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The Light Between Wounds
Not yet published
Expected 9 Feb 27In this dazzling urban romantasy, a chronically ill woman finds herself at the center of an ancient war between demons, angels, and the four horsemen of the apocalypse when her father’s murder leads to the discovery of her true heritage and hidden powers—a perfect read for fans of Cassandra Clare and A Discovery of Witches.
Lyraël has spent her life fighting a body that constantly betrays her. Living with a chronic illness that twists her joints and floods her days with pain, she survives by clinging to routine and the people she her restaurant job, her snarky best friend Hoshiko, her kind-hearted father Raphael, and her brooding boss Domenico, whose touch lingers long after he's left her side. But when her father is murdered by supernatural forces, Lyra learns that the world she’s known is only a veil—one that hides monsters, magic, and the truth about who she really is.
The power buried in her blood is ancient and catastrophic. It’s also the only thing standing between her and a fate worse than death. As her latent magic awakens in flashes of holy fire and unbearable light, both divine and demonic legions begin closing in. Hunted by celestial enforcers and infernal demons who want to use her as a vessel for the end of days, Lyra is forced to descend into the hidden supernatural world of succubi, soul markets, and secrets written in blood.
But even divine fire can’t cauterize the wounds of the heart. Torn between the demon she pines for and the truth her father died to protect, Lyra must confront the terrifying possibility that her body—forever her greatest weakness—may be the only thing holding the world together…or tearing it apart.
A grief stricken Lyraël, who is both vulnerable and vicious, must face down apocalyptic stakes while contending with the kind of love that burns as much as it heals.
Secret magic world
Shadow daddy
Angel and demons
Half-mortal girl / immortal demon
But Daddy I love him
Forbidden romance
Touch her and die
Chosen one (but hates it)
Found family
Lyraël has spent her life fighting a body that constantly betrays her. Living with a chronic illness that twists her joints and floods her days with pain, she survives by clinging to routine and the people she her restaurant job, her snarky best friend Hoshiko, her kind-hearted father Raphael, and her brooding boss Domenico, whose touch lingers long after he's left her side. But when her father is murdered by supernatural forces, Lyra learns that the world she’s known is only a veil—one that hides monsters, magic, and the truth about who she really is.
The power buried in her blood is ancient and catastrophic. It’s also the only thing standing between her and a fate worse than death. As her latent magic awakens in flashes of holy fire and unbearable light, both divine and demonic legions begin closing in. Hunted by celestial enforcers and infernal demons who want to use her as a vessel for the end of days, Lyra is forced to descend into the hidden supernatural world of succubi, soul markets, and secrets written in blood.
But even divine fire can’t cauterize the wounds of the heart. Torn between the demon she pines for and the truth her father died to protect, Lyra must confront the terrifying possibility that her body—forever her greatest weakness—may be the only thing holding the world together…or tearing it apart.
A grief stricken Lyraël, who is both vulnerable and vicious, must face down apocalyptic stakes while contending with the kind of love that burns as much as it heals.
Secret magic world
Shadow daddy
Angel and demons
Half-mortal girl / immortal demon
But Daddy I love him
Forbidden romance
Touch her and die
Chosen one (but hates it)
Found family
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 9, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 10, 2026
☆ 5 stars
The Light Between Wounds is the first instalment in the Relics of Ruin duology by author E.N. Haysch. This is the story that I never knew I needed until it was in my greedy hands with Urban Romantasy being one of my favourite settings to explore. There’s no denying that Haysch masterfully unfolds the expansive lore and supernatural elements in a way that feels immersive without being overwhelming or difficult to process. Angels, demons, the four horsemen of the apocalypse and the conspiracy that is set to unravel them all, wrapped up around a forbidden slow-burn romance that will leave you swooning for more? Yes please. The vivid imagery brought forth by the author’s enthralling prose helps to ignite the spark of the story that will leave you compelled with an unwillingness to put the book down. I really enjoyed the gap between pacing with an energetic beginning gradually slowing down towards a more tolerable pace that will make digesting all of the new information introduced much easier to process. The Light Between Wounds is a story about perseverance amidst agony. About a young woman that has been forced to endure within a world that demands that she fall and fails to rise. I’m truly in awe at how consumed I have become by the introduction to this world and cannot wait to see what more is yet to come.
Lyraël ‘Lyra’ Kincaid is a phenomenal character to exist within the narrative of this story as it continues to unfold. Being within her mind felt interactive in the way that we, as the reader, are learning information and lore right alongside her as her emotions match our own. Her shock, anger, devastation and determination manifest at the exact same time as it does for us which makes it even easier to connect to her compelling journey from beginning to end. Lyra’s experience with her chronic illness and pain felt visceral to experience and I truly believe that I have ended this book with a much greater understanding on what it means to exist in a world that hesitates to accommodate for those in need of additional support. Every moment of her existence is circulated around the prediction of her pain and how she much more she will be forced to endure. I really appreciated the continuous recognition that no singular day will be ever the same as her body demands her attention in the way that her limitations and strengths can vary. How one day simply falling asleep on a sofa can find her waking up in an overwhelming and debilitating amount of pain, and then on another she’s able to train in self-defence as the pain she is experiencing is one that is more familiar to navigate. Living with chronic pain is not a linear experience and I truly appreciated that Lyra’s capacity strength being non-negotiable doesn’t erase the recognition that she still chooses to wake up every day and fight against the body that is supposed to be her greatest support. It broke my heart to recognise how deeply Lyra viewed her body as a betrayal and the reality that she still has to live her life as normally as possible regardless. I loved getting to see her slowly grow into her own power with the support of the people around her and the acceptance that she gains in how swiftly her life has changed. Lyra endures a lot throughout this book and I had the best time getting to witness her journey processing everything that happens… and there’s no denying that the ending has left me feeling anxious about what will happen next in her story throughout the sequel.
I really enjoyed the ‘found family’ elements throughout The Light Between Wounds as we get to witness Lyra solidify old bonds alongside forging new ones. There’s no denying that my favourite side character is the wonderful Hoshi. Their unwavering loyalty and belief in Lyra was a relief to witness and it’s unsurprising that their witty narrative left me grinning time and again. I’m a little nervous for their fate in the next book… so if you need me I’ll be silently begging that they won’t be the token sacrifice with the intent to pack an emotional punch. Meg is a total badass that I’m excited to hopefully see more of as Lyra clearly regards her with respect and admiration. I can see her playing a more focal role in Lyra’s training and journey with what comes next, so I’m hoping that we get a but more of her throughout the sequel. The most surprisingly development for me was how quickly our sneaky vampire bounty hunter, Halloran, won me over. Introduced as an antagonist and quickly developed into a tentative ally… I find myself deeply curious about his character and where his true motives (and loyalties) lie.
Domenico ‘Dom’ Valeras stood out to me from the very moment he was introduced with his dark and mysterious persona immediately contrasting with his capacity for softness. It’s clear that he is fuelled by deeply protective instincts for the small number of people that he cares for and I really enjoyed the moments where he embraced his own darkness as a result. I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface of his character and find myself hoping to delve deeper into the complexities of his family bonds and who he was prior to be cast out from his home. I adored his interactions with Lyra and the way he never once made her feel like a burden or a problem needing to be solved. Dom knows exactly who she is and I love nothing more than the revealed truth that a man has been pining for far longer than we see. His bond with Meg and Hoshi were an additional highlight to see unfold on-page, and I look forward to the uncertainly to be found in what will come next for his character in response to the last time we see him throughout this book.
The Light Between Wounds was an addictive experience from beginning to end and there’s no denying I’m about to entire the early stages of mourning in recognition of the long wait it will be for book two. This story has everything you could honestly hope for within an entertaining time that is bound to leave you both captivated and gasping for air by the end. My mind was whirring in the best possible way and I cannot even begin to fathom what could possibly come next in the much anticipated sequel. I’m excited that the author has already revealed the title for the second and final instalment in the Relics of Ruin duology, The Dark Between Scars, so if you need me I’m going to be staring at my wall until 2028 in my eagerness for more.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
The Light Between Wounds is the first instalment in the Relics of Ruin duology by author E.N. Haysch. This is the story that I never knew I needed until it was in my greedy hands with Urban Romantasy being one of my favourite settings to explore. There’s no denying that Haysch masterfully unfolds the expansive lore and supernatural elements in a way that feels immersive without being overwhelming or difficult to process. Angels, demons, the four horsemen of the apocalypse and the conspiracy that is set to unravel them all, wrapped up around a forbidden slow-burn romance that will leave you swooning for more? Yes please. The vivid imagery brought forth by the author’s enthralling prose helps to ignite the spark of the story that will leave you compelled with an unwillingness to put the book down. I really enjoyed the gap between pacing with an energetic beginning gradually slowing down towards a more tolerable pace that will make digesting all of the new information introduced much easier to process. The Light Between Wounds is a story about perseverance amidst agony. About a young woman that has been forced to endure within a world that demands that she fall and fails to rise. I’m truly in awe at how consumed I have become by the introduction to this world and cannot wait to see what more is yet to come.
Lyraël ‘Lyra’ Kincaid is a phenomenal character to exist within the narrative of this story as it continues to unfold. Being within her mind felt interactive in the way that we, as the reader, are learning information and lore right alongside her as her emotions match our own. Her shock, anger, devastation and determination manifest at the exact same time as it does for us which makes it even easier to connect to her compelling journey from beginning to end. Lyra’s experience with her chronic illness and pain felt visceral to experience and I truly believe that I have ended this book with a much greater understanding on what it means to exist in a world that hesitates to accommodate for those in need of additional support. Every moment of her existence is circulated around the prediction of her pain and how she much more she will be forced to endure. I really appreciated the continuous recognition that no singular day will be ever the same as her body demands her attention in the way that her limitations and strengths can vary. How one day simply falling asleep on a sofa can find her waking up in an overwhelming and debilitating amount of pain, and then on another she’s able to train in self-defence as the pain she is experiencing is one that is more familiar to navigate. Living with chronic pain is not a linear experience and I truly appreciated that Lyra’s capacity strength being non-negotiable doesn’t erase the recognition that she still chooses to wake up every day and fight against the body that is supposed to be her greatest support. It broke my heart to recognise how deeply Lyra viewed her body as a betrayal and the reality that she still has to live her life as normally as possible regardless. I loved getting to see her slowly grow into her own power with the support of the people around her and the acceptance that she gains in how swiftly her life has changed. Lyra endures a lot throughout this book and I had the best time getting to witness her journey processing everything that happens… and there’s no denying that the ending has left me feeling anxious about what will happen next in her story throughout the sequel.
I really enjoyed the ‘found family’ elements throughout The Light Between Wounds as we get to witness Lyra solidify old bonds alongside forging new ones. There’s no denying that my favourite side character is the wonderful Hoshi. Their unwavering loyalty and belief in Lyra was a relief to witness and it’s unsurprising that their witty narrative left me grinning time and again. I’m a little nervous for their fate in the next book… so if you need me I’ll be silently begging that they won’t be the token sacrifice with the intent to pack an emotional punch. Meg is a total badass that I’m excited to hopefully see more of as Lyra clearly regards her with respect and admiration. I can see her playing a more focal role in Lyra’s training and journey with what comes next, so I’m hoping that we get a but more of her throughout the sequel. The most surprisingly development for me was how quickly our sneaky vampire bounty hunter, Halloran, won me over. Introduced as an antagonist and quickly developed into a tentative ally… I find myself deeply curious about his character and where his true motives (and loyalties) lie.
Domenico ‘Dom’ Valeras stood out to me from the very moment he was introduced with his dark and mysterious persona immediately contrasting with his capacity for softness. It’s clear that he is fuelled by deeply protective instincts for the small number of people that he cares for and I really enjoyed the moments where he embraced his own darkness as a result. I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface of his character and find myself hoping to delve deeper into the complexities of his family bonds and who he was prior to be cast out from his home. I adored his interactions with Lyra and the way he never once made her feel like a burden or a problem needing to be solved. Dom knows exactly who she is and I love nothing more than the revealed truth that a man has been pining for far longer than we see. His bond with Meg and Hoshi were an additional highlight to see unfold on-page, and I look forward to the uncertainly to be found in what will come next for his character in response to the last time we see him throughout this book.
The Light Between Wounds was an addictive experience from beginning to end and there’s no denying I’m about to entire the early stages of mourning in recognition of the long wait it will be for book two. This story has everything you could honestly hope for within an entertaining time that is bound to leave you both captivated and gasping for air by the end. My mind was whirring in the best possible way and I cannot even begin to fathom what could possibly come next in the much anticipated sequel. I’m excited that the author has already revealed the title for the second and final instalment in the Relics of Ruin duology, The Dark Between Scars, so if you need me I’m going to be staring at my wall until 2028 in my eagerness for more.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
September 13, 2026
Very lucky to receive an e-ARC of this title releasing Feb 2027.
A story set in a world with angels, demons and everything else in between. Throw in the four horsemen of the apocalypse and it creates this rich and immersive world that feels a little gritty and darker than reality. You have an FMC with chronic pain and illness representation, who is fragile but fierce. A cast of secondary characters who bring depth and humour to the story. And an MMC who's the perfect "hot broody boss" aesthetic.
I enjoyed this one a lot, I won't do the typical blurb since it's still far from publication, but makes me think a bit of Mortal instruments, the shadows that listen and half city kind of vibes - so if those are your kind of books - this will be for you.
Only con for me, is I'm a simple girl - and sometimes in an effort to show a world like this, I feel like authors can get stuck in the whole "throwing in everything but the kitchen sink" - so to me adding in all the creatures you could ever think of, doesn't overly add to the story. Angels and demons would have done it for me.
A story set in a world with angels, demons and everything else in between. Throw in the four horsemen of the apocalypse and it creates this rich and immersive world that feels a little gritty and darker than reality. You have an FMC with chronic pain and illness representation, who is fragile but fierce. A cast of secondary characters who bring depth and humour to the story. And an MMC who's the perfect "hot broody boss" aesthetic.
I enjoyed this one a lot, I won't do the typical blurb since it's still far from publication, but makes me think a bit of Mortal instruments, the shadows that listen and half city kind of vibes - so if those are your kind of books - this will be for you.
Only con for me, is I'm a simple girl - and sometimes in an effort to show a world like this, I feel like authors can get stuck in the whole "throwing in everything but the kitchen sink" - so to me adding in all the creatures you could ever think of, doesn't overly add to the story. Angels and demons would have done it for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a disappointing read, primarily due to the writing style, and it’s upsetting because I was truly excited to read this! I’m chronically ill and I was very interested when I heard the main character of this book was chronically ill. I do appreciate the way it was depicted, there was no sort of internalised ableism that the protagonist was experiencing, and there was a journey of acceptance to the flaws of her body towards the end. Amongst my qualms I really appreciate this especially when so many books with chronic illness representation sort of demonise the condition, and while it can be debilitating, it’s important to remember that our bodies are doing what they can to protect us. This was addressed in the book and I think that’s really important.
In talk of the writing style, I found it came across as quite generic and repetitive. There were a few sentence structures that popped up often and made it hard for me to read, taking me out of the overall story. It grew annoying and made it hard for me to finish the book.
I did like the bisexuality of the main character. Although it was brief, it was a welcome form of subtle representation. The main love interest in this book is a man, just to clarify to avoid confusion.
I would have liked to see more depth in Hoshi’s personality, and Meg’s to an extent. I do understand the two were side characters but they had a lot of potential and I enjoyed their concepts, especially Hoshi’s. Perhaps that will be elaborated on in the sequel but I’m unsure if I care enough for the overall story to read it. The ending felt abrupt, but perhaps that was just me.
In short, I really wanted to like this book but it fell flat and rubbed wrong in different areas that I failed to enjoy it like I hoped I would. It sits at 2.5 stars.
In talk of the writing style, I found it came across as quite generic and repetitive. There were a few sentence structures that popped up often and made it hard for me to read, taking me out of the overall story. It grew annoying and made it hard for me to finish the book.
I did like the bisexuality of the main character. Although it was brief, it was a welcome form of subtle representation. The main love interest in this book is a man, just to clarify to avoid confusion.
I would have liked to see more depth in Hoshi’s personality, and Meg’s to an extent. I do understand the two were side characters but they had a lot of potential and I enjoyed their concepts, especially Hoshi’s. Perhaps that will be elaborated on in the sequel but I’m unsure if I care enough for the overall story to read it. The ending felt abrupt, but perhaps that was just me.
In short, I really wanted to like this book but it fell flat and rubbed wrong in different areas that I failed to enjoy it like I hoped I would. It sits at 2.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC*
WOWWWWW! This was so freaking good!!!. An urban fantasy packed with angels, demons, vampires, hellhounds and the four horseman of the apocalpyse! Lyra deals with chronic pan that has caused a lot of challenges throughout her life, and when her father is murdered, the truth about who she really is begins to unravel, changing her life forever. I loved her character so much, and watching her navigate betrayals and grow into her powers was so great to read! The found family dynamic with Hoshi, Meg, and Domenico was one of my favorite parts of the book! Everyone need a best friend like Hoshi, who would always be there for you! Domenico was so protective of Lyra, willing to do anything for her!! That cliffhanger was wild and I NEED the next book right now!
WOWWWWW! This was so freaking good!!!. An urban fantasy packed with angels, demons, vampires, hellhounds and the four horseman of the apocalpyse! Lyra deals with chronic pan that has caused a lot of challenges throughout her life, and when her father is murdered, the truth about who she really is begins to unravel, changing her life forever. I loved her character so much, and watching her navigate betrayals and grow into her powers was so great to read! The found family dynamic with Hoshi, Meg, and Domenico was one of my favorite parts of the book! Everyone need a best friend like Hoshi, who would always be there for you! Domenico was so protective of Lyra, willing to do anything for her!! That cliffhanger was wild and I NEED the next book right now!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so incredibly much to Avon & HarperCollins for the eARC of this book as well as the physical galley I was lucky enough to be gifted at ReaderFest!
I cannot properly convey exactly how much I loved this book. Once again Erynne has written an absolutely fantastic book, filled with beautifully lyrical and lush writing that is also raw and edged with pain and suffering and grief. It tells the story of our FMC, Lyra, who, like me and like Erynne, suffers every day from a chronic condition, which is intricately woven throughout the plot rather than being an aside. I love how intrinsically linked Lyra's chronic condition is to her hidden power and the story at large, and I found myself resonating with this story so much as a result, especially when Lyra's chronic condition was portrayed similar to my own. I completely emphasize with the feeling that everyone around you is running at full speed and you are just struggling to keep up, because your body just can't function at the same level as theirs. The constant aches and pains, the frustration of pulling a muscle from some innocuous movement, the exhaustion that just never seems to end no matter how much sleep you get (or, not being able to sleep because your whole body just *aches* far too much).
On top of all that, you've got a hidden magical world set within New York City, an unwavering best friend in the form of Hoshi who adds plenty of humor and delightful banter at just the right moments, a healthy dose of feminine rage (but maybe less feminine and more chronic conditions).... oh and a *literal shadow daddy* as Lyra's love interest, Domenico.
The romance within this story is completely swoon-worthy. You start off with SO MUCH YEARNING between Lyra and Dom, which develops into something deliciously steamy as the story goes on. Oh and his absolute acceptance of Lyra without stipulations or compromise? ABSOLUTELY HERE FOR IT.
The story itself was incredibly well done, mixing in bits and pieces of myth and lore and legend into this modern day tale where the fate of the world rests within Lyra's hands and what she chooses to do with this power she discovers after her world falls apart. And as Lyra learns to control her powers, she starts to uncover more and more about the past that was hidden from her, and the devastating implications that come with all of it.
The ending was 100% fuck around and find out mixed with what happens when you push a woman who is *done* with everyone's shit to her absolute limits, and I am already absolutely *feral* for the next book!!! I'm so happy that I am on Erynne's street team, because I am already yapping about this book left and right and y'all are not going to hear the end of it any time soon (sorry not sorry). 100% pick this book up, I promise you will not regret it.
I cannot properly convey exactly how much I loved this book. Once again Erynne has written an absolutely fantastic book, filled with beautifully lyrical and lush writing that is also raw and edged with pain and suffering and grief. It tells the story of our FMC, Lyra, who, like me and like Erynne, suffers every day from a chronic condition, which is intricately woven throughout the plot rather than being an aside. I love how intrinsically linked Lyra's chronic condition is to her hidden power and the story at large, and I found myself resonating with this story so much as a result, especially when Lyra's chronic condition was portrayed similar to my own. I completely emphasize with the feeling that everyone around you is running at full speed and you are just struggling to keep up, because your body just can't function at the same level as theirs. The constant aches and pains, the frustration of pulling a muscle from some innocuous movement, the exhaustion that just never seems to end no matter how much sleep you get (or, not being able to sleep because your whole body just *aches* far too much).
On top of all that, you've got a hidden magical world set within New York City, an unwavering best friend in the form of Hoshi who adds plenty of humor and delightful banter at just the right moments, a healthy dose of feminine rage (but maybe less feminine and more chronic conditions).... oh and a *literal shadow daddy* as Lyra's love interest, Domenico.
The romance within this story is completely swoon-worthy. You start off with SO MUCH YEARNING between Lyra and Dom, which develops into something deliciously steamy as the story goes on. Oh and his absolute acceptance of Lyra without stipulations or compromise? ABSOLUTELY HERE FOR IT.
The story itself was incredibly well done, mixing in bits and pieces of myth and lore and legend into this modern day tale where the fate of the world rests within Lyra's hands and what she chooses to do with this power she discovers after her world falls apart. And as Lyra learns to control her powers, she starts to uncover more and more about the past that was hidden from her, and the devastating implications that come with all of it.
The ending was 100% fuck around and find out mixed with what happens when you push a woman who is *done* with everyone's shit to her absolute limits, and I am already absolutely *feral* for the next book!!! I'm so happy that I am on Erynne's street team, because I am already yapping about this book left and right and y'all are not going to hear the end of it any time soon (sorry not sorry). 100% pick this book up, I promise you will not regret it.
October 3, 2026
I absolutely loved this book and so hope the author has almost completed the next and hope it’s a series. The book lived in me when I wasn’t reading it and I felt my self being pulled into it. The books tells of a hidden world where there are demons, archangels and even vampires all set against a New York backdrop. At times I regretted reading it before I went to sleep, there were some torture scenes and for some the sex scenes might be a bit dark.
I really enjoyed the world building, at times I was a bit confused but I do think I will read it again and it will be clearer. I think this is definitely a world and an author that could sustain a long series although I would like this story resolved in the next book, probably because I want a happy ending.
The protagonist has a chronic pain condition, I am not going into more detail because of spoilers. She is definitely a relatable character for me and that having to work through and pretend your body is not malfunctioning to such a degree is something that I can’t remember reading before. It really made me feel seen and I wonder if it might help people who don’t have similar experiences feel more empathy towards people who do. I know they might feel it’s exaggerated but the number of times when I was younger when I woke up unconscious on the floor due to pain were just horrible.
I can see some criticism of the authors writing, I found it flowed well. Yes there were complexities at times, more so at the start which felt very dense but only lasted a chapter and having just read that chapter back make total sense. It might be worth just reading it through then returning as you go through the book. I always struggle with names that are not common names as I struggle to visualise what the people look like but I did get there in the end.
I think if you love a magical book set in New York, definitely not cozy cottage feeling, which a strong element of found family with adult themes this is such an amazing book. If you have a lived experience of a chronic pain or problem any chronic health condition I think this is a very validating book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.
I really enjoyed the world building, at times I was a bit confused but I do think I will read it again and it will be clearer. I think this is definitely a world and an author that could sustain a long series although I would like this story resolved in the next book, probably because I want a happy ending.
The protagonist has a chronic pain condition, I am not going into more detail because of spoilers. She is definitely a relatable character for me and that having to work through and pretend your body is not malfunctioning to such a degree is something that I can’t remember reading before. It really made me feel seen and I wonder if it might help people who don’t have similar experiences feel more empathy towards people who do. I know they might feel it’s exaggerated but the number of times when I was younger when I woke up unconscious on the floor due to pain were just horrible.
I can see some criticism of the authors writing, I found it flowed well. Yes there were complexities at times, more so at the start which felt very dense but only lasted a chapter and having just read that chapter back make total sense. It might be worth just reading it through then returning as you go through the book. I always struggle with names that are not common names as I struggle to visualise what the people look like but I did get there in the end.
I think if you love a magical book set in New York, definitely not cozy cottage feeling, which a strong element of found family with adult themes this is such an amazing book. If you have a lived experience of a chronic pain or problem any chronic health condition I think this is a very validating book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love a good world-building and E.N. did a great job with this in a war against angels and demons and we also have four horsemen of the apocalypse thrown in here that really shined in this story that made it more vivid in your head while reading. I was absolutely hooked!
The only thing that threw me off for a bit was the prologue in the beginning. I was honestly confused trying to grasp the info as it felt a bit info dumped for a prologue. I think it could have been fleshed out better, but still easy to read when you get deeper into the story.
Loved the details of getting to know where Lyra is from and how much hidden powers she has/discovers. We have a chronic illness rep in here which I enjoyed coming from Lyra as she may be in pain and fragile, but she was fierce and powerful in her own way even though she was set up for a life she had no clue about and didn’t want to feel chosen for this. She wanted a life of her own and it was incredible to see how she navigates through it all in this dark-gritty world.
“I’m just the sheath for something ancient and merciless, something that doesn’t care if it breaks me every time it decides to break free. I’m not the master of this power or even its wielder. I’m just the vessel.”
If you enjoy the movies like Underworld, Legion, Mortal Instruments and loved the books from Cassandra Clare, then this read is definitely for you as this is what it reminded me of while reading 🖤
Big thank you to Avon books, Harper Collin’s, and Netgalley for the early galley! ✨
The only thing that threw me off for a bit was the prologue in the beginning. I was honestly confused trying to grasp the info as it felt a bit info dumped for a prologue. I think it could have been fleshed out better, but still easy to read when you get deeper into the story.
Loved the details of getting to know where Lyra is from and how much hidden powers she has/discovers. We have a chronic illness rep in here which I enjoyed coming from Lyra as she may be in pain and fragile, but she was fierce and powerful in her own way even though she was set up for a life she had no clue about and didn’t want to feel chosen for this. She wanted a life of her own and it was incredible to see how she navigates through it all in this dark-gritty world.
“I’m just the sheath for something ancient and merciless, something that doesn’t care if it breaks me every time it decides to break free. I’m not the master of this power or even its wielder. I’m just the vessel.”
If you enjoy the movies like Underworld, Legion, Mortal Instruments and loved the books from Cassandra Clare, then this read is definitely for you as this is what it reminded me of while reading 🖤
Big thank you to Avon books, Harper Collin’s, and Netgalley for the early galley! ✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC copy from Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book and finished it quickly! I love a good angels and demons centered story about the end of the world. It was a unique twist on the four horsemen of the apocalypse and I delighted in the world building and lore in this world. I'm excited to see where book 2 takes us!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I wanted to like this book soo bad but I just cannot get into it. The concept drew me in immediately because I am chronically ill but I find myself having to reread sentences over and over again. The flow of writing feels more like I'm reading a history book, theres no flair to it, its like they are just spitting facts at you and will quiz you later type of feel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
At time of reading this book, I'm twenty-four years old. When I started this book, I felt like I was fourteen again, obsessing over the Shadowhunter series and wishing I was the chosen one, waiting for some ancient magic to awaken and I could be swept up in a fanatical world filled with creatures, magic and a bit of forbidden romance.
Reading this book made me so nostalgic, whilst it is adult and has explicit content, I just couldn't help but to compare it to Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments and Sarah J Maas' Crescent City. The urban fantasy aspects felt so alive and whimsical, and the world building blew me away, even the first chapter felt like the narration from the beginning of an epic movie.
As for the main character, Lyra, she was perfect. The chronic illness representation was so, so good, and I adored how she still conquered on despite flaring up or having a bad day- her illness doesn't just disappear because of the plot- and I loved that. As for the side characters, I just waited for their appearances. Especially Hoshi, they were one of my favourites and they were just so comedic, they always had a sassy comment and I was here for it.
Though I loved this book, there were a few things that I wasn't keen on. First of all was the romance. Domenico was considerate, brooding and protective, but I just didn't feel the chemistry between him and Lyra. Aside from them being shoved in the same situation, I didn't feel like there were a lot of meaningful moments or things in common between them.
Secondly, was the repetition of some dialogue, I understand the author wanted Lyra to be reassured and to show how chronic illness doesn't define a person, but the constant mention of it felt a bit overbearing, and often characters said the same things to her, but just in a different metaphor.
Lastly, I did think the pacing felt a bit slow about sixty percent in, things were happening but I felt like *nothing* was really happening? Regardless, the fantasy elements filled the gaps and it wasn't a massive gripe to me, I just felt my attention flicker a bit.
Overall, I can definitely see this book being popular, and I feel so lucky to have received an early copy. It was almost perfect, and I think anyone who had a 'classic YA' reading phase will certainly love this as an older entry into the world of urban fantasy!
At time of reading this book, I'm twenty-four years old. When I started this book, I felt like I was fourteen again, obsessing over the Shadowhunter series and wishing I was the chosen one, waiting for some ancient magic to awaken and I could be swept up in a fanatical world filled with creatures, magic and a bit of forbidden romance.
Reading this book made me so nostalgic, whilst it is adult and has explicit content, I just couldn't help but to compare it to Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments and Sarah J Maas' Crescent City. The urban fantasy aspects felt so alive and whimsical, and the world building blew me away, even the first chapter felt like the narration from the beginning of an epic movie.
As for the main character, Lyra, she was perfect. The chronic illness representation was so, so good, and I adored how she still conquered on despite flaring up or having a bad day- her illness doesn't just disappear because of the plot- and I loved that. As for the side characters, I just waited for their appearances. Especially Hoshi, they were one of my favourites and they were just so comedic, they always had a sassy comment and I was here for it.
Though I loved this book, there were a few things that I wasn't keen on. First of all was the romance. Domenico was considerate, brooding and protective, but I just didn't feel the chemistry between him and Lyra. Aside from them being shoved in the same situation, I didn't feel like there were a lot of meaningful moments or things in common between them.
Secondly, was the repetition of some dialogue, I understand the author wanted Lyra to be reassured and to show how chronic illness doesn't define a person, but the constant mention of it felt a bit overbearing, and often characters said the same things to her, but just in a different metaphor.
Lastly, I did think the pacing felt a bit slow about sixty percent in, things were happening but I felt like *nothing* was really happening? Regardless, the fantasy elements filled the gaps and it wasn't a massive gripe to me, I just felt my attention flicker a bit.
Overall, I can definitely see this book being popular, and I feel so lucky to have received an early copy. It was almost perfect, and I think anyone who had a 'classic YA' reading phase will certainly love this as an older entry into the world of urban fantasy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Angels vs demons? In New York City? Say less. 😂
I absolutely loved the urban paranormal/fantasy storyline in The Light Between Wounds. You will always have me sat when angels and demons are involved, and I really enjoyed the way the author built the lore and supernatural elements into a recognisable, modern-day NYC setting. It made everything feel incredibly easy to picture and gave the story such a fun atmosphere.
And can we talk about THAT prologue?! Because honestly, it might be one of the most beautifully written and detailed prologues I’ve ever read. I was immediately invested.
We follow Lyra, our FMC, who has a bit of a thing for her boss. But following a tragic incident, she discovers that pretty much everything she’s ever known about her life is not quite what it seems. From there, the story moves at a really good pace and I loved the fast-paced energy, the lore and the constant feeling that there was something bigger going on beneath the surface.
I also really appreciated the chronic illness representation. It was clear that Lyra’s chronic pain was intended to be an ongoing part of her lived experience, and I thought that was an interesting aspect of her character. At times, though, I did feel like it became such a constant theme that it made some of the physical aspects of the story harder for me to believe. There were moments where she was struggling with pain from something as simple as sleeping on a sofa, yet was also able to spar and fight, which felt a little inconsistent to me.
I also enjoyed the subtle queer/LGBTQ+ representation throughout the characters. 🫶🏾
One trope that didn’t quite work for me was friends/colleagues-to-lovers. I’m not usually the biggest fan of this trope anyway, because I think it really needs a strong, well-developed backstory between the characters for me to buy into the romance. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like their existing relationship was developed enough here to make the romantic progression hit as hard as it could have.
BUT… despite those little niggles, I had a really good time with this book. The world-building, supernatural lore and sheer pace kept me turning the pages, and that ending has absolutely convinced me that I’d pick up book two.
If you’re looking for Teen Wolf meets Supernatural with a sprinkling of Charmed, I think this could absolutely be your girl.
Angels vs demons? In New York City? Say less. 😂
I absolutely loved the urban paranormal/fantasy storyline in The Light Between Wounds. You will always have me sat when angels and demons are involved, and I really enjoyed the way the author built the lore and supernatural elements into a recognisable, modern-day NYC setting. It made everything feel incredibly easy to picture and gave the story such a fun atmosphere.
And can we talk about THAT prologue?! Because honestly, it might be one of the most beautifully written and detailed prologues I’ve ever read. I was immediately invested.
We follow Lyra, our FMC, who has a bit of a thing for her boss. But following a tragic incident, she discovers that pretty much everything she’s ever known about her life is not quite what it seems. From there, the story moves at a really good pace and I loved the fast-paced energy, the lore and the constant feeling that there was something bigger going on beneath the surface.
I also really appreciated the chronic illness representation. It was clear that Lyra’s chronic pain was intended to be an ongoing part of her lived experience, and I thought that was an interesting aspect of her character. At times, though, I did feel like it became such a constant theme that it made some of the physical aspects of the story harder for me to believe. There were moments where she was struggling with pain from something as simple as sleeping on a sofa, yet was also able to spar and fight, which felt a little inconsistent to me.
I also enjoyed the subtle queer/LGBTQ+ representation throughout the characters. 🫶🏾
One trope that didn’t quite work for me was friends/colleagues-to-lovers. I’m not usually the biggest fan of this trope anyway, because I think it really needs a strong, well-developed backstory between the characters for me to buy into the romance. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like their existing relationship was developed enough here to make the romantic progression hit as hard as it could have.
BUT… despite those little niggles, I had a really good time with this book. The world-building, supernatural lore and sheer pace kept me turning the pages, and that ending has absolutely convinced me that I’d pick up book two.
If you’re looking for Teen Wolf meets Supernatural with a sprinkling of Charmed, I think this could absolutely be your girl.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Light Between Wounds by E.N. Haysch is the first book in the Relics of Ruin duology, and wow, what a world the author built! We have angels, demons, the four horsemen of the apocalypse, and so many other creatures. I absolutely loved the worldbuilding. There was a lot to learn, but it never felt like too much information at once. Because Lyra is learning about this world right along with us, the worldbuilding unfolds naturally instead of feeling overwhelming. The prologue was captivating, and I was immediately hooked!
What stood out to me most was the beautiful way the author handled chronic illness and pain. Lyra is a testament to endurance and resilience. She’s thrust into a world she doesn’t understand, with powers she’s still learning how to navigate, but she already knows what it means to survive something she never asked for. Living with chronic pain has meant constantly adapting, and she carries that resilience with her as she steps into her power. She adapts, she survives, and she rises to meet what’s been thrust upon her.
“You think I don't know what it is to live inside pain...and I've survived every single day in spite of it. My Body has always been a cage, but it's mine.”
That passage really stayed with me. It also ties into her father’s words about not being able to outrun ruin, only choosing who you become when it finds you. Lyra doesn’t get to choose every circumstance she faces, but her choices still matter. There’s something powerful about watching her claim that agency when so much of her life has involved things beyond her control.
And then there’s Domenico. I loved that he doesn’t try to fix her. He meets her where she is. In turn, Lyra challenges him to embrace who he is and encourages him to let go. Their romance is a slow burn that feels fated, grounded, and earned.
I also really enjoyed the side characters, especially Hoshi! Their banter and personality made me laugh out loud several times, and I loved what they brought to the story.
Overall, I thought this was a fantastic urban fantasy with an immersive world, a forbidden slow-burn romance, and a powerful exploration of living with pain while still claiming your power and choosing your own path.
What stood out to me most was the beautiful way the author handled chronic illness and pain. Lyra is a testament to endurance and resilience. She’s thrust into a world she doesn’t understand, with powers she’s still learning how to navigate, but she already knows what it means to survive something she never asked for. Living with chronic pain has meant constantly adapting, and she carries that resilience with her as she steps into her power. She adapts, she survives, and she rises to meet what’s been thrust upon her.
“You think I don't know what it is to live inside pain...and I've survived every single day in spite of it. My Body has always been a cage, but it's mine.”
That passage really stayed with me. It also ties into her father’s words about not being able to outrun ruin, only choosing who you become when it finds you. Lyra doesn’t get to choose every circumstance she faces, but her choices still matter. There’s something powerful about watching her claim that agency when so much of her life has involved things beyond her control.
And then there’s Domenico. I loved that he doesn’t try to fix her. He meets her where she is. In turn, Lyra challenges him to embrace who he is and encourages him to let go. Their romance is a slow burn that feels fated, grounded, and earned.
I also really enjoyed the side characters, especially Hoshi! Their banter and personality made me laugh out loud several times, and I loved what they brought to the story.
Overall, I thought this was a fantastic urban fantasy with an immersive world, a forbidden slow-burn romance, and a powerful exploration of living with pain while still claiming your power and choosing your own path.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The prologue chapter is probably one of the most interesting origin/ lore stories I’ve ever read. I actually really appreciate the authors who start their series with something like this. Easily referenced and easily found, with very eloquent descriptions. While I prefer world building done through showing rather than telling, some elements are always just easier to know from the start and in this case, really helped me just be instantly immersed.
“…the irrational devotion that makes a human choose pain over power, sacrifice over certainty, one life over the fate of the entire world. They did not account for love.”
Reading this was like watching a CW show that got inspired by The mortal instruments but make it adult. It was a fun blast, super fast paced and with a ton of popular cliches that work because they are cliches. An exiled demon, a fury, a kitsune and a wanna be human walk into a bar.. what happens? Craziness and non stop action, chases, cartoon villains, just absurdity all around. This is an urban fantasy where we have angels, demons and everything in between. It’s a mixed pot of all myths, yet another nod to the mortal instruments in my head. Along with hidden powers/identity FMC, hidden powers/identity parent, it definitely took me back.
I did not love how the FMCs chronic illness was portrayed. Not because I found it hard to read, just that if Lyras body is suffering from sleeping on a couch or taking our trash, please tell me how she’s able to “train” spar with the love interest, doing full physical fighting where she gets knocked down constantly. It felt very inconsistent, one moment her pain was her main trait and the next moment it was brushed over. I understand the concept of flare ups and whatnot, but to me this portrayal didn’t come across.
The romance in itself was okay. It’s not my favorite trope and it was a bit too formulaic, but that’s just personal preference.
All in all I found The light between wounds a solid debut, more intended towards beginners in the genre based on how easily digestible and engaging it read.
“…the irrational devotion that makes a human choose pain over power, sacrifice over certainty, one life over the fate of the entire world. They did not account for love.”
Reading this was like watching a CW show that got inspired by The mortal instruments but make it adult. It was a fun blast, super fast paced and with a ton of popular cliches that work because they are cliches. An exiled demon, a fury, a kitsune and a wanna be human walk into a bar.. what happens? Craziness and non stop action, chases, cartoon villains, just absurdity all around. This is an urban fantasy where we have angels, demons and everything in between. It’s a mixed pot of all myths, yet another nod to the mortal instruments in my head. Along with hidden powers/identity FMC, hidden powers/identity parent, it definitely took me back.
I did not love how the FMCs chronic illness was portrayed. Not because I found it hard to read, just that if Lyras body is suffering from sleeping on a couch or taking our trash, please tell me how she’s able to “train” spar with the love interest, doing full physical fighting where she gets knocked down constantly. It felt very inconsistent, one moment her pain was her main trait and the next moment it was brushed over. I understand the concept of flare ups and whatnot, but to me this portrayal didn’t come across.
The romance in itself was okay. It’s not my favorite trope and it was a bit too formulaic, but that’s just personal preference.
All in all I found The light between wounds a solid debut, more intended towards beginners in the genre based on how easily digestible and engaging it read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review- all opinions are my own.
Beware- some spoilers ahead. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
This book was a really fun one for me. The premise was unusual enough that I wanted to check it out and I’m glad I did! Our fmc Lyra suffers from an unnamed chronic illness that causes her constant pain of varying levels. Our mmc is her boss Domenico. We also have a small ensemble of other cast including her best friend Hoshi, and a fun kick ass female character named Meg.
To start- this story isn’t very long and takes places over a relatively short period of time. The things I most enjoyed were the side characters, the general storyline was interesting , the writing was good quality, and the fmc has alot of potential and is generally likable. I also really like that the story felt inclusive with Hoshi being non-gendered, Lyra being bisexual, and allowing our fmc so be strong despite her chronic health condition.
What brings this down a star for me is that I feel like some parts of the writing felt a bit repetitive and overly descriptive. Like Lyra will have a thought about her pain and then spend 2 paragraphs comparing it to random things before moving on. I also felt like we don’t really get any background on Hoshi or Meg and I would have really liked to have seen more of what led them to being a part of their life. The main relationship between the fmc and mmc also seems rushed. In the first 20% of the story it seems like they don’t know each other at all? And then suddenly Domenico is willing to burn the world down for her?
All in all I definitely have some people I would recommend this to and I will read the next installment to see what happens next, but I hope to get a little bit of improvement in the buildup to the romance and characteristics of everyone.
Beware- some spoilers ahead. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
This book was a really fun one for me. The premise was unusual enough that I wanted to check it out and I’m glad I did! Our fmc Lyra suffers from an unnamed chronic illness that causes her constant pain of varying levels. Our mmc is her boss Domenico. We also have a small ensemble of other cast including her best friend Hoshi, and a fun kick ass female character named Meg.
To start- this story isn’t very long and takes places over a relatively short period of time. The things I most enjoyed were the side characters, the general storyline was interesting , the writing was good quality, and the fmc has alot of potential and is generally likable. I also really like that the story felt inclusive with Hoshi being non-gendered, Lyra being bisexual, and allowing our fmc so be strong despite her chronic health condition.
What brings this down a star for me is that I feel like some parts of the writing felt a bit repetitive and overly descriptive. Like Lyra will have a thought about her pain and then spend 2 paragraphs comparing it to random things before moving on. I also felt like we don’t really get any background on Hoshi or Meg and I would have really liked to have seen more of what led them to being a part of their life. The main relationship between the fmc and mmc also seems rushed. In the first 20% of the story it seems like they don’t know each other at all? And then suddenly Domenico is willing to burn the world down for her?
All in all I definitely have some people I would recommend this to and I will read the next installment to see what happens next, but I hope to get a little bit of improvement in the buildup to the romance and characteristics of everyone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book has ultimately blown my mind. At first, when I read the prologue, I thought it would be a situation where you were going to tell me a story instead of showing me. But I am glad I was wrong. From the beginning, you are transported into this world, similar in a sense to Shadow Hunters by Cassandra Clare. But it is still its own unique world and story. Lyra's pain and her ability to adjust herself to it and hide it from those around her are interesting concepts while the author at the same time does not allow her to be a damsel nor a complete god-like character. They really juggle the character in a way where you can see where Lyra has strengths and weaknesses. She doesn't grow in power overnight and starts being invincible. She goes through struggle, feelings of inferiority, and a knowledge of immense developing power. Her found family play an amazing role in her journey while also being clear defined individuals that you can visualize and identify with. Lyra deals with betrayal and a loss of identity. You go with her to rectify those issues and along the way you just know some painful choices are going to have to be made. You hope she makes the right choice but at the same time you hope doesn't. I fell in love with this book. I was needing a fantasy/romantasy that was not a carbon copy of other books out there. Yes there are similar themes that this books has to others but the skill of application is different and better. I can't wait for the next book I want the arc now.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The moment I saw blurb on author's Instagram I knew I am, simply speaking, DOOMED. And how right that feeling was, because this world completely sucked me in, refusing to let go. It's been too long since I read fantastic urban fantasy with angels, demons, rich lore and completely different take on cosmology.
The Light Between Wounds just hooks you from prologue where we get a "recap" on how universe got created. I consider it a very nice touch as first dip into lore that keeps coming back in later chapters. Personally I never felt overwhelmed (at least not more than Lyra) when some world building issues got explained which speaks a lot how well balanced dosage of information we got here.
In the middle of the story we have Lyra, but she isn't the only likeable (or hate-able) character that has very complex personality and backstory. Nothing feels flat and I can understand why some choices were picked as they resonate with character the most.
What I loved about FMC? That Lyra doesn't change overnight even when her life is turned upside down. Her illness isn't magically gone whenever plot required it, which made me even more appreciate the author for including chronically ill rep in The Light Between Wounds. Every decision, struggle and fight felt very real, making my heart ache for Lyra many moments.
Overall The Light Between Wounds is very solid urban fantasy with well developed cosmology! If I could, I would gave this book 6 stars.
Thank you E.N. Haysch, MoonFire and Netgalley for eARC for this book!
The Light Between Wounds just hooks you from prologue where we get a "recap" on how universe got created. I consider it a very nice touch as first dip into lore that keeps coming back in later chapters. Personally I never felt overwhelmed (at least not more than Lyra) when some world building issues got explained which speaks a lot how well balanced dosage of information we got here.
In the middle of the story we have Lyra, but she isn't the only likeable (or hate-able) character that has very complex personality and backstory. Nothing feels flat and I can understand why some choices were picked as they resonate with character the most.
What I loved about FMC? That Lyra doesn't change overnight even when her life is turned upside down. Her illness isn't magically gone whenever plot required it, which made me even more appreciate the author for including chronically ill rep in The Light Between Wounds. Every decision, struggle and fight felt very real, making my heart ache for Lyra many moments.
Overall The Light Between Wounds is very solid urban fantasy with well developed cosmology! If I could, I would gave this book 6 stars.
Thank you E.N. Haysch, MoonFire and Netgalley for eARC for this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Urban fantasy done so well! This was a great, fast paced read filled with action, lore, and a bit of romance. We have angels vs demons (among other species) set in NYC. Our FMC Lyra is slowly unraveling truths that have been hidden from her, while basically fighting for her life and exploring a new romance ~swoon~. The cast of side characters in this book should be studied for all other books - they were done SO well. There are no 'throw away' characters - everyone has a role to play and an impact on our FMC. I also loved that while we have a love interest, I'm not positive we really have an MMC at this point, maybe? Maybe not? I LOVED this. We are really focusing on Lyra in this book and navigating a LOT with her. There is romance, there is some (great) steam - but the focus was on her own journey. And it is worth mentioning that the reader gets a little more information that Lyra has via the prologue. I thought this was a REALLY great way to help the reader get up to speed with the world without having to learn EVERYTHING alongside the FMC. Really, really well done. And a shout-out for having an FMC with physical ailments that are actually an integral part of the story. Lyra is dealing with a LOT and her physical ailments plays a huge part in her story.
Overall, this was a really refreshing take on urban fantasy. I cannot wait to see where this story goes.
Overall, this was a really refreshing take on urban fantasy. I cannot wait to see where this story goes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thankyou Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc. Expect an honest, unbiased review from me, always.
A fresh, original take on yin and yang, the balance that creates the world and that corals chaos. A beautiful opening, poetic almost in its flow and philosophy. An interesting look at humanity's creation from a war in the cosmos. It's super original.
Major dinner I'd there were lots of spelling mistakes. Like missing letters; normally I can ignore that however it was way too many to ignore. The author also brings in the idea of gods and the way they use humans to further their wars. Mind you, this is all in the first chapter. It's meaty in the best way, not confusing, not a feeling of an onslaught of information, hits the sweet spot of storytelling. The wars created a perfect breeding place for the 4 horsemen. But in their duties they grew too powerful for the guardians, (the gods let's say), and so their essence was put into an object and scattered to become lost in some dark corner of the earth.
Female protagonist is thrown into the deep end after finding her dad and adopted brother injured badly and thus opens a whole new world to her that was previously hidden. I'm talking about angels, hell, kitsune, etc.
I really enjoyed it. Tye writing was fresh and flowed beautifully, had me hooked from the first page. Add it to your tbr lists!
A fresh, original take on yin and yang, the balance that creates the world and that corals chaos. A beautiful opening, poetic almost in its flow and philosophy. An interesting look at humanity's creation from a war in the cosmos. It's super original.
Major dinner I'd there were lots of spelling mistakes. Like missing letters; normally I can ignore that however it was way too many to ignore. The author also brings in the idea of gods and the way they use humans to further their wars. Mind you, this is all in the first chapter. It's meaty in the best way, not confusing, not a feeling of an onslaught of information, hits the sweet spot of storytelling. The wars created a perfect breeding place for the 4 horsemen. But in their duties they grew too powerful for the guardians, (the gods let's say), and so their essence was put into an object and scattered to become lost in some dark corner of the earth.
Female protagonist is thrown into the deep end after finding her dad and adopted brother injured badly and thus opens a whole new world to her that was previously hidden. I'm talking about angels, hell, kitsune, etc.
I really enjoyed it. Tye writing was fresh and flowed beautifully, had me hooked from the first page. Add it to your tbr lists!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I want to start my review with the most important thing that blew me away. I respect the author so much for sharing her own lived experiences with chronic pain and crafting that to making such a strong and compelling FMC. Just her that level of personal vulnerability to the page makes the story incredibly more powerful and authentic. It is rare to see chronic illness portrayed with such honesty and grace.
This book had so much emotional growth for the FMC, she went from feeling like she needed to be small or was too much, to wielding that pain- "I will be the one who chooses how it burns". This pacing of this book was great, constant action and NO fluff. I also loved the plot and the different spin it took with the base of the four horsemen, angels / demons, etc. It also made it an easy read if you had background knowledge of those sorts of themes prior.
The romance turned from sweet yearning and pining to something so uniquely theirs- something so deep with all their walls stripped down. Both FMC and MMC carried emotional weight and grief with them, it was beautiful when they laid their hearts bare despite all the chaos already surrounding them. I can't wait to see where the second book takes us!
This book had so much emotional growth for the FMC, she went from feeling like she needed to be small or was too much, to wielding that pain- "I will be the one who chooses how it burns". This pacing of this book was great, constant action and NO fluff. I also loved the plot and the different spin it took with the base of the four horsemen, angels / demons, etc. It also made it an easy read if you had background knowledge of those sorts of themes prior.
The romance turned from sweet yearning and pining to something so uniquely theirs- something so deep with all their walls stripped down. Both FMC and MMC carried emotional weight and grief with them, it was beautiful when they laid their hearts bare despite all the chaos already surrounding them. I can't wait to see where the second book takes us!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise of the story is unique and super interesting, but I felt like the plot and characters did not grip me until the last 40% of the story. In the beginning, the characters intrigued me but as the story progressed, Dom, Hoshi and Meg felt a bit too cliche. Hoshi was the friend always making jokes, Meg was the one reluctantly helping, and Dom came off as the typical broody, protective male. Also, about Dom, his eyes darked and his jaw locked way too much for me. My favorite characters were actually Halloran and Vivienne; whenever these two appeared on the page, they had my full attention. Their personality felt genuine and they were exciting characters that instigated the others.
Overall, the plot moved along pretty quick, but in that I felt like we lost some world building and establishing connections with our main crew of characters. The romance was not my favorite development; it just felt like it happened but I never experienced it building up to the point that it did. The angels and demons aspect of the story was pretty cool, especially towards the end of the book when you get to see more of them. All the action towards the end really had me at the edge of my seat. I was left intrigued, I might check-out the 2nd book.
Overall, the plot moved along pretty quick, but in that I felt like we lost some world building and establishing connections with our main crew of characters. The romance was not my favorite development; it just felt like it happened but I never experienced it building up to the point that it did. The angels and demons aspect of the story was pretty cool, especially towards the end of the book when you get to see more of them. All the action towards the end really had me at the edge of my seat. I was left intrigued, I might check-out the 2nd book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a very fast paced read. The story moves from one high stakes moment to the next, and there is a lot happening throughout the entire book. There were so many twists and turns that I genuinely never knew what was coming next, which made it a really fun and exciting story to read.
That being said, I sometimes felt like the pacing was almost too fast for me. We would move from one major event to another so quickly that I didn’t always have enough time to form a strong emotional connection with the characters before the next thing happened to them. Because of that, I found myself more focused on what was happening in the moment than on the emotional impact it had on the characters or their relationships. There were so many big moments packed into the story that, at times, it felt a little overwhelming.
Overall, though, I thought the storytelling itself was incredibly rich, and I loved how many twists and turns there were. This would be a great fit for readers who enjoy more YA-style series, high action stories, and books that keep the stakes high and the plot constantly moving.
That being said, I sometimes felt like the pacing was almost too fast for me. We would move from one major event to another so quickly that I didn’t always have enough time to form a strong emotional connection with the characters before the next thing happened to them. Because of that, I found myself more focused on what was happening in the moment than on the emotional impact it had on the characters or their relationships. There were so many big moments packed into the story that, at times, it felt a little overwhelming.
Overall, though, I thought the storytelling itself was incredibly rich, and I loved how many twists and turns there were. This would be a great fit for readers who enjoy more YA-style series, high action stories, and books that keep the stakes high and the plot constantly moving.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As someone learning to accept reality with a chronic illness, I know how hard it is to explain to others what its like to live in pain. Writing about it feels impossible because we learn to hide the pain before we even learn how to deal with it.
I think that's why I am so overwhelmed by this book. Lyra's body is not the same as mine, but its similar in is frustratingly consistent breakage. This may be a fantasy book, but I could spend hours describing how I interpret the magic to interact with Lyra as a parallel to what life with a chrinic illness is like.
Also, 100/10 for Domenico. From the very first slightly awkward but astonishing kind moment where he helps rub the KT tape on her shoulder so it stays, Domenico was after my heart. He wants her to be comfortable, to know how to protect herself, and to never doubt how amazing she is.
I think that's why I am so overwhelmed by this book. Lyra's body is not the same as mine, but its similar in is frustratingly consistent breakage. This may be a fantasy book, but I could spend hours describing how I interpret the magic to interact with Lyra as a parallel to what life with a chrinic illness is like.
Also, 100/10 for Domenico. From the very first slightly awkward but astonishing kind moment where he helps rub the KT tape on her shoulder so it stays, Domenico was after my heart. He wants her to be comfortable, to know how to protect herself, and to never doubt how amazing she is.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I like the way mythology is used in this book a lot. It’s refreshing to read a fantasy/romantasy book that isn’t so blatantly the same plot but a different font. It’s got the elements you love and look for, but they are presented in such a different manner, that I personally can’t say I’ve read one like it. It sheds light (pun intended) on how living with invisible pain can impact your life and those close to you. The author rights lyrically without it being cheesy or gimmicky. I told my other half it’s the first time I haven’t wanted the prologue to hurry up and be over with, and if the rest is written like this I’m going love this book. Spoiler. I did. I wish good reads allowed .5 stars because it’s actually a 4.5 star for me.
October 5, 2026
This was refreshing and fast paced to read! I love how the author written the four horseman of apocalypse into the story. It has a unique magic system and an immersive world set with demons, angels, archangels, and other creatures. Lyra, the FMC, is fierce and deals with chronic illness but endures everyday. Then we have the MMC, Domenico, he’s an immortal demon and mysterious but has a soft spot for Lyra! I love him and the tension between the two! And I absolutely love Lyra’s best friend, Hoshiko!! I can’t wait to see where this story goes, I’m hooked!!
Book one in the Relics in Ruin Duology.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the early copy!
Book one in the Relics in Ruin Duology.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thabkyou netgalley for this ARC!
The light between wounds is a great book if youre introducing yourself into this this genre. The bones of the story is strong, with quite a unique storyline.
I found myself struggling in a few aspects of the story, I was desperate to learn more of doms story. He has got a huge backstory, but I needed more than a few pages! His yearning was top notch!
I felt like I needed a little more depth to all the characters, which might be coming in book 2.
The cliff hanger for the next book is exciting. Im curious to see where the author takes the story!
3/5 stars, thankyou!
The light between wounds is a great book if youre introducing yourself into this this genre. The bones of the story is strong, with quite a unique storyline.
I found myself struggling in a few aspects of the story, I was desperate to learn more of doms story. He has got a huge backstory, but I needed more than a few pages! His yearning was top notch!
I felt like I needed a little more depth to all the characters, which might be coming in book 2.
The cliff hanger for the next book is exciting. Im curious to see where the author takes the story!
3/5 stars, thankyou!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I inhaled this book in less than 24 hours. With rich worldbuilding, visceral prose, and an electrifying romance, I could do not put it down. Tender, thought-provoking, and dripping with tension, The Light Between Wounds is a vulnerable testament to the resilience of the human spirit--and the light that breaks through even the darkest of cracks. Cannot wait for the sequel. Sign me up for every single one of Haysch's books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so excited to read about an urban paranormal fantasy with a good slow burn and tons of supernatural elements. This book does a really good job with the world building and the lore gets you hooked right from the beginning. The pacing is good and the overall plot was pretty interesting. I wish there was a little more foundation when it came to the romance, but that’s just me nitpicking. I believe this is a duology, so I can’t wait to read the next one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**eARC from NetGalley**
Definitely worth the read! What I loved 💕 the broody MMC and resilient FMC, unique take on the four horseman, more creatures than just angels vs. demons, and glamour magic. Our girl may be broken, but she doesn’t need saving. Expecting more FMC badassery in book 2. 🪽🗡️😈
What didn’t hit 🤷♀️ excessive dialogue explanations. It bothers me when the story is driven by characters just asking each other questions.
Definitely worth the read! What I loved 💕 the broody MMC and resilient FMC, unique take on the four horseman, more creatures than just angels vs. demons, and glamour magic. Our girl may be broken, but she doesn’t need saving. Expecting more FMC badassery in book 2. 🪽🗡️😈
What didn’t hit 🤷♀️ excessive dialogue explanations. It bothers me when the story is driven by characters just asking each other questions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I found this book to be super easy to read and understand and I think it would be a great introduction to this genre for anyone who is newer to reading fantasy. I am very excited to see where this author goes with the second book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gripping start with visceral pain imagery, but pacing stutters due to jarring character logic, unclear stakes, and underdeveloped relationships, all fixable issues in a talented writer's promising epic that's one developmental rewrite from greatness.
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