Shade of Light

by Kimberly Grymes

Not all monsters are evil. Some choose to do better. So, which one am I? Eighteen-year-old Adele believes she's a monster because of her ability to infiltrate minds. For years, she's been kept captive at Castle Forge, living comfortably under the watchful eye of a tyrant general. But after secretly witnessing her aunt heal someone with her blood, Adele knows the only way to get answers is to escape. Even if that means leaving behind the one person who'd shown her compassion during her captivity. She travels far to her childhood village, and while trying to uncover the mysteries of her past, she encounters the Shade. The same mysterious attackers who changed her life eight-years ago. The Shade have been raiding Adele's childhood village, capturing its inhabitants for their queen, the ruler of the Under Realm. It isn't long before Adele realizes these attackers possess similar powers, drawing more questions about who she is, where she comes from, and how she's connected to these evil beings. After a childhood friend is captured and taken to the Under Realm, Adele must decide whether to stay and help the village or return to Castle Forge, where a dear friend might be in danger from the general's wrath. With evil all around, Adele must choose who she wants to be and what her future holds. This young-adult dark fantasy story promises a captivating and thrilling journey filled with action, suspense, and unexpected twists. Book one in the THREE SHADES TRILOGY explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the power of choice as Adele navigates a dangerous medieval world to find her place in it.

Genres: Fantasy, Ebooks, Young Adult, Romantasy, Dark Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Magic

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2023

About the author

Hello!

Kimberly Grymes is my YA Fantasy author pen name, and Kay Grymes is my adult fantasy and romance pen name.

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kgrymes.wri...

Or check out all my links: kimberlygrymes.com/links

Be sure to check out my events page on my author website to see if I'll be attending an author event near you!

Thank you, and keep reading!!

Reviews

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a quick fantasy book to read this is it! Smaller fantasy books scare me a little because normally it feels like there’s a lot being left out, but this one was pretty dang good! The story line and the plot are huge, there’s quite a few good jaw dropping moments of revelation. I’m loving the concept of learning to love and accept yourself (dark parts and all) throughout the book without having to have a romance aspect to help guide it along.
I’ll for sure be preordering the hard cover (absolutely adorable) copy so I can have a physical book to represent on my bookshelf as well. This was one for the favorites list and I can’t wait to see where Adele’s story leads.

[A.M. Dunnewin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that you not only can't put down; you become addicted to it. While the plot has its twists and turns, it's the well-roundedness of the characters that really drives this story on, creating a powerful narrative that'll leave you reminiscing about it long after it's over. The world building, the strong female roles, the action and paranormal elements - I give this book all the stars! Wonderful job, Kimberly Grymes! *applauds* Can't wait for Book 2!

[Hayley Anderton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great YA fantasy! Adele is a really cool MC and I like that her strengths lie in untraditional places from other fantasy books. I listened to the audiobook for this one which was really well done. There are strong family themes which I always enjoy and Adele’s journey is one of self acceptance which is another super wholesome trope. I look forward to the next one!

[Ashley Espinosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC by NetGalley and I just have to say I absolutely loved it! From start to finish it was fast paced but still was able to world build. Adele was such a strong FMC with growth and character development. I loved that we got dual POV between her and Rune. The world is such a promising concept and I can’t wait to see what else Kimberly brings with the trilogy. I truly loved this book!

[Tabitha Tomala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Shade of Light

Thank you to Kimberly Grymes for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Adele was taken from her home and raised to believe she was a monster. With the ability to enter a person’s mind, she has been trained to extract information and punish those who defy General Onica. Plagued with questions of who and what she is, she dares to escape the General.

Adele’s journey of self-discovery is plagued with inner doubts. As she rediscovers her lost home, and the people within it, she will find they live in constant fear from Shades. People with similar abilities to her own. Witnessing the fear of her home village only solidifies in Adele's mind the type of monster she is. But when the Shades kidnap a friend from her past, Adele is determined to steal her back even if it means using her ability.

Adele is a strong female lead. At times she can be more harsh than warranted, but given how she was turned into a tool by General Onica, it isn’t without reason for her to act this way. At her core, Adele believes in doing what is right. When she comes across a Shade trying to resist the temptation of her own dark controller, readers will see Adele in the young girl. Kimberly Grymes does a fantastic job placing these two characters on parallel journeys, showing how they can each come to terms with their dark past.

In this dark fantasy tale, Shade of Light, readers will find themes of self-acceptance and identity. With an air of mystery and plenty of action, readers will surely enjoy this young adult novel.

[Elisa Menz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It never ceases to amaze me how despite reading hundreds of books, I still manage to find original and unexpected stories.
In Shade of Light, we have a morally grey heroine who ticks all the boxes of an absolute badass. Self-reliant, courageous, and smart. After escaping the villainous general who took her off the streets and turned her into a weapon, Adele could have gone anywhere. She had no attachments and all she wanted was her freedom and some peace. But she was due some answers about her past, and we join her as she goes back to her village.
While this first part of the book was interesting--discovering Adele's character and the turbulent world she lives in--the moment she reaches her hometown, things escalate rather quickly. A string of big events and revelations keeps you glued to the pages and soon have you connecting the dots and going "oooh" pretty often. I loved it!
I really enjoyed the author's writing style. It was fast and to the point, but it never felt rushed. We get as much information as we need to follow the story, but keep a good pace because we need answers and everyone in this village has mastered the art of being mysterious and sly. Just answer the question!
I also loved Adele's character. Cold and a bit sullen on the outside, but fiercely loyal and kind on the inside. And what's best is that she doesn't become an entirely different person by the end of the book, rather than learn to accept herself, the good, the bad, and the ugly. This dash of reality in a fantasy novel is what makes a story truly remarkable and relatable.
Looking forward to book two because I still need some answers!

[MC · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 15%

I kept waiting for this to pickup and get going. There is a number of incomplete plot devices at the start of this and the writing isn’t very good. The prose is clunky and the FMC goes from being capable to being a complete bumbling incompetent from literally one chapter to the next. The reason for her home being invade and really the entire “war” is not explained. There are no stakes and her friendship with the niece (?) of the general isn’t developed. Plus, travel seems to be very quick, like she travels from her place of captivity to the coast, over a sizable strait of water (overnight), and then on to her village deep in the countryside of her home in 3 chapters…

I believe this author needs more practice and development of their skill. The premise of this could be good if done correctly, but this is not it.

Until Next Time,
MC

** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC for my honest review.**

[karla_bookishlife · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing and suspenseful new YA medieval fantasy trilogy. Shade of Light is the first of the three books with book two due to be released November 2024. Adele has grown up believing she is evil for her ability to infiltrate minds . She has been captive in Castle Forge for years, but she witnesses her aunt use secret powers to heal another, and she starts to question her power. Where does it come from, and is it really evil? She escapes to embark on a wild journey back to her childhood village, which is often attacked by evil shades feeding back to the Under Realm. With similar powers to her, it seems the powers can indeed be evil. So if she is a monster, is she a good one or does she reside in a morally grey area? Adele finds herself on an action packed journey on her quest for truth and self acceptance. A thrilling first installment in the Three Shades Trilogy. #shadeoflight #kimberlygrymes #behindthepagesPA

[Hannah Delano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick & fast-paced fantasy read! I haven’t been reading much YA lately but I will definitely be continuing on with this series. The audiobook narrator did a wonderful job capturing Adele’s emotions. Adele has been under the control of others her entire life and manipulated to believe she is dangerous, which made the themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the power of choice in this book extra satisfying. There was gripping action and several twists that kept me engaged in the story. There was also a lovely original song at the end of the audiobook! I have been loving a morally grey FMC lately and Adele fits the bill - I can’t wait to see where her journey continues.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this audiobook. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Meg Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book last night and was so sad to have finished! I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I love the world building in this one and the system of magic. Adele has been forced to torture people but it doesn't sit well with her and she knows there has to be a better way to live. Despite her past, she is fiercely protective of those she cares about and I found myself really loving her character. The book is dual pov which I love, and I loved the character Rune so much. She is so strong and I loved the twist at the end of her! This book is gripping, exciting, emotional and magical. I will be impatiently waiting for the next in the series!

[Brittney Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, this book encapsulates what a YA novel should be... detailed enough without getting bogged down in world-building, fast paced, genre-appropriate content/themes/etc. and it was so beautifully written!
The main characters in this story each give the reader glimpses of strife, growth, joy, and sadness that leads to a feeling of connection, no matter your age or what you're going through. Nothing but praise for this amazing creation, and I am looking forward to continuing on in book two!

[Melissa Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and enjoyable read! While many fantasy books are longer, this was much shorter. I do feel like it needed more but it could be me being used to huge books!

Thank you NetGalley for the read!

[David Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great.

An interesting and rather unique concept. Dark fantasy with heart and with a mind towards a teen and upwards crowd. Rich storytelling and smooth prose.

Don't sleep on this book or author! A confident and skillful debut. Can't wait for book two!

[KMart Vet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read. It is a dark YA fantasy that holds its mysteries close until the end - which I loved.

Adele is a complex character, a little prickly, and her internal struggles are the most interesting aspects of the story. She struggles with what it means to be a monster and her journey feels introspective. I also liked how unique Adele's powers were. She’s not just your typical hero; she grapples with difficult decisions and her backstory means that she's got a lot of emotional turmoil. The relationships and friendships Adele forms are layered with tension and her trust issues. I also liked the secondary characters, especially Rune.

I also loved how the story didn’t shy away from twists and had interesting world-building. And I have to say, the crows, portals, and the entire atmosphere of the book felt so vivid. It’s dark, but intriguing.

It's a strong start to the trilogy. Highly recommend for fans of dark fantasy with morally ambiguous characters and an atmospheric, magical world.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There’s no rule that says you can’t do both—heal and protect.”

Are you a fan of dark fantasy with tons of suspense? Are you looking for a new book that’s unlike anything else you’ve ever read? If so, you should check out Shade of Light by Kimberly Grymes. This book will have readers hooked and unable to stop reading. And if you’re wondering….yes, it’s THAT good.

The plot is refreshingly compelling, the world-building is genuinely fascinating, and the characters are incredible. Adele is an amazingly strong and badass character who goes on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to learn about her special abilities, or as she calls it, the curse. Rune, a Shade girl, is another incredible character. She has an inkling that something is abnormal in her world. It’s almost as if she has difficulty remembering herself. The two woman, with the help of Adele’s old friends, work together to figure out who they truly are.

The memory blockages will have readers wondering what happened to the characters and where they originated from. I was on the edge of my seat trying to piece information together to understand who Rune and Adele were! Kimberley Grymes gave a significant amount of information about the world and the characters but left just enough blank for readers to try and figure things out.

I highly recommend reading this book!

[rachel ♡ chapterswithrae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a spectacular series opening! Shade of Light is book one in Kimberly Grymes's new trilogy, Three Shades. This is my first time reading Grymes's work, and I absolutely can't wait to read more!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing with me an eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review!

What I loved:
- Adele is such a strong FMC! I knew I liked her from the first chapter. She knows she is strong, but that she also has weaknesses, and I found her thoughtfulness quite compelling. This feels like a breath of fresh air in a sea of I-am-all-powerful FMCs. She cares so much for her family and friends, and I really appreciated that she does not have a love interest in this book. She stands on her own, and that is such a powerful narrative - especially in YA.
- This take on angels and demons was so captivating! Rune's interactions with Merigoth, Marcellus, Evander, and more were so interesting to read. The compelling and lure magic was a unique kind of magic and fun to experience as the reader.
- I loved that this was dual POV between Adele and Rune! I find that many of the multi POV books I read are between love interests, so seeing the progression of this story through these two characters felt fresh and engaging.

This is where I would suggest improvements, but I don't have any for this title. ☺

Tropes and inclusions:
- Hidden identities and secret powers
- Powerful found family
- Strong romance-free relationships
- Angels, demons, and everything in between
- Navigating abuse and captivity
- Reuniting with those you love
- Overthrowing corrupt power structures

Overall, I am incredibly pleased with Shade of Light and have already pre-ordered my paperback copy to support the author.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shade of Light
By Kimberly Grymes
October 24, 2023

Shade of Light is the first book in the Three Shades Trilogy series. Eighteen year old Adele has the capacity to invade other people’s minds. She finds out her aunt also has powers, the power to heal people using her blood. But Adele has been held captive at Castle Forge for years, she now knows she must escape in order to find answers. She would have to leave the only person in the castle that has shown her any sympathy.

As Adele proceeds to her childhood village she runs into The Shade, some shady attackers who have transformed her life eight years ago. The Shade has been terrorizing the villagers, seizing and taking them to the Queen of the Under Realm. The Shade seems to have some of the same powers as she does. Making Adele question her own abilities and also where she came from and how she’s connected to the monsters.

With evil all around her and her childhood friend in danger, Adele must decide who she wants to be and where her future stands.

Adele is a strong and brave main character. I loved reading from her pov. Morally gray characters are my favorite characters ever. This dark young adult fantasy book has so much depth. I love fantasy books with romance in them, but sometimes they get repetitive. Shade of Light has a friendship in it but it does not turn into a romance and that is very refreshing.
I can’t wait for the second book.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Tractor Beam Publishing for this advance e-copy for my honest opinions.

My review is posted on my blog, Well Read Novel.

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adele has been imprisoned for many years and only taken out to use her ability as the Fayatin Interrogator. There’s one trip Adele takes where she sees someone from her past heal someone with their blood and now Adele is determined to find out the truth about who and what she is, and that starts by escaping and returning to her home that she was taken from 8 years ago.

This book did NOT go the way I expected! This was a pleasant surprise! This world is different and the magic system is a bit of a mystery until you learn more about the people and the world and what’s actually going on 😂 it was quite the mystery for a bit there, and then once you find out what’s going on, I was like “wait what!?”.

This mainly follows Adele and Rune, the main female characters who are both trying to discover who they are as a person. Adele’s entire focus was figuring out about herself and powers. Rune is basically confused about who she is and you struggle along with her and just hope she finds out. Rune was a lovely character!

There’s a few side characters that are pretty prominent throughout the book, Elijah being one of them and my favorite! I loved the relationship he has with Adele and then Rune, and how nice he is and understanding. He was a great addition to the bit of found family we have in here.

There’s really no romance, so don’t expect that, but there seems to be hints to one potentially starting, maybe 😏

This was an exciting and surprising read for me! I do recommend it if you enjoy darker fantasies! I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shade of Light- 2⭐️ .5🌶️

Three Shades Trilogy Book 1

Teen/Young Adult Fantasy
Multi POV
Coming of age story
Morally Grey
Redemption
Vengeance
Friendships

The prologue definitely caught my attention, but I found myself trying so hard to be invested in the characters, but there wasn’t enough back story revealed to let me form any connection with them.

The magic system was really interesting as it was revealed, but once we knew everything, the story was done and tied up with a bow. It wasn’t a high stakes cliffhanger, which makes me not invested in the next 2 books.

The pacing was decent and kept me reading, but I just wish there was MORE. More background on characters, more politics and magic, more depth.

This is definitely a book that I would say is great for teen/ very young adults… but the cover reminds me of Throne of Glass, so I assumed it was young/new adult writing. I’m sure others who are new to fantasy, or younger readers may be a better audience for this story.

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for an Advanced eReader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lara R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adele is cursed (or so she thinks) because when she touches people, she can invade their thoughts, read their memories and change them to trap the person inside. She also doesn't know why she has this unusual power and goes back to the village she grew up in to find some answers. When she returns to her aunt, everything she knows from her childhood has changed.

This was a short but fantastic read. The world building is great, the characters well written with backstories that are revealed over time and on top, the plot is interesting and kept me wanting to know how it ends.

I really liked the FMC, but my favorite character was Rune. The way she fights against her mental bonds and tries to help just got me. Also, the big reveal was something I didn't expect.

Of your looking for a story that's easy to follow but has lots of twists and turns, this is for you. It can also be read as a standalone...I'll be reading book 2 for sure though, because I want to see more of the characters and this world.

[!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

If you are looking for a short fantasy story that is led by a cursed, dangerous, and morally grey heroine who has a small soft spot inside of her, then you are in the correct place. SHADE OF LIGHT follows Adele, our protagonist, on a journey of escaping her exploiter and discovering who- or what- she is.

This is a dual pov fantasy that is the first in a trilogy. It is safe to say that I adore how Grymes conveyed the fact that you don’t need a knight in shining armour to come save you, all you need is some determination and good friends. We meet compelling characters that are both interesting and entertaining to read about. I do truly like Grymes’s unique writing style.

Conclusion:
• Dangerous heroine
• Curses
• Whimsical magical elements
• Dual pov
• A journey of self acceptance
• Twists that always surprise you.

This title releases on the 24th of October 2023.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eArc.

[Caroline (CozyBookTraveller) · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot of things going on in this book. It starts out as a fantasy where the main character, Adele, escapes her capture and returns back home to find her roots. To find the truth about who she is, and why she has the ability to enter people’s minds. But curiosity killed the cat, and Adele soon realized that the truth is far greater than what anyone could have expected. Cue demons, angels, other worlds and so much drama. I liked this book, even if some elements of it took me by surprise or felt a bit out of place. But I can’t help feeling that it would have been better if the book was just a little bit longer. Just so plotlines could have been fleshed out a bit more, and better explained. As it is now things just felt a bit rushed once the paranormal aspects were introduced. The story is a really cool concept, and I just wish it could have been explored properly.
——
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced dark fantasy. The plot has lots of adventure, action and mystery, combined with dark magical forces in the forms of demons, shades, possession and mind control.
It involves morally grey characters including the FMC Adele who was forced to become a strong Warrior to overcome her captors and control her unusual gift of mind control.
We also meet Rune who has her own gifts and is trying to evade being controlled by dark forces and discover who she truly is.
There's diverse characters, world building and plot twists all adding to this creative world, and interesting creatures such as the crows.
There's also elements of found family, revenge, redemption and journeys of self discovery.
This is book 1 in a trilogy and while it doesn't end on a cliffhanger there's plenty of questions still to be answered so looking forward to the next book.

[Kathleen Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this 4.5 stars but rounded up.

I absolutely adored this story, it’s not a long book at all but it didn’t feel rushed either. I think the author did an amazing job of telling this story in a way that was easy to read but also was able to world build and help the reader understand the magic and challenges. I will say that this is marketed as a YA dark fantasy with no romance, which I was a little nervous about because I’m a sucker for romance in fantasy, BUT even without that I couldn’t stop reading this book. The characters were lovable, the found family was perfect, the magic, mystery and plot twists were everything. If you love fantasy like I do, you need to pick this up when it releases!
I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving an honest review voluntarily.

[Stacey Markle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story of Adele and Rune, some friends/found family and the discoveries they make. Both Adele and Rune are great, deep, well developed characters around the central theme of freedom and autonomy of self. 
Lots of creepy side characters and monsters in this very action packed novel! There is quests and tragedy and a small murder of crows that I loved. 
I thought the entire story moved along well with great pacing. I was eager to hear each next chapter and I'm excited about the next book in this series. 
The only small negative is that I did not connect with the narrators voice. I don't enjoy the breathy, whispery quality she brought to a story that, to me, should have been strong! It was difficult to tell the difference between Rune and Adele's voices so if you missed the chapter heading, it was unclear immediately who was speaking. That is likely a me thing though!
My rating 4.25 rounded for goodreads.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shade of Light by @kgrymes.writes ARC review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Adele believes she is a monster because of the magical/paranormal abilities she possesses. But events unravel and Adele learns more about her past and herself. As it says “Not all monsters are evil. Some choose to do better”. So what does Adele choose to do with her power and knowledge she acquires?

This was a fantastic YA dark fantasy/paranormal read. Kimberly does a fantastic job at writing a bad-ass FMC, Adele, as well as others
The world building, paranormal aspects, and plot are unique and draw you in right from the start.

Angels, demons, magic, found family, lost family, self discovery and more. 🪽

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique fantasy read.

This is the first in a series with book 2 set to be coming out in late Summer 2024.

[Bookish Lady Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shade of Light! If you’re looking for a smaller quicker fantasy read then this book would be a great one for you! The storyline is wonderful and a great thought out plot. Tons of eye popping moments and omg moments! The self love and self acceptance vibes throughout had me really relating to the characters. All the characters are well flushed out and really good! I loved Adele!! She’s strong but still transforms during the book. It’s going to hook you right away and you’ll have a hard time putting it down. I absolutely love books set in a medieval times with magic and love morally gray female badasses! It’s a wonderful read and I can’t wait to dive back into this world for book 2 and 3 so I can have the answers still up in the air! I would highly suggest this book for your next read! The writing style is wonderful and I as you know love dual POV books!!

✨ Medieval Fantasy World
✨ Morally Gray MCs
✨ Unexpected Twists
✨ Magic
✨ Angels & Demons

[Bella Toric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great quick fantasy to read that didn't make me feel like the story was going to drag on forever as I started it. I enjoyed the world building and the complexity of the plot, but overall it was really easy to fall into the world and understand what was happening, which made the reading experience so much more enjoyable for me.

The characters were written so well and the plot was crafted to perfection in my opinion. I cannot wait to see where this trilogy leads and how Adele is going to continue to learn and love herself (rough edges and all). This is a great new fantasy series that I look forward to reading!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Brad Secrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! The author keeps you on your toes with her storytelling. The main character has had a terrible life... losing her mother, her freedom, her village. She comes back to her village and works to get all three back. She battles her jailor, a Shade, and a former Angel. The Author takes you on a ride that makes you feel like you're learning everything that the main character is learning at the same time. The foreshadowing is top notch, but doesn't let you guess what's coming, but you know it's on its way. I recommend this story to everyone.

[Megan Lucks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

We love a strong, headstrong, independent FMC - and this story delivers on that. Interesting plot and concept, fast paced, and a few twists to keep you interested. I like to think Aelin would’ve been this fmc’s role model!

The writing is a little fast paced or clipped, and there were a few moments that took me out of the fantasy world - but all in all a good read for all of us ready to take control of our own fate!