Shadow of Lym

by R.I. McLaughlin

For millennia, the Nightmare Mother lay imprisoned in an ashen world beyond history and memory—until a day when the doors of her prison were breached and a means of escape provided. Now, after delivering the most terrible of her progeny, a colossal warrior known as the Shadow, the Mother is free. And at her side marches a united Nightmare army fit to tear the Clouds asunder.

Conrad, renegade Somnian, grieves the loss of his family as revenge promises to transform him into a man he cannot recognize.
Nickel, cynical bounty hunter, walks a primrose path, unwilling to accept the future that she feels is being foisted upon her.
Sabrina, dissident Nightmare, is broken despite her newfound power, haunted by visions that threaten shocking revelations about herself and her sisters.

As the cracks upon creation lengthen, the Glass Breaker, with the blasphemous Mother, seeks a promise of power that may be just as treacherous as the destruction he sows…

576 pages, Paperback

Published September 20, 2025

Reviews

[K Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what direction this book was going to go with the prologues. As sometimes I did have a hard time following the characters/story.
I did find myself enjoying the cloud world and each of the characters journey. R. I. Mclaughlin’s world building in this book was beyond amazing.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely read book 1 first so you can continue the adventure with some awesome characters. I waited 2 years for book 2 and it was so worth the wait!

[Hayley Rader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow of Lym is a breathtaking continuation of the Dream Cloud Nine series that completely swept me away. R.I. McLaughlin has crafted a darkly imaginative world filled with unforgettable characters and high stakes conflict. The story of the Nightmare Mother’s escape and the rise of the colossal Shadow is both epic and deeply emotional, blending mythic scale with personal struggles in a way that feels fresh and compelling.
What impressed me most was how McLaughlin balances grand fantasy battles with intimate character arcs. Conrad’s grief and thirst for revenge, Nickel’s cynicism and reluctant journey, and Sabrina’s haunting visions all add layers of humanity to a tale that could have easily been just spectacle. Instead, it’s a story about resilience, identity, and the choices that define us.
The prose is vivid and cinematic, painting the ashen landscapes and nightmare armies with striking detail. Yet, it never loses sight of the emotional core, every twist feels earned, every revelation resonates. The pacing is sharp, keeping tension high while allowing moments of reflection that make the characters feel real.
For fans of dark fantasy, Shadow of Lym delivers everything: a sweeping mythos, complex heroes and antiheroes, and a narrative that lingers long after the final page. It’s a book that not only entertains but makes you think about the nature of power, grief, and hope.
I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves richly imagined worlds and character driven fantasy. McLaughlin has proven once again that Dream Cloud Nine is a series worth following, and Shadow of Lym is a standout installment that deserves praise.

[Legacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow of Lym is book two in the Dream Cloud Nine series, and I actually think I liked this one more than the first.

The book starts with a prologue that goes all the way back to the beginning of the Clouds, giving us more backstory on the creator and the characters who were there from the start. After that, the story picks up with a war between the Nightmares and the other Clouds. There is a lot happening throughout this book, but in a good way. it definitely helped me be interested.

We also continue following Sabrina, Conrad, and a few other returning characters. I liked seeing how they handled everything going on around them while also dealing with their own problems.

One thing I struggled with in book one was keeping the different Clouds straight, but this time around it was easier to follow. There were still a few moments where the POV switched and I had to pause to figure out who we were with, but it didn’t ruin the flow for me.

The worldbuilding and character development were really strong here. I felt like I got a much better sense of who the characters were, and none of them blended together. There was a couple places where it felt more like telling instead of showing, but honestly, I think that was just to help us keep up with everything, and it wasn’t overdone.

I highly recommend reading book one first, though. this one definitely builds on it, and I had to do a quick refresher before diving in.

Overall, a great second book of the series. I’m excited to see where it goes next!

[Kaitlyn Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of series and I would not recommend it as a standalone but would urge readers to enjoy the first novel in the series before diving into this adventure! The book began with multiple prologues, leaving me wondering what direction the book was going to take- the various characters are well developed but their storylines can be confusing at times so it requires the reader to pay close attention throughout the book. Per usual, McLaughlin does an amazing job at world building and I could close my eyes and imagine the cloud world. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the characters of the first book as this adventure progressed. I cannot wait to see what future adventures throughout the cloud world and beyond that McLaughlin creates.

[M.C. Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book after reading Brass and Blood, and Shadow of Lym didn't disappoint. Though McLaughlin's prose sometime bog me down, and he does jump about at times, his storytelling has kept me hooked both times. This book truly had some amazing bits and pieces. I think Sabrina is honestly my favorite character. I loved her arc in this, and her sarcasm is right on the money for me.
Conrad is a close second favorite, watching the journey of a backslidden hero and watching the outcome really is nail-biting sometimes.
Yep, this one was a clear five stars. Maybe one day we'll get some hardbacks ;).

[Sweetpea4me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that definitely veered in a different direction than I thought. Had to take some time for me to get the wording, in the prologue and through out the book. It also jumped around a lot, for me.
With that being said, I enjoyed growing with the cloud world (as it was created), hanging with the characters from book 1, and meeting new ones along the way. McLaughlin never fails to give us adventure in his stories. His world building is so detailed and impressive.

[Spargel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book is even better than the first! I was so impressed with each characters’ journeys, both individually and as a group. I had a bit of trouble fully understanding the world building in the last book, but I feel so much more acclimated in this one- the new maps help too! Overall, it was just such a fun read between the complex characters and their development, the unique world that’s expanded even more, and the well crafted action scenes. Will be waiting for the next installment!

[Rhonda Bobbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Dream Cloud Nine series
Spectacular world building and character development. The cloud world is nothing like anything you have ever read before. I highly recommend you read book 1 before starting book 2. With multiple prologues in the beginning it will definitely keep you on your toes.

[R.I. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super proud with how this novel turned out! It’s bigger and better than Brass & Blood in every way and if you liked B&B I think you’re going to love this.
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