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The Winter Dark #2
When the Light Returns
A deposed king and the powerful captive of a corrupt queen join forces in a sweeping fantasy of romance, magic, and redemption in this sequel to While the Dark Remains.
The long winter dark has been banished for good, and the mountain palace of the late king should be a sanctuary for Ballast Vallin, who has just assumed the throne. Instead, it’s a torment. Held to account for the sins of his father, Ballast must relinquish his crown and all claim to Daeros, the kingdom for which he risked so much. Worse, Brynja—his father’s former captive, the woman he loves—is the one who forces his hand.
Disgraced, Brynja is sent to Iljaria, a kingdom imbued with ancient magic. There she finds herself at the mercy of Queen Valrún, and is forced to aid in the queen’s quest to claim all the magic long thought irrevocably bound to the gods.
But then a shocking revelation about Ballast’s past brings him to Iljaria—and to Brynja. Together, amid secrets, magic, and betrayal, they must challenge the power-hungry queen to a battle that could ruin the world or remake it. For Brynja and Ballast, their most invaluable weapon is hope.
The long winter dark has been banished for good, and the mountain palace of the late king should be a sanctuary for Ballast Vallin, who has just assumed the throne. Instead, it’s a torment. Held to account for the sins of his father, Ballast must relinquish his crown and all claim to Daeros, the kingdom for which he risked so much. Worse, Brynja—his father’s former captive, the woman he loves—is the one who forces his hand.
Disgraced, Brynja is sent to Iljaria, a kingdom imbued with ancient magic. There she finds herself at the mercy of Queen Valrún, and is forced to aid in the queen’s quest to claim all the magic long thought irrevocably bound to the gods.
But then a shocking revelation about Ballast’s past brings him to Iljaria—and to Brynja. Together, amid secrets, magic, and betrayal, they must challenge the power-hungry queen to a battle that could ruin the world or remake it. For Brynja and Ballast, their most invaluable weapon is hope.
463 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
Joanna Ruth Meyer
10 books935 followersJoanna Ruth Meyer is the author of five YA fantasies, including the critically acclaimed ECHO NORTH. She lives in Mesa, AZ, with her husband, son, two orange cats, and a giant grand piano named Prince Imrahil. She loves forests and rainstorms and stories that make her feel things, and in all likelihood, she’s drinking tea right now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
June 17, 2026
“I was born, I think, to try and heal the deeper hurt.”
*Sigh* this duology has become a new favorite of mine. I mean, are we even surprised at this point? Joanna’s books are the best.
I love these characters, and I especially love how the romance is perfectly subplot to an even greater plot driving the story.
Thank you, Joanna, for not once making me fret over Bal & Bryn’s love for one another. My heart was at ease while everything else was in turmoil, which I appreciated.
Speaking of the plot. WOW! There were at least two twists I didn’t see coming, and their unveiling was the perfect surprise.
The worldbuilding and magic system in this duology is Sanderson-level, and the end battle was chef’s kiss.
All in all, this is a series you don’t want to miss! I know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
Thank you to Joanna & the publisher for an ARC of the book. I’m so grateful I got to read it early. All opinions expressed are my own.
A note on content:
- a married couple has intimacy a few times, but it’s nondescript and fade to black (you’re never privy to anything, aside from a “shedding of clothes”)
- a few minor swears scattered throughout
- the magic/religious system revolves around gods and goddesses
*Sigh* this duology has become a new favorite of mine. I mean, are we even surprised at this point? Joanna’s books are the best.
I love these characters, and I especially love how the romance is perfectly subplot to an even greater plot driving the story.
Thank you, Joanna, for not once making me fret over Bal & Bryn’s love for one another. My heart was at ease while everything else was in turmoil, which I appreciated.
Speaking of the plot. WOW! There were at least two twists I didn’t see coming, and their unveiling was the perfect surprise.
The worldbuilding and magic system in this duology is Sanderson-level, and the end battle was chef’s kiss.
All in all, this is a series you don’t want to miss! I know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
Thank you to Joanna & the publisher for an ARC of the book. I’m so grateful I got to read it early. All opinions expressed are my own.
A note on content:
- a married couple has intimacy a few times, but it’s nondescript and fade to black (you’re never privy to anything, aside from a “shedding of clothes”)
- a few minor swears scattered throughout
- the magic/religious system revolves around gods and goddesses
May 16, 2026
It's so nice to be able to pick up a twisty epic high fantasy for adults with battles and court intrigue and a big fat magic system and know that because it is by Joanna Ruth Meyer, there will be hope and healing and forgiveness to offset the darkness. I would call this Nobledark, because there is a lot of violence, trauma, cruelty, and betrayal, but there is also kindness and beauty and commitment to family and friends.
My favourite element in this book was the First Ones, who reminded me of characters in George MacDonald. The Blue Lady is so much like the Wise Woman! Joanna writes the numinous SO WELL, and that is something I specifically go to fantasy for and so rarely find. Every time they interacted with the characters I was 100% absorbed.
I read this chunky book very very fast because of the story-grip, so that may have contributed a bit to my feeling of overwhelm, or it could be that I will always by nature prefer a slightly slower pace and lower magic system. I wish I had read it right after reading the first book, because there are reveals that pick up from information in the first one, and I wasn't always up to speed with them. I'm slightly jealous of everyone who gets to read this now as a completed duology!
Content: lots of characters have PTSD, there is violence and suffering, and a married couple are intimate several times without any physical details described.
My favourite element in this book was the First Ones, who reminded me of characters in George MacDonald. The Blue Lady is so much like the Wise Woman! Joanna writes the numinous SO WELL, and that is something I specifically go to fantasy for and so rarely find. Every time they interacted with the characters I was 100% absorbed.
I read this chunky book very very fast because of the story-grip, so that may have contributed a bit to my feeling of overwhelm, or it could be that I will always by nature prefer a slightly slower pace and lower magic system. I wish I had read it right after reading the first book, because there are reveals that pick up from information in the first one, and I wasn't always up to speed with them. I'm slightly jealous of everyone who gets to read this now as a completed duology!
Content: lots of characters have PTSD, there is violence and suffering, and a married couple are intimate several times without any physical details described.
June 17, 2026
I don't really know how to condense all my feelings for this book into words. The previous book was my favorite read of 2025, and this sequel has more than lived up to my expectations. My heart is broken and healed all at once. I don't know whether to cry or to be utterly gleeful upon finishing and its wonderful ending. (Wonderful in my opinion anyway). Plus I haven't binged a book this hard in months. The hangover is quite severe and I shall be thinking of this book for a long time.
Well done, Joanna, well done.
Well done, Joanna, well done.
March 22, 2026
"ballast, that was supposed to be a secret." PERFECTION
May 21, 2026
Numinous, full of myth and wonder, and an obstinate, dogged pursuit of hope even through the darkness. A wonderful conclusion to this duology.
Five stars, closed door. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.
Five stars, closed door. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.
June 8, 2026
4.5
I admit I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the second book in this series.
Whatever it was, When the Light Returns surprised me in many ways, all of them positive. This book took some risks, especially towards the end, and I am so glad they didn't end up overshooting the mark and worked incredibly well.
PLOT
While it continued with the darker themes and grim moments, it also opened up an entire new world that I somehow didn't see coming.
Despite this going into a completely different direction, there were some parallels connecting it to book 1. A significant one being the surprise twist that, again, I did not see coming. At all.
While, like in the previous book, said twist felt so much like it came out of nowhere that it almost seemed improvised, I loved that this time we got to look back in more detail to give it more context and padding.
More than book 1 of the Winter Dark series, this was highly political. Despite that, it never felt dry or dragging and I quite liked the pace and the mix between political and magical.
And somehow, I was still glad we weren't completely abandoning the showplace of the first story and instead able to witness some healing.
CHARACTERS
Most intriguing to me were the characters in this book, particularly those we knew from While the Dark Remains.
So much has changed since the very first page and while some (including a certain... guy) solidified my distain for them which I'd developed in book 1, others surprised me by the pivots they made.
While I understand it is a story telling necessity, now that the characters are spread across different locations, I did also find it intriguing to have additional POVs from a character perspective.
As the FMC has proven herself to be an unreliable narrator at times, this added an extra level of suspense and depth. It allowed me to get a better understanding of some side characters that I would probably have had more animosity than interest towards otherwise.
Occasionally I had the feeling that the two female POVs read a bit too alike but not so much so that it bothered me.
WRITING
The writing felt a bit more polished in this one. Again, I found myself exasperated at the FMCs POVs using repetition of single words like "I fell down, down" (Especially when I noticed it happen in another POV too), but it was way less of an occurrence than in book 1.
And aside from that very particular very personal aspect, I really like the writing style as well as the narration.
--
Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Joanna Ruth Meyer for an ALC of When the Light Returns
I admit I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the second book in this series.
Whatever it was, When the Light Returns surprised me in many ways, all of them positive. This book took some risks, especially towards the end, and I am so glad they didn't end up overshooting the mark and worked incredibly well.
PLOT
While it continued with the darker themes and grim moments, it also opened up an entire new world that I somehow didn't see coming.
Despite this going into a completely different direction, there were some parallels connecting it to book 1. A significant one being the surprise twist that, again, I did not see coming. At all.
While, like in the previous book, said twist felt so much like it came out of nowhere that it almost seemed improvised, I loved that this time we got to look back in more detail to give it more context and padding.
More than book 1 of the Winter Dark series, this was highly political. Despite that, it never felt dry or dragging and I quite liked the pace and the mix between political and magical.
And somehow, I was still glad we weren't completely abandoning the showplace of the first story and instead able to witness some healing.
CHARACTERS
Most intriguing to me were the characters in this book, particularly those we knew from While the Dark Remains.
So much has changed since the very first page and while some (including a certain... guy) solidified my distain for them which I'd developed in book 1, others surprised me by the pivots they made.
While I understand it is a story telling necessity, now that the characters are spread across different locations, I did also find it intriguing to have additional POVs from a character perspective.
As the FMC has proven herself to be an unreliable narrator at times, this added an extra level of suspense and depth. It allowed me to get a better understanding of some side characters that I would probably have had more animosity than interest towards otherwise.
Occasionally I had the feeling that the two female POVs read a bit too alike but not so much so that it bothered me.
WRITING
The writing felt a bit more polished in this one. Again, I found myself exasperated at the FMCs POVs using repetition of single words like "I fell down, down" (Especially when I noticed it happen in another POV too), but it was way less of an occurrence than in book 1.
And aside from that very particular very personal aspect, I really like the writing style as well as the narration.
--
Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Joanna Ruth Meyer for an ALC of When the Light Returns
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May 1, 2026A wonderful second book in a beautifully structured duology! Like the first book, this sequel takes place in a deadly court ruled over by a power-hungry monarch who exploits all the people around them. Like the first book, this story finds our protagonist, Brynja, on a secret mission to the heart of a deadly kingdom, and it also comes with some fantastic twists. (One of them I saw coming some way away, but it didn't matter, because when it hit it was so satisfying). So, if you liked the first book, this one is more of the same - while remaining a deeply satisfying companion story on its own account.
But there was one way I felt this second book excels the first - specifically, in this book we see a lot more of this story world's pantheon of gods. Joanna does such a wonderful job of making them seem at once numinous and fallible, in a way that is strongly reminiscent of Tolkien's Valar (and the eagle-eyed reader will notice a few more subtle Tolkien references in this story).
I could go on a lot longer about the things I loved in this book and duology, but I'll leave it here - this was an epic, thoroughly satisfying high fantasy that nevertheless remained healing and comforting.
But there was one way I felt this second book excels the first - specifically, in this book we see a lot more of this story world's pantheon of gods. Joanna does such a wonderful job of making them seem at once numinous and fallible, in a way that is strongly reminiscent of Tolkien's Valar (and the eagle-eyed reader will notice a few more subtle Tolkien references in this story).
I could go on a lot longer about the things I loved in this book and duology, but I'll leave it here - this was an epic, thoroughly satisfying high fantasy that nevertheless remained healing and comforting.
May 18, 2026
Brava! A sequel well done
Having just finished this I am genuinely filled with gratitude. I gave up on Book 1 and then revisited it only to become enthralled. This from start to finish was a beautiful experience and a fitting closure to the duology. While more tales in this world could probably be told…there really is no need.
Having just finished this I am genuinely filled with gratitude. I gave up on Book 1 and then revisited it only to become enthralled. This from start to finish was a beautiful experience and a fitting closure to the duology. While more tales in this world could probably be told…there really is no need.
May 28, 2026
I rated the first book in this duology While the Dark Remains 5 stars and absolutely loved it. I was completely invested in the back-and-forth timeline between Brynja and Ballast. Because of that, I was really excited going into book 2!
And while I did enjoy this book overall, it definitely wasn’t on the same level as the first for me.
The biggest strength is still the story itself. I finished this in two days because I really love the characters and watching the rest of the story play out after the crazy ending of book 1. (I was NOT expecting that!) I really enjoyed the inclusion of the different types of gods and their magic, as well as the romance subplots for some of the other characters. I wish there were more books in this world. :(
However, what keeps this from being a 5 star book is the pacing. Because there were so many POVs, it felt very uneven this time around. We were in so many different places and times that I would genuinely forget what was happening or where we were in the story, which took me out of the story. Also, there were some really important scenes that moved so quickly, and I wish they were fleshed out more. Particularly the ending, which I think went by way too quickly. At the same time, other scenes in the first half dragged on much longer than they needed to. I usually enjoy multi-POV fantasy and flashbacks, but I think book one worked so well because the focus stayed primarily on Brynja and Ballast and showing how their childhoods made them the way they were. In this book, the constant shifts made the story just left me feeling confused. Speaking of flashbacks, I also honestly didn’t think we needed more childhood flashbacks in this book. Book one already gave us such a strong foundation for their past, and I would have preferred spending that page time further developing the present-day storyline instead.
To be honest, I think this series might have benefited from being a trilogy instead of trying to fit so many storylines into only two books. There’s more than enough material in my opinion that giving the story a little more room would have helped the pacing and development of the character arcs significantly.
Overall, I still enjoyed this book and I’m glad I read it, but compared to how close to perfect book one felt for me, this one didn’t hit quite the same. I will rate it 4 stars because I do really enjoy the story and I adore the characters so much.
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
And while I did enjoy this book overall, it definitely wasn’t on the same level as the first for me.
The biggest strength is still the story itself. I finished this in two days because I really love the characters and watching the rest of the story play out after the crazy ending of book 1. (I was NOT expecting that!) I really enjoyed the inclusion of the different types of gods and their magic, as well as the romance subplots for some of the other characters. I wish there were more books in this world. :(
However, what keeps this from being a 5 star book is the pacing. Because there were so many POVs, it felt very uneven this time around. We were in so many different places and times that I would genuinely forget what was happening or where we were in the story, which took me out of the story. Also, there were some really important scenes that moved so quickly, and I wish they were fleshed out more. Particularly the ending, which I think went by way too quickly. At the same time, other scenes in the first half dragged on much longer than they needed to. I usually enjoy multi-POV fantasy and flashbacks, but I think book one worked so well because the focus stayed primarily on Brynja and Ballast and showing how their childhoods made them the way they were. In this book, the constant shifts made the story just left me feeling confused. Speaking of flashbacks, I also honestly didn’t think we needed more childhood flashbacks in this book. Book one already gave us such a strong foundation for their past, and I would have preferred spending that page time further developing the present-day storyline instead.
To be honest, I think this series might have benefited from being a trilogy instead of trying to fit so many storylines into only two books. There’s more than enough material in my opinion that giving the story a little more room would have helped the pacing and development of the character arcs significantly.
Overall, I still enjoyed this book and I’m glad I read it, but compared to how close to perfect book one felt for me, this one didn’t hit quite the same. I will rate it 4 stars because I do really enjoy the story and I adore the characters so much.
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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July 13, 2026Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
When the Light Returns by Joanna Ruth Meyer is the first person multi-POV mutli-timeline epic dark fantasy sequel to While the Dark Remains. Brynja and Ballast brought Ballast's father down and freed all those kept in the former king’s collection, but the fight for everyone’s freedom is far from over. Shortly after Ballast's coronation, a ruler of another realm tricks him into signing away the kingdom, which could mean even more hardship for his people. Meanwhile, Brynja is brought back to her homeland for the first time in years and is immediately arrested for her actions regarding her brother and the Yellow Lord.
Unlike the first book, this is multi-POV, which does broaden the scope of the world and the impact of Brynja's actions from book one dramatically as well as the overarching plot aspects regarding the gods in book one. Like book one, I would classify this more as a dark fantasy rather than a fantasy romance, romantasy, or romantic fantasy. The book is doing too many other things and the romance is at the level I would expect of a subplot rather than an A or strong B plot. Because there are so many POVs and the fantasy aspects are even more at the forefront, I would put this as an epic dark fantasy over any other designation.
Arguably, Ballast gets the most page time here as we are in his POV and there really does seem to be a centering of him and what is going on from his POV. Brynja might have the most chapters, I didn't count them, but Ballast's POV is where the plot gets kicked back off and certain other big details happen through his view point. I personally really enjoyed this because I love seeing both sides of a romantic relationship, but if readers want only one POV and for everything else to be up to reader interpretation, then I would stick with book one and consider that the ending.
The strongest aspect for me was the worldbuilding, particularly the Lords and Ladies and how the magic system works from how humans view it and what the gods think. My main critique is that I wish there had been a nonbinary deity among the pantheon of twelve or at least a nonbinary character somewhere in the large cast.
I would recommend this to fans of epic dark fantasy and readers of fantasy that enjoy seeing pantheons be explored
When the Light Returns by Joanna Ruth Meyer is the first person multi-POV mutli-timeline epic dark fantasy sequel to While the Dark Remains. Brynja and Ballast brought Ballast's father down and freed all those kept in the former king’s collection, but the fight for everyone’s freedom is far from over. Shortly after Ballast's coronation, a ruler of another realm tricks him into signing away the kingdom, which could mean even more hardship for his people. Meanwhile, Brynja is brought back to her homeland for the first time in years and is immediately arrested for her actions regarding her brother and the Yellow Lord.
Unlike the first book, this is multi-POV, which does broaden the scope of the world and the impact of Brynja's actions from book one dramatically as well as the overarching plot aspects regarding the gods in book one. Like book one, I would classify this more as a dark fantasy rather than a fantasy romance, romantasy, or romantic fantasy. The book is doing too many other things and the romance is at the level I would expect of a subplot rather than an A or strong B plot. Because there are so many POVs and the fantasy aspects are even more at the forefront, I would put this as an epic dark fantasy over any other designation.
Arguably, Ballast gets the most page time here as we are in his POV and there really does seem to be a centering of him and what is going on from his POV. Brynja might have the most chapters, I didn't count them, but Ballast's POV is where the plot gets kicked back off and certain other big details happen through his view point. I personally really enjoyed this because I love seeing both sides of a romantic relationship, but if readers want only one POV and for everything else to be up to reader interpretation, then I would stick with book one and consider that the ending.
The strongest aspect for me was the worldbuilding, particularly the Lords and Ladies and how the magic system works from how humans view it and what the gods think. My main critique is that I wish there had been a nonbinary deity among the pantheon of twelve or at least a nonbinary character somewhere in the large cast.
I would recommend this to fans of epic dark fantasy and readers of fantasy that enjoy seeing pantheons be explored
May 30, 2026
Overly dramatic and I wouldn’t recommend for even young adults as there was just too much kissing-villains sleeping around- Main couple is married but still too much( especially cause you don’t know till half way 😆) I enjoyed the first one much better and wish it just ended there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2026
I like this book, honestly life got in way of finishing it. I enjoy the storytelling and plot of this book of what I read. It was very interesting and enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 4, 2026
I remember liking the first one a bit more this one was quite…meh.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Once upon a time, I saw a title of a book and it called to me. The way the words worked together, just two of them, something felt familiar about them, like they were something I once knew. I picked up the book and read the synopsis just as a gesture because I had already decided to buy the book and I knew immediately that my favorite fairytale was some inspiration for the story. I bought the book and spent the next day or so immersed in the story. From there it was simple, read everything I could find by this author. What was the book, you ask?
Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer.
I make it a point to search for my favorite authors to see if there is going to be a new release in the following year. When I found the book While the Dark Remains up for pre-orders, I immediately bought a copy. The world-building was exquisite, the characters were heartbreaking and it was overall a brilliant book. The only complaint I had was that I didn't like the FMC's close friends and their absolutely narrow way of judging things. Still, I was on the lookout for another Meyer release and was looking forward to the sequel, When the Light Returns. When I saw that it was available to review, my heart leapt into my throat and I jumped at the chance to read it. I finished this book in about a day. My eyes are filled with grit and I'm dragging more than a little because I stayed up until nearly sunrise to read this but I had to finish this book, I NEEDED to see how it would end. I have a list of people I would axe but I still loved this book. That's the effect reading this book had on me.
When the Light Returns follows Brynja and Ballast after having banished the dark after the events of book 1. But things are not going peacefully. Ballast has been trying to change things for the better after the damage wrought by his late father but the emperor and those working for him want Ballast to give up his claim to the throne and Brynja was the one who made him do it with her magic. Brynja is sent to Iljaria as a result, hoping to return to the home she once knew and report the findings of her mission to the queen herself. However, Queen Valrun has her own agenda that she is working towards that requires Brynja to be forced into helping her to gather the power of the First Ones for the queen's own use. New revelations bring Ballast to Iljaria as well, leaving the two to work together once again to try to save the world from a queen desperate for the power to destroy the world and remake it to her ideals.
The book's main storyline picks up about six months after the end of book 1. The first book had Brynja as a narrator and jumped between two timelines, showing Brynja as a child forced to be a pet acrobat to the king of Daeros and then present day Brynja with her new family heading back to Daeros to overthrow the abusive king. This book continues with Brynja as a narrator but also adds Ballast, as well as Saga, Vil, and the queen Valrun. The chapters again go back and forth in time, with Ballast's chapters also showing some scenes from the first book and the past from his point of view. The main series of events are with Brynja in Iljaria, with each changing view showing each character as they move towards coming together in Iljaria to stop the queen. Every reveal keeps the pages turning, keeps the rhythm moving, made me wish I could read faster because every event made my heart ache and my stomach twist. The only point of view I could have done without was Vil's, who has left a sour taste in my mouth since the first book. I did not enjoy Valrun's but I could understand why it was added in for the sake of the story. I did enjoy seeing things with Saga play out, seeing her struggle to understand her brother's actions and how to save her country. Every character has a part to play and seeing how they move towards each other and are related was riveting. I'm still reeling a bit from the reveal from Ballast's past. I did not see that one coming.
After all of the buildup of the first book with the world of the first ones and the gods and magic, this book spends the majority of its time in Iljaria where every person has magic of some sort and have been trained since childhood to use it. It was interesting to see what Brynja and Ballast could have had if they had been raised in Iljaria. It was also a real eye-opener to see the people that worked for the queen and what they were trying to accomplish. I thought Kallias was one of the worst villains I've seen in the book world for quite some time but Valrun really made me change my mind. The magic system and how she manipulated it made me determined to get through her passages quickly because I needed to see how the characters would be able to get the upper hand. I enjoyed seeing Ballast trying to learn about his magic in a class of children, showing the strict way the school worked and how Ballast was powerful and yet at the same time very behind in his studies of magic.
The magic system itself is expanded quite a bit for this story and it definitely worked as a benefit for this book. After book 1, I'll admit, I wasn't absolutely clear on every discipline of magic shown in the book and who the patron god for it actually was but this book helped with bringing each power into the forefront of the story and show the wielders of it and what they could do with their magic. Readers saw their losses and how they believed in the magic being what makes them superior to the rest of the world. At the same time, we were able to see the other side of the story with Saga learning to accept the magic that she thought had a hand in destroying her life and with Vil trying desperately to acquire power he felt was his to take because he deserved it. All views showed how Brynja and Ballast were a part of each world and yet still held separate and this was what made them best suited to make changes for the better for every country in turmoil in this story.
By the time this book was reaching the end, I was holding my breath and flipping pages as fast as I could tap my thumb. All of the developments were finally coming together and I could not wait to see exactly how Brynja and Ballast managed to defeat the villain and save the world. The resolution was perfect and it made me feel hope and peace at the way Meyer wrapped up her story. Every question I had was answered, each reveal felt earned in the story and the end felt like the right beats were hit, the best growth was accomplished for each character. I LOVED this book by the time I finished it this morning. I can't wait to see what Meyer publishes next.
Rating on my Scale: 10 Stunning Stars! This duology was amazing for me. Every part of this book worked, each development and revelation made this incredible. I can't wait for my copy to arrive so it can go on my shelf of absolute favorite reads.
My thanks to Netgalley, 47North and Joanna Ruth Meyer for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer.
I make it a point to search for my favorite authors to see if there is going to be a new release in the following year. When I found the book While the Dark Remains up for pre-orders, I immediately bought a copy. The world-building was exquisite, the characters were heartbreaking and it was overall a brilliant book. The only complaint I had was that I didn't like the FMC's close friends and their absolutely narrow way of judging things. Still, I was on the lookout for another Meyer release and was looking forward to the sequel, When the Light Returns. When I saw that it was available to review, my heart leapt into my throat and I jumped at the chance to read it. I finished this book in about a day. My eyes are filled with grit and I'm dragging more than a little because I stayed up until nearly sunrise to read this but I had to finish this book, I NEEDED to see how it would end. I have a list of people I would axe but I still loved this book. That's the effect reading this book had on me.
When the Light Returns follows Brynja and Ballast after having banished the dark after the events of book 1. But things are not going peacefully. Ballast has been trying to change things for the better after the damage wrought by his late father but the emperor and those working for him want Ballast to give up his claim to the throne and Brynja was the one who made him do it with her magic. Brynja is sent to Iljaria as a result, hoping to return to the home she once knew and report the findings of her mission to the queen herself. However, Queen Valrun has her own agenda that she is working towards that requires Brynja to be forced into helping her to gather the power of the First Ones for the queen's own use. New revelations bring Ballast to Iljaria as well, leaving the two to work together once again to try to save the world from a queen desperate for the power to destroy the world and remake it to her ideals.
The book's main storyline picks up about six months after the end of book 1. The first book had Brynja as a narrator and jumped between two timelines, showing Brynja as a child forced to be a pet acrobat to the king of Daeros and then present day Brynja with her new family heading back to Daeros to overthrow the abusive king. This book continues with Brynja as a narrator but also adds Ballast, as well as Saga, Vil, and the queen Valrun. The chapters again go back and forth in time, with Ballast's chapters also showing some scenes from the first book and the past from his point of view. The main series of events are with Brynja in Iljaria, with each changing view showing each character as they move towards coming together in Iljaria to stop the queen. Every reveal keeps the pages turning, keeps the rhythm moving, made me wish I could read faster because every event made my heart ache and my stomach twist. The only point of view I could have done without was Vil's, who has left a sour taste in my mouth since the first book. I did not enjoy Valrun's but I could understand why it was added in for the sake of the story. I did enjoy seeing things with Saga play out, seeing her struggle to understand her brother's actions and how to save her country. Every character has a part to play and seeing how they move towards each other and are related was riveting. I'm still reeling a bit from the reveal from Ballast's past. I did not see that one coming.
After all of the buildup of the first book with the world of the first ones and the gods and magic, this book spends the majority of its time in Iljaria where every person has magic of some sort and have been trained since childhood to use it. It was interesting to see what Brynja and Ballast could have had if they had been raised in Iljaria. It was also a real eye-opener to see the people that worked for the queen and what they were trying to accomplish. I thought Kallias was one of the worst villains I've seen in the book world for quite some time but Valrun really made me change my mind. The magic system and how she manipulated it made me determined to get through her passages quickly because I needed to see how the characters would be able to get the upper hand. I enjoyed seeing Ballast trying to learn about his magic in a class of children, showing the strict way the school worked and how Ballast was powerful and yet at the same time very behind in his studies of magic.
The magic system itself is expanded quite a bit for this story and it definitely worked as a benefit for this book. After book 1, I'll admit, I wasn't absolutely clear on every discipline of magic shown in the book and who the patron god for it actually was but this book helped with bringing each power into the forefront of the story and show the wielders of it and what they could do with their magic. Readers saw their losses and how they believed in the magic being what makes them superior to the rest of the world. At the same time, we were able to see the other side of the story with Saga learning to accept the magic that she thought had a hand in destroying her life and with Vil trying desperately to acquire power he felt was his to take because he deserved it. All views showed how Brynja and Ballast were a part of each world and yet still held separate and this was what made them best suited to make changes for the better for every country in turmoil in this story.
By the time this book was reaching the end, I was holding my breath and flipping pages as fast as I could tap my thumb. All of the developments were finally coming together and I could not wait to see exactly how Brynja and Ballast managed to defeat the villain and save the world. The resolution was perfect and it made me feel hope and peace at the way Meyer wrapped up her story. Every question I had was answered, each reveal felt earned in the story and the end felt like the right beats were hit, the best growth was accomplished for each character. I LOVED this book by the time I finished it this morning. I can't wait to see what Meyer publishes next.
Rating on my Scale: 10 Stunning Stars! This duology was amazing for me. Every part of this book worked, each development and revelation made this incredible. I can't wait for my copy to arrive so it can go on my shelf of absolute favorite reads.
My thanks to Netgalley, 47North and Joanna Ruth Meyer for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
June 1, 2026
I came into When the Light Returns having skipped Book 1, which is either a testament to how well Meyer structured this sequel or a warning that I'm now going back to read While the Dark Remains immediately. Probably both.
The premise drops you into aftermath: Ballast Vallin, deposed king, stripped of his crown for the sins of his father, and Brynja, his father's former captive and the woman Ballast loves, the one who forced his hand. They begin the book on opposite sides of a political rupture and spend much of it separated, working against forces larger than either of them. Brynja ends up in Iljaria, a kingdom soaked in ancient magic, at the mercy of Queen Valrún, whose ambitions extend to claiming power the gods were supposed to keep. The setup is clean and the stakes are immediate.
What Meyer does that most fantasy romance writers fumble is refuse to manufacture distance between Ballast and Brynja for drama's sake. Their love for each other is not in question. The obstacles are external, structural, political, and that choice changes the entire emotional register of the book. You're not waiting for them to stop being idiots about each other. You're watching two people who are certain of one another fight their way back to the same side. It sounds simple but it's rare, and it works.
Ballast is immediately compelling as an MMC, in no small part because Meyer gives him a physical detail, one eye, that she refuses to treat as purely decorative tragedy. The moment where Brynja's gaze catches on it and Ballast clocks it, the line lands with humour inside a tense scene, and that tonal control is consistent throughout the book. The climax scenes in particular carry wit you don't expect, and the surprise of it is part of what makes them land. "Ballast, that was supposed to be a secret!" is the kind of line that only works when the surrounding emotional architecture is solid enough to hold the levity.
The prose itself is precise. Meyer doesn't over-describe or over-explain. The writing gives you exactly enough to stay oriented and keep moving, which is the right call for a book with multiple POVs and timelines. Those multiple POVs are my one real friction point. Coming in without Book 1, I needed them for context, and they delivered that context, but the structure occasionally felt like it was carrying more weight than necessary. A reader who comes in from Book 1 will likely feel this less acutely.
Two lines stayed with me. "I am pulled to pieces and sewn back together. I am shattered and remade. I am erased and redrawn, over and over again." That's Brynja in full, her entire arc compressed into three sentences. And the quiet devastation of "Because it is we who have done this. It is me." Meyer earns both of those moments. They don't appear out of nowhere.
The book ends in a place that satisfies but also stings. As a duology closer, it delivers. As a reader, I wanted one more book, which is probably the best possible complaint.
The premise drops you into aftermath: Ballast Vallin, deposed king, stripped of his crown for the sins of his father, and Brynja, his father's former captive and the woman Ballast loves, the one who forced his hand. They begin the book on opposite sides of a political rupture and spend much of it separated, working against forces larger than either of them. Brynja ends up in Iljaria, a kingdom soaked in ancient magic, at the mercy of Queen Valrún, whose ambitions extend to claiming power the gods were supposed to keep. The setup is clean and the stakes are immediate.
What Meyer does that most fantasy romance writers fumble is refuse to manufacture distance between Ballast and Brynja for drama's sake. Their love for each other is not in question. The obstacles are external, structural, political, and that choice changes the entire emotional register of the book. You're not waiting for them to stop being idiots about each other. You're watching two people who are certain of one another fight their way back to the same side. It sounds simple but it's rare, and it works.
Ballast is immediately compelling as an MMC, in no small part because Meyer gives him a physical detail, one eye, that she refuses to treat as purely decorative tragedy. The moment where Brynja's gaze catches on it and Ballast clocks it, the line lands with humour inside a tense scene, and that tonal control is consistent throughout the book. The climax scenes in particular carry wit you don't expect, and the surprise of it is part of what makes them land. "Ballast, that was supposed to be a secret!" is the kind of line that only works when the surrounding emotional architecture is solid enough to hold the levity.
The prose itself is precise. Meyer doesn't over-describe or over-explain. The writing gives you exactly enough to stay oriented and keep moving, which is the right call for a book with multiple POVs and timelines. Those multiple POVs are my one real friction point. Coming in without Book 1, I needed them for context, and they delivered that context, but the structure occasionally felt like it was carrying more weight than necessary. A reader who comes in from Book 1 will likely feel this less acutely.
Two lines stayed with me. "I am pulled to pieces and sewn back together. I am shattered and remade. I am erased and redrawn, over and over again." That's Brynja in full, her entire arc compressed into three sentences. And the quiet devastation of "Because it is we who have done this. It is me." Meyer earns both of those moments. They don't appear out of nowhere.
The book ends in a place that satisfies but also stings. As a duology closer, it delivers. As a reader, I wanted one more book, which is probably the best possible complaint.
February 7, 2026
When the Light Returns is an absolute powerhouse of a novel and an epic sequel to While the Dark Remains, filled with strong themes of sacrifice, loyalty, faith & magic. It’s a story about the corrupting temptation of power and the greater strength of selflessness. About the ways we can be shaped for the better by our broken pasts and the most painful parts of our stories. A story about the lengths we are willing to go and the things we are willing to give up for the ones we love.
In this sequel we enter the nation of Iljaria and receive a greater look into the magic system, which went hand in hand with the story's religious system. Meyer fleshed it out remarkably well: considering it’s a religion with twelve gods/goddesses and twelve corresponding branches of magic, things could quickly get muddled and messy. But the vision was clear, and the product was strong. She gave enough so that you could grasp the concepts without getting lost in the minutiae.
Another thing I greatly appreciated was the change in POVs in this book. Don’t get me wrong: it worked really well to have the first book entirely in Brynja’s voice. But what I loved about the mixture of POVs in this book is how it gave a greater insight into character motivations. It helped me truly believe in (and celebrate) Saga’s personal growth, to witness the core of Valrun’s deeply rooted insecurities, and sigh over Vil’s misguided chase after power. And it also fostered an excellent atmosphere of suspense.
This novel, like the first, does not shy away from the dark and ugly: it exposes them for what they are. But it also portrays the complexities of character motivations well and avoids dichotomous thinking. While there were wonderful moments of justice and redemption, it also left room for open-ended resolutions and imperfect conclusions that felt real, and honest.
It's a rare occasion (and one of my favorite things) when an initial critique of a book morphs into an appreciation. In When the Light Returns, this revolved around my struggle to understand why the villain Valrun was obeyed by so many that were more powerful than her (I mean... much more powerful). I could see that she used intimidation and threats, and also made many empty promises, but I had a hard time believing them. Maybe I needed more history there? A greater insight into how she came to be queen? I just wasn’t 100% sold. But the more I considered, I realized: this is a reflection of our world's reality. History is riddled with weak, evil people coming to power. And not just that, but many normal (and even ‘good’) people getting caught up in the tide of evil. We should never forget that humans have a great capacity to convince themselves of anything (and therefore commit great atrocities) if they tell lies to themselves long enough.
A final note: I noticed an increase in adult themes/language in this novel. I don’t recall there being obscenities in the last book, but there were many usages of the word d*** in this one. There were also more references to intimacy, sheer clothing, nudity, etc. While all of this is likely very mild compared to many books out there, there was generally a more adult feel and an attempt to be a bit 'sexier.' It didn’t ultimately detract from the novel, but readers might want to be aware it’s there.
Many, many thanks to Netgalley, 47North & Joanna Ruth Meyer for this wonderful ARC.
In this sequel we enter the nation of Iljaria and receive a greater look into the magic system, which went hand in hand with the story's religious system. Meyer fleshed it out remarkably well: considering it’s a religion with twelve gods/goddesses and twelve corresponding branches of magic, things could quickly get muddled and messy. But the vision was clear, and the product was strong. She gave enough so that you could grasp the concepts without getting lost in the minutiae.
Another thing I greatly appreciated was the change in POVs in this book. Don’t get me wrong: it worked really well to have the first book entirely in Brynja’s voice. But what I loved about the mixture of POVs in this book is how it gave a greater insight into character motivations. It helped me truly believe in (and celebrate) Saga’s personal growth, to witness the core of Valrun’s deeply rooted insecurities, and sigh over Vil’s misguided chase after power. And it also fostered an excellent atmosphere of suspense.
This novel, like the first, does not shy away from the dark and ugly: it exposes them for what they are. But it also portrays the complexities of character motivations well and avoids dichotomous thinking. While there were wonderful moments of justice and redemption, it also left room for open-ended resolutions and imperfect conclusions that felt real, and honest.
It's a rare occasion (and one of my favorite things) when an initial critique of a book morphs into an appreciation. In When the Light Returns, this revolved around my struggle to understand why the villain Valrun was obeyed by so many that were more powerful than her (I mean... much more powerful). I could see that she used intimidation and threats, and also made many empty promises, but I had a hard time believing them. Maybe I needed more history there? A greater insight into how she came to be queen? I just wasn’t 100% sold. But the more I considered, I realized: this is a reflection of our world's reality. History is riddled with weak, evil people coming to power. And not just that, but many normal (and even ‘good’) people getting caught up in the tide of evil. We should never forget that humans have a great capacity to convince themselves of anything (and therefore commit great atrocities) if they tell lies to themselves long enough.
A final note: I noticed an increase in adult themes/language in this novel. I don’t recall there being obscenities in the last book, but there were many usages of the word d*** in this one. There were also more references to intimacy, sheer clothing, nudity, etc. While all of this is likely very mild compared to many books out there, there was generally a more adult feel and an attempt to be a bit 'sexier.' It didn’t ultimately detract from the novel, but readers might want to be aware it’s there.
Many, many thanks to Netgalley, 47North & Joanna Ruth Meyer for this wonderful ARC.
June 29, 2026
A Bombastic Second Book In the Winter Dark Series
I listened to the first volume in audiobook form, so my review is taking into account that the experience reading it instead of being told the story is actually very different and, for me, that the medium makes a huge difference in this case.
Joanna Ruth Meyer neatly picks up where she left off in While the Dark Remains. Ballast's father is defeated, he now becomes king of Daeros and the Aeronian Empire is still in the heart of the capital with their army. After a shocking betrayal, Brynja sets out to return to her homeland, hoping to find peace and a warm welcome behind the safety of the magical barrier. Ballast meanwhile tries to get his surviving family, the other wives and his half-siblings, safely out of a volatile situation. But neither of them manage to continue their lives the way they had hoped..
I struggled with the novel a lot more than I did with the audiobook. While there are gripping moments towards the middle, the beginning quarter, or maybe third, of the novel is very clunky to get through and the time, place and POV hopping made me somewhat nauseous. I imagine that's what time lords must feel like. The pace eventually slows down (I remember the first book being very hectic too, as Meyer tries to squeeze in tonnes of backstory) and some plot lines take a backseat. Some of the twists were predictable in written form. I think I would have enjoyed the narration a lot more and would have gotten less confused had I been able to listen to the book.
I found the ending to be a bit all over the place, as all the strands have to be woven together into a more or less satisfying conclusion and there is an aspect to it that I found too drawn out (but that is common in fantasy epics these days, so Meyer is not the only one). I personally did not feel entirely satisfied with the ending but I also struggled so much with the chaos throughout that such a bombastic and intense finale did not help the matter.
Central themes are power, personal sacrifice and duty, honour and greed, some of which are present in all plot lines and some of which are limited to the main ones. Meyer balances these with an emphasis on conscientious and consenting relationships, love and generosity, which makes for an interesting tapestry.
I am sure dedicated readers will love the conclusion of this duology, though I would really heartily suggest giving the audiobooks a try if you struggle with the jumps and pacing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I listened to the first volume in audiobook form, so my review is taking into account that the experience reading it instead of being told the story is actually very different and, for me, that the medium makes a huge difference in this case.
Joanna Ruth Meyer neatly picks up where she left off in While the Dark Remains. Ballast's father is defeated, he now becomes king of Daeros and the Aeronian Empire is still in the heart of the capital with their army. After a shocking betrayal, Brynja sets out to return to her homeland, hoping to find peace and a warm welcome behind the safety of the magical barrier. Ballast meanwhile tries to get his surviving family, the other wives and his half-siblings, safely out of a volatile situation. But neither of them manage to continue their lives the way they had hoped..
I struggled with the novel a lot more than I did with the audiobook. While there are gripping moments towards the middle, the beginning quarter, or maybe third, of the novel is very clunky to get through and the time, place and POV hopping made me somewhat nauseous. I imagine that's what time lords must feel like. The pace eventually slows down (I remember the first book being very hectic too, as Meyer tries to squeeze in tonnes of backstory) and some plot lines take a backseat. Some of the twists were predictable in written form. I think I would have enjoyed the narration a lot more and would have gotten less confused had I been able to listen to the book.
I found the ending to be a bit all over the place, as all the strands have to be woven together into a more or less satisfying conclusion and there is an aspect to it that I found too drawn out (but that is common in fantasy epics these days, so Meyer is not the only one). I personally did not feel entirely satisfied with the ending but I also struggled so much with the chaos throughout that such a bombastic and intense finale did not help the matter.
Central themes are power, personal sacrifice and duty, honour and greed, some of which are present in all plot lines and some of which are limited to the main ones. Meyer balances these with an emphasis on conscientious and consenting relationships, love and generosity, which makes for an interesting tapestry.
I am sure dedicated readers will love the conclusion of this duology, though I would really heartily suggest giving the audiobooks a try if you struggle with the jumps and pacing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
February 10, 2026
I received a copy through NetGalley for review.
I was very excited to see the sequel to While the Dark Remains. This is gooood fantasy.
And it's frankly nice to read fantasy where the romance is a subplot. Don't get me wrong I love the romantasy as a genre, but they get formulaic sometimes and I miss a good solid fantasy.
Poor Ballast and Brynja and been through decades at the hand of Ballast's father King Kallias and he's finally dead. Brynja has lived as a spy voluntarily for 11 years, stripped of her Iljarian magics by her father the former Prism Magic Master to the Queen of Iljaria before sending her into the lions den to take down the King and his court from the inside as a child. The Yellow Lord has been bound back into the sun once, Kallias reign of terror and weapons he wanted to use to rule over the rest of the world, foiled. Their tenuous relationship as teens, blossomed into solid love, despite all the trials, abuse and trauma they have lived through.
But Brynja cannot stay in Tenebris for much longer, she must return with her bronze magic to her home country and inform the queen of her success. and Ballast must prove himself as King and show he is not his father.
But there are a lot of enemies with their own agenda's lurking close by. The Aeronan Empire wants Daeros, The Queen of Iljaria wants to become Queen Eternal and will do anything to achieve her goals at the expense of her own people and retainers. Saga must return to Skaanda after being captive in Kallias collection- only to find herself alone with great responsibilities , her brother Vil with his own agenda, Brynja's twin brother Brandr who killed their father scheming for himself- his ambition dangerous even to his own family. Everyone is out to claim power for themselves.
So many reveals, struggles, betrayals, and despite all that, love, and hope for a better future for everyone. Our characters still have so much to go through before they get to live in peace.
I'm happy for Brynja and Ballast despite all the horrors and struggles they continue to go through.
Thank you for the opportunity to get to glimpse this one ahead of time. Joanna Ruth Meyer really did it with this one.
I was very excited to see the sequel to While the Dark Remains. This is gooood fantasy.
And it's frankly nice to read fantasy where the romance is a subplot. Don't get me wrong I love the romantasy as a genre, but they get formulaic sometimes and I miss a good solid fantasy.
Poor Ballast and Brynja and been through decades at the hand of Ballast's father King Kallias and he's finally dead. Brynja has lived as a spy voluntarily for 11 years, stripped of her Iljarian magics by her father the former Prism Magic Master to the Queen of Iljaria before sending her into the lions den to take down the King and his court from the inside as a child. The Yellow Lord has been bound back into the sun once, Kallias reign of terror and weapons he wanted to use to rule over the rest of the world, foiled. Their tenuous relationship as teens, blossomed into solid love, despite all the trials, abuse and trauma they have lived through.
But Brynja cannot stay in Tenebris for much longer, she must return with her bronze magic to her home country and inform the queen of her success. and Ballast must prove himself as King and show he is not his father.
But there are a lot of enemies with their own agenda's lurking close by. The Aeronan Empire wants Daeros, The Queen of Iljaria wants to become Queen Eternal and will do anything to achieve her goals at the expense of her own people and retainers. Saga must return to Skaanda after being captive in Kallias collection- only to find herself alone with great responsibilities , her brother Vil with his own agenda, Brynja's twin brother Brandr who killed their father scheming for himself- his ambition dangerous even to his own family. Everyone is out to claim power for themselves.
So many reveals, struggles, betrayals, and despite all that, love, and hope for a better future for everyone. Our characters still have so much to go through before they get to live in peace.
I'm happy for Brynja and Ballast despite all the horrors and struggles they continue to go through.
Thank you for the opportunity to get to glimpse this one ahead of time. Joanna Ruth Meyer really did it with this one.
May 16, 2026
Content Warning: violence
I did not re-read book one and I highly recommend you do, because I had a hard time getting into this book.
World Building: Brynja goes back home to Iljaria but the reception she gets is not what she expected at all. Now she has to convince the queen that she isn’t a traitor. Ballast loses his kingdom and goes to find Brynja. There is a lot of politics in this one, and a lot of the story takes place in Iljaria. Also the magic system wasn’t something I could get into either, there was a lot of things for me to remember – and it just wasn’t sticking in my head.
Characters: I struggled to connect with the characters because there are a few POVs. I was familiar with Ballast, Brynja and Saga but was trying to remember the other characters. The world opens up to IIjaria so it was interesting to learn about the queen who rules there and Brynja’s tense relationship with her brother.
Romance: The romance between Ballast and Brynja have always been sweet and with some time apart in this book, they eventually continue that romance. There is no spice. There is also Saga’s romance but I wasn’t as invested in it.
Storyline: I struggled with this story because of all the time jumps. It’s all very random and complicated too, which took me out of the story. Plus the pacing was slow so I did not get into this story at all. The parts I did enjoy was Ballast and Brynja, and then plot twists were good too – I wasn’t expecting that at all.
Final Thoughts:
If you enjoyed book one, I think you will enjoy this one but I do recommend doing a re-read because I struggled. I did like seeing Ballast and Brynja grow and their romance is sweet. I also liked the plot twist. But I couldn’t get into the story because of the time jumps. I think if the timeline was a little more straightforward I would have enjoyed reading this more.
Read if you like:
political intrigue
no spice, romantasy
I did not re-read book one and I highly recommend you do, because I had a hard time getting into this book.
World Building: Brynja goes back home to Iljaria but the reception she gets is not what she expected at all. Now she has to convince the queen that she isn’t a traitor. Ballast loses his kingdom and goes to find Brynja. There is a lot of politics in this one, and a lot of the story takes place in Iljaria. Also the magic system wasn’t something I could get into either, there was a lot of things for me to remember – and it just wasn’t sticking in my head.
Characters: I struggled to connect with the characters because there are a few POVs. I was familiar with Ballast, Brynja and Saga but was trying to remember the other characters. The world opens up to IIjaria so it was interesting to learn about the queen who rules there and Brynja’s tense relationship with her brother.
Romance: The romance between Ballast and Brynja have always been sweet and with some time apart in this book, they eventually continue that romance. There is no spice. There is also Saga’s romance but I wasn’t as invested in it.
Storyline: I struggled with this story because of all the time jumps. It’s all very random and complicated too, which took me out of the story. Plus the pacing was slow so I did not get into this story at all. The parts I did enjoy was Ballast and Brynja, and then plot twists were good too – I wasn’t expecting that at all.
Final Thoughts:
If you enjoyed book one, I think you will enjoy this one but I do recommend doing a re-read because I struggled. I did like seeing Ballast and Brynja grow and their romance is sweet. I also liked the plot twist. But I couldn’t get into the story because of the time jumps. I think if the timeline was a little more straightforward I would have enjoyed reading this more.
Read if you like:
political intrigue
no spice, romantasy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"When the Light Returns" is the 7th of Joanna Ruth Meyer's published books, all of which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. In fact, I have listed them as being among my favorite books in general. “When the Light Returns” was beautifully written. The characters were full, and I really appreciated the character growth, especially from Ballast.
However, while Meyer is a brilliant author, sometimes the narrative could get lost beneath the heavy poetic nature of her writing. There were times when the plot and characters themselves did not feel full fleshed out due to heavy description and an almost overwhelming emphasis on the emotions of whatever characters were in the scene. That said, this is only my opinion, and I am sure that there are many people who would appreciate this style of writing.
I have fallen in love with all of Meyer's characters over the years and I was equally attached to those in "When the Light Returns." I loved the romantic and platonic dynamics, the weaving of timelines and POVS, and the darkness of the villain. I also loved the romance! It was sweet and intimate without being spicy (which I really appreciated). I especially loved the romantic relationship between Ballast and Brynja and all of its. . . developments. IYKYK.
Overall, I loved “When the Light Returns,” and the ending left me satisfied and content. I am so excited to see what other novels Joanna Ruth Meyer gives us and where her writing takes her. She deserves so much praise!
Thanks to 47North and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my full and honest review.
However, while Meyer is a brilliant author, sometimes the narrative could get lost beneath the heavy poetic nature of her writing. There were times when the plot and characters themselves did not feel full fleshed out due to heavy description and an almost overwhelming emphasis on the emotions of whatever characters were in the scene. That said, this is only my opinion, and I am sure that there are many people who would appreciate this style of writing.
I have fallen in love with all of Meyer's characters over the years and I was equally attached to those in "When the Light Returns." I loved the romantic and platonic dynamics, the weaving of timelines and POVS, and the darkness of the villain. I also loved the romance! It was sweet and intimate without being spicy (which I really appreciated). I especially loved the romantic relationship between Ballast and Brynja and all of its. . . developments. IYKYK.
Overall, I loved “When the Light Returns,” and the ending left me satisfied and content. I am so excited to see what other novels Joanna Ruth Meyer gives us and where her writing takes her. She deserves so much praise!
Thanks to 47North and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my full and honest review.
May 26, 2026
"The things we choose, the actions we take - it's never for nothing, Ballast."
The previous book ended on such a plot twist that threw everything into a new perspective. I was eager to read the second book in this duology for this reason, and also because I wanted to spend more time with the characters of Brynja and Ballast. They are easily the most fleshed out characters. Others such as Saga and Vil are closer to an afterthought, and I'm glad that there aren't many chapters from their perspective. I wish we could have had more of our young Prism magic user, though!
Many mysteries from the first book are explained and solved. The timeline in When the Light Returns skips and backpedals, much like a wielder of Violet (time) magic. It was a little disorienting at first, but like many characters note in the book, that is the nature of time magic. Exploring the twelve colors of magic is an appealing aspect of When the Light Returns, since we only became familiar with a handful of them in the first book. Our characters learn more about the source of their magic, and what its capable of.
In all, I think the first installment of The Winter Dark was a little stronger than this follow-up. I was not entirely happy with the ending. Still, both books in the duology were difficult to put down. Readers unsettled by the torture and trauma of the first book will find less of it here.
RIYL: Game of Thrones, interesting magic systems, shape-shifters, tortured souls
Thank you to NetGalley for an ebook advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
The previous book ended on such a plot twist that threw everything into a new perspective. I was eager to read the second book in this duology for this reason, and also because I wanted to spend more time with the characters of Brynja and Ballast. They are easily the most fleshed out characters. Others such as Saga and Vil are closer to an afterthought, and I'm glad that there aren't many chapters from their perspective. I wish we could have had more of our young Prism magic user, though!
Many mysteries from the first book are explained and solved. The timeline in When the Light Returns skips and backpedals, much like a wielder of Violet (time) magic. It was a little disorienting at first, but like many characters note in the book, that is the nature of time magic. Exploring the twelve colors of magic is an appealing aspect of When the Light Returns, since we only became familiar with a handful of them in the first book. Our characters learn more about the source of their magic, and what its capable of.
In all, I think the first installment of The Winter Dark was a little stronger than this follow-up. I was not entirely happy with the ending. Still, both books in the duology were difficult to put down. Readers unsettled by the torture and trauma of the first book will find less of it here.
RIYL: Game of Thrones, interesting magic systems, shape-shifters, tortured souls
Thank you to NetGalley for an ebook advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was fortunate to read the ARC of While the Dark Remains, and I feel equally grateful to have received the ARC of When the Light Returns.
In a genre where fantasy series can sometimes lose focus by stretching a story across too many books, this duology felt just right in terms of scope. The overarching conflict and its resolution were well-suited to a two-book structure, and I found the conclusion of the second book especially satisfying.
In When the Light Returns, I felt that Meyer noticeably strengthened in how she shaped the relationships between the characters. The deeper development in their connections made me even more invested in them and genuinely rooting for their growth. Without spoilers, the ending provided each character with the resolution and personal growth they deserved, which felt both earned and emotionally fulfilling.
That said, the pacing was the one area where the book fell a bit flat for me. Certain sections lingered longer than necessary, while others felt rushed. For instance, Brynja’s search for the gods for Valrun moved so quickly that it strained believability and left me wanting more depth in that part of the story.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed both books in this series. It’s a duology I would happily recommend to my book groups and could easily see myself revisiting in the future. Thank you again to NetGalley and 47North for providing these ARCs!
In a genre where fantasy series can sometimes lose focus by stretching a story across too many books, this duology felt just right in terms of scope. The overarching conflict and its resolution were well-suited to a two-book structure, and I found the conclusion of the second book especially satisfying.
In When the Light Returns, I felt that Meyer noticeably strengthened in how she shaped the relationships between the characters. The deeper development in their connections made me even more invested in them and genuinely rooting for their growth. Without spoilers, the ending provided each character with the resolution and personal growth they deserved, which felt both earned and emotionally fulfilling.
That said, the pacing was the one area where the book fell a bit flat for me. Certain sections lingered longer than necessary, while others felt rushed. For instance, Brynja’s search for the gods for Valrun moved so quickly that it strained believability and left me wanting more depth in that part of the story.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed both books in this series. It’s a duology I would happily recommend to my book groups and could easily see myself revisiting in the future. Thank you again to NetGalley and 47North for providing these ARCs!
February 19, 2026
Book 2 in the Winter Dark Series
4.75 Stars
The world building was one of the highlights of the first book in this series, so I'm glad that we got to explore more of this world. Book 2 is set in Illarjia, the home of magic on the peninsula. Magic plays a large part in the culture of the Illarjia. It's capital city is split into twelve different sectors where the people who practice each type of magic live. The queen has 12 skapari, which is her personal group of magic users, with one practicing each type of magic. We get to see how Illarjia are trained to use their magic as well. Within this society, I found it interesting that the queen was not especially powerful with magic, but she still is able to wield so much political power.
The characters were the other highlight of book 1 and in book 2 we get multiple POVs, so we get to learn more about the characters. I definitely think that book 1 worked best with only Brynja's POV, but When the Light Returns has a bit of a wider scope, so many crucial plot points come from other characters. There are multiple POVs and there is a lot of back and forth with when each chapter takes place as well. It's not as straightforward as book 1, so it might be easy to get confused about the POVs and timelines. When the Light Returns begins 6 months after the events of While the Dark Remains, but through the different timelines, the events of those 6 months slowly unravel.
4.75 Stars
The world building was one of the highlights of the first book in this series, so I'm glad that we got to explore more of this world. Book 2 is set in Illarjia, the home of magic on the peninsula. Magic plays a large part in the culture of the Illarjia. It's capital city is split into twelve different sectors where the people who practice each type of magic live. The queen has 12 skapari, which is her personal group of magic users, with one practicing each type of magic. We get to see how Illarjia are trained to use their magic as well. Within this society, I found it interesting that the queen was not especially powerful with magic, but she still is able to wield so much political power.
The characters were the other highlight of book 1 and in book 2 we get multiple POVs, so we get to learn more about the characters. I definitely think that book 1 worked best with only Brynja's POV, but When the Light Returns has a bit of a wider scope, so many crucial plot points come from other characters. There are multiple POVs and there is a lot of back and forth with when each chapter takes place as well. It's not as straightforward as book 1, so it might be easy to get confused about the POVs and timelines. When the Light Returns begins 6 months after the events of While the Dark Remains, but through the different timelines, the events of those 6 months slowly unravel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
OUT: (5/11/26)
Favorite quote(s):
“I am not arrogant enough to believe that I am unaffected by the draw of power. Wielding my magic makes my blood sing; being cut off from it by the iron collar is agony.
But I have begun to realize it is not the most important thing to me, that it never was. I am not willing to spend my own or others' lives in pursuit of it. I would rather live without my magic than use it for cruelty, for harm.”
Review:
This was such a great sequel. The characters really grew and changed. I loved learning more about each and seeing how everything shaped them. I loved Brynja and Ballast so much, they really made me emotional in this. It was nice to get more of the powers and the Gods. The journey with Brynja dealing with Valrún and everything going on with that was intense. I honestly was stressed. Ballast also had his own journey that was difficult but he worked through it. I loved the romances in this, mostly, Valrún and hers, not so much. It was messy and she's a terrible person. She did have hard things happen but that wasn't an excuse for the harm she did in this. The writing in this was just as incredible as book 1. I was sucked in from start to finish wanting to know what came next. I felt the end was great and really fit this story. It was beautiful. Overall this was a solid read and end to this duology.
OUT: (5/11/26)
Favorite quote(s):
“I am not arrogant enough to believe that I am unaffected by the draw of power. Wielding my magic makes my blood sing; being cut off from it by the iron collar is agony.
But I have begun to realize it is not the most important thing to me, that it never was. I am not willing to spend my own or others' lives in pursuit of it. I would rather live without my magic than use it for cruelty, for harm.”
Review:
This was such a great sequel. The characters really grew and changed. I loved learning more about each and seeing how everything shaped them. I loved Brynja and Ballast so much, they really made me emotional in this. It was nice to get more of the powers and the Gods. The journey with Brynja dealing with Valrún and everything going on with that was intense. I honestly was stressed. Ballast also had his own journey that was difficult but he worked through it. I loved the romances in this, mostly, Valrún and hers, not so much. It was messy and she's a terrible person. She did have hard things happen but that wasn't an excuse for the harm she did in this. The writing in this was just as incredible as book 1. I was sucked in from start to finish wanting to know what came next. I felt the end was great and really fit this story. It was beautiful. Overall this was a solid read and end to this duology.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It has been a while since I read book one, and a refresher was VERY necessary to continue this one. This duology has a multifaceted magic system and a lot of characters involved. Multi POV as well.
That being said, once I had refreshed myself on the previous book, I really enjoyed this. It is a bit slow in bits because it feels like at any given time, someone is imprisoned or trapped in some way so the plot doesn’t progress very quickly. However, there’s plenty of action in the second half of this book. Parts of this do feel a little cliche, but not so much that it detracts from the book. There’s politics, there’s romance, there’s war, there’s death… this book has a little of everything and no character is safe.
Speaking of characters, reintroducing yourself to these POVs is fun! Ballast and Brynja are more than they seem even after coming into their magic. The moral compass of these characters is all over the place really; we have characters who only want to help others and then characters who only want to help themselves and everything in between.
The writing is easy to follow and is almost a somber or serious tone for most of the book, which fits it perfectly. The banter between characters is fun, and I found myself chuckling at times.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this, although I do wish the author would’ve included a short recap. The glossary at the end was very helpful, though! 4.25⭐️
It has been a while since I read book one, and a refresher was VERY necessary to continue this one. This duology has a multifaceted magic system and a lot of characters involved. Multi POV as well.
That being said, once I had refreshed myself on the previous book, I really enjoyed this. It is a bit slow in bits because it feels like at any given time, someone is imprisoned or trapped in some way so the plot doesn’t progress very quickly. However, there’s plenty of action in the second half of this book. Parts of this do feel a little cliche, but not so much that it detracts from the book. There’s politics, there’s romance, there’s war, there’s death… this book has a little of everything and no character is safe.
Speaking of characters, reintroducing yourself to these POVs is fun! Ballast and Brynja are more than they seem even after coming into their magic. The moral compass of these characters is all over the place really; we have characters who only want to help others and then characters who only want to help themselves and everything in between.
The writing is easy to follow and is almost a somber or serious tone for most of the book, which fits it perfectly. The banter between characters is fun, and I found myself chuckling at times.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this, although I do wish the author would’ve included a short recap. The glossary at the end was very helpful, though! 4.25⭐️
July 3, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley, Del Rey and Joanna Ruth Meyer for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I do want to mention that I went into this without reading *When the Dark Remains*, so there were definitely times where I felt a little lost with certain characters and past events. I think this is one that is best read in order, and I probably would have connected even more with Ballast and Brynja's journey if I had read book one first.
Even so, I still really enjoyed Joanna's writing. The world felt magical, and I loved the blend of ancient gods, political tension, and the mystery surrounding Iljaria and its magic.
I enjoyed Ballast's story. Watching him deal with the consequences of his father's actions and learning what it means to lead without a crown made for a compelling character arc. Brynja was also incredibly strong, and I liked seeing her hold onto hope despite everything Queen Valrún put her through.
The romance between Ballast and Brynja felt sweet and balanced in trust and loyalty. Even missing some of their history, it was easy to see how much they cared for one another and how determined they were to fight for a better future.
Overall, I enjoyed this one and appreciated its themes of redemption, hope, and forgiveness. I would definitely recommend reading the series in order, but if you love atmospheric fantasy and ancient magic this will likely be a great fit for you.
I do want to mention that I went into this without reading *When the Dark Remains*, so there were definitely times where I felt a little lost with certain characters and past events. I think this is one that is best read in order, and I probably would have connected even more with Ballast and Brynja's journey if I had read book one first.
Even so, I still really enjoyed Joanna's writing. The world felt magical, and I loved the blend of ancient gods, political tension, and the mystery surrounding Iljaria and its magic.
I enjoyed Ballast's story. Watching him deal with the consequences of his father's actions and learning what it means to lead without a crown made for a compelling character arc. Brynja was also incredibly strong, and I liked seeing her hold onto hope despite everything Queen Valrún put her through.
The romance between Ballast and Brynja felt sweet and balanced in trust and loyalty. Even missing some of their history, it was easy to see how much they cared for one another and how determined they were to fight for a better future.
Overall, I enjoyed this one and appreciated its themes of redemption, hope, and forgiveness. I would definitely recommend reading the series in order, but if you love atmospheric fantasy and ancient magic this will likely be a great fit for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
-Multiple POV
-Multiple timelines
-Politics + religion
-Magic system
-Fantasy with a subplot romance
In the second book of this duology, we follow multiple POVs and timelines. I would be lying if I said I didn’t get a little whiplash or feel lost at times.
That said, I really enjoyed the expanded perspectives, especially Saga’s. Still, the heart of the story remains with Bal and Brynja. I just want to hug them both.
Before diving into this book, I revisited the first book, While the Dark Remains. The plot and characters had stayed with me over the past year, but I was glad I took the time to reread it before starting this ARC. I listened to the audiobook this time, and it was fantastic. I still highly recommend experiencing the first book again before jumping in.
There is so much left for Ballast and Brynja to figure out in this sequel, and it is incredibly easy to become invested in their journey while finding new characters to fall in love with.
Book two delivers more magic, more characters, more Ballast, more twists, more emotion, and even more light.
It was a satisfying ending to this duology, and if you enjoyed book one, you will absolutely enjoy diving back in.
-Multiple timelines
-Politics + religion
-Magic system
-Fantasy with a subplot romance
In the second book of this duology, we follow multiple POVs and timelines. I would be lying if I said I didn’t get a little whiplash or feel lost at times.
That said, I really enjoyed the expanded perspectives, especially Saga’s. Still, the heart of the story remains with Bal and Brynja. I just want to hug them both.
Before diving into this book, I revisited the first book, While the Dark Remains. The plot and characters had stayed with me over the past year, but I was glad I took the time to reread it before starting this ARC. I listened to the audiobook this time, and it was fantastic. I still highly recommend experiencing the first book again before jumping in.
There is so much left for Ballast and Brynja to figure out in this sequel, and it is incredibly easy to become invested in their journey while finding new characters to fall in love with.
Book two delivers more magic, more characters, more Ballast, more twists, more emotion, and even more light.
It was a satisfying ending to this duology, and if you enjoyed book one, you will absolutely enjoy diving back in.
June 3, 2026
I read While the Dark Remains last year and have been impatiently waiting for the release of Light for months! The story picks up pretty soon after Dark left off, with Ballast on the throne after the dark has been banished from the Gray Peninsula.
There’s a lot going on in this book: Ballast having to give up his crown, Brynja returning home only to find herself prisoner, a corrupt queen trying to claim the magic of the gods, political intrigue, secret histories…the list goes on. But what I liked most is that while the stakes are high and hope often feels lost, that is never fully the case. There is still hope to be had, still light in the darkness, still love amid loss. And thank goodness, because Meyer had me worried a couple times. Ballast was my favorite character from Dark, so I really liked reading chapters from his POV in Light and I’m VERY glad he gets a happy ending. The twists in the story surprised me as well, which I always enjoy. I think for writers and those who read a lot within a single genre, certain parts of stories become predictable, which hey, that’s not necessarily bad - sometimes that’s what I want. But it is also nice to be surprised by a well-placed reveal. Anyway, I highly recommend this book!
There’s a lot going on in this book: Ballast having to give up his crown, Brynja returning home only to find herself prisoner, a corrupt queen trying to claim the magic of the gods, political intrigue, secret histories…the list goes on. But what I liked most is that while the stakes are high and hope often feels lost, that is never fully the case. There is still hope to be had, still light in the darkness, still love amid loss. And thank goodness, because Meyer had me worried a couple times. Ballast was my favorite character from Dark, so I really liked reading chapters from his POV in Light and I’m VERY glad he gets a happy ending. The twists in the story surprised me as well, which I always enjoy. I think for writers and those who read a lot within a single genre, certain parts of stories become predictable, which hey, that’s not necessarily bad - sometimes that’s what I want. But it is also nice to be surprised by a well-placed reveal. Anyway, I highly recommend this book!
December 28, 2025
Rating: 3.5 stars ⭐️
When the Light Returns is Joanna Ruth Meyer’s follow up to While the Dark Remains. The story moves from the single point-of-view of the first book into a multi-point of view novel, changing perspectives and timelines throughout the story. Our main character, Brynja, is joined by friend and foe alike as threat of invasion hangs over all of our kingdoms.
This story was a marked improvement over the first book, with the pacing greatly improved by the multiple perspectives. The story flowed better, and overall was more engaging. The theology is expanded a little more as our characters move through the world, but I would have liked a little more depth to the magic system.
Our main character is somewhat more active in this story than the first, though there is still a significant problem with our main character passively accepting the control of others. Other characters refer to Brynja as a schemer, or five steps ahead, and that hasn’t ever felt true to her characterization. In the first book, she seemed to barely survive but for the manipulations of others, so others’ trust in her ability to plan felt disingenuous.
The story still fell into many of the common tropes of the genre, which made it feel somewhat predictable. The ending of the story felt like it lacked substance, especially considering the losses of the previous book. The final solutions felt tidy, and felt out of our main characters’ control. I did enjoy the epilogue, which had some nice details about the long term fates of our characters.
Overall, this book was an improvement over the first. If you were really enamored by the first book, you’ll probably enjoy it. However, if you haven’t read the first book, this wasn’t solid enough to justify continuing on.
This book was provided to me on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When the Light Returns is Joanna Ruth Meyer’s follow up to While the Dark Remains. The story moves from the single point-of-view of the first book into a multi-point of view novel, changing perspectives and timelines throughout the story. Our main character, Brynja, is joined by friend and foe alike as threat of invasion hangs over all of our kingdoms.
This story was a marked improvement over the first book, with the pacing greatly improved by the multiple perspectives. The story flowed better, and overall was more engaging. The theology is expanded a little more as our characters move through the world, but I would have liked a little more depth to the magic system.
Our main character is somewhat more active in this story than the first, though there is still a significant problem with our main character passively accepting the control of others. Other characters refer to Brynja as a schemer, or five steps ahead, and that hasn’t ever felt true to her characterization. In the first book, she seemed to barely survive but for the manipulations of others, so others’ trust in her ability to plan felt disingenuous.
The story still fell into many of the common tropes of the genre, which made it feel somewhat predictable. The ending of the story felt like it lacked substance, especially considering the losses of the previous book. The final solutions felt tidy, and felt out of our main characters’ control. I did enjoy the epilogue, which had some nice details about the long term fates of our characters.
Overall, this book was an improvement over the first. If you were really enamored by the first book, you’ll probably enjoy it. However, if you haven’t read the first book, this wasn’t solid enough to justify continuing on.
This book was provided to me on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Joanna for providing an ARC!
When the Light Returns is beautifully written. The descriptions are poignant and the first person POVs of each character invites us into their thoughts and hearts so snugly. An example early on is when Ballast takes a moment to imagine mice sitting on the throne in storage as little mice kings. You feel like you really get to understand and be in a space with the characters, who welcome the reader in with vulnerability and sincerity. And yet, these characters have no end of surprises in store. Meyer's command of pacing and the steady trickle of information leads to marvelous revelations that turn everything as we know it on its head.
I also just want to take a moment to praise the themes of power and love. One of my favorite things about Meyer's work is her ability to weave stories that are at their very heart, fairy tales that encourage us to believe that love, sacrifice, and forgiveness will lead us to a brighter day.
When the Light Returns is an epic sequel to While the Dark Remains. This duology contains lush worldbuilding, captivating magic, thoughtfully crafted characters, and so much light.
When the Light Returns is beautifully written. The descriptions are poignant and the first person POVs of each character invites us into their thoughts and hearts so snugly. An example early on is when Ballast takes a moment to imagine mice sitting on the throne in storage as little mice kings. You feel like you really get to understand and be in a space with the characters, who welcome the reader in with vulnerability and sincerity. And yet, these characters have no end of surprises in store. Meyer's command of pacing and the steady trickle of information leads to marvelous revelations that turn everything as we know it on its head.
I also just want to take a moment to praise the themes of power and love. One of my favorite things about Meyer's work is her ability to weave stories that are at their very heart, fairy tales that encourage us to believe that love, sacrifice, and forgiveness will lead us to a brighter day.
When the Light Returns is an epic sequel to While the Dark Remains. This duology contains lush worldbuilding, captivating magic, thoughtfully crafted characters, and so much light.
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