Review & Giveaway ♦ Wait Until Twilight

About The Book

Not long after his own mother’s death, sixteen-year-old Samuel discovers a set of deformed triplets hidden behind closed doors in his sleepy Georgia community. The babies – whose shut-in mother believes they were immaculately conceived and whose menacing brother is a constant threat – take control of Samuel’s every waking and sleeping thought. His only escape, he realizes, will be to save the monster children. But to do so, he must rein in his darkest impulses as he undergoes a profound transformation from motherless boy to self-defined man – because sometimes the most terrible monsters are those that live inside us all.


Book Title: Wait Until Twilight Genre: Fiction
Author: Sang Pak Type: Trade Paperback 229 Pages
Publisher: Harper Collins Publication Date: August 2009

My Thoughts  
Wait Until Twilight was one of my favorite reads so far this year, and as always, the books I enjoy the most are the ones that are the hardest to actually talk about. You know when you love something right away and you’re not entirely sure what grabbed hold of you so tightly, or what made a particular read stick with you so strongly? That’s exactly what happened to me with Sang Pak’s literary debut.

Samuel, the teenage lead of Wait Until Twilight is most definitely a major reason why I enjoyed this story. I felt a connection to this character from the start. Losing his mother and seeing how he deals (or not deals) with his family members drifting apart in order to deal with their grief alone, was a heart-breaking way to get to know Samuel. He seems lost at the point when the reader meets him. He does have goals for his life, and possesses the motivation and drive to make the most of his life, but it’s also clear that he has begun floating through his days. Samuel’s behavior comes across as nearly average to those around him, but it’s what’s happening inside himself, his feelings, thoughts and basic being that are swirling around aimlessly. Samuel is a boy that knows the man he wants to be, but hasn’t quite figured out how to get there. For me, the title Wait Until Twilight, is so appropriate for what Samuel is going through – he’s in the dark of night, struggling to make it until the daylight makes everything clear – and that to me seems like the complete definition of adolescence.

So, we have a very likable character that the reader can totally empathize with, but something is coming that is going to test both his own soul and the reader’s strength to stay true to Samuel. Given a school assignment to make a video, Samuel and his friend decide to find out the truth about the supposed trio of monster babies in their neighborhood. These babies are like a kind of local urban legend, lots of talk surrounds their existence, but no one really knows the facts. Until Samuel and his friend go visit the mother of the triplets. However, once Samuel finally sees the truth with his own eyes, the school assignment is completely forgotten. He becomes obsessed with the deformed baby triplets. The very fact that they live and breathe horrifies him and changes everything he has ever thought about life.

This experience is basically what will come to decide how Samuel will become a man. He’s confused by a violent desire to destroy the children and a compassionate urge to save them. Complicating matters further is his relationships with the triplets mother and older brother. Torn between admiring/despising the mother’s love of her miracle babies, and his fear/yearning of becoming like the man who thinks the triplets are nothing more than trash, Samuel must fight to find his own humanity.

Wait Until Twilight was not an easy read. There are many ugly, dark thoughts found in this book. But there was also a certain kind of peacefulness that came with those things. It’s a story of a boy that really made me hope he would find his way out of the darkness surrounding him, the darkness that is trying to find a way into his soul. To me this was a story about light and dark, and discovering and learning how far you can go in either direction. Not so much that only good can come from light, and bad from dark – more like the only way to create your own truth is by looking inside yourself.

“Every moment of light and dark is a miracle.” – Walt Whitman


About The Author

Sang Pak is a Georgia-raised writer with English and psychology degrees from the University of Georgia. He is currently on hiatus from New York University’s graduate program in psychology. He divides his time between Georgia, Southern California, and Seoul. Wait Until Twilight is his first novel.


Other Reviews
Have you reviewed this book too?
Let me know and I’ll add your link.


Wait Until Twilight Giveaway

I enjoyed this book so much, and recommend it to anyone looking for an excellent coming-of-age story, a great example of Southern Gothic literature or an engaging read. And to encourage you to give this debut novel a read, I am going to give away 2 brand new copies of Wait Until Twilight.

  • Giveaway will end on Friday, September 11 at midnight (EST).
  • Open to everyone, worldwide, with a mailing address.

You can enter this giveaway by commenting below, and you can earn entries as follows:

  • 1 entry for commenting with email address.
  • +2 entries for following or subscribing to my blog.
  • +3 entries for tweeting, blogging, sidebar posting.
  • +4 entries for answering any or all of these questions – Are coming-of-age stories a particularly important type of literature for younger (10-18) readers? How do you think that these stories change for a reader as they mature? Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you?

That gives you the chance to get 10 entries! The 2 winners will be chosen by random.org. Good Luck!



© 2008-2010 Joanne Mosher of The Book Zombie. All rights reserved.

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I just became a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe through Google Reader.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

bermudaonion said...

I'm so glad to see you back on here - I hope you and your family are doing well. I love Southern fiction, so I'd like to be entered. milou2(at)charter.net
+2 I subscribe in Google Reader

Eleni said...

+1 Great giveaway, I really wanna read this book! lafemmereaders@yahoo.com
+2 I'm an old follower
+3 I've posted it on my blog sidebar: http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com
+4 answering any or all of these questions
– Are coming-of-age stories a particularly important type of literature for younger (10-18) readers? I can't think of any particular types besides the literature that they teach in school. For me, I really enjoyed The Scarlet Letter, The Giver, The Outsiders, and a few others. I would consider these to be important. However, if they had to pick on their own, I doubt they would go for the classics and possibly pick up Twilight or Harry Potter.
-How do you think that these stories change for a reader as they mature? Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? I believe at that age when you are reading the book, the themes or lessons don't really hit you until you get older. When I read 1984 in high school, I thought it was okay but dragged, but looking back now that book was amazing. The whole concept of 'Big Brother' watching everything you do was so creepy. However, you did feel grateful that didn't exist today.

Thanks! I hope I win :)
-Eleni
lafemmereaders@yahoo.com
lafemmereaders.blogspot.com

chrisa511 said...

Wow!! This sounds amazing Joanne!! Where do you find these books??? This is so going right onto my wishlist :D And feel free to enter me in your giveaway :)

Zibilee said...

This looks like a great read, and your review was awesome! Please enter me in this giveaway, I'd love to win a copy.

I am also a follower of this blog.

Kimberly B. said...

Sounds like a great book! I especially loved your review!
beax0002 (at) umn (dot) edu

Ceri said...

I definitely know what it's like to be stuck to convey how much you liked something - That's why I've never been able to write a review for my favourite book: The Time Traveler's Wife.

I'd love to be entered into your draw :-)
humiliated_grapes@hotmail.co.uk

+2 I'm subscribed already :-)

Megan said...

I think you did I fine job talking about it! I'd love to have a chance (or few) at the giveaway. My e-mail address is toadacious1 at yahoo dot com. I've been subscribed in Google Reader for a while, but now I'm following, too.

I'll answer a question, too. =)

One coming-of-age story I've really enjoyed recently was The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips.

Care said...

I already follow your blog (duh) and you know my e/m but here it is again: bkclubcare[at]gmail. I would have to cite a favorite coming of age story is A Separate Peace by John Knowles not only because it is my highest visited post but it describes the sad loss of innocence so eloquently. I'll go tweet about this now. Thanks!

Debi said...

No need to enter me in the giveaway. But I just had to say what an incredible review this is! You've made it sound so compelling...yep, you absolutely, positively sold me.

Mari said...

Would love a copy of this book to share with my niece.

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Hey, welcome back.

Of course I follow your blog.

I'll tweet ya as soon as I post this.

And since I had a particularly angst-less childhood, I've never been much impacted by coming of age stories. Although I know people who have...especially The Outsiders. So yes, they are important, and I think they can offer a haven for teens.

fizzybeverage at gmail dot com

Valerie said...

Sounds enjoyable!
KawaiiNeko2008 at aol dot com

Lenore Appelhans said...

Glad you liked it so much. Been thinking of picking this one up myself.

D Swizzle said...

I'm a subscriber!

danielleeloko78 at aol dot com

Serena said...

No need to enter me in the giveaway, but I cannot wait to read my copy now!

Alyce said...

I would love to be entered to win! This sounds like a great book. I haven't read very many southern gothic books. I also really like that cover for some reason.

I'm following your blog.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Jessica ( frellathon ) said...

Really great giveaway. Count me in please. Heard so many good things about this book.
+ 4 I think they are very important. I couldn't point to one in particular as I think it's an individual and how they react to that book. Which one will have an impact on you may not on another. Being a kid in the 80's naturally Judy Blume was the author for me. I loved her work and still thank my mother for allowing me to read any book I wanted.
jessica(at)fan(dot)com

The Bookworm said...

I've been seeing this one around the blog-o-sphere.
It does sound intense.
Great review!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Really interesting read! Please count me in for the giveaway.

deadbookdarling at gmail dot com

+2 Follower
+3 Added to sidebar
+4
While I don't recall reading a coming-of-age story while I was coming-of-age, I DO think they are extremely important for YAs to read. There is so much that you either don't want to ask or don't know how to ask, as a teen, that can be explained through fiction. Also, coming-of-age stories give a young teen a fastforward preview of what is to come. You may be suffering now, or even making stupid mistakes, but one day you will get why. And when a teen experiences THROUGH a character they can relate to, it takes on a lot more weight.

Linna said...

I would like to be entered for this giveaway.

I like to read coming-of-age novels. They help me anchor myself and get rid of self-pity. Also after reading those nice books, I feel refreshed. :D

linna.hsu at gmail dot com

M.A.D. said...

Mary D
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

What a delicious book! Please count me in to win and thanks bunches :)

M.A.D. said...

Mary D
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Just signed up to follow your wonderful blog on Google :)
+2

Valorie said...

I'd love a chance to win.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

I follow via reader.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/morbidromantic/statuses/3801131661.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

bks2plz said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Beth said...

Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Sarah Z said...

Sounds like a great read!
Thanks
Sarah
believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

Jenny N. said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. I would love a chance to read this book.

jen4777[at]hotmail.com

Dawn M. said...

I would love the chance to read this book. Count me in, please! :0)

I subscribe by newsletter. (midnightblue)

Thanks!
librarygrinch at gmail dot com

Ruth (Book Focus) said...

Could I enter your contest please?

kiwibooklover at gmail [.] com

I'm also now "following" your blog. :)

AND I tweeted about the contest at http://twitter.com/phyntosia/status/3860644605

Thanks for the contest!

Aik said...

I'd love to enter. Thanks! +1

I'm now following your blog. +2

I tweeted. +3
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/3866902937

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Great book!
mauagd@gmail.com
• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following or subscribing to my blog.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? Lolita.

Anonymous said...

This book looks amazing! Please count me in.

tanialexandralves@gmail.com

• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? The Lover.

Joana Dias said...

Thank you for this.
joanapatriciadias@gmail.com
• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? Tom Sawyer.

Unknown said...

This book sounds so good!
luisfilipebarros88@gmail.com

• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? Anne of Green Gables.

Unknown said...

Please pick me!
rosamariabarrosmaria@gmail.com
• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? Daddy Long Legs.

Unknown said...

Good contest.
joaomiguelrocha85@gmail.com

• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? Little Women.

Unknown said...

It is a great book.
I have done a review of the book as well as a recent interview of the author. My first interview actually.
Links for the interview and the review are as below. I will also be posting about your giveaway on my blog. Thanks :)
http://layersofthought.blogspot.com/2009/09/author-interview-sang-pak-wait-until.html
http://layersofthought.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-wait-until-twilight-novel-by.html

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to enter.
augustod56@gmail.com

• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? Son of Rambow.

Unknown said...

Great book and great contest.

isispath@gmail.com

• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? The Secret Of Moonacre.

Unknown said...

Oh I realy want to read this book!
mariabarros1987@gmail.com
• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? Little Lips.

Unknown said...

Enter me in. Thanks.
filipemaria90@gmail.com

• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? A Great and Terrible Beauty.

Unknown said...

Thanks for that nice contest.
migueljardim85@gmail.com

• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? Twilight.

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book.
alexsweetbabygirl@gmail.com

• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.
• +4 entries Let me know which coming-of-age story you enjoyed or had an impact on you? Great Expectations.

Krista said...

Awesome giveaway! Please enter me
• 1 entry for commenting with email address.
• +2 entries for following.

Thank you
kristacole64(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I have a copy but have posted about your give away on my blog.
http://layersofthought.blogspot.com/2009/09/gotta-love-give-aways-september-10-2009.html

Debbie F said...

Please include me! Thanks

+2 I'm a follower!

+4 - Yes I do believe coming of age books are important and do change kids lives. I know that Are you There God, It's Me Margaret changed me when I was younger.

Thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Strangelove said...

Count me in!

carlos_durao AT hotmail DOT com

Edu Chico said...

Great!
I'm still on time!

educhico AT gmail DOT com

Jafantunes said...

Uhhhh!
Giveaways!
Love'em!

o_rei_de_havana AT hotmail DOT com

MariaD said...

I want a chance at this!
;)

dr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane AT gmail DOT com

Caty said...

Just found this out!
In the nick of time!

catarina[dot]magoito[at]gmail[dot]com

J Dias said...

Room for one more?

joanapatriciadias AT gmail DOT com

Tanita said...

tanitalves{@}sapo{.}pt
;)
Good luck to everyone!

Mil said...

Sounds very interesting.
If I don't win, I will buy it!

goncalo DOT mil AT gmail DOT com

Susy said...

This is my kind of book!
Thanks for this chance!
And great blog!
I'm going to keep an eye on it!

39.5susy
@
gmail.com

Anonymous said...

What a great resource!