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Pure Light: Shadows That Wait for Me
No name. No past. Only a key etched into her skin.
Amid a storm-torn forest, a girl opens her eyes to a world she doesn't remember. As the shadows press in, a playful orb of light she calls Diamond guides her to safety as if it has always belonged at her side. When asked her name, she chooses her Gem.
After discovering a nearby village, a ruthless cult descends upon them, sending a familiar magic flickering through Gem's veins. It saves lives, but it's more frightening than comforting. A key-shaped mark seared into her palm pulses with a strange hunger, hinting at forbidden rituals that would go against her very nature.
Alongside Diamond and Nyla, a sharp but grief-stricken magic-born, Gem sets out for the capital in search of answers, allies, and Nyla's father. But the deeper they journey, the stronger the mark's pull grows, and what she finds may shatter more than her past.
The truth is waiting for her. And it knows her real name.
This immersive young adult fantasy blends the sweeping scope of you've come to expect in fantasy with the intimacy of a character-driven coming-of-age tale. Laced with mystery, eclipsed by dark magic, and anchored in fragile but faithful bonds, it follows a reluctant heroine who never asked for power yet cannot escape it. Both haunting and hopeful, the Pure Light trilogy explores what it means to claim your own name, forge unlikely friendships, and find belonging in a world fractured by zealotry and war. Perfect for readers who love atmospheric occult fantasy, slow-burn tension, and found family, this is a deeply human quest for identity, memory, and the courage to face the truth when even your own past is a mystery.
Amid a storm-torn forest, a girl opens her eyes to a world she doesn't remember. As the shadows press in, a playful orb of light she calls Diamond guides her to safety as if it has always belonged at her side. When asked her name, she chooses her Gem.
After discovering a nearby village, a ruthless cult descends upon them, sending a familiar magic flickering through Gem's veins. It saves lives, but it's more frightening than comforting. A key-shaped mark seared into her palm pulses with a strange hunger, hinting at forbidden rituals that would go against her very nature.
Alongside Diamond and Nyla, a sharp but grief-stricken magic-born, Gem sets out for the capital in search of answers, allies, and Nyla's father. But the deeper they journey, the stronger the mark's pull grows, and what she finds may shatter more than her past.
The truth is waiting for her. And it knows her real name.
This immersive young adult fantasy blends the sweeping scope of you've come to expect in fantasy with the intimacy of a character-driven coming-of-age tale. Laced with mystery, eclipsed by dark magic, and anchored in fragile but faithful bonds, it follows a reluctant heroine who never asked for power yet cannot escape it. Both haunting and hopeful, the Pure Light trilogy explores what it means to claim your own name, forge unlikely friendships, and find belonging in a world fractured by zealotry and war. Perfect for readers who love atmospheric occult fantasy, slow-burn tension, and found family, this is a deeply human quest for identity, memory, and the courage to face the truth when even your own past is a mystery.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Acker
1 bookNicholas is a fantasy author whose work blends emotional storytelling with vivid worldbuilding and layered characters. His debut trilogy, Pure Light, follows a young woman searching for identity amid ancient magic and unraveling truths. When he isn’t writing, Nicholas enjoys gaming, visiting theme parks, watching movies, and exploring Greek mythology. He’s also an animal lover and a huge college football fan.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 10, 2025
Book Review: Pure Light: Shadows That Wait for Me by Nicholas Acker
Pure Light: Shadows That Wait for Me is a beautifully written and atmospheric fantasy that blends mystery, magic, and emotion into a gripping coming-of-age tale. Gem, a girl with no memory and a key-shaped mark on her palm, awakens in a strange world where light and darkness wage a quiet war. Guided by a glowing orb named Diamond and joined by the fierce Nyla, she sets out to uncover who she truly is — and what her power means.
Nicholas Acker crafts a world that feels both haunting and hopeful, filled with lyrical prose, rich lore, and deeply human characters. It’s a story about identity, belonging, and the courage to face the truth, even when it terrifies you.
Pure Light: Shadows That Wait for Me is a beautifully written and atmospheric fantasy that blends mystery, magic, and emotion into a gripping coming-of-age tale. Gem, a girl with no memory and a key-shaped mark on her palm, awakens in a strange world where light and darkness wage a quiet war. Guided by a glowing orb named Diamond and joined by the fierce Nyla, she sets out to uncover who she truly is — and what her power means.
Nicholas Acker crafts a world that feels both haunting and hopeful, filled with lyrical prose, rich lore, and deeply human characters. It’s a story about identity, belonging, and the courage to face the truth, even when it terrifies you.
November 9, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! The characters feel so real and easy to root for — like you’re tagging along with old friends on an epic adventure. The writing is super easy to get into but still totally pulls you in. It’s fast-paced, fun, and full of heart. If you want a fantasy story that’s engaging without being heavy or complicated, this one’s a total win.
November 9, 2025
Not too bad considering I wrote it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews