This story takes you from India, where it's hot year round to the the frigid climes of winter in England. The author writes the settings beautifully so you feel you are there. We follow Ottilie very closely, so it could have been written in the first person.
I had never heard of embroidery with beetle wings before so that was interesting, nor had I heard the name Ottilie before. ( )

I have always loved India fiction. A Tapestry of Light is another great addition to this genre. Most of the books in this genre that I have seen concern the historical periods of the British Raj and Partition. Some of them are stories about modern women. It would be nice to read a novel about the mughal period and I wonder whether any writer has written about this time period.

Back to the book. A Tapestry of Light begins in Calcutta in 1866. Ottilie Russell has a British father and an Indian mother and does not belong to either society. She, and others like her, were referred to as Eurasian. After Ottilie's mother Maji dies, she begins to take work embroidering gowns for the elite with beetle wing embroidery in order to support her younger brother Thaddeus and her grandmother Nani. This type of embroidery was passed down to her from generations of Indian women before her. She was an expert at it and was able to make a living from it. A few months later a stranger named Everett Scott walked into her home to advise the family that Thaddeus had inherited the Baroncy of Sunderland in England. Scott traveled to India in order to take Thaddeus to England. Ottilie refuses to allow Thaddeus to leave and is aghast that she is learning for the first time about her father's family. Eventually Ottilie agrees to let Thaddeus travel to England but only if she is allowed to go with him. However, life is not easy for any of them in England because Thaddeus appears to be white, Ottilie looks like an Indian.

I LOVED this novel! I particularly liked the India setting. It has warm weather, great food and colorful clothing. I could picture in my mind the saris that Ottilie wore. I am a fan of them. England, however, is cold and grey just like the city I live in so it is not appealing to me. The characters were interesting, even the secondary characters. Ottilie is a great protagonist. As a half-breed, she has conflicted views about her ancestry but feels more Indian than English. Her mother taught her to be proud of her Indian ancestry and encouraged the Christian faith to which both of her parents subscribed. Ottilie's mother Maji was a main character early in the novel but after she died, Maji's mother Nani became more prominent. Ottilie remembers the advice she received from both of them as she went through life dealing with her loves, neighbors and business associates. Everett Scott was an interesting character too. He does not have a pristine ancestry either but he is willing to talk about it honestly. I have never read about a character in his position who didn't try to hide the unsavory bits of their family history. Usually, at least in India fiction, they try to be just like the elites of society, hoping to fit in.

This was the first book written by Kimberly Duffy that I have read. I am impressed and look forward to reading her earlier novels. ( )

A Tapestry of Light is a poignant and heart-wrenching story of loss and longing to find a place to belong and fit in. It’s also a glorious story of overcoming, hope, and faith. Set in Calcutta, India in 1866 and later in England, Kimberly Duffy masterfully paints a picture of the surroundings and what life was life in that time period. The characters come alive on the page, and it’s easy to transport yourself to another place and time. Ottilie Russell is the daughter of a British father and Eurasian mother but resembles her mother with her dark skin and coloring. Her brother, Thaddeus, resemble his father and can pass for British. When their parents pass away, Everett Scott comes to India to fetch Thaddeus, as he has inherited a title.

As they attempt to integrate themselves into British life, Ottilie feels like she’s on the fringes of society and unacceptable no matter where she goes. Her journey of faith and belonging is very inspirational. Duffy is a fantastic story teller, and I enjoyed experiencing this slice of history, even though I felt empathy for Ottilie in her situation. This story will stay on my heart for a long time. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. ( )

I loved A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy. Ottilie Russell’s remarkable journey, combined with vibrant descriptions of India and its culture, fascinated me. Ottilie’s character felt authentic in many ways. Her spiritual doubts and questions reflect my own with uncanny accuracy. The author portrayed these faith struggles with depth and compassion as Ottilie moved toward healing. Other things I admired about Ottilie included her sacrificial love of her family and her remarkable talent for embroidering elytra.

Throughout A Tapestry of Light, Ottilie undergoes deep character development as she struggles with her Eurasian heritage, her desire to care for her brother, and the brokenness inside. I loved that the author dove into Ottilie’s reasoning, feelings, and motives. Part of Ottilie’s character development comes via Everett Scott, the man determined to bring her young brother to England. Their slow burn romance played a significant role in the story, but it was Ottilie that drew me back to the story nightly.

A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy stands as a historical fiction novel, perfect for readers who enjoy exotic locales, deep character development, and slow burn romance. This novel will likely make it into my top ten reads of the year. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. ( )

This story started a little slow for me but do not give up on it because it is a beautiful story of hope and faith. Ottilie and her brother are part European and part Indian. They go through many trials and tribulations before moving to England and learning more of their heritage. There are many twists and turns in Ottilies life and I enjoyed learning all of them. I love the many beautiful descriptions of her use of beatle wings in the clothing. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )