What do you think?
Rate this book
Seasons Cycle #2
Summer Lights
Can love transcend time, space, and worlds?
Spring Song may be over, but Midsummer celebrations at the House of Silveria come with unexpected challenges. A pair of sand kittens arrive with their handler, Fang, a desert nomad whose people are hounded and oppressed. Set on a secret mission, Fang must accomplish it by any means. At least, that was her plan until she meets Mara, the Stable Master whose scent has long haunted her dreams. Can Desert Warrior Fang accomplish her mission and still win the heart of the woman she desires?
The annual lake outing on Night of Lights is imminent and everyone is excited, until the Reclining Dragon arrives with his liegeman. With these two unwelcome visitors prowling all over the House and the children running wild, Heinregard and Clayten must somehow keep them apart. Will the truth about the wildlings’ parentage be revealed or will they be able to keep the Reclining Dragon in the dark?
----------------------------------------
Summer Lights is Book 2 in the Seasons Cycle, a Romantic (High) Fantasy novel that follows two couples (one F/F and one M/M).
If you enjoy sweet, slow-burn romance with your fantasy, or some fantasy with your romance; if you like lyrical story-telling that's beautiful and bittersweet, with memorable characters that are well-drawn and relatable; if you love horses, then you will love Summer Lights.
The main characters have inspired poems and songs, including the poetry collection Songs of Love & Longing.. QR codes are embedded within the text to link to the songs on the author's youtube channel.
The main characters in Summer Lights happen to be gay and lesbian. Summer Lights is the second book in the Seasons Cycle, an LGBTQ+ friendly series, but can be read as a standalone.
Tropes: True Love, Forbidden Love, Fated Mates, Past Lives.
High Fantasy; Medieval Fantasy; Romantic Fantasy; Fantasy Romance; LGBTQ+ Fantasy; Mythological Fantasy; Bittersweet Slow-Burn Romance
Spring Song may be over, but Midsummer celebrations at the House of Silveria come with unexpected challenges. A pair of sand kittens arrive with their handler, Fang, a desert nomad whose people are hounded and oppressed. Set on a secret mission, Fang must accomplish it by any means. At least, that was her plan until she meets Mara, the Stable Master whose scent has long haunted her dreams. Can Desert Warrior Fang accomplish her mission and still win the heart of the woman she desires?
The annual lake outing on Night of Lights is imminent and everyone is excited, until the Reclining Dragon arrives with his liegeman. With these two unwelcome visitors prowling all over the House and the children running wild, Heinregard and Clayten must somehow keep them apart. Will the truth about the wildlings’ parentage be revealed or will they be able to keep the Reclining Dragon in the dark?
----------------------------------------
Summer Lights is Book 2 in the Seasons Cycle, a Romantic (High) Fantasy novel that follows two couples (one F/F and one M/M).
If you enjoy sweet, slow-burn romance with your fantasy, or some fantasy with your romance; if you like lyrical story-telling that's beautiful and bittersweet, with memorable characters that are well-drawn and relatable; if you love horses, then you will love Summer Lights.
The main characters have inspired poems and songs, including the poetry collection Songs of Love & Longing.. QR codes are embedded within the text to link to the songs on the author's youtube channel.
The main characters in Summer Lights happen to be gay and lesbian. Summer Lights is the second book in the Seasons Cycle, an LGBTQ+ friendly series, but can be read as a standalone.
Tropes: True Love, Forbidden Love, Fated Mates, Past Lives.
High Fantasy; Medieval Fantasy; Romantic Fantasy; Fantasy Romance; LGBTQ+ Fantasy; Mythological Fantasy; Bittersweet Slow-Burn Romance
- GenresFantasy
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2022
1 person is currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Cassia Hall
10 books485 followersCassia Hall is the author of the Seasons Cycle, a romantic fantasy series. Her short fiction can be found in anthologies and the collection, "Buttons & Other Stories", "Poems of Myth & Magick", and "Songs of Love & Longing". Her original music and songs can be found on her Lake Traveler Fantasy Music channel.
.
Her work is diverse and inclusive. Her writing has been described as ‘lush and lyrical’, her music as ‘LoTR meets GoT and Witcher, with a musical theatre vibe’.
She lives in Toronto, Canada where winters are long and the other seasons very precious.
Visit her websites to read more about the books and listen to the original songs and music:
https://cassiahall.com/
https://laketraveler.com/video
https://www.youtube.com/c/LakeTravele...
Subscribe to the youtube channel to get notified of new releases for singles and upcoming albums!
Follow Cassia on BookBub to receive notices about her new releases : https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cassi...
.
Her work is diverse and inclusive. Her writing has been described as ‘lush and lyrical’, her music as ‘LoTR meets GoT and Witcher, with a musical theatre vibe’.
She lives in Toronto, Canada where winters are long and the other seasons very precious.
Visit her websites to read more about the books and listen to the original songs and music:
https://cassiahall.com/
https://laketraveler.com/video
https://www.youtube.com/c/LakeTravele...
Subscribe to the youtube channel to get notified of new releases for singles and upcoming albums!
Follow Cassia on BookBub to receive notices about her new releases : https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cassi...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 26, 2023
Wow what a sequel wasn’t expecting this… was very different to the first book if not better. The setting reminded me half Narnia and half lord of the rings along with romance and of course the musical lyrics
December 19, 2022
Just in time for Summer! This story was sweet and surprising and everything I want for the upcoming season. I will be the first to say I’m not generally a fantasy fan, however I am a fan of this series and the way it is developing. Cassia Hall is the queen of UST, and I am here for it. In another review I saw the word ‘romantasy’ and that fits perfectly. Yes, the romance plays out in a high-fantasy world with magic and (no spoilers here!) special kinds of folk, but that is all drip-fed to readers almost as an aside.
You love the characters first, and all the rest is dressing. And boy, do I love the characters. I was glad to see Heinregard and Clay back from book 1 to see their connection continue to develop, but—as a horse lover—seeing stable master Mara become a lead character was most wonderful. To my fellow horse lovers, fear not! Cassia Hall has her horse facts down. Even the fantasy aspect of the animals seems plausible for her world, and I would love to get a ride in on Arazar.
The whole cast is great, even beyond our two couples, and I cannot wait to see how the seasons progress and who will be featured in the future! So settle in for another ride up Mount Saddle just in time for Summer Lights.
You love the characters first, and all the rest is dressing. And boy, do I love the characters. I was glad to see Heinregard and Clay back from book 1 to see their connection continue to develop, but—as a horse lover—seeing stable master Mara become a lead character was most wonderful. To my fellow horse lovers, fear not! Cassia Hall has her horse facts down. Even the fantasy aspect of the animals seems plausible for her world, and I would love to get a ride in on Arazar.
The whole cast is great, even beyond our two couples, and I cannot wait to see how the seasons progress and who will be featured in the future! So settle in for another ride up Mount Saddle just in time for Summer Lights.
November 27, 2025
A Captivating Addition to Romantic Fantasy Series
Although I did not read the first book, I was drawn to this installment during the chilly November nights because of its warm title. Set against the backdrop of the vibrant Midsummer celebrations at the House of Silveria, Hall's lyrical prose enchanted me, making the summer heat and the sparks of love feel palpable.
At the heart of the story is the magnetic connection between Mara and Fang, who find themselves dream-woven together. Their eventual meeting in the real world ignites a deep, yet complicated relationship. Fang is torn between her responsibilities and the undeniable allure of love with Mara. This conflict adds layers to the narrative, enriching the emotional depth of their journey.
While “Summer Lights” is the second book in the series, it stands out as a perfect standalone read. For those who appreciate a sweet, slow-burn LGBTQ romance filled with conflict and yearning, this novel is an essential addition to your reading list.
Although I did not read the first book, I was drawn to this installment during the chilly November nights because of its warm title. Set against the backdrop of the vibrant Midsummer celebrations at the House of Silveria, Hall's lyrical prose enchanted me, making the summer heat and the sparks of love feel palpable.
At the heart of the story is the magnetic connection between Mara and Fang, who find themselves dream-woven together. Their eventual meeting in the real world ignites a deep, yet complicated relationship. Fang is torn between her responsibilities and the undeniable allure of love with Mara. This conflict adds layers to the narrative, enriching the emotional depth of their journey.
While “Summer Lights” is the second book in the series, it stands out as a perfect standalone read. For those who appreciate a sweet, slow-burn LGBTQ romance filled with conflict and yearning, this novel is an essential addition to your reading list.
June 27, 2022
Cassia Hall is a wordsmith who can string words together in a way that allow her readers to visualise things she wants to portray, to feel the feelings, passion, agony, frustration, fear, yearning, sorrow….of her characters. The episode on the lake in the Chapter - Night of Lights was so vividly described it took my breath away.
Summer Lights is a beautifully written story that touches the heart and makes me ache for the main characters, reminding us that often, listening to our heart means that we have to be willing and ready to go against all odds.
Apart from being a fantasy love story, I find some poignant messages in Summer Lights, one of which is how the real world has much to learn to accept people like Fang who are ”two-spirited”. Another message surfaced when Fang was asked whether she was a purebred nomad, giving her the chance to unsettle Heinregard by speaking of the atrocities committed by the overlords. To Fang, though Heinregard may be ignorant of the sins of his forefathers, he's not entirely innocent. Similarly, in the real world, many of us are fed lies despite having, like Heinregard, a hunch that something is amiss, but we still feign ignorance.
I felt very much for young Lowell, heavily burdened at such a young age. He tried so hard to be the reliable, responsible and capable person for his family. My heart clenched for him and I even felt proud of him when, despite being so practically and intellectually minded, he took heed of his maman’s teaching “to look into his heart and not depend solely on his head”, which led him to do the right thing, something even the adults might not have done.
Summer Lights is unputdownable. Looking forward to the next novel in this series.
Summer Lights is a beautifully written story that touches the heart and makes me ache for the main characters, reminding us that often, listening to our heart means that we have to be willing and ready to go against all odds.
Apart from being a fantasy love story, I find some poignant messages in Summer Lights, one of which is how the real world has much to learn to accept people like Fang who are ”two-spirited”. Another message surfaced when Fang was asked whether she was a purebred nomad, giving her the chance to unsettle Heinregard by speaking of the atrocities committed by the overlords. To Fang, though Heinregard may be ignorant of the sins of his forefathers, he's not entirely innocent. Similarly, in the real world, many of us are fed lies despite having, like Heinregard, a hunch that something is amiss, but we still feign ignorance.
I felt very much for young Lowell, heavily burdened at such a young age. He tried so hard to be the reliable, responsible and capable person for his family. My heart clenched for him and I even felt proud of him when, despite being so practically and intellectually minded, he took heed of his maman’s teaching “to look into his heart and not depend solely on his head”, which led him to do the right thing, something even the adults might not have done.
Summer Lights is unputdownable. Looking forward to the next novel in this series.
June 24, 2022
The best romance book I have read this year. Or should I call it a romantasy?
I'm glad to be the first one to read this amazing story by Cassia Hall. I loved the main couple in Spring Song (Heinregard and Clay) and wanted to see how their relationship would develop when the weather become hotter. And the whole book appeared to be much hotter...and poignant.
I loved how much detail Cassia added into the story to show us the stables and horses...and (omg!) sand kittens.
I loved the dynamics of the new main couple (Mara and Fang) which led the parallel plot line to Heinregard and Clay's relationships (which was the secondary couple in the book).
I loved how Cassia brought midsummer celebrations and showed her fantasy world.
But the most I liked antagonist of the story - Reclining Dragon with his liegemen.
It's really wonderful to read the story with the antagonist liegemen's POV. OMG, I thought Cassia was going to make me cry.
It's the second book in the Seasons Cycle, but it's also the perfect story to read as a stand-alone. I was deeply moved by the plot. It resonated with me and I have managed to read it in one day. I didn't want to put it down. Please, excuse me, I'm going to read it one more time.
I'm glad to be the first one to read this amazing story by Cassia Hall. I loved the main couple in Spring Song (Heinregard and Clay) and wanted to see how their relationship would develop when the weather become hotter. And the whole book appeared to be much hotter...and poignant.
I loved how much detail Cassia added into the story to show us the stables and horses...and (omg!) sand kittens.
I loved the dynamics of the new main couple (Mara and Fang) which led the parallel plot line to Heinregard and Clay's relationships (which was the secondary couple in the book).
I loved how Cassia brought midsummer celebrations and showed her fantasy world.
But the most I liked antagonist of the story - Reclining Dragon with his liegemen.
It's really wonderful to read the story with the antagonist liegemen's POV. OMG, I thought Cassia was going to make me cry.
It's the second book in the Seasons Cycle, but it's also the perfect story to read as a stand-alone. I was deeply moved by the plot. It resonated with me and I have managed to read it in one day. I didn't want to put it down. Please, excuse me, I'm going to read it one more time.
June 29, 2022
A really sweet romantacy, with just enough fantasy to retain my interest. The two couples are FF and MM romances, and while the two guys are sweet and cuddly, the girl's pairing is more feisty. The children inject humour, especially the crazy wildlings, and I have a special affection for Lowell, who seems so much wiser than everybody else. I loved the sand kittens, too.
But to me the most interesting characters were the bringer of storms, the Reclining Dragon, and his liegeman Tyrel. There are hints of a deeper, multi-layered plot behind these pair which is only hinted at in this book. I greatly look forward to reading the next book to see where their stories lead.
But to me the most interesting characters were the bringer of storms, the Reclining Dragon, and his liegeman Tyrel. There are hints of a deeper, multi-layered plot behind these pair which is only hinted at in this book. I greatly look forward to reading the next book to see where their stories lead.
June 24, 2022
Cassia Hall truly shines in this book. It showcases her strengths in creating endearing, deeply drawn characters facing challenges in an elaborate, magical world. She creates characters you can't help but cheer for. She's particularly good at writing children in their messy, pushy, intense glory, from the Wildlings (who are wild indeed) to earnest Lowell.
Summer Lights throws together disparate characters with conflicting interests and needs, and the sorting out is poignant and satisfying.
Summer Lights throws together disparate characters with conflicting interests and needs, and the sorting out is poignant and satisfying.
June 24, 2022
Heinregard and Clayten are still around, but Summer Lights is really Mara and Fang's story. Also the children's, and two new characters who come out of the blue and literally rock a boat. The appearance of dragon lord and his liegeman is like catalyst and show glimpse of a complex world. The story is good, the characters deep, kids are so real. The ending is understated but beautiful. It's like you're taken full circle back to beginning. Nicely done.
October 4, 2022
Fab
This was a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Loads of drama and intrigue to keep the reader engaged. The only downside was I wish I'd read the first one as I found the beginning a little confusing but I soon got with the flow.
This was a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Loads of drama and intrigue to keep the reader engaged. The only downside was I wish I'd read the first one as I found the beginning a little confusing but I soon got with the flow.
December 26, 2022
Thank you to Reedsy Discovery for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I tend to start off my review by explaining my motivation behind picking up a book. I think it’s a great way for someone reading my reviews to understand my mindset, and reasoning behind my reading choices. It also sets the tone of my possible expectations going into a story. This novel sold me first on the cover, and secondly on the summary with the phrase, “sand kittens”. This story promised romance, and cute animals. I was ready to be swept away.
Summer Lights is book 2, in what I later found out was a prequel, novella-esque series. I did get a chance to read the first book in this series, which I’ll be discussing more in depth on my personal review blog. Depending on the author, I either thoroughly enjoy being dropped into a world I know nothing about, or I will become increasingly frustrated trying to understand who is who and what means what. This was a story that carried me away, and I was afforded an opportunity to just relax and enjoy these new characters and their peculiar magical qualities.
This series is set in a magical world, and while the magic system isn’t explained outright in this novel (perhaps it is in the main series), the author did include a bit of a glossary of terms which helped tremendously. This story also had a foundation rooted in fated lovers, with at least one or more of the pairs being LGBTQ+.
I really enjoyed seeing the characters slowly piece together who these new visitors were, and what they meant to each other. The way they had shown up in dreams before appearing in person made my own heart skip a few beats. While the romance isn’t always intense, and was never explicit on the page, it was easy to be swept away in the excitement of new love.
In this second novel the sense of something coming to a head doubles when three new visitors arrive unexpectedly. The wild children take to the desert nomad immediately because she reminds them of someone back home, and because of her care for the sand kittens. However the other two visitors are forcibly kept away from the children at all costs. These men begin filling in holes for the reader as to why the children are there, and who their fathers might be. While we watch these characters orbit around each other, we also witness new magical powers growing in one of the children. My favorite scene is when we are introduced to creatures in the woods; creatures that I had previously blown off as imaginative fairytales told to the children to keep them in line. This story opened up so many new characters and avenues for the next novels, and really made me curious about what might already exist in the main series.
There was something I found incredibly healing about reading this story. While the characters are the driving forces behind the plot, nature, flowers, bugs, animals, songs, and music played just as big of a role in setting the overall atmosphere.
The world building and the language used in this novel did take a minute to adjust to, but once I settled in it felt like this is how all novels had always been written. I could see this aspect turning readers away initially, but I do encourage you to stick with it. I’m very curious about this main series, and which of these characters have a larger role. I listened to a few of the songs that were composed for this story on the YouTube channel that was linked in the novel, and that more than anything else helped ground me into this story. I was very impressed with the author’s personal touches, and dedication to the art of building this world so intentionally.
I tend to start off my review by explaining my motivation behind picking up a book. I think it’s a great way for someone reading my reviews to understand my mindset, and reasoning behind my reading choices. It also sets the tone of my possible expectations going into a story. This novel sold me first on the cover, and secondly on the summary with the phrase, “sand kittens”. This story promised romance, and cute animals. I was ready to be swept away.
Summer Lights is book 2, in what I later found out was a prequel, novella-esque series. I did get a chance to read the first book in this series, which I’ll be discussing more in depth on my personal review blog. Depending on the author, I either thoroughly enjoy being dropped into a world I know nothing about, or I will become increasingly frustrated trying to understand who is who and what means what. This was a story that carried me away, and I was afforded an opportunity to just relax and enjoy these new characters and their peculiar magical qualities.
This series is set in a magical world, and while the magic system isn’t explained outright in this novel (perhaps it is in the main series), the author did include a bit of a glossary of terms which helped tremendously. This story also had a foundation rooted in fated lovers, with at least one or more of the pairs being LGBTQ+.
I really enjoyed seeing the characters slowly piece together who these new visitors were, and what they meant to each other. The way they had shown up in dreams before appearing in person made my own heart skip a few beats. While the romance isn’t always intense, and was never explicit on the page, it was easy to be swept away in the excitement of new love.
In this second novel the sense of something coming to a head doubles when three new visitors arrive unexpectedly. The wild children take to the desert nomad immediately because she reminds them of someone back home, and because of her care for the sand kittens. However the other two visitors are forcibly kept away from the children at all costs. These men begin filling in holes for the reader as to why the children are there, and who their fathers might be. While we watch these characters orbit around each other, we also witness new magical powers growing in one of the children. My favorite scene is when we are introduced to creatures in the woods; creatures that I had previously blown off as imaginative fairytales told to the children to keep them in line. This story opened up so many new characters and avenues for the next novels, and really made me curious about what might already exist in the main series.
There was something I found incredibly healing about reading this story. While the characters are the driving forces behind the plot, nature, flowers, bugs, animals, songs, and music played just as big of a role in setting the overall atmosphere.
The world building and the language used in this novel did take a minute to adjust to, but once I settled in it felt like this is how all novels had always been written. I could see this aspect turning readers away initially, but I do encourage you to stick with it. I’m very curious about this main series, and which of these characters have a larger role. I listened to a few of the songs that were composed for this story on the YouTube channel that was linked in the novel, and that more than anything else helped ground me into this story. I was very impressed with the author’s personal touches, and dedication to the art of building this world so intentionally.
July 21, 2023
This is the next book in the “Seasons Cycle” series by Cassia Hall. While book 1 takes place in spring, book 2’s setting and theme revolves around the passions of Midsummer celebrations at the House of Silveria. The story’s main characters are Fang, a lowly desert handler who’s to train an anticipated pair of of sand kittens. She meets Mara, a stabler, who sees past Fang’s culture-notoriety. Due to mysterious circumstances involving diving magic through dreams, a bond is created and the pair kindle a relationship. However, such a relationship gets in the way of Fang’s duties and she must explore the possibility that love might not exist without failing her duties. Enchanting, alluring, and cozy—check out Summer Lights: Seasons Cycle Book 2 for soft, well thought out fantasy.
October 29, 2023
This was an immensely frustrating read. I’m giving it 4 stars because I like the characters and the feel of the world. A lot. The prose is smooth and lyrical. There were even lovely songs written for the book. A treat! I loved the seasonal structure. So, I do recommend you give it a try. But start with the first book.
Now I rant… I feel the author knows the world well and conveys its aura, if you will. Although we're mostly in a compound with a lake, I could feel the larger environment. The biggest problem is that I didn’t know the world at all, not having read the first book in the series, and I was floundering throughout the book because of the minimal information. There were footnotes explaining that housemaids were of more importance than kitchen maids, but very few to explain the important stuff. There were a couple of plot reveals that I liked at the end, for which I understood some information could have been hidden, but that’s the plot, not the world.
I wasn’t sure at first it wasn’t an alternate Earth as there were all sorts of Earth plants. But, okay, two moons, we aren’t on Earth. How did we get here, since we don’t seem to have technology? Like, no air-conditioning, much less spaceships. And we don't seem to have EarthSea style weather control. The “travelers” move between worlds, but they’re basically spies, not civilization seeders, and they move by magic, somehow. Some of the people speak French. Bon. Donnez moi ma parapluie. Merci. Then there’s an important guy with a German name from the “Argentene.” So, maybe no more than a reference to silver, but my mind starts concocting evil Nazi survivors from the Argentine who’ve lived on to invade worlds. But although there’s pillaging off camera, it’s your basic evil colonialism, not Naziesque atrocities. Anyhow, I read through the whole book going what why how, but I did enjoy it. Really. Lovely writing. Interesting characters.
Now I rant… I feel the author knows the world well and conveys its aura, if you will. Although we're mostly in a compound with a lake, I could feel the larger environment. The biggest problem is that I didn’t know the world at all, not having read the first book in the series, and I was floundering throughout the book because of the minimal information. There were footnotes explaining that housemaids were of more importance than kitchen maids, but very few to explain the important stuff. There were a couple of plot reveals that I liked at the end, for which I understood some information could have been hidden, but that’s the plot, not the world.
I wasn’t sure at first it wasn’t an alternate Earth as there were all sorts of Earth plants. But, okay, two moons, we aren’t on Earth. How did we get here, since we don’t seem to have technology? Like, no air-conditioning, much less spaceships. And we don't seem to have EarthSea style weather control. The “travelers” move between worlds, but they’re basically spies, not civilization seeders, and they move by magic, somehow. Some of the people speak French. Bon. Donnez moi ma parapluie. Merci. Then there’s an important guy with a German name from the “Argentene.” So, maybe no more than a reference to silver, but my mind starts concocting evil Nazi survivors from the Argentine who’ve lived on to invade worlds. But although there’s pillaging off camera, it’s your basic evil colonialism, not Naziesque atrocities. Anyhow, I read through the whole book going what why how, but I did enjoy it. Really. Lovely writing. Interesting characters.
December 19, 2022
Just in time for Summer! This story was sweet and surprising and everything I want for the upcoming season. I will be the first to say I’m not generally a fantasy fan, however I am a fan of this series and the way it is developing. In another review I saw the word ‘romantasy’ and that fits perfectly. Yes, the romance plays out in a high-fantasy world with magic and (no spoilers here!) special kinds of folk, but that is all drip-fed to readers almost as an aside.
You love the characters first, and all the rest is dressing. And boy, do I love the characters. I was glad to see Heinregard and Clay back from book 1 to see their connection continue to develop, but—as a horse lover—seeing stable master Mara become a lead character was most wonderful. To my fellow horse lovers, fear not! Cassia Hall has her horse facts down. Even the fantasy aspect of the animals seems plausible for her world, and I would love to get a ride in on Arazar.
The whole cast is great, even beyond our two couples, and I cannot wait to see how the seasons progress and who will be featured in the future! So settle in for another ride up Mount Saddle just in time for Summer Lights.
You love the characters first, and all the rest is dressing. And boy, do I love the characters. I was glad to see Heinregard and Clay back from book 1 to see their connection continue to develop, but—as a horse lover—seeing stable master Mara become a lead character was most wonderful. To my fellow horse lovers, fear not! Cassia Hall has her horse facts down. Even the fantasy aspect of the animals seems plausible for her world, and I would love to get a ride in on Arazar.
The whole cast is great, even beyond our two couples, and I cannot wait to see how the seasons progress and who will be featured in the future! So settle in for another ride up Mount Saddle just in time for Summer Lights.
November 23, 2022
Read my full review here:
https://onreviewbysara.com/2022/11/21...
https://onreviewbysara.com/2022/11/21...
August 15, 2023
Summer Lights by Cassia Hall is a captivating coming of age fantasy romance novel that explores the themes of love, duty, and destiny. The book follows Fang and Mara, and Heinregard and Clayten, two same-sex couples as they navigate the challenges and joys of their relationships in a world full of political undercurrents, magic and mystery.
The book is set in the House of Silveria, a noble estate that hosts the Midsummer celebrations, a time of festivities and revelry. However, not everything is as it seems, as secrets and dangers lurk in the shadows.
Fang is a desert nomad, with white dreadlocks and eyelashes, who comes to the House of Silveria to train a pair of sand kittens, rare and exotic creatures that are highly prized. While others are fearful of her she finds companionship with Mara, the stable master who has a mysterious connection to her through their dreams.
Mara is a kind and gentle woman who sees beyond Fang’s rough exterior and cultural stigma (although the author does fall into the trap of making ‘the other’ a dark-skinned person). She feels a deep bond with Fang, but she also has her own responsibilities and loyalties to the House.
Heinregard is the lord of the House of Silveria, a powerful and respected noble who has a hidden past. He is in love with Clayten, his loyal liegeman and bodyguard, who shares his secret. They have raised three wildlings, children with magical abilities that are feared and hunted by the Reclining Dragon, a ruthless tyrant who wants to use them for his own purposes. Heinregard and Clayten must protect their family from the Reclining Dragon’s schemes, while also dealing with the arrival of two unwelcome guests who threaten to expose their secrets.
The author creates a rich and vivid world. Particularly I like the depiction of the wildling children. The characters are well-developed, each with their own personality and backstory. The romance is sweet and slow-burn, with plenty of tension and chemistry between the couples. The plot is engaging and suspenseful, with twists and turns that keep the reader hooked. The book also tackles some important issues such as oppression, prejudice, and identity.
Summer Lights is a book that will appeal to fans of fantasy romance who enjoy complex memorable characters, and bittersweet emotions. It is the second book in the Seasons Cycle series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, reading the first book, Spring Song, will enhance the enjoyment of Summer Lights, as it introduces some of the characters and events that are relevant to the sequel.
The book is set in the House of Silveria, a noble estate that hosts the Midsummer celebrations, a time of festivities and revelry. However, not everything is as it seems, as secrets and dangers lurk in the shadows.
Fang is a desert nomad, with white dreadlocks and eyelashes, who comes to the House of Silveria to train a pair of sand kittens, rare and exotic creatures that are highly prized. While others are fearful of her she finds companionship with Mara, the stable master who has a mysterious connection to her through their dreams.
Mara is a kind and gentle woman who sees beyond Fang’s rough exterior and cultural stigma (although the author does fall into the trap of making ‘the other’ a dark-skinned person). She feels a deep bond with Fang, but she also has her own responsibilities and loyalties to the House.
Heinregard is the lord of the House of Silveria, a powerful and respected noble who has a hidden past. He is in love with Clayten, his loyal liegeman and bodyguard, who shares his secret. They have raised three wildlings, children with magical abilities that are feared and hunted by the Reclining Dragon, a ruthless tyrant who wants to use them for his own purposes. Heinregard and Clayten must protect their family from the Reclining Dragon’s schemes, while also dealing with the arrival of two unwelcome guests who threaten to expose their secrets.
The author creates a rich and vivid world. Particularly I like the depiction of the wildling children. The characters are well-developed, each with their own personality and backstory. The romance is sweet and slow-burn, with plenty of tension and chemistry between the couples. The plot is engaging and suspenseful, with twists and turns that keep the reader hooked. The book also tackles some important issues such as oppression, prejudice, and identity.
Summer Lights is a book that will appeal to fans of fantasy romance who enjoy complex memorable characters, and bittersweet emotions. It is the second book in the Seasons Cycle series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, reading the first book, Spring Song, will enhance the enjoyment of Summer Lights, as it introduces some of the characters and events that are relevant to the sequel.
July 30, 2022
A continuation of Cassia Hall's Seasons Cycle. The Captain has left and Viraya is alone. The boys are still in their honeymoon phase. But there are other people in the House of Silveria, and the arrival of the mysterious nomad may bring many surprises - including love in the most unlikely place.
I liked the glimpse of the wider world this book offered. With all the main characters being Silverians it's easy to lull oneself into a sense that they are the good guys. But while the characters may be good, the side they're on doesn't have to be.
Despite the book belonging to the romance genre, the romantic elements weren't too strong. Fang and Mara had much more going on between them and Clay and Heinregard's relationship was shadowed by the difference in status that made it impossible for them to be openly together. The ending felt more melancholic than sweet, with hope for happiness far on the horizon.
So far, so good. Now you may wonder why is my rating so low?
Because it's all moot. The more I read, the stronger I felt that the true protagonists are the wildings - and they're the type of protagonists that always made me roll my eyes: capable of getting away with all types of shitty behavior and beloved by everyone because reasons. In Spring Song they were merely insufferable, but here they were outright nasty. They bullied the quiet, bookish kid, kicking him out of the treehouse and calling him names, which of course brought nothing but a few half-hearted finger wags from the adults. And if you think anyone thought less about them because of it, did you miss the part when I called them the protagonists?!
And yes, their lives aren't exactly perfect, as we learn when the Reclining Dragon visits the House. One may even say that their shitty behavior is justified. But as someone who's been bullied as a kid and had to listen to the adult BS that "they're just kids", I found all the scenes with them uncomfortable. And because of that, I can't really recommend this book.
I liked the glimpse of the wider world this book offered. With all the main characters being Silverians it's easy to lull oneself into a sense that they are the good guys. But while the characters may be good, the side they're on doesn't have to be.
Despite the book belonging to the romance genre, the romantic elements weren't too strong. Fang and Mara had much more going on between them and Clay and Heinregard's relationship was shadowed by the difference in status that made it impossible for them to be openly together. The ending felt more melancholic than sweet, with hope for happiness far on the horizon.
So far, so good. Now you may wonder why is my rating so low?
Because it's all moot. The more I read, the stronger I felt that the true protagonists are the wildings - and they're the type of protagonists that always made me roll my eyes: capable of getting away with all types of shitty behavior and beloved by everyone because reasons. In Spring Song they were merely insufferable, but here they were outright nasty. They bullied the quiet, bookish kid, kicking him out of the treehouse and calling him names, which of course brought nothing but a few half-hearted finger wags from the adults. And if you think anyone thought less about them because of it, did you miss the part when I called them the protagonists?!
And yes, their lives aren't exactly perfect, as we learn when the Reclining Dragon visits the House. One may even say that their shitty behavior is justified. But as someone who's been bullied as a kid and had to listen to the adult BS that "they're just kids", I found all the scenes with them uncomfortable. And because of that, I can't really recommend this book.
September 27, 2023
3.5 overall with good writing
Clearly written, Summer Lights is a character-driven fantasy, describing the blossoming love stories of Maya and Fang and Clay and Heinregard, who come from diverse worlds. Additionally, the story follows other characters including two children, Jess and Ty, and those who exist around them, protecting them, in the House of Silveria. Richly described, many of the characters are mysterious and deep-rooted, the two children full of life and mischievous. Even the horses took on their own personalities.
This is a fantasy tale that includes lake monsters and sand kittens, telepathy, visionary dreams, and magical flowers, but it is told with real-life lessons on how love, kindness, and loyalty can transcend gender, class, and spirit. I found myself wanting to read more on Jess and Ty. Loved them dearly. Mara, Fang, Clay and Heinregard came to life for me too, not just by their physical descriptions but through their interactions as well.
What I loved about this novel was the flow of the writing, the element of magic, and the unique characters. I am also a fan of white space and dialogue, and here the author did not disappoint. For that I rate this 4 stars.
However, to me, the storyline was lacking. I wanted more depth. More action. There was much in the book that seemed unnecessary to the main story. That may be because it is a series. Regardless, here I waited for some momentous event but none with any substance came. For that reason, I give it 3 stars and thus round it out to 3.5.
All in all, this is a good read. Flawless grammatical and sentence structure. I’d read this author again.
Clearly written, Summer Lights is a character-driven fantasy, describing the blossoming love stories of Maya and Fang and Clay and Heinregard, who come from diverse worlds. Additionally, the story follows other characters including two children, Jess and Ty, and those who exist around them, protecting them, in the House of Silveria. Richly described, many of the characters are mysterious and deep-rooted, the two children full of life and mischievous. Even the horses took on their own personalities.
This is a fantasy tale that includes lake monsters and sand kittens, telepathy, visionary dreams, and magical flowers, but it is told with real-life lessons on how love, kindness, and loyalty can transcend gender, class, and spirit. I found myself wanting to read more on Jess and Ty. Loved them dearly. Mara, Fang, Clay and Heinregard came to life for me too, not just by their physical descriptions but through their interactions as well.
What I loved about this novel was the flow of the writing, the element of magic, and the unique characters. I am also a fan of white space and dialogue, and here the author did not disappoint. For that I rate this 4 stars.
However, to me, the storyline was lacking. I wanted more depth. More action. There was much in the book that seemed unnecessary to the main story. That may be because it is a series. Regardless, here I waited for some momentous event but none with any substance came. For that reason, I give it 3 stars and thus round it out to 3.5.
All in all, this is a good read. Flawless grammatical and sentence structure. I’d read this author again.
March 18, 2024
Summer Lights is a great follow-up to the Lake Travellers universe. There are a lot of old favorites I was glad to see again. Jess and Tyler are always a delight. Honestly, I could read a page of these kids devouring a plate of cookies. They’d somehow make it entertaining. Aunt Virya gets some wonderful moments as well.
It was a very calm story with some moments of excitement thrown in. It was also interesting to see some sides to certain characters. Mara’s having a romance was an interesting choice, but her female lover allowed her to have some inner conflict. Her character seemed more developed in this story compared to previous ones.
I also enjoyed the focus on the differences between the different cultures within the world.
I know I’ve said this before in other reviews. But the strength of these books is in world-building. Throughout the story, the author integrates cultural details and songs. Adding to the richness of an already fantastical setting. After seeing so much of the Silverians and how they do things. The story brings in a character who has a very opposite way of looking at things. The status quo now has an outside perspective. So I’m excited to see where that goes.
Overall Summer Lights is a great addition to an already world. And even if you’re not familiar with the series. It’s not too hard to dive into the story here and still be able to follow everything. I’d recommend this book to both long-time fans and newcomers who are just dipping their feet into the Lake.
It was a very calm story with some moments of excitement thrown in. It was also interesting to see some sides to certain characters. Mara’s having a romance was an interesting choice, but her female lover allowed her to have some inner conflict. Her character seemed more developed in this story compared to previous ones.
I also enjoyed the focus on the differences between the different cultures within the world.
I know I’ve said this before in other reviews. But the strength of these books is in world-building. Throughout the story, the author integrates cultural details and songs. Adding to the richness of an already fantastical setting. After seeing so much of the Silverians and how they do things. The story brings in a character who has a very opposite way of looking at things. The status quo now has an outside perspective. So I’m excited to see where that goes.
Overall Summer Lights is a great addition to an already world. And even if you’re not familiar with the series. It’s not too hard to dive into the story here and still be able to follow everything. I’d recommend this book to both long-time fans and newcomers who are just dipping their feet into the Lake.
July 4, 2023
This well-written novel focuses on dialogue and feelings, which works well for fantasy and romance, but lacks in the rousing action that other genres depend upon.
The characters are deep and well-thought out, making interactions seamless, entertaining, and natural. However, the flirtation between the main characters seems to smolder, but not ignite. Perhaps that’s waiting for us in the next book? I wished for a deeper sense of romance.
Apart from that, much of what happens revolves around horses and other day-to-day activities. I would’ve liked more details on the intriguing hints that set this story apart: telepathy, travelers who go from world to world, remote viewing devices, and the mother-world. The world building doesn’t seem to venture very far into the unknown. The setting isn’t much different from the rustic parts of our world – I would’ve liked more details as to why that is so.
Two potential distractions: occasional footnotes and British wording. They didn’t faze me, others may feel differently.
Throughout, there are nice verses of singing and poetry. At the end of the book, there are more of the same with YouTube links to listen to them. Nice touch!
Overall, I believe this an entertaining book, but I wish it delved further into romance and action.
The characters are deep and well-thought out, making interactions seamless, entertaining, and natural. However, the flirtation between the main characters seems to smolder, but not ignite. Perhaps that’s waiting for us in the next book? I wished for a deeper sense of romance.
Apart from that, much of what happens revolves around horses and other day-to-day activities. I would’ve liked more details on the intriguing hints that set this story apart: telepathy, travelers who go from world to world, remote viewing devices, and the mother-world. The world building doesn’t seem to venture very far into the unknown. The setting isn’t much different from the rustic parts of our world – I would’ve liked more details as to why that is so.
Two potential distractions: occasional footnotes and British wording. They didn’t faze me, others may feel differently.
Throughout, there are nice verses of singing and poetry. At the end of the book, there are more of the same with YouTube links to listen to them. Nice touch!
Overall, I believe this an entertaining book, but I wish it delved further into romance and action.
October 29, 2025
Summer Lights opens with Mara needing to help her mare give birth to a breech foal. She is aided by Clay, and the reader is immediately thrust into the “save the cat” domain where an animal in need bonds us to the characters. We learn that this isn’t modern times and the people are known as Silverians of which Mara and Clay fall into the lower working class serving a family of lords and ladies.
The arrival of a desert nomad woman, Fang, becomes a launch point for the story. Everyone has an opinion on whether she is to be trusted. We learn of new languages and people including the Grovian and Karenys. Some revere the stranger, such as Mara, who believes her foal now has a better chance of life. Others including Viraya and Daria are more hesitant. An underlying message of whether love can be found amidst different peoples is a satisfying one.
Summer Lights is an intriguing read and well edited. The world is rich with nuances, but at times, more explanation of this world would be helpful. This is the second book in the series so it is assumed that readers learned these details in the first installment, but if you are reading out of order, you will need to suspend a lot of questions.
The arrival of a desert nomad woman, Fang, becomes a launch point for the story. Everyone has an opinion on whether she is to be trusted. We learn of new languages and people including the Grovian and Karenys. Some revere the stranger, such as Mara, who believes her foal now has a better chance of life. Others including Viraya and Daria are more hesitant. An underlying message of whether love can be found amidst different peoples is a satisfying one.
Summer Lights is an intriguing read and well edited. The world is rich with nuances, but at times, more explanation of this world would be helpful. This is the second book in the series so it is assumed that readers learned these details in the first installment, but if you are reading out of order, you will need to suspend a lot of questions.
December 11, 2025
The author creates a rich, vivid setting centered around the beautiful Midsummer celebrations. The story follows two main couples, Fang and Mara, along with Heinregard and Clayten, as they face challenges and feel the pull of their intense connections. The writing is smooth and quite musical, making the emotions of duty and destiny feel deep and true. The romance develops slowly, building a sweet tension that makes you root for the characters every step of the way. Even without reading the first book, I found it easy to jump right in and enjoy the journey these characters take.
The characters are unique and memorable. Fang, the desert traveler, and Mara, the kind stable master, have a fascinating dream-woven bond that turns into a real-world relationship. I loved seeing their connection grow. The side characters, especially the magical wildling children, bring real warmth and wonder to the whole tale. The author clearly loves horses, and that passion shines through in the scenes involving the stable and Mara's work. This fantasy romance is full of heart and feels both cozy and grand. It is a fantastic story that I recommend to anyone looking for a book with great characters, beautiful world-building, and a powerful sense of myth and feeling.
The characters are unique and memorable. Fang, the desert traveler, and Mara, the kind stable master, have a fascinating dream-woven bond that turns into a real-world relationship. I loved seeing their connection grow. The side characters, especially the magical wildling children, bring real warmth and wonder to the whole tale. The author clearly loves horses, and that passion shines through in the scenes involving the stable and Mara's work. This fantasy romance is full of heart and feels both cozy and grand. It is a fantastic story that I recommend to anyone looking for a book with great characters, beautiful world-building, and a powerful sense of myth and feeling.
August 31, 2023
Summer Lights is a gentle fantasy steeped in midsummer magic. I hadn’t read book 1 in the series, so I was new to the world of House of Silveria, and it probably would have been better if I’d started at the beginning, but the writing is rich and vivid and the author throws questions and twists and turns into the story which keeps you turning the page.
The main characters are unique and well developed, and I enjoyed watching the relationships of the two couples develop through the story. The supporting characters are also well written, (definitely look out for the wilding children) but there are two things that makes Summer Lights very special.
First is the way that the authors love of horses shines through. Mara the stable master loves horses, and so does Cassia Hall, and it shows.
And second there are links throughout the book where you can listen to songs written by the author. I would definitely recommend clicking through because they complement the story perfectly.
Recommended read.
The main characters are unique and well developed, and I enjoyed watching the relationships of the two couples develop through the story. The supporting characters are also well written, (definitely look out for the wilding children) but there are two things that makes Summer Lights very special.
First is the way that the authors love of horses shines through. Mara the stable master loves horses, and so does Cassia Hall, and it shows.
And second there are links throughout the book where you can listen to songs written by the author. I would definitely recommend clicking through because they complement the story perfectly.
Recommended read.
October 23, 2025
Summer Lights is a beautiful, dreamy fantasy full of heart. The writing flows like music, soft but vivid, and every page feels alive with color and emotion. The story follows two couples: Fang and Mara, Heinregard and Clayten. Each caught between love, duty, and destiny. The world is rich and strange, with horses, magic, and midsummer light shimmering through it all. I loved the author’s gentle rhythm and how she builds intimacy between characters without rushing. The wildling children add warmth and wonder, and the songs woven into the story make it feel timeless. It’s both cozy and bittersweet, filled with myth and feeling. So many good things!
Even without reading the first book, I felt myself drawn into the House of Silveria and its mysteries. Cassia Hall writes with care and grace, crafting a story that is sure to create warmth within the reader. Summer Lights glows delightfully with tenderness and love.
Simply a warm and brilliant read.
Even without reading the first book, I felt myself drawn into the House of Silveria and its mysteries. Cassia Hall writes with care and grace, crafting a story that is sure to create warmth within the reader. Summer Lights glows delightfully with tenderness and love.
Simply a warm and brilliant read.
September 4, 2023
slow and sweet
Lyrical writing. A whiff of romance and forbidden love. Rambunctious kids. Horses I wanted to ride. Flowers I could almost smell. Mix in magic, creatures, politics, classes, conquerors, and warriors, and this fantasy is complete.
If you like your fantasy mixed with slow burning romance that you hope ends well as it builds up to a pending war, this book is for you.
I wish it had more of the saga, though. I’ll have to read the rest of the books and those that follow to get resolution.
Also there are songs and music too. Cool it was possible to hear what was sung!
Lyrical writing. A whiff of romance and forbidden love. Rambunctious kids. Horses I wanted to ride. Flowers I could almost smell. Mix in magic, creatures, politics, classes, conquerors, and warriors, and this fantasy is complete.
If you like your fantasy mixed with slow burning romance that you hope ends well as it builds up to a pending war, this book is for you.
I wish it had more of the saga, though. I’ll have to read the rest of the books and those that follow to get resolution.
Also there are songs and music too. Cool it was possible to hear what was sung!
September 18, 2024
Lyrical and still easy to read. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I'm not a reader locked into one genre. The cover was so enticing I decided to give it a try. Now I think I'll need to get the next book.
November 30, 2023
Diverse characters and their intriguing interactions drive the plot. Any who enjoy tales with well developed characters should enjoy Ms. Hall's series.
November 3, 2023
Fantasy for sure!! I enjoyed the creatures and hearing of the romance. Again I was wanting more from it being taken to the dark side of smut. But it’s a very sweet romantic book to read. Very good. Simple sweet romance is still wonderful to read. Enjoyed this read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews