum up Last Light in three words, what would they be?

I just love the Restoration series books. It really makes you think and put your life into perspective. I can't imagine going through that. Terri Blackstock does a great job depicting what life without technology of any kind would be like. I love reading books, but having books like this and the added bonus of making yourself look at your own relationship with Christ is wonderfal.

Hideous Narration

All I can say is GROSS! The only thing Dick Hill inspired in me with his gulp swallow narration was nausea. Not only were his throat noises absolutely disgusting, but his simpering whining impersonation of female characters only succeeded in making all the women sound like clinging, whining shrews. I can't even rate the story as I would have needed a lobotamy to finish the book.

Dreadful

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Evangelists and hard line born again christians

What was most disappointing about Terri Blackstock’s story?

A brilliant idea wasted

What didn’t you like about Dick Hill’s performance?

I wasn't sure if it was for real

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The characters were portrayed well and quite easy to imagine. Descriptive passages were quite good.

Any additional comments?

I thought I would enjoy this book because the original idea was good, but by the time I reached the final religious rant (I managed to stick it out to the end!) I was starting to wonder whether the whole thing was just some kind of satirical parody. I agree with the previous reviewer - it definitely should come with a warning!

A great listen with plenty of suspense

A great listen with plenty of suspense and just enough of an injection of Scripture and Scriptural truth.

Interesting.

Started off great. The ever increasing religious sermons put us off listening to the end. It should contain a warning about that!