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Lunch » Tags » Books » Reviews » Keeper of Light and Dust

Keeper of Light and Dust

1 rating: 5.0

A book by Natasha Mostert

A highly original supernatural thriller blending magic, science, martial arts, and the greatest desire of all: to live forever Mia Lockheart has a secret. Her mother was a Keeper, as was her grandmother—women who were warriors, … see full wiki

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Author: Natasha Mostert

Publisher: Dutton Adult

1 review about Keeper of Light and Dust

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The Strongest Desire is to Live Forever

Jul 16, 2009

by GEldred
posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Rating:

As you decide on what to read next, I would strongly recommend Keeper of Light and Dust by Natasha Mostert. It is at an intersection of ancient arts, the world of fighters, dreams, and the supernatural. In short, it is a very original, highly entertaining novel.

Mia is a Keeper, a woman that protects warriors and fighters using long distance healing. It is a practice that traces it roots back to early Chinese history. But this aspect of her life is hidden from those that she protects, as today's fighters (boxers, kickboxers, and mixed martial artists), a superstitious bunch, probably could not handle this knowledge. However, as a tattoo artist, Mia applies her "sign" to the fighters that she protects. To them, it is simply a curious and interesting tattoo. She is a very effective Keeper. However, one of her fighters dies days after a match, after his heart simply stops beating. A close childhood friend, Nick Duffy, unaware of Mia's secret, discovers that this fighter is not the only one to have died days after a match; there are several more. He investigates. However, into their lives arrives Adrian Ashton, a scientist, martial artist, and expert in chi, that becomes Nick's training buddy and Mia's love interest. "Ash" has a secret as well, one that will pit Mia in a battle for her life and the life of Nick. A battle that is much physical as it is in the dream world of the Keeper.

At times gritty, beautiful, mysterious, Mostert has created one of the most unique reading experiences of the year. Infused with actual knowledge of the martial arts, chi, and the spartan training facilities of men who fight, Mostert has created characters that are well developed and believable, and a plot that dares the reader to stop reading. Beginning select chapters with passages from The Book of Light and Dust adds a sense of mystery to the story. What is this other book and what does it signify? Why are there apparent directions coded "Blacklight" and "Whitelight?" Very mystical and yet fascinating. Dividing the dojo into "grunts" and "vogues" adds lightness to the novel, as the "grunts" are those that practice the physical martial arts who can't understand Mia and the "vogues," those that practice perfection of technique and strengthening of the mind. But it is Mia, a slight female vogue that is protecting a couple of grunts. Gritty as she wanders the world of fighters, Mostert brings the sights and smells of training and fighting to life. Balanced with the lightness of Mia and her role as a Keeper, you enter a world of beauty and protection, handed down through the ages. A different kind of killer, one that requires the chi of certain fighters, Mostert opens another world, an ancient one tied to the life force of a person and the teachings of Eastern philosophies. And as you progress through the book, you are held captivated by Mostert's excellent writing and characters. This is a novel that is thoroughly engaging and an author that is imaginative. A combination that results in one of the best books of the year.

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