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Hunting Light
A persons soul contains two parts—the sliver you are born with, and the kai—an entity that joins with the body eight days after birth.
At least, that was how it used to be, until the sinister truth of the kai was discovered. In the Ennian empire, dedicated hunters are trained to catch the kai before it manages to contaminate its host.
Caeles was bred to become a Venethori an elite kai hunter tasked with keeping people safe from dangerous kai, draconids, and other creatures. To aid him, he has his crossbow and his kai bound to him from birth but blocked from entering his body.
As a loyal servant of the empire he never questioned the imperial way of life, until the day he ends up in a situation where he is forced to ask himself; is everything really as simple as it seems?
At least, that was how it used to be, until the sinister truth of the kai was discovered. In the Ennian empire, dedicated hunters are trained to catch the kai before it manages to contaminate its host.
Caeles was bred to become a Venethori an elite kai hunter tasked with keeping people safe from dangerous kai, draconids, and other creatures. To aid him, he has his crossbow and his kai bound to him from birth but blocked from entering his body.
As a loyal servant of the empire he never questioned the imperial way of life, until the day he ends up in a situation where he is forced to ask himself; is everything really as simple as it seems?
346 pages, Paperback
Published December 6, 2024
About the author
Helen Bornhall Lange
2 books7 followersAuthor of the Soul Purpose series.
Even if I write fantasy, I enjoy reading many different genres.
Even if I write fantasy, I enjoy reading many different genres.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 28, 2025
A Solid Foundation for an Intriguing World
This book introduces us to the Ennian Empire, a fascinating land of advanced kai-powered technology and strict social order.
Caeles, our main protagonist is a young and promising Venethori in training whose mission in life is to keep people safe from kai and other dangerous creatures.
We join him on his journey through his Hunter training and Venethori apprenticeship, through the hardships, suffering, deadly political games, and his growing doubts about the very system he’s sworn to uphold.
He has always had a special connection with Spark, his own kai, more so than the other Hunters and Venethori, and keeping this a secret is something that is starting to get more and more difficult as the story progresses.
Caeles’ character development is well-written. He has gone through a lot, and he’s not come out of it unscathed, but he’s always had his mentor, Attilio, to fall back on.
The supporting cast also feels authentic and adds depth to the story.
While the pacing might feel a bit slow at times, the world-building is intricate and captivating as the author sets the stage for the series, introducing the key players and the political intrigue of the Empire.
The book is 346 pages long and spread over 22 chapters (with a short epilogue showing a new point of view that I’m very excited about, it’s a game-changer, promising exciting developments in the next book!).
The story primarily follows Caeles’ perspective, but the author occasionally interjects thoughts from other characters, like Attilio. I found these glimpses into the others incredibly enriching, adding layers of depth to the characters. While the shifts in perspective are subtle, they’re generally pretty clear and once I recognized it, I had no trouble following along.
Overall, this is a solid start to what promises to be an intriguing series for fans of steampunk fantasy.
This book introduces us to the Ennian Empire, a fascinating land of advanced kai-powered technology and strict social order.
Caeles, our main protagonist is a young and promising Venethori in training whose mission in life is to keep people safe from kai and other dangerous creatures.
We join him on his journey through his Hunter training and Venethori apprenticeship, through the hardships, suffering, deadly political games, and his growing doubts about the very system he’s sworn to uphold.
He has always had a special connection with Spark, his own kai, more so than the other Hunters and Venethori, and keeping this a secret is something that is starting to get more and more difficult as the story progresses.
Caeles’ character development is well-written. He has gone through a lot, and he’s not come out of it unscathed, but he’s always had his mentor, Attilio, to fall back on.
The supporting cast also feels authentic and adds depth to the story.
While the pacing might feel a bit slow at times, the world-building is intricate and captivating as the author sets the stage for the series, introducing the key players and the political intrigue of the Empire.
The book is 346 pages long and spread over 22 chapters (with a short epilogue showing a new point of view that I’m very excited about, it’s a game-changer, promising exciting developments in the next book!).
The story primarily follows Caeles’ perspective, but the author occasionally interjects thoughts from other characters, like Attilio. I found these glimpses into the others incredibly enriching, adding layers of depth to the characters. While the shifts in perspective are subtle, they’re generally pretty clear and once I recognized it, I had no trouble following along.
Overall, this is a solid start to what promises to be an intriguing series for fans of steampunk fantasy.
May 4, 2025
A few days after birth, kai, which are floating balls of light, are meant to join with a person’s soul. But 600+ years ago, an emperor has stated that kai are dangerous for people’s rationality and discovered they could be caught as a source of energy. Hunters and their elites are now taught from a young age (or bred) for the task of protecting people from kai and other creatures.
This concept was really interesting to explore, and I am looking forward to learning more about what kai truly are, and their actual impact on a person’s soul. Spark is probably the most unusual non-human companion I have read about so far, but he still manages to have such a fun personality!
The MC gave off strong Geralt vibes (from The Witcher), while still being unique. He has a complex but incredible bond with his mentor; I love stories where the emphasis is placed on the ups and downs of non-romantic relationships! I really felt for the MC, even though he can be quite distant and grumpy. There are good lessons in this story about othering, and the importance of realizing that who you are matters more than your appearance.
The world is clearly well thought out, and the political intrigue is interesting. From the ending, I believe it will become even better in the sequel, as it seems the world will get more expansive.
** Minor spoilers**
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I kind of wish the black kai were harder to catch; the first encounter felt like it ended too quickly. I was expecting more epic battle sequences, but this might just be me having unrealistic expectations after my brain associated the MC to video-game Geralt!
This concept was really interesting to explore, and I am looking forward to learning more about what kai truly are, and their actual impact on a person’s soul. Spark is probably the most unusual non-human companion I have read about so far, but he still manages to have such a fun personality!
The MC gave off strong Geralt vibes (from The Witcher), while still being unique. He has a complex but incredible bond with his mentor; I love stories where the emphasis is placed on the ups and downs of non-romantic relationships! I really felt for the MC, even though he can be quite distant and grumpy. There are good lessons in this story about othering, and the importance of realizing that who you are matters more than your appearance.
The world is clearly well thought out, and the political intrigue is interesting. From the ending, I believe it will become even better in the sequel, as it seems the world will get more expansive.
** Minor spoilers**
*
*
*
*
*
I kind of wish the black kai were harder to catch; the first encounter felt like it ended too quickly. I was expecting more epic battle sequences, but this might just be me having unrealistic expectations after my brain associated the MC to video-game Geralt!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2026
A really promising debut book. Can't wait for party two!
Loved the very refreshing new idea about the two parts of a human soul and the authors building up around this, evolving throughout the book. I also enjoyed the characters, they didn't feel as stereotypical as a lot of fantasy these days. Looking forward to getting to know them more in the next book. Also the pace of the book was nice. Sometimes I struggle with books that have many slow parts and equally when it's too "packed" with stuff going on everywhere. This book to me had a very nice balanced and steady pace forward.
Eager for book two to get published so I can get my hands on it!
Loved the very refreshing new idea about the two parts of a human soul and the authors building up around this, evolving throughout the book. I also enjoyed the characters, they didn't feel as stereotypical as a lot of fantasy these days. Looking forward to getting to know them more in the next book. Also the pace of the book was nice. Sometimes I struggle with books that have many slow parts and equally when it's too "packed" with stuff going on everywhere. This book to me had a very nice balanced and steady pace forward.
Eager for book two to get published so I can get my hands on it!
September 29, 2025
A labour of love and an exciting new type of fantasy world. Especially enjoyed the second half of the book and I cannot wait for the next one 😊
January 29, 2025
Finishing the book I realized that Caeles reminded me of Zuko from avatar the last airbender so if you liked Zuko and his story you should definitely read this book. Perfect for you Zutara enjoyers too! 😉
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews