Daughter of Broken Light

by Trisha Otis

On the eve of the sacred Stone Summit Ritual, Idrial, heir to the House of the Sun, the ceremonial Sun Stone vanishes without a trace. The ritual is broken, and with it, the fragile balance that has kept the realm from falling into darkness.

Determined to find the lost Stone, Idrial sets out alongside her closest friend, the fierce and loyal Raewyn, to seek answers from the Oracles, mysterious seers who dwell beyond the known lands. But the trail they follow leads to hidden identities and lost history. One that speaks of a forgotten war and a girl born of sunlight who must choose what kind of leader she will become.

Torn between past and present, duty and desire, Idrial must confront the truth about the stone, her lineage, and the light she was raised to wield.

But light alone is not enough. In a world where alliances shift and she finds family in an unlikely group, Idrial will face a test not only of power, but of heart, and the courage it takes to stand in the dark and not be consumed.

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2025

Reviews

[Karen Wheat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my Gosh what an incredible ride. I felt like I was drifted and plopped down a pebbled path along a wonderful / tearful journey. The Poddarins were such a delight .I loved them so much.
My favorite quote:
"When I drift, you anchor; when I crawl, you carry." I give this book a million praises if you like fanasty it kinda felt a little like Alice and Wonderland but not at the same time much praises and love to this story.

[Tara Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! The main character you meet goes on this journey and it molds them into what they were meant to be. This book has a little romance, a little combat, a little spice, a little friendly banter between friends, both of and new. An intriguing problem that needs to be solved, and a heroine willing to step up to the plate and be who he people need her to be. Wonderful first book, I can't wait for the sequel!!

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible first book that delivers a captivating journey. The protagonist's growth is a highlight, as she is molded by her quest into the leader she is destined to become. The story is a well-balanced mix of romance, combat, and lighthearted banter, all centered around a critical problem that drives the plot forward. The supporting characters, including the delightful Poddarins, add considerable warmth and charm.
​The creative elements are a major strength, from the imaginative world-building and magic system to the original creatures. The plot is fast-paced and interesting, and the characters are all endearing. The prose is both beautiful and effective, perfectly capturing the essence of the narrative. I am intrigued to see where the story goes next, though I have a feeling the author may have some emotional turmoil in store.
​The central conflict is initiated by the disappearance of a ceremonial stone, which threatens to plunge the realm into darkness. The heroine and her loyal friend Raewyn embark on a quest that uncovers forgotten history and her true lineage. Torn between past and present, she must ultimately face a significant test of both power and character as she learns to navigate a world of shifting alliances and finds her own strength.

[Bookwyrm_in_KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughter of Broken Light is a wonderful debut novel from a lovely local-to-me author. She has created unique world with a fascinating pantheon and magic system that is populated by all sorts of fascinating magical species. The Poddarins are particularly delightful.

Idrial, the rather sheltered crown princess, must leave the capital for the first time in her life to seek the missing sunstone, the source of power for the kingdom. The quest tests and breaks her in ways she never thought possible. And she learns that a lot of what she thought was absolute truth was half truths at best.

There is a nice love story subplot: one of the things Idrial has to leave behind on her quest is her lover, a powerful mage who has to stay behind to protect the capital, but he gifts her with an amulet that allows them to communicate through dreams (some of which are nice and spicy).

Friendship is a powerful theme in the story. Idrial's best friend Raewyn is her travel companion on the quest and has always kept Idrial grounded. She also makes new friends along the way who help her on her increasingly dangerous journey.

Thank you, Trisha Otis, for the opportunity to advance read! I am looking forward to the next book!

[Joy (Joys.of.reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

​This book is a thrilling ride from start to finish—completely immersive and honestly - never had a dull moment! The realm is instantly plunged into crisis when the sacred Sun Stone vanishes, forcing heir Idrial and her fierce friend Raewyn into a high-stakes quest that unravels ancient secrets, forgotten war, and hidden identities. I loved the strong themes of found family, duty versus desire, and the powerful realization that light alone is not enough to conquer the dark. This is a highly addictive fantasy about courage, leadership, and the true meaning of power.

[Christy Skidmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The creativity in this book is out of this world
The magic system, the world building, the original creatures, it all kept me so intrigued. The plot was quick moving and interesting, and the characters were all so loveable. The prose is beautiful and really captures the vibe of the story so well. I can't wait to see where the story goes, but I don't trust this author not to traumatize me.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only bad thing I have to say is that this book is being released at the wrong time of the year. It would be a wonderful summer read. I loved the adventure and the cast of characters Idrial (the main character) came across. I also liked the different creatures Trisha came up with to fill her world.

[Lauren Vieux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite reads this year! The writing, the characters, and the story was all done so beautifully! I loved that it was a faster pace read, but still was very descriptive and included a lot of imagery that made me feel like I was right there in the room with the characters! I loved the Poddarins and I hope they make it into the next book!

[Becky Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. This is a fast paced book I love it . The author is descriptive throughout the whole book no detail is left out.
Idrial finds friends along the way that help her that become family as she looking for the missing stone . I didn't want to put this book down.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the journey this book took the reader on. The descriptions really detail every scene and character so you feel immersed in the story. I loved how unique each of the friends are through this journey. I am looking forward to the next book and hope all the characters are there. This book is definitely tops of this list!

I received an arc and this review is given voluntarily.

[vickieee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I felt an emotional connection to Idrial and am invested in what she's going through. I loved the world building and the most of all, the friendships. I cherish a great friend and I enjoyed the experience of old and new friendships. The emotional connection of the friendship came through really well.

[Caitlin Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lives rent free in my mind. The characters you can connect with and are invested in them. This book does a good job of being very descriptive without being long-winded. The journey they go on is exciting and the world is beautiful. It touches on all the things that make a great fantasy story.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding FMC

[Jewell Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review❤️❤️❤️

100,000,000/10 absolutely great book❤️
Amazing FMC! I was hooked from the start😭❤️

[Danay Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good story. Lots of mythical characters. I liked the plot and ending. Would definitely recommend to others who enjoy this kind of book.

[Deana Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic journey with beautiful descriptions and wonderful character development. Loved the whole story, cannot wait for the next book!

[Macy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Adored all of the different magical creatures. Big fan of how the different houses were presented. Will most definitely be reading the next story in the series.

[Crystal Cutie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this Book!! Beautifully written, unique, and unforgettable. Highly recommend! This was the perfect addition to my fantasy collection and I am so excited for the next!!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written fantasy world. it's beautiful and wonderfully crafted. You will go on an adventure in this book no doubt.