A Lumen's Surrender: A Daemons & Lumens Novella

by S. D. Paine

Lailah Valdis’s life was fated long before she was born. But even obedient daughters needed to break free of their destinies. When the wings of fate bring visions of death and the destruction of all she holds dear, Lailah is faced with a choice. Surrender to her fate, or face unimaginable consequences. Can she make the choice in time to save those she loves most?

Nuriela knew Lailah Valdis was the one for her. The stars whispered of a future with her best friend and would-be mate. But dark forces were gathering, and their evil plans were set to destroy all future happiness for Nuriela and everyone she cared for. Would she have the courage to follow the path fate insisted she take?

The fates of Lailah and Nuriela are intertwined in ways even they can't comprehend. And in the end, love might not be enough to keep them together, but just maybe, it would be enough to save the future of their people.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2025

Reviews

[theshadyivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

General: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🫦🫦

✨✨✨ A Lumens Surrender by S.D. Paine (@everafterauthor), is book 2.5 in her Daemons and Lumens series. Release: April 17th

Dedication:
Memento vivre Remember to live. Looking backward might be the only way to move forward. -Taylor Swift An ode to youth and the dreams we made. To those who were forced out of childhood too soon.

Tropes:
💋 PNR
💋 FF
💋 Deadly cult/secret society
💋 Fated & seperated mates
💋 Fighting Fate
💋 Unlikely allies
💋 First Kiss
💋 Competitive besties
💋 Best friends to lovers
💋 Badass angel vibes

I don’t know how to start this review. The tears are still moistening my eyes.

This story was so sweet and innocent, but at the same time so sad. It really made me cry and hate the Obscuritas even more.

We meet Layla in Caelum, the world of the Lumens, at a time before the other books in the series, where she has just gained her power. She knows that Nuriela will be her mate and that they don't want to stay in Caelum to wait to marry a silly man.

This story is filled with all the answers that popped up in the previous books, at least the ones regarding Layla and her family. It’s full of emotions too and really worth the read. It teaches you that true love can overcome everything and sometimes we can’t fight fate.

Check the TW and be prepared for this emotional rollercoaster.

Quotes:
Whether it was written in the stars for us to be fated mates or not, my heart belonged to Nuriela, now and always.

“We would be the most fearsome warriors. Our combined power would be nearly unmatched. We’d roam the worlds, seeking out adventures, taking out bad guys and making a name for ourselves throughout the galaxies.”

#indieauthor #newauthor #booklover #bookgirl #books #reader #spicybooks #newbooks #pocketbook #booktok #indieauthorsofig #bookrec #romanceauthor #bookclub #darkromance #friendstolovers #fatedmate #PNR #ffromance #sapphic #lgbtq #theshadyivy

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had my attention from the beginning all the way to the end! I Couldn’t put it down!
I absolutely love Nuri and Lailah’s story! I feel like this book was necessary to understanding the other books a little more; everything fits perfectly into the series.
I love having more background to the whole story/ other books!! There was such strong character building, which I loved.
I wish there was more! I can’t wait for book 3!

[Meagan Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️/5 (Not the MCs)

Review: This book will hit your right in the feels. If you have read any of the other books in this series, then you will know exactly what I mean. We knew the outcome from reading through Seraphines POVs, but I don't think it fully prepares you for the heartbreak through Lailah's POV and that of her mates. This prequal will answer a few of the questions we have been looking for as well.

This is a short prequal novella. I highly recommend reading this one if you want to know what happens with Lailah and Nuri.

Tropes:
FF Romance
Friends to Lovers
Fated Mates
Magic
Dual POV
Tragic

Thank you so much to S.D. Paine and Naughty Nook PR for allowing me to once again ARC for this series. I am completely obsessed with these books and the characters.

[TrishSparklerReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

@TrishSparklerReads Bookstagram:

“A Lumen’s Surrender” by S.D. Paine
Series: Daemons and Lumens Novella 2.5

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 2🌶️
Darkness: 4🩶
POV: Multiple FMCs

Highlights:
💙Deadly Cult/Secret Society
💙Devil VS Angels Vibes
💙Psychic and Elemental Powers
💙Fated Mates
💙First Time
💙Friends to Lovers
💙Sapphic/FF

Thoughts:
This was such a sweet sapphic love story, but it was a tragedy and it left me really teared up. Having read the other books, I had a bit of a spoiler but I didn’t think it would make me this emotional. I liked that it gave more flavour and background on the Daemon and Lumen planet. I loved seeing more of the magic and psychic powers the people of this world wielded. This was a great snippet to tide us over until “Revolution” is published.

🛑Please read all the author warnings as themes and events in this book could be triggering. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Destiny Imperati · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨️

♡Lailah & Nuriela♡

Oh my goodness, what an emotional and powerful novella🥹🔥 I cried so much for these characters and what they endured. This world that the author created is crazy, heartbreaking, cruel, yet beautiful all at the same time.

It was truly special getting the story from this pov. The characters all have a special in my heart, and they're amazing. If you've read the rest of this series, then you'll be happy to know that so many questions were answered in this one and the author really captured the pure essence of what was happening in each scene🥹😍

Tropes:
🖤Friends to lovers
🖤FF romance
🖤Fated mates
🖤Dual pov

Thanks so much to the author and Naughtynookpr for the ARC!

[Alicia Garza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice: 🌶🌶
Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Tropes: Best Friends to Lovers, Fated Mates, Separated Mates

Thank you to S. D. Paine & Naughty Nook PR for giving me the opportunity to ARC read. This was my first time reading anything from S. D. Paine, and while this novella is being released in the middle of a series, I did not feel too lost. I really liked how the author shared her playlist, glossary, and list of important characters in the front of the book. I found it very helpful.

"A Lumens Surrender" was a very enjoyable read for me. The novella took me about an hour to read, and I was amazed at how much took place in so little pages. Trust- this was not a bad thing!

I really liked the relationship between Lailah and Nuriel, but I wish they would have had more time together. I think this novella did a good job at giving some background information into the series and possibly foreshadowing events to come. Cannot wait to read more from S. D. Paine!

[Between The Sheets Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story continues Daemons and Lumens series. This is a novella and you definitely need to have read the previous books to understand and enjoy this one.

I like that we were able to get a prequel before the next book comes out. It gives us some incite into Lailah that we haven’t seen before. It is shot and to the point (I could have used a bit more but I get the need for it to be a novella).

It just the right amount of a snippet to hold us over until the next book comes out and the story continues.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not crying. I simply got something in my eyes, like a book full of rip into your soul doomed love story. This book may be short, but does it pack a punch. The love story between Nuriela and Lailah is both beautiful and tragic. The way that it is written will leave readers a sobbing mess at the end. Despite the pain, this books begins to answer a lot of questions that were brought up in the previous books and really sets the stage for the next book in the A Daemons & Lumens series. With that said, this is not a stand along and needs to be read in order.

[Amber Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel is such a beautiful and lovely addition to the Daemons and Lumens series. It's a sweet but tragic love story that enriches the world S. D. Paine has so carefully crafted. It is also an absolutely perfect book to read prior to book 3 as it continues to build the lore, fully explains what happened to Lailah (and her mother), and sets the stage for what happens next...as in, you'll be even more eager for Seraphina to absolutely destroy the Kings in the final installment of the series. I just love S. D. Paine and her world!

[Meana Faerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the prequel to Retaliation, and covers the events that lead up to the start of that book. As such, if you've read that book you will know some of what happens in this one. Warning, it is not the happiest of short stories. However, there are some heart warming points in it, and it helps the readers understand what went down, and why. I look forward to seeing the repercussions coming forth in the next book in the series. Worth reading if you're liking this series.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful short novella that adds to the world of Lumens and Daemons and focuses on the story of Lailah and Nuriela. I always knew the outcome of Lailah’s story, but the journey of it and for her mother was downright tragic. It made me look at the story as whole in a whole new way and I think I’m going to have to have a read through again. But that’ll be after I’ve had a small sob over Lailah and Nuri

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was amazing!!! I loved the back story that came with this and it’s nice to finally hear it from their point of view. It was so sad though… I can’t wait for the next book❤️❤️❤️

[Amanda ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

S.D. Paine!!!!! I’m gonna throw hands with you!!!

Keep in mind this book is a Novella that is a prequel! The last chapter is the only chapter that is set in the present day (which I am dyingggggggggg from ) I’m not going to spoil any good parts for anyone but I do absolutely love this series this is my favorite indie author series.

[♥︎Obsidian°Scorpio°Reads♥︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when we think we've had it all, S.D Paine kills us with another lovable book!.

This book 💥...
A Novella to a Daemons & Lumens Series.. this is Book 3 an the way these characters will draw you in that much more will leave you beautifully broken.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🫦🫦🫦.⁶/5

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

S. D. Paine’s Daemons & Lumens series keeps getting better and better with each book. Reading this novella gave insight into the past where the story began. It was a quick read and enjoyable. I can’t wait for the next book to be released!

[Sarah Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a lovely novella that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster.

It’s so nice to have some more history of the Valdis family but I did cry buckets!!!
I found it very, very emotional with how Lailah and Nuri’s time together played out. It wasn’t fair… they needed more time!
My favourite quote from the book is when they are at the County Fair and Nuri tells Lailah
“None of that. Tonight we live fully. Save your tears for another day.” *sob*

It was interesting to get to see how Ezekiel was involved. I do now see him in a different light, and so much more of what happened in the previous books made sense after reading this. It’s a great addition to the series and an incredible read.

[high.lady.katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Aaahhhh I love the Daemons & Lumens series! So I knew this was going to make me cry and it totally did! This prequel novella was everything! I loved Lailah and Nuriela story! It was so sweet and special 🥹

Getting more insight into some of the characters and history was key! Masterful writing here- it’s amazing putting all the pieces together!

I feel so connected to this story and these characters, it was an emotional rollercoaster. And even a little spice sprinkled in with mama Valdis was nicely done!

If you haven’t started this series yet - what are you waiting for?!? 🩵🩵🩵


✨Tropes ✨
🪽 FF Romance
🪽 Best Friends to Lovers
🪽 Fated and Separated Mates
🪽 Awakening Powers
🪽 Fighting Fate
🪽 Elemental Magic
🪽 Touch Her and Die
🪽 Deadly Cult

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! We finally got the book about the sister!!! I was so happy to finally get to see what happened leading up to the events that start off in the first book.

Yes this is a short novella but it holds a powerful punch!

[Christina Yau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a part of the Daemons and Lumens series and this novella is Lailah and Nurielas story... the pacing is perfect and gives more insight into the world and events... maybe even some clues of what's to come in the next book... this is an emotional read and I definitely cried but it's also full of emotions I highly recommend reading the series!

[R0adTr1pJunk1e · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written prequel novella in the Daemons & Lumens series. It's Lailah & Nuriela's story. I found this book insightful, heart breaking & such a wonderful addition to this whole series. It brought light to a few things from Retaliation & Resurrection & it may have had an Easter egg or two for the next book.

Thank you to S.D. Paine & Naughty Nook PR for the ARC - I have enjoyed the ride so far!

[Janet Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this!!! The prequel we needed!!! But I need more

[Bethsbooksau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great prequel to the Daemons and Lumens story!

It answered loads of questions I had about characters that you get glimpses of throughout the previous books.

I do think this book was extremely necessary to get everything answered and have it all clear in my mind about what's happened so far and it all being tied in together now.

I really do wish that Nuri and Lailah had more time together 💔

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love getting these little novellas of characters back stories! Nuriela and Lailah, ugh their love story was so short. And Aurora and Joseph. Oh my goodness. She sacrificed herself for her daughters, all three of them. I just wish Nuriela and Lailah had more time together. Perfect setup for the next book, though!! I can't wait!!

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was so bittersweet knowing how it would end 😪 😔 but it did start to lay the groundwork towards some answers and was so beautifully written.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great prequel! I loved Lailah and Nuriela's story. It answered so many of my questions and it also gave me more understanding about what's happening. It was so sad that they didn't have any time together though 🥲

This series is amazing so far and I can't wait to see what's next!

[Carrie Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Lumens and Daemons series and it did not disappoint! Even though it was a short novella, it definitely pulled at the heart strings and also answered questions as well. If you haven't started this series yet, you definitely need to!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie just squashed my heart in the best way. This is book 4 in the Daemons & Lumens series but is considered a prequel novella and answers so many questions that have build through the series. Absolutely relevant and powerful!

I started this after work and finished in a couple of hours, I couldn't put it down!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait for the next book in this series. I love it, such amazing world and character building. I love how we get each characters backstory in the lead up to the big book!

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Rating: 3/5
Spice Rating: 2/5

Quote: “Whether it was written in the stars for us to be fated mates or not, my heart belonged to Nuriela, now and always.”

ARC Read
Thoughts: This is a short prequel novella set in the Daemons & Lumens world, and it manages to be both sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. The story carries a very strong theme of love, sacrifice, and fate—reminding us that sometimes, no matter how much we resist or how impossible things seem, we simply can’t outrun what’s meant to be. I went into this without having read any of S. D. Paine’s work before (or the main books in the series), so I was a little bit blind to the broader context. Despite that, I was pleasantly surprised by how clearly the emotions came through on the page. Paine does a really lovely job of conveying feelings—grief, devotion, longing—in a way that feels genuine rather than overly dramatic. There’s a tenderness to the relationship between Lailah and Nuriel that I really enjoyed, which made the sadder moments land even harder. Because it’s a novella, their time together feels quite short, and I personally would have loved more page time with them as a couple. However, as a prequel, it works well to lay some emotional groundwork, build lore, and hint at events that might unfold later in the main series. It feels like a small but meaningful piece of a larger puzzle.

Favourite Moment: My favourite aspect was S. D. Paine’s world-building and descriptive writing. The lore, atmosphere, and emotional tone are all woven together beautifully. Even in such a short format, you can tell there’s a fully realised world behind this story, and that makes me curious to explore the rest of the series.

Notes: I had actually forgotten that this was a prequel before I started reading. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I’d already read the previously released books, as I suspect I’d have recognised more hints, connections, and emotional payoffs. As it stands, it’s still a touching, emotional little read, but I’d probably recommend reading the main series first if you want the full impact.

#alumenssurrender #sdpaine #DaemonsandLumens #arcread #newauthor #booklover #romance

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

🕯️✨ A LUMEN’S SURRENDER by S.D. Paine ✨🕯️

Fate demanded obedience. Love demanded defiance.

Book 2.5 in the Daemons & Lumens series is an emotional gut punch wrapped in starlight and sorrow. This novella pulls back the curtain on Lailah Valdis (the youngest Valdis sister) and her fated mate, Nuriela, delivering a heart-wrenching, beautifully tragic sapphic story that bridges worlds, destinies, and sacrifice.

Lailah has always known her life was written in the stars but even the stars can be cruel. When visions of death and ruin consume her, she must choose between surrendering to fate or fighting against it, even if that rebellion destroys everything she loves. Nuriela, her best friend and the woman written into her destiny, has seen that same future... and she’s willing to risk it all to change it.

Together, they burn bright against the darkness.

💫 What to Expect:
🖤 F/F romantic fantasy (friends to lovers → fated mates)
🔥 Soul-deep connection & slow-burn tenderness
🪶 Heartbreak, prophecy, & destiny colliding
💋 Emotional intimacy > physical (but still charged)
⚔️ Lush worldbuilding that deepens the Daemons & Lumens universe
💀 Tears. So many tears.

This novella is achingly beautiful, a quiet storm of love, loss, and impossible choices. It peels back layers of the mythology we’ve seen in Retaliation and Resurrection, showing the heart and history behind the Valdis line. The writing feels almost poetic, and the connection between Lailah and Nuriela is raw, pure, and unforgettable.

If you thought S.D. Paine couldn’t break your heart further....surprise. She did. But she also stitched it back together with light.

🖤 Tropes:
🌙 Friends to lovers
🌙 Fated mates
🌙 Forbidden love
🌙 Dual POV
🌙 Found family through pain and prophecy

A Lumen’s Surrender is a love letter to the ones who burn bright, even when fate demands they fade.

#ALumensSurrender #SDPaine #DaemonsAndLumens #Romantasy #SapphicRomance #FFRomance #FatedMates #FriendsToLovers #FantasyRomance #ParanormalRomance #EmotionalReads #SpicyFantasyReads #BookstagramRomance #FantasyBookTok