The Color of Light

By: Helen Maryles Shankman

Narrated by: Simon Slater, Jennifer Ikeda

Length: 23 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

At the American Academy of Classical Art, popular opinion has it that the school's handsome and mysterious founder, Raphael Sinclair, is a vampire. It is a rumor Rafe does nothing to dispel.

Scholarship student Tessa Moss has long dreamed of the chance to study at Rafe's Academy. But she is floundering amidst the ups and downs of a relationship with egotistical art star Lucian Swain.

Then, one of Tessa's sketches catches Rafe's attention: a drawing of a young woman in 1930s clothing who is covering the eyes of a child. The suitcase at her feet says Wizotsky. Sofia Wizotsky, the love of Rafe's life, was lost during the Holocaust. Or was she? Rafe suspects Tessa may be the key to discovering what really happened.

As Rafe finds excuses to interact with Tessa, they quickly discover they cannot deny their growing attraction to one another. It is an attraction forbidden by the Academy Board and disapproved of by anyone familiar with Rafe's playboy reputation and Tessa's softhearted innocence. But what if fate has other plans for Tessa and Rafe? What if they break all rules to succumb to a passion that defies history?

©2013 Helen Maryles Shankman (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

A must listen!!! What a beautiful blend of history and fantasy. I was swept away by the authors flowing colorful descriptions of the characters and their surroundings. I was taken back in time with my heart on the edge of breaking as I learned more and more of the truth from Raphael Sinclair. I cant wait to see if there will be another book.

I absolutely LOVED this one!!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Color of Light to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I do think that Jennifer Ikeda, the main narrator was absolutely perfect for this particular book, I loved the way she narrated it. So maybe for that reason it may be better. The narrator can make it better or worse and I very much suspect that Jennifer Ikeda made it better.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Color of Light?

There were a few parts of the book in which my eyes watered quite a bit, I don't want to give it away so I won't get into it. Also the way that a few of the characters treat Tess is really despicable. The dance scene with Tess and Rafe was great. I enjoyed Tess's friends, they really helped to make the story.

What about Simon Slater and Jennifer Ikeda ’s performance did you like?

They fit their parts so perfectly the way that they narrated them. I couldn't imagine anyone else doing Jennifer Ikeda's narration. Simon was also very good, his narration was some of the parts that brought me to tears.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I got through it pretty quickly for being as long as it was.

Any additional comments?

I LOVED this story. Possibly part of the reason I loved it so much was because I like romance, vampire stories and I have always had an interest in and been passionate about Art, especially the type of Art that is focused on in this book, I think its my favorite. Some people gave this fewer stars and I'm not sure why but at the same time I'm sure there are stories in which they gave 5 stars that I would give less. Also I saw someone say it was porn, lol. This was probably one of the most tame books I have read while still having sex scenes in it, it was pretty tame compared to some of the other books I read. I hate to see what they think of those books, lol.

Good listening, but a bit too long

Would you consider the audio edition of The Color of Light to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version, but both narrators did a great job and it was very entertaining.

What other book might you compare The Color of Light to and why?

There are a lot of books about vampire love stories and a lot of books about the holocaust, but I do not any other book combining both topics.

Which character – as performed by Simon Slater and Jennifer Ikeda – was your favorite?

I loved Simon Slater's performance of Raphael, but I also liked a lot all of Jennifer Ikeda's narration.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I do not want to give any spoilers, but the last three hours of the narration were especially moving.

Any additional comments?

It was a very interesting listen, but in my opinion a bit too long. I knew Jennifer Ikeda from the All Souls trilogy and she was perfect as always, but Simon Slater has been a great discovery and I would love to listen to other books narrated by him.

A Much Better Love Story Than Twilight

What did you love best about The Color of Light?

The emotions. The love and artistry are made so real you feel them right along with the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Color of Light?

The ending. I cried. Real tears. Two hours. I rewound and listened to it again and again. I was left heart broken, but I loved it.

Which character – as performed by Simon Slater and Jennifer Ikeda – was your favorite?

Raphe, I loved him.

Any additional comments?

The story is beautifully written, the history involved is amazingly accurate and what it portrays is breathtakingly real. Told in several parts each is key to the over all story. You walk away from it having felt very real and very honest love in this story.

Great book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a long book that I unexpectedly was not eager to finish it osince there was no sequel. Jennifer Ikeda’s narration is always so musical and sincere. Simon Slater did a great job narrating, I would have preferred to have his voice like Ikeda did it in the rest of the book. A great read!

Well Read But Not My Cup of Tea

I have listened to Jennifer Ikeda's reading of the All Souls trilogy three times, so I thought I would enjoy this story. I guess I am just not a vampire story fan. Spoiler alert ... at least it had a happy ending.

Great Book

What did you love best about The Color of Light?

I loved how real it was. The struggles of the characters were historically accurate. The only problem is that it's a bit too determinedly sad. There's only so much entertainment to be gained from characters whose lives always go wrong. What I do like, however, is that it is some pansy vampire novel. Most vampire books nowadays make the the vampire into some angsty emo on his period who is dying for human love. The vampire is angsty here, but there is more reason to it.

Loved!!!

I’ve never read a book with a vampire. It was so good. I’m afraid I’m hooked.!

unexpected treasure

When I downloaded this title I wasn't sure what I was expecting. "The Color of Light" became a wonderful tale of the past and the present and the future . Shankman combined a tragic period in history and the Paranormal in a fluid way. Both narrators did a very good job giving the story life.

stories in stories

If you could sum up The Color of Light in three words, what would they be?

three words are: past and present story lines, wonderful vampire, a little too long. I was surprised I liked the book. I purchased it to hear Simon Slater. Other than Bram Stroker's Dracula, I have never had an interest in vampire stories. Because I studied art, I loved the author's setting of art school studio classes & art analysis; though frequently the students' conversations was somewhat boring--very adolescent for mid-twenty year old supposedly serious artists (except for the wonderful great prank).

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Color of Light?

The second part of the story is the best of the author's writing. Rafe's life narrated by Simon Slater. The historic horror and sadness the Jews in Poland suffered; the description of the love and suffering of Rafe for Sophia was boundless. I was taken aback. Could be me but I wasn’t clear about Tessa's family generational ties to Sophia. Could use more time, clarity and detail on this very interesting aspect of the book. It did seem a bit too long, I would have changed the ending.

What about Simon Slater and Jennifer Ikeda ’s performance did you like?

I love audible books, the next thing to seeing a play, a good narrator is so entertaining. I would listen to anything narrated by Simon Slater. He is fabulous. Simon Slater's voice brings the Rafe to life. hmmm.. Even if you have never been there, you will feel it. As always, his treatment of the other characters is perfect with maybe a need for a little more American girl in Tessa. He does a great German Rudi. Jennifer Ikeda was very good. Her Tessa voice is very believable, clear and pleasant. She was a good choice for the beginning of the book.

If you could take any character from The Color of Light out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Of course, I would take Rafe to dinner, if he would promise not to have me for dinner.

Any additional comments?

Yes, Simon Slater is incorrectly introduced as Simon Slate. Rather insulting.. Correction should have been made. And btw another mistake, rather important, thank god for us North Americans, Rommel was in North Africa, not North America.