Publisher: Laurel LeafPub date: June 10, 2008
Paperback:,272 pages
Age Range: Young Adult
Maya Laor just arrived ath the campus of the University of Virginia to start her Astronomy study. Maya comes from Israel, and has left her home in Tel Aviv because of grief and guilt. Her boyfriend Dov recently died because of a suicide bomber in Maya's favorite cafe where he and Maya would meet a few minutes later..if Maya's bus was on time. And she knows who was the bomber, and blames herself that maybe she could have done something to prevent it from happening..
The attack and Dov's dead change Maya's life drastically. She was serving in the Israeli army, but now she doesn't know how to move on and if she should go to Virginia.
She decides to go, and meets new people at the college dorm. Like Payton, her new nice roommate, Justin and Chris. Justin is dating another girl but soon it becomes clear thet Maya and Justin become more than friends..
If you are looking for a beautifully written, impressive and amazing good novel, don't look further and pick Light Years by Tammar Stein. I was really impressed by it because it the story is very realistic and Tammar Stein writes in a wonderful first person point of view.
The narrative changes in chapter from Maya's present time at university in Virginia, and in her past time in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Maya's strive to move on with her life in Virginia but still struck with grief and guilt are very beautiful and detailed described by the author. It also really gives a good view of what life in an Israeli city like Tel Aviv is like and how for example, frightened Maya is because of the attacks that happen there sometimes. The author really know what she writes about as she lived in Israel herself. It also reminded me of the book How to ruin boyfriend's'reputation by Simone Elkeles, which is also a book about a girl in in Israeli military camp, and which was also a book I really enjoyed and recommend. Outstanding book, just read it!
