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Sunlight and Shadows #1
A Breath of Sunlight
Don’t show compassion for men. Never save a man’s life. And no matter what, never fall in love with someone you must ultimately kill. But some rules are meant to be broken, even if it means risking your life by betraying your valkyrie sisters.
The plan was simple—attack the Pits, kill the male slaves, save the women. But when Skaja runs into a fae man she can’t kill, she instead breaks all the rules to save him.
Prince Calle was sold into slavery by his jealous brother, and he would do anything to taste freedom again, even put his trust in a dangerous valkyrie. To protect his people and gain the throne, he and Skaja must trust each other. But neither of them expected trust to turn into something more, and the cost of love has a much steeper price than either of them anticipated.
The plan was simple—attack the Pits, kill the male slaves, save the women. But when Skaja runs into a fae man she can’t kill, she instead breaks all the rules to save him.
Prince Calle was sold into slavery by his jealous brother, and he would do anything to taste freedom again, even put his trust in a dangerous valkyrie. To protect his people and gain the throne, he and Skaja must trust each other. But neither of them expected trust to turn into something more, and the cost of love has a much steeper price than either of them anticipated.
314 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2022
41 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 21, 2022
Skaja is a fierce winged Valkyrie warrior who together with her Valkyrie sisters, hunts men and tries to free women from slavery. Calle is the brother of the cruel fae king. When the fae king chooses the woman Calle has secretly been courting to be his bride at the summer solstice ceremony in front of the entire kingdom, Calle defies him and is sentenced to slavery in an underground mine. Six years later, Skaja rescues him during a raid where she’s only supposed to save the women. The men are all supposed to be killed. I loved the world building in this. The descriptions of the fae court and the brutality of the life Calle is sentenced to are wonderfully described. Skaja is fierce, driven and uncompromising—all hard edges, as one would expect from a Valkyrie, and yet when she meets Calle, she makes an exception. I loved their scenes together. I liked the way as we got further into the book and learned more about Calle and Skaja and their backstories, there were some interesting twists and surprises in store. This was a gorgeous fantasy romance and I’m excited to see there’s a second book in the series.
October 2, 2021
Every grumpy needs a sunshine, and every Valkyrie needs a fae prince – okay, maybe this was a one-off!
Beautiful, fierce, deadly. No one wants to be on the other end of a fight with a valkryie. And certainly no one expects to be saved by one.
You know all those guys in fantasy books that are ‘kind of’ super aggressive and storm in and save the woman? You won't find that here. If anything, there's a bit of role reversal going on. Calle is a sweet, soft-hearted man and Skaja is a fierce, combative woman.
“Skaja is incredibly awkward when she interacts with men. Let her fight. It’s her way of saying hello.”
However, Calle does have a strong side and Skaja a vulnerable one. Where one is weak, the other is strong. They understand each other deeply and balance each other out perfectly. I think this may even be one of my favourite romances thanks to their interesting dynamic and overall sweetness.
Calle never thought he’d fall in love again, and Skaja never thought she’d meet a man she wouldn’t want to kill.
The Storyline
Skaja makes the split second decision to spare the life of Calle, and thus, we are launched into an adventure where both characters are equally a focus.
The first half of the book largely focuses on Calle recovering from enslavement and Skaja coming to terms with her decision to protect him. The stakes become much more apparent in the second half of the book!
Overall
I really, really loved this. I was constantly trying to find time to pick it up again and I'm frustrated I can't communicate my love well enough. The cover and blurb honestly do not do it justice - I'm not sure anything would.
I am so glad I decided to take a chance on it because it is now a firm favourite. Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Beautiful, fierce, deadly. No one wants to be on the other end of a fight with a valkryie. And certainly no one expects to be saved by one.
You know all those guys in fantasy books that are ‘kind of’ super aggressive and storm in and save the woman? You won't find that here. If anything, there's a bit of role reversal going on. Calle is a sweet, soft-hearted man and Skaja is a fierce, combative woman.
“Skaja is incredibly awkward when she interacts with men. Let her fight. It’s her way of saying hello.”
However, Calle does have a strong side and Skaja a vulnerable one. Where one is weak, the other is strong. They understand each other deeply and balance each other out perfectly. I think this may even be one of my favourite romances thanks to their interesting dynamic and overall sweetness.
Calle never thought he’d fall in love again, and Skaja never thought she’d meet a man she wouldn’t want to kill.
The Storyline
Skaja makes the split second decision to spare the life of Calle, and thus, we are launched into an adventure where both characters are equally a focus.
The first half of the book largely focuses on Calle recovering from enslavement and Skaja coming to terms with her decision to protect him. The stakes become much more apparent in the second half of the book!
Overall
I really, really loved this. I was constantly trying to find time to pick it up again and I'm frustrated I can't communicate my love well enough. The cover and blurb honestly do not do it justice - I'm not sure anything would.
I am so glad I decided to take a chance on it because it is now a firm favourite. Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 8, 2022
This was my first time reading this author, and I was really pleased with the pacing and flow they used throughout the story. It was snappy without feeling rushed. The setting and lore was fascinating, as well, and I particularly liked the heroine being a harpy and her history with the male MC. I don't want to give too much away, so I won't go into detail, but the romance was a lot of fun. Would definitely recommend and will most likely read the sequel at some point.
September 27, 2021
She broke the number one rule of Valkyries and now must risk everything in order to keep them both alive. Harpy Skaja knows what it means to be a Valkyrie but when she and her sister attack the Pits, the rules change. She’s to kill a Fae male slave and instead saves his life. There’s something about him she can’t shake, and her actions have sealed their fates. Or is this her fate? Is she destined to help the Fae man, who calls himself Calle, to protect his people and claim the throne? Whatever happens, she must not fall in love with him. For love is a death sentence for a Valkyrie but the heart wants what the heart wants. Destiny brought them together and Skaja must decide which path she’ll choose, duty or love.
A Breath of Sunlight is a magical fantasy romance I couldn’t put down. Just when I think I’ve read all there is to read on the Fae, Sydney Winward creates a fresh take on the Fae. First, let’s talk world-building. Sydney Winward’s intricate detail to every aspect of her Fae realm is akin to Tolkien. Add to that the descriptive narration and I was swept away. A bonus was the Valkyries. I love reading about these strong warrior women. Second, the characters were vibrant, three-dimensional, and connected with me in different ways. Skaja is fierce like a warrior one minute and insecure the next. Calle is the golden fairy tale prince who went from pampered in the castle to slave in the Pits and had to be set down to become the man he was destined to be. A total role reversal and I couldn’t get enough of it. Liam was a hard nut to crack as a villain but once I understood his motivation, I enjoyed his wickedness. With a full cast of minor characters, I relished interacting with them. I would like to have a few of the characters’ stories in future books. It’ll be interesting to see what Sydney Winward chooses for more in the series. The plot moved at a good pace with intense action scenes, plenty of conflicts, and a romance between two unlikely souls. Hands down, A Breath of Sunlight is one of the best fantasy romances I’ve read this year. If you’re a fantasy reader, you’ll enjoy A Breath of Sunlight. If you’re looking for an engrossing read, pick up A Breath of Sunlight. I look forward to reading more from Sydney Winward. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
A Breath of Sunlight is a magical fantasy romance I couldn’t put down. Just when I think I’ve read all there is to read on the Fae, Sydney Winward creates a fresh take on the Fae. First, let’s talk world-building. Sydney Winward’s intricate detail to every aspect of her Fae realm is akin to Tolkien. Add to that the descriptive narration and I was swept away. A bonus was the Valkyries. I love reading about these strong warrior women. Second, the characters were vibrant, three-dimensional, and connected with me in different ways. Skaja is fierce like a warrior one minute and insecure the next. Calle is the golden fairy tale prince who went from pampered in the castle to slave in the Pits and had to be set down to become the man he was destined to be. A total role reversal and I couldn’t get enough of it. Liam was a hard nut to crack as a villain but once I understood his motivation, I enjoyed his wickedness. With a full cast of minor characters, I relished interacting with them. I would like to have a few of the characters’ stories in future books. It’ll be interesting to see what Sydney Winward chooses for more in the series. The plot moved at a good pace with intense action scenes, plenty of conflicts, and a romance between two unlikely souls. Hands down, A Breath of Sunlight is one of the best fantasy romances I’ve read this year. If you’re a fantasy reader, you’ll enjoy A Breath of Sunlight. If you’re looking for an engrossing read, pick up A Breath of Sunlight. I look forward to reading more from Sydney Winward. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
February 16, 2022
A Breath of Sunlight is an enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance that I found to be very enjoyable. I don't often read books about Valkyries or harpies so it was a pleasant change from the typical fae characters in fantasy nowadays.
My favorite character was Calle, a Sun Fae prince who is sent to work in the mines by his brother, the king. What a loved most about Calle was the fact that he wasn't your typical hero. He wasn't a great fighter and was even perceived to be "soft" but he was still able to do what needed to be done. Often times Skaja had to come to his rescue since as a harpy and Valkyrie, she had the skills and taste for blood necessary to be a true warrior. I thought the romance between them was nicely-paced and it was fun watching Skaja's hatred for men slowly fade (when it came to Calle, anyway!)
There was also a fun twist that I'm embarrassed to say I didn't see coming until close to the end.
Overall, A Breath of Sunlight was a fun read with lots of action, fantastic dialogue, well-rounded characters, and enemies-to-lovers romance!
My favorite character was Calle, a Sun Fae prince who is sent to work in the mines by his brother, the king. What a loved most about Calle was the fact that he wasn't your typical hero. He wasn't a great fighter and was even perceived to be "soft" but he was still able to do what needed to be done. Often times Skaja had to come to his rescue since as a harpy and Valkyrie, she had the skills and taste for blood necessary to be a true warrior. I thought the romance between them was nicely-paced and it was fun watching Skaja's hatred for men slowly fade (when it came to Calle, anyway!)
There was also a fun twist that I'm embarrassed to say I didn't see coming until close to the end.
Overall, A Breath of Sunlight was a fun read with lots of action, fantastic dialogue, well-rounded characters, and enemies-to-lovers romance!
February 11, 2022
I picked this book up for book club. First, I need to clarify that I’m not a romance reader at all. I’m also new to Fae creatures. Harpies and Valkyries aren’t exactly new, but the author does show us a slightly different spin than the old D&D constructs. With all this said, this is an enjoyable read. The storyline is good, and it moves at a fast pace. However, I did find myself losing some interest, as the story remained 100% predictable. I was not surprised by any plot developments, but perhaps that is the norm for romances with a fantasy twist. I applaud Winward for giving this brief glimpse into the world she has created. While I want to give this five stars as many others will likely do, unfortunately, the story didn’t draw me in enough and didn’t provide me with at least some unexpected plot twists. Four stars for me and still a recommended read for sure. If you are looking for a good romance leaning heavily on Fae and mythical creatures, this is a story you need to pick up.
September 5, 2021
I wasn't sure what to expect from this fantasy romance, since Sydney Winward is a new-to-me author. But what I got was a pretty solid, easy read that I finished in one sitting.
Calle (not Callie, though I swear I misread it that way at least 10 times at the beginning, causing me some gender confusion once or twice) is the exiled brother of a cruel king. He's spent the last six years in a prison camp for standing up to his brother when the man tried to steal Calle's girlfriend and take her for his wife. He's survived starvation and torture, and all of his people think he's dead. He would be dead, in fact, if the valkyrie, Skaja, had not inexplicably decided not to kill him when she and her sisters raided the camp and killed every man inside.
Instead, she ends up rescuing him. The story follows his journey as he works to regain his strength and find a way to challenge his brother, while Skaja keeps feeling a pull toward him she can't explain... which eventually turns into a relationship.
I liked the book. But a few things did keep it from being a 5-star read. I guess the biggest issue was that the characters were not too deeply drawn. The villain, Liam, for instance, was kind of a cookie-cutter bad guy. We got a little bit more insight into Skaja and Calle, but honestly not a lot. We just know Calle is Good and Skaja isn't Bad, even though she killed a whole bunch of dudes as a valkyrie.
Also, all the sex was off page, which I guess can be a positive or a negative depending on your POV. (I would've liked to see their first night together, especially since she had never been with a man and her feelings were so new to her.)
I will give points, though, that I didn't figure out the twist on the depths of Liam's bad deeds right away, though it did become obvious before the reveal.
Overall, it was a pretty good story. Kind of light on the world building or depth, but an enjoyable read. I would try this author again.
*ARC provided by publisher
Calle (not Callie, though I swear I misread it that way at least 10 times at the beginning, causing me some gender confusion once or twice) is the exiled brother of a cruel king. He's spent the last six years in a prison camp for standing up to his brother when the man tried to steal Calle's girlfriend and take her for his wife. He's survived starvation and torture, and all of his people think he's dead. He would be dead, in fact, if the valkyrie, Skaja, had not inexplicably decided not to kill him when she and her sisters raided the camp and killed every man inside.
Instead, she ends up rescuing him. The story follows his journey as he works to regain his strength and find a way to challenge his brother, while Skaja keeps feeling a pull toward him she can't explain... which eventually turns into a relationship.
I liked the book. But a few things did keep it from being a 5-star read. I guess the biggest issue was that the characters were not too deeply drawn. The villain, Liam, for instance, was kind of a cookie-cutter bad guy. We got a little bit more insight into Skaja and Calle, but honestly not a lot. We just know Calle is Good and Skaja isn't Bad, even though she killed a whole bunch of dudes as a valkyrie.
Also, all the sex was off page, which I guess can be a positive or a negative depending on your POV. (I would've liked to see their first night together, especially since she had never been with a man and her feelings were so new to her.)
I will give points, though, that I didn't figure out the twist on the depths of Liam's bad deeds right away, though it did become obvious before the reveal.
Overall, it was a pretty good story. Kind of light on the world building or depth, but an enjoyable read. I would try this author again.
*ARC provided by publisher
August 25, 2021
What do you get when you throw a charming prince with a hot-headed, killing-machine valkyrie? An amazing story, that's what.
Winward has done it again. I love all of her books, but this one is probably one of my favorites. The world is rich with different types of magic and fae societies. There are valkyries, harpies, and more! From the sweeping action to heart-melting moments, this book has it all.
I especially loved both Calle and Skaja. Calle is a dreamboat of a prince and Skaja is fierce in all the right ways. I like how Winward makes them three-dimensional with interesting backgrounds and depth. I also loved how Skaja, as feisty as she is, can be awkward and unsure.
Overall, this story was emotional and heartwarming in all the right ways. I cannot recommend this enough. If you enjoy:
-magic
-fae
-kick-butt heroines
-romance
-adventure
-hot tension
Then this is the perfect book for you!
Winward has done it again. I love all of her books, but this one is probably one of my favorites. The world is rich with different types of magic and fae societies. There are valkyries, harpies, and more! From the sweeping action to heart-melting moments, this book has it all.
I especially loved both Calle and Skaja. Calle is a dreamboat of a prince and Skaja is fierce in all the right ways. I like how Winward makes them three-dimensional with interesting backgrounds and depth. I also loved how Skaja, as feisty as she is, can be awkward and unsure.
Overall, this story was emotional and heartwarming in all the right ways. I cannot recommend this enough. If you enjoy:
-magic
-fae
-kick-butt heroines
-romance
-adventure
-hot tension
Then this is the perfect book for you!
July 28, 2022
A Breath of Sunlight was a fantasy romance read that I really enjoyed.
Portrayed in a fictional world full of Fae royalty, their harpy guardians, and men hating Valkyries, this book had a lot of unique characters that melded together to create a fulfilling enemies to lovers romance story.
The pacing of this book was great. I was never bored and it was easy to get through. My only small complaint was that the plot was very predictable and I saw most of the twists coming long before they were revealed.
Still I enjoyed watching Skaja and Calle’s relationship bloom and I especially liked the dynamics between them where the female was the tough fighter and the male was the one needing protection more often.
This was a great read and I would definitely recommend it to any fans of fantasy romance.
Portrayed in a fictional world full of Fae royalty, their harpy guardians, and men hating Valkyries, this book had a lot of unique characters that melded together to create a fulfilling enemies to lovers romance story.
The pacing of this book was great. I was never bored and it was easy to get through. My only small complaint was that the plot was very predictable and I saw most of the twists coming long before they were revealed.
Still I enjoyed watching Skaja and Calle’s relationship bloom and I especially liked the dynamics between them where the female was the tough fighter and the male was the one needing protection more often.
This was a great read and I would definitely recommend it to any fans of fantasy romance.
May 24, 2023
After joining a book group of fellow readers and writers on Twitter, this was February’s read and I was happy to dive in and read it. And I wasn’t disappointed.
I very much enjoyed the story, characters, and writing. Often, I found I wanted to slow down, because I didn’t want the world I was experiencing to end.
Calle and Skaja had such great chemistry, and I especially liked how blunt and witty Skaja was as a harpy Valkyrie. Despite being taught to hate and distrust men, she finds that Calle is nothing like the men she was taught about as she grew up.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
I very much enjoyed the story, characters, and writing. Often, I found I wanted to slow down, because I didn’t want the world I was experiencing to end.
Calle and Skaja had such great chemistry, and I especially liked how blunt and witty Skaja was as a harpy Valkyrie. Despite being taught to hate and distrust men, she finds that Calle is nothing like the men she was taught about as she grew up.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
July 28, 2021
Wow! What a fantastic read!
The author immediately pulls you into the story and you find yourself fully immersed, rooting for the main characters as they grow together :)
Calle is the prince who is severely wronged by someone who should love him and Skaja is confused but finds her way as their paths intertwine.
The author made me feel what the characters were feeling and I utterly loved the story.
Bravo!
The author immediately pulls you into the story and you find yourself fully immersed, rooting for the main characters as they grow together :)
Calle is the prince who is severely wronged by someone who should love him and Skaja is confused but finds her way as their paths intertwine.
The author made me feel what the characters were feeling and I utterly loved the story.
Bravo!
October 8, 2021
The two brother’s conflict and war is so masterfully written that the reader can feel the heartache and turmoil right alongside Calle. A beautifully written work of art from pen to page!
Read full review in the 2021 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2021 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
February 28, 2022
Initially, I had this book at 4 stars, but after thinking about it for a while I wanted to come back and give my written review and realized I really need to give it 3 (3.5 on platforms that will allow it). Let me explain.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a fun little fantasy romance that met my expectations for the genre. That's an automatic 3 stars. I liked it. It's a fun book that is worth reading if fantasy romance is your jam. I would definitely pick up another book by the author.
The Pros:
The writing was fun and snappy. There were a lot of neat little world-building details, such as the cultural meaning of tattoos. Calle was a sweetheart and the relationship between him and Skaja was fun to read.
There was so much cool potential in the worldbuilding and premise here that I think it could have easily been turned into a much beefier fantasy novel. I don't think that was the author's intent though. I think the intent was to deliver a fun, easy-to-read fantasy romance, and that was what I got.
Skaja's trauma around the truth of her parentage was handled in a way that I thought was fairly believable.
The Cons:
Calle suffered immensely and didn't seem to really have any long-term lasting effects from that. So while Skaja's trauma was handled pretty well, his was glossed over.
I feel like the Valkyries needed more development. The Valkyries here are different from their mythological inspiration. I would say the author just borrowed the name, which is fine. I think the mythological Valkyries would probably approve, honestly. However, there are some serious cult-like issues with the Valkyries that I think could have been handled differently. WHY they hate men and live as they do wasn't adequately explained, in my opinion.
*spoilers from here on out*
The fact that Skaja WENT BACK to what was essentially a cult and was allowed to leave again at the end was probably the single most unbelievable thing in a book about fae and people with wings.
Besides that, the more I sat with my thoughts on the book, the more I think the plot did really fall apart a bit towards the end. The telepathy that drives the start of the climax was so out of left-field. I think if there'd been any kind of establishment of that as an ability earlier in the book it would have been a dramatic improvement. It kinda felt like the author wrote themselves up to "oh well, time to storm the castle" but then didn't really know how to deal with storming the castle. And honestly, that is a position that sucks, believe me, I've done that twice myself. I'm just speculating here, but it FELT like the niece's telepathy was a get out of jail free card for a difficult plot point.
Having said all that, I did really enjoy the book and look forward to reading the next one, since I believe this is the start of a series.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a fun little fantasy romance that met my expectations for the genre. That's an automatic 3 stars. I liked it. It's a fun book that is worth reading if fantasy romance is your jam. I would definitely pick up another book by the author.
The Pros:
The writing was fun and snappy. There were a lot of neat little world-building details, such as the cultural meaning of tattoos. Calle was a sweetheart and the relationship between him and Skaja was fun to read.
There was so much cool potential in the worldbuilding and premise here that I think it could have easily been turned into a much beefier fantasy novel. I don't think that was the author's intent though. I think the intent was to deliver a fun, easy-to-read fantasy romance, and that was what I got.
Skaja's trauma around the truth of her parentage was handled in a way that I thought was fairly believable.
The Cons:
Calle suffered immensely and didn't seem to really have any long-term lasting effects from that. So while Skaja's trauma was handled pretty well, his was glossed over.
I feel like the Valkyries needed more development. The Valkyries here are different from their mythological inspiration. I would say the author just borrowed the name, which is fine. I think the mythological Valkyries would probably approve, honestly. However, there are some serious cult-like issues with the Valkyries that I think could have been handled differently. WHY they hate men and live as they do wasn't adequately explained, in my opinion.
*spoilers from here on out*
The fact that Skaja WENT BACK to what was essentially a cult and was allowed to leave again at the end was probably the single most unbelievable thing in a book about fae and people with wings.
Besides that, the more I sat with my thoughts on the book, the more I think the plot did really fall apart a bit towards the end. The telepathy that drives the start of the climax was so out of left-field. I think if there'd been any kind of establishment of that as an ability earlier in the book it would have been a dramatic improvement. It kinda felt like the author wrote themselves up to "oh well, time to storm the castle" but then didn't really know how to deal with storming the castle. And honestly, that is a position that sucks, believe me, I've done that twice myself. I'm just speculating here, but it FELT like the niece's telepathy was a get out of jail free card for a difficult plot point.
Having said all that, I did really enjoy the book and look forward to reading the next one, since I believe this is the start of a series.
August 22, 2021
A Breath of Sunlight is Sydney Winward’s first book in her Sunlight and Shadows series. I loved so many elements of this book it is hard to decide where to begin! From the world-building to the epic battles and tender moments between the characters, Winward’s literary talent and attention to detail shine.
From the beginning, I was blown away by the network of Fae societies represented in this book. Much more than typical fairies, each subspecies has different attributes such as healing abilities, flight, magical talents, and social status. Characters range from the bravest warriors to the fairest maidens as well as royalty to the lowest slaves in the Pits.
Our hero, Skaja, is a harpy who lives with the Valkyries. She’s grown up in brutal training to become one of the most fearsome warriors in the warrior-woman Fae tribe. All other Fae societies are terrified of these women who kill men first and then question the women they rescue second.
Despite her fierce, battle-hardened demeanor, Skaja is adorably awkward due to her social isolation within the Valkyries. She is a victim of Insta-love chemistry with Sun Fae, Calle, but has never spoken to a man. She must navigate the social minefield of her first courtship amid political upheaval, epic battles, and a conspiracy from her past coming to light. Through it all, Skaja is a courageous fighter that will win your heart from her first flight onto the page.
Not to be outdone by all the girl-power, Love interest Calle is a Sun Fae who has it all. A true Prince Charming who has fallen from grace, Calle finds himself in the Pits when they are under attack by the Valkyries. I loved his balance of charisma and quiet patience. He learns how to lead through humility and his journey is a balm for the soul. You will have to pause reading the book to cheer for him as he comes into the best version of himself – thanks to Skaja.
I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who loves fantasy, sweeter romance, or powerful female characters. Thank goodness this is the first of a series because I didn’t want to leave Winward’s world.
From the beginning, I was blown away by the network of Fae societies represented in this book. Much more than typical fairies, each subspecies has different attributes such as healing abilities, flight, magical talents, and social status. Characters range from the bravest warriors to the fairest maidens as well as royalty to the lowest slaves in the Pits.
Our hero, Skaja, is a harpy who lives with the Valkyries. She’s grown up in brutal training to become one of the most fearsome warriors in the warrior-woman Fae tribe. All other Fae societies are terrified of these women who kill men first and then question the women they rescue second.
Despite her fierce, battle-hardened demeanor, Skaja is adorably awkward due to her social isolation within the Valkyries. She is a victim of Insta-love chemistry with Sun Fae, Calle, but has never spoken to a man. She must navigate the social minefield of her first courtship amid political upheaval, epic battles, and a conspiracy from her past coming to light. Through it all, Skaja is a courageous fighter that will win your heart from her first flight onto the page.
Not to be outdone by all the girl-power, Love interest Calle is a Sun Fae who has it all. A true Prince Charming who has fallen from grace, Calle finds himself in the Pits when they are under attack by the Valkyries. I loved his balance of charisma and quiet patience. He learns how to lead through humility and his journey is a balm for the soul. You will have to pause reading the book to cheer for him as he comes into the best version of himself – thanks to Skaja.
I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who loves fantasy, sweeter romance, or powerful female characters. Thank goodness this is the first of a series because I didn’t want to leave Winward’s world.
October 6, 2023
A twisted portrayal of feminism in the form of the valkyries that does exactly what feminism isn’t - relates a woman’s worth to a man. Women aren’t better or more important BECAUSE men are terrible. Women are strong and have their own identity IRRESPECTIVE of the male identity. Some men suck, some are great, and women don’t deserve to be defined by either.
The whole idea that the FMC wouldn’t ‘stain her hands with women’s blood’ even if the woman was evil??? Part of feminism is equality! A woman CAN be evil. Women shouldn’t be placed on a pedestal either. That’s the exact coddled mindset of hundreds of years ago where women weren’t ‘bad’ they were just deemed ‘less’ than men. This mindset reinforces that like somehow women aren’t capable of evil either.
Additionally, the Valkyrie literally kidnapped a loved baby, tortured young women, raped men and caged and fought poor animals. I see nothing brave or inspiring about this and honestly as a YA novel I’m disappointed that this is a young minds potential introduction to these topics
Honestly the rest of the book was okay but this just outshone everything
The whole idea that the FMC wouldn’t ‘stain her hands with women’s blood’ even if the woman was evil??? Part of feminism is equality! A woman CAN be evil. Women shouldn’t be placed on a pedestal either. That’s the exact coddled mindset of hundreds of years ago where women weren’t ‘bad’ they were just deemed ‘less’ than men. This mindset reinforces that like somehow women aren’t capable of evil either.
Additionally, the Valkyrie literally kidnapped a loved baby, tortured young women, raped men and caged and fought poor animals. I see nothing brave or inspiring about this and honestly as a YA novel I’m disappointed that this is a young minds potential introduction to these topics
Honestly the rest of the book was okay but this just outshone everything
September 22, 2021
As not a regular reader of Fantasy Romance, I had no idea what to expect when I cracked open "A Breath of Sunlight." What I got was a spellbinding, heartfelt journey through a richly layered world, peopled by a cast of complex and super compelling characters. Not to mention the romance is a steamy, slow burn that made my heart go pitter pat, and the heroine is a kick-butt valkyrie who is absolutely the stronger, smarter fighter of the couple. No question. She is a rock star.
This is the first book I've read by Sydney Winward, and thank goodness it's book one in the series. Is it too early to order book 2???
This is the first book I've read by Sydney Winward, and thank goodness it's book one in the series. Is it too early to order book 2???
October 23, 2021
Loved this story!
This is a wonderful romance between a Valkyrie and the betrayed sun Prince. The story held my attention with a fantastical world of magic, heartbreak, and suspense. Well- developed characters and subplots made this romance a pleasure to read. ❤️
This is a wonderful romance between a Valkyrie and the betrayed sun Prince. The story held my attention with a fantastical world of magic, heartbreak, and suspense. Well- developed characters and subplots made this romance a pleasure to read. ❤️
August 14, 2023
Interesting characters. The pacing of relationship is too fast and world building could use more detail.
Summary
DNF at 77%
Calle’s brother is the antagonistic Fae king. He is jealous of Calle’s magical healing powers and so he kills Calle’s lover and banishes Calle to slavery in a mine. Calle is rescued by a Valkyrie named Skaja. In this world, a Valkyrie is not a race of mythical beings, but a cult-like group of women who are devoted to murdering men. Skaja’s parents were Calle’s personal guards. When Skaja was a baby she was blood bonded to Calle to be his protector. That bond is what drives Skaja to go against her hatred of males to save Calle from the mines.
Skaja helps Calle regain his strength, teaches him how to fight, and continues to protect him. Meanwhile Calle’s brother is looking for him and the Valkyries are keeping an eye on Skaja. Skaja protects Calle when the slavers from the mine attack him and she helps him get his healing magic back. In the process, her wings are badly injured. Calle helps heal them with his restored magic. Calle reveals to Skaja who her real parents are and tells her that she was abducted by the Valkyrie as a baby.
Skaja’s parents are leading a secret revolt against the antagonistic king. She and Calle join them in their hideout and Skaja is reunited with her parents. Skaja and Calle declare their love for one another and are intimate off page. I stopped reading shortly after this.
Strengths
1. Interesting Characters
I appreciated that the male main character was a more sensitive type and not the usual alpha male. I found it refreshing and cleansing to take a break from the heavier and more aggressive forms of masculinity in some fantasy romance novels.
The aggressive nature was found more in the female character. Having that reversal also made it more interesting.
I thought that Skaja’s character backstory was well developed and emotional. I was drawn in by her relationship with her parents and her childhood relationship with Calle.
Weaknesses
1. Pacing
The writing style seemed to jump quickly from one thing to the next. This made it difficult for me to concentrate on what was happening. I lost the thread of the story occasionally. It would have been better at times if the author slowed things down and added a few more details to place the reader in the time of place of events.
I was rather disappointed in the pacing of Calle's and Skaja's relationship. I feel like it could have been a really compelling slow burn that was stretched out to the very end before the sex. It could have been stretched out as Skaja slowly learned about physical intimacy and pleasure. The sex didn’t need to happen until the last chapter and it would have held my interest until the end. But that is not what happened. They got to the sex right out of the starting gate as soon as they decided to acknowledge their relationship which was a little unrealistic in terms of Skaja’s character. We didn’t even get it in a scene. It happened off page. A disappointing, lost opportunity for a steamy and slow build up.
2. World Building
I was a little confused about the Valkyrie group. They are women of all different types and races? Skaja has wings because she is also a harpy. I’m confused as to if all the Valkyrie’s have wings even if they are from a race that doesn’t have wings? I confused about the workings of their group. Maybe other readers can offer some clarification. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it was distracting. I know this is fantasy, but it seems like the mythology is all over the place and it feels disorganized. I felt that the world was a mythological melting pot without enough explanation to make sense.
Summary
DNF at 77%
Calle’s brother is the antagonistic Fae king. He is jealous of Calle’s magical healing powers and so he kills Calle’s lover and banishes Calle to slavery in a mine. Calle is rescued by a Valkyrie named Skaja. In this world, a Valkyrie is not a race of mythical beings, but a cult-like group of women who are devoted to murdering men. Skaja’s parents were Calle’s personal guards. When Skaja was a baby she was blood bonded to Calle to be his protector. That bond is what drives Skaja to go against her hatred of males to save Calle from the mines.
Skaja helps Calle regain his strength, teaches him how to fight, and continues to protect him. Meanwhile Calle’s brother is looking for him and the Valkyries are keeping an eye on Skaja. Skaja protects Calle when the slavers from the mine attack him and she helps him get his healing magic back. In the process, her wings are badly injured. Calle helps heal them with his restored magic. Calle reveals to Skaja who her real parents are and tells her that she was abducted by the Valkyrie as a baby.
Skaja’s parents are leading a secret revolt against the antagonistic king. She and Calle join them in their hideout and Skaja is reunited with her parents. Skaja and Calle declare their love for one another and are intimate off page. I stopped reading shortly after this.
Strengths
1. Interesting Characters
I appreciated that the male main character was a more sensitive type and not the usual alpha male. I found it refreshing and cleansing to take a break from the heavier and more aggressive forms of masculinity in some fantasy romance novels.
The aggressive nature was found more in the female character. Having that reversal also made it more interesting.
I thought that Skaja’s character backstory was well developed and emotional. I was drawn in by her relationship with her parents and her childhood relationship with Calle.
Weaknesses
1. Pacing
The writing style seemed to jump quickly from one thing to the next. This made it difficult for me to concentrate on what was happening. I lost the thread of the story occasionally. It would have been better at times if the author slowed things down and added a few more details to place the reader in the time of place of events.
I was rather disappointed in the pacing of Calle's and Skaja's relationship. I feel like it could have been a really compelling slow burn that was stretched out to the very end before the sex. It could have been stretched out as Skaja slowly learned about physical intimacy and pleasure. The sex didn’t need to happen until the last chapter and it would have held my interest until the end. But that is not what happened. They got to the sex right out of the starting gate as soon as they decided to acknowledge their relationship which was a little unrealistic in terms of Skaja’s character. We didn’t even get it in a scene. It happened off page. A disappointing, lost opportunity for a steamy and slow build up.
2. World Building
I was a little confused about the Valkyrie group. They are women of all different types and races? Skaja has wings because she is also a harpy. I’m confused as to if all the Valkyrie’s have wings even if they are from a race that doesn’t have wings? I confused about the workings of their group. Maybe other readers can offer some clarification. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it was distracting. I know this is fantasy, but it seems like the mythology is all over the place and it feels disorganized. I felt that the world was a mythological melting pot without enough explanation to make sense.
August 22, 2021
Absolutely Stunning, Captivating and Beautifully written!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the best books I have read in a while. The characters are well written and intriguing, their interactions are well done and entertaining and the background of everyone and everything is just stunning. I love the world that Winward provided. The harpies, Valkyrie and fae all intertwined.
You get to see the growth and change of the main cast as well as a few side characters. I love that everything fits together so nicely in the end.
Skaja is just a well done character. She grew up in a world that was very one sided and opinionated on how the world works only to realize that everything she was told was a lie and that there is so much more depth to everyone and everything around her. She has so many challenges ahead of her. She has to overcome her prejudice against men, learn to become a queen and learn how to become a daughter. I love seeing her personality shine through in her conversations with Calle.
Calle is a bit too much of a golden child but in this story, it fits well. He is charming, handsome, magical and smart. He has ALL of the standard characteristics of a fairy tail prince. My only complaint about the entire book is that the author makes him too flawless. There is an attempt to make up for this by providing him with a hard background and damaged hand but really, it doesnt damper him at all or even make it so its a challenge to get over. Its just. ..hey.. I went through hell it sucked but Im still awesome. I wish that there were SOME flaws to his person. I mean. .come on. .lol
Nyana is an interesting character in that she is a major player. . . .that we hardly get to see throughout the book. Instead, she is viewed through memories as this perfect, flawless woman. I do like that you get to see some of her mistakes come to light. She dated his brother first?!? and decided NOT to tell him before the day the king was going to choose a bride? Seems like a HUGE oversight personally. I mean. . I get that maybe at first she would want to hide that. .but. . .right before? It kind of paints the King in a slightly more. . .pitiable light. .(until you remember that he is an abusive jerk that is. lol) but in the King's childhood, it makes it more obvious that yeah. .everything he wanted or liked or needed. .did come naturally for and to his brother but not for him. Does that give him a valid excuse to become an overbearing, power hungry, evil abusive ass? No. Never. But it does at least give some insight into the HOW he became.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I actually read it in one sitting. Lol I was planning on reading a little before bed. . .and ended up staying up until 4am to finish it XD I highly recommend it to fantasy lovers and Fae lovers alike!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the best books I have read in a while. The characters are well written and intriguing, their interactions are well done and entertaining and the background of everyone and everything is just stunning. I love the world that Winward provided. The harpies, Valkyrie and fae all intertwined.
You get to see the growth and change of the main cast as well as a few side characters. I love that everything fits together so nicely in the end.
Skaja is just a well done character. She grew up in a world that was very one sided and opinionated on how the world works only to realize that everything she was told was a lie and that there is so much more depth to everyone and everything around her. She has so many challenges ahead of her. She has to overcome her prejudice against men, learn to become a queen and learn how to become a daughter. I love seeing her personality shine through in her conversations with Calle.
Calle is a bit too much of a golden child but in this story, it fits well. He is charming, handsome, magical and smart. He has ALL of the standard characteristics of a fairy tail prince. My only complaint about the entire book is that the author makes him too flawless. There is an attempt to make up for this by providing him with a hard background and damaged hand but really, it doesnt damper him at all or even make it so its a challenge to get over. Its just. ..hey.. I went through hell it sucked but Im still awesome. I wish that there were SOME flaws to his person. I mean. .come on. .lol
Nyana is an interesting character in that she is a major player. . . .that we hardly get to see throughout the book. Instead, she is viewed through memories as this perfect, flawless woman. I do like that you get to see some of her mistakes come to light. She dated his brother first?!? and decided NOT to tell him before the day the king was going to choose a bride? Seems like a HUGE oversight personally. I mean. . I get that maybe at first she would want to hide that. .but. . .right before? It kind of paints the King in a slightly more. . .pitiable light. .(until you remember that he is an abusive jerk that is. lol) but in the King's childhood, it makes it more obvious that yeah. .everything he wanted or liked or needed. .did come naturally for and to his brother but not for him. Does that give him a valid excuse to become an overbearing, power hungry, evil abusive ass? No. Never. But it does at least give some insight into the HOW he became.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I actually read it in one sitting. Lol I was planning on reading a little before bed. . .and ended up staying up until 4am to finish it XD I highly recommend it to fantasy lovers and Fae lovers alike!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2021
A Breath of Sunlight Kindle Edition
by Sydney Winward (Author
Thank you to Syndey Winward, the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
A breathtakingly beautiful second chance love story wrapped up in a gorgeously built world full of swords and sorcery, A Breath of Sunlight has only one flaw. Not enough time was spent with the villain, so there is no fear for our hero and his heroine. Unfortunately, that made him a cardboard cutout.
Ms. Winward lavishes her story with stunning writing. She is able to create images with her words that are real enough the reader can nearly smell the musk of the griffons and the stench of the Pits. This more than makes up for the shortcomings of her villain.
Calle, the second son of a king and brother to Liam, has his life and his love destroyed by his jealous brother's action. Liam tells his court that he has had his brother killed, a lie. Liam had, instead, sent his brother into slavery, in the Pits. It is in the Pits that Calle meets Skaja, our heroine. Skaja is the only Valkyrie with wings, the only harpy. With her sister Valkyries, they attack the Pits, killing most of the men there – slave or slavemaster, in order to free the women. Skaja ends up saving Calle, setting off the story.
Calle and Skaja share the narration duties and the story is told in third person. The narrators' voices are clear enough we don't need to be told who is speaking.
Skaja, her sister Valkyries and their home have more that a passing resemblance to Themyscara and the Amazons. Ms. Winward does a fair job of trying to make that idea her own.
Action scenes weren't quite as good as the scenes between Calle and Skaja. The love scenes are tasteful and rare.
Ms. Winward has created a world I would like to return and I hope to spend more time there.
5 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Sunligh...
by Sydney Winward (Author
Thank you to Syndey Winward, the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
A breathtakingly beautiful second chance love story wrapped up in a gorgeously built world full of swords and sorcery, A Breath of Sunlight has only one flaw. Not enough time was spent with the villain, so there is no fear for our hero and his heroine. Unfortunately, that made him a cardboard cutout.
Ms. Winward lavishes her story with stunning writing. She is able to create images with her words that are real enough the reader can nearly smell the musk of the griffons and the stench of the Pits. This more than makes up for the shortcomings of her villain.
Calle, the second son of a king and brother to Liam, has his life and his love destroyed by his jealous brother's action. Liam tells his court that he has had his brother killed, a lie. Liam had, instead, sent his brother into slavery, in the Pits. It is in the Pits that Calle meets Skaja, our heroine. Skaja is the only Valkyrie with wings, the only harpy. With her sister Valkyries, they attack the Pits, killing most of the men there – slave or slavemaster, in order to free the women. Skaja ends up saving Calle, setting off the story.
Calle and Skaja share the narration duties and the story is told in third person. The narrators' voices are clear enough we don't need to be told who is speaking.
Skaja, her sister Valkyries and their home have more that a passing resemblance to Themyscara and the Amazons. Ms. Winward does a fair job of trying to make that idea her own.
Action scenes weren't quite as good as the scenes between Calle and Skaja. The love scenes are tasteful and rare.
Ms. Winward has created a world I would like to return and I hope to spend more time there.
5 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Sunligh...
June 1, 2023
A Breath of Sunlight was certainly unique and refreshing and got me hooked right away from the start. I loved following Prince Calle and Skaja's journey. I mean, an elf prince with light magic thrown together with a Valkyrie? Sign me up! There's pain, betrayal, and we've got our share of heartbreak in our hero's journey, but there's also hope, growth, and rising up to the challenges ahead. The romance was really sweet and a slow burn that totally pays off (see content below for more details.)
Honestly, this is a book I could've read within a couple of days, but thanks to life and stuff, I read most of it a couple of challenging months ago, and just finished the last quarter today, so either I don't remember much, or I'm just choosing not to spoil things for others. But let's sum it up this way: I do recommend it for anyone looking for a Sweet Fantasy Romance with unique characters, epic swords, magic and fighting scenes, all the banter, and even some plot twists thrown in there for good measure. I'd be willing to look at other books from this author. ~ 4.5 stars
PS: I know it says it's part of a series, but the plot is fully resolved in this one. It seems the next one is just related to this one by being set in the same world.
Content: (PG-13)
Romance: passionate kisses, 1 make-out scene where they're in bed and his shirt comes off, and 1 fade-to-black scene after they've bonded (but it's clear that it's not the equivalent of matrimony). Also, 1 bathing scene where he hasat least his shirt off, and she's in her undergarments but things don't go further than that.
Language: present (d**ns are sprinkled throughout the book)
Violence: talk of torture (and one scene where it's shown but stopped midway through); burning wounds/scars; as well as sword and magic fighting; slapping.
Honestly, this is a book I could've read within a couple of days, but thanks to life and stuff, I read most of it a couple of challenging months ago, and just finished the last quarter today, so either I don't remember much, or I'm just choosing not to spoil things for others. But let's sum it up this way: I do recommend it for anyone looking for a Sweet Fantasy Romance with unique characters, epic swords, magic and fighting scenes, all the banter, and even some plot twists thrown in there for good measure. I'd be willing to look at other books from this author. ~ 4.5 stars
PS: I know it says it's part of a series, but the plot is fully resolved in this one. It seems the next one is just related to this one by being set in the same world.
Content: (PG-13)
Romance: passionate kisses, 1 make-out scene where they're in bed and his shirt comes off, and 1 fade-to-black scene after they've bonded (but it's clear that it's not the equivalent of matrimony). Also, 1 bathing scene where he has
Language: present (d**ns are sprinkled throughout the book)
Violence: talk of torture (and one scene where it's shown but stopped midway through); burning wounds/scars; as well as sword and magic fighting; slapping.
August 18, 2021
I love a good fantasy story, one I can immerse myself in for a few hours and forget about real life issues. Give me magic, a fae prince, Valkyries, love, betrayal and I am one happy camper. “Breath of Sunlight” gave me all this and more. It grabbed my attention from the very first page and didn’t let go.
Prince Calle is betrayed by his brother and sold into slavery. While working in the pits, they are attacked by a group of Valkyrie who are determined to kill all the males. But when Skaja tries to kill the young prince, she finds she can’t. Instead, she does everything in her power to protect him from the wrath of her sisters.
I’m not a huge fan of insta-love in a story. I think you can definitely have insta-lust, but love takes time. I was glad the author gave this couple time to get to know one another and fall in love. It felt more natural. I felt their attraction for one another, and even though everything seems to be going against them, you can’t help but want to see everything work out. The world building was excellent. I never had trouble envisioning the scenes or the characters. The pacing is perfect, not too slow, not too fast. I never felt like skimming, nor did I feel like I was missing out on important details.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. And I plan to go check out more stories by Sydney Winward. I may just have found a new favorite author.
Prince Calle is betrayed by his brother and sold into slavery. While working in the pits, they are attacked by a group of Valkyrie who are determined to kill all the males. But when Skaja tries to kill the young prince, she finds she can’t. Instead, she does everything in her power to protect him from the wrath of her sisters.
I’m not a huge fan of insta-love in a story. I think you can definitely have insta-lust, but love takes time. I was glad the author gave this couple time to get to know one another and fall in love. It felt more natural. I felt their attraction for one another, and even though everything seems to be going against them, you can’t help but want to see everything work out. The world building was excellent. I never had trouble envisioning the scenes or the characters. The pacing is perfect, not too slow, not too fast. I never felt like skimming, nor did I feel like I was missing out on important details.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. And I plan to go check out more stories by Sydney Winward. I may just have found a new favorite author.
September 7, 2021
I was intrigued by the premise of a valkyrie and a fae prince turned slave teaming up to save the kingdom from the latter's evil brother.
I ended up having mixed feelings about this book.
The worldbuilding stood out to me here. I loved the idea of having different kinds of fae, and other magical people. There were no pages and pages of description of one place, and I like that in my fantasy books. As for the magic system, I liked that not everyone was born with magic. Not everyone gets the same kind of magic either, which could figure nicely in future installments of the series.
On the other hand, I wasn't feeling the characters very much. On a technical sense, I will say that they were developed. But the growth felt too manufactured. On one page they're one thing, on the next, they're another. Things moved very quickly in this book, from the character growth to the story resolution. I would not have minded a few more pages to just to give more room for development. Even as I felt that sense of relief for some events here, I would also have liked a bit more emotion and struggle to really emphasize those events. But that could be just me.
This book had potential, I'll give it that. I'm hoping that the next book is a lot better.
I give this 3 stars.
Thank you for the ARC, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op!
I ended up having mixed feelings about this book.
The worldbuilding stood out to me here. I loved the idea of having different kinds of fae, and other magical people. There were no pages and pages of description of one place, and I like that in my fantasy books. As for the magic system, I liked that not everyone was born with magic. Not everyone gets the same kind of magic either, which could figure nicely in future installments of the series.
On the other hand, I wasn't feeling the characters very much. On a technical sense, I will say that they were developed. But the growth felt too manufactured. On one page they're one thing, on the next, they're another. Things moved very quickly in this book, from the character growth to the story resolution. I would not have minded a few more pages to just to give more room for development. Even as I felt that sense of relief for some events here, I would also have liked a bit more emotion and struggle to really emphasize those events. But that could be just me.
This book had potential, I'll give it that. I'm hoping that the next book is a lot better.
I give this 3 stars.
Thank you for the ARC, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op!
August 27, 2021
Every now and then I get excited about new books. Thinking this will be amazing and I’m going to fall in love. It was a great idea for a plot. I loved the idea of the Valkriye. Seems badass right? But then the book flopped.
All the “plot twists” were layed out rather quickly. There was little to no layering in this, no unraveling of mysteries, no depth.
I first heard about the Valkriye from a Sarah J. Maas book. Thought it would be a similar execution. Except the best parts of the ACOTAR series were taken out and thrown into this book with no way to get the reader there. And the rest of the story is just white noise. I rushed through the end just so I could finish.
If the author was really trying for the enemies to lovers trope it wasn’t all that convincing. The romance felt forced. The story said they were into each other but I didn’t feel like they had any reason to be. They were made to be into each other and weren’t trying hard enough to fight it. Again they just told you, so you must believe it.
All in all, if the author could could have went deeper with the major details it could have been a great story. But this was not something I’d recommend.
Thanks netgallley for the opportunity to read this arc.
All the “plot twists” were layed out rather quickly. There was little to no layering in this, no unraveling of mysteries, no depth.
I first heard about the Valkriye from a Sarah J. Maas book. Thought it would be a similar execution. Except the best parts of the ACOTAR series were taken out and thrown into this book with no way to get the reader there. And the rest of the story is just white noise. I rushed through the end just so I could finish.
If the author was really trying for the enemies to lovers trope it wasn’t all that convincing. The romance felt forced. The story said they were into each other but I didn’t feel like they had any reason to be. They were made to be into each other and weren’t trying hard enough to fight it. Again they just told you, so you must believe it.
All in all, if the author could could have went deeper with the major details it could have been a great story. But this was not something I’d recommend.
Thanks netgallley for the opportunity to read this arc.
September 5, 2021
I wasn’t expecting this book to be so easy to get engrossed in. In the beginning Liam is about to choose his bride and Calle is keen to hide his love from his brother Liam.
Fast forward six years and Prince Calle has been living in the pit as a slave. Only when the valkyrie arrive to free some female prisoners does Calle’s life change.
Skaja has a blood oath to protect him, which does not fit with her valkyrie code.
The book is a mix of rescue, confusion over feelings and the overthrow of a tyrant.
Overall this is a good story, Skaja was by far the best character with her fierce determination and will. Her confusion over Calle is well written making the romance intriguing.
The only thing missing were the twists in plot that I was expecting. Most were quite easy to predict which was a shame,
Fast forward six years and Prince Calle has been living in the pit as a slave. Only when the valkyrie arrive to free some female prisoners does Calle’s life change.
Skaja has a blood oath to protect him, which does not fit with her valkyrie code.
The book is a mix of rescue, confusion over feelings and the overthrow of a tyrant.
Overall this is a good story, Skaja was by far the best character with her fierce determination and will. Her confusion over Calle is well written making the romance intriguing.
The only thing missing were the twists in plot that I was expecting. Most were quite easy to predict which was a shame,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2025
A Breath of Sunshine was my first 2025 read. I downloaded it on my Kindle out of curiosity and emerged from it with a hot, intense urge to change into battle. Or shall I say fly into battle? This surpassed, by far, my highest expectations. I utterly fell in love with the complex though easy dynamic Calle and Skaja share. I kind of felt like I lost an essential part of my heart when the adventure was over, and they held it in their hands. It was beautiful, intense, fast-paced, and intriguing, though I will say these two characters kept me on the edge of the chair with their electrifying tension, screaming JUST KISS ALREADY!!! There is some undeniable spice within the pages, but it is tastefully written and kept behind closed doors. I died and revived and died again while reading this. Loved it!
November 11, 2022
Its been a long time since I've read a fantasy that I enjoyed as much as A Breath of Sunlight. It was wonderful.
I loved the characters, Calle was such a delight with his optimism and patience. While he was a little more soft than I generally like my heroes, he was still a great character. Very well formed and totally believable. The tragic backstory and previous love was exceptionally well done. And his new relationship with Skaja was believable.
The story was engaging, exciting, and didn't lag anywhere. It was such an entertaining book! My most favorite part was the soul bonding aspect. I love that trope and this one was well done.
If you're looking for a fun read, with great characters, pace, and beautiful prose, then look no further!
I loved the characters, Calle was such a delight with his optimism and patience. While he was a little more soft than I generally like my heroes, he was still a great character. Very well formed and totally believable. The tragic backstory and previous love was exceptionally well done. And his new relationship with Skaja was believable.
The story was engaging, exciting, and didn't lag anywhere. It was such an entertaining book! My most favorite part was the soul bonding aspect. I love that trope and this one was well done.
If you're looking for a fun read, with great characters, pace, and beautiful prose, then look no further!
August 15, 2021
Raised a a man hunting Valkyrie, Skaja encounters a fae man whom she cannot kill. Instead, he holds the key to her past and her true identity. Prince Calle, is a banished fae prince, who has been condemned to slavery in the pits after his brother's treachery. The story is fast paced and the relationship between Calle and Skaja is well developed. I really enjoyed this, but there certainly are a few unfinished stories that I would have liked to seen better explored including Skaja and her parents. 4/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 17, 2022
I haven’t seen harpies in many books, so it was fun to have one as a main character. The author creates an interesting world with her own version of the Fae. The writing is a little awkward with some phrasing, and is choppy and repetitive in some places. However, there are some funny quotes and one-liners I enjoyed.
As for the romance aspect, the relationship came off as strange to me at first, namely because of her slapping him a lot. I also expected the main character to still be grieving his love he lost in the prologue—I know we skip ahead six years, but I wasn’t expecting him to be flirting with someone else so quickly after meeting them, especially when that person is aggressive and hates men. Thankfully toward the end of the story, their relationship became really cute, and the ending of the story was satisfying.
Contains:
-Violence
-Mentions of torture
-Abuse
-Implied sexual content
As for the romance aspect, the relationship came off as strange to me at first, namely because of her slapping him a lot. I also expected the main character to still be grieving his love he lost in the prologue—I know we skip ahead six years, but I wasn’t expecting him to be flirting with someone else so quickly after meeting them, especially when that person is aggressive and hates men. Thankfully toward the end of the story, their relationship became really cute, and the ending of the story was satisfying.
Contains:
-Violence
-Mentions of torture
-Abuse
-Implied sexual content
January 31, 2022
Wow it leaves my heart tender and glad that it’s story is complicated in one book. I don’t have to wait to find out the end.
I think it is beautifully written with an interesting world. To be honest this is one of the very view books where I enjoyed having a male protagonists. We do have a Skala as female co lead but it is mostly Callie’s perspective we follow.
Sadly I saw the dig twist in the end from miles away, if not right from the second chapter. So it definitely does no provide much mystery, but it’s a love story it doesn’t particularly need that.
It is definitely a worthy read.
I think it is beautifully written with an interesting world. To be honest this is one of the very view books where I enjoyed having a male protagonists. We do have a Skala as female co lead but it is mostly Callie’s perspective we follow.
Sadly I saw the dig twist in the end from miles away, if not right from the second chapter. So it definitely does no provide much mystery, but it’s a love story it doesn’t particularly need that.
It is definitely a worthy read.
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