Book Review: a Lantern Left Burning by Thea Hawthorne

June 19, 2026

Once again, I love me some Thea Hawthorne, although I will say, I think this may be my least favorite of her work. Her characters are beautiful and flawed and realistic, but this Novella felt a little rushed in some areas and a little drawn out in others. The chemistry also felt a little less obvious than her other works.

We follow the story of an aetherworker named Linnea, who has worked herself to the bone. Before her parents passed, she had been on track to become an artisan, creating beautiful jewelry, but after they passed, she saw her gifting with aether to important to look past and forced herself into a career path she didn’t desire. When one day she meets a dazzling healing assistant, and singer from the gardens, she starts to question the life that she had built. Does anyone truly value her health? Is she worth more than just her work? Will her life end the same way as her parents?

Thea touches on topics of burnout and overworking oneself to the point of exhaustion, which I remember well from college. Again, I love these characters, but sadly, this was not my favorite of her work. Still I highly suggest everything Thea writes, but wait for autumn for this one. It’s the perfect cozy read.