ShadowLight by Courtney Hours

This early review copy was gifted to me by author Courtney Hours through BookSirens. This is no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: ShadowLight

Series: A Song of Sages

Author: Courtney Hours

Release Date: February 16, 2024

Publisher: Independently Published

Genre: Romantasy

Source: digital, BookSirens

TW: death, moderate sexual content, blood

Synopsis

AFTER LIVING ALMOST AN ENTIRE CENTURY EXILED without her soul, Gwynore takes comfort in her rituals: the Prayer that keeps her sane and the Vision of her past life that proves she is bound to a world in which she does not belong. A world that is stuck between day and night, a world that never changes—until it does. When a constellation of stars disappears from the sky, Gwynore finds herself falling through the universe, again. This time, with a chance to save herself and the home she has no memories of.

Back on the Continent, Gwynore discovers she is the key to ending a decades-long conflict between the Light and Shadow factions. All she has to do is find the three stones; three pieces of her soul that have been hidden by the Sages, a neurotic family of gods who are watching her every move.

With the help of Kalen Herja, a fierce warrior and traitor to the rival Shadow faction, Gwynore must retrace her last steps and unravel the difficult truth behind her exile. As tensions rise and rumors of Gwynore's return spread throughout the Continent, one thing becomes clear: To reclaim her honor and take back the Light from the malevolent Shadow Sage, Gwynore will have to do the thing she fears most—face the darkness of her own past.

For readers of all things romantasy, ShadowLight introduces a new and addictive fantasy series with infinite heart and spellbinding magic.

Thoughts

I recently finished reading "ShadowLight" by Courtney Hours, and I must say, the essence of the story is incredibly intriguing. The plot captivated me right from the start, and certain parts are so beautifully written that they lingered in my mind long after I’d finished reading.

The overall story is nothing short of amazing. It’s so unique and unlike anything I’ve read before. I absolutely love the mystery surrounding Gwynore and her journey to uncover the truth about herself. The way Gwynore is written evokes so many feelings of sympathy and empathy; she’s an exquisite character who you can’t help but root for. Her struggles, her resilience, and her quest for self-discovery are profoundly moving.

And then there’s Kalen. Oh, Kalen! I love everything about him. He’s not just a beautiful character in terms of looks but also has such a desirable personality. His strength, loyalty, and complexity make him stand out. The dynamic between Gwynore and Kalen is one of the highlights of the book for me, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see how their relationship would evolve.

The worldbuilding in "ShadowLight" is nothing short of amazing. The magic system is really neat and unique, adding an extra layer of depth to the story. The lore created for this world and its deities is very thorough, unique, and consistently interesting. I was particularly impressed by the history that’s been created and the conflicts therein. It’s clear that a lot of thought and effort went into crafting this world, and it pays off in how immersive and believable it feels.

Despite the need for editing, I thoroughly enjoyed "ShadowLight" and found myself highly anticipating the next book in the series. The continuation of Gwynore’s story and the unfolding of more mysteries in this richly developed world are something I eagerly look forward to. I can’t wait to see where Courtney Hours takes us next.