~~RECEIVED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW~~ First time ever reading anything written by Meradeth Houston and all I can say is WOW!!! Fast paced seat gripping on the edge type of read! Once you start it's very hard to put down once you start! Each page takes you on a ride of fast heartbeats and what the hells...If you have not picked this book up yet, you will want to make sure you do!

If Shakespeare had written paranormal YA (well, he almost did – what about the ghost in Macbeth?), he might have written ABSENCE OF LIGHT by Meradeth Houston. Why Shakespeare? Because he had the gift of drawing characters that were multifaceted – there were no villains in his plays who were evil, through and through, with no redeeming characteristics. Houston is up to her usual artistry here, creating characters that you empathize with in one moment, and then, in the next moment, you question your earlier assessment. The hinge of the plot depends on the evil (or so we think), black, oily Shadows, who have killed the feisty protagonist Leah's family. But, (no spoilers, here) there is more to the Shadows that we see at first glance. Be prepared to be surprised – and to enjoy Houston's trademark sassy/savvy protagonist's voice and her command of vivid place and action descriptors. If you like paranormal with smarts, snap this one up!

This story pulled me in from the very first scene. Leah's entire family has been murdered and only she knows who is responsible. No one else can see the shadows—or so Leah thinks. She flees, not wanting to be blamed for the deaths of her family members, and winds up finding a group of people who can see the shadows like she can. Only they seem to be more prepared to fight the shadows. There is a love story here, but it never overshadows (ugh, really bad pun) the story. There's plenty of action to keep you glued to the pages. And I loved the twist with one shadow in particular. No spoilers but I didn't see that coming and thought it was a nice touch. It definitely pulled Leah out of her comfort zone. I also give Houston kudos for being able to surprise me. I tend to figure plots out very quickly, but she kept me guessing. This is a great book for sci-fi fans. It's dark, action-packed, emotional, and fast-paced. I had a hard time putting it down.

I've never read anything from this author before and I was glad I gave this book a chance. It was brilliant with relatable characters and a unique plot. I don't know why everyone doesn't know about this book. I loved it and I can't wait to read more. I hope there is more.

Leah Madison is exceptional. She started college at age 16, after all. She sees things that others don’t. She senses things that are invisible to most. Unfortunately, what she sees and senses are … well, unbelievable, to society at large. And these things have murder on the mind. Leah’s extraordinary gifts are not enough to save her family. Nor are they enough to keep her from being implicated in their deaths, and ultimately driven towards a fateful confrontation that will determine the destiny of the entire human race. What she sees—what she senses, can even talk to—are “Shadows.” They live among us, but they are not native. They know all about Leah, and her gifts. They do not wish to kill her—not yet, anyway. Because they need answers, too. This is the stage upon which AN ABSENCE OF LIGHT, by Meradeth Houston, is set. To give away any more secrets (as the cliché goes) would be a crime. Suffice it to say, O Reader, when you crack back the cover and unveil the first page, you’d better be ready to GO—because you’ve just embarked upon a science fiction-horror novel that hits the pavement like a stolen BMW with back tires squealing, leaving blackened, shadowy tread marks over your unsuspecting brain and heart. Keeping the “secrets” sacred, however, I will tell you this: You will accompany Leah to a sanctuary, in the form of a gas station, where she will make new friends—and something like family—even as she learns how to battle the evils that ruined her earlier life. Here, she may even fall in love again, if only for a moment. And you’ll fall in love with Leah, but not because she is perfect. Far from it, she’s actually moody, often snippy, and at times indecisive. But people confide in her, and she never betrays—even when it might be in her best interests to do so. She tells the truth, at least as she sees it. In a word, she’s decent, and the reader roots for her. This book is rife with desperate action. Just when you feel like you might get a break from it—after an especially tender scene, for instance, or even following the book’s essential set-piece climax—a new complication arises. Yet, there is a resolution. AN ABSENCE OF LIGHT is a story unto itself, while at the same time leaving the possibility that there may be more of this story for Ms. Houston to tell. If so, Houston, we don’t have a problem.

I loved this book. Adventure, suspense, romance it has it all. The main character has alot of courage. I didn't want to put the book down. Meradeth is amazing author. Highly recommended this book.

I'm a fan of Ms. Houston's previous "Sary" series. Very well-written and entertaining. But, I have to say, this is Ms. Houston's most accomplished work yet. Suspenseful, unpredictable, romantic, very empathetic characters. Can't go wrong. Leah's battling demons, inner and outer. Mostly outer, but they're to blame for her inner demons. The shadow creatures killed her family. She seeks salvation, survival. She finds temporary shelter. But will it last? Read the book, find out. The novel kept me chugging along through the night to find out how it'd end. Loved it. Recommended.