Gives Light (Gives Light, #1) GLBT-YA

Gives Light by Rose Christo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

1st. read: 8/13-17/12

Skylar's father always told him, 'If I’m gone for three days, call the police'. After waiting longer than three days to contact the police, he finally declares his father missing. But his worry only heightens when he's placed in a foster home while the search for his father begins.

As the days go by with no sign of his father anywhere, Skylar is taken to the last place he wants to be-Nettlebush Reserve. It's where his paternal grandmother Catherine Looks Over lives, but it is also where at the age of five he lost his voice and his mother.

Yet for all his fears, Sky feels that he has finally found his place in the world. Little by little he comes out of his shell, makes new friends, learns about his heritage and finds love with Rafael. Rafael Gives Light who is broody, self contained, and artistic; who loves to read, enjoys the outdoors, understands Sky completely, is the perfect image of a Native American...and the son of the man who murdered Sky's mother.

But Sky looks beyond that fact, to the innocent boy that lies behind Rafael's facade of indifference. A young man with emotional scars and pain of his own who has dealt with the stigma of his father's murders; who is trying to understand how the man who taught him so many things, even how to draw (his greatest love-aside from Sky >.<) could be the same person that betrayed his people's trust and was the cause of so much pain and loss.

It's when everything seems to settle between him and Rafael that his happiness is threatened; his dad reappears and is coming home. While at the forefront of his mind is his worry that his father's 'job' has gotten him in trouble with the law, Sky is also afraid of his dad's reaction to his being gay and in a relationship with Rafael. Nothing prepares him for his father's arrival and the dark truth that he reveals to Sky-he's enacted Blood Law.

Learning the real reason behind his dad's disappearance is hard for Sky to understand. His mind can find some justification in it, while his heart rebels at the idea of his father's actions. He finds it harder still to know that he will be the one to tell Rafael that Sky's father has just killed his father.

Nettlebush shows the strength of their ties as a people and a community as they work together to harbor Sky's father and hide his presence from the watchful eyes of the FBI, something that amazes Sky and gives him the strength to face his dad's and his own uncertain future.

I've mentioned this several times as I've read this series-I ABSOLUTELY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY LOVE EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE NOVELS-AND I ADORE SKY AND RAFAEL! That being established (yet again), this story was wonderful for me. I love that instant connection that Rafael has with Sky, their complete devotion to each other is just lovely to witness. Sky is a favorite because he is such a kind-hearted young man, so willing to see the best in everyone. I like how he steps out of the shadows and becomes such a nice influence to those around him.

Rafael I love because of how he flourishes. First because of Sky, then because of Annie and Aubrey's friendship. His obvious love for Sky just makes me starry eyed and all melty inside. I admire Annie, she is such a strong young woman and Aubrey is just an all around nice guy. Another enjoyable factor for me was the little bits of history and tradition, as well as the natural medicinal remedies fascinated me. Finally, I really felt taken in by the whole series of events that began 11 years ago and culminated in the reservation-Nettlebush facing off against the FBI. Although what Paul (Sky's dad) did was a complete surprise, I didn't expect that. All in all, a great and fascinating read for me...and reread. >.<


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