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Angel in Absentia
Light is reclaiming the world, and victory hangs in a tedious balance.
A year after Clea Hart returned to the city of Loda, humanity is securing powerful footholds against The Decline. Her now legendary voyage has made her a gem of hope in the crown of humanity’s royal lineage, but the victory is fragile. Whispers of the Insednian’s resurgence and rumors of the legendary Warlord of Shambelin’s return wrestle through the ancient forests, while Venennin tribes, ruthless and growing stronger, threaten to embroil the continent in chaos.
As Clea stands at the forefront of the fight for humanity’s survival, she has become more than just a symbol. She is a queen in waiting, with Loda’s renown Golden Army and the world’s most powerful Veilin at her side. Threats are abundant, but the world at last takes a breath, until a staggering discovery threatens to strangle it down.
Reeling, Clea is forced to confront the bond she forged with an ancient and terrifying force. The whispered pact, “I kill for you, you heal for me,” threads a careful balance where light and shadow dance on a razor’s edge. With the fate of an empire hanging in the balance, Clea must navigate a treacherous deal that could make her Loda’s most powerful queen, or the root of its downfall.
Can she conquer the power that binds her, or will it consume her once and for all?
A year after Clea Hart returned to the city of Loda, humanity is securing powerful footholds against The Decline. Her now legendary voyage has made her a gem of hope in the crown of humanity’s royal lineage, but the victory is fragile. Whispers of the Insednian’s resurgence and rumors of the legendary Warlord of Shambelin’s return wrestle through the ancient forests, while Venennin tribes, ruthless and growing stronger, threaten to embroil the continent in chaos.
As Clea stands at the forefront of the fight for humanity’s survival, she has become more than just a symbol. She is a queen in waiting, with Loda’s renown Golden Army and the world’s most powerful Veilin at her side. Threats are abundant, but the world at last takes a breath, until a staggering discovery threatens to strangle it down.
Reeling, Clea is forced to confront the bond she forged with an ancient and terrifying force. The whispered pact, “I kill for you, you heal for me,” threads a careful balance where light and shadow dance on a razor’s edge. With the fate of an empire hanging in the balance, Clea must navigate a treacherous deal that could make her Loda’s most powerful queen, or the root of its downfall.
Can she conquer the power that binds her, or will it consume her once and for all?
455 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2025
7 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
A.K. Chandler
6 books44 followersA.K. Chandler is a fantasy author whose eclectic life experiences fuel her imagination and storytelling.
She is a creative soul who has dabbled in many odds and ends, from fire eating and pottery, to clowning and jujitsu, embracing the adventure in every aspect of life.
When she’s not working or writing, she enjoys adventures with loved ones, and her dog, Sage.
She is a creative soul who has dabbled in many odds and ends, from fire eating and pottery, to clowning and jujitsu, embracing the adventure in every aspect of life.
When she’s not working or writing, she enjoys adventures with loved ones, and her dog, Sage.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 29, 2025
Honestly, these books are just beautiful. Fantastic world building, character development, relationships, and action sprinkled into the layers of an exciting and intriguing story. Just like the first book, absolutely, completely and totally pleasantly pleased.
A new favorite of mine. Only complaint is that I wish there was more.
A new favorite of mine. Only complaint is that I wish there was more.
September 4, 2025
(4.75 stars) Dark, romantic fantasy that continues to deliver yearning, intrigue, and a story that only gets grander and more complex.
I loved it. It was darkly funny in a way that I wasn’t expecting, and deeply moving in others.
The story continues to explore themes of light vs darkness, morality, self-worth, and duty. We get a deeper look into the culture that made Clea into who she is. The action scenes are vivid and dramatic, without ever feeling too drawn out, and appropriately set up what’s at stake.
There's a large time jump between the two books, but it’s written carefully and keeps the momentum of the plot going. Some events are summarized in a way that feels natural to the pacing and avoids too much info dumping. We skip a lot of tedious training and growing pains and find ourselves with a version of Clea who is skilled, experienced, and more sure of herself, but still trapped by her role as the future Queen of Loda. She has everything she would have wanted before her journey with Ryson, and yet her experiences mean that she’s too unsettled to enjoy it.
Where this book truly stands out for me is Ryson and his connection with Clea. He’s the true embodiment of morally gray and a little unhinged in a way that’s incredibly entertaining. In a world where Clea is only perceived by others as parts of her they wish to revere or change, it’s remarkable to see Ryson’s devotion to her exactly as she is. He expects nothing except her true nature, and in turn she manages to pull him back to the parts of himself he’s susceptible to lose.
I’m impressed with the fact that we still get a true enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance arc in book two without feeling like we’ve gone backwards or destroyed the romantic foundation that was already built in book one.
This is a strong, very satisfying end to the duology. It’s well-written with complex, but clear world building, and some of the best romantic tension and yearning I’ve read in a long time. It reminded me of some of my favorite darker fantasy series but always remained uniquely its own.
I loved it. It was darkly funny in a way that I wasn’t expecting, and deeply moving in others.
The story continues to explore themes of light vs darkness, morality, self-worth, and duty. We get a deeper look into the culture that made Clea into who she is. The action scenes are vivid and dramatic, without ever feeling too drawn out, and appropriately set up what’s at stake.
There's a large time jump between the two books, but it’s written carefully and keeps the momentum of the plot going. Some events are summarized in a way that feels natural to the pacing and avoids too much info dumping. We skip a lot of tedious training and growing pains and find ourselves with a version of Clea who is skilled, experienced, and more sure of herself, but still trapped by her role as the future Queen of Loda. She has everything she would have wanted before her journey with Ryson, and yet her experiences mean that she’s too unsettled to enjoy it.
Where this book truly stands out for me is Ryson and his connection with Clea. He’s the true embodiment of morally gray and a little unhinged in a way that’s incredibly entertaining. In a world where Clea is only perceived by others as parts of her they wish to revere or change, it’s remarkable to see Ryson’s devotion to her exactly as she is. He expects nothing except her true nature, and in turn she manages to pull him back to the parts of himself he’s susceptible to lose.
I’m impressed with the fact that we still get a true enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance arc in book two without feeling like we’ve gone backwards or destroyed the romantic foundation that was already built in book one.
This is a strong, very satisfying end to the duology. It’s well-written with complex, but clear world building, and some of the best romantic tension and yearning I’ve read in a long time. It reminded me of some of my favorite darker fantasy series but always remained uniquely its own.
August 14, 2025
UUUGGHHH so much action and turmoil! And the art on the covers *chefs kiss*. The passion of these characters is enough to leave you melting in the floor. Im emotionally drained…. FANTASTIC READ ! Tortured and my soul left to hanging outside to dry BUT utterly beautiful read.
August 17, 2025
She is the queen in waiting as she forms an army to defeat the evil facing them. The pact she made may just push her too far as well as the dangers she is facing. See where it will all lead
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a brilliant read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a brilliant read
February 12, 2025
Read the beta version - and honestly loved it. Kind of wish there was more, but I think it works as a two part series.
August 16, 2025
Good wrap up - loved the twists
September 9, 2025
It was a beautiful love story, but the ending left me a little confused.
January 28, 2025
Excited to share Angel in Absentia with the world! This will be the second and final book in the Light Locked Series and operates almost more like a Part II for the story that begins in Light Locked Book 1. Stay tuned for updates!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews