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*****WARNING! THIS SYNOPSIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR CHAINED. IF YOU HAVE NOT READ CHAINED (A CHOICE OF LIGHT AND DARK BOOK 1), START THERE. *********
Perfect for fans of The Plated Prisoner, Crystal Bloom, Game of Thrones (tv show), or anyone who wanted to see trauma addressed in ACOTAR.
LAST WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!
Izidora
Why does this keep happening to me? Kidnapped again by the Iron Fae, I must survive long enough to get back to my friends in the Night Realm. But when undeniable truth starts spilling from Ruslan’s lips, I’m left questioning everything. The web of lies and deceit thickens, and I’m at the center of a prophecy that started it all.
Kazimir
What lengths would you go to to save someone you love? I’d stop at nothing to get Izidora back, forcing the other realms to join me in a war against the Iron Realm. But along the way, a dark new magic becomes available. Who am I to deny its power when it will help me get back my mate?
Ruslan
I’m known as the ruthless prince, but deep down, all I’ve ever wanted was to be loved. I waited for my mate until she came of age, and when Izidora tells me what the power-hungry kings of Északi did to her, I want to burn the entire world down. Izidora holds my heart in her hands, but will she rip it out of my chest or stand by me as we take our revenge?
Light is book 2 of 5 in the ultra dark romantasy series, A Choice of Light and Dark. It contains dark themes and graphic content some readers might find disturbing. This is not a beginner-friendly dark series. A full list of content warnings can be found on the author's website. Your mental health matters!
Perfect for fans of The Plated Prisoner, Crystal Bloom, Game of Thrones (tv show), or anyone who wanted to see trauma addressed in ACOTAR.
LAST WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!
Izidora
Why does this keep happening to me? Kidnapped again by the Iron Fae, I must survive long enough to get back to my friends in the Night Realm. But when undeniable truth starts spilling from Ruslan’s lips, I’m left questioning everything. The web of lies and deceit thickens, and I’m at the center of a prophecy that started it all.
Kazimir
What lengths would you go to to save someone you love? I’d stop at nothing to get Izidora back, forcing the other realms to join me in a war against the Iron Realm. But along the way, a dark new magic becomes available. Who am I to deny its power when it will help me get back my mate?
Ruslan
I’m known as the ruthless prince, but deep down, all I’ve ever wanted was to be loved. I waited for my mate until she came of age, and when Izidora tells me what the power-hungry kings of Északi did to her, I want to burn the entire world down. Izidora holds my heart in her hands, but will she rip it out of my chest or stand by me as we take our revenge?
Light is book 2 of 5 in the ultra dark romantasy series, A Choice of Light and Dark. It contains dark themes and graphic content some readers might find disturbing. This is not a beginner-friendly dark series. A full list of content warnings can be found on the author's website. Your mental health matters!
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2024
856 people are currently reading
5697 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
February 6, 2024
Bye. This cannot be real????? Ain’t NO WAY?? This book was so bad, I am going to change my rating for the first book. Because ain’t NO WAY this book was fr??????😭😭😭😭😭 am I being punked?? Cut the cameras rn.
January 9, 2024
When I read the dedication to this book I almost threw it across the room. It was a personal attack and I knew I was going to love this book.
And I loved it I really did but the wait for book 3 is going to have me on my knees.
There are always two sides to every story. Someone you may think was the villain might be as much a victim as well. Ruslan may have kidnapped Izidora from Kazimir… but as it turns out he was under the impression this was a rescue mission.
Kazimir believing the love of his life has been kidnapped and taken back to her prison will stop at nothing to save her.
Meanwhile Ruslan spends their time together making sure Izidora never needs rescuing again.
So who will she choose? Her knight in shining armor or the Prince who believes she can save herself.
And I loved it I really did but the wait for book 3 is going to have me on my knees.
There are always two sides to every story. Someone you may think was the villain might be as much a victim as well. Ruslan may have kidnapped Izidora from Kazimir… but as it turns out he was under the impression this was a rescue mission.
Kazimir believing the love of his life has been kidnapped and taken back to her prison will stop at nothing to save her.
Meanwhile Ruslan spends their time together making sure Izidora never needs rescuing again.
So who will she choose? Her knight in shining armor or the Prince who believes she can save herself.
December 17, 2023
(This is an ARC review, all opinions are my own)
Light is book 2 in A Choice of Light and Dark series, following Chained, and follows Izidora’s journey after being kidnapped by Ruslan, the Iron Fae Prince (at the end of Chained) and getting to know him after having fallen in love with Kazimir in book 1.
Chained was easily one of my top reads of 2023, and i’m so grateful I got the opportunity to ARC read Light for Lacey! She is the sweetest person ever and deserves so much success with this series!
Onto the book;
- I love me a why choose and genuinely thought that’s where this would be leading, but as I got further into the story and thought about it, I realised that both men wouldn’t share Izidora, and I don’t think she would want them to either.
- I loved Ruslan’s character, he was well developed and had decent character growth throughout the story. He definitely has a lot of things he needs to work on to be what Izidora needs, and he’s willing to put in the work. I do think though, that at the end this is backfired as he, yet again, does something he knows she wouldn’t be okay with… i’m still getting to grips with the ending clearly😂
- Something that I loved in Chained, that lacked in Light was that found family aspect of the guys all helping Izidora with her magic and teaching her about the world around her.
- Every time it left Izidora and Ruslan’s POV to go back to Kazimir, I had this aching feeling that it was so wrong to be loving Ruslan while Kaz was travelling across the continent to get her back! I think this was done brilliantly because you almost felt what Izidora would have felt, as though you were betraying him/cheating on him, but didn’t have much choice in the matter!
- I liked that it got more into the plot of the prophecy as well, and now i can’t wait to find out what choice is made! I think the story allows you to create your own theories which I love! It’s so open ended that you’re just sat there like “okay so now i’m going to be making up scenarios in my head until i can get my hands on book 3”😂😂
Overall, I loved it, and struggled to stop reading! I buddy read this with another ARC reader so it was great to get another perspective while reading so I didn’t go off on a mental tangent thinking “WHAT IF?”
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Just to reiterate; I NEED BOOK 3 NOW PLEASE LACEY, I KNOW YOU CAN SEE THIS😂
Light is book 2 in A Choice of Light and Dark series, following Chained, and follows Izidora’s journey after being kidnapped by Ruslan, the Iron Fae Prince (at the end of Chained) and getting to know him after having fallen in love with Kazimir in book 1.
Chained was easily one of my top reads of 2023, and i’m so grateful I got the opportunity to ARC read Light for Lacey! She is the sweetest person ever and deserves so much success with this series!
Onto the book;
- I love me a why choose and genuinely thought that’s where this would be leading, but as I got further into the story and thought about it, I realised that both men wouldn’t share Izidora, and I don’t think she would want them to either.
- I loved Ruslan’s character, he was well developed and had decent character growth throughout the story. He definitely has a lot of things he needs to work on to be what Izidora needs, and he’s willing to put in the work. I do think though, that at the end this is backfired as he, yet again, does something he knows she wouldn’t be okay with… i’m still getting to grips with the ending clearly😂
- Something that I loved in Chained, that lacked in Light was that found family aspect of the guys all helping Izidora with her magic and teaching her about the world around her.
- Every time it left Izidora and Ruslan’s POV to go back to Kazimir, I had this aching feeling that it was so wrong to be loving Ruslan while Kaz was travelling across the continent to get her back! I think this was done brilliantly because you almost felt what Izidora would have felt, as though you were betraying him/cheating on him, but didn’t have much choice in the matter!
- I liked that it got more into the plot of the prophecy as well, and now i can’t wait to find out what choice is made! I think the story allows you to create your own theories which I love! It’s so open ended that you’re just sat there like “okay so now i’m going to be making up scenarios in my head until i can get my hands on book 3”😂😂
Overall, I loved it, and struggled to stop reading! I buddy read this with another ARC reader so it was great to get another perspective while reading so I didn’t go off on a mental tangent thinking “WHAT IF?”
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Just to reiterate; I NEED BOOK 3 NOW PLEASE LACEY, I KNOW YOU CAN SEE THIS😂
January 9, 2024
UPDATED Jan 9th:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
💀💀
**When Book 2 is better than Book 1, and you rated Book 1 a solid 5 stars**
Holy hell, this book had a MASSIVE plot twist!
It has been almost 2 months since I read it, and I can NOT stop thinking about the morally grey MMC.
Book 1 had me on my knees with its ending, and Book 2 has me in a complete chokehold.
- Fated Mates (It's complicated)
- Morally Grey & Overprotective MMC
- Dragon Shifters
- Secrets & Politics
- Spicey
- Anxious yet brave FMC
- Huge Plot Twist
- Betrayal
- Found Family
- Prophecy
I highly recommend this series to anyone who loved reading: ACOTAR series, Blood OF A Fae series, Fae Isles series, Witch Walker series, and From Blood and Ash series.
~ SPOILERS ~
Okay okay, let's talk!
Lacey did a full on ACOMAF maneuver on us with this book, and we aren't even mad about it.
Ruslan... mmm what a delicious man.
I crawl for him.
There is no other.
Ruslan is far superior to Kazimir and I will die on that hill.
Ruslan's childhood and upbringing are so sad and tragic that my heart broke on every occasion that Lacey dived deeper into it. Ruslan has every right to fear abandonment and crave love. He is such a tender, loving, caring, empathetic and generous soul that not only needs a loving and trustworthy partner, but needs to be able to have someone reliable who he can give his love to.
He finds that mutual true-love and companionship in Izidora.
Izidora has to make a choice now that she found out that she has 2 mates. Although she loved Kazimir first, she has a deeper love with Ruslan. Poor Izidora is naive and still learning about everything in the real world outside of caved life, and part of her learning is the reality that Kazimir had been lying and manipulating her.
TRIGGER WARNING: this includes Kazimir trying to get Izidora pregnant without her knowing, as he had withheld the knowledge of how pregnancy occurred, as well as contraceptives.... knowing full well that Izidora does NOT want to ever have children after her traumatizing upbringing.
Kazimir is a dick. I total douche-canoe. After declaring my undying love for the man in Book 1, and crying for 25 minutes after the cliffhanger, I am more surprised than anyone else that I now hate the man. Lacey's ability to make me fall completely in love with him, then totally destroy it, is a complete talent of hers (Lacey has the ability to catch you off-guard constantly).
The world building is fantastic. I never have difficulty visualizing the places, clothing, food, people, weather, rooms, activities and mood of the environment. Lacey, you are a brilliant and creative master of fantasy romance and I honestly need every Romantasy reader to take the deep dive into this series because you won't regret it.
@reneepolks (IG & TikTok)
@reneepolksreads (IG)
-----------------------------------------------
UPDATE DEC 3rd:
OMFG why? Lacey, WHY?!
Book torture, that's what this is.
I am a Beta reader for Lacey, and this woman's writing is phenomenal.
There are multiple POVs, with multiple stories running throughout this book, and I never found it hard to follow. The information flows easily, yet it isn't predictable. I never had to back-track and found it difficult to stop once I started because each piece of information led to the next.
The MMC is a perfect, morally grey book boyfriend who I can't stop thinking about, and it's killing me to not talk about him.
So, once the book is released in January, I will be back with a review update full of spoilers.
----------------
NOV 1st:
No, I haven't read it yet 🤣 But the first was so damn good that I have faith!
I will update this after I have read it, promise 🥰
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
💀💀
**When Book 2 is better than Book 1, and you rated Book 1 a solid 5 stars**
Holy hell, this book had a MASSIVE plot twist!
It has been almost 2 months since I read it, and I can NOT stop thinking about the morally grey MMC.
Book 1 had me on my knees with its ending, and Book 2 has me in a complete chokehold.
- Fated Mates (It's complicated)
- Morally Grey & Overprotective MMC
- Dragon Shifters
- Secrets & Politics
- Spicey
- Anxious yet brave FMC
- Huge Plot Twist
- Betrayal
- Found Family
- Prophecy
I highly recommend this series to anyone who loved reading: ACOTAR series, Blood OF A Fae series, Fae Isles series, Witch Walker series, and From Blood and Ash series.
~ SPOILERS ~
Okay okay, let's talk!
Lacey did a full on ACOMAF maneuver on us with this book, and we aren't even mad about it.
Ruslan... mmm what a delicious man.
I crawl for him.
There is no other.
Ruslan is far superior to Kazimir and I will die on that hill.
Ruslan's childhood and upbringing are so sad and tragic that my heart broke on every occasion that Lacey dived deeper into it. Ruslan has every right to fear abandonment and crave love. He is such a tender, loving, caring, empathetic and generous soul that not only needs a loving and trustworthy partner, but needs to be able to have someone reliable who he can give his love to.
He finds that mutual true-love and companionship in Izidora.
Izidora has to make a choice now that she found out that she has 2 mates. Although she loved Kazimir first, she has a deeper love with Ruslan. Poor Izidora is naive and still learning about everything in the real world outside of caved life, and part of her learning is the reality that Kazimir had been lying and manipulating her.
TRIGGER WARNING: this includes Kazimir trying to get Izidora pregnant without her knowing, as he had withheld the knowledge of how pregnancy occurred, as well as contraceptives.... knowing full well that Izidora does NOT want to ever have children after her traumatizing upbringing.
Kazimir is a dick. I total douche-canoe. After declaring my undying love for the man in Book 1, and crying for 25 minutes after the cliffhanger, I am more surprised than anyone else that I now hate the man. Lacey's ability to make me fall completely in love with him, then totally destroy it, is a complete talent of hers (Lacey has the ability to catch you off-guard constantly).
The world building is fantastic. I never have difficulty visualizing the places, clothing, food, people, weather, rooms, activities and mood of the environment. Lacey, you are a brilliant and creative master of fantasy romance and I honestly need every Romantasy reader to take the deep dive into this series because you won't regret it.
@reneepolks (IG & TikTok)
@reneepolksreads (IG)
-----------------------------------------------
UPDATE DEC 3rd:
OMFG why? Lacey, WHY?!
Book torture, that's what this is.
I am a Beta reader for Lacey, and this woman's writing is phenomenal.
There are multiple POVs, with multiple stories running throughout this book, and I never found it hard to follow. The information flows easily, yet it isn't predictable. I never had to back-track and found it difficult to stop once I started because each piece of information led to the next.
The MMC is a perfect, morally grey book boyfriend who I can't stop thinking about, and it's killing me to not talk about him.
So, once the book is released in January, I will be back with a review update full of spoilers.
----------------
NOV 1st:
No, I haven't read it yet 🤣 But the first was so damn good that I have faith!
I will update this after I have read it, promise 🥰
February 28, 2024
This book left me infuriated in so many ways. I usually like a morally grey love interest, but the men in this book just don’t care to treat Izidora like her own person. I got some red flags from Kazimir in the first book but overall was happy for them to be together. He has a bit of hero syndrome and it was slimey how fantasized about Izidora even before saving her, and his only thoughts in the first few days after literally reaching her from 20 YEARS OF ABUSE AND TORTURE was “when will she want to be with me???” But he ended up being a good enough guy that I got over it for the sake of the story.
Then comes Ruslan who is 10x worse. Manipulating, lying, punching furniture (ew), making her trauma and R*pe all about him by saying he’s mad he didn’t get to be the first man to be in her 🤢 I think the author was going for a “presumed bad boy who’s actually just traumatized” vibe for him, but reading from Ruslan’s point of view ruined any chance of liking him. His thoughts are so self absorbed and he views Izidora as his property and takes away her free will. She can have anything she wants, as long as I want her to have it.”
Every chapter I read of this book I wanted Izidora to leave both of them and go find her own happiness. Girl deserves better than both of them. I DNF’d about 75% of the way and just skimmed through to see how it ended, which also left me unsatisfied 😭
Then comes Ruslan who is 10x worse. Manipulating, lying, punching furniture (ew), making her trauma and R*pe all about him by saying he’s mad he didn’t get to be the first man to be in her 🤢 I think the author was going for a “presumed bad boy who’s actually just traumatized” vibe for him, but reading from Ruslan’s point of view ruined any chance of liking him. His thoughts are so self absorbed and he views Izidora as his property and takes away her free will. She can have anything she wants, as long as I want her to have it.”
Every chapter I read of this book I wanted Izidora to leave both of them and go find her own happiness. Girl deserves better than both of them. I DNF’d about 75% of the way and just skimmed through to see how it ended, which also left me unsatisfied 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
Ok it was pretty good but the similarities between this and ACOTAR are a little too close for my taste. Like she can’t read but the dark prince teaches her? They have a snowball fight with the dark princes friends? His wings are membranous like bat wings??
Also the three point of view repeated chapter at the end was roughhhhhh. They were exactly the same. No reason to repeat it three times.
I do like that there’s this potential of two mates and there’s an air of betrayal that I can’t figure out. I’ll read the third book but only if Lacey promises me that she stops using the word “orbs”, they’re fucking eyes Lacey!!!!
Honestly I hope she kills her “potential mates” and rules alone. She needs to stop throwing herself at these men who are just using her.
Also the three point of view repeated chapter at the end was roughhhhhh. They were exactly the same. No reason to repeat it three times.
I do like that there’s this potential of two mates and there’s an air of betrayal that I can’t figure out. I’ll read the third book but only if Lacey promises me that she stops using the word “orbs”, they’re fucking eyes Lacey!!!!
Honestly I hope she kills her “potential mates” and rules alone. She needs to stop throwing herself at these men who are just using her.
March 4, 2024
worldbuilding is wonderful but
I dont like this one as much as the first book. Ruslan is an unwelcome competitor. While i enjoy whychoose as much as the next girl his addition was annoying. I hope izidors chooses Kaz so we can get on with the plot.
I dont like this one as much as the first book. Ruslan is an unwelcome competitor. While i enjoy whychoose as much as the next girl his addition was annoying. I hope izidors chooses Kaz so we can get on with the plot.
May 9, 2024
Okay so Izzy, really pissed me off!!! She has no loyalty to anyone.
She's got magical nash, because 2 men are going crazy over her! Lol.
She's been kidnapped by Ruslan, and within a few weeks she's in his bed, repeatedly.
And then the next chapter will be Kazimir, recruiting armies and coming up with strategies to get her back imagining the worst for her, and she's head down arse up, with the enemy. Poor Kazimer. His woman stolen, his father dead n his friends are dead because they were trying to protect Izzy!!! (I know he was a little cringy in book 1, but he doesn't deserve this)
Now Ruslan is very chrasmatic n extremely sexy but there is the underlying unhinged behaviour, which has me nervous but excited as well.
For me Izzy is to flip flop, and it's the lack of resistance or thought for the Night Realm, it's mentioned that she feels guilt towards the end of the book n only coz she knows she going to be confronted with it at the celebration. kazimir n her friends are an afterthought. Which make mes look down on her. She has no loyalty to anyone.
She's got magical nash, because 2 men are going crazy over her! Lol.
She's been kidnapped by Ruslan, and within a few weeks she's in his bed, repeatedly.
And then the next chapter will be Kazimir, recruiting armies and coming up with strategies to get her back imagining the worst for her, and she's head down arse up, with the enemy. Poor Kazimer. His woman stolen, his father dead n his friends are dead because they were trying to protect Izzy!!! (I know he was a little cringy in book 1, but he doesn't deserve this)
Now Ruslan is very chrasmatic n extremely sexy but there is the underlying unhinged behaviour, which has me nervous but excited as well.
For me Izzy is to flip flop, and it's the lack of resistance or thought for the Night Realm, it's mentioned that she feels guilt towards the end of the book n only coz she knows she going to be confronted with it at the celebration. kazimir n her friends are an afterthought. Which make mes look down on her. She has no loyalty to anyone.
December 28, 2023
This is the second book in the A Choice of Light and Dark series, you MUST read Chained first.
I’m giving this 4.5 stars.
I am very conflicted with my feelings right now. I thought I was leaning one way but this book flipped all that on its head and now I don’t know who I want to win!! Both?
Whereas Chained was more plot based, Light is a lot spicier. Especially the second half. I felt that at parts the plot did take a back seat to spice. That being said, the plot is amazing and not everything is as it seems. The massage scene though… oh my!
I really do like Izidora and I think she has been through such extreme trauma and is now in the world naïve and unsure who to trust and what is real.
I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see where Lacey takes these characters.
I’m giving this 4.5 stars.
I am very conflicted with my feelings right now. I thought I was leaning one way but this book flipped all that on its head and now I don’t know who I want to win!! Both?
Whereas Chained was more plot based, Light is a lot spicier. Especially the second half. I felt that at parts the plot did take a back seat to spice. That being said, the plot is amazing and not everything is as it seems. The massage scene though… oh my!
I really do like Izidora and I think she has been through such extreme trauma and is now in the world naïve and unsure who to trust and what is real.
I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see where Lacey takes these characters.
January 25, 2024
I am giving this a 5☆ for the complete reason that I can't stop thinking about it. The intro had me throwing my book across the room and I am so torn on how I feel and how I want this story to progress. And for that reason I feel like this is a top book for me. I love books that make me feel and keep me on my toes.
April 10, 2024
I’m 33% done on my kindle. It’s bad. It’s so fucking bad. Chained was sooo good and you fucking goofed me. Please read my notes. My god. 😭
January 11, 2025
Out of all the novels this one was a bit slow, it picks up again in book 3, overall it was still great but the back and forth banter at times took away from 5 stars
Read
March 12, 2024It should literally be illegal to end a book in this way… sigh
January 8, 2024
I went into this absolutely blind so I actually wasn’t expecting any of the things that happened and I was shocked. My mind changed very quickly about which MMC I preferred & the whole tone of the series changed with this one. I loved Izidora’s character growth in Light I felt like she really came into her own in this one & I could really feel the connection between her and Ruslan. This one had a lot more fantasy and magic than Chained & definitely had a more violent and dark MMC. The ending is another cliffhanger but not nearly as emotional as the one in Chained.
December 15, 2023
I’m not going to add any spoilers cause I know yall have absolutely no restraint.
The triple POV was very much interesting and I enjoyed it—I will say I couldn’t wait to get back into Iza’s POV though every time LOL, this book will leave you on another cliffhanger MA’AM HOW DARE YOU. I have a lot of feelings about Kaz I didn’t have in book one, but that doesn’t make Rus is my new book boyfriend. I think I’m a Iza lover and think she should be independent and rule the lands.
That being said, loved the book so much and I am excited but also angry I have to wait for book 3.
**Received ARC for honest review**
The triple POV was very much interesting and I enjoyed it—I will say I couldn’t wait to get back into Iza’s POV though every time LOL, this book will leave you on another cliffhanger MA’AM HOW DARE YOU. I have a lot of feelings about Kaz I didn’t have in book one, but that doesn’t make Rus is my new book boyfriend. I think I’m a Iza lover and think she should be independent and rule the lands.
That being said, loved the book so much and I am excited but also angry I have to wait for book 3.
**Received ARC for honest review**
July 16, 2025
only in it for the fun. can’t believe the next book is longer than the first two. i like don’t even care about these books but im committed to the bit now. it’s bad but i can’t put it down. 2.75/5 for this book but rounding up to three. really hoping she chooses the second guy. let’s see in book three.
April 28, 2024
Is this cliffhanger FOR REAL!!!!!!
January 14, 2025
this was SO much better than the first one... now we have fucking dragonsssss 🥵🛐❤️🔥
July 11, 2025
We’re DNF’ing this (I think at like 26%). Everyone is insufferable. No time for bad books in 2025.
January 4, 2026
arrrgghh...the ending....could it be anymore awkward....?
who will she choose?
who will she choose?
April 23, 2024
Izidora and her damn cinnamon rolls 🤣
Ruslan and his impulsiveness
Kazimir about to snap and kill them all!
I haven’t really switched sides. Ruslan is the ultimate provider and he’s finally now at the point where he wants what’s best for Izidora but Kazimir’s been that way from JUMP.
The character development between the three are a work of genius. I just know Dark is Kazimir’s book but hopefully by book 5 him and Ruslan will come to an understanding and they can both be with her! Both of them could very well be her mate(s).
Closing I hate that I read this series in 2 days and now I have to wait until the end of the year for the next one but it has become my top spring read! Good job Lacey!!👏🏾
Ruslan and his impulsiveness
Kazimir about to snap and kill them all!
I haven’t really switched sides. Ruslan is the ultimate provider and he’s finally now at the point where he wants what’s best for Izidora but Kazimir’s been that way from JUMP.
The character development between the three are a work of genius. I just know Dark is Kazimir’s book but hopefully by book 5 him and Ruslan will come to an understanding and they can both be with her! Both of them could very well be her mate(s).
Closing I hate that I read this series in 2 days and now I have to wait until the end of the year for the next one but it has become my top spring read! Good job Lacey!!👏🏾
April 3, 2025
My Rating: 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐
Series Rating: 3.25 ⭐⭐⭐
We Have
✅ M/F Romance
✅ Fated Mates (x2?)
✅ Fantasy
✅ Fae
✅ Shifters
✅ Love Triangle
✅ Touch Her and Die vibes
Holy hell!! The Freaking ANGST in this MF Book! OMG. I seriously can't deal. And then there is this freaking love triangle, my emotions are all over the place!
So these two dudes - we'll call them MMC-X and MMC-Y (I absolutely refuse to spoil anything) I see so many redeeming qualities in MMC -X—he’s clearly a tortured soul who just wants to be loved, and fuck if Lacey didn't do a great job (attempting to😏 ) make you love him. But here’s the thing: I’m Team MMC-X, all the way. and I'm a loyal devoted bitch that needs more than a little darkness to give up the good fight.
MMC-X has done everything for her—protected her, appreciated her heart, and genuinely wants her to succeed. He wants her to thrive and do alllll the things. And yet, she forgets all of that the moment things go south and MMC-Y steps in. I don’t know how I feel about her lack of loyalty. I mean, come on—your dad is an asshole, MMC-Y’s a little tortured, but MMC-X is EVERYTHING (right)!
The writing definitely built more tension between the characters this time around, but the pacing felt off in the beginning. There’s no real sense of how much time is passing, which makes the relationships feel a little rushed. Lacey definitely figured it out, and the rest of the book flowed fantastically!
This whole freaking situation is fucking with my ACOTAR–Tamlin PTSD, and I’m losing my shit over what I’m supposed to do. Is she purposefully making one look better than the other? Am I supposed to pick a side? FML. On to book 3, and please, for the love of all that is holy—let me be right!
Series Rating: 3.25 ⭐⭐⭐
We Have
✅ M/F Romance
✅ Fated Mates (x2?)
✅ Fantasy
✅ Fae
✅ Shifters
✅ Love Triangle
✅ Touch Her and Die vibes
Holy hell!! The Freaking ANGST in this MF Book! OMG. I seriously can't deal. And then there is this freaking love triangle, my emotions are all over the place!
So these two dudes - we'll call them MMC-X and MMC-Y (I absolutely refuse to spoil anything) I see so many redeeming qualities in MMC -X—he’s clearly a tortured soul who just wants to be loved, and fuck if Lacey didn't do a great job (attempting to😏 ) make you love him. But here’s the thing: I’m Team MMC-X, all the way. and I'm a loyal devoted bitch that needs more than a little darkness to give up the good fight.
MMC-X has done everything for her—protected her, appreciated her heart, and genuinely wants her to succeed. He wants her to thrive and do alllll the things. And yet, she forgets all of that the moment things go south and MMC-Y steps in. I don’t know how I feel about her lack of loyalty. I mean, come on—your dad is an asshole, MMC-Y’s a little tortured, but MMC-X is EVERYTHING (right)!
The writing definitely built more tension between the characters this time around, but the pacing felt off in the beginning. There’s no real sense of how much time is passing, which makes the relationships feel a little rushed. Lacey definitely figured it out, and the rest of the book flowed fantastically!
This whole freaking situation is fucking with my ACOTAR–Tamlin PTSD, and I’m losing my shit over what I’m supposed to do. Is she purposefully making one look better than the other? Am I supposed to pick a side? FML. On to book 3, and please, for the love of all that is holy—let me be right!
October 21, 2024
3.25🌟 Ok. I hated what happened in this book. It makes no sense and I was not here for it. I wasn’t feeling the ACOTAR-like love interest flip. In some cases, it works: shatter me, acotar, throne of glass. Not this book. There’s literally nothing wrong with Kazimir. Does Izidora figure out things that he technically did keep from her? Sure. But it’s not like he did it on purpose. I think he’s just dumb and didn’t realize he was doing it. I will say, I do like how Ruslan makes Izidora feel. But it’s in the way where I’m rooting for her personal growth, not them as a couple. I saw the whole double mating thing coming from a book away. But literally why would an author spend a whole 400+ page book setting up mates and their family/friend relationships and then change the love interest? That’s literally so stupid. I don’t support Izidora and Ruslan one bit. And when we learn that he wants to control her even more so then she doesn’t leave him? All I could think was leave him!!! Leave him Izidora!!! I’m hoping that when the last line said “but then she saw him” means that she goes back to Kazimir - where she belongs. To be honest, she really shouldn’t choose either of them. I would like to see how the story changes if she just goes off with herself like the badass that she is. However, a romance with Kazimir would be top tier.
October 23, 2024
My curiosity brought me back, and I wasn't really rewarded for it.
I predicted that she would fall for 'the villain' who is also her mate, and even though the FMC supposedly loves Kazimir, she slept with this other guy pretty quickly if you ask me, even though fate or some bull is pulling them together. Plus she turned on him pretty quickly too, just easily believing what Ruslan, the man who KIDNAPPED HER AGAIN, had to say about him.
While I think her magic is quite cool, I'm getting a bit sick of her being 'super powerful' but becoming drained really quickly and having to be taken care of. Not a good trope if you ask me.
Annoyingly, I am still intrigued to see how the series goes. I have suspicions this time that Kazimir will turn into the villian because of his new dark magic, and tbf that wouldn't be the worst (this is the man that wanked over the FMC when she had been KIDNAPPED, and would constantly think about her in a sexual way, rather than a concerned loving way). Ruslan has his issues, but at least he's trying to be better.
Will likely have a break before the next one.
I predicted that she would fall for 'the villain' who is also her mate, and even though the FMC supposedly loves Kazimir, she slept with this other guy pretty quickly if you ask me, even though fate or some bull is pulling them together. Plus she turned on him pretty quickly too, just easily believing what Ruslan, the man who KIDNAPPED HER AGAIN, had to say about him.
While I think her magic is quite cool, I'm getting a bit sick of her being 'super powerful' but becoming drained really quickly and having to be taken care of. Not a good trope if you ask me.
Annoyingly, I am still intrigued to see how the series goes. I have suspicions this time that Kazimir will turn into the villian because of his new dark magic, and tbf that wouldn't be the worst (this is the man that wanked over the FMC when she had been KIDNAPPED, and would constantly think about her in a sexual way, rather than a concerned loving way). Ruslan has his issues, but at least he's trying to be better.
Will likely have a break before the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
This book was a lot better than the first. Just like I thought it would be! The writing was better and we got tons more info on the Iron realm. I like the world she created! I loved Ruslan! She better pick him is all I'm saying. Kaz gives me creep vibes and I just can't with him. I thought he was OK at first and I really did like him. He just constantly obsessing over her, I can't help but cringe for some reason. Which I never usually do in books with males who are obsessed with there women. Something just doesn't feel right with him even in the first book, I just felt like something was off and something missing. Even with this book, That why I only gave it 3 stars. It struggled to hold my attention fully but this story isn't that bad to DNF. Maybe boring cause i did get bored at times. Kept putting the book down and skim through some of the chapters, Not as bad as the first. I did enjoy the characters and Ruslan dad got what he deserved! 😁
March 15, 2024
This was my first DNF in 2024.
The fact that Izadora was so easily (AND FREAKING QUICKLY) swayed in her emotions from Kaz to Ruslan.. I FELT BETRAYED.
She's been a horny teenager throughout this. She did our twins and Kristof so dirty. They died for a hoe.
Someone queue JT Money for Kazmir, he needs to know hoe problems ain't no problem.
The fact that Izadora was so easily (AND FREAKING QUICKLY) swayed in her emotions from Kaz to Ruslan.. I FELT BETRAYED.
She's been a horny teenager throughout this. She did our twins and Kristof so dirty. They died for a hoe.
Someone queue JT Money for Kazmir, he needs to know hoe problems ain't no problem.
May 22, 2024
absolutely not ?? this has to be a joke like …
September 20, 2024
Red flags all around. At this point she should just take a hike in the woods with her pet horse and live the life of a hermit.
January 1, 2026
Two mates, one prophecy, and a truth that refuses to stay buried 🩸🌑
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️🌶️☆☆☆ (2/5)
Audiobook: 🎧 Duet-style
Series: A Choice of Light and Dark, Book 2
HEA: No, cliffhanger ending
Light pushes Izidora deeper into the shadows of her own story and finally starts asking the uncomfortable question Chained only hinted at: what if the “villains” aren’t monsters… and the “heroes” aren’t as clean as they pretend to be? This sequel leans harder into manipulation, moral grayness, and the dangerous weight of prophecy. But where Chained balanced its darkness with found-family warmth and emotional grounding, Light strips much of that away. Izidora’s trauma recovery feels unnervingly rushed for someone who endured twenty-one years of abuse, and her rapid trust in the men around her reads less like healing and more like conditioning. The result is a story that feels colder, sharper, and psychologically heavier, but sometimes emotionally thinner than its predecessor.
If Chained was about survival and discovery, Light is about disillusionment. Truths surface. Loyalties crack. And Izidora’s role in this world starts to feel less like destiny and more like a carefully engineered trap.
The Story
Izidora is kidnapped once again, this time by the Iron Fae, and forced into a brutal new reality where long-buried truths begin spilling out. Prophecies tighten around her like chains, and the men orbiting her reveal motives that blur the line between love, possession, and control.
Kazimir wages war to reclaim her, even if it means embracing forbidden magic that could corrupt him beyond recognition. Ruslan, ruthless prince of the Iron Realm, steps forward with his own version of devotion and vengeance. And Izidora, still painfully naïve to the politics and cruelty of the real world, must face the reality that she now has two “mates” and far too little control over what that truly means.
What unfolds isn’t a romantic triangle. It’s a psychological pressure cooker. And more than once, you may find yourself wondering whether what Izidora is experiencing looks less like fate… and far more like captivity dressed up as devotion.
What I Loved
✔️ The deeper moral grayness and layered villain perspectives
✔️ A world that finally starts revealing its teeth
✔️ Prophecy-driven tension that actually matters
✔️ Ruslan’s dark, dangerous charisma
✔️ The growing sense that nothing here is as pure as it claims to be
🎧 Narration
Narrated by Daphne Fields and Gideon Frost, both deliver solid, fitting performances. Their voices suit the characters well and maintain immersion, even when the emotional beats of the story don’t always land as deeply as they could.
Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Dark Romantasy
✔️ Two Mates
✔️ Prophecy Chosen One
✔️ Morally Gray MMCs
✔️ Captive Heroine
✔️ Political Intrigue
✔️ Cliffhanger Ending
Final Thoughts
Light is darker, colder, and far more psychologically uncomfortable than its predecessor. It raises interesting questions about agency, manipulation, and what devotion really means in a world where power decides truth. While it may not always deliver the emotional depth its themes deserve, it deepens the moral complexity of the series and pushes Izidora into far more dangerous territory.
At this point, I’m no longer rooting for her to choose a mate.
I’m rooting for her to choose herself.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️🌶️☆☆☆ (2/5)
Audiobook: 🎧 Duet-style
Series: A Choice of Light and Dark, Book 2
HEA: No, cliffhanger ending
Light pushes Izidora deeper into the shadows of her own story and finally starts asking the uncomfortable question Chained only hinted at: what if the “villains” aren’t monsters… and the “heroes” aren’t as clean as they pretend to be? This sequel leans harder into manipulation, moral grayness, and the dangerous weight of prophecy. But where Chained balanced its darkness with found-family warmth and emotional grounding, Light strips much of that away. Izidora’s trauma recovery feels unnervingly rushed for someone who endured twenty-one years of abuse, and her rapid trust in the men around her reads less like healing and more like conditioning. The result is a story that feels colder, sharper, and psychologically heavier, but sometimes emotionally thinner than its predecessor.
If Chained was about survival and discovery, Light is about disillusionment. Truths surface. Loyalties crack. And Izidora’s role in this world starts to feel less like destiny and more like a carefully engineered trap.
The Story
Izidora is kidnapped once again, this time by the Iron Fae, and forced into a brutal new reality where long-buried truths begin spilling out. Prophecies tighten around her like chains, and the men orbiting her reveal motives that blur the line between love, possession, and control.
Kazimir wages war to reclaim her, even if it means embracing forbidden magic that could corrupt him beyond recognition. Ruslan, ruthless prince of the Iron Realm, steps forward with his own version of devotion and vengeance. And Izidora, still painfully naïve to the politics and cruelty of the real world, must face the reality that she now has two “mates” and far too little control over what that truly means.
What unfolds isn’t a romantic triangle. It’s a psychological pressure cooker. And more than once, you may find yourself wondering whether what Izidora is experiencing looks less like fate… and far more like captivity dressed up as devotion.
What I Loved
✔️ The deeper moral grayness and layered villain perspectives
✔️ A world that finally starts revealing its teeth
✔️ Prophecy-driven tension that actually matters
✔️ Ruslan’s dark, dangerous charisma
✔️ The growing sense that nothing here is as pure as it claims to be
🎧 Narration
Narrated by Daphne Fields and Gideon Frost, both deliver solid, fitting performances. Their voices suit the characters well and maintain immersion, even when the emotional beats of the story don’t always land as deeply as they could.
Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Dark Romantasy
✔️ Two Mates
✔️ Prophecy Chosen One
✔️ Morally Gray MMCs
✔️ Captive Heroine
✔️ Political Intrigue
✔️ Cliffhanger Ending
Final Thoughts
Light is darker, colder, and far more psychologically uncomfortable than its predecessor. It raises interesting questions about agency, manipulation, and what devotion really means in a world where power decides truth. While it may not always deliver the emotional depth its themes deserve, it deepens the moral complexity of the series and pushes Izidora into far more dangerous territory.
At this point, I’m no longer rooting for her to choose a mate.
I’m rooting for her to choose herself.
December 3, 2023
Light by Lacey Lehotzky is the second book in the A Choice of Light and Dark series. This is a dark romantic fantasy and primarily follows Izidora in the Iron Realm, with Ruslan. While most of the book is dual POV, there are some chapters from the POV of Kazimir in the Night Realm. This is dark so please check content warnings. Also, this is a spicy book with open door explicit content. Tropes include fated mates, enemies to lovers, who did this, touch her and die, and mental health representation.
The Lovely: I loved the characters and their relationships. They were well rounded, flawed and most were lovable. Izidora is still growing and still grappling with her past trauma. Ruslan is, well, conflicted. You can tell he wants to do right by Izidora but he has his own demons and he’s used to relying on his dark tendencies to get what he wants.
Also Lovely: I, um, read this in one afternoon/evening and more than once realized I had become so engrossed I lost track of time. There wasn’t as much plot in this book two, compared to book one, as most of the story focused on Ruslan and Izidora’s relationship. However, this worked for what needed to happen in the story/series. And we did get some jumps to other realms, and a bit of a side plot relating to Ruslan’s father/king.
The Mundane: I missed the found family aspect we had in book one. Izidora really only has one “friend” in the Iron Realm and they don’t have many scenes together. Hopefully book three will bring back this found family aspect, especially for Izidora.
Rating: 5/5 Stars 3/5 Flames
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book makes you FEEL for the main characters in a way most books don’t. Which, is something I really want in a book. To be clear, I don’t like Ruslan, but I did get weepy for him and his struggles. Other times I wanted to smack him. The ending did me in because I thought for sure we’d see something we didn’t, and that felt like a punch to the gut. If you like DARK romantasy with strong characters and relationships in a book you can’t put down, I think you would like this book.
The Lovely: I loved the characters and their relationships. They were well rounded, flawed and most were lovable. Izidora is still growing and still grappling with her past trauma. Ruslan is, well, conflicted. You can tell he wants to do right by Izidora but he has his own demons and he’s used to relying on his dark tendencies to get what he wants.
Also Lovely: I, um, read this in one afternoon/evening and more than once realized I had become so engrossed I lost track of time. There wasn’t as much plot in this book two, compared to book one, as most of the story focused on Ruslan and Izidora’s relationship. However, this worked for what needed to happen in the story/series. And we did get some jumps to other realms, and a bit of a side plot relating to Ruslan’s father/king.
The Mundane: I missed the found family aspect we had in book one. Izidora really only has one “friend” in the Iron Realm and they don’t have many scenes together. Hopefully book three will bring back this found family aspect, especially for Izidora.
Rating: 5/5 Stars 3/5 Flames
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book makes you FEEL for the main characters in a way most books don’t. Which, is something I really want in a book. To be clear, I don’t like Ruslan, but I did get weepy for him and his struggles. Other times I wanted to smack him. The ending did me in because I thought for sure we’d see something we didn’t, and that felt like a punch to the gut. If you like DARK romantasy with strong characters and relationships in a book you can’t put down, I think you would like this book.
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