A glorious mix of action, adventure, and intrigue.
Virdoba is a halcyon city with affluent, happy, and safe residents, so long as you live on the correct side of the Inner City gate and your ears aren’t pointy enough to draw attention. Their rich culture is a source of community pride, something that is worth protecting. Unfortunately, the cost of maintaining Virdoba’s values is passed down from the wealthy and powerful to the vulnerable and voiceless. In this volatile environment, certain charismatic figures understand that when the populace is discontent, even a small spark is enough to set their fragile world ablaze. Agitators and influential figures stir up distrust by making grand promises, emphasizing divisions among the people, and even committing crimes to frame their enemies. Ever observant and relentless in her sense of fairness, Ravael Trisarin is not content with the current power imbalance. Rav is clever and daring, and she always seems to find herself where she shouldn’t be, willing to risk herself to secure justice for Virdoba’s downtrodden. Unafraid of the consequences, Rav relies on her stealth to gain dangerous information that propels her and her scrupulous companions on a mission throughout the lands with the hope of preventing greater conflict. Together, the small group possesses a diverse set of skills, but when a hidden magic is being used for dark purposes, their strength could be their downfall.
So much more than its magical landscapes and calculated machinations, The Light of Shadows is a story that invites readers into a multidimensional, multisensory realm they won’t want to leave. Boasting a well-plotted story and uniquely crafted characters, Ryan Elledge’s debut fantasy novel is as poised as it is polished. Action scenes are abundant and relayed with meticulous detail, allowing audiences to feel like participants rather than spectators. But the novel’s greatest strength can be found in the organic worldbuilding. A simple observation, such as a passing reflection on a ship’s figurehead, hints at the rich backstory and nuanced social system that comprise the unique ethos. Extortion, corruption, bigotry, greed, thievery, deception, devotion, superstition, legend, lore, and loss are effective catalysts for the character motivations, and these will resonate deeply with readers who face the same incitements. A compelling novel where every conversation is important, every moment matters, and every word counts, The Light of Shadows is a glorious mix of action, adventure, and intrigue.
