Sparks and Shadow: Rising Elements, Book 1

by Ceara Nobles

To find her true home, she must face her deepest fear. Fighting to survive is a way of life for 17-year-old Everly. After years living on Seattle’s streets, she is so close to finding a home and saving her best friend from losing her life to drugs the same way her mom did. But when Everly breaks her number one rule to save an enemy, her carefully-laid plans are derailed when she’s kidnapped to the land of Faery. According to the mysterious stranger who saves her life, the portal won’t reopen for six weeks. To stay alive, Everly reluctantly joins his band of rebels fighting against the evil queen. But as an old evil rises in the south, she discovers nowhere is safe in the land of Faery. With civil war imminent, Everly must make a return to what she knows and save her best friend, or embrace this new world that feels more like home than Seattle ever did…

Sparks and Shadow is the first book in a modern YA fantasy series featuring a kick-butt heroine, a portal to an astonishing world, and low spice slow-burn romance. If you like Fae mythology, found family, compelling characters, and action-packed adventure, you’ll love this new series by Ceara Nobles.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

Audible Audio

Published July 29, 2022

About the author

Ceara Nobles is a Utah-based author of romantic suspense and fantasy novels. She graduated from the University of Utah in 2016 with a B.A. in Computer Animation, then realized she hated it. So she decided to pursue her true love of writing instead.

She spends her days writing sales copy as a copywriter… and her evenings writing exciting stories as an author. And she loves both!

When she’s not busy writing, you can find her snuggling her new baby girl, road tripping with her hubby, or shooing her cats off her
laptop.

Reviews

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first instalment in The Rising Elements series is a fast paced and action packed portal fantasy romance, with Monsters, magic and a slow-burn romance featuring a street savvy human and gorgeous Fae lords.

Evey has spent 17 years pretending she cannot see the monsters who disguise themselves as humans, managing to keep her head down and thoroughly out of any supernatural trouble which could spill her secret. Until her arch enemy walked into a werehouse full of monsters and Everly decides to save him from a gruesome death (and regrets it almost instantly.)

Having accidentally passed through a mysterious portal, Everly is now stuck in ‘Monster Land’ and surrounded by the very beings she’s been avoiding all her life. What’s worse is she’ll have to join a band revolutionaries if she’s to stand a change to return to Seattle before war breaks loose.

I’m absolutely obsessed with any and all books related to the fae (especially when romance is involved) so naturally I jumped at the opportunity to read this and I have to say, I enjoyed it.

I’m not too familiar with the human portaled to a fantasy world trope (I’ve only read a couple) but it’s really interesting and the Portal scene itself was actually rather entertaining if a little chaotic.

I really loved Everly who has definitely gone through alot in her life and her talent for seeing the Fae (and Fae related creatures) has clearly only caused more hardship which I deeply empathised with. Despite the hardships and distrust she harbours we still get to see her compassionate side when she makes the decision to help save her nemesis (and rival courier, Peter) from impending doom— trust me, that’s a big deal given how annoyingly awful and he is to her. It’s also prevalent through all of her interactions with best friend, Mary Beth.

The cast of compelling characters is quite large but Kiera, human obsessed Mina (who was an absolute sweet heart) , Gideon,Aki and Everly’s love interest, Shadow were probably my faves.

The ending was satisfyingly action packed and I’d definitely recommend to fans of fantasy or portal related romances.

Also a massive thank you to Random Things Tours and Ceara Nobles for the e-arc.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book immediately caught my attention with the description of Fae, magic and portal fantasy! I enjoyed following Everly's adventure throughout the story as she navigated Seattle and the Fae world. Ceara Nobles wrote such descriptive settings and rich imagery that I could picture each page as I read! I loved Everly's character and the care and concern she had for others. The magic system was easy to follow which is important to me when being introduced to a new system and world. I cannot wait to continue this series! Thank you Ceara Nobles and Kate Rock Book Tours for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

[Emily Pankhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing was clear and engaging and I struggled to put it down! The story was told from the main character's point of view. You were privvy to her thoughts and feelings throughout and were taken on the journey through her eyes.

The description was excellent and you could really feel yourself there in Faery land. There was a good mix of description and conversation between the characters to give the story depth and a good pace. Nothing felt rushed and it gave you a chance to explore the surroundings with the main character.

The individual characters were gradually introduced at the beginning of the story. You got to know them through cleverly placed conversations and interactions with the main character. I loved the friendships that grew throughout the story and felt that whilst they were a sideline to what was going on it added some warmth to the story.

I enjoyed reading about the main character Everly and Shadow and want to see where their relationship ends up. It was quite up and down in the book and made for tense reading at times!

The chapters were a decent length and often split into sections. This meant that you were given a good chunk of the story before moving onto another part. There were little cliffhangers at the end of the chapters which made me want to carry on reading.

Lastly the settings. There were some lovely descriptions - who doesn't want to be transported to a Faery land once in a while?! There was a good mix of description and conversation, however towards the end the description grew less and we were more focussed on the characters and what they were trying to achieve. This made sure that the right bits were being focussed on by the reader, yet still giving the story depth.

Overall an enjoyable read and one that I would recommend to fantasy fans!

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit as soon as I saw the title, the cover and then read the word Fae I knew I had to read this. When I was offered a chance to be on the blog tour well I just jumped at the chance to share this book with others. Everly is a fantastic character, who you’ll really empathise with and you will just root for her right to the last page, she’s such a likeable character, all the characters are well written, developed and fully fleshed characters, even the side characters have individuality. As well as Everly, I adored Mina, and of course Shadow.

Ceara Nobles writing I just found to be lovely, I was hooked from the start and it was seriously hard to put down (and I mean it’s 2am I really should get to sleep I’m in work tomorrow hard) Ceara’s imagery, her descriptions are just wonderful, her world building just so fabulous, I could have stepped into the pages of the book and been happily in Thios with Everly. The story itself is fast paced, but not too fast Ceara gives you time to absorb everything that’s going on, from the action , the dram and tension to the little bit of romance , along with hints of something a bit darker and more evil. This looks to be a great start to another brilliant series, I do like a stand-alone every now and then, but nothing better than a new series to get addicted to.

Fantastic fae, marvellous monsters, magic, great characters, intriguing story with twists, turns and an end that will leave you wanting more. Sparks and Shadows has everything I could want and you will too, the only thing missing is the next book to read and I can’t wait for it !

Thanks to @cearanoblesbooks and @randomttours for a free copy of this e-book for an honest review. All opinions are my own and freely given

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparks And Shadows by Ceara Nobles is the first in The Rising Elements series and I’m SO excited about it. Portal fantasy is one of my favorite fantasy genres and this is mixed with romance as well.

Fantasy is my favorite genre which already gave this book a head start for me. I couldn’t wait to dive in and I’m excited to say, it was just as good as I anticipated!

The characters are compelling. There’s a bit of a large cast of characters, but this author knows how to create unique people. They were discernable from each other.

Action packed with believable romance and characters. I’m obsessed and I can’t wait for the next installment. Highly recommended!!

Thank you to Random Things Tours for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a book for fantasy lovers! Fae, monsters & magic oh my! Following along with Everly as she finds her way home is quite the adventure! Everly was probably my favorite but all of the characters were great & there are a few of them! The world building & the magic system was easy to follow along with & interesting to learn about. It's fast paced, full of action & a slow burn romance! Overall a wonderful book to start a new series!

Thank you Kate Rock Book Tours & Ceara Noble for sharing this wonderful adventure with me!

[K Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woweee! That was so good! It didn't go the way I kept expecting, which means I devoured it because I had to know what happened next. Fantastic fantasy/fae/fairy story with unique and relatable characters, plenty of action and deepening character stories.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my review here:
https://featzreviews.com/sparks-and-s...

[Susan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting story. Everly has seen monsters. They hide as humans but she can see their true forms. As she traversed Seattle trying to save her best friend from self destruction like her mother, she gets intertwined with the monsters and is whisked away through a portal. Now she ends up in Faerie and learns quickley her trip home will not be easy. She will have to dig deep to make her journey & she will have to leave before war breaks out and hope is lost. Another new author for me and I am interested to see what journeys this series will take me on.

[Kimberly #Audiofile · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this fmc was a little older and a little more independent.
first book in a series so i guess shell grow into her own over time and across the series.
world building could be a little better nothing is grabbing me right now hence three star listen.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this audiobook for free at my request and am leaving an unbiased review.

I had a bit of a hard time with this book, to be honest. While I was interested in the concept and found the story itself super engaging, the main character fell a bit flat for me. She's described as a "kick-butt heroine," but unfortunately, she fell into a lot of the stereotypes around tough, independent female leads. More often than not, her "kick-butt" personality was just being reckless and stubborn, having a tragic backstory, and refusing to accept help even when she admitted she was out of her depth. It started to get a little exhausting when she was always acting like the men around her were being domineering or oppressive when they were really just trying to help her stay alive in the unfamiliar fae world. In general, her motivations and actions were all over the place, and I had a hard time figuring out who her character really was and what drove her.

The romance was also meh. The love interest barely got any development, and he spent somewhere from the first half to two thirds of the book in the background, not even really getting a speaking role. The book was described as "slow burn" but it was really more of a "no burn" until the last quarter of the book or so when it switched to instalove. (And personally, of all the men in the book, I liked him the least).

I will say that this book did hold my attention, though, The plot was compelling, the world-building and magical elements were interesting, and the side characters were truly a highlight. I would adore a whole series about the fae rebellion, especially the characters introduced in this novel.

Overall, I'd be interested in reading the second, but I'd probably wait until I could get it free at a library rather than spend any money.

[MTM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Sparks and Shadow by Ceara Nobles, the first book in the new YA portal fantasy series, The Rising Elements!

Seventeen-year-old Everly has spent her entire life pretending she can’t see the monsters who disguise themselves as humans, but that all changes the day she tries to save her arch enemy. One minute she’s in a warehouse in Seattle, and the next she’s in Monster Land. She desperately needs to get back home and protect her best friend from a dangerous drug lord, but first she’ll have to join a band of revolutionaries in a realm on the brink of war. Will she be able to stay alive long enough to get back through the portal?

This was a fast-paced and wonderfully magical escapist read! I loved getting lost in this world! Who wouldn’t want to hang out in a fancy tree house in the land of Faery, eat scrumptious scones with honey butter, and drink delicious coffee!? There was obviously much more than just eating and drinking going on in this action-packed story, and I didn’t want it to end. Everly was a fantastic heroine and I couldn’t help rooting for her! She’s had a very hard life, but she’s incredibly selfless and never thinks twice when it comes to protecting others. The side characters were also amazing, but Mina was hands down my favorite! The romance, which was a minor part of the story, was really sweet and I’m curious to see where it goes. I’m already dying to go on another adventure with Everly, so I can’t wait for the second book!!

*I received a gifted eARC from the author and Kate Rock Book Tours. Thank you!! All opinions are my own.

[The Pursuit Of Bookiness · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing about a series that I always find frustrating is that the first book is largely much slower than the others in a series which always puts me off the rest of the series. Not so with Sparks and Shadow, it gets straight into the nitty gritty following Everly’s challenging life in Seattle before she gets mixed up in the land of the “Monsters”.

Whilst most series start by building the protagonists history and back story, what the author does here is builds her story whilst simultaneously building the momentum and I LOVE it!

As we move with Everly into a whole new world, she is resentful of leaving Seattle behind even though her life was definitely not a bed of roses there but she felt a responsibility to her friend Mary Beth, a woman struggling with addiction who saved Everly previously. During her adventure into this different world full of fantasy creatures you see how her view of these “monsters” changes to one of compassion and friendship.

It’s difficult not to give away details of the story line without spoiling it but it is ACTION PACKED, full of drama, a twinkle of romance and an underlying evil that I cannot wait to see develop in the rest of the series.

Another fantastic series to get your teeth into this year! Escapist, Thrilling and Beautifully set in the land of the Fae, Sparks and Shadows is promising to be an enticing series!

Disclosure: The Pursuit Of Bookiness received a copy of this book free of charge in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me in such a good way. I typically don't read much fantasy, but the synopsis for this book had me curious. So I dove in and could not put it down. I quickly got attached to these characters. Everly is a young women with a hard upbringing who sees monsters. When she tries to save someone, she is forced into another world, Thios. Thios is described by the author in such a way that it is brought to life for the reader. I could feel myself immersing into this world. Then we get to meet Aki, Shadow, Mina and Gideon and all the townsfolk. We learn about their magick and their connection to the elements. I loved that the author gives each of these characters their own strengths to work together to change their circumstances. While I loved Everly, I was drawn to Mina. This strong woman who is working to help her family in any way she can. Also, Shadow was the best! I mean you can't not love him. I loved watching these characters interact. Honestly, I read through this book so quickly and before I knew it I was at the end and cursing myself for reading so quickly. If you love fantasy, mythology, magic and a little bit of romance (YA style), then check this out.

I will be over here anxiously awaiting the next installment of this series!

[babygirllit (Tish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will start off by saying that I have not read a lot of fantasy books. You may be wondering why I wanted to read this book. Well first off the synopsis captured my attention. Then as I was reading the book I found myself wanting to know more. I asked myself, “Why is Everly the only one seeing these monsters?”, “Who are these monsters and what is their purpose for doing what they’re doing?” and “What is going to happen next?” I must say that I was not disappointed in the books.
 
You will get a taste fantasy, romance, action, twists and so much more.
 
The book was well written and the characters were well developed.
 
This was a page turner and quick read for me.
 
Imagine you are able to see monsters, but they don’t know you can see them. Imagine you’re captured and taken from your environment. Imagine trying to figure out what you’re going to do to get back home. Imagine how you would feel in those moments and not knowing what’s going to happen. Sounds good doesn’t it. Well I would say take a chance on this book and just know you will not be disappointed.

[Loveromancebooks21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed reading Spark And Shadow. This is the first instalment of the Rising Elements series and it is told in a single POV from the view of Everly, the main character. It’s beautifully written, fast paced and full of action. It’s a great start to the series.

Everly is a strong heroine, she’s had a hard life but I think that this makes her a better person, she’s completely selfless and doesn’t think twice about helping other people especially when she comes across some homeless children in Thios. The side characters are great, I particularly loved Shadow and his relationship with Everly, it’s a believable slow burn romance. The descriptions of Thios are really beautifully detailed and you can imagine yourself being there. I loved the cliffhanger and cannot wait to read the next part of Everly’s journey.

[Georgina Candy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to @randomthingstours for my copy of this book.

I was really excited for this, the synopsis and start of the book gave me Percy Jackson vibes. It has great action and adventure, the descriptive telling of Monster Land was good enough for me to build the land in my head as it went along.

Unfortunately, about 2/3 of the way through, it stopped keeping my attention. I’m not sure why but I found it difficult to stay focused and carry on reading. I did finish, and it ended on a cliffhanger as I was expecting getting towards the end - maybe this is why I kept wandering away.

I loved the main character, Everly, she has so much love and compassion for others - even if she is rather hard on herself throughout 😊

I’m going to look out for the next one, due out in August, to see how it ends (or carries on to another….)

[Bookish Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their book is light and cozy. It’s easy to listen to and has an interesting mystery about it. I’d call it cozy fantasy with action and a touch of romance. Definitely try it out!

The narrator is fairy good not a vast range of voice but still enjoyable. The book is “clean” in the sense that there is no romantic spice. It’s certainly difficult to find no spice fantasy so I really appreciated this one. I’m looking forward to the next book and truly hope the series remains spice free. There are things to be aware of however, such as addiction, loss, and death.

Happy reading & for more reviews check out my
insta @britts.bookish.best or TikTok @itsbookishbritt

[Kika Emers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This went to the top of my TBR pile! I love the cover and the blurb is so enticing. Instant-buy!

Sparks and Shadow is the first book in a modern YA fantasy series featuring a kick-butt heroine, a portal to an astonishing world, and slow-burn romance.

If you like Fae mythology, found family, compelling characters, and action-packed adventure, you’ll love this series by Ceara Nobles.

This was a really fast, smooth read. The story sucked me in immediately and kept me turning pages late into the night. I loved the main character and I'll definitely read the next book in this very promising series!

[Brenda Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a new fantasy series!
Everly can see monsters - and knows to stay away. While competing with her arch nemesis, Peter, Everly stumbles into a warehouse, talking tough and standing her ground. Until the leader snatches her, sends her into the wall dividing the Human World from Thios, a faery world.
Found and brought to Aki's home, Everly quickly realizes not all those she sees are monsters. With the help of Aki and his group of rebels, Everly finds herself immersed in political turmoil, meeting with Queen and helping a revolution.
Cannot wait for the next!

[Ashlyn Brownell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing and fun-beautiful scenery and wide range of unique characters. I love the world that was created, the fiery protagonist, and the potential for further enjoyment…fair warning the cliff hanger made me feel happy with the book but far too anxious for the next to come out. I’m excited to continue reading this series as it comes and learn more about the world and characters that this talented author has created!

[Tara Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an idea in my head of how this plot line might progress and the foreshadowing is great but the twists and turns kept me guessing throughout. Ceara paints a beautiful picture of a fictitious world and creates in depth, interesting characters. I was sad to turn the last page and realize that I'm going to have to wait for the second book to get back to this story and find out how it all ends.

[Jolyn Nobles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have you sitting on the edge of you seat from the get go. Following Everly on her journey into the strange new monster world will keep your imagination working overtime. As Everly walks through her adventure she takes you right along with her and you can picture it in your mind. I am looking forward to the next books in the series and how Everly with her new friends save not only their world but that of the human world as well. Great Read!

[abdulia ortiz-perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for honest review.
This is the first time reading from this author.
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed it. Can't wait for the next book.

The storyline was very good!
The theme and setting was well put together. The characters was well put together in the story.
This was a fast read and short. It also go for teens age 13 and up. I think they would enjoy this one. Unbelievable Adventure!
Was so well put in the story.
Everything all in one book.
I highly recommend!

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in this series and I am already desperate to read the next in the series. The story in wonderful, the writing is super and Michelle H Lee is the perfect narrator with a good range. Every is a street kid now bicycle courier who is forced through a portal to the world of the fae. Lots of intrigue, great characters, fast paced and action packed I couldn't stop listening. A real gem. I received a complimentary copy from the narrator and am leaving a honest voluntary review.

[Makaylee McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a fantasy book that "slurps" you in, (just like the main character, Everly) this is the one for you! The depth and detail in this storyline makes you stay on your toes and second guess what you think is going to happen next. I love the mystery behind some of her characters as well as the bit of transparency she gives others. Also, the audio book is FIRE!!! The characters voices and accents are done so well. Truly a great read/listen from start to finish!

[Nicole Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! If you are interested in a YA portal fantasy romance with spunk, action and a land ofaeries look no further! This is the first book I have read from this author and I can't wait to read more. Such a big twist at the end I just have to continue with the next one in this series!

[MLC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great beginning to series. The writer does well in describing a new world and gives the characters plenty of depth. The action adventure is paced well and keeps the reader wanting to advance the story. The ending leaves you wanting to grab the next book and continue the journey.

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to what I hope is a long YA series.

[Megan Tahtinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it definitely picked up pace in the 2nd half of the book and I am super excited to read the next book in the series!