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Eidolon's Light: a Japanese-inspired epic fantasy
The past is a wound. And now it's bleeding into the present.
A cataclysm sweeps across the land of Kiriku, ripping chasms into the earth and tearing villages asunder. From the depths of these wounds, a wave of yurei—vengeful spirits of the dead—emerge. Yet this plague of spirits is only a prelude to a greater horror. A presence long-buried is poised to break free.
As a vital alliance threatens to shatter and the land dies, the Phantoms are plunged into a desperate struggle. Kilo, driven by a deeper truth, turns his attention to the void, certain the past is the key to save the future. Meanwhile, Asdar and the rest of the Shadows struggle to hold the line against the yurei and the Silver Foxes as the world crumbles around them.
In the fourth installment of The Shadow's Creed Saga, the deepest mysteries of the void are finally revealed. As the truth comes to light, the line between ally and enemy blurs. To save their world, the Shadows must make a final, impossible sacrifice—one that will decide the fate of the very people they are trying to protect.
A cataclysm sweeps across the land of Kiriku, ripping chasms into the earth and tearing villages asunder. From the depths of these wounds, a wave of yurei—vengeful spirits of the dead—emerge. Yet this plague of spirits is only a prelude to a greater horror. A presence long-buried is poised to break free.
As a vital alliance threatens to shatter and the land dies, the Phantoms are plunged into a desperate struggle. Kilo, driven by a deeper truth, turns his attention to the void, certain the past is the key to save the future. Meanwhile, Asdar and the rest of the Shadows struggle to hold the line against the yurei and the Silver Foxes as the world crumbles around them.
In the fourth installment of The Shadow's Creed Saga, the deepest mysteries of the void are finally revealed. As the truth comes to light, the line between ally and enemy blurs. To save their world, the Shadows must make a final, impossible sacrifice—one that will decide the fate of the very people they are trying to protect.
778 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2026
2 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Noelle Nichols
10 books67 followersNoelle Nichols is an author, artist, and dreamer who channels her passion for writing to find hope in the world. Her stories are focus on the bonds between people and their world, her works speak of human nature and honor in relation to what it means to be a good person.
Owing to her fascination with the choices people make, Noelle’s characters straddle the line between right and wrong. While she appreciates the heroes depicted in literature, she prefers exploring the depths of characters who inevitably fail, focusing on moments of change and the perseverance and growth that follows. Inspired by her own thoughts and Eastern philosophy, Noelle weaves together difficult situations with down-to-earth characters in order to invite readers to question the world around them.
When she’s not writing, Noelle is out hiking and enjoying the fresh scent of pine trees in the forests of Montana with her three border collies and her husband. She enjoys illustrating her stories and characters and loves to learn new skills such as playing the shamisen and, more recently, kumiko, a delicate Japanese woodworking technique of arranging pieces without nails.
Owing to her fascination with the choices people make, Noelle’s characters straddle the line between right and wrong. While she appreciates the heroes depicted in literature, she prefers exploring the depths of characters who inevitably fail, focusing on moments of change and the perseverance and growth that follows. Inspired by her own thoughts and Eastern philosophy, Noelle weaves together difficult situations with down-to-earth characters in order to invite readers to question the world around them.
When she’s not writing, Noelle is out hiking and enjoying the fresh scent of pine trees in the forests of Montana with her three border collies and her husband. She enjoys illustrating her stories and characters and loves to learn new skills such as playing the shamisen and, more recently, kumiko, a delicate Japanese woodworking technique of arranging pieces without nails.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 13, 2026
Warm, thoughtful, powerful in its quiet yet bold strength are just a few words I can use to describe this book and series as a whole.
This is an over 700 page brick but never once are the pages wasted with filler or the words not carefully crafted to convey the drama and power of these characters and their world with probably one of the most terrifying questions you could ever ask: what if everything you love is dying? What would you do? And can you live with your choices and choose hope in spite of it all?
There’s no easy answer and each character struggles with these questions and come at them from different perspectives and while I love all the depth and nuance to this conversation, I did get a little frustrated (okay, a lot but I’m trying to be nice) with Shenrae. And the way she treated Akio at the end was so NOT right it was painful and she better grovel to him at some point because, man, he did NOT deserve that. Kilo remains my favorite and I love that we got Asdar’s POV this time! (at least I don’t think he had one in Eidolon’s Honor…? I could be wrong though, lol)
The nature descriptions and scenes along with the connection the characters feel with the land were as beautiful as always, the fight scenes incredible when they happen. And as always with reading Noelle’s books, I felt warm and peaceful like she was inviting me to sit down and just BE despite all the drama, pain, and uncertainty playing out, and I love that so deeply about her stories.
Though if you’re like me and it’s been a hot minute since you’ve read the series, I would recommend going back to book three, Eidolon’s Honor, and rereading the last couple of chapters or so, as this one starts exactly where EH left off and I found the refresh to be super helpful in reminding me what was going on, plus helping me sink back into this world and characters faster.
A deeply moving and thoughtful story wrapped in sunlight and a stunning cover—I’m definitely looking forward to the next book!
‼️Content‼️
Language: damned
Violence: injuries and blood (not detailed); fighting with weapons, magic, and hand to hand (not detailed); characters are struck by lightning; many burned villages with skeletons and bodies inside and outside buildings (not detailed); several scenes of battlefields and dead bodies (not detailed); a mythical creature attacks characters; a character is stabbed in the back (not detailed)
Sexual: a kiss (not detailed)
Drug/Alcohol: characters drink sake
Other: magic; magical abilities; PTSD; characters talk to spirits/people in a spirit like realm; death and grief; a magical/spiritual realm and creatures; the land is decaying/dying
****Note: I received a free copy of the book from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are most assuredly my own and I wasn’t required to write a positive review. If I was, I wouldn’t have read it. 😜****
This is an over 700 page brick but never once are the pages wasted with filler or the words not carefully crafted to convey the drama and power of these characters and their world with probably one of the most terrifying questions you could ever ask: what if everything you love is dying? What would you do? And can you live with your choices and choose hope in spite of it all?
There’s no easy answer and each character struggles with these questions and come at them from different perspectives and while I love all the depth and nuance to this conversation, I did get a little frustrated (okay, a lot but I’m trying to be nice) with Shenrae. And the way she treated Akio at the end was so NOT right it was painful and she better grovel to him at some point because, man, he did NOT deserve that. Kilo remains my favorite and I love that we got Asdar’s POV this time! (at least I don’t think he had one in Eidolon’s Honor…? I could be wrong though, lol)
The nature descriptions and scenes along with the connection the characters feel with the land were as beautiful as always, the fight scenes incredible when they happen. And as always with reading Noelle’s books, I felt warm and peaceful like she was inviting me to sit down and just BE despite all the drama, pain, and uncertainty playing out, and I love that so deeply about her stories.
Though if you’re like me and it’s been a hot minute since you’ve read the series, I would recommend going back to book three, Eidolon’s Honor, and rereading the last couple of chapters or so, as this one starts exactly where EH left off and I found the refresh to be super helpful in reminding me what was going on, plus helping me sink back into this world and characters faster.
A deeply moving and thoughtful story wrapped in sunlight and a stunning cover—I’m definitely looking forward to the next book!
‼️Content‼️
Language: damned
Violence: injuries and blood (not detailed); fighting with weapons, magic, and hand to hand (not detailed); characters are struck by lightning; many burned villages with skeletons and bodies inside and outside buildings (not detailed); several scenes of battlefields and dead bodies (not detailed); a mythical creature attacks characters; a character is stabbed in the back (not detailed)
Sexual: a kiss (not detailed)
Drug/Alcohol: characters drink sake
Other: magic; magical abilities; PTSD; characters talk to spirits/people in a spirit like realm; death and grief; a magical/spiritual realm and creatures; the land is decaying/dying
****Note: I received a free copy of the book from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are most assuredly my own and I wasn’t required to write a positive review. If I was, I wouldn’t have read it. 😜****
January 11, 2026
So I'm not too familiar with the "cozy fantasy" genre, but as I was reading Eidolon's Light, I had a thought: this feels like it could be cozy fantasy.
Yes, the fate of the world is at stake. Yes, there are a few sword battles. Yes, there is sorrow and death and struggles. But the pacing of this book is slow and gentle, nonetheless. Characters meet strangers on the road and sit and have tea with them. Characters bent on revenge are given a hand and invited to safety. Time is spent grieving lost ones and preparing for the battles to come.
I've come to greatly appreciate the Shadow's Creed Saga. It moves at it's own pace, telling the story as it needs to be told. Could it be more gripping? Maybe. Are there too many characters to keep track of? Maybe. And yet this book takes you by the hand and pulls you into the story, right into the emotions of the characters themselves. You fall in love with each and every one of them as you join them in their struggles and joys.
Eidolon's Light also hit very close to home. A few days after the new year, I found an almost-dead puppy dumped at a local trailhead. Despite the attempt to save him, the poor thing didn't make it. Part of the Shadow's Creed (one often repeated in this book) ran through my head constantly: A Shadow does what he is capable of; no more can be asked of him. It was a comfort as I struggled with sorrow and acceptance over losing the puppy despite the efforts made.
I would not pick up this book and read it without having read the previous books. But it is such a worthy continuation of the series! I've come to love Kilo and Hitori and Shenrae and Syrane and Akio and Asdar and all the rest of the Shadows. Personally, I think this would make a great Anime or live-action series. (Can someone please make this happen??)
Anyways, just a review for a series that I highly recommend and love! I did receive a free ARC in exchange for my honest review, but I had a feeling I was going to like it, heh heh.
Yes, the fate of the world is at stake. Yes, there are a few sword battles. Yes, there is sorrow and death and struggles. But the pacing of this book is slow and gentle, nonetheless. Characters meet strangers on the road and sit and have tea with them. Characters bent on revenge are given a hand and invited to safety. Time is spent grieving lost ones and preparing for the battles to come.
I've come to greatly appreciate the Shadow's Creed Saga. It moves at it's own pace, telling the story as it needs to be told. Could it be more gripping? Maybe. Are there too many characters to keep track of? Maybe. And yet this book takes you by the hand and pulls you into the story, right into the emotions of the characters themselves. You fall in love with each and every one of them as you join them in their struggles and joys.
Eidolon's Light also hit very close to home. A few days after the new year, I found an almost-dead puppy dumped at a local trailhead. Despite the attempt to save him, the poor thing didn't make it. Part of the Shadow's Creed (one often repeated in this book) ran through my head constantly: A Shadow does what he is capable of; no more can be asked of him. It was a comfort as I struggled with sorrow and acceptance over losing the puppy despite the efforts made.
I would not pick up this book and read it without having read the previous books. But it is such a worthy continuation of the series! I've come to love Kilo and Hitori and Shenrae and Syrane and Akio and Asdar and all the rest of the Shadows. Personally, I think this would make a great Anime or live-action series. (Can someone please make this happen??)
Anyways, just a review for a series that I highly recommend and love! I did receive a free ARC in exchange for my honest review, but I had a feeling I was going to like it, heh heh.
January 31, 2026
Eidolon's Light
Author: Noelle Nichols
Rating: 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"If there is ever a time when you're uncertain what you must do, choose kindness."
💭
Oh, how I've missed this series.
While the pacing was slower compared to the previous book, I think it was necessary for the character development and to depict the journey for each individual character. Some of my favorite moments were the reunions with people's loved ones in the void.
Asdar was one of my favorite characters this time around. I forgot how blunt he can be 😅 but to see him go from closed off to opening with Menma and openly bearing his grief for General Mirai with Shenrae was touching.
Kilo as a phantom and Eidolon is a full circle moment from where he started as a shadow. Kilo has become such a beacon of positivity that I think it began to frustrate those around him. I commend his choice to stick to the Shadows creed even when others turned against him.
I was so disappointed with Shenrae. From Akio to the brutal interaction with Kilo. My heart broke for both Kilo and Akio. I still have many questions I hope its no the last we see of the shadows.
Author: Noelle Nichols
Rating: 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"If there is ever a time when you're uncertain what you must do, choose kindness."
💭
Oh, how I've missed this series.
While the pacing was slower compared to the previous book, I think it was necessary for the character development and to depict the journey for each individual character. Some of my favorite moments were the reunions with people's loved ones in the void.
Asdar was one of my favorite characters this time around. I forgot how blunt he can be 😅 but to see him go from closed off to opening with Menma and openly bearing his grief for General Mirai with Shenrae was touching.
Kilo as a phantom and Eidolon is a full circle moment from where he started as a shadow. Kilo has become such a beacon of positivity that I think it began to frustrate those around him. I commend his choice to stick to the Shadows creed even when others turned against him.
I was so disappointed with Shenrae. From Akio to the brutal interaction with Kilo. My heart broke for both Kilo and Akio. I still have many questions I hope its no the last we see of the shadows.
January 1, 2026
I always love coming back to this world, it’s my favorite! I really enjoyed getting another character’s point of view, and finally reading Asdar’s side of the story has been my favorite part of this book. I’ve been wanting to know what he was thinking since book one!! The scenes with Shenrae and Syrane’s parents meant a lot to me, especially with both of my parents being gone. I’m forever hooked on this wonderful series. Thank you Noelle Nichols for creating such a beautiful story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2025
I think this is the first time I've written a review before I've actually finished but I simply had to say how good it is.
Solid characters you'll love. Storyline to die for. Sounds like a cliché but honestly it is a great story ( as is the series) but it can be read as a standalone.
Some of the quotes in the story are so true to life. I'm gushing here but it's a long book , hand on heart, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
In short, it's a magnificent piece of work.
You will kick yourself if you don't read it.
I can say honestly that ive read very few books that are this good.
Go for it.
Solid characters you'll love. Storyline to die for. Sounds like a cliché but honestly it is a great story ( as is the series) but it can be read as a standalone.
Some of the quotes in the story are so true to life. I'm gushing here but it's a long book , hand on heart, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
In short, it's a magnificent piece of work.
You will kick yourself if you don't read it.
I can say honestly that ive read very few books that are this good.
Go for it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews