Greetings travelers! It’s been a rip-roaring, adventure-filled week already, and we’re showing no signs of stopping. While we started off combat-ready and dove into some things that are a little more militaristic, we’re also big fans of those times where we make love, not war. To that end, any fantasy fans who have been looking for a little bit of romance are in for a treat with today’s feature. Please note, there are some steamy and sexy moments in the forthcoming book (including at least one scene that doesn’t “end at the door”), but the story falls into place around them in a lovely, earned way. If that’s got you intrigued, read on to learn more about Light the Shadows (Under Elfhame’s Stars).
Author Lucia Laurence is on track to deliver a lavishly detailed and captivating fantasy romance series, if we go by her debut title, Light the Shadows. Her Under Elfhame’s Stars series starts by introducing us to the world of the fae, playing with real-world folklore in some fun and clever new ways. Laurence’s research into all this mythology lends to a foundation for her world that helps to immerse any readers. Once they’re solidly fixed in this fantasy universe, its greatest strength, the characters, begin to let their stars shine. Whether you’re talking about their starting traits, their development over time, or the poetry of the dialog, Laurence ensures that readers are in good hands.
In the dark of Midwinter’s Night, Lyra’s closest friend, Tam, is stolen by the Wild Hunt. To save him, Lyra must leave the safety of all she knows to search for the dreaded Huntsman, the only one who can tell where Tam can be found. With only ten days of Yule remaining to find the Huntsman before he is reclaimed by the Underworld, Lyra is willing to accept any help she can find, even if it means risking a bargain with a shape-changing púca whose brooding nature makes him as difficult to trust as he is fascinating.
Umbriel is an enigmatic fae with a shadowy past, but as he leads Lyra to the dark places where the Huntsman may lurk, Lyra begins to uncover the light and goodness his façade hides. But Umbriel has secrets that not only threaten Lyra’s growing feelings for him but could jeopardize the bargain that is her only chance to bring back Tam.
Light the Shadows is the first book in Under Elfhame’s Stars, a set of fae fantasy romances, and is intended to be read with its companion novel, The Huntsman and the Spellweaver (coming later in 2024), which tells Tam’s story. If you have a soft spot for fae mythology and forced proximity romance between a determined, relatable heroine and a captivating, moody hero with a tragic past, step into the dark mystery and magic of the Yuletime darkness and fall in love with Light the Shadows.
Laurence’s characters feel real, as though she is able to enter the world and see them from beneath an invisible veil. The author feels more like a careful watcher than someone pulling the strings, which should speak highly of her ability to make everything feel so real and natural, especially in a world abound by magic and wrapped in mystery. Laurence has crafted this story with the utmost care, and that emotional spirit resonates throughout the tale, carrying through to the characters and their relationships, and any fans of romance will no doubt be hooked on them shortly after meeting them. If you’ve been waiting for a catching fantasy romance, with a companion title right around the corner, don’t wait to pick up this great story.
Check out Light the Shadows (Under Elfhame’s Stars) on Amazon today!
