The Sunfire King

Of Candlelight and Shadows #2

by Sylvia Mercedes, Emily Lawrence (Narrator)

A Stolen Bridegroom. A Determined Bride. A Love that will defy both Heaven and Hell.

Valera couldn’t have known the disaster that would fall when she betrayed her husband by looking at his face by candlelight. Now, it’s too late—he is taken from her to some faraway world. She doesn’t know where. She doesn’t know why. She doesn’t even know who kidnapped him.

But she will save him. No matter what.

Neither adventurous nor skilled with weapons like her younger sister, Valera nonetheless sets out on the adventure of a lifetime. An adventure that will take her journeying through worlds and confronting perils she is desperately unprepared to face . . . until at last she comes to the dark and twisted palace standing on the edge of Hell.

Is her love of Erolas strong enough to sustain her? Or will the final test prove too great?

Valera and Erolas’s love story comes to a stunning conclusion! Scroll up and one-click to read this romantic adventure today.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Fantasy Romance, Magic, Young Adult, Retellings

470 pages, ebook

First published April 20, 2021

About the author

Hi, there. I'm Sylvia: cat-lover, tea-drinker, book-addict, and avid fan of the Kickbutt Heroine Fantasy Genre! If you like reading about tough heroines with extraordinary powers facing their demons and saving their loved ones . . . then we ought to be friends!

Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. You get my novel, Song of Shadows, for FREE when you sign up!

Reviews

[The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than the first book - this one has Valera enduring a quest to find Erolas - but the ending was immensely unsatisfying and awkwardly wrapped up.

[Bryn Shutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic. Immersive. Evocative.

This was an enjoyable conclusion to Valera and Erolas' story. Lush settings, intriguing new characters, and unending love, all sandwiched by a desperate race against time.

The first book in this duology got me through some tough weeks and this one was just as much a treat to read.

[Davina Herondale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was actually surprised on how much I like this little duology. It’s actually really cute, I recommend it.

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm just going to be honest here. I really enjoyed the first book but I only got halfway through this book. It's not that this book was that bad it just didn't hold my interest and as much as I hate leaving a book half way through, I realised at the half way point that I really didn't care how it ended so that's a deal breaker for me.

[Alexandra II the nine lives of my library · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this was even worse than the first book. If I ever hear the phrases “gods above” and “seven gods above” one more time, I’ll lose my mind.

[Maddy]

No idea what it’s about but that cover!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was exactly what I thought it would be. A woman going on a long hard journey to save her husband. Mercedes really pulls me in with her amazing descriptive writing. I was having serious anxiety for this poor woman. This is the second book in the Candlelight series. Do not read this without reading the first. The first is the story of how they fall in love and this is a journey to save him and his people.
This is a pg13 read. There is a lot of non-sexual nudity. There is some seasonality and a fade to black sex scene between husband and wife.
Some violence as she journeys, she is put in many perilous situations that lead to almost death many times. There is a death of a reptile that is descriptive.
I hope her sister gets her story next! That had red ridding hood all over!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the first book in this duology was about Valera and Erolas's love story of meeting and forming a connection, this second novel is about Valera's character development and finding her inner strength. This was a grand sweeping adventure across the lands of the Fae. I loved seeing Valera find her strength and realize that she could face the challenges laid out before her. I do wish this novel had a bit more romance, because even though Valera is on a quest to free Erolas, their interaction in this story was pretty minimum. Overall, a very sweet and cute fantasy romance.

[Topastro]

I devoured the first book but this could not hold my attention. I got to 10% before DNFing, I may come back to this but I'll put it away for now.

[Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still hate the sister, but this was good.

[Lyriah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the ending? What is this? I feel cheated. You mean to tell me i went through (ok, i basically skipped most of it) 200 pages of Valera fighting for her husband and then all we get in the end is just a kiss? Not even a satifying one. Even if the book was ment to be "clean", at least let us see how/why all the fighing was worth in the end! I would have thrown away the book when i read "the end" but my ebook reader is too precious. That's how angry it made me!
Also, SO MANY UNANSWERD questions!!!!! Why couldn't Valera see her husband face? Why was he a shadow by day?
UGH!!! I'm so dissapointed, cause i was so invested in their relationship....and i got nothing.
Why!?!?!
It's such a shame when i absolutely loved the 1st book.

Now excuse me while I go treat my horrible hangover

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It was mediocre.

- Sylvia Mercedes was brilliant to have her h have visions of the H, so that we could get a little taste of him throughout the book. (Since they were apart for the entire book).
- I liked that her sister apologized for her role in Valera's betrayal of Erolas. Her story is sort of left unfinished.
- I liked that Valera felt deep remorse for her betrayal; however, she never apologizes to Erolas, which was odd.
- Her travels through the faerie layers of reality (or whatever they are) were pretty far-out there. A little stranger and more mind-boggling than what I usually go for, to be honest.
- I didn't love the ending scene between them. The chemistry was pretty meh.
- I thought it was kind of strange that the author relied on *censored ;)* to ultimately overcome the villain. That character wasn’t even a part of the book...
- I also thought it was weird how there was so much nakedness. People are constantly naked in both of this book. The humanoid Ella and the goblins are always naked, but besides that there are a ton of just naked scenes. (Not sexual.) The queen is standing in her bathtub or looking at her naked body in the mirror. Erolas is lounging naked on his bed or standing in his room naked. Valera's dress is taken from her and she's naked. Naked, naked, naked. I've never read about so many naked people! lol
- I never really liked Valera.

Content:
Language - I don't recall any swearing.
Sex - a very tame fade to black between a married couple at the end (she's wearing lingerie). A lot of nonsexual nakedness, like I mention above.
Violence - some fighting.
I like the cover.
I bought this on Kindle.



How I rated the series-
1 - The Moonfire Bride - 3.5 stars (amazing chemistry but I didn’t like the FMC)
2 - The Sunfire King - 2.5 stars (meh chemistry; FMC didn’t entirely redeem herself)

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sunfire King by Sylvia Mercedes
****4.5****

Another good one by Sylvia Mercedes. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Sylvia's worldbuilding and magic. She easily creates visual illusions with her words and the story always drives along quickly.
I will admit I was hoping for a bit more Valera/Erolas time, these were my favorite parts of the last book, the mystery and the smoldering intensity. There was less mystery to this one (thought still some of course [who is the Pale Queen and why does she want Erolas?]) and definitely less smoldering intensity throughout. However, as mentioned above, the worldbuliding and magic did not suffer. Sylvia Mercedes is on my favorite author list and her books are an insta-read!

Highly recommended as always! Comes out in April 2021, check out The Moonfire Bride (Book 1 in Of Candlelight and Shadows )

Previous comments:
I require this book yesterday!

[Teya Teya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very uniquely written book. I enjoyed the storyline to a point. The pleasure thing turned me off but It was written well enough that it's glossed over. I also didn't like the naked reference, however, with this being a species it was written in a way you knew it was there but not it was not a focus. Like Aborigines, you know they wear very little but it's their culture type of thing. Some people might bother them but I took it as a species of who they are so it didn't bother me.

[Suzannah Rowntree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the second instalment of this duology, which draws on the legends of Eros and Psyche, East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and The Black Bull of Norroway for an evocative, dangerous romantic fantasy steeped in fairytales. Plus, who doesn't love a book about a timid mortal adventuring to a kingdom on the border of Hell to win back a husband who barely even remembers her from a wicked troll queen? I loved every minute of it and can't wait to read more from this author.

[Jessika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh.my.god!
I'm not even sure I know where to start. This book enraptured me. The beautifully detailed worlds she brought to life, the creatures in those worlds, the intricate magics she created, and not to mention the character growth! It was everything I wanted and more!
Valera, Valera, Valera! She was an absolute star. She went from trembling bride to brave rescuer. She grew so much in this book. I liked that her obstacles, though they seemed insurmountable, never became easier or less dangerous.
The only thing I would've wished for was more Erolas and Valera time, but in no way do I feel cheated. The adventures of this book will stay with me for a long time. I can't wait to dive into another of Sylvia's books.
(Loved how the author slipped in the addition of a Miphata, btw)

[ShannaBanana✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did nothing but worry about Erolas through the entire book! For a while, I thought he was being forced against his will to have sex with all these random women. I am so glad that was not the case. I couldn’t deal with it if he was being violated although he was still held against his will and being sacrificed. His Moonfire Queen came through like awesome heroine she is and rescued him just in time. She went through a lot but she did what she had to do for the one she loves. Both of these characters are extremely lovable, strong and resilient.

Just like the first book, I enjoyed this a lot but I did wish we had more Erolas throughout the book.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm counting down the days for this one!

I want this man to finally get his kiss -

UPDATE:

Gorgeous! I loved this even more than the first book.

I loved the first book for the fairy-tale-esque romance; the mood and and style of the writing.

This book I loved for the way we got to experience the worlds; the author did an incredible job capturing the wildness of magic and Faerie that old stories and legends have.

I love how we got to see more of Brielle and the person she has become. I love her character and would love to read a story featuring her as the protagonist.

The folds separating the worlds is such a fascinating concept, and in this book we got to see a number of ways, seeming illogical, that the worlds are crossed. I just love the wildness and mystery.

I feel like Valera has grown a lot since the first book; she's becoming braver and stronger and I'm enjoying seeing her growth.

The plot! I loved the plot! It was so full of the wildness of magic, but in a way that was somehow controlled? It's difficult to explain, but makes sense if you've read it.

This book was gorgeous. The world development is incredible and definitely one of my top representations of magic/worlds/fae. The ways of crossing the borders just seems so true to old legends. The characters in this! We meet some new ones and encounter a few twists, all of which I love. And the romance! *heart eyes*

Takeaway:
INCREDIBLE world concept
Beautiful, lyrical writing
SHIPPABLE!
Side characters!

[Simona Libreria Verticale · Rating 2 out of 5]

uno dei libri più brutti che abbia mai letto, peggio del primo. L'unica cosa che mi sono chiesta durante la lettura è stato "ma perché?" ed è così noiosa che ho dovuto saltare attraverso le pagine schivando righe intere di fuffa per poter seguire la trama.
aggiungere mille aggettivi e frasi arzigogolate non rende la scrittura poetica se non sai scrivere, la rende solo confusa e noiosa

[Tara Grayce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a stunning conclusion to this duology! I read this book in a single day, totally mesmerized by the immersive fae world this author has created! I was holding my breath the whole time, since the obstacles these characters faced seemed so insurmountable! I wasn't sure how Valera would succeed!

Retellings of Psyche and Eros/East of the Sun, West of the Moon are few and far between, and this duology joins the ranks as one that captures the wonder, darkness, and triumph of the tale!

[Isa Centeno · Rating 4 out of 5]

AGGGGGGGGGGGGGG AMÉ

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

More fun and magical than the first! Valera has to go on a grand and treacherous journey across the fae realms to find her way back to the Sunfire King and save him from the Pale Queen, who will offer up his life as sacrifice.

While the plot seemed rather haphazard, I enjoyed getting to travel to the various realms and watching Valera problem solve her way out of things. And it was indeed satisfying to finally uncover the truth about what was going on with the curse.

Her relationship with Brielle was a bit rushed to me, without the proper development to make some of their character beats feel reasonable. Granny Dorrel, too. In truth, most of the character dynamics were underwhelming, including the main romance. As much fun as I had following Valera along her journey, I wasn’t at all able to believe that she was truly in love with him, enough to want to hunt him down to the ends of the earth. And her petty feelings of jealousy were annoying, and it boggles my mind that she didn’t once think that maybe Erolas was receiving these women against his will. Sure, at the end it is revealed that he didn’t sleep with any of them and one of them was actually plotting to help him escape but it was frustrating me while I was reading because she knows that her husband is both ensorcelled and a prisoner.

There’s also some worldbuilding behind the history of the Pale Queen and her grooms that I wish was explained.

But anyway, Erolas is still a swell dude. Wish Valera wasn’t always salivating over how sexy her husband was because it was distracting from the main story. Overall though I enjoyed this little duology. Love me some magic dresses.

[Tiffany (Bluestocking) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 50% I think I’m calling it quits on this one. So disappointing considering how much I enjoyed the first one. There were a lot of words but not a lot was happening. Valera was practically non-existent in her own story. She didn’t do or say much and it felt like Brielle was the heroine for the first 45% of the story.

I may revisit it…I may not…but I’m in no hurry to endure such a tedious task at present.

UPDATE!!
I actually decided to finish this one and let me tell you, it was so boring I wish I could get back the time I wasted. For the second part of a duology, it felt like a filler novel. Valera was such a pain. She couldn’t do anything. Solutions were just handed to her. The long awaited reunion with Earolas was anticlimactic and oh so boring.

To add insult to injury, we still don’t even know why the Pale Queen put a curse on Earolas’ family, how the curse worked, yes we got the name of the guy she made sacrifices to but we don’t know why and what for. Valera’s “powers, if you can even call them that, aren’t even explained.

I was left with more questions than answers and honestly I really don’t care. I’m just glad I finished it.

Content: Clean, One Big Snooze-fest

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Going to review the 2 books in the series here.

These books were fine. Serviceable as somewhat interesting fantasy novels. However, no matter how interesting a plot is, at the end of the day you can’t get away from the fact that really great books need really great writing.

A lot of fantasy book summaries like to compare to the likes of Sarah J Maas or Holly Black (as this one did). That just sets up for disappointment. Once you’ve read the writing, characters, dialogue and world building of those authors or Amy Harmon, Katherine Ardin, Juliet Millier, or Grace Draven, the bar has been set really high for this kind of book.

This series unfortunately didn’t come close to that bar. Most of the situations were cliche with no real tension since the outcome every time was pretty obvious. Also, there was SO much telling and especially in the first book which should have been focused on brining us into the relationship building and instead we just get TOLD that they talked with very little actual dialogue shared. So we never really get to know these characters or care about them as a couple.

I ended up skimming most of the second book because about 80% of it was spent on what felt like random adventures to fill space until the separated lovers could find each other again. And once they did, it was rushed ending and over.

Book 1: 3 stars
Book 2: 2.5 stars
Overall: 2.5 stars

[Sewster · Rating 2 out of 5]

I basically skipped the first half of the book. I was not interested in reading about Valera going on a super long, mostly solo, quest. Maybe this is an indication that I wasn’t very attached to the character. I just couldn’t bring myself to care about her.

Her reluctance to go “all in” with Erolas was even more frustrating after learning more about her previous life in this book. Her father is terrible, her grandmother is straight up evil. I think Valera could have convinced Erolas to bring Brielle to his home or at least set her up with a nice life somewhere else.

Also, this was probably unintentionally, but the author basically wrote a good villain origin story for Brielle. She wasted 8 years of her childhood looking for her sister, only to find her sister doesn’t want to live with her. We find out she’s super smart and strong, able to navigate magical worlds in ways most humans cannot. We know that witch magic runs in her veins. Then, Brielle is trapped into 7 years of servitude to her evil witch grandmother, all for her sister again. That would make anyone bitter. I can totally see Brielle coming out of that 7 years dangerous and ready for revenge on Erolas and Valera. Also, I think this would make a much more interesting and compelling read than the story I’m currently reviewing.

[Anastasis Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was beside myself waiting for The Sunfire King after the basically obsessing over The Moonfire Bride. And it was so beautiful, so breathtaking. I will forever love this duology. The worlds, the magic - stunning.

Now, as for what to expect, The Sunfire King is a very different chapter in Valera and Erolas' story than The Moonfire Bride. The Moonfire Bride was desperately sweet and romantic but wasn't a whole lot of adventure. The Sunfire King focuses much more on adventure and Valera overcoming a LOT of stacked odds. So there's not as much Valera-and-Erolas time (naturally) as The Moonfire Bride. But we DO still get some heart-melting scenes with them toward the end.

This duology is my favorite read of the YEAR so far. Highly recommend if you love tales of stolen fae brides, underdog heroines, and swoon-worthy-as-heck heroes.

Content Note: Mature by my standards, though no on-page sex.

[Sarika Fils-Aime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more

I knew I was going to cry after reading this. I just love it soo much. This was even better than the first book because now Valera is aware of not only the curse, but also fae tricks. It was so entertaining and intriguing to learn along tower Valera the different tricks she would encounter and then to also watch her overcome them. I must say it was also quite suspenseful. Though I know that the Pale Woman was not their ally, I kept getting The Countess (America Horror Story, Hotel) vibes from her and I partially wish there was another book going into detail about her and Urym.
This book totally took me for a roller coaster ride. The suspense almost killed me, and Valera’s growth pulled on all my heart strings. Simply loved it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, the second book obviously took me a little longer than the first one but i have a feeling i got distracted (it was last year and my memory is not that good).
still a great book though, great finish to the first book and it did differentiate from the other kidnapping books where they are forced to get married in this one.

[Cora P. Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fully fleshed out book! Great proof & edit job! An enjoyable read! New favorite author to follow! Best of all..NO PORN..just great romance with enough spice!!

Proof that great literature still exists without the need to dummy down or sordid up! LOVE THIS BOOK! NO REGRETS!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry, I really really did try to like this but nothing at all happened....