Destroyer of Light

By: Jennifer Marie Brissett

Narrated by: Cherise Boothe, Landon Woodson

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Reminiscent of Miéville and Butler, Jennifer Marie Brissett, author of Elysium, has created a disturbing and haunting science-fiction narrative in Destroyer of Light, interweaving mythology with interdimensional aliens, human refugees, child soldiers, and genetic engineering.

Over 300 years in the future, all humans on the planet Eleusis are refugees following the alien destruction of Earth.

Within this society of haves and have-nots, of criminals and dissidents, of former alien conquerors claiming a desire for peaceful cohabitation, three stories intertwine: a young girl abducted by a violent warlord, twin brothers searching for the lost son of a human/alien couple, and a young woman with extraordinary powers who’s risen through the insurgent ranks in the borderlands called Night.

Their stories skate across years to build toward one moment, when the fate of all - human and alien - hangs in the balance.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books

©2021 Jennifer Marie Brissett (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

2021, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year

“Destroyer of Light is proof positive that we're living in a new golden age of science fiction.” (Charlie Jane Anders, Hugo Award-winning author)

“Destroyer of Light grapples with themes of both the human and post-human experience in a way that is wholly original and seductively engaging. Brissett builds a richly layered and imaginative world that reflects much of our own — the good, the brutal, and the truly monstrous — while daring us to dream of something more. This is a tale not only of becoming and transformation, but about the choices we make that bring us to our destinations. In a time of new, meaningful, and thrilling science fiction, Destroyer of Light is a must read.” (P. Djèlí Clark, Hugo Finalist and author of The Haunting of Tram Car 015)

"[A] dark, poetic tale of struggling human colonists and ambiguously motivated aliens on a distant planet. Brissett uses the alien setting to explore contemporary issues, including racism, the complexities of allyship, and the trauma experienced by child soldiers. The author’s updated take on a classic myth is both clever and entertaining...Richly developed and profound" (Kirkus, Starred Review)

The story came to "life"

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

Well... From the start, Destroyer of Light is not an easy or light read. I found that it was very thought provoking to say the least. I also have to warn those interested in reading this should be aware of the unsettling physical and sexual violence contained throughout the novel. Otherwise, the author has written an intense and complex puzzle of storylines in which the varying characters are connected one way or the other. The world-building and the character development is deep and intricate which created this futuristic time and atmosphere that these characters had to live and endure. The multiple points of views told in each "chapter" skillfully maneuvers the story to come together towards the intriguing end.

This is definitely a read that would make you go..."hmmm."

Destroyer of Light is a brutal drama that delves into the good and the bad of humanity. I enjoyed the author's sci-fi twist to the retelling of the Persephone story. It's not about the romance... It goes deeper. Anyways, I found this read to be brutally philosophical and compelling.

So... I did a read-along with the audiobook... And, wow, the narrators did an impressive job in creating the atmosphere and feel of the story. Both didn't just narrate; they got into each character. They pulled me into this savage sci-fi fantasy world and brought the story to "life." They made reading Destroyer of Light a more compelling journey.

After reading this, I already know that this is not a read for everyone. Destroyer of Light is definitely a read for mature readers. With the author's imaginative and gripping storytelling, this is a provocative novel that I am glad I did not pass up. I do have to say that it was a challenging (and, at times, confusing) read, but reading along with the audiobook made it mind-blowing.

Either love it or hate it, Destroyer of Light is a complex and emotional story that does make readers go... "Hmmm." I know I did...Ha!

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Very entertaining! I'll definitely listen to this book again. Hope they make a movie

Interesting alternative world

Really interesting alternative world where humans aren’t at the top of the “order.” The end felt rushed and not super satisfying, but the story was creative and worth reading!

Powerful story

A powerful and thoughtful story, well paced, nuanced characters, fantastic world building and interesting plot.

I listened to the whole thing

But I'm not sure why I listened to the whole thing. It was pretty meh

Couldn’t finish it…

Enough already with the child rape and conscription. I kept thinking we were done w/that and there we go again with more and add in our main character being forced to hack her friend’s body to bits. Really, I want to vomit. I want my credit back.