The Light Within

Master of Crows #1.5

by Grace Draven

Silhara of Neith, now known as "the god-smiter," travels as the guest of honor to the winter festival of his father's people.

The crow mage who destroyed one god must ignite sacred fires in honor of another. Yet the winter festival only reminds Silhara that the brightest light within him isn't the fire of a deity but the devotion of one woman.

A tale of hope and celebration.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Magic, Short Stories, Novella, Adult

18 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2014

About the author

I'm an author and Louisiana native living in Texas with my husband, three smalls and a big doofus dog. I have lived in Spain, hiked the Teton Mountains, honeymooned in Scotland, ridden in competition rodeo and am the great great granddaughter of a Nicaraguan president. I also hate doing laundry and refuse to iron anything.

I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.

Reviews

[h o l l i s · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE LIGHT WITHIN would be an easy five stars if it was longer (seriously, this one was even shorter than THE LIGHTNING GOD'S WIFE) and maaaybe if we'd had a little bit of sexy time (shut up, I'm trash, leave me here).

"You have a soft heart."
"No need to be insulting."

But it was basically perfect. This felt like an epilogue to MASTER OF CROWS. Set a few months (I'm guessing..) after the end of book one, instead of in the middle like the first novella, this was a brilliant glimpse at Martise and Silhara's happily ever after. Snarky, funny, adorable, sexy, grumpy. Everything we've come to love from these two and set around the Kurman culture -- giving us the added bonus of Silhara's aunt who I so loved from book one. This was the perfect lead-in to book two.

4.5 "you please me just by being" stars

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short, but still fun to read.

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty pointless and boring. I wouldn't have finished it if it weren't so short. Its only 15 pages so read it if you feel like it, but if you don't want to don't bother. It adds nothing to the story.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review:

The Light Within is a novella....but really a very short story of 20 pages and its a story story that is basically a HEA type of feel to it. Just like an extended epilogue of the first book. This was just adorable. It gave me all the happy feels for this couple. I loved seeing them all happy together, having a bit of a camping trip visiting his relatives and just enjoying their honeymoon phase. It just delivered so many happy moments and curled my toes in delight while reading. If you loved the first book or this series and have yet to read these books, I recommend these here.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short sweet scene for fans of the Master of Crows. Do not expect a short story or novella.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more like an epilogue for Master of Crows than a standalone story.

[Seffra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Silhara and Martise! I forgot how seriously funny they are!

[🇵🇸🇵🇸 hasfia 🇵🇸🇵🇸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goddamnit!!!!!!!! I WASNT SUPPOSED TO CRY !!!!

Okay, 4 stars because Silhara finally didn’t act like an unbearable asshole to Martise, plus some fluff and THE ADDED IN PLOTLINE THAT WAS THE SETUP FOR WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST ROMANCE FANTASY DUOLOGY EVER PUBLISHED?

That’s the review. Bye 👋🏼

Two notable quotes that Ms. Draven has me grovelling for:

Silhara when asked what Martise was to him; “My humanity.”

And

“I need no god-fire at Neith to bless my days. You are the blessing of my house, Martise. The light within me.”

[Ksenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who want one more glimpse of Silhara and Martise

[Averie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I really enjoyed reading this novella from the Master of Crows series, I don't think that it adds to the main story.

*read during the FaRoFeb Readathon*

[Desa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2-2'5★

Cute, pero demasiado cortito como para aportar algo a la historia.

[Lyndi W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too short. Must have more. Need more. Now.

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super short story set in the world of Master of Crows, this story reads like an epilogue to the book. Silhara and Martise travel to a celebration of the Kurman, Silhara's father's tribes, as they feast the lighting of a god. It's a fun story, offering another glimpse into the life of Silhara and Martise. I wouldn't recommend reading this without having read Master of Crows, however. If you're a fan of the book, and of Silhara, then this is nice candy.

[crashqueen73 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm. This "book" took 10 minutes to read and was one chapter long.
I love Dravens work and would read anything see writes but this was sooooo short. Couldn't it juat be added to another book as a book? Not a chapter... all on its own 😢

[Namita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it but as usual...too short.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute. I love these two characters!

The High Salure connection is a nice touch. Very cool.

[Kate MacRitchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this story because I wasn't ready to leave The Master of Crows world. I didn't realise just how short it was (you could read it in half an hour tops) so it's left me wanting more.

I loved the wintry atmosphere, its a perfect quick fantasy read in between doing something festive like baking or wrapping presents. I'm also wondering at some of those little hints Grace Draven left, maybe to be picked up in a later book? 🤔🥰

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially just a bonus chapter, published independently. It was nice, the writing is still great, but it should be free OR once the writer gets all these mini chapters out of her system they could be published together.

[Kait Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will happily read all the content Grace Draven makes for the Master of Crows series. It could be a twenty book series and it wouldn't ever be enough imo

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[disz · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3 stars

[Elizabeth]

This is fluff! But it’s cute fluff and it’s the shortest short story I’ve ever read but nevertheless it’s going towards the Goodreads goal.

[Kiera Pond · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars. Fun, light hearted story. Not a lot happened but it was still a fun read.

[Veronica-Lynn Pit Bull · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Light Within is the epilogue that should have been tacked on to Master of Crows. It was a sweet little interlude in the lives of Martise and Silhara after they are married. Silhara, now known as the god-smiter; has been invited as the guest of honor to the Kurman festival to honor their god. He and Martise enjoy visiting with his family and the celebration of the festival. And then they go home. The end.

[Seon Ji (Dawn) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a VERY short story, about a 1/2 read. It truly is not necessary to read it, for it sheds little to no light on the main story "Master of Crows." 4 stars because it was well written. Shaved off a star because there was no conflict or new insight to either the characters or the original plot.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short vingnette in which Silhara is the guest of honor at his tribe's holy gathering. His recent role in slaying a dark god makes it a bit uncomfortable, while he gets to have a little fun with his power as well. It's a sweet story of a peaceful time in Silhara's and Martise's lives.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Light Within was very short but very sweet. Be warned it reads more like a chapter of a novel, and not a full story. However, there is a lot of emotion in those few pages. If you wanted more from Silhara in terms of his love for Martise, then give this one a try. Very sweet.

[Joan (official heroine hater) · Rating 2 out of 5]

SUPER short...like I almost don't see the reason for this novella at all...bummer. Maybe the ritual mentioned has something to do with the next novel? I dunno...

[Jennavier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what a short story following the characters of a beloved novel should be. This is a fun peek back into the world of Master of Crows.