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Shadows of Light: A Queen of Light Novella
"It was an idyllic younghood for the first hundred years.”
Or was it?
Under the sunny skies of the Day Court, a shadow descends on Daybreak Palace. Tatiana is forced to grow up quickly to survive the unfortunate plan that fate has set for her. Or has it? Two future queens, each with a choice to make. Right or wrong, they will both learn the most important lesson of all...
Fate always gets what fate wants.
Or was it?
Under the sunny skies of the Day Court, a shadow descends on Daybreak Palace. Tatiana is forced to grow up quickly to survive the unfortunate plan that fate has set for her. Or has it? Two future queens, each with a choice to make. Right or wrong, they will both learn the most important lesson of all...
Fate always gets what fate wants.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2024
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43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 21, 2024
✨𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀✨
📖: Shadows of light (Realms of Lore: Fae Book Two)
👑: Releasing August 22nd
Shadows of Light is the final novella of the Realms of Lore: Fae series. This multi POV explores the backstory of the Queens of the Day and Night Courts who must make devastating choices- one to save herself and one to save her son.
A taste of this villain origin story further enhances the reader’s understanding of Tatiana and the abandonment and manipulation she’s faced her entire life. Will she hold onto the darkness? This novella packs quite the emotional punch and I can’t wait to find out what fate has in store for her and the other central characters!
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review.
📖: Shadows of light (Realms of Lore: Fae Book Two)
👑: Releasing August 22nd
Shadows of Light is the final novella of the Realms of Lore: Fae series. This multi POV explores the backstory of the Queens of the Day and Night Courts who must make devastating choices- one to save herself and one to save her son.
A taste of this villain origin story further enhances the reader’s understanding of Tatiana and the abandonment and manipulation she’s faced her entire life. Will she hold onto the darkness? This novella packs quite the emotional punch and I can’t wait to find out what fate has in store for her and the other central characters!
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 6, 2024
Never thought I’d feel bad for this character.. love this world so much- happy to have more insight on this character we met in Queen of Light
August 13, 2024
WTF DID I JUST READ!!!
Only Amber can make me not just sympathize but want to go to war for the bitch (Tatiana) I wanted to skin alive after the last book.
This book might be a novella but with the emotional punches your put through it feels like a full-length novel and never feels rushed. It was soooo good. From the first chapter I could feel the pit in my stomach growing for all the things I could see were going to happen to Tatiana and I knew my heart was going to break. Like I said I wish I could go into the book and go to war to protect Tatiana and just let her have her happiness and the prettiest doll with eyes like hers wearing pants and flowers and leaves in her hair. (when you read the book, you will understand why that's so specific)
This is a must-read series that gets better and better with each book and novella and with how Amber ends each book have you throwing your book screaming WTF!!!
This book is about the evil day court queen Tatiana as a child when there was no one there to protect her. With no protectors or protections in place she falls victim to the plot of an evil greedy man who wants to control her and take control of her throne and court. There is only so much a person can take before they break and who knows what will rise from the ashes but remember Villains are made not born.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Only Amber can make me not just sympathize but want to go to war for the bitch (Tatiana) I wanted to skin alive after the last book.
This book might be a novella but with the emotional punches your put through it feels like a full-length novel and never feels rushed. It was soooo good. From the first chapter I could feel the pit in my stomach growing for all the things I could see were going to happen to Tatiana and I knew my heart was going to break. Like I said I wish I could go into the book and go to war to protect Tatiana and just let her have her happiness and the prettiest doll with eyes like hers wearing pants and flowers and leaves in her hair. (when you read the book, you will understand why that's so specific)
This is a must-read series that gets better and better with each book and novella and with how Amber ends each book have you throwing your book screaming WTF!!!
This book is about the evil day court queen Tatiana as a child when there was no one there to protect her. With no protectors or protections in place she falls victim to the plot of an evil greedy man who wants to control her and take control of her throne and court. There is only so much a person can take before they break and who knows what will rise from the ashes but remember Villains are made not born.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this novella and devoured it in one sitting. After the last book, I was determined that nothing could make me feel sorry for Tatiana, no matter what she choose her path. Amber Thoma had me thinking quite differently by the end of this novella. Seeing things from Tatiana’s perspective was quite thought-provoking. She had more resolve than I would have expected and held off on the decision that put her on the path to becoming the Fae we met in Queen of Light. Given all that she endured, I’m honestly more surprised she didn’t give in sooner to the temptation of improving her situation. It was also great to see a bit from Dealla’s perspective (Ciaran’s mother) and the difficulty of the choice she made for her son. This novella is rather heartbreaking, and you wish you could step in and save these women, who, despite being beat down, I believe are rather strong in their own rights. As a reader you get a sense of the helplessness these women must have felt as they faced their choices. I strongly recommend reading this novella, but please read those trigger warnings first. As the author states, your mental health is important. I look forward to the next book in the Realms of Lore series.
August 22, 2024
Shadows of Light by Amber Thoma was such a great read. What caught my interest was the line, “Fate always gets what fate wants” when I read the blurb for this book. (Plus the cover is eye-catching as well) I read and finished this within a couple hours, it’s not a super long book clocking in at under 140 pages. But don’t let the length fool you, it's a mighty story. I will mention that to have a better understanding of this book you should probably read all the books in the Realms of Lore: Fae series. I honestly never thought I would feel bad for a character you meet in Queen of Light. My emotions were put through the ringer with this entry. Just when I think I have a grasp on everything here comes the author, Amber Thoma to shake everything up. This is such a well thought out series and each book just adds something more to make it such a great experience. This is a well written book that can provoke emotions especially for a character I wasn’t a fan of going into this novella to completely change my mind to feel sympathy. I would highly recommend getting into this series, that just keeps getting better and better as each book is released.
Final review:
4 out of 5 stars
Final review:
4 out of 5 stars
August 24, 2024
This was so short but so utterly fantastic. I loved being able to hear and learn more from Deallas POV. Knowing that she was trapped and fighting and so sad that whole time my heart just Ugg. Amber now has me all sorts of emotionally confused about my girl Tatianna. If you had asked me last book I would have told you I hate her guts and she deserves everything coming to her 0 sympathy get her gone. Now don’t get it twisted she still deserves to be punished and justice served because how you gonna do your own sister like that. However, after learning so much about her life and everything she’s been through I have a deeper understanding of her as a person and I’m so sad and have so much sympathy not only for the adult Tatianna I started despising in queen of light, but sadness and regret for the young Tatianna whose childhood was cut so short and filled with nothing but pain and hurt. I still want her to be held accountable for her actions this far, but my heart hurts for her and all she has been through. I am looking forward to learning more about everyone soon.
August 5, 2024
Every villain has an origin story, and this is one you don’t want to miss.
You’ve hated her (or hated to love her) since Prince of Darkness, but will you still hate her after this?
It is heartbreaking, devastating, and gives you a glimpse into why Tati is the way she is. How she became a hardened shell of a queen, capable of the evil acts she commits in the name of obtaining more power.
This story truly takes you through her youngling thought process of choosing the wrong path, the path to evil and destruction.
Fate gets what fate wants, but does fate get it wrong sometimes?
This novella was so well written. I read it in one sitting and it made me tear up more than once. I don’t like what Tati has done to Anin, but it’s hard to hate her like I did before.
It also gives you a glimpse into Ciaran’s mother, and what she went through to try and survive the cruel night court. Her story was also heartbreaking and eye opening!
Basically, prepare for emotional whiplash 😂😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
You’ve hated her (or hated to love her) since Prince of Darkness, but will you still hate her after this?
It is heartbreaking, devastating, and gives you a glimpse into why Tati is the way she is. How she became a hardened shell of a queen, capable of the evil acts she commits in the name of obtaining more power.
This story truly takes you through her youngling thought process of choosing the wrong path, the path to evil and destruction.
Fate gets what fate wants, but does fate get it wrong sometimes?
This novella was so well written. I read it in one sitting and it made me tear up more than once. I don’t like what Tati has done to Anin, but it’s hard to hate her like I did before.
It also gives you a glimpse into Ciaran’s mother, and what she went through to try and survive the cruel night court. Her story was also heartbreaking and eye opening!
Basically, prepare for emotional whiplash 😂😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
August 6, 2024
Y'all, this novella was short and sick, not short and sweet 😅 Check the trigger warnings forsure because she DARK (by my standards at least.)
Shadows of Light by Amber Thoma releases 8.22.24 🖤
This is book 2.5 but number 4 in the series. Highly highly recommend reading Prince of Darkness, Heirs of Darkness, and Queen of Light first and in that order for this to make sense.
These books are getting darker and darker each release but the small hope of an eventual HEA keeps me GLUED. The last 2 books have given me actual stomach aches during some scenes but it's like watching a trainwreck: I know it's gunna be traumatizing but I can't look away! Totally cool if that's not your thing, but you'd be missing out on some really complex characters and gripping plot. Seriously so good 🖤
Look, I still don't really feel ~that~ bad for Tatiana, she's beyond twisted in QoL. But it does make more sense now that I read about her tragic childhood 🤢 this book contains what is probably one of only two triggers but it was brief and not toooo descriptive (thankfully) so I survived just fine lol.
The "other" pov was really cool and unexpected. I'm super glad we got that part of the story! It definitely deserved to be told and was pretty heavily set up in QoL so idk why I was surprised but I guess I didn't expect it in this novella.
I'm super invested in this world, finished this ARC just a few hours after I received the download link, and already can't wait for the next 🖤 thanks so much Amber!
Shadows of Light by Amber Thoma releases 8.22.24 🖤
This is book 2.5 but number 4 in the series. Highly highly recommend reading Prince of Darkness, Heirs of Darkness, and Queen of Light first and in that order for this to make sense.
These books are getting darker and darker each release but the small hope of an eventual HEA keeps me GLUED. The last 2 books have given me actual stomach aches during some scenes but it's like watching a trainwreck: I know it's gunna be traumatizing but I can't look away! Totally cool if that's not your thing, but you'd be missing out on some really complex characters and gripping plot. Seriously so good 🖤
Look, I still don't really feel ~that~ bad for Tatiana, she's beyond twisted in QoL. But it does make more sense now that I read about her tragic childhood 🤢 this book contains what is probably one of only two triggers but it was brief and not toooo descriptive (thankfully) so I survived just fine lol.
The "other" pov was really cool and unexpected. I'm super glad we got that part of the story! It definitely deserved to be told and was pretty heavily set up in QoL so idk why I was surprised but I guess I didn't expect it in this novella.
I'm super invested in this world, finished this ARC just a few hours after I received the download link, and already can't wait for the next 🖤 thanks so much Amber!
August 6, 2024
Shadows of Light by Amber Thoma is a Realms of Lore novella that is utterly heartbreaking and revealing.
This is a story of two future queens who have their choices ripped from them and have to make difficult choices which changes their whole futures.
This little novella is packed full of the stolen pasts of Tatiana and Dealla. After reading it, I don’t think I like them but I understand them so much more. I especially felt terrible for Tatiana and teared up several times. As a mother, my heart broke for Dealla.
I definitely recommend reading this novella to get a better understanding about these women’s past lives and it will actually help you understand Ciaran a bit more as well. TW include: physical abuse, mental abuse, feelings of hopelessness, hearing voices
This is a story of two future queens who have their choices ripped from them and have to make difficult choices which changes their whole futures.
This little novella is packed full of the stolen pasts of Tatiana and Dealla. After reading it, I don’t think I like them but I understand them so much more. I especially felt terrible for Tatiana and teared up several times. As a mother, my heart broke for Dealla.
I definitely recommend reading this novella to get a better understanding about these women’s past lives and it will actually help you understand Ciaran a bit more as well. TW include: physical abuse, mental abuse, feelings of hopelessness, hearing voices
August 14, 2024
Shadows of Light: A Queen of Light is the perfect teaser for the next book in the series, I never thought I would feel sympathy for Tatianna, but getting her back story makes me understand how she ended up so cruel. I am now fully invested in seeing how things play out with her, and her story.
Dealla’s story was also an interesting perspective to gain. Having more insight into the past really brings the journey to life. It also helps explain why things are happening in the present.
I absolutely loved every bit of this novella and the series as a whole so far. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Dealla’s story was also an interesting perspective to gain. Having more insight into the past really brings the journey to life. It also helps explain why things are happening in the present.
I absolutely loved every bit of this novella and the series as a whole so far. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
October 21, 2024
The song…this is how villains are made keeps playing in my mind after reading this novella.
Such a heartbreaking tale that shades the POV of Tatianna and Cierians mother to show the abuses they endured which lead them to be portrayed as villains in Prince of Darkness and Queen of Light.
Please check your TW. I did skip the SA scenes for my own mental health, but the grooming leading up to the story was palpable.
Amber as always has a way of building tension and layering her characters in a unique way. After Queen of Light I shouldn’t feel empathy for Tatianna, but after reading this I totally do.
Such a heartbreaking tale that shades the POV of Tatianna and Cierians mother to show the abuses they endured which lead them to be portrayed as villains in Prince of Darkness and Queen of Light.
Please check your TW. I did skip the SA scenes for my own mental health, but the grooming leading up to the story was palpable.
Amber as always has a way of building tension and layering her characters in a unique way. After Queen of Light I shouldn’t feel empathy for Tatianna, but after reading this I totally do.
August 4, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I understand Tatiana better now… and I cried a whole RIVER of tears. This novella was heartbreaking and definitely made me sit and stare at a wall after I read it. This novella get dark, so please keep in mind your mental health and check trigger warnings. Amber Thoma has done it again— writing beautifully and making me cry! 🫶🏻🤣
Tropes/vibes:
🖤 Feminine rage
💛 Fae
🖤 Dark themes (Check TWs)
💛 Magic/powers
I am an ARC reader. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much Amber for giving me an eARC and making me cry 🥹🤣
I understand Tatiana better now… and I cried a whole RIVER of tears. This novella was heartbreaking and definitely made me sit and stare at a wall after I read it. This novella get dark, so please keep in mind your mental health and check trigger warnings. Amber Thoma has done it again— writing beautifully and making me cry! 🫶🏻🤣
Tropes/vibes:
🖤 Feminine rage
💛 Fae
🖤 Dark themes (Check TWs)
💛 Magic/powers
I am an ARC reader. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much Amber for giving me an eARC and making me cry 🥹🤣
August 11, 2024
The heartbreaking origin story of the one and only Tatiana
This gives you a deep understanding of Tati's psyche and what she's had to do to survive from an incredibly young age. She didn't have adequate protection as a youngling and fell into the hands of an extremely dangerous, creepy and abusive fae. Like most villain's, she was not born bad, but someone shaped her into this to survive. The lack of connection to beings around her and the abuse she endured all created a perfect storm to become this version of herself that never wanted to be powerless again. I don't know that anyone could go through all of that and come out mentally unscathed.
Honestly, it would be challenging to give her any kind of redemption arc after everything she has done in the present timeline. I still have all the things in the back of my head that she has done to Anin, and it is hard to reconcile the two sides of this. I understand but still, it is no excuse.
Up to this point, we have learned on one side about Ciaran's mother, Dealla but these letters absolutely did me in. How cruel this world is to family for the sake of fate. It makes me appreciate how Ciaran has dealt with his demons and is decent when he could have easily gone to the other side, like Tati.
Thank you to Amber Thoma for the ARC! All thoughts in my review are my own.
This gives you a deep understanding of Tati's psyche and what she's had to do to survive from an incredibly young age. She didn't have adequate protection as a youngling and fell into the hands of an extremely dangerous, creepy and abusive fae. Like most villain's, she was not born bad, but someone shaped her into this to survive. The lack of connection to beings around her and the abuse she endured all created a perfect storm to become this version of herself that never wanted to be powerless again. I don't know that anyone could go through all of that and come out mentally unscathed.
Honestly, it would be challenging to give her any kind of redemption arc after everything she has done in the present timeline. I still have all the things in the back of my head that she has done to Anin, and it is hard to reconcile the two sides of this. I understand but still, it is no excuse.
Up to this point, we have learned on one side about Ciaran's mother, Dealla but these letters absolutely did me in. How cruel this world is to family for the sake of fate. It makes me appreciate how Ciaran has dealt with his demons and is decent when he could have easily gone to the other side, like Tati.
Thank you to Amber Thoma for the ARC! All thoughts in my review are my own.
August 19, 2024
3.5/5⭐️
0/5🌶
I feel like the book was kinda slow but it might just be becuase of the building of a character possibly.
This is a heartbreaking story that defently makes you feel bad for the main female character.
Tati has a really complex history of abuse and other things and it makes her story unique in a way that not many if any other character in this series are!
Favorite Quote:
“Do not lie to us, Golden Queen.”
0/5🌶
I feel like the book was kinda slow but it might just be becuase of the building of a character possibly.
This is a heartbreaking story that defently makes you feel bad for the main female character.
Tati has a really complex history of abuse and other things and it makes her story unique in a way that not many if any other character in this series are!
Favorite Quote:
“Do not lie to us, Golden Queen.”
August 22, 2024
I'm so torn... Can you redeem a villan truly? While the viewpoints in this short little novella definitely puts you threw the wringer emotionally and the author does a fanstatic job drawing you into the story and feelings of sadness rage but I'm not sure I'm completely convinced of the empathy I'm supposed to feel. What I can say is my heart was racing, and I can not wait till the next book to see where this turmulous journey goes!
August 23, 2024
This Novella will bring you to your knees. Please check your triggers. It's a villain origin story that carries a heavy load. You witness a young girl, the queen of light, forced to grow up, forced to face the world with nobody beside her to help guide her. We see how Tatiana's youth molds her into the Queen she is now and how just because it isn't the night court, doesn't mean the day court isn't just as sinister. Light doesn't always mean good.
August 29, 2024
This book will break your heart into a million pieces!
You must read all 3 books before this one.
You learn why Tatiana is the cruel and twisted fae she has grown to be. All she wanted to do was be a child, but she was forced to "grow up." When no one would listen to her pleas, she learned to cope... she tried to keep the light in her heart, but fate had other plans.
"Fate always gets what fate wants."
You also get a bit of Dealla's back story and what happened to her.
You must read all 3 books before this one.
You learn why Tatiana is the cruel and twisted fae she has grown to be. All she wanted to do was be a child, but she was forced to "grow up." When no one would listen to her pleas, she learned to cope... she tried to keep the light in her heart, but fate had other plans.
"Fate always gets what fate wants."
You also get a bit of Dealla's back story and what happened to her.
August 4, 2024
Sad to see what Tatiana went through and it explains where things went wrong, but I still feel like she could have come out of the situation in a much more positive way after it was handled for her in the future. I loved getting more info on the Queen of the Night Courts life as well! As always, Amber delivers a nice emotional punch!
August 10, 2024
Disgustingly brilliant!
I love love love how this story was laid out! While there was a bit of repetition going on it did truly add to why Tatiana is the way she is. I hope we get to hear more in another novella or even book 3 leading up to the current events. I also loved the side POV thats thrown in there. Truly adds to it. Well done.
I want to thank Amber for this gift to read early!
I love love love how this story was laid out! While there was a bit of repetition going on it did truly add to why Tatiana is the way she is. I hope we get to hear more in another novella or even book 3 leading up to the current events. I also loved the side POV thats thrown in there. Truly adds to it. Well done.
I want to thank Amber for this gift to read early!
August 20, 2024
MIND OFFICIALLY BLOWN 🤯🤯🤯
Amber Thoma has done it again 🔥🖤🔥 Do not sleep on this novella!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Read hands down.
This novella will have you feeling things you would have NEVER thought you would ESPECIALLY for a particular character.
It was short and to the point, well written (as always) and honestly I don’t think I could have taken anymore than what was given.
Chefs Kiss
Amber Thoma has done it again 🔥🖤🔥 Do not sleep on this novella!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Read hands down.
This novella will have you feeling things you would have NEVER thought you would ESPECIALLY for a particular character.
It was short and to the point, well written (as always) and honestly I don’t think I could have taken anymore than what was given.
Chefs Kiss
August 23, 2024
I need the next book in this series! This is the second novella in the series and it was tooooo short. I wanted more. I didn't want it to end. I want to know more about Tatiana. Her story is so sad! Amber knows how to immerse the reader in everyone’s story. In Queen of Light I didn’t not like her at ALL but know that I have read her story my heart breaks for her.
August 28, 2024
This small novella was eye opening.
Please check your trigger warnings for this one because this can be triggering for some.
This does make you realize that every villain has an original story. From what I heard from others that Tatiana was the vilest person in the other books and this story makes you feel for her. So now I need to read the others! I would recommend this book to others!
Please check your trigger warnings for this one because this can be triggering for some.
This does make you realize that every villain has an original story. From what I heard from others that Tatiana was the vilest person in the other books and this story makes you feel for her. So now I need to read the others! I would recommend this book to others!
September 10, 2024
Another book i couldn’t put down!!! Read this one in two hours !!!
Amber has done it once again!!! Short read but packs a punch and sends you into a dark place! I literally finished it in one night because I could not put it down!! Makes you see why villains are made and not born the way they are!
All the feels once again!!! I cannot wait for the next book!!
Amber has done it once again!!! Short read but packs a punch and sends you into a dark place! I literally finished it in one night because I could not put it down!! Makes you see why villains are made and not born the way they are!
All the feels once again!!! I cannot wait for the next book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2024
This was devastating but eye opening to read. Not only did we get Tatiana's history, but we get insight to the Queen of Night's situation. My lip was curled for a lot of the novella because of everything they both went through, especially Tatiana. Please take the triggers seriously.
August 3, 2024
✨Arc Review✨
This poor girl fated to the man she hates but is also sleeping with her mother! No wonder she turns bad! Can you really blame her?! This novella definitely gives you more insight into Tatianna and into Cairans past as well!
This poor girl fated to the man she hates but is also sleeping with her mother! No wonder she turns bad! Can you really blame her?! This novella definitely gives you more insight into Tatianna and into Cairans past as well!
August 22, 2024
Tatiana, oh how I hate but love her. This was an emotional read , but so so so good. I absolutely love how Amber writes. I love when i can feel all the emotions in books, it’s rare , but when i do I know it’s going to be an amazing series. If you’ve read the books. You’ll know why. lol
October 10, 2024
I enjoyed reading this perspective on one of my most despised characters of this series. I kind of felt bad for her in this book, but then I remembered how horrible she was to Anin… so do I really feel that bad for her?
August 5, 2024
This was a great little novella. It definitely gives you more insight on Tatiana and what she went through. I don’t blame her one bit for how she turned out. I definitely wanted more.
August 7, 2024
Bring the tissues.... I cried. I absolutely sobbed.
August 17, 2024
I love getting these short stories that help you get to know V the characters back story a little more! So well written!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews