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Of Light and Shadow
Of Light and Shadow is a novel about magic, mayhem, love, and betrayal—the story of a bandit and a prince who change each other in unexpected ways.
When they don’t give us our birthright, we steal it.
Roshan Chaya is out for justice. Abandoned by her parents at birth and adopted by the kingdom of Jwala's most notorious bandit before his brutal murder, she is now leader of the Shadow Clan, a gang of farmers-turned-bandits impoverished by the provincial governor’s atrocities and corruption. Roshan’s to avenge her adoptive father and earn back rights and dignity for her people.
Prince Navin has always felt like an outcast. Second in line for the throne, he has never been close to his grandmother, Queen Bhairavi of Jwala. When a night out drinking with friends leads to his capture by the infamous Shadow Clan, Navin schemes to befriend Roshan and use her as a means to escape. His ploy, however, brings Navin closer to the corruption and poverty at the heart of Roshan’s province, raising questions about its governor and Navin’s own family.
To further complicate things, the closer Roshan and Navin get, the harder it becomes to fight their growing attraction. But how can they trust each other when the world as they know it starts to fall apart?
Set in a magical world inspired by the badlands of 17th century India, this standalone epic fantasy novel by Tanaz Bhathena is packed with political tensions, dangerous schemes, and swoon-worthy romance that asks the age old can love conquer all?
When they don’t give us our birthright, we steal it.
Roshan Chaya is out for justice. Abandoned by her parents at birth and adopted by the kingdom of Jwala's most notorious bandit before his brutal murder, she is now leader of the Shadow Clan, a gang of farmers-turned-bandits impoverished by the provincial governor’s atrocities and corruption. Roshan’s to avenge her adoptive father and earn back rights and dignity for her people.
Prince Navin has always felt like an outcast. Second in line for the throne, he has never been close to his grandmother, Queen Bhairavi of Jwala. When a night out drinking with friends leads to his capture by the infamous Shadow Clan, Navin schemes to befriend Roshan and use her as a means to escape. His ploy, however, brings Navin closer to the corruption and poverty at the heart of Roshan’s province, raising questions about its governor and Navin’s own family.
To further complicate things, the closer Roshan and Navin get, the harder it becomes to fight their growing attraction. But how can they trust each other when the world as they know it starts to fall apart?
Set in a magical world inspired by the badlands of 17th century India, this standalone epic fantasy novel by Tanaz Bhathena is packed with political tensions, dangerous schemes, and swoon-worthy romance that asks the age old can love conquer all?
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First published May 23, 2023
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About the author
Tanaz Bhathena
7 books660 followersTanaz Bhathena is an award-winning Zoroastrian author of contemporary and fantasy fiction. Her young adult books include Hunted by the Sky, which won the White Pine Award and the Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize, and The Beauty of the Moment, which won the Nautilus Gold Award for Young Adult Fiction. Her acclaimed debut, A Girl Like That, was named a Best Book of the Year by numerous outlets including The Globe and Mail, Seventeen, and The Times of India. Her debut adult fantasy, Witch Daughter, will be published in fall 2026 by Grand Central.
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June 14, 2022Welcome to the kingdom of Jwala. OF LIGHT AND SHADOW contains:
🔥 an infamous bandit
🖤 a rakish prince
🔥 an enemies-to-lovers romance
🖤 magical beings inspired by Persian and Zoroastrian mythology
🔥 a corrupt world inspired by the badlands of 17th century India
🖤 PLENTY OF HEAT 😈
Releasing May 23, 2023! 🔥🔥🔥🖤🖤🖤
🔥 an infamous bandit
🖤 a rakish prince
🔥 an enemies-to-lovers romance
🖤 magical beings inspired by Persian and Zoroastrian mythology
🔥 a corrupt world inspired by the badlands of 17th century India
🖤 PLENTY OF HEAT 😈
Releasing May 23, 2023! 🔥🔥🔥🖤🖤🖤
July 22, 2025
Slow, predictable
I don't like writing negative reviews, and I will try to keep this short. On the positive side, the final climactic scene was fairly entertaining. Also, I appreciated Bhathena's perspective. In her Author's Note she writes
But, but, but... If you read a lot of fiction, you may sometimes feel that there are only six stories, which get told over and over again. Thus, when I read Of Light and Shadow, I thought to myself "Didn't I just read this?" In fact, I had, more or less -- Dragonfall by L.R. Lam was substantially the same story. Now, this is not a bad thing -- some stories deserve to be told again and again, and a new story-teller can make an old story new again. As always, your mileage may vary, but Tanaz Bhathena's telling of this story didn't work well for me. It was slow. And the predictability of the plot made the slow progress harder to bear. I found myself thinking as I read, "We both know where this is headed [and I did -- nothing that happened really surprised me] -- could you not fast forward just a bit?"
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an advance reader copy of Of Light and Shadow. This review expresses my honest opinions. To be released 23-May-2023.
Blog review.
I don't like writing negative reviews, and I will try to keep this short. On the positive side, the final climactic scene was fairly entertaining. Also, I appreciated Bhathena's perspective. In her Author's Note she writes
According to the Zoroastrian faith, good and evil, truth and lies, light and shadow are symbolized by twin spirits: Spenta Mainyu (also called Ahura Mazda) and Angra Mainyu (also called Ahriman). While modern Zoroastrians like myself worship Ahura Mazda as the Supreme God, we also believe in the concept of free will and that the twin spirits symbolize the choices we face in our daily lives.I had not, to my knowledge, read a novel told from an explicitly Zoroastrian point of view. I also appreciated that Bhathena based her bandit chief Roshan Chaya in part on real Indian bandits: Phoolan Devi and Paan Singh Tomar.
But, but, but... If you read a lot of fiction, you may sometimes feel that there are only six stories, which get told over and over again. Thus, when I read Of Light and Shadow, I thought to myself "Didn't I just read this?" In fact, I had, more or less -- Dragonfall by L.R. Lam was substantially the same story. Now, this is not a bad thing -- some stories deserve to be told again and again, and a new story-teller can make an old story new again. As always, your mileage may vary, but Tanaz Bhathena's telling of this story didn't work well for me. It was slow. And the predictability of the plot made the slow progress harder to bear. I found myself thinking as I read, "We both know where this is headed [and I did -- nothing that happened really surprised me] -- could you not fast forward just a bit?"
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an advance reader copy of Of Light and Shadow. This review expresses my honest opinions. To be released 23-May-2023.
Blog review.
August 16, 2023
Mostly a 3.5 but I’m rounding up.
I typed up a whole review here and the GR app closed down suddenly without saving any of it. I’m just out of the hospital and in pain with very low energy, so I’m not typing it all out again.
Just wanna say this book was a light and enjoyable company when I was admitted to the hospital and I will always remember it as the first book I read after I had my baby, so it’s always gonna be special. Check it out if you want something lighter and entertaining, with good characters, lovely romance, wonderful relationships, a very well narrated audiobook, or if you just want a break from all the series and would love to read a stand-alone fantasy.
I typed up a whole review here and the GR app closed down suddenly without saving any of it. I’m just out of the hospital and in pain with very low energy, so I’m not typing it all out again.
Just wanna say this book was a light and enjoyable company when I was admitted to the hospital and I will always remember it as the first book I read after I had my baby, so it’s always gonna be special. Check it out if you want something lighter and entertaining, with good characters, lovely romance, wonderful relationships, a very well narrated audiobook, or if you just want a break from all the series and would love to read a stand-alone fantasy.
July 18, 2023
4.25 stars rounded up
September 20, 2023
Full review to come
January 12, 2024
I DNF at 40%
The story was kinda boring and slow, the magic stuff didn't really interest me and it was easy to predict what was going to happen. Also, some parts felt like they weren't needed and the book was too long. Nothing in the story caught my attention.
The story was kinda boring and slow, the magic stuff didn't really interest me and it was easy to predict what was going to happen. Also, some parts felt like they weren't needed and the book was too long. Nothing in the story caught my attention.
September 12, 2023
When I first started reading Of Light and Shadow by Tanaz Bathena, I honestly didn’t think I would like this book as much as I did. I am not a romance reader. I am a fantasy reader. About 10% into the book, I was ready to give up, but I stuck with my rule of reading at least 30%. I am honestly glad that I did.
This book is set in the fictional kingdom of Jwala in a world based on aspects of Zoroastrian faith. It is a polytheistic society full of mythical creatures and nature magic. The magic and the faith are intertwined to create varying religious sects in the kingdom. This could easily create turbulence in the novel. However, it only serves to further richen the culture of Jwala.
The strongest aspect of this book are the main characters and their character development. Both Roshan and Navin are flawed and understandably so.
While Roshan has been molded from necessity Navin has been molded from neglect.
Roshan was orphaned and abandoned near a raging fire as an infant. She was rescued and raised by Bhim Chaya, the leader of a notorious clan of bandits in the outlanda of Ashvamaiden. When her father is murdered, she becomes the leader in her father’s place. Talk about pressure.
Then we have Prince Navin who, like his Disney name-twin, has lived his life free of responsibility or worry in a palace full of luxury. However, having a mythical being as a father among humans has not made life easy for Navin. He is an “other” in a kingdom of same. Even his own grandmother, the Queen of Jwala doesn’t show Navin the love and kindness one shows for family.
Both of them are outcasts. Both are in need of saving, and it is fortunate for them that they find each other. This relationship could have easily fallen into the trope of “instalove”, but the author does a fantastic job of building the relationship over time.
The plot and climax of this book are its weakest link. For most of the book the plot was laid out phenomenally. There were parts of the plot happening in the present while reading and small hints thrown in at what would be revealed at the climax. The connection of these hints with the climax wasn’t as strong as it could have been. Maybe there should’ve been more before the big reveal at the end or maybe there should’ve been different hints. Maybe there should’ve been more focus on these hints instead of the romance. I’m not sure, but when reading the climax, it felt like the whole story came out of left field. It made the story feel discombobulated for a few chapters. It felt like the book was completed, then the original climax was scooped out and replaced at the last minute.
Whatever the case, it was a well-done standalone fantasy novel.
4/5
Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this novel. I leave this review voluntarily.
This book is set in the fictional kingdom of Jwala in a world based on aspects of Zoroastrian faith. It is a polytheistic society full of mythical creatures and nature magic. The magic and the faith are intertwined to create varying religious sects in the kingdom. This could easily create turbulence in the novel. However, it only serves to further richen the culture of Jwala.
The strongest aspect of this book are the main characters and their character development. Both Roshan and Navin are flawed and understandably so.
While Roshan has been molded from necessity Navin has been molded from neglect.
Roshan was orphaned and abandoned near a raging fire as an infant. She was rescued and raised by Bhim Chaya, the leader of a notorious clan of bandits in the outlanda of Ashvamaiden. When her father is murdered, she becomes the leader in her father’s place. Talk about pressure.
Then we have Prince Navin who, like his Disney name-twin, has lived his life free of responsibility or worry in a palace full of luxury. However, having a mythical being as a father among humans has not made life easy for Navin. He is an “other” in a kingdom of same. Even his own grandmother, the Queen of Jwala doesn’t show Navin the love and kindness one shows for family.
Both of them are outcasts. Both are in need of saving, and it is fortunate for them that they find each other. This relationship could have easily fallen into the trope of “instalove”, but the author does a fantastic job of building the relationship over time.
The plot and climax of this book are its weakest link. For most of the book the plot was laid out phenomenally. There were parts of the plot happening in the present while reading and small hints thrown in at what would be revealed at the climax. The connection of these hints with the climax wasn’t as strong as it could have been. Maybe there should’ve been more before the big reveal at the end or maybe there should’ve been different hints. Maybe there should’ve been more focus on these hints instead of the romance. I’m not sure, but when reading the climax, it felt like the whole story came out of left field. It made the story feel discombobulated for a few chapters. It felt like the book was completed, then the original climax was scooped out and replaced at the last minute.
Whatever the case, it was a well-done standalone fantasy novel.
4/5
Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this novel. I leave this review voluntarily.
gave-up-on
December 2, 2022I'd like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for allowing me a chance at this book.
This book is one of those where it is too modern for the time period it is set in. Who calls bathrooms bathrooms in fantasy India? The magic is used for 'whatever' purposes the author deems fit and doesn't bother to give justifications or explanations behind the way the magic system works.
The main male character is absolutely annoying and doesn't do anything but say quirky, sexually charged one-liners at the female.
Hard pass.
This book is one of those where it is too modern for the time period it is set in. Who calls bathrooms bathrooms in fantasy India? The magic is used for 'whatever' purposes the author deems fit and doesn't bother to give justifications or explanations behind the way the magic system works.
The main male character is absolutely annoying and doesn't do anything but say quirky, sexually charged one-liners at the female.
Hard pass.
July 28, 2023
3.8 Stars 🎧
I am glad I listened to this book because I would have had a hard time pronouncing many of the names and words.
As another reviewing said, the story was predictable but it was still entertaining.
I am glad I listened to this book because I would have had a hard time pronouncing many of the names and words.
As another reviewing said, the story was predictable but it was still entertaining.
June 16, 2023
"Of Light and Shadow" is an absolute gem that shines with humor, adventure, and a sprinkle of romance. Tanaz Bhathena has crafted a captivating story that will have readers hooked from the first page to the last.
The dynamic duo of Roshan and Navin steals the show with their hilarious banter and unlikely camaraderie. Roshan, the fierce bandit leader with a heart of gold, and Navin, the charming misfit prince, bring an irresistible charm to the story. Their unexpected journey, filled with mishaps and mischief, had me in stitches, eagerly turning the pages to see what comedic escapades they would find themselves in next.
Bhathena's writing is a joy to behold, blending whimsy and wit seamlessly. The world she has created, inspired by 17th century India, is a vibrant and magical backdrop that adds depth and richness to the narrative. From the vivid descriptions of the enchanting landscapes to the cleverly crafted political tensions, every aspect of this world feels alive and immersive.
While the book is undeniably humorous, it also delves into deeper themes of love, trust, and the power of friendship. As the characters navigate a crumbling world, their genuine and heartwarming connections bring warmth and emotional depth to the story. The blossoming romance between Roshan and Navin adds an extra layer of sweetness, making readers root for their happiness amidst the chaos.
"Of Light and Shadow" is a delightful journey that keeps you on your toes with its twists and turns, both in plot and in humor. Bhathena's ability to balance lighthearted moments with poignant ones is commendable, creating a well-rounded and satisfying reading experience. If you're looking for a book that will whisk you away to a world of laughter, adventure, and a touch of magic, then this is the perfect choice. Prepare to be enchanted!
The dynamic duo of Roshan and Navin steals the show with their hilarious banter and unlikely camaraderie. Roshan, the fierce bandit leader with a heart of gold, and Navin, the charming misfit prince, bring an irresistible charm to the story. Their unexpected journey, filled with mishaps and mischief, had me in stitches, eagerly turning the pages to see what comedic escapades they would find themselves in next.
Bhathena's writing is a joy to behold, blending whimsy and wit seamlessly. The world she has created, inspired by 17th century India, is a vibrant and magical backdrop that adds depth and richness to the narrative. From the vivid descriptions of the enchanting landscapes to the cleverly crafted political tensions, every aspect of this world feels alive and immersive.
While the book is undeniably humorous, it also delves into deeper themes of love, trust, and the power of friendship. As the characters navigate a crumbling world, their genuine and heartwarming connections bring warmth and emotional depth to the story. The blossoming romance between Roshan and Navin adds an extra layer of sweetness, making readers root for their happiness amidst the chaos.
"Of Light and Shadow" is a delightful journey that keeps you on your toes with its twists and turns, both in plot and in humor. Bhathena's ability to balance lighthearted moments with poignant ones is commendable, creating a well-rounded and satisfying reading experience. If you're looking for a book that will whisk you away to a world of laughter, adventure, and a touch of magic, then this is the perfect choice. Prepare to be enchanted!
November 21, 2023
This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The writing is phenomenal, and the world drew me in from the first few chapters; the characters are fantastic, and there are very few YA fantasy novels that can keep a plot to one book without leaving any (or very few) threads, and this does a phenomenal job. I loved Roshan and Navin so much, and the progression here felt interesting without being forced. This was definitely a good time, and if you're into the genre it has a place on anyone's shelf.
The writing is phenomenal, and the world drew me in from the first few chapters; the characters are fantastic, and there are very few YA fantasy novels that can keep a plot to one book without leaving any (or very few) threads, and this does a phenomenal job. I loved Roshan and Navin so much, and the progression here felt interesting without being forced. This was definitely a good time, and if you're into the genre it has a place on anyone's shelf.
May 23, 2023
Title: Of Light and Shadow
Series: Standalone
Author: Tanaz Bhathena
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Tropes/Keywords: API, Captor-Captive, Criminal FMC , Enemies-to-lovers, Forced-proximity, Himbo MMC, Kidnapped MMC, Indian Mythology, Magic Powers, Powers, Romantasy
Rep: Indian Canadian author, characters based in fantasy version of ancient India. Bi MMC.
Pages: 448
Steam: Cracked Door
Spice: .5🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Review:
I read the author's first YA fantasy duology The Wrath of Ambar, which is based in the same world as this novel, and Tanaz has blown me away with her characters and world-building. The story felt very reminiscent of Robin Hood with the bandit clan stealing food from the rich to feed the poor. I loved our FMC Roshan, she was very determined to keep her clan alive and together, as well as restoring their homeland to those that have been expelled or pushed to the brink of starvation. Then we have our Bi-king Himbo MMC, Prince Navin, who is the second on line to the Jwalan throne. He is born of the daughter of a Queen, and a peri (bird/human species) warrior, and doesn't feel like he fits in either world, so he drinks to excess and sleeps around to fill the void. When he is kidnapped by Roshan they start to develop a bond that eventually leads to more as the story goes on. Romantasy is my preferred way to consume fantasy and I found that the romantic elements pared well throughout this novel. I hope that the author has an opportunity to bring us more stories from this world in the future.
I am not one to read a physical book, but I actually chose to sit and read my physical arc over using my kindle, so to me that says a lot of my enjoyment that I basically marathoned this in a single weekend.
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.
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CW/TW: Death, fighting and murder on page. Mentions of past loss of a parent. Body horror/gore. Necromancy. Colonization. Starvation. Brief sexual activities mentioned, not explicit.
*ARC provided to me by the publisher and Netgally. All thoughts are my own**
Series: Standalone
Author: Tanaz Bhathena
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Tropes/Keywords: API, Captor-Captive, Criminal FMC , Enemies-to-lovers, Forced-proximity, Himbo MMC, Kidnapped MMC, Indian Mythology, Magic Powers, Powers, Romantasy
Rep: Indian Canadian author, characters based in fantasy version of ancient India. Bi MMC.
Pages: 448
Steam: Cracked Door
Spice: .5🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Review:
I read the author's first YA fantasy duology The Wrath of Ambar, which is based in the same world as this novel, and Tanaz has blown me away with her characters and world-building. The story felt very reminiscent of Robin Hood with the bandit clan stealing food from the rich to feed the poor. I loved our FMC Roshan, she was very determined to keep her clan alive and together, as well as restoring their homeland to those that have been expelled or pushed to the brink of starvation. Then we have our Bi-king Himbo MMC, Prince Navin, who is the second on line to the Jwalan throne. He is born of the daughter of a Queen, and a peri (bird/human species) warrior, and doesn't feel like he fits in either world, so he drinks to excess and sleeps around to fill the void. When he is kidnapped by Roshan they start to develop a bond that eventually leads to more as the story goes on. Romantasy is my preferred way to consume fantasy and I found that the romantic elements pared well throughout this novel. I hope that the author has an opportunity to bring us more stories from this world in the future.
I am not one to read a physical book, but I actually chose to sit and read my physical arc over using my kindle, so to me that says a lot of my enjoyment that I basically marathoned this in a single weekend.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW/TW: Death, fighting and murder on page. Mentions of past loss of a parent. Body horror/gore. Necromancy. Colonization. Starvation. Brief sexual activities mentioned, not explicit.
*ARC provided to me by the publisher and Netgally. All thoughts are my own**
March 6, 2025
what this book needs is an immediate revamp. and by that i mean, a new cover. asap. less than 100 reviews? you know what to blame. its the ugly cover. i do recall seeing this book before, maybe in the anticipated releases' lists or somewhere idk but i never paid attention to it, hadn't even read the synopsis. the cover does it such injustice. the lack of promo too. if it wasn't for my hunt to find a YA fantasy that hit the nostalgia i was feeling and bc, for some reason, i can't get Tanaz Bhathena debut A Girl Like That out of my head... I read that book years ago. I hated it and was repulsed at the time. I wonder if upon reread, I'll feel different. thats for another day! safe to say, Tanaz made an impression so I gave her another chance. Of Light and Shadow kinda fulfilled all the marks i was looking for in a good old-fashioned ya fantasy. it did its job splendidly. it deserves the hype and sellings that hafsah faizal books get (if not more, in my humble opinion). also, reminded me a little of City of Brass but only a little bit, before you go off on me.
there are two povs but Navin was the star of the show. Our girl Roshan wasn't bad at all; she's on the (heinous) cover after all but she was... alright. her story is one we've all heard, read, memorised, and moved on from. newly appointed leader of the clan, trying to live upto everyone's expectations and whatnot. she's fine. Navin's story isn't all that orginal either but he had more nuance. his story didn't revolve around Roshan, thank god for that. he was his own person, with his own problems. his soul magic was interesting as hell too, like i'll never get tired of the power to see people's emotions and manipulating them. the fact that roshan started seeing his aura bc of the connection. hot!
as i said, this delivered on what it promised. nothing more, nothing less. found family, corrupt politicians, robin hood fiasco, cool magic, and a solid standalone?! you don't see it often.
there are two povs but Navin was the star of the show. Our girl Roshan wasn't bad at all; she's on the (heinous) cover after all but she was... alright. her story is one we've all heard, read, memorised, and moved on from. newly appointed leader of the clan, trying to live upto everyone's expectations and whatnot. she's fine. Navin's story isn't all that orginal either but he had more nuance. his story didn't revolve around Roshan, thank god for that. he was his own person, with his own problems. his soul magic was interesting as hell too, like i'll never get tired of the power to see people's emotions and manipulating them. the fact that roshan started seeing his aura bc of the connection. hot!
as i said, this delivered on what it promised. nothing more, nothing less. found family, corrupt politicians, robin hood fiasco, cool magic, and a solid standalone?! you don't see it often.
May 27, 2023
This story was so captivating. I went into it not expecting much and was sucked in pretty quickly. The story starts right in the middle of all the action. It’s told in a dual pov and had lots of magic which i love in stories. I dual read it with the audio which made it a lot easier for me for the pronunciation of the words. This story reminded me a lot of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A Brown which is one of my favorite duologies.
My only critique is i wish the magic system was explained instead of just revealing a little bit at a time. I just made guesses most of the story but was left at the end of it not really knowing how everything works.
Overall though there were no dull moments and the ending had me a little shocked. I was throughly entertained.
My only critique is i wish the magic system was explained instead of just revealing a little bit at a time. I just made guesses most of the story but was left at the end of it not really knowing how everything works.
Overall though there were no dull moments and the ending had me a little shocked. I was throughly entertained.
June 2, 2023
This was a great book overall and definitely pulled me in and made me want to keep reading, but it was pretty bloody and violent too. The pace was also slow at times, so it took me a while to get through it. One of my biggest complaints is that spouses were referred to as "mates," and that just really bothered me. But overall, a great fantasy action/adventure romance!
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
August 28, 2025
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. I am glad I listened to it as I would have struggled to pronounce most of the names and places.
This was an easy listen. I enjoyed the plot, the rag tag team of misfits and the magic system which was a combination of individual powers that utilised conduits. The ending was satisfying and the romance was sweet.
This was an easy listen. I enjoyed the plot, the rag tag team of misfits and the magic system which was a combination of individual powers that utilised conduits. The ending was satisfying and the romance was sweet.
May 17, 2023
"Of Light and Shadow" is a YA fantasy book inspired by Indian mythology. The story follows Roshan, a Robin Hood-style bandit leader whose only goal is to save the villagers in her province from starvation, as the once fertile land has been destroyed at the hands of the government. The influence of Indian mythology provides a fresh take on this romance-fantasy (mild spice). Some reveals were a little predictable; the foreshadowing was perhaps a little heavy handed to be a true surprise. Overall, a very enjoyable book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an advanced copy for review. Expected publication date is May 23rd, 2023.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an advanced copy for review. Expected publication date is May 23rd, 2023.
January 8, 2024
Roshan is incredible and I adore her.
On a more serious note, this book deals with some tough topics but while doing so remains really fun to read and enjoyable. The author has developed so much since I read her first fantasy book Hunted By the Sky and this book was absolutely amazing. So well written and the characters were so fun.
On a more serious note, this book deals with some tough topics but while doing so remains really fun to read and enjoyable. The author has developed so much since I read her first fantasy book Hunted By the Sky and this book was absolutely amazing. So well written and the characters were so fun.
May 25, 2023
3.5⭐️
July 10, 2023
3.5 stars**
August 11, 2023
standalone fantasies for the win
January 16, 2024
Enjoyable enemies to lovers story. I would have loved more of the political details to intensify the couple’s relationship.
August 27, 2024
The overall narrative is an easy 4 stars. The romance, is a 3 but that's because of personal preferences.
January 18, 2025
This was a pretty good book except that the Jaya died. Saddest part.
March 6, 2025
good ol ya fantasy warms my soul like nothing else idc if it isn't the best piece of literature. dang hard to find it in this age
February 4, 2024
Pretty cover. I think the audio narrator was giving me a headache.
July 22, 2025
Review: Of Light and Shadow
Of Light and Shadow is an emotionally rich and beautifully crafted story that weaves together darkness and hope, pain and healing. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into a world that felt both deeply magical and intensely human.
The author does an incredible job balancing character development with plot, allowing the story to breathe while still keeping you turning the pages. The themes of resilience, identity, and inner conflict are handled with care and insight.
The prose is poetic without being overwhelming — and some lines truly stayed with me. The way light and shadow are used both literally and symbolically gives the story depth and meaning that lingers long after the final page.
Whether you're into fantasy, emotional journeys, or stories about finding light in the darkest of places, this book is worth every second. I highly recommend it.
Of Light and Shadow is an emotionally rich and beautifully crafted story that weaves together darkness and hope, pain and healing. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into a world that felt both deeply magical and intensely human.
The author does an incredible job balancing character development with plot, allowing the story to breathe while still keeping you turning the pages. The themes of resilience, identity, and inner conflict are handled with care and insight.
The prose is poetic without being overwhelming — and some lines truly stayed with me. The way light and shadow are used both literally and symbolically gives the story depth and meaning that lingers long after the final page.
Whether you're into fantasy, emotional journeys, or stories about finding light in the darkest of places, this book is worth every second. I highly recommend it.
February 15, 2023
Of Light and Shadow is a story of vengence, love, and finding your place in the world. Here we follow our two characters Roshan and Navin. Roshan is the famed Shadow Bandit and leader of the Shadow Clan. In their home valley which has turned from the bountiful pastoral place it was before to a desolate province, the Shadow Bandit and her clan fight against the injustices and Blood Tithes of the local governor. Doing everything from raiding his warehouses to his trading barges. It is through one of these raids that Roshan meets the second heir and spare, Prince Navin. At first they care little for another, but as their time together grows Roshan begins to see that there is more to Prince Navin than his noble titles and Navin finds that the world may not work the way that he always believed.
This was such a pleasant surprise of a book. Weaving an interesting lore amidst well developed characters, Tanaz Bhathena tells an enchanting and hopeful story of two people uniting against an injustice. Roshan was a capable woman and led her clan well, but it was only once Navin came into the mix that she began to see what it was she truly wanted to achieve and how to do it. Navin was a great reluctant hero who finds his purpose as the story goes on. The supporting characters were excellent as well.
I thought the lore around the different locations and races was really interesting, but I would've like to see a bit more of it. Especially the Pashu people who are apparently humans combined with various animals. I also would've liked a clearer picture of the few characters from that race that we did meet. Sometimes I found the images were disparate with one another and at times I wasn't really sure what I should've been imagining. I ended up defaulting to a version similar to the Khajit and Argonians from the Elder Scrolls. Which worked okay for me overall, but would perhaps not for others.
I also would've liked for the action to be a bit more that, active. There was a lot of sitting around talking, but it did work okay as the conversations themselves were active. I also would've liked for the villain itself to be present as it was a very far off villain. I am not saying that I needed to see them every second, but a bit more of a threat would've been welcomed. This is truly me nit picking as the majority of the book worked so well even with these few things. Ultimately I think its what makes this different from other stories that I've read recently.
I definitely recommend giving this one a read. Please be mindful of some content warnings for torture, mutilation, and I do think there was a moment of implied rape. These things are not gratuitous and serve as a real portrayal of a province being kept under an iron fist and greed.
This was such a pleasant surprise of a book. Weaving an interesting lore amidst well developed characters, Tanaz Bhathena tells an enchanting and hopeful story of two people uniting against an injustice. Roshan was a capable woman and led her clan well, but it was only once Navin came into the mix that she began to see what it was she truly wanted to achieve and how to do it. Navin was a great reluctant hero who finds his purpose as the story goes on. The supporting characters were excellent as well.
I thought the lore around the different locations and races was really interesting, but I would've like to see a bit more of it. Especially the Pashu people who are apparently humans combined with various animals. I also would've liked a clearer picture of the few characters from that race that we did meet. Sometimes I found the images were disparate with one another and at times I wasn't really sure what I should've been imagining. I ended up defaulting to a version similar to the Khajit and Argonians from the Elder Scrolls. Which worked okay for me overall, but would perhaps not for others.
I also would've liked for the action to be a bit more that, active. There was a lot of sitting around talking, but it did work okay as the conversations themselves were active. I also would've liked for the villain itself to be present as it was a very far off villain. I am not saying that I needed to see them every second, but a bit more of a threat would've been welcomed. This is truly me nit picking as the majority of the book worked so well even with these few things. Ultimately I think its what makes this different from other stories that I've read recently.
I definitely recommend giving this one a read. Please be mindful of some content warnings for torture, mutilation, and I do think there was a moment of implied rape. These things are not gratuitous and serve as a real portrayal of a province being kept under an iron fist and greed.
July 11, 2023
Thanks to the publisher for an E-ARC. This in no way affects my opinion.
Rep: bisexual MMC (?)
Unique magic system, banter/enemies to lovers, inspired by 17th century India with some nods to the current situation happening in the British monarchy (mainly with Harry and Meghan from what I had read somewhere on Instagram)
In a setting inspired by 17th century India, Roshan Chaya leads the feared Shadow Bandits in attempts to save their land from a corrupt governor who has bled their land dry. But the raids they launch can only aid them for so long, and when an opportunity arises to kidnap Jwala’s beloved spare prince, the bandits are finally given a bargaining chip—which quickly becomes a pain, albeit a handsome one, in Roshan’s side. As the prince grows closer to Roshan, for his own selfish means, it’s discovered that he may not be able to grant the bandits the land they so desperately want, revealing the crown’s selfish desire to maintain tradition.
One aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was that magic users must suffer the consequence of using their power. Although, one comment I do have is that it’s clear this book is a standalone because of the quickness with which the situation is revealed. However, this didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the book and the author wrote that reveal in in such a way that it made sense. And as this novel is set in India, there are a lot of Indian words and phrases that appear, and while many of them are said in context, I did still have some issues with understanding some of them (e.g., I thought the atashgola was a sword but then it was revealed to be the bomb at the very end). And I believe I read on Instagram that the monarchy in this novel was based on the current British monarchy situation, mainly with Harry and Meghan, and you can certainly detect those subtle nods.
I’m not sure who to recommend this book to as I’ve don’t think I’ve read any like it. But from my understanding of other books, I think fans of S.A. Chakraborty would find this book enjoyable.
Rep: bisexual MMC (?)
Unique magic system, banter/enemies to lovers, inspired by 17th century India with some nods to the current situation happening in the British monarchy (mainly with Harry and Meghan from what I had read somewhere on Instagram)
In a setting inspired by 17th century India, Roshan Chaya leads the feared Shadow Bandits in attempts to save their land from a corrupt governor who has bled their land dry. But the raids they launch can only aid them for so long, and when an opportunity arises to kidnap Jwala’s beloved spare prince, the bandits are finally given a bargaining chip—which quickly becomes a pain, albeit a handsome one, in Roshan’s side. As the prince grows closer to Roshan, for his own selfish means, it’s discovered that he may not be able to grant the bandits the land they so desperately want, revealing the crown’s selfish desire to maintain tradition.
One aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was that magic users must suffer the consequence of using their power. Although, one comment I do have is that it’s clear this book is a standalone because of the quickness with which the situation is revealed. However, this didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the book and the author wrote that reveal in in such a way that it made sense. And as this novel is set in India, there are a lot of Indian words and phrases that appear, and while many of them are said in context, I did still have some issues with understanding some of them (e.g., I thought the atashgola was a sword but then it was revealed to be the bomb at the very end). And I believe I read on Instagram that the monarchy in this novel was based on the current British monarchy situation, mainly with Harry and Meghan, and you can certainly detect those subtle nods.
I’m not sure who to recommend this book to as I’ve don’t think I’ve read any like it. But from my understanding of other books, I think fans of S.A. Chakraborty would find this book enjoyable.
January 15, 2024
Of Light and Shadow by Tanaz Bhathena is a fantastic standalone YA enemies-to-lovers romantasy inspired by Persian and Zoroastrian Mythology set in the badlands of 17th century India. There’s magic, bandits, royal family drama, discussions on grief, and lots of political intrigue.
If you like Defy the Night, Spice Road, and An Ember in the Ashes, you might like this book too.
I could not put this book down!
We follow two main characters, Roshan a healer who steals from the rich to feed the poor, and Prince Navin, the spoiled half-human bastard spare-to-the-heir. Roshan finds Navin passed out drunk on a raid and takes him hostage, hoping to barter him in exchange for reclaiming their people’s lands.
An interesting and unique magic system paired with such culturally rich prose, well-rounded characters, and a world inspired by real-life bandits, history, and mythology, this book made for such an action-packed immersive experience.
My one advise to readers is – don’t be like me, there’s a glossary at the back that I wish I knew existed before I finished the book. It would definitely add to the reading experience making use of it as there’s a lot of culturally specific jargon.
My only issue is that I vehemently dislike the title. I’m not sure why an author would want to blend in with all the other books that are similarly titled when this book is so interesting, rich, and unique. Additionally it seems for the first half of the book there’s an excessive biting of the lip/cheek/tongue/blister in the mouth that seemed to happen which pulled me out of the experience a few times.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for gifting me the eARC in exchange for an honest review..
If you like Defy the Night, Spice Road, and An Ember in the Ashes, you might like this book too.
I could not put this book down!
We follow two main characters, Roshan a healer who steals from the rich to feed the poor, and Prince Navin, the spoiled half-human bastard spare-to-the-heir. Roshan finds Navin passed out drunk on a raid and takes him hostage, hoping to barter him in exchange for reclaiming their people’s lands.
An interesting and unique magic system paired with such culturally rich prose, well-rounded characters, and a world inspired by real-life bandits, history, and mythology, this book made for such an action-packed immersive experience.
My one advise to readers is – don’t be like me, there’s a glossary at the back that I wish I knew existed before I finished the book. It would definitely add to the reading experience making use of it as there’s a lot of culturally specific jargon.
My only issue is that I vehemently dislike the title. I’m not sure why an author would want to blend in with all the other books that are similarly titled when this book is so interesting, rich, and unique. Additionally it seems for the first half of the book there’s an excessive biting of the lip/cheek/tongue/blister in the mouth that seemed to happen which pulled me out of the experience a few times.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for gifting me the eARC in exchange for an honest review..
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