The Last Remaining Light

Starless Sky #1

by C.G. Frances

What if the world was ending... and the person everyone feared most was the one person you couldn't lose?

The stars are disappearing.

Across Aetheris, an ancient corruption known as the Dimming is spreading, leaving fear, loss, and unanswered questions in its wake. Raised within the safety of Lumenshire Abbey after the fall of her noble house, Elowynn Selvicta has spent her life immersed in forgotten histories and ancient legends.

When her studies bring her to the great city of Veylspire, Elowynn uncovers a truth buried for centuries: the observatories were never built to study the stars. As ancient systems begin to awaken and the darkness spreads, she finds herself at the center of a mystery that could determine the fate of the world.

And the fate of the man she loves.

Feared by many and burdened by secrets of his own, Caelyn may be the key to the very darkness threatening Aetheris. As impossible truths come to light, Elowynn must decide whether to trust the warnings of the world—or the one person who has never given her a reason to doubt him.

Because sometimes hope is an act of defiance.

And sometimes the last remaining light is the one we refuse to let go.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy

Hardcover

First published October 20, 2026

About the author

C.G. Frances writes fantasy, dystopian, and romance for readers who believe hope is worth fighting for. Her stories are filled with unforgettable characters, lots of yearning, and emotional journeys that remind us even the darkest night cannot extinguish every light. She believes the best stories break your heart just enough to remind you that hope is always worth reaching for—and that even the smallest light can change everything.

Reviews

[Pearl Angeli (pearlreadsnovels) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Following the fall of House Selvicta due to the war in Astermere Hold, Elowynn Selvicta is the last surviving heir of their noble family. She grew up learning about the skies and old history at Lumenshire Abbey where she and her mother sought solace after the war. Soon, she travelled to Veylspire to become a scholar and there she discovered secrets and intrigues that soon threatened to ruin her world.



The world-building in this novel was quite good. I thought the astrological system was fascinating and I adored the idea of it. In addition to the book's fantasy concept, Elowynn's romantic involvement with her childhood friend Caelyn was definitely one of its highlights. I loved how they were clearly yearning for one another while there was also some sort of struggle preventing their feelings from developing.

The author's writing was admirable and I loved her creativity and imagination behind the plot. What I struggled with the most, I guess, was the pacing, which felt really slow and dragged on, especially during the first 50%. I appreciated how we got to see the characters grow from childhood into adulthood, but I felt it took a bit too long for them to figure out what was happening and uncover the truth behind it all.

Otherwise, this was still a decent and solid read with a lot of potential. The ending left us with a cliffhanger that makes readers wonder what exciting and surprising things might happen next!

Thank you to the author C.G. Frances for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[C.G. Frances]

I wrote this book during a difficult season of my life, and it holds a special place in my heart. In many ways, it helped me find the light when everything around me felt bleak. I hope it brings you hope, comfort, and adventure in equal measure.<3

[Linz✨ · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

"Most people imagine courage as moving forward without fear. They are mistaken. Courage is moving forward after fear has already won."

The Last Remaining Light is a thought-provoking and emotional fantasy that combines ancient mysteries, celestial magic, political intrigue, grief, and an emotional friend to lover's romance. What initially feels like a coming-of-age story ends up turning into something much larger, where forgotten histories, dangerous secrets, and the fate of the entire world combine.

First, we meet Elowynn, our FMC, as a child when her family home is shattered. She is forced to seek refuge at the Lumenshire Abbey with her mother, where she grows up surrounded by history and the grief of everything she has lost. This is where we also meet Caelyn, a boy who is carrying his own loss, and their friendship becomes the emotional foundation of the story. I loved that Elowynn refused to blindly believe in the history and explanations she was given. She questions the very foundation of what her world believes is true.

"Knowledge is often described as a light. Few speak of the shadows it reveals."

She is stubborn, inquisitive, and occasionally reckless in her pursuit of answers and I loved that about her. Caelyn's character is interesting and the mystery surrounding his connection to the darkness is fascinating. I love how these two at a very young age found a friendship in each other when they were both grieving.

"Most grief is simply love with nowhere left to go."

Watching them evolve over the years and it turn into a romance was one of my favorite parts.

"Beautiful didn't feel like a large enough word for her anymore. Because it was more than the way she looked."

The world-building was very intriguing, the magical foundation, celestial themes, disappearing stars, and the spreading corruption kept me glued to the page.

Tropes
🩵Friends to Lovers
✨Celestial Themes
🩵Romantic Fantasy
✨Ancient Mysteries
🩵Yearning
✨Hopepunk
🩵Found Family
✨Zombie like Monsters

There were moments in the story where my biggest issue was the pacing and I felt it was off but overall, the author gave me a story with fascinating world-building, character development, yearning, mystery and a slow-burn romance that I couldn't put down.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an eARC of this book, and this did NOT disappoint! I didn’t want to put it down. I’m not one for a lot of character development but CG had me sat wanting to watch these to develop into adults. The world building, atmosphere,and characters had me in a chokehold. I absolutely adored Elowynn. She is intelligent, strong, compassionate, and stands for what she believes in. I love that she was standing up to other Masters and wouldn’t let their opinions cow her- and the banter when she done it was even better.

Now Caelyn! 😩 he is just smart, resilient, and so protective of her from the gate. The way this man yearns! I could not get enough of these two! This is what I mean when I say slow burn 🔥 I will definitely be back for the next book!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you C.G. Frances for the eARC.

I discovered this book whilst scrolling on my phone one day. The plot sounded so interesting, unlike anything I'd heard of before and I knew I had to read it. What I wasn't expecting to discover is that it's one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking books I have ever read. Definitely need tissues on hand for this one.

The first half of this book is slower paced, taking the time to build up the world and the characters within it. The characters begin as young children trying to find their way in the world, continuing until they reach young adulthood. You genuinely feel as if you know them on a deeper level as this time allows you to learn and grow alongside them. This connection makes everything that happens to them even more impactful.

The pace definitely picks up in the second half of the book, where we delve into the main plot of the story. However, nothing is rushed. We still are given the time to learn about our characters now that they're older and how they have changed. Furthermore, when the crux of the plot occurs, the pacing of it is perfect.

Elowynn is such an amazing FMC. Learning about her past, her experiences at such a young age was heartbreaking. Reading how she attempts to cope with it, her development into the woman she was meant to be was beautiful. C.G. Frances tackled this growth of Elowynn coping with grief in such a phenomenal way. It truly felt so grounded in reality, similar to ways in which people cope with their own grief.

Caelyn is the most precious MMC I have had the pleasure of reading about. He is the ultimate walking green flag; he is loving, caring and supportive, even when the support hurts him in the process. Learning the truth about his past, who he is now broke me. Knowing that such a kind hearted soul experienced what he did was truly heartbreaking.

Overall, this has to be one of the most beautiful books I have read. Between the story, the characters and the language the author used, it was truly magical. It moved me in ways other books haven't. I am incredibly grateful for this book and to C.G. Frances for the honour of reading it early. I can't wait to continue the story when the next book is released!

[Tammy Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5️⃣

What a wonderful and unique story. I'm amazed at the authors creation of this intricate power/light system. Resonance flow. Harmonic pressure. So scientific but also somehow poetic!

"Astryllion Quartz," she whispered. Caelyn nodded. "From the western Caverns. You said once it looked like frozen starlight".🩵

I loved the journey of Elowynn. the brilliant scholar who leaves her home to study as she is found to have a natural gift with this system.

We can't help but fall in love with sweet Caelyn, who has known she is his love since teenhood. His dedication to her never falters.

The middle of this book gave me more feels than the ending. Still a great ending!

Thank you CG Frances for sending me a free copy of this ARC. I look forward to the next book and seeing what happens with Elowynn and Caelyn.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. This book had an interesting plot and I would recommend it.

[Kaitlyn Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars! Perfection. No notes. ARC Read

From the very beginning, I was completely immersed, and by the time I finished, I genuinely wasn’t ready to leave this world. The writing, atmosphere, character development, and world building all work together so beautifully that I felt like I was experiencing Aetheris rather than simply reading about it.

The world itself is filled with celestial and crystal magic, forgotten histories, ruins, and a darkness that you can feel behind every word written. I especially loved how beautiful and eloquent the writing was in describing the world around you. Nothing felt rushed and every piece felt like it was building toward something much bigger.

The characters were perfection. Elowynn is exactly the kind of FMC I want to read about in every book: intelligent, strong, compassionate, and unwilling to compromise who she is for the sake of fitting someone else’s expectations. There were moments where I connected with her so deeply that I had to stop and reread them. Chapter 19 in particular I went back to 3 times.

And then there’s Caelyn. 🥹 Every single person needs to be able to meet this intelligent, resilient, protective man! The yearning. The friendship slowly becoming something more. The way he falls first. Uggggghhhhh!! Their romance is beautifully patient and emotionally driven, and it gave me everything I want from a slow burn.

This is one of those books where finishing it makes you immediately want to go back to the beginning and experience it all over again. I already bought a physical copy to share and will be getting a hardcover to cherish myself!

C.G. Frances, you created something truly special. I am completely invested in this world, these characters, and whatever comes next. Thank you so much for trusting me with an early digital copy. It was an absolute privilege to read this and it is easily one of my top reads of 2026 🤍 ✨

[Shelby Knights · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW… just WOW…. I had an idea going into this book what it would “be like” but CG Frances knocked my socks off, quite literally. This book is amazing, well written and you can feel everything the author wants you to feel. 10/10 EASY. 📕

[Angel Lopez · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I was honored to receive an ARC from the Author.

What an incredible story. From the very first page, you're swept into a breathtaking world filled with celestial wonder, crystal magic, and an atmosphere that feels both beautiful and fragile. There’s a haunting sense that this world has been breaking apart for generations, yet no one truly understands why or how to stop it. It felt unlike anything I’ve read before, and that originality made the experience feel even more magical and immersive.

While the story is definitely slow-paced and doesn't fully hit its stride until about the halfway mark, the payoff is absolutely worth it. At its heart, this is a deeply emotional friends-to-lovers story that spans years of shared grief, loyalty, and unwavering devotion.

Elowynn and Caelyn first meet as children at the Abbey of Lumenshire after surviving the last Blackfall. Elowynn and her mother are struggling under the crushing weight of loss, grieving not only their fallen kingdom but also the father they were forced to leave behind. Caelyn arrives carrying his own heartbreak after losing his mother. Their friendship is born from pain, loneliness, and a desperate need for connection. Watching them grow together, finding comfort in one another while studying history, magic, and the mysterious darkness threatening their world, was incredibly moving.

Elowynn is a remarkable heroine. She is fierce, intelligent, stubborn, and endlessly curious. She's the kind of character who refuses to accept easy answers and is willing to challenge anyone standing in the way of the truth. As she grows older and enters the scholarly world of Veylspire, she faces political obstacles, academic rivalries, and those who feel threatened by her willingness to question tradition. Yet she never loses that spark that makes her so easy to root for. Her determination to think beyond the limit's others place on her was inspiring.

And then there's Caelyn.

Honestly, if there was ever a character who embodied loyalty and unconditional love, it's him. He has the heart of a golden retriever mixed with the instincts of a protector. From childhood, he quietly carries his love for Elowynn, never demanding anything from her and simply wanting her happiness. For fifteen years, he waits, supports, and believes in her from afar. When he finally reaches the point where he can no longer bear the distance between them, his journey to find her hit me right in the heart. The depth of his love, patience, and devotion left me emotional more than once. Caelyn isn't just someone who loves Elowynn; he's someone who chooses her over and over again, even when it's difficult, even when she doesn't always realize how much she means to him.

What truly made this story special for me, though, was the way it explores healing, friendship, belonging, and finding your way home. Lumenshire became so much more than a setting. It felt like a sanctuary, a place where broken people could begin to put themselves back together. Watching Elowynn's journey eventually lead her back there felt incredibly meaningful. It wasn't just a return to a location; it was a return to the people who had loved her through every hardship, especially Caelyn, who remained her constant source of strength and support.

There is such a beautiful tenderness woven throughout this story. It's about surviving loss without allowing it to define you. It's about finding light after darkness, hope after heartbreak, and learning that you don't have to carry every burden alone. Those themes resonated deeply with me and gave the story an emotional depth that lingered long after I finished reading.
I had such a hard time putting this book down. Even when some of the scholarly terminology went over my head, I found myself completely captivated by the characters and their journeys. The witty banter, including some unexpectedly delightful moments from Sister Agatha, brought welcome levity to the heavier themes, while the character growth felt authentic and deeply rewarding.

As someone who doesn't typically gravitate toward slower-paced stories, I can honestly say this one was worth every page. It made me laugh, made me emotional, and completely stole my heart. By the end, I wasn't ready to leave these characters behind. I cannot wait to see where their journey leads in book two.

[Samantha · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

ARC received from the author.

In the world of Aetheris, history is more secretive than the present. As a story, The Last Remaining Light dives into scholarly questioning, magic systems, and character emotions. The story explores how deeply we can be affected by the past even when we may not fully understand our history.

When Elowynn (the FMC) is ten years old, her world is shattered when her family’s home (Astermere Hold) is destroyed, and she and her mother flee to Lumenshire Abbey. Eloywnn spends her remaining childhood at the abbey, questioning everything she learns and making mischief with her best friend, Caelyn – an orphan taken in by the abbey. When Elowynn is invited to study at the prestigious Veylspire, she leaves everything behind for the city, including Caelyn. At Veylspire, Elowynn discovers that disagreements are more like two sides to the same coin and that something is very wrong with not just the history, but the magic of the world.

The world-building is very interesting. Much of the history of the world has been lost or misinterpreted; there are a lot of “restricted sections.” Elowynn asks questions and doesn’t accept what other scholars say. Her questions lead to revelations important to the world. Once you realize that some of the world-building is left unclear on purpose (at least it seems that way to me), the story becomes that much stronger – we learn as El learns; we uncover the truth as she does. I think the juxtaposition of the world-building and El’s journey was really interesting. At first, as a reader, I felt confused by the world, but I loved following El’s questioning and the mystery of what was happening.

The unique magic system and the mystery surrounding it were top-notch fantasy. This is high fantasy and deeply emotional. There’s more to everything, and the ending! Wow! I wanted to yell at Caelyn so much. I loved the relationship between Elowynn and Caelyn. It was refreshing to have an FMC and MMC be close in age and actually know each other for more than three days. I think friends-to-lovers might be my new favorite trope. El and Caelyn are so sweet. Please don’t separate them!

Frances wrote a deeply emotional story, so be prepared to laugh, cry, scream, and giggle hysterically. And then realize that book 2 is not out yet. The Last Remaining Light is a great addition to fantasy!

✅Top-tier yearning
✅Academy setting with deep secrets
✅Friends to lovers
✅Celestial magic
✅Zombies but not quite (they’re not actually dead)?

The Last Remaining Light releases October 20, 2026.

[Kasey · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Last Remaining Light is the first book in the Starless Sky trilogy and it is filled with magic, ancient mysteries, hidden truths, and hope when all seems lost. This was such an interesting and creative read! I was hooked right from the beginning and couldn’t put it down until I was finished. I was so intrigued to see how the story was going to play out because every time I tried to make a guess I was offtrack and pleasantly surprised. The worldbuilding is so unique and immersive and I was so curious to know more. There is political intrigue and of course not everything is as it seems. It’s just whether or not you want to look for the truth or turn a blind eye. The characters are written well, and I love how honest they all try to be with one another. I love that Elowynn questions everything and doesn’t give up on finding the answers, especially because there is a lot at stake and secrets she is hiding. Overall, I really enjoyed this journey and I’m excited to see where it goes next.

If you love fantasy romance, yearning, character driven, ancient mysteries, celestial themes, friends to lovers, a collapsing world, dangerous truths, hopepunk, archives & ruin, “zombies,” crystal-based magic, found family, and choosing hope when all seems lost then this is for you.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can read really good stories and then you can experience a story.This is exactly that type of writing you have with The Last Remaining Light! I have the privilege of an ARC for this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a beautifully written story and totally unique. I was completely in the story right from the beginning. The writing of the characters, the word building,the detail that is written on the pages brought the story together so perfectly I didn't only read what was on the pages, but I was really experiencing Aetheris living in their world
This world is filled with forgotten histories, darkness l, ruins and celestial magic that you feel as you read the story. Every word is stitched together perfectly you appreciate the time taken to build to something bigger as the story goes on.
I loved Elowynn as the FMC and related to her in so many ways.i love her intelligence, her love of learning and sense of wonder , her strength and resilience and that she won't bend for anyone being so steadfast in her convictions and a Little bit of sass.
I enjoyed getting to see the lives of Caelyn and Elowynn come together seeing them grow up and their fondness for one another. Different backgrounds but still love for knowledge both so smart and I love how protective Caelyn is of Eloywnn. So many writings rush this and for me it is here that development over time for the characters was so wonderful again connecting you more with the characters.
I didn't want the story to end. The writing is truly magical. You escape into this world, feel like you are living in it, experiencing all the emotions throughout and I just wanted to start over when I concluded this book. I love the reminder you can find light again even when darkness seems to surround you. CG this is some of THE BEST writing of the year I have had the pleasure of reading. Thank you for creating magic and I can't wait to see where their story goes. Absolute perfection.

[Tash · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 ARC Edition Review

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️ 4.5/4.75 stars out of 5 rounded up because, honestly, the points missing were minimal and largely came down to personal preference.

I’ll start with the things I found a little difficult.

The world-building is intricate and absolutely needs your attention. This is a vibes read for sure, but it’s not one where you can't afford to miss the details. There were a few times where I’d finally be settling into the flow, only to realise I’d skimmed over something important and needed to go back, reread and double-check. For me, this made the pacing feel a little slower than I would have ideally liked.

That said, I genuinely enjoyed getting to know Caelyn and Elowynn throughout their younger turnings. Watching them grow fostered a real fondness for both of them in me, and I think being able to create that kind of emotional connection with readers is the mark of a damn good writer.

I was hopeful that the romance would feature a little more heavily, but as I sit here writing this, I actually think the hope-punk theme was the right focus. Romance is secondary here, and that fits the way the story and its plot grow, and develop. It doesn’t need to be the centre of everything to still add something meaningful to the story.

There’s something quite special about a book that leaves you thinking about why certain elements worked the way they did, even after you’ve finished reading.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. ❣️✨

If intricate worlds, character-driven stories, a little romance and a whole lot of hope are your thing, I think this one is worth picking up.

[Becca · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.25/5)

Huge thanks to C.G. Francis for letting me read an advanced copy of The Last Remaining Light as part of her street team!

To be completely honest, when I finished the book I was sitting at a solid 3 stars because the pacing is definitely a slower burn, and it took me a minute to fully get into it, but after sitting on the book as a whole, and that ending for a few days, I realized that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. The way the plot settles in your head after you're done completely changed my mind, I adore these characters. I loved watching them grow throughout this book, and hope to see more throughout the rest of this series too.

I absolutely loved the tropes in this, especially how the romance was handled. It didn't take over the entire plot, but the romantic tension was so good and integrated perfectly with everything else going on in the world... the deliberate slow build-up was exactly what the story needed to set up the rest of the Starless Sky series. I'm officially hooked and cannot wait for book two. I am officially rounding my final thoughts up to a 4.25/5 stars, and I look forward to continuing the series!

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars ⭐️

I am REELING from how amazing this book is! And what do you MEAN this is a debut indie author?! 😱

I was hooked from the very first chapter. I absolutely loved the world building and vivid descriptions in this book.

The relationship dynamic between Elowynn and Caelyn had me GRINNING, laughing, CRYING, kicking my feet and everything in between. The banter, the way they really know and see each other, the YEARNING. I am just OBSESSED with them 🫶🏼💕

Sister Agatha was also hilarious - her dynamic with El and Caelyn was so funny, giving ‘I’m too old for this’ vibes constantly.

There was sooo much to love about this book. I am chomping at the BIT for book 2!


What to expect:
Grief, mysteries, maximum yearning, childhood friends to lovers, protective MMC, ‘who did this to you?’, slow burn, forbidden magic, politics, found family.


My favourite quotes:
“You possess the constitution of damp parchment, child.”
“I notice most things about you, El”
“I wanted to brood like men in the storybooks.”
“You are dramatic, Caelyn.”
“I understand why no one here was ever enough.”


Review of advanced copy from the Author

[Shalene Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough ⭐️ ‘s for this book. You need to read it right now!!

The Last Remaining Light has left me in a position that I rarely find myself in, and that is, speechless. Aside from shouting from the rooftops about how phenomenal this book is, I am struggling to find the words to fully capture my feelings about what this author, C.G. Frances, has put me through. Honestly, she should write this review for me because her eloquent words would capture what I want to say better than I, myself, can.

However, I will try. This is one of, if not THE, best book I’ve ever read. The words that come to mind after reading this are haunting, inspiring, atmospheric, visceral and heart wrenching.

The Last Remaining Light immersed me in a world in a way that I haven’t experienced since reading Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. I was gripped from the first word to the last and I was THERE. The vividness of the imagery is unparalleled. I have not felt this caught up with characters and their grief, yearning, love and hope in a very long time.

These are not characters to me. They are real people and they live rent free in my mind. This will forever be a book I will wish I could read for the first time again. Every single character that you come across in this book ends up being someone you will care for, and think about, long after you put the book down. We are introduced to FMC and MMC as children and watch them grow up together. They are intelligent, wise and kind. You will be drawn to them, you will root for them and you will love them. They are perfect. No notes.

This book will emotionally devastate you. C.G. Frances captures feelings of grief and loss in a way that I have never encountered. But. she does the same with hope and love, slowly putting you back together. My brain chemistry may be permanently altered, for the better.

Don’t even get me started on the fantasy in this book. The magic system is incredible and so detailed, that there is a glossary. And yet, it doesn’t bog down the story, it lends to it, and is almost a character in and of itself. The world building and magic system are so naturally built into the story that you experience it right alongside the characters. Every single aspect of this book is unique, purposeful and beautiful. The author has even created a unique way to track time! Who would think that this would make a difference to a story?! Well, it does. It adds more depth and immersion into this world that you will never want to leave.

Also unparalleled in this book is the yearning. The burgeoning of young love and the yearning of the MC’s is just…triumphant, omg. Go read it. You can’t fully understand until you read it, and trust me, you want to experience it.

I have cried while reading three books, ever. This is one of them. Get out your tissues, have your therapist on standby and sit down to read this phenomenon. You will feel ALL your feelings. You will catch yourself smiling, your eyes will be filling with tears of joy, hope and sadness and your heart will be bursting through your chest.

Don’t just add this to your TBR, pre-order it, order it and read it, RIGHT NOW! You won’t regret it.

Thank you to the author for the ARC❤️❤️

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

【I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.】

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐿𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝑅𝑒𝓂𝒶𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝐿𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 is a gorgeous slow burn romantasy with a unique celestial and crystal magic system held together by astronomical amounts of yearning and wisdom woven in to every single page of the narrative. On top of all that, it is also a story that nurtured my inner child and somehow bridged the decades between who I was and who I am now, reminding me that the little girl who found wonder in stars, stories, and magic never really went anywhere.

⏱️𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞
While 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐿𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝑅𝑒𝓂𝒶𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝐿𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 was slow, it never felt slow, and a lot of that has to do with how beautifully Frances weaves her prose. The writing is gorgeous, particularly in its descriptions, and the character dynamics do so much of the heavy lifting when it comes to keeping the story moving… which is almost ironic considering the MMC and FMC spend the majority of the book apart from one another.

The prologue hit you with some high stakes gut punches before settling into the more quieter narrative that reminded me of a high fantasy version of the opening musical sequence of the Swan Princess film (the bit with the song “This Is My Idea”). There is this almost nostalgic, storybook quality to watching their lives unfold, getting to know their world and the people in it ― where do I get my own Sister Agatha?

It was incredibly easy to fall in love with both Elowynn and Caelyn, their dynamic something that is so eloquently crafted and precious to watch grow. Elowynn is an FMC curated specifically for the book girlies — from wanting to “brood like men in storybooks” to finding books better company than people, to allegedly organizing her bookshelves by color and emotional significance — and I simply adored her. She is intelligent, introspective, occasionally awkward, deeply curious, and just a little bit delightfully unhinged in a way that made me feel seen.

And Caelyn, new book boyfriend. SIR, this man’s yearning is positively astronomical. All the flags are forest green!

Their romance, like the plot, is very much a slow burn. Frances lets their relationship develop through small moments, conversations, observations, and all the delicious little pieces of emotional tension that accumulate over time. Even when they aren't physically together, their relationship remains one of the story's strongest driving forces. The letters they write to one another aren't simply inserted between chapters. They become chapters of their own and I really loved this choice and found myself really looking forward to these chapters as I progressed through the book. Making them their own chapters really gave their correspondences more emotional weight while also turning each letter into a little spotlight on the book's larger themes, character development, and even foreshadowing for what was still to come.

And the humor and BANTER are fantastic little zingers throughout, providing not only perfectly time character beats and narrative texture, but also deepen the lore.


🧠𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐃: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬
When I say my brain was TICKLED by the magic system!! Celestial-centric magic has been something I have absolutely adored all my life, so the amount of squeeing I did reading about aethercurrents, resonance and convergence lines was unreal. I have very vaguely touched upon such concepts as ley lines, aetheric currents, mana currents, magical flux, and so on for some RPG characters of mine, but nothing with the depth that Frances achieved in this book. Seeing a niche magic system applied with such eloquence was an absolute treat for the brain and the combination of cosmos and crystals fed my inner child’s curiosity and wonder every single page. It took the little girl who was obsessed with rocks and space and desperately wanted to understand how the universe worked and wrapped her in a warm blanket and whispered, “Welcome home.”

While the magic system has its complexities, I never found anything particularly difficult to follow, and I think Elowynn's own approach to magic plays a huge role in that. She is so incredibly curious and scientific in the way she approaches the world that she becomes a guide for the reader and just added to my brain being tickled rather than tested.

Where the existential crisis comes in, is in the wisdom nestled between the pages because Frances is quietly asking some very BIG questions about humanity. The epigraphs are poignant and do a wonderful job expanding the narrative. There is a lot here about human nature, about the stories societies tell about themselves, and about what happens to truth when history is remembered selectively. Who and what gets remembered? Who and what gets erased? What makes one version of history become the accepted version? How much of what we think we know is shaped by the people who had the power to tell the story in the first place?

And Elowynn is right there being the catalyst to challenge it all.

💕𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐋: 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐳𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭
It bears repeating that everything about this book felt like a loving caress to my sense of wonder, from the celestial magic to the characters to the way Frances approaches the larger questions woven throughout the story and ultimately exemplifies the hopepunk heart of the book. The hope never feels naïve or effortless, even during some of the darker parts of the story, but rather something worth actively choosing and fighting for.

As already mentioned, I fell in love with the main characters almost immediately, but that affection is certainly not exclusive to Elowynn and Caelyn. The side cast completely stole pieces of my heart, too, particularly the found sisterhood Elowynn builds with Lora and Alyra. Frances does such a wonderful job balancing this strong female friendships with the same care and emotional weight so often reserved for romantic relationships. It was so so SO special watching women genuinely love and support other women and not just as convenient allies or supporting characters. You really felt the friendship and how they become part of the emotional foundation of Elowynn’s life while separated from Caelyn.

And then the warm fuzzies that were had when they so immediately adopted Caelyn into their circle. Considering what all was going on at the time, it was my little last remaining light (hey hey, geddit?) in what was otherwise a very high stakes situation.

I came very close to crying during one particularly vicious moment in the book, and perhaps the worst part was knowing it was coming and having to sit there and wait for the inevitable. I won't spoil what happens, buuuut the act itself was horrific enough… and then experiencing it through Elowynn's eyes made it even more devastating. Watching this moment collide so violently with Elowynn's understanding of the world… and seeing her truly begin to recognize how “frightened people justify terrible things” made the scene so much more than an act of violence. It was the shattering of a worldview happening in real time as well as carrying additional weight and stakes for the characters I had come to love.

🌶️𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄: 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐜𝐮𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢 𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐞

HO 👏 LY 👏 YEARN 👏 ING.

I’ve already touched upon this here and there in the previous sections of this review, so I will try not to repeat myself.

“There are some people who arrive quietly in your life and alter its course so gently you do not realize the shape of the change until many turnings later.”

This quote beautifully summarizes the slow burn that is Caelyn and Elowynn.

I was surprised by how unbothered I was by the fact that the book's main couple spends the majority of the story separated from one another. We get to watch them grow up together, Caelyn falling hard for Elowynn first but she always feels some sort of pull towards him. We get to watch them grow up together, with Caelyn falling hard for Elowynn first while she has this quieter, almost instinctive pull toward him that she doesn't quite know what to do with. Their relationship develops through friendship, familiarity, small acts of affection, and all those seemingly insignificant moments that become meaningful precisely because they accumulate over time.

And Frances captures that beautifully over and over and over and OVER again. For example:

“Meals would become more enjoyable if Caelyn sat nearby, and she occasionally stole the cherries from his dessert since never ate them anyway.”

This is a spice free story, with the romance existing in the anticipation of two people slowly realizing what they mean to one another, in the years of friendship that quietly deepen into something more, and in the way they continue to orbit one another's thoughts even when they are physically apart. And wow oh WOW does Frances let that yearning MARINATE. This accumulates into an incredibly satisfying reunion punctuated by banter and the kind of tension that practically had its own aethercurrents flowing off the words directly into my heart.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

C.G. Frances completely blew me away with The Last Remaining Light. I was hooked from the very first chapter, her writing is phenomenal and I was completely all in.

The world-building is so rich and detailed. The blend of celestial and crystal magic, ancient mysteries, and a world that’s actively falling apart made me want to dive straight into the pages and experience it firsthand.

It’s incredibly immersive, to the point where I had to physically tear myself away from it. It kept me up until the wee hours of the morning needing just one more chapter!

I loved Elowynn and Caelyn, the MMC and FMC, they had me crying so hard in chapters 9 and 10.
Plus, the fact we got a completely different type of hero to fall in love with here, Caelyn isn't your typical morally grey character and I am obsessed. He falls first, and the slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance is packed with so much raw yearning.

⭐ Romantasy / Hopepunk
⭐ Unique crystal & celestial magic
⭐ Yearning romance
⭐ Friends to lovers
⭐ Found family & banter
⭐ Archives, ruins, and ancient mysteries
⭐ A world that's falling apart

This is an absolute masterpiece, and I’m 100% buying a physical copy when it drops to serve as a permanent trophy on my shelf.

If you love intricate world-building, celestial vibes, and a deeply emotional, yearning romance, you will get completely lost in this one.

Huge thank you to the author C.G. Frances for providing me with an early copy!

[Carli Nicole · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Thank you C.G. Frances for an advanced reader copy of your novel!

“I didn’t realized you noticed.” Those forest colored eyes of his locked onto her. “I notice most things about you, El.”

✨ friends to lovers
🤍 intricate crystal magic system
✨ fantasy x academia
🤍 uncovering secrets
✨ sort of (but not really) zombies

The beginning of this story is very character driven, but I honestly loved it. We got to watch our two main characters, Elowynn and Caelyn become friends, and get a glimpse at their hidden feelings. I honestly highlighted so many portions of this story because it was so swoon worthy. Plus both of their relationships with sister Agatha… the sass they would lovingly give each other made me cackle.

The other half of this story’s plot was faster paced, and honestly I couldn’t put it down. I could not predict these plot twists whatsoever. While I might not be a scholar in this magic system, this second half started to piece it together. I still have plenty of questions which I hope will have some answers in the next book. This book has a very unique concept and I’m excited to see where this story goes.

[Vee · Rating 5 out of 5]

C.G. Frances blew me away with this story! She hooks you immediately with the first chapter. When I thought things were going one way, I was wrong. Beautiful writing, immersive story.. and she gave us another type of MMC to fall in love with. One that isn't Morally gray or a golden retriever.. 👀

⭐ Romantasy/Hopepunk
⭐ Unique magic system
⭐ Yearning romance (He falls first)
⭐ Friends to lovers
⭐ Celestial vibes
⭐ Crystal magic
⭐ Banter
⭐ Found family/friends
⭐ Archives and ruins
⭐ A world that's falling apart

I also loved that the author gave you a Glossary at the end of the book in case you are unsure of what a term meant. That helped so much!

Thank you to the author C.G.Frances for an early copy of The Last Remaining Light.

[Mylanna P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you C.G Francis for the ARC of The Last Remaining Light.
The writing in this book is what undid me. Everyone has experienced grief one way or another in their life, but the way this book was written made me feel my own grief over things in a whole new way. The descriptions and the longing from characters was enough to keep you reading to understand each one more and more as the pages went on. Another reason I loved this book was the love and yearning throughout. Yearning will get me every single time. The scholarly aspect of this story also had me captivated and not wanting to put it down. i would recommend this book to anyone looking for something different from the norm and diving into characters you want to learn about.

[SJRLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to C.G. Frances for the opportunity to read this arc!
Let me start off my saying that this was a beautifully written story. The word I would use is ethereal for the style of writing. Almost poetic in nature. There are so many good quotes in this book!!! The author does a wonderful job of painting a vivid picture of every scene. I loved the relationship that blossomed between Elowynn and Caelyn. It was beautiful to see their relationship through from childhood, through adolescence, then to adulthood (though my favorite character is definitely Sister Agatha).
I would love to see this as a movie.
5 stars and would definitely recommend

[Milena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a five star, phenomenal read for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

C.G. Frances did not cut any corners when it came to the world building, found family, banter, and plot. I was completely hooked as the hidden truths slowly started to unfold, and by the end of the book, I was not ready to leave this world. By the time I finished reading the acknowledgment I was ugly crying at my desk 😭.

✨A beautiful story that will leave you wanting more! 🥹 Definitely a book worth adding to your TBR! ✨

✨World building you will love
✨Celestial Magic
✨Banter!
✨Amazing Found Family
✨Touch her and ☠️ vibes.
✨He fell first.
✨He's a walking exisitional crisis
✨Best friends to lovers.
✨Years of yearning
✨Doesn't care that he's feared.
✨She's a stubborn scholar.
✨"Zombies" (But they're not dead!)

[K.B. Mallows · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

It appears I might be in the minority with my review of this book.

I waffled back and forth with how I felt so many times throughout - I was either completely enthralled or completely frustrated. There seemed to be no in between.

The concept for The Last Remaining Light was fascinating. The writing style is the type I typically prefer - descriptive, somewhat lyrical at times, leaning more complex. The detail in the writing (of the landscapes, architecture and lore) was beautiful and drew me in immediately. I'm fascinated by the idea of the Starless and the concept of a history having been altered or hidden. The magic system is cool, though somewhat complicated to grasp. This story has tons of potential.

What didn't work for me were the pacing and the character dialogues, character dialogues being something that can make or break a good book for me.

The book starts off strong with the main female character Elowynn's childhood trauma and survival. Then slows to a snail's pace as the reader is taken year by year with Elowynn as she grows from a child of 10 or 11 into an 18-year-old woman. Granted, the main male character Caelyn is growing alongside her (as this is a friends to lovers scenario), but not much happens during this time except for Elowynn studying and descriptions of how both Elowynn and Caelyn's appearances are changing over the years.

I think the dialogue between both of them and than occasionally that of their mentor Sister Agatha was meant to be interpreted as witty banter, but instead it felt very wooden and redundant. I didn't find it funny or endearing.

There was also an overabundance of 'ly' words in the dialogue when signaling strong emotion. By 60% into the book, all characters' over use of the word "absolutely" had me wanting to break out my red pen and do some editing. Some character interactions could have benefited from more of a "show don't tell" writing strategy.

The book spends a great deal of time with Elowynn in the city, learning scholarly things and continuing to come into herself - to the point that I began to wonder if this was the plot.

But then, at over 60% into the book, once Caelyn and Elowynn are reunited, things begin to move faster and get more interesting. But the remaining 10% returns to a snail's pace, with them wondering underground tunnels (albeit a fascinating location) puzzling out the hidden history of their world over and over again, while Elowynn (who is the smartest woman in the world) makes theories and discoveries that no one else could - not even the reader can make sense of how the answers just came to her.

The sweet romance had potential but left me wanting much more. And I need to see more of Caelyn when he's not only pining over Elowynn or zoned out, listening to the darkness inside of him.

All that to say, though I enjoyed many parts of this book, there were too many other parts that didn't work for me.

If you like stories with a descriptive writing style, a puzzling world conflict, and a magic system that feels authentic, this book may be for you though.

Thank you to the author for sharing an advanced reader copy of this book with me. This review is my honest opinion, and I'm leaving it voluntarily.

[Readwithzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW: The Last Remaining Light by @c.g Frances -ARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 STARS!

'I think places leave echoes behind when people love them.'

The Last Remaining Light. Book 1 of the Starless Sky Series

The stars are disappearing.
Across Aetheris, an ancient corruption known as the Dimming is spreading through the land, leaving fear, loss, and unanswered questions in its wake. Raised within the safety of Lumenshire Abbey after the fall of her noble house, Elowynn Selvicta has spent her life immersed in forgotten histories and ancient legends.

This book is an absolute masterpiece and a half. C.G Frances did such a spectacular job navigating grief in death, loss of home and heartache. The way these themes were written was heart wrenchingly beautiful.

The writing style is poetic and completely immersive. You can smell the scents, hear the sounds and feel every description given.

The FMC Elowynn is a gorgeous, intelligent but stubborn heroine. Although, her intelligence does not extend to any feelings she cannot explain away with a simple text book and she thinks tea and a textbook are a suitable meal 3 times a day.

Our MMC is just as stubborn, but wise beyond his years even through childhood. Caelyn is such a breath of fresh air for an MMC that we no longer see in fantasy romance. Gone are the days of a morally grey shadow daddy.
Best friends from childhood, protect her at all costs, will cross the continent for her, loves her new friends, PROPER BANTER - we are SO back!

This slow burn is FILLED with the most beautiful yearning. (I mean, FIFTEEN YEARS of yearning and hidden feelings!!!)

Banter • Celestial Themes • Ancient Magic • Found Family • Childhood Friends • Resilience and Grief • Slow Burn • Yearning

The Last Remaining Light is heavy on the world building and magic system - Get yourself comfortable, remove all distractions (yes, lock yourself away from the kids!), you will want ALL of your attention on this book.

This story, these characters, this world, this AUTHOR deserve your full attention!

An absolute masterpiece of a debut novel 👏💫

I'm dying for book 2 and will not stop yapping about this to anyone that is near me.
Thank you so much for this ARC opportunity. What an incomparable read.

💙💙
There are SO many quotes from this story I have saved, however, I will leave you all with one of my favourites.

'And yet here you are, haunting the tunnels like an overeducated cave rat.' - Sister Agatha 😅

[Katie · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you C.G. Frances for the eARC. Every now and then an IG post for ARC readers really catches my eye. This was one of them. The tag lines were:

Friends to lovers
Celestial magic
Yearning romance
End of the world vibes
Who did this to you?
Hopepunk
Resilience & grief
Zombies (but not undead)

I would add: academic coded, it was very scholarly. The book starts with our FMC Elowynn as a child. The timeline moves very slowly from there, by the time we hit 50% into the book, 15 years have passed and we have experienced Elowynn and her childhood friend, Caelyn from childhood to adulthood. I did struggle a little with this, I don’t mind backstory, childhood relationship building, etc but 50% of the book was really long with childhood and young adult life. I completely understand it is setting up the relationship but it was a lot and the pacing was a little slow for my tastes. But the last half makes up for the slower pace and moves at a much faster speed and the stakes ramp up quickly!

Once we started their story as adults, I was absolutely enthralled! There was so much yearning, and they wrote letters!!! They had about 5 years “turns” apart and wrote beautiful letters back and forth that weren’t full of “love” but were full of love, if you know what I mean. Elowynn moved to the capital city to expand her scholastic pursuits because she was absolutely brilliant and was going to change the world with her scholarly knowledge and theories. I still have no idea how the magic works or what it is exactly which is a feat because the entire book is about Elowynn using, theorizing, studying, and learning about their magic systems. It is heavily academic, with a large portion devoted to explaining all the different nuances. The last 30% was a really amazing story, I loved how it turned out. It ends on a little bit of a cliff hanger, not terrible but there is definitely more to this story!

It was very hopepunk forward! The grief aspect was moving and very emotional. The entire book was written so you connected and felt the character’s emotions. It was really well done. This is a beautifully written story, more coming of age, with well developed characters and atmospheric and emotional writing. It was a .5 to 1 chili pepper and I can guess it would stay that way or more fade to black in the future. Also this is for the readers who like a more white knight vs morally gray MMC but only time will tell. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next!

[Nat · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Everything in this book just felt grown - the relationships, the feelings, the characters, the culture - it all felt slowly built upon, rather than just thrust in our face. Dare I even say: it reminded me of Hobb (my fav author ever) with the slow build of everything that gave so much depth.

Plot: After the fall of her noble house and city as a child, Elowynn grows up in an Abbey studying history and magic. Alongside Caelyn, an orphan boy at the abbey who becomes her best friend. Upon adulthood she leaves both abbey and Caelyn for further study, to try and discover what is corrupting the earth, while Caelyn tries to manage the darkness growing inside him.

I feel like its been a long long time since I read a book that followed the MCs from childhood through to adulthood in such a successful way. It wasnt a quick "here's one scene of then being kids together to show it and bam, now they're adults". It was half a book of the MCs growing together and learning about themselves, each other and the history and it was all so beautifully done. I loved how organic it made all the relationships feel. Nothing was instantaneous but emerged over time. I hadnt realised how insta-lust some of these other books feel after the MCs knowing each other for 2 months until there was 15ish years of getting to know each other and slowly slowly realising that there were some very deep feelings for each other. It was so beautifully done.

This also allowed the MCs - especially Elowynn- to come into their own space. She could always argue, but she learned how to debate and demonstrate and deal with the politics and I enjoyed seeing her come into her strength through her own work. I loved Lora and Alyra - they added great femimine friendship and a lot of fun.

Caelyn was a top notch yearner, and I am always here for the mmc falling first and hard. And caring enough to let her go for years because it was best for her future. A possessive mmc who still lets her make her choices is something I can definitely get behind.

The overall story was always hinted at in the background but came charging through, as it should, in the last 100 pages. It opened up the story and world and left me with so many questions! I need the next book in the series stat.

Expertly crafted story and characters that was an absolute joy to read.

I received an advance review copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review

[Hillary · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing this ARC.

It’s not often a book makes me cry, and it’s even less often that a book has me crying about characters less than halfway through the book. This is a beautiful, emotionally wrought debut novel; great for fans of romantic fantasy who prefer the relationship dynamics over an epic quest.

Pros
The writing is gorgeous. I have so many highlighted quotes just because the sentences are beautiful. “The sounds reminded her that not every kind of permanence was found in stone. Some lived on in memory, in rhythm, and in hope.” I think the prose alone could have made me cry for how stunning it is, the romance is just the cherry on top.

I am a shameless defender of friends-to-lovers dynamics. Not that I don’t love a good enemies-to-lovers, but there is something so satisfying about a bond that builds for years because of trust and slowly evolving affection. Frances does an amazing job of navigating Elowynn’s slow recognition of her attraction to Caelyn and Caelyn’s broody yearning. I love a man who broods and also supports the object of his desire’s career goals which Caelyn does.

The pacing of the beginning and middle of the book is also really good. We get an abridged view of Elowynn and Caelyn growing up that plants the seeds of their relationship for the rest of the book. The story doesn’t linger too long, but also excels at “show don’t tell” style narrative. Then we get the MCs’ transition into adulthood and the divergence of their paths where the story digs in a little more into their day to day experiences and inner life.

Cons
My one singular complaint is the end of the book. Without spoiling anything, it feels like the pace slowed down a ton and we keep getting minor revelations every chapter for a dozen chapters. I think I would prefer one big twist over the “enter a room, make a discovery, repeat” cycle.

Conclusion
Read the book, thank me later. I was so invested in the relationship from the start and I was not disappointed in the slow burn that I can’t wait to continue reading in the next book. I believe C.G. Frances is on the path to being a powerhouse of romantic fantasy writing and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

[Rachael aballadofswordsandspicymargs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Remaining Light is such a beautifully written, hopeful story that completely drew me into its world.

We follow Elowynn on her journey from the coastal Lumenshire to the expansive Veylspire, as she slowly begins to uncover more about herself and the mysteries surrounding her traumatic past and all those tied to it .

Along the way, as she grows ,she finds a small but incredibly loyal group of friends who become an important part of her journey and, perhaps most importantly, she begins to find herself again.


There was something incredibly special about the way this story explores healing, belonging, friendship, and finding your way back to the places and people who helped you rebuild. Lumenshire, in particular, felt like more than just a setting; it became a place of comfort and restoration for Elowynn, and I loved seeing her journey eventually lead her back there and back to Caelyn, who was her guiding light and support her entire journey as well as her friends.


This book is hope-core in the best possible way.

There’s something so gentle and beautiful about its themes of finding light after difficult experiences and discovering that you don't have to walk through everything alone.

C.G. Frances has created such a captivating world, and her world building and writing is genuinely beautiful to read.

I found myself having a hard time putting this book down and constantly wanting just one more chapter. By the end, I wasn't ready to leave this starless world at all …

I wanted more of Elowynn, more of these characters, and more of everything this world has to offer ( as well as sister Agatha’s dry witty banter )

A beautiful, heartfelt fantasy about healing, friendship, self-discovery, and finding your way back home.