Light & Dark: The Black Bonded

Light & Dark #2

by Daniel M. Fife

Danny Firoth returns home from a magical, yet deceitful, summer at the White Rock Academy of Illumination, only to be faced with a new terror, high school. However, the woes of the school's halls are quickly forgotten when Danny is summoned to the high Council of the Elvin Elders in Elsmelda, the capital city of the Elves. Danny learns that being the prophesized savior of the Light, the Mageknight, comes with a fancy new title, and massive new responsibilities. Distraught with trying to meet the requirements of his new station, the loss of his father's Bonded, and the perplexing relationship with his infatuation, Sabrina Drake, Danny is tested even more as a second-year squire. Danny and his friends are placed center stage as they are presented with Bondeds of their own and inducted into an army, competing in mock warfare for the grandest trophy of all, the Chalice of Light. Danny is also confronted with some serious issues, a question of trust among the Order of Light, as well as a need to unravel the deeper mystery of the Mageknight and the foreboding plan of his betrayer, Syndil Sartak Tribolari, in his search for a weapon that could bring about the end of the Light and all living things, The Black Bonded.

485 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2015

About the author

Daniel M. Fife was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 27, 1978. He began writing Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight during his years as a graduate student at Ball State University under the major of Counseling Psychology. What began as a simple hobby quickly turned into something more as he found a passion for writing. While carrying the schedule of a full-time student as well as working a part-time job, he devoted himself to write at least one page a day. After graduating in 2007, he received the opportunity to begin practicing psychology as a counselor at a local private practice the very same year. His devotion to writing did not waiver. Working a full time schedule and maintaining a full complement of clients, he maintained his dedication. A year or so later, he completed the rough draft of Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight and began the editing process, before finally publishing the final draft in 2012.

Reviews

[Daniel Fife · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am D. M. Fife, the author of Light & Dark: The Black Bonded, the second book in the Light & Dark Series, following the first book, Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight. As you can see above, I have given my own work a collection of five stars. This of course is not any attempt at vanity in my own regard. I simply think that any artist who has created any kind of work has to feel that their creation is special and dear to them. Otherwise, what’s the point? I have spent a tremendous amount of time attempting to put together a story that not only I would enjoy reading, but that you the reader of nearly any age would enjoy reading as well. Thus, I do believe that my own creation is deserving of the best, because, it is indeed my own creation and special to me. Whether it truly deserves a full five stars is of course up to you, the reader.

During the creation of Light & Dark: The Black Bonded, I almost felt like the novel was writing itself. I have read through it several times during the reviewing and editing process, and every time I chuckle to myself when I come across a fantastic scene or piece of dialogue that I had forgotten I even wrote. I truly enjoy reading Light & Dark, because it takes me back to my childhood days, and I am able to re-experience the joy of being a teenager while allowing me to join the characters on a fantastic tale that only existed in my daydreams during the said age that seems so long ago.

The characters themselves are very close to my heart as many are based on friends who populated my own life as a young adult. It was my attempt to make them as genuine and organic as possible. Each has their own personality and personal quirks. It has been my continued attempt to give you, the reader, a window into each of the main characters and then allow them to populate the pages with their own development as the story progresses.

Light & Dark: The Black Bonded is a derivative of several of my favorite books, anime, comics, cartoons, and movies that I have come to enjoy, all mixed into one. If I could give you comparison with other works, I would have to say that is an ideal concoction of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Enders Game by Orson Scott Card, the anime Bleach, Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, and Magician by Raymond E. Feist with my own twist on magic, swords, and fantasy.
Some things that you will find to be unique in the Light & Dark Series is the use of a Bonded, which are magical weapons solely used by the Knights and Squires of the Light. They are powerful weapons imbued with abilities unique to the wielder and blade. However, if you read the book, you will realize that the ingredients used in the creation of these weapons are quite costly and adds a very distinctive personality to the Bonded weapons. Additionally, another exclusive idea to the story is the system of combat used during duels between the Squires of the Light as well as the duels between the armies at the Academy of Illumination, the school that teaches one to become fully knighted member of the Light. In these mock duels, which are meant to represent the rules and consequences of real combat, both combatants wear a suit of enchanted armor that paralyzes parts of the body when struck. For example: if struck on the arm at the elbow, one would lose the function of that appendage from the spot hit down to the extremity of the fingers, the armor freezing one’s hand from the elbow down.

Thus, if you enjoy a good hearted action adventure fantasy story that threatens to cause one to regress to an age when things were but a little simpler and add in a few fantastical flights of fantasy, good morals, heart racing sword fights, a magical world of relatable characters, Light & Dark: The Black Bonded is most definitely for you.

Thank you,

Daniel M. Fife, author

[Eline · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.M. Fife did it again! He provided us with a very spectacular, exciting and overwhelming story. In this sequel to "Light and Dark: the awakening of the Mageknight" we get to know Danny, Sabrina, Chris, Doug and all the others a little better. Every single one of them gets a bigger part in the saving of the Light. They also get to know and appreciate each other better. They get to taste feelings of victory and loss together and discover that their bond is more than mere friendship.

D.M. Fife has a unique writing style. He makes it possible to "see" everything you read in a very vivid way. For me, reading this book was like watching a movie with super special effects. The story made me even think a little more of Harry Potter than the first one, but not in a way it bothered me. The author has created a complete magical world with special items like the "Bondeds" that add a great value to it. Also the references to King Arthur, Merlin and others are woven very good into this story.

I'm really looking forward to the third book in the series and recommend this one to everybody who's a fan of Harry Potter, magic, good against evil, epic fights... I believe lots of readers will enjoy this book!

[Johnathan Fomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was turned on to Light & Dark: The Black Bonded truly by chance. However, after reading the short synopsis, I thought to give it a go. I was not disappointed. Fife does an amazing job inserting you into his brilliant world filled with vibrant characters, descriptive sites, and wondrous visualizations. I couldn't put the book down. Not only that, but It wasn't until I was a few pages in that I realized I was actually reading the second book in the Light & Dark Series. Thanks to this wonderful read, I will be sure pick up the first one to see what I missed.

[Kasey Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story has gotten SO much better. A lot of the main characters friends who weren't very fleshed out get more character. You could feel the author improving as he was writing the story.The world building continues to be excellent. The last scene was generally powerful. I was thinking of it for days afterward. I saw it coming, but I didn't expect it to get so nitty gritty and real. I can't wait until the next part comes out. I will buy it as soon as I can when it comes out on Amazon.

[Amanda Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the first

This book was better then the first. Danny is growing up. I am also enjoying how his friends are starting to get there own roles in this mess. I will definitely be reading the third book when it is released.