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The Light Of Kasaban
In the brutal desert city of Kasaban, the old gods have had their statues crushed to powder by invading Priests, with magick forbidden to anyone but themselves. Merely being born as one of the magi makes even infants into fugitives, and the Priests and their spies are always watching, ready to toss their enemies into the purifying flames of execution.
Saya Ani Anai is the last of her family, dedicating her life to being a teacher of magick for little orphaned children. From within her hidden home, she provides the closest thing to a normal life these children may ever know. They help each other like family, working for what they can and stealing the rest to scrape by, forced to live every day under the yoke of oppression.
When the warren-boss who keeps their domain a secret suddenly demands a higher price to keep his silence, they must race to find a way to meet the demand or they will lose their home and their lives. But for the poor living in Kasaban, simply surviving is anything but easy.
With the Priests and their magick-hunters scouring the city for magi to burn, and the catastrophes of daily life intervening to crush her plans at every turn, Saya must risk everything to save her home and keep the children safe. But Kasaban is unforgiving. Its fires rage bright. If she fails, all her hopes will burn.
Saya Ani Anai is the last of her family, dedicating her life to being a teacher of magick for little orphaned children. From within her hidden home, she provides the closest thing to a normal life these children may ever know. They help each other like family, working for what they can and stealing the rest to scrape by, forced to live every day under the yoke of oppression.
When the warren-boss who keeps their domain a secret suddenly demands a higher price to keep his silence, they must race to find a way to meet the demand or they will lose their home and their lives. But for the poor living in Kasaban, simply surviving is anything but easy.
With the Priests and their magick-hunters scouring the city for magi to burn, and the catastrophes of daily life intervening to crush her plans at every turn, Saya must risk everything to save her home and keep the children safe. But Kasaban is unforgiving. Its fires rage bright. If she fails, all her hopes will burn.
- GenresFantasy
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2024
4 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Howard Riley
8 books79 followersThomas Howard Riley currently resides in the wasteland metropolis, where he reads ancient books, plays ancient games, watches ancient movies, jams on ancient guitars, and writes furiously day and night. He sometimes appears on clear nights when the moon is gibbous, and he has often been seen in the presence of cats.
He always wanted to make up his own worlds, tell his own stories, write his own history, create his own people, honor the truths of life, and explore both the light and the darkness of human nature. With a few swords thrown in for good measure.
And some magick. Awesome magick.
He can be found digitally at THOMASHOWARDRILEY.COM
On Twitter he is @ornithopteryx, where he is sometimes funny, always clever, and never mean.
He always wanted to make up his own worlds, tell his own stories, write his own history, create his own people, honor the truths of life, and explore both the light and the darkness of human nature. With a few swords thrown in for good measure.
And some magick. Awesome magick.
He can be found digitally at THOMASHOWARDRILEY.COM
On Twitter he is @ornithopteryx, where he is sometimes funny, always clever, and never mean.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 17, 2024
This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine
In The Light of Kasaban, Thomas Howard Riley spins an excitingly wondrous yet brutally emotional fantasy tale full of trauma, sacrifice, found family, and deadly magick; this book might not be a chunker, but it will hit you like a brick in the gut.
Set in a scorching hot desert city every bit as brutal as its oppressive overlords, The Light of Kasaban tells the story of Saya Ani Anai, a poor young teacher of forbidden magick who has dedicated her life to protecting orphaned magi kids from the brutal religious order that wants them all dead. Crumbling under the yoke of oppression and battling enemies both within and without, Saya will have to risk everything to seize a chance at survival, or else her life and hopes will all go up in flames.
“The light of Kasaban burns all it touches, love, hope, joy. Nothing can withstand it. The heat bakes flesh and stone. The winds whisper like flames. The sun does not forgive.”
Now, for some inexplicable reason, Thomas Howard Riley has always been one of those authors whose writing I just knew I was going to love; dark, character-driven and emotionally destructive stories? Say less, please. And lo and behold, The Light of Kasaban was exactly what I was hoping it would be, instantly reminding me of the styles of my favourites like Jay Kristoff’s Nevernight and Krystle Matar’s Legacy of the Brightwash, while also feeling incredibly fresh and unique.
From the very first page, Riley just sets the tone and creates an all-consuming sense of dread that kept me in a chokehold from start to finish. I immediately latched onto Saya, not because she is so perfectly loveable, but because she is so tragically human and relatable in her fears and flaws. Moreover, this atmospheric desert city setting might be hot, but I’d dare to say that it almost pales in comparison to Saya’s own fire and spunk, which just made me love her even more.
“She could not be the one who broke down. She could not be the one who collapsed in tears. She could not be the one who desperately sank into the embrace of someone else and begged them to take over the strain for her. Kasaban offered no solace for those who broke. It did not pick up those who fell. It did not wipe away the tears of those who wept.”
I personally really enjoyed how, in a weird way, the first half of The Light of Kasaban has a bit of a slice-of-life vibe to it, though don’t mistake that for me saying this is a cozy story. It’s just that we get such a terrifyingly intimate look into Saya’s troubled mind as she goes about her days risking her life to protect the children she has taken under her wing, which allows for such an organic way of getting invested in these characters, for better or worse (ouch, my poor heart!).
Riley really doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker realms of the human mind as well as the depravities that humanity is capable of, especially in the occasional secondary POV from the deliciously hateable yet terrifyingly fascinating antagonist. The way that sensitive topics of complex trauma, grief, religious zealotry, oppression, genocide, sexual harrassment, morality, and sacrifice are woven into this narrative is confronting in the best way, and even though some scenes almost made me a bit too uncomfortable, I just loved how Riley’s elegant yet knife-sharp prose only made those visceral scenes and difficult themes hit home all the harder.
“Hiding to survive was better than fighting every moment of every day to live. Invisibility was better than armor. No one could fight the Priests. She had seen foolish people try.”
Though, despite the darkness and depravity, I think The Light of Kasaban is at its core a fiercely powerful story of defiance, hope and love. Saya’s emotional journey throughout this story is so beautiful to witness, and I absolutely loved the wholesome dynamic between her and (most of) the kids. Even though some of the children felt a little better developed than others, I still think the found family vibes absolutely shine and I especially appreciated how their childhood innocence and sneaky hijinx added so much heart to the narrative.
Not to mention, the Render magic system is undeniably cool, which only increased that sense of excitement and wonder for me. I do have to admit that I didn’t fully grasp all of the intricacies and limitations of the magic, though I don’t know if that was because it was intentionally soft and elusive, or due to the fact that this story is set in Riley’s existing Luminaworld which I personally hadn’t explored before yet. In any case, for the most part I felt like The Light of Kasaban was an extremely smooth and immersive introduction to this dark yet intriguing world, and if anything, it only made me more eager to explore the world further by diving into more of Riley’s works as soon as possible.
“One of these tomorrows will lead us to a better life. As long as the tomorrows keep coming, one of them will be that day. And the good thing about tomorrows is that there always is one.”
With the satisfyingly hopeful yet dreadfully ominous note that this story leaves off on, I am beyond curious to see where these scarred yet strong characters go next from here. If you like the sound of a dark fantasy tale that is first and foremost an intimately vulnerable character-study, but which still offers plenty of high stakes action, risky thievery, and excitingly dangerous magic, then I can’t recommend The Light of Kasaban highly enough!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
In The Light of Kasaban, Thomas Howard Riley spins an excitingly wondrous yet brutally emotional fantasy tale full of trauma, sacrifice, found family, and deadly magick; this book might not be a chunker, but it will hit you like a brick in the gut.
Set in a scorching hot desert city every bit as brutal as its oppressive overlords, The Light of Kasaban tells the story of Saya Ani Anai, a poor young teacher of forbidden magick who has dedicated her life to protecting orphaned magi kids from the brutal religious order that wants them all dead. Crumbling under the yoke of oppression and battling enemies both within and without, Saya will have to risk everything to seize a chance at survival, or else her life and hopes will all go up in flames.
“The light of Kasaban burns all it touches, love, hope, joy. Nothing can withstand it. The heat bakes flesh and stone. The winds whisper like flames. The sun does not forgive.”
Now, for some inexplicable reason, Thomas Howard Riley has always been one of those authors whose writing I just knew I was going to love; dark, character-driven and emotionally destructive stories? Say less, please. And lo and behold, The Light of Kasaban was exactly what I was hoping it would be, instantly reminding me of the styles of my favourites like Jay Kristoff’s Nevernight and Krystle Matar’s Legacy of the Brightwash, while also feeling incredibly fresh and unique.
From the very first page, Riley just sets the tone and creates an all-consuming sense of dread that kept me in a chokehold from start to finish. I immediately latched onto Saya, not because she is so perfectly loveable, but because she is so tragically human and relatable in her fears and flaws. Moreover, this atmospheric desert city setting might be hot, but I’d dare to say that it almost pales in comparison to Saya’s own fire and spunk, which just made me love her even more.
“She could not be the one who broke down. She could not be the one who collapsed in tears. She could not be the one who desperately sank into the embrace of someone else and begged them to take over the strain for her. Kasaban offered no solace for those who broke. It did not pick up those who fell. It did not wipe away the tears of those who wept.”
I personally really enjoyed how, in a weird way, the first half of The Light of Kasaban has a bit of a slice-of-life vibe to it, though don’t mistake that for me saying this is a cozy story. It’s just that we get such a terrifyingly intimate look into Saya’s troubled mind as she goes about her days risking her life to protect the children she has taken under her wing, which allows for such an organic way of getting invested in these characters, for better or worse (ouch, my poor heart!).
Riley really doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker realms of the human mind as well as the depravities that humanity is capable of, especially in the occasional secondary POV from the deliciously hateable yet terrifyingly fascinating antagonist. The way that sensitive topics of complex trauma, grief, religious zealotry, oppression, genocide, sexual harrassment, morality, and sacrifice are woven into this narrative is confronting in the best way, and even though some scenes almost made me a bit too uncomfortable, I just loved how Riley’s elegant yet knife-sharp prose only made those visceral scenes and difficult themes hit home all the harder.
“Hiding to survive was better than fighting every moment of every day to live. Invisibility was better than armor. No one could fight the Priests. She had seen foolish people try.”
Though, despite the darkness and depravity, I think The Light of Kasaban is at its core a fiercely powerful story of defiance, hope and love. Saya’s emotional journey throughout this story is so beautiful to witness, and I absolutely loved the wholesome dynamic between her and (most of) the kids. Even though some of the children felt a little better developed than others, I still think the found family vibes absolutely shine and I especially appreciated how their childhood innocence and sneaky hijinx added so much heart to the narrative.
Not to mention, the Render magic system is undeniably cool, which only increased that sense of excitement and wonder for me. I do have to admit that I didn’t fully grasp all of the intricacies and limitations of the magic, though I don’t know if that was because it was intentionally soft and elusive, or due to the fact that this story is set in Riley’s existing Luminaworld which I personally hadn’t explored before yet. In any case, for the most part I felt like The Light of Kasaban was an extremely smooth and immersive introduction to this dark yet intriguing world, and if anything, it only made me more eager to explore the world further by diving into more of Riley’s works as soon as possible.
“One of these tomorrows will lead us to a better life. As long as the tomorrows keep coming, one of them will be that day. And the good thing about tomorrows is that there always is one.”
With the satisfyingly hopeful yet dreadfully ominous note that this story leaves off on, I am beyond curious to see where these scarred yet strong characters go next from here. If you like the sound of a dark fantasy tale that is first and foremost an intimately vulnerable character-study, but which still offers plenty of high stakes action, risky thievery, and excitingly dangerous magic, then I can’t recommend The Light of Kasaban highly enough!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 23, 2025
This was an excellent starting point for Thomas's work. Complex, yet intuitive magic. Characters you really feel for, and a world that feels as lived in as it is harsh.
This is not a typical action story, though when the action hits, it's well done.
A few moments in the plot kept this from being a 4.5 for me personally, but overall it was a very minor thing, and the epilogue had me excited to see what else this world has in store.
This is not a typical action story, though when the action hits, it's well done.
A few moments in the plot kept this from being a 4.5 for me personally, but overall it was a very minor thing, and the epilogue had me excited to see what else this world has in store.
September 5, 2025
Read as part of the Willow Wraith Press Book Club for the month of September
How much are you willing to sacrifice for your family?
I enjoyed this excellent novel by Thomas Howard Riley. It was wonderfully paced, easy to read, and a very humanistic and engaging story of survival. As with most reviews, I have a bit to say, so let's get into it :)
Plot (no spoilers):
We follow the story of Saya Ani Anai, a teacher of children blessed with magical abilities (think Yoda, but more naive due to her age). We join "Sayani" in her attempt to survive not only the austere conditions of the desert city of Kasaban, but also avoid the leering gazes of the Priests and Glassdogs who've taken over the city as a follow-on element of an occupation force. Throughout her journey in The Light of Kasaban we see a human who will stop at nothing to protect her school of children, bearing the weight of keeping them alive, fed, and safe. Unfortunately, this catches the eye of the White Death, a Priest known as Sevastin Karda, and puts everything she's worked for in jeopardy.
Characters:
Sayani - really enjoyed her character, and it was easy to understand her motives, worries, and aspirations. Largely focused on her children and the procedures to protect them, our eyes are opened to the character. We're able to see how she struggles through every day life, finding a sense of purpose in teaching the children to protect themselves, but also how to use and harness their abilities.
The Children - each of them is unique, and they act perfectly suited to their ages. They have a system that simply works, as in they act the way a family should. Older children look after those younger, while Saya watches over them all. Some stand out more than others, but each is lovable in their own right. Riley isn't scared to shy away from approaching the issues of trauma or even the complications with simply growing up. It really throws a "coming of age" trope into his work.
Sevastin Karda - the introductory scene with this character as the "big bad" was a masterclass in chilling introduction. Riley's writing of the character's first engagement with Saya was TENSE! It reminded me of watching World War Two movies, where you see German Officers questioning the allies/heroes in disguise. You feel the weight of the moment, and share in Saya's pain and relief. You do feel the raw power of the individual, and the strength he possesses beyond those of the school he hunts. I enjoyed the character as a villain, and hope to see more of him in (and if there are) future installments.
What really worked for me:
The Story - again, it's a very human story about survival. There aren't any earth/universe shattering stakes, and it very much keeps to the themes of life and death. Both in the moment, and on the scale of a single city.
The Prose - very easy to read. There's no flowery flowing of confusing language or big/complicated/pretentious words or verbiage, so it can be comfortably read by teenagers–who might even see themselves in some of the children.
The Magic System - talk about cool! The residual effects of the magic, known as afterglow, were really interesting to see. It took no time to learn about its inner workings, and by the time you start "binding streams" a bit later into the novel, you have a solid foundational understanding of the concept. I'll give Riley his flowers here for holding your hand as you learn it (almost like one of Saya's students).
What didn't work for me:
The Ending - it just felt a bit abrupt. Understanding that as the endgame kicks off with a bang, that things do move quickly, but I found myself having to flip another page just to make sure that the ending was the ending. Not that it was a bad ending, quite the contrary in fact, in my mind I guess I was simply wishing there was more to it.
Certain Tactics - I couldn't help but think of the tactics used during
Overall:
This was an absolutely solid read, and I hope Riley continues with this series, as I'd love to follow the story of Saya a bit more, since there's a recurring them of return that is woven throughout the entire story. The author does include an epilogue scene, which makes me believe that it will continue. I would certainly return for future installments!
As such, I give this story a very solid 4/5 stars (if not even slightly over that). I would recommend it for anyone looking to break in to the fantasy genre, or those who want to pick up a book that I would say is a microcosm of the genre in the absolute best way (small setting, easy to read, incredible character work).
Thomas Howard Riley, you have my vote of confidence to continue Sayani's story! And you better...or else ;)
Now, onto my personal (and quick) bonus rating scale: The F**k Off Scale, where I personally tell the author what moments blew my little brain to smithereens.
One F/O is awarded for - the introduction of Sevastin Karda. I was so sucked into that scene that if he had have unalive the MC right then and there, I'd have been okay with it. Certified bad ass!
A second F/O is awarded for - the pure shock and awe for the beginning of the end. Go read it for yourself, seriously!
4/5 Stars, 2/5 F'Offs - this story was absolutely solid!
How much are you willing to sacrifice for your family?
I enjoyed this excellent novel by Thomas Howard Riley. It was wonderfully paced, easy to read, and a very humanistic and engaging story of survival. As with most reviews, I have a bit to say, so let's get into it :)
Plot (no spoilers):
We follow the story of Saya Ani Anai, a teacher of children blessed with magical abilities (think Yoda, but more naive due to her age). We join "Sayani" in her attempt to survive not only the austere conditions of the desert city of Kasaban, but also avoid the leering gazes of the Priests and Glassdogs who've taken over the city as a follow-on element of an occupation force. Throughout her journey in The Light of Kasaban we see a human who will stop at nothing to protect her school of children, bearing the weight of keeping them alive, fed, and safe. Unfortunately, this catches the eye of the White Death, a Priest known as Sevastin Karda, and puts everything she's worked for in jeopardy.
Characters:
Sayani - really enjoyed her character, and it was easy to understand her motives, worries, and aspirations. Largely focused on her children and the procedures to protect them, our eyes are opened to the character. We're able to see how she struggles through every day life, finding a sense of purpose in teaching the children to protect themselves, but also how to use and harness their abilities.
The Children - each of them is unique, and they act perfectly suited to their ages. They have a system that simply works, as in they act the way a family should. Older children look after those younger, while Saya watches over them all. Some stand out more than others, but each is lovable in their own right. Riley isn't scared to shy away from approaching the issues of trauma or even the complications with simply growing up. It really throws a "coming of age" trope into his work.
Sevastin Karda - the introductory scene with this character as the "big bad" was a masterclass in chilling introduction. Riley's writing of the character's first engagement with Saya was TENSE! It reminded me of watching World War Two movies, where you see German Officers questioning the allies/heroes in disguise. You feel the weight of the moment, and share in Saya's pain and relief. You do feel the raw power of the individual, and the strength he possesses beyond those of the school he hunts. I enjoyed the character as a villain, and hope to see more of him in (and if there are) future installments.
What really worked for me:
The Story - again, it's a very human story about survival. There aren't any earth/universe shattering stakes, and it very much keeps to the themes of life and death. Both in the moment, and on the scale of a single city.
The Prose - very easy to read. There's no flowery flowing of confusing language or big/complicated/pretentious words or verbiage, so it can be comfortably read by teenagers–who might even see themselves in some of the children.
The Magic System - talk about cool! The residual effects of the magic, known as afterglow, were really interesting to see. It took no time to learn about its inner workings, and by the time you start "binding streams" a bit later into the novel, you have a solid foundational understanding of the concept. I'll give Riley his flowers here for holding your hand as you learn it (almost like one of Saya's students).
What didn't work for me:
The Ending - it just felt a bit abrupt. Understanding that as the endgame kicks off with a bang, that things do move quickly, but I found myself having to flip another page just to make sure that the ending was the ending. Not that it was a bad ending, quite the contrary in fact, in my mind I guess I was simply wishing there was more to it.
Certain Tactics - I couldn't help but think of the tactics used during
Overall:
This was an absolutely solid read, and I hope Riley continues with this series, as I'd love to follow the story of Saya a bit more, since there's a recurring them of return that is woven throughout the entire story. The author does include an epilogue scene, which makes me believe that it will continue. I would certainly return for future installments!
As such, I give this story a very solid 4/5 stars (if not even slightly over that). I would recommend it for anyone looking to break in to the fantasy genre, or those who want to pick up a book that I would say is a microcosm of the genre in the absolute best way (small setting, easy to read, incredible character work).
Thomas Howard Riley, you have my vote of confidence to continue Sayani's story! And you better...or else ;)
Now, onto my personal (and quick) bonus rating scale: The F**k Off Scale, where I personally tell the author what moments blew my little brain to smithereens.
One F/O is awarded for - the introduction of Sevastin Karda. I was so sucked into that scene that if he had have unalive the MC right then and there, I'd have been okay with it. Certified bad ass!
A second F/O is awarded for - the pure shock and awe for the beginning of the end. Go read it for yourself, seriously!
4/5 Stars, 2/5 F'Offs - this story was absolutely solid!
December 9, 2025
At the end of the book, I’m still thinking about the beginning of this book- that says something about how The Light of Kasaban by Thomas Howard Riley begins and the abrupt yet implied ending it provides. The door is left open, but I’m still thinking about how the book started.
The Light of Kasaban is a short novel featuring “light” magic inside a desert city-like environment with an oppressive religious government, and by oppressive, I mean to say, if you’re born a female magic user, you are hunted, caught, and executed in numerous brutal fashions, including burning by white hot liquid metal, and other cruel ways. Writers and readers can hear and see the word ‘brutal,’ but Mr. Riley brings it to its true meaning. Mr. Riley focuses the book on Saya, a teacher who takes in stray children in the slums of Kasaban and teaches and trains them to use and hide their magic powers. One of the intriguing creations of Mr. Riley’s work is that the magic use based on light and telekinesis, is that once the magic is done a film or scum like substance lingers on the users hands which can be seen by other magic users or magic hunters which is the lead plot point in the book as the repressive government or rulers of Kasaban hunt these users to either force them into servitude at a young age or capture and execute as heretics.
The society of Karasban is male-oriented and ruled by religious zealots, who kill any female with magic as heretics, and if caught young enough, any males with magic are brought up to become religious zealots. This puts the main character Saya, who is just trying to survive and do some good, in direct confrontation with the opposing forces. The character work Mr. Riley does with Saya, who is a rebel, not out of spite or anger, but just out of the urge to survive, I found enduring.
“She turned and walked away, swallowing a lump of sorrow the size of a riverstone, leaving the ashes of those lost souls who would never have a chance to be free.”
The pacing of the book was good, it slowed for a bit, but after the finish after the ending, I realized why it slowed, why the details and the lessons learned and the creation of this tight family like student/teacher almost parent like structure was created, so the ending could have the fever dream fight for survival climax that drove the books core right into the reader.
“Fighting and dying means nothing if it damns the ones who depend on you.”
Mr. Riley walks the line between character-driven and plot-driven stories; it’s a short novel, and he manages to dig into the main character, Saya, well, and flesh out others. The plot is hammered down easily, you know the ending is coming, it has too and when it does, I still wasn’t ready for it, still wasn’t sure what was going to happen and I felt for the characters so overall his writing did the trick providing a straightforward structure yet characters you thought for an rooted for even as thing you knew were going to unfold did so. Sorry, I’m trying not to spoil things here.
“The city wasn’t home. This place was a graveyard of her joy.”
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and the number of highlights and notes in my Kindle suggest the writing, world-building, and character work left me curious about Mr. Riley’s other work and wondering if there may be a sequel in the near future for this world. The Light of Kasaban by Thomas Howard Riley is a short yet powerful story set in an oppressive town ruled by religious fanatics, with an original magic system. Fans of desert fantasy with tropes like oppressive governments and found family will relish this book.
Full Review can be found at Willow Wraith Press: https://willowwraithpress.com/2025/12...
The Light of Kasaban is a short novel featuring “light” magic inside a desert city-like environment with an oppressive religious government, and by oppressive, I mean to say, if you’re born a female magic user, you are hunted, caught, and executed in numerous brutal fashions, including burning by white hot liquid metal, and other cruel ways. Writers and readers can hear and see the word ‘brutal,’ but Mr. Riley brings it to its true meaning. Mr. Riley focuses the book on Saya, a teacher who takes in stray children in the slums of Kasaban and teaches and trains them to use and hide their magic powers. One of the intriguing creations of Mr. Riley’s work is that the magic use based on light and telekinesis, is that once the magic is done a film or scum like substance lingers on the users hands which can be seen by other magic users or magic hunters which is the lead plot point in the book as the repressive government or rulers of Kasaban hunt these users to either force them into servitude at a young age or capture and execute as heretics.
The society of Karasban is male-oriented and ruled by religious zealots, who kill any female with magic as heretics, and if caught young enough, any males with magic are brought up to become religious zealots. This puts the main character Saya, who is just trying to survive and do some good, in direct confrontation with the opposing forces. The character work Mr. Riley does with Saya, who is a rebel, not out of spite or anger, but just out of the urge to survive, I found enduring.
“She turned and walked away, swallowing a lump of sorrow the size of a riverstone, leaving the ashes of those lost souls who would never have a chance to be free.”
The pacing of the book was good, it slowed for a bit, but after the finish after the ending, I realized why it slowed, why the details and the lessons learned and the creation of this tight family like student/teacher almost parent like structure was created, so the ending could have the fever dream fight for survival climax that drove the books core right into the reader.
“Fighting and dying means nothing if it damns the ones who depend on you.”
Mr. Riley walks the line between character-driven and plot-driven stories; it’s a short novel, and he manages to dig into the main character, Saya, well, and flesh out others. The plot is hammered down easily, you know the ending is coming, it has too and when it does, I still wasn’t ready for it, still wasn’t sure what was going to happen and I felt for the characters so overall his writing did the trick providing a straightforward structure yet characters you thought for an rooted for even as thing you knew were going to unfold did so. Sorry, I’m trying not to spoil things here.
“The city wasn’t home. This place was a graveyard of her joy.”
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and the number of highlights and notes in my Kindle suggest the writing, world-building, and character work left me curious about Mr. Riley’s other work and wondering if there may be a sequel in the near future for this world. The Light of Kasaban by Thomas Howard Riley is a short yet powerful story set in an oppressive town ruled by religious fanatics, with an original magic system. Fans of desert fantasy with tropes like oppressive governments and found family will relish this book.
Full Review can be found at Willow Wraith Press: https://willowwraithpress.com/2025/12...
January 16, 2025
“It can’t be like this always,” Saya said. She did not know if it was true, only that it had to be true. It had to or there was no way to make her feet take another step. -- from The Light of Kasaban
In the dark fantasy world created by Thomas Howard Riley, "magick" is spelled with the added "k" in order to distinguish the actual thing from the richly magical environment in which it is derived and manipulated. And therein lies the appeal of Riley's stories for me.
Riley's prose is textured and evocative: it makes his world (Lumina) tangible. When he writes, "There was nothing else now between them and what was to come, not even time," the reader is immersed in the dreadful inevitability and immediacy of what is going to happen next. Or take the quote I used at the top of this review. What better way to express the forlorn hope of the main character, a young woman striving not simply to survive, but to overcome the desperate circumstances in which she finds herself.
Riley's settings are beautiful. The small desert town of Kasaban, for all its intense heat and remoteness, is, in many ways, a beautiful and joyful place to live. It's rich in history, with ancient exotic temples, a bustling marketplace with laughing patrons enjoying savory foods in outdoor cafes, and a pale blue, cloudless sky. But Kasaban has been conquered by a church of fanatical and oppressive priests who are in the process of reshaping the city in their own image. The ancient gods have been redefined, ancient customs prohibited, and freedoms lost. And the priests (using their own magick) are systematically rooting out and brutally executing rogue practitioners of magick, especially women and children.
Saya, a rogue practitioner, is in far over her head, as she gathers up orphan magick users and tries to hide them from the priests in her hidden compound while teaching them to use their gifts. She's a relatable and well-drawn character, idealistic, yet practical, with courage and flaws, and a sense of existentialist optimism in the face of impossible odds.
The Light of Kasaban is a short novel, but it is packed with emotion, tension, and, above all, desperation, and the reader experiences it all deeply. It's an intense, but wonderful read, and a terrific addition to Riley's Luminaworld saga.
In the dark fantasy world created by Thomas Howard Riley, "magick" is spelled with the added "k" in order to distinguish the actual thing from the richly magical environment in which it is derived and manipulated. And therein lies the appeal of Riley's stories for me.
Riley's prose is textured and evocative: it makes his world (Lumina) tangible. When he writes, "There was nothing else now between them and what was to come, not even time," the reader is immersed in the dreadful inevitability and immediacy of what is going to happen next. Or take the quote I used at the top of this review. What better way to express the forlorn hope of the main character, a young woman striving not simply to survive, but to overcome the desperate circumstances in which she finds herself.
Riley's settings are beautiful. The small desert town of Kasaban, for all its intense heat and remoteness, is, in many ways, a beautiful and joyful place to live. It's rich in history, with ancient exotic temples, a bustling marketplace with laughing patrons enjoying savory foods in outdoor cafes, and a pale blue, cloudless sky. But Kasaban has been conquered by a church of fanatical and oppressive priests who are in the process of reshaping the city in their own image. The ancient gods have been redefined, ancient customs prohibited, and freedoms lost. And the priests (using their own magick) are systematically rooting out and brutally executing rogue practitioners of magick, especially women and children.
Saya, a rogue practitioner, is in far over her head, as she gathers up orphan magick users and tries to hide them from the priests in her hidden compound while teaching them to use their gifts. She's a relatable and well-drawn character, idealistic, yet practical, with courage and flaws, and a sense of existentialist optimism in the face of impossible odds.
The Light of Kasaban is a short novel, but it is packed with emotion, tension, and, above all, desperation, and the reader experiences it all deeply. It's an intense, but wonderful read, and a terrific addition to Riley's Luminaworld saga.
September 17, 2024
I cannot state strongly enough just how much I love this book.
Riley’s The Advent Lumina Cycle is a series and world that is going from strength to strength with each book; and into that expectation, The Light of Kasaban has stepped forward and gone watch me shine – and shine it does. This is a story of survival and tragedy, of loss and found family, of the worst of humanity…and the best; and above all an intimate tale of just what hope can do when the darkness seems like it will win.
‘The first of every month was execution day.’
With an opening line like that, this book comes in swinging and Riley doesn’t hesitate to drop us right into the middle of not only our protagonist Saya’s life, but also into his world. For those familiar with his previous books there are familiar elements, but for those venturing into these hallowed pages for the first time, the worldbuilding is all around from the very beginning. I don’t think I will ever be able to review a Riley book without talking about the worldbuilding, because the layers that he builds into each story, the lines that cross over in this shared universe are just so immersive. But, even without that familiarity, it would be impossible not to be swept up into this world.
The devils in the details, and Riley uses that to great effect – because it’s everywhere, built into the background of the city, into Saya’s life and actions, to the people around her. And he nails the feeling that this is just one corner of a greater whole – with fleeting mentions of other locations, the idea of a crusade with people coming and going from the front to the trade, and you just know that you could just step out of Kasaban in any direction and have the entire world spill open at your feet. At the same time, in Kasaban Riley has created an incredibly nucleated and intimate setting for what is an incredibly personal story; we know the world keeps going, but it’s a distant awareness because Saya’s life and therefore our connection is within the walls of this city…for now…
‘This city wasn’t home. This place was the graveyard of her joy.’
In The Monsters We Feed Riley demonstrated his ability to create a setting that was very strongly a character in its own right, in this book, he has upped the ante and made Kasaban a city that is as much an antagonist as the dangerous people that inhabit it. From the white sand and dust that coat the street and mark the status of those who walk its street; to the scorching heat that threatens to burn everything, to the layers of loss and history and old traditions that lay buried within its bones; Kasaban is a city that consumes. Through Saya’s relationship with the city, we see glimpses of what it used to be and what it could have been, and how it is a city of different worlds depending on who you are, and it is through Saya that we confront the reality of what it is. It was so easy to feel that scorching heat, the dust against our skin, to feel as though we didn’t belong within those walls and all because of how beautifully written her relationship with Kasaban is.
“Yes, Prelate Karda. We have never seen anything like it. Touching the source so young. This child is truly extraordinary.”
No discussion of the worldbuilding in these books would be complete without a look at the magick system. Again, what I love here is how for those who are familiar with the world and the magick there were still many new elements introduced here, from more ways in which magick can be rendered, to delving further into the counter-magic system of Render tracing and Glasseyes and Glassdogs and the punishment awaiting those who can Render but are deemed unworthy. For those knew to the system, Riley develops it in such a way that you gain the information the other readers already have. What I particularly loved about the magick in The Light of Kasaban is firstly the focus on teaching the young ones not only how to render their magick, and Saya is a fantastic teacher, knowing how to push and encourage the children and allowing them to grow without coming to fear the very thing that has led them to her. In the other books there has been more of a focus on established Magi, but here we get to see the baby steps; and I think as well the fact that Saya herself comes to learn more about her rendering, even in just coming up with new ways to use what she can do, adds to the feeling of growth and change.
There is also the opposing focus that permeates through this story, the idea of hiding their renders and the afterglow it leaves behind for others to track them with. The idea of Magi/sorcerers having to hide, and the various tricks and tools of the trade that can help with that isn’t new in Riley’s works; but it is especially prevalent in this story.
“Hiding to survive was better than fighting every moment of every day to live. Invisibility was better than armor. No one could fight the Priests. She had seen foolish people try.”
There is a passivity to Saya’s approach to surviving that adds so much nuance to the idea of Magick and rendering, and to Kasaban and her story. A tree that bends with the wind will survive longer, than the one that stands rigid; and that is very much the case here – both in terms of general survival but also with how Saya’s rendering develops and culminates in one of the most breath-taking scenes I’ve read this year.
While Riley’s worldbuilding is always spectacular and so deeply developed that I could just lose myself in the world and forget about everything else; it is absolutely impossible not to be pulled into the characters in The Light of Kasaban.
Saya absolutely steals the show not because she is a hero, but because she is so defiantly human and her fears and doubts, and the flaws that run like cracks from memories and loss are so relatable. In many ways she is one speck of sand cast up in this desert city, but in her, Riley has crafted a character who is made of diamond – forged by everything she has endured and continues to endure, and capable of shining brighter for it. That we get to spend so much time with her POV, living and breathing her fears, her sacrifices, her longings means that they very much become ours; I found myself like her longing for the quiet moments with her and the children, the little flashes of hope and happiness, the moments where she could be Saya Ani Anai the Teacher – rather than the teacher, the protector, the provider, and all the other little shards of herself that she created to keep them all safe.
The counterpart to Saya is our main villain in this city – Karda- in which I am fairly sure Riley has managed to distil the most horrific parts of humanity into human form. We don’t spend much time in his POV, but Riley in that short time managed to make my skin crawl, and it was as easy as breathing for Saya’s terror to become mine. What really made Karda linger though is that he was not just a product of the harshness of Kasaban, but rather of the twisting of the Light – as much a product of the fall of all that Kasaban had been as Saya was – but with the blessing of those in power.
With Saya’s children there are some who shine more than others, but Riley absolutely nails the feeling of a found family of children of different ages and experiences. And I lived for the moments spent with them – especially in the first half of the book where the focus was more on everyday life and day to day survival, where we got to see them just being children. The pranks and teasing, bickering and laughter and the tender moments where they in their own way protected Saya’s heart; and those moments in their home, safe from the looming darkness of Kasaban both intensified that menace but also gave the story so much heart. Because you wanted them to survive and grow and see Saya succeed in protecting her. But they couldn’t be untouched in this world, and I liked that Riley also built in those experiences – from the awkwardness of teenagers growing up in seclusion and not knowing what to do with new thoughts and feelings, to those who had seen more of the world already and tried to share Saya’s burden as best they could.
‘We will go far away from here someday.
One of these tomorrows will lead us to a better life.
As long as the tomorrows keep coming, one of them will be that day.
And the good thing about tomorrows is that there always is one.’
The Light of Kasaban is fundamentally a story about hope. Not as in wishes and dreams, although there are plenty of both even if they are only spoken of in whispers and the sanctuary of Saya’s own thoughts; but rather hope as a weapon, a blade that could cut through anything. Saya has lost so much to Kasaban, to the Priests and to life in this harsh world; she lives on a knife edge constantly, with loss and peril a noose constantly threatening to close around her neck; and yet, she never stops hoping. For a tomorrow. For a better life. To be able to protect her children. To be free. The strength to be able to hold onto that hope in a world where that light is constantly at risk of being snuffed out, and not only for herself, but to share it with others, to make it a living, breathing, tangible beacon for her children is awe-inspiring.
The Light of Kasaban is a fantastic stepping stone into Riley’s expansive world; and for those who are already familiar with The Advent Lumina Cycle there are some familiar people and features with plenty of the new to sweep you off your feet. If you love dark fantasy, that dabbles equally in the light of the world, and an intimate, personal character-driven story that will have your heart spilling open over the pages (there may be a death I still haven’t forgiven the author for) then this is absolutely the page for you.
And Saya’s story has only just begun…
Riley’s The Advent Lumina Cycle is a series and world that is going from strength to strength with each book; and into that expectation, The Light of Kasaban has stepped forward and gone watch me shine – and shine it does. This is a story of survival and tragedy, of loss and found family, of the worst of humanity…and the best; and above all an intimate tale of just what hope can do when the darkness seems like it will win.
‘The first of every month was execution day.’
With an opening line like that, this book comes in swinging and Riley doesn’t hesitate to drop us right into the middle of not only our protagonist Saya’s life, but also into his world. For those familiar with his previous books there are familiar elements, but for those venturing into these hallowed pages for the first time, the worldbuilding is all around from the very beginning. I don’t think I will ever be able to review a Riley book without talking about the worldbuilding, because the layers that he builds into each story, the lines that cross over in this shared universe are just so immersive. But, even without that familiarity, it would be impossible not to be swept up into this world.
The devils in the details, and Riley uses that to great effect – because it’s everywhere, built into the background of the city, into Saya’s life and actions, to the people around her. And he nails the feeling that this is just one corner of a greater whole – with fleeting mentions of other locations, the idea of a crusade with people coming and going from the front to the trade, and you just know that you could just step out of Kasaban in any direction and have the entire world spill open at your feet. At the same time, in Kasaban Riley has created an incredibly nucleated and intimate setting for what is an incredibly personal story; we know the world keeps going, but it’s a distant awareness because Saya’s life and therefore our connection is within the walls of this city…for now…
‘This city wasn’t home. This place was the graveyard of her joy.’
In The Monsters We Feed Riley demonstrated his ability to create a setting that was very strongly a character in its own right, in this book, he has upped the ante and made Kasaban a city that is as much an antagonist as the dangerous people that inhabit it. From the white sand and dust that coat the street and mark the status of those who walk its street; to the scorching heat that threatens to burn everything, to the layers of loss and history and old traditions that lay buried within its bones; Kasaban is a city that consumes. Through Saya’s relationship with the city, we see glimpses of what it used to be and what it could have been, and how it is a city of different worlds depending on who you are, and it is through Saya that we confront the reality of what it is. It was so easy to feel that scorching heat, the dust against our skin, to feel as though we didn’t belong within those walls and all because of how beautifully written her relationship with Kasaban is.
“Yes, Prelate Karda. We have never seen anything like it. Touching the source so young. This child is truly extraordinary.”
No discussion of the worldbuilding in these books would be complete without a look at the magick system. Again, what I love here is how for those who are familiar with the world and the magick there were still many new elements introduced here, from more ways in which magick can be rendered, to delving further into the counter-magic system of Render tracing and Glasseyes and Glassdogs and the punishment awaiting those who can Render but are deemed unworthy. For those knew to the system, Riley develops it in such a way that you gain the information the other readers already have. What I particularly loved about the magick in The Light of Kasaban is firstly the focus on teaching the young ones not only how to render their magick, and Saya is a fantastic teacher, knowing how to push and encourage the children and allowing them to grow without coming to fear the very thing that has led them to her. In the other books there has been more of a focus on established Magi, but here we get to see the baby steps; and I think as well the fact that Saya herself comes to learn more about her rendering, even in just coming up with new ways to use what she can do, adds to the feeling of growth and change.
There is also the opposing focus that permeates through this story, the idea of hiding their renders and the afterglow it leaves behind for others to track them with. The idea of Magi/sorcerers having to hide, and the various tricks and tools of the trade that can help with that isn’t new in Riley’s works; but it is especially prevalent in this story.
“Hiding to survive was better than fighting every moment of every day to live. Invisibility was better than armor. No one could fight the Priests. She had seen foolish people try.”
There is a passivity to Saya’s approach to surviving that adds so much nuance to the idea of Magick and rendering, and to Kasaban and her story. A tree that bends with the wind will survive longer, than the one that stands rigid; and that is very much the case here – both in terms of general survival but also with how Saya’s rendering develops and culminates in one of the most breath-taking scenes I’ve read this year.
While Riley’s worldbuilding is always spectacular and so deeply developed that I could just lose myself in the world and forget about everything else; it is absolutely impossible not to be pulled into the characters in The Light of Kasaban.
Saya absolutely steals the show not because she is a hero, but because she is so defiantly human and her fears and doubts, and the flaws that run like cracks from memories and loss are so relatable. In many ways she is one speck of sand cast up in this desert city, but in her, Riley has crafted a character who is made of diamond – forged by everything she has endured and continues to endure, and capable of shining brighter for it. That we get to spend so much time with her POV, living and breathing her fears, her sacrifices, her longings means that they very much become ours; I found myself like her longing for the quiet moments with her and the children, the little flashes of hope and happiness, the moments where she could be Saya Ani Anai the Teacher – rather than the teacher, the protector, the provider, and all the other little shards of herself that she created to keep them all safe.
The counterpart to Saya is our main villain in this city – Karda- in which I am fairly sure Riley has managed to distil the most horrific parts of humanity into human form. We don’t spend much time in his POV, but Riley in that short time managed to make my skin crawl, and it was as easy as breathing for Saya’s terror to become mine. What really made Karda linger though is that he was not just a product of the harshness of Kasaban, but rather of the twisting of the Light – as much a product of the fall of all that Kasaban had been as Saya was – but with the blessing of those in power.
With Saya’s children there are some who shine more than others, but Riley absolutely nails the feeling of a found family of children of different ages and experiences. And I lived for the moments spent with them – especially in the first half of the book where the focus was more on everyday life and day to day survival, where we got to see them just being children. The pranks and teasing, bickering and laughter and the tender moments where they in their own way protected Saya’s heart; and those moments in their home, safe from the looming darkness of Kasaban both intensified that menace but also gave the story so much heart. Because you wanted them to survive and grow and see Saya succeed in protecting her. But they couldn’t be untouched in this world, and I liked that Riley also built in those experiences – from the awkwardness of teenagers growing up in seclusion and not knowing what to do with new thoughts and feelings, to those who had seen more of the world already and tried to share Saya’s burden as best they could.
‘We will go far away from here someday.
One of these tomorrows will lead us to a better life.
As long as the tomorrows keep coming, one of them will be that day.
And the good thing about tomorrows is that there always is one.’
The Light of Kasaban is fundamentally a story about hope. Not as in wishes and dreams, although there are plenty of both even if they are only spoken of in whispers and the sanctuary of Saya’s own thoughts; but rather hope as a weapon, a blade that could cut through anything. Saya has lost so much to Kasaban, to the Priests and to life in this harsh world; she lives on a knife edge constantly, with loss and peril a noose constantly threatening to close around her neck; and yet, she never stops hoping. For a tomorrow. For a better life. To be able to protect her children. To be free. The strength to be able to hold onto that hope in a world where that light is constantly at risk of being snuffed out, and not only for herself, but to share it with others, to make it a living, breathing, tangible beacon for her children is awe-inspiring.
The Light of Kasaban is a fantastic stepping stone into Riley’s expansive world; and for those who are already familiar with The Advent Lumina Cycle there are some familiar people and features with plenty of the new to sweep you off your feet. If you love dark fantasy, that dabbles equally in the light of the world, and an intimate, personal character-driven story that will have your heart spilling open over the pages (there may be a death I still haven’t forgiven the author for) then this is absolutely the page for you.
And Saya’s story has only just begun…
May 17, 2025
This was a brilliant story. The author is not shy in making his story completely character driven, and for this, I tip my hat! So many authors are worried that the latest phase of fantasy story's feel like they need to be wham bam and all the action, mam. However, THR leans into his storytelling through his incredible main characters.
I felt gripped throughout this book, worried for the main character and her predicaments. I genuinely cared and was fully invested. I dont think this story should end here, we need more from this cast
A genuine 5 star read from me. Exactly what I want from a novel
I felt gripped throughout this book, worried for the main character and her predicaments. I genuinely cared and was fully invested. I dont think this story should end here, we need more from this cast
A genuine 5 star read from me. Exactly what I want from a novel
October 25, 2024
And done! A personal story of a teacher trying to raise magik users in secret to keep them safe. One city, one story line, and a whole lot of chaos. Some nice tie in’s to We Break Immortals. Great introduction to the world and much more my type of story. @ornithopteryx
February 19, 2025
4 stelle abbondanti...
Primo libro che leggo di Thomas, il realtà è il terzo che ha scritto ambientato in questo mondo, ma autoconclusivo e molto indipendente dagli altri..
Thomas ha creato un mondo davvero enorme, basta vedere le mappe sul suo sito.. questo è ambientato tutto nella città desertica di Kasaban.. è un fantasy un po' più familiare che epico, concentrato su eventi più piccoli e meno epici ma allo stesso tempo oscuri e dolorosi..
In poco meno di 200 pagine l'autore riesce a creare da subito un Worldbuilding vivido e unico: si sentono i sapori del deserto, ci si perde tra i mercati di spezie, tra la fine sabbia bianca che ricopre tutto..
Una cultura arabeggiante molto ben strutturata ma anche piuttosto particolare..
E soprattutto spiega, utilizza e approfondisce un sistema magico molto originale che è poi anche la base degli altri romanzi..
Il personaggio principale è uno solo, La Maestra, maga ribelle, con i piccoli ragazzi dotati di potere, che cerca di proteggere dai Preti inquisitori.. il sistema religioso poi è davvero ben fatto, molto cruento e spietato..
Di cose brutte ne succedono molte, anche se c'è molto spazio alle riflessioni più intime.. a volte forse anche un filo troppo.. ma resta comunque un libro frenetico, di azione e con una struttura molto profonda per essere di così poche pagine!! Convinto a pieno dallo stile maturo e dal contenuto adulto, leggerò presto gli altri due..
Primo libro che leggo di Thomas, il realtà è il terzo che ha scritto ambientato in questo mondo, ma autoconclusivo e molto indipendente dagli altri..
Thomas ha creato un mondo davvero enorme, basta vedere le mappe sul suo sito.. questo è ambientato tutto nella città desertica di Kasaban.. è un fantasy un po' più familiare che epico, concentrato su eventi più piccoli e meno epici ma allo stesso tempo oscuri e dolorosi..
In poco meno di 200 pagine l'autore riesce a creare da subito un Worldbuilding vivido e unico: si sentono i sapori del deserto, ci si perde tra i mercati di spezie, tra la fine sabbia bianca che ricopre tutto..
Una cultura arabeggiante molto ben strutturata ma anche piuttosto particolare..
E soprattutto spiega, utilizza e approfondisce un sistema magico molto originale che è poi anche la base degli altri romanzi..
Il personaggio principale è uno solo, La Maestra, maga ribelle, con i piccoli ragazzi dotati di potere, che cerca di proteggere dai Preti inquisitori.. il sistema religioso poi è davvero ben fatto, molto cruento e spietato..
Di cose brutte ne succedono molte, anche se c'è molto spazio alle riflessioni più intime.. a volte forse anche un filo troppo.. ma resta comunque un libro frenetico, di azione e con una struttura molto profonda per essere di così poche pagine!! Convinto a pieno dallo stile maturo e dal contenuto adulto, leggerò presto gli altri due..
September 20, 2025
Fast paced, entertaining read
I loved the magic system in this book. The author has obviously put a lot of thought into it. I liked the rules and the things people could do. It was fascinating. I loved reading about the magic and how they had to cleanse themselves after using it. It was clever and well thought out.
The book is very well written and is very easy to read. There are lots of exciting action sequences. The world is brought to life with deft description. The author obviously knows this place and it’s people very well.
I enjoyed the depictions of religious belief, especially when the characters talked about the tenets of their beliefs. I would have liked more information on the background of the different religions and what they believed and why. An appendix with that information would have been so cool.
Overall a well written, easy to read, and fast paced book.
I loved the magic system in this book. The author has obviously put a lot of thought into it. I liked the rules and the things people could do. It was fascinating. I loved reading about the magic and how they had to cleanse themselves after using it. It was clever and well thought out.
The book is very well written and is very easy to read. There are lots of exciting action sequences. The world is brought to life with deft description. The author obviously knows this place and it’s people very well.
I enjoyed the depictions of religious belief, especially when the characters talked about the tenets of their beliefs. I would have liked more information on the background of the different religions and what they believed and why. An appendix with that information would have been so cool.
Overall a well written, easy to read, and fast paced book.
July 8, 2025
I loved this story!
August 16, 2025
Excellent story, nice likeable characters and a good cliffhanger.
Not to be sniffed at.
Would recommend!
Not to be sniffed at.
Would recommend!
January 2, 2025
Excellent world-building with a strong cast of characters, each with their own clear and well-defined motives. Even if Sevastin Karda may put you off living in Kasaban, there’s certainly enough their to entice you into exploring more!
October 21, 2024
If you like grimdark fantasy with magic, then The Light of Kasaban might be for you. This book is about a girl named Saya that is a magi, and lives in a terrible place for people that have magical abilities. Anybody that is found with these abilities is killed in very terrible ways. Saya tries to protect some children from the priest and acolytes out to kill them and things go horrible wrong. The Light of Kasaban is dark and brutal and will keep you on the edge of your seat as you hope Saya or the children she is trying to protect don't get catch.
September 23, 2025
*read as part of Willow Wraith Press' Indie Book Club*
The Light of Kasaban by Thomas Howard Riley is one of those books that just nails the fear of oppression, that gnawing feeling of being caught at any moment no matter how much you prepare and careful you are. One slip, and it's like the legendary Bill Paxton's Hudson once said, "It's over, man. Game over, man. Game over!"
In the desert city of Kasaban, Saya spends every day keeping her students from the pyre, all because they can render magick. Priests of the Lord of Truth brutally execute those who can use magick, the men by heads into molten metal, the women burned from the feet up. Saya does everything in her power to keep her students safe from the Priests, until shes forced into using her magick, making her visible to the Priests' Glasseyes.
This is the third book by Riley that I've read and all his books take place in the same world, despite being as different as they could be. This world is awesome. The concept of magick with consequences is amazing. When magi render, there is an afterglow, and afterglow gets on anything touched. It fades after time and can be cleaned, but Glasseyes can use magical lenses to see afterglow to hunt down said magi. It's not only an amazing concept, but this is where the sources of tension in this book begins and ends. Saya and her students are under constant fear of being found, any magick they use must be quickly cleaned or their safe home is at risk. It's just a damn cool magic system and source of tension.
Although this book has a few short POV scenes from a pair of Priests, it's Saya's story and she doesn't disappoint as a protagonist. Every waking minute, Saya is obsessed about caution. She wants her students to be children, but she cannot allow them to make a single mistake. Her anxiety is palpable, and Riley makes her pain and obsession incredibly realistic. We feel everything with Saya, her disgust at the things she must do, the horror of her mistakes, the pain of failure when Bad Things™️ happen, and it's a feat of Riley to make this so. There are fifteenish students, all ranging from four to mid-teens, and while some are just names, many have discernible personalities, which could have been poorly done in such a short book, but again, Riley nails it. And the villains are true villains, love it!
This book is a very quick read. The pace is steady and the prose is really strong. If I did have a quibble, it would be there are a number of repeated bits of worldbuilding, like we get multiple descriptions about the Glasseyes seeing afterglow, but that's ok. And while it was neat to see a character crossover from a different book, is was kinda abrupt the way he was there, helped Saya, then not mentioned again. Small things.
But I do want to mention that Riley does not shy away from the terrible things. The very first chapter is Saya watching the executions of magi, and it's brutal. There are visceral deaths and some happen to children. And sexual assault. This world Saya lives in is heinous and Riley does not sugarcoat it. So be warned, but I will say that it's handled appropriately and really adds tension to Saya's daily plight for survival.
The Light of Kasaban is a powerful story of survival and hope. There is a recurring line Saya uses for her students and I think it sums up everything nicely: the thing about tomorrows, there is always another one.
The Light of Kasaban by Thomas Howard Riley is one of those books that just nails the fear of oppression, that gnawing feeling of being caught at any moment no matter how much you prepare and careful you are. One slip, and it's like the legendary Bill Paxton's Hudson once said, "It's over, man. Game over, man. Game over!"
In the desert city of Kasaban, Saya spends every day keeping her students from the pyre, all because they can render magick. Priests of the Lord of Truth brutally execute those who can use magick, the men by heads into molten metal, the women burned from the feet up. Saya does everything in her power to keep her students safe from the Priests, until shes forced into using her magick, making her visible to the Priests' Glasseyes.
This is the third book by Riley that I've read and all his books take place in the same world, despite being as different as they could be. This world is awesome. The concept of magick with consequences is amazing. When magi render, there is an afterglow, and afterglow gets on anything touched. It fades after time and can be cleaned, but Glasseyes can use magical lenses to see afterglow to hunt down said magi. It's not only an amazing concept, but this is where the sources of tension in this book begins and ends. Saya and her students are under constant fear of being found, any magick they use must be quickly cleaned or their safe home is at risk. It's just a damn cool magic system and source of tension.
Although this book has a few short POV scenes from a pair of Priests, it's Saya's story and she doesn't disappoint as a protagonist. Every waking minute, Saya is obsessed about caution. She wants her students to be children, but she cannot allow them to make a single mistake. Her anxiety is palpable, and Riley makes her pain and obsession incredibly realistic. We feel everything with Saya, her disgust at the things she must do, the horror of her mistakes, the pain of failure when Bad Things™️ happen, and it's a feat of Riley to make this so. There are fifteenish students, all ranging from four to mid-teens, and while some are just names, many have discernible personalities, which could have been poorly done in such a short book, but again, Riley nails it. And the villains are true villains, love it!
This book is a very quick read. The pace is steady and the prose is really strong. If I did have a quibble, it would be there are a number of repeated bits of worldbuilding, like we get multiple descriptions about the Glasseyes seeing afterglow, but that's ok. And while it was neat to see a character crossover from a different book, is was kinda abrupt the way he was there, helped Saya, then not mentioned again. Small things.
But I do want to mention that Riley does not shy away from the terrible things. The very first chapter is Saya watching the executions of magi, and it's brutal. There are visceral deaths and some happen to children. And sexual assault. This world Saya lives in is heinous and Riley does not sugarcoat it. So be warned, but I will say that it's handled appropriately and really adds tension to Saya's daily plight for survival.
The Light of Kasaban is a powerful story of survival and hope. There is a recurring line Saya uses for her students and I think it sums up everything nicely: the thing about tomorrows, there is always another one.
December 2, 2024
TL;DR Review: In the grimdarkness of this tale, the light of resilience and strength of spirit shine beautifully bright.
Full Review:
I’ll be honest: I was not prepared for how dark this book was!
Our story opens with a public execution. Magic-wielders are being killed in grand spectacle—the men have their heads dipped into burning steel, but the woman and young girls are burned from the feet up in a truly gruesome display of cruelty.
In the audience is our protagonist Saya, who goes to watch every single execution because it’s a reminder that one mistake, one careless accident, could mean she winds up on that stage being brutally killed.
Dark, right? Well, hold onto your hats because it’s about to get SOOOOOO much worse!
Saya returns home (quite the ordeal to make sure no one is following her) and we’re introduced to all the adorable young children under her care and tutelage. We’ve seen just first-hand what happens to magic-wielders, then we meet a gaggle of utterly delightful boys and girls (some as young as four) that are learning from Saya how to wield magic. And there’s no escaping that sickening sensation in your stomach: something terrible is going to happen to these little kids.
Light of Kazaban is a look at what Saya has to do to survive in a world where she and the children under her care are considered profane, where anyone could turn them into the authorities and get them executed at any moment.
It evoked the tone and tension of Jews living in Nazi Germany during WWII. There are so few friendly faces, but those who do not simply dismiss Saya outright (for being poor) see her as a threat, someone to take advantage of, or someone to use and discard cruelly. Every Priest could be her killer or find her secret—especially once the High Priest gets it in his head to hunt her down.
The few bright moments in this story are immediately overshadowed by dark and terrible things. This is pure grimdark and you feel it on every page. The feeling of dread and foreboding gets worse with every chapter, until…well, you get to experience this particular terrible outcome for yourself.
But in the darkness of this story, Saya’s strength of character and the resilience of the children in her care shine like a star. It’s a testament to the author’s skill that amidst the bleak reality, Saya can still maintain a sliver of optimism and hope—if not for herself, for the children she has sought to protect.
Light of Kazaban is one of the darkest stories I’ve read all year, one that has left an impression for how grim it was willing to take the tale, but also how strong the drive to survive and protect can be. One hell of a story!
Full Review:
I’ll be honest: I was not prepared for how dark this book was!
Our story opens with a public execution. Magic-wielders are being killed in grand spectacle—the men have their heads dipped into burning steel, but the woman and young girls are burned from the feet up in a truly gruesome display of cruelty.
In the audience is our protagonist Saya, who goes to watch every single execution because it’s a reminder that one mistake, one careless accident, could mean she winds up on that stage being brutally killed.
Dark, right? Well, hold onto your hats because it’s about to get SOOOOOO much worse!
Saya returns home (quite the ordeal to make sure no one is following her) and we’re introduced to all the adorable young children under her care and tutelage. We’ve seen just first-hand what happens to magic-wielders, then we meet a gaggle of utterly delightful boys and girls (some as young as four) that are learning from Saya how to wield magic. And there’s no escaping that sickening sensation in your stomach: something terrible is going to happen to these little kids.
Light of Kazaban is a look at what Saya has to do to survive in a world where she and the children under her care are considered profane, where anyone could turn them into the authorities and get them executed at any moment.
It evoked the tone and tension of Jews living in Nazi Germany during WWII. There are so few friendly faces, but those who do not simply dismiss Saya outright (for being poor) see her as a threat, someone to take advantage of, or someone to use and discard cruelly. Every Priest could be her killer or find her secret—especially once the High Priest gets it in his head to hunt her down.
The few bright moments in this story are immediately overshadowed by dark and terrible things. This is pure grimdark and you feel it on every page. The feeling of dread and foreboding gets worse with every chapter, until…well, you get to experience this particular terrible outcome for yourself.
But in the darkness of this story, Saya’s strength of character and the resilience of the children in her care shine like a star. It’s a testament to the author’s skill that amidst the bleak reality, Saya can still maintain a sliver of optimism and hope—if not for herself, for the children she has sought to protect.
Light of Kazaban is one of the darkest stories I’ve read all year, one that has left an impression for how grim it was willing to take the tale, but also how strong the drive to survive and protect can be. One hell of a story!
September 25, 2025
**Read as part of the Willow Wraith Press Book Club for the month of September**
What an enjoyable character-driven story! I'm partial to character over plot and action so this was right up my alley(although there *is* action and a lot of well-done tension it's not swinging-out-the-gate sort of action).
It's a quick and straightforward read so I'd say it works perfect as a palate cleanser between heavier reads. It does feel a bit YA at times in the simplicity of the plot and prose but that's not a bad thing imo, do mind it's definitely not YA due to the themes and certain scenes!
I adored the world building, I have a soft spot for desert societies/cities perhaps because I lived in outback Australia for a couple of years and I loved the attention to detail in this one. Little things like the dunemakers that sweep aside the sand and dust gathering in the streets, the poor being forced to walk in those dunes along the sides of the streets and their feet therefore remained stained white form it, absolutely brilliant! I also really loved the idea of the Glasseyes/special lenses being needed for people to see the afterglow of magick usage.
Overall it's a 3.75 for me. I had some minor quibbles with things like the bright sun being able to hide magick use afterglow only when it served the plot while other times during midday sun it seemingly didn't hide the afterglow at all(perhaps I just misunderstood though, I struggle a bit with brain fog after all). But I doubt that would bother most readers and overall it was a great and fun read that I definitely recommend!
The ending itself was solid, the solution had been set up from the very start through lore and I love when a scene comes together the way it did. It also suggests a sequel, the setup being plenty obvious even without the epilogue that added another(expected) wrinkle. I look forward to seeing what comes next for sure!
What an enjoyable character-driven story! I'm partial to character over plot and action so this was right up my alley(although there *is* action and a lot of well-done tension it's not swinging-out-the-gate sort of action).
It's a quick and straightforward read so I'd say it works perfect as a palate cleanser between heavier reads. It does feel a bit YA at times in the simplicity of the plot and prose but that's not a bad thing imo, do mind it's definitely not YA due to the themes and certain scenes!
I adored the world building, I have a soft spot for desert societies/cities perhaps because I lived in outback Australia for a couple of years and I loved the attention to detail in this one. Little things like the dunemakers that sweep aside the sand and dust gathering in the streets, the poor being forced to walk in those dunes along the sides of the streets and their feet therefore remained stained white form it, absolutely brilliant! I also really loved the idea of the Glasseyes/special lenses being needed for people to see the afterglow of magick usage.
Overall it's a 3.75 for me. I had some minor quibbles with things like the bright sun being able to hide magick use afterglow only when it served the plot while other times during midday sun it seemingly didn't hide the afterglow at all(perhaps I just misunderstood though, I struggle a bit with brain fog after all). But I doubt that would bother most readers and overall it was a great and fun read that I definitely recommend!
The ending itself was solid, the solution had been set up from the very start through lore and I love when a scene comes together the way it did. It also suggests a sequel, the setup being plenty obvious even without the epilogue that added another(expected) wrinkle. I look forward to seeing what comes next for sure!
November 3, 2024
Kasaban is dark and brutal city for those who yield magick. Those who are caught using magick are burned alive. Saya not only has to worry about protecting herself, but the orphans she has taken in.
I loved the 'found family' aspect of the story. The moments spent with the children helped bring levity to the story. Saya wanted to protect them from the world outside, but as readers we could tell that would not last forever. The children were growing older, wanting to test boundaries, use their powers in ways she might not always agree with.
Another interesting aspect explored was the children's feelings towards normals or non-magick users. Saya was distressed a few times in the story when the children expressed no concern over hurting or killing normals. She had to teach them a us versus them mentality to keep them safe, but in doing so made them less empathetic.
I was kept on the edge of me seat by the growing tension and high stakes. The magic system was great, and I liked how using magick left an afterglow that could be tracked. And while there was a seemingly easy way around it by waiting for the afterglow to fade or using certain ingredients to clean it off, the tediousness of the cleaning made a slip-up more likely overtime.
The ending left me wanting to explore more of this world, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I loved the 'found family' aspect of the story. The moments spent with the children helped bring levity to the story. Saya wanted to protect them from the world outside, but as readers we could tell that would not last forever. The children were growing older, wanting to test boundaries, use their powers in ways she might not always agree with.
Another interesting aspect explored was the children's feelings towards normals or non-magick users. Saya was distressed a few times in the story when the children expressed no concern over hurting or killing normals. She had to teach them a us versus them mentality to keep them safe, but in doing so made them less empathetic.
I was kept on the edge of me seat by the growing tension and high stakes. The magic system was great, and I liked how using magick left an afterglow that could be tracked. And while there was a seemingly easy way around it by waiting for the afterglow to fade or using certain ingredients to clean it off, the tediousness of the cleaning made a slip-up more likely overtime.
The ending left me wanting to explore more of this world, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
February 8, 2025
In the brutal desert city of Kasaban, we meet a young woman who has not seen that many summers. Still, she has responsibilities as few.
Magick is forbidden. She has magic. This is grave danger in itself as her family has already burned. They will burn you if you are caught.
She has taken in orphans with magick. They need to learn to act normal when out and how to use their powers. The youngest ones are not allowed out, but the eldest and Saya must steal to get food on the table. Not to mantion pay of Jacobas to keep their little hiding place where the younglings can roam. If the magick can be traced back to their sanctuary, they are dead.
I could tell how much Saya cares about her little ones. She worries constantly and eats less and forsakes so they can have the bare minimum. I do not think she could love them more if he had birthed them herself.
For me, this was a page turner. The uncertainty and certainty that something will go wrong keeps me going. Will they be discovered? Can she get them all away before it is too late? Will Jacobas rat them out?
Magick is forbidden. She has magic. This is grave danger in itself as her family has already burned. They will burn you if you are caught.
She has taken in orphans with magick. They need to learn to act normal when out and how to use their powers. The youngest ones are not allowed out, but the eldest and Saya must steal to get food on the table. Not to mantion pay of Jacobas to keep their little hiding place where the younglings can roam. If the magick can be traced back to their sanctuary, they are dead.
I could tell how much Saya cares about her little ones. She worries constantly and eats less and forsakes so they can have the bare minimum. I do not think she could love them more if he had birthed them herself.
For me, this was a page turner. The uncertainty and certainty that something will go wrong keeps me going. Will they be discovered? Can she get them all away before it is too late? Will Jacobas rat them out?
September 18, 2025
*Read for Willow Wraith Press's Book Club for September*
What a fantastic story! From the first chapter you're dropped right into a public execution, and it only gets darker from there.
The worldbuilding here is great. I'm a sucker for a good plotline featuring religious oppression. The gold-masked Priests in this story are terrifying. The magic system is complex and creative and avoids the common pitfall of having no real consequences. On the contrary, magic users in this world leave an afterglow that makes them visible to the Priests, who are hunting them down and punish them.
This story ends with the promise of sequel with tons of potential. Can't wait to see where the story goes next!
What a fantastic story! From the first chapter you're dropped right into a public execution, and it only gets darker from there.
The worldbuilding here is great. I'm a sucker for a good plotline featuring religious oppression. The gold-masked Priests in this story are terrifying. The magic system is complex and creative and avoids the common pitfall of having no real consequences. On the contrary, magic users in this world leave an afterglow that makes them visible to the Priests, who are hunting them down and punish them.
This story ends with the promise of sequel with tons of potential. Can't wait to see where the story goes next!
May 17, 2025
A character driven masterpiece
This was a brilliant story. The author is not shy in making his story completely character driven, and for this, I tip my hat! So many authors are worried that the latest phase of fantasy story's feel like they need to be wham bam and all the action, mam. However, THR leans into his storytelling through his incredible main characters.
I felt gripped throughout this book, worried for the main character and her predicaments. I genuinely cared and was fully invested. I dont think this story should end here, we need more from this cast
This was a brilliant story. The author is not shy in making his story completely character driven, and for this, I tip my hat! So many authors are worried that the latest phase of fantasy story's feel like they need to be wham bam and all the action, mam. However, THR leans into his storytelling through his incredible main characters.
I felt gripped throughout this book, worried for the main character and her predicaments. I genuinely cared and was fully invested. I dont think this story should end here, we need more from this cast
January 5, 2025
Extremely dark narrative set in a brutal world where magic users face public execution
Protagonist: Saya - a protective mentor figure who guides young magic users, reminiscent of Professor X
Who is Aren?
Ended abruptly for me.
Protagonist: Saya - a protective mentor figure who guides young magic users, reminiscent of Professor X
Who is Aren?
Ended abruptly for me.
January 6, 2025
Not a huge fan. Writing was good, world-building was intriguing, but I just didn’t enjoy the main character. She was a bit of a Mary Sue and a second POV would have done wonders for me.
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