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In Sunlight and in Shadow
Bet is sworn to the service of the Last Court, a secret magical society that exists in the shadows of modern New York City—and her heart belongs to the Grand Sorceress. But her attempts to court Vivienne end in disaster, and disillusionment drives her from the Last Court.
The Court, however, isn't done with Bet.
The Court, however, isn't done with Bet.
- GenresFantasy
42 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2017
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 9, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I really liked this story, I just wish it had been a little bit longer so we could have a few more details on the world-building. For example some members of The Last Court seem to have magic and there is an actual dragon in the story, but also it seems like you don't necessarily HAVE to have a magical connection to be there, you just have to be invited by someone. It's an interesting concept, I just wish we had gotten more details on it. The characters were great though. I love lady-knights so I loved Bet and Vivi was great as well. I also liked the details about her being Jewish and how she was going to have to go talk to her rabbi about what kind of magic she was allowed to practice and when. I'd love to read some more things in this universe because I feel like there is a lot to expand on here.
I really liked this story, I just wish it had been a little bit longer so we could have a few more details on the world-building. For example some members of The Last Court seem to have magic and there is an actual dragon in the story, but also it seems like you don't necessarily HAVE to have a magical connection to be there, you just have to be invited by someone. It's an interesting concept, I just wish we had gotten more details on it. The characters were great though. I love lady-knights so I loved Bet and Vivi was great as well. I also liked the details about her being Jewish and how she was going to have to go talk to her rabbi about what kind of magic she was allowed to practice and when. I'd love to read some more things in this universe because I feel like there is a lot to expand on here.
December 27, 2018
I LOVE THIS STORY!!! It has so many of the things I love - ladies with swords, ladies with magic, people figuring out how to make relationships work despite very different life circumstances, and overthrowing corrupt authority. You know, all the things a good story needs. :)
September 15, 2017
Bet has a split life: she is Bet, a city resident with a low-paying job and a life that means little to her, and Lady Ysabet, a member of a fae court that she once thought had honor. Lately, though, it seems to her that the court is less about honor and fighting monsters, as she once thought, and more about showiness and supporting the pride of the fae king. And she wants none of it. Unfortunately, leaving puts her in trouble, because once you enter the fae court you're supposed to be in for good. And no one disrespects the king.
I liked the concept of the fae court, although I thought it could have been developed further--probably would have been if this was a longer book instead of a rather short novella. The fact that it was urban fantasy was a nice bonus, and Bet was sympathetic. And then there's the romance.
Bet is in love with Vivienne, a lady of the court. Of course everyone in the court has second lives and in the "real world" Vivienne is Aviva, a Hasidic Jewish girl who likes to be a lady and still believes in the fae court, but also loves Bet and wants to see her do the right thing, and make the court a better place. Her strong moral compass is a huge part of Bet's motivation in this story. And I loved that she was a traditional Jew and her religion wasn't pushed aside or shown to be solely oppressive because of her sexuality. Overall, I thought she was a very interesting character, and I hope she and Bet will be happy together.
I would recommend this book to fans of LGBT fantasy who don't mind a fairly short and therefore less developed story, and also to people who like fae courts and the like. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the concept of the fae court, although I thought it could have been developed further--probably would have been if this was a longer book instead of a rather short novella. The fact that it was urban fantasy was a nice bonus, and Bet was sympathetic. And then there's the romance.
Bet is in love with Vivienne, a lady of the court. Of course everyone in the court has second lives and in the "real world" Vivienne is Aviva, a Hasidic Jewish girl who likes to be a lady and still believes in the fae court, but also loves Bet and wants to see her do the right thing, and make the court a better place. Her strong moral compass is a huge part of Bet's motivation in this story. And I loved that she was a traditional Jew and her religion wasn't pushed aside or shown to be solely oppressive because of her sexuality. Overall, I thought she was a very interesting character, and I hope she and Bet will be happy together.
I would recommend this book to fans of LGBT fantasy who don't mind a fairly short and therefore less developed story, and also to people who like fae courts and the like. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2017
barely 3 stars
An urban fantasy of 13,000 words about a questionable secret magical organization whose knights should fight against monsters that live in the shadows. Too short for a proper world building and character development but still interesting enough although quite vague for my taste.
eARC by Less Than Three Press via NetGalley
An urban fantasy of 13,000 words about a questionable secret magical organization whose knights should fight against monsters that live in the shadows. Too short for a proper world building and character development but still interesting enough although quite vague for my taste.
eARC by Less Than Three Press via NetGalley
November 3, 2017
As a knight of the Last Court, Lady Ysabet serves the Pendragon by fighting monsters that hunt from the shadows of New York City. She is also Bet, who works two jobs just to stay afloat. After growing disgusted with the state of the court, she chooses to leave that life behind and turn her back on her oath. It isn’t very long before the Last Court and her lover Vivienne call upon her to serve once again.
Many of the ideas behind In Sunlight and in Shadow were very intriguing, particularly the idea of a magical society existing just out of sight and members who live dual lives. The inclusion of Aviva’s background as a Hasidic Jew who loves women was also interesting. The main issue I found was that the book wasn’t quite long enough to really flesh out the world and its characters to their full potential. It was an enjoyable read, but the kind of world that the author was building would have really benefitted from a higher word count.
ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Many of the ideas behind In Sunlight and in Shadow were very intriguing, particularly the idea of a magical society existing just out of sight and members who live dual lives. The inclusion of Aviva’s background as a Hasidic Jew who loves women was also interesting. The main issue I found was that the book wasn’t quite long enough to really flesh out the world and its characters to their full potential. It was an enjoyable read, but the kind of world that the author was building would have really benefitted from a higher word count.
ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews