A Kingdom of Sun and Shadow

Twingenuity #1

by Danielle M. Hill

Two Sisters. One Prophecy. Many Secrets

Amara was like any other princess from a once magical kingdom. Like most, she had secrets, her biggest one of all; She’s actually her twin sister Avery.

After Avery is taken from her ordinary life and brought to the mysterious kingdom of Soluna, she is introduced to the heir to the throne, and her twin sister, Amara.

Not everyone believes Amara is the rightful heir so she ventures off on the quest of her life to prove them wrong, leaving Avery behind to impersonate a sister and life she knows nothing about.

Follow both Avery and Amara as they discover more about themselves than they ever thought possible, including unbelievable powers.

Genres: Fantasy, Ebooks, Paranormal, Fantasy Romance

279 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2022

About the author

Danielle M. Hill is an author and storyteller based in a small town in southern Ontario, Canada. Her stories are drama filled, swoon worthy, and magical that transport readers to new worlds and introduce them to unforgettable characters.
Danielle has been writing since she was a young girl, and her passion for storytelling has only grown stronger over the years. Her debut novel, A Kingdom of Sun and Shadow, was born out of a desire to create a world that readers could escape to and get lost in.
Danielle is a stay at home mom to her daughter and dog. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, watching Marvel movies, anime, and binge watching TV shows.
Danielle M. Hill is thrilled to share her stories with readers around the world and hopes that her books will bring joy, entertainment, and inspiration to all who read them.

Reviews

[Stephrewritten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh, I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy from Danielle and I am so grateful. Not only was it such a captivating story, filled with love, wit, relatability and more, there was a little bit of everything you’d want when reading contemporary fantasy! I truly loved the characters (and even hated a few ;) It had an amazing story to take you through and it instantly leaves you wanting more! So well written and well thought out. I already can’t wait to reunite with these characters in the second one 💛

Couldn’t recommend this book and these characters more.

Beware, book boyfriends ahead 😜

[Stephrewritten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh, I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy from Danielle and I am so grateful. Not only was it a captivating story, filled with love, wit, relatability and more, there was everything you could have wanted in a contemporary fantasy! I truly loved the characters (and even hated a few ;) It had an amazing story to take you through and it instantly leaves you wanting more! So well written and well thought out! I already can’t wait to reunite with the characters in the second one 💛

Couldn’t recommend this book and these characters more!

Beware, book boyfriends ahead 😜

[Abigail Vaerten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It’s an adventurous face paced read full of mystery and a cliffhanger that leaves you needing the next book now. The characters were lovable and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Isa Chancey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It has a great Avery comes from the contemporary world and needs to step in for her long lost twin sister, Amara, in a parallel world. Some of my favorites scenes are when one of the MCs was vulnerable and getting along with another MC on a roof top, twinkle light garden, and dancing. The cliff hanger left me wanting to know what happens & I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

[Kamarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally it takes me a bit to read a book but I finished this book in less than a day! Once you start, you can't stop. The characters are so relatable and I love all the pop culture references.
If you need a book to get away from reality, this fantasy book is just the thing you need.
I can't wait for the sequel to come out. This is definitely worth a read!

[Breewithbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was one of the lucky ones to receive an ARC of this story! I want to be as honest and real as possible... if you DO NOT read this book you are missing out! It was captivating and different. The world that was created will leave you wanting more. It was such a great way to introduce me to contemporary fantasy. The way the story was told * chefs kiss* Congrats on your debut book!!! 👏

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good

I can’t wait till book two I so need it right now and that ending I so did not see that coming at all

[Rieka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute cotemporary romance story! It has it all secret identities, enemies to lovers (with a twist), magic, kingdoms, romance, and mystery. I love that it had me captivated and wanting more. The storyline of this story is so unique and and trust me once you start reading it, it's very hard to stop. I do recommend having book two ready once you finish this one cause you'll want to know want happens next soon as you hit the last page!! Another thing I found as a fresh of breath air was that this is a faced paced book!

I love how opposite the twins are! Avery is so reserved and calm, but Amara is blunt and very forward! Xander is so adorable. I think if Amara and Xander were not put in the situation they were, they would have become better friends. Although, Avery fits him better for sure in my opinion.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so I’m obsessed 😍 from the very beginning I was intrigued and couldn’t put it down. I read the entire book in just 2 days! I love a good fantasy/fairy tale type story with modern twists and turns and this was everything for me.

Avery is so relatable and fun. And great taste in music, IYKYK 😅 I adore the Royal guard’s and their loyalty. Amara is a baddie. The twins each have their own adventures that leave you wanting more on every turn of a page.

And that cliffhanger🫠🫠 thank gods I don’t have to wait to continue this story as I start the arc for book 2 😅😍

•magical twin sisters
•golden retriever guards
•enemies to lovers
•friends to lovers
•forced proximity
•arranged marriage
•hidden identity
•slow burn
•YA

[Randle Forcinel · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨I was able to get an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.✨

I think that the author has a really great start to her series. The idea is very creative and magical. The story follows a set of twins who were separated as children and grew up in literally different realms so that one day they could fulfill a prophecy.
This is the authors debut novel and she even self published! I think that it’s a great first work and am looking forward to seeing where her writing goes!

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the greatest books I have ever read! The characters are witty and compelling, the story sucks you in, and I am already anxiously awaiting the sequel! If you have to pick one story to read that has mystery, romance, adventure, and fantasy- pick A Kingdom of Sun and Shadow! Honestly, Danielle Hill has taken top spot as my favourite emerging author! Can’t wait for more books!!!!

[Sydnee Birkeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited to have gotten to read an ARC copy of this book from Danielle! Its a fast paced story full of intrigue, mystery, wit and laughs! You really start to love the characters and watch them form new friendships and rivalries. Its such a fun contemporary romance, and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

[booksandkelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book the minute it was released and finished it in a day which doesn’t happen very often, definitely 5⭐️ rating!!!! This book has amazing pacing and I was hooked right in with the story and characters within the first chapter which I love in a book!! I will 110% be continuing on with the series as they’re released!!

[Sophia Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually a fantasy read kind of girl, but this story had me hooked! The cliffhanger at the end too?! It definitely gave me a parent trap meets Harry Potter meets princess diaries and im here for it. Im so excited to read the next book in the series! I really liked that the chapters were short as well so it didn't feel like such a long book.

[Hannah]

This book gave me so many emotions, so many thoughts! I love the story line and the plot is amazing 🙌🏽. I love the free feeling of the book and the cliff hanger at the end! This book is very suspenseful and keeps you on your toes.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an arc and love this book. I can not wait for the next one in the series to come out!

[Tiana Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced first book in a new series! There is mystery, comedic moments, and of course some romance brewing. I can’t wait for the next book!

[bookishlitwitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚BOOK REVIEW📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

QOTN: “Sometimes all I need is a good book underneath the moonlight.”

Synopsis: Two sisters. Separated at birth. Only to come together when one needs to find a prophecy. After Avery is brought back to Soluna, she must take Amara’s place and prove to everyone she is the rightful heir the throne.
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This was such a cool read I got from KU. The concept of twins separated at birth but ones that also represent the Sun/moon had me hooked. There was something so cool about the way Danielle M Hill did the sisters thoughts. The way the girls discovered who they were and the way the story has unfolded has me wanting more. Not to mention THAT CLIFF HANGER!! My only issue is that Avery is very much a damsel in distress & I sincerely hope she becomes a badass later on.

[Pamela H · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story has a lot of promise but is lacking overall. I did like the characters. The one thing in particular that drove me crazy is that Avery is supposed to be impersonating her sister and the guy who’s supposed to help her with it literally never does once. She’s thrust in a whole new land, new culture, new people and she has to find her own way and he always has something he’s supposed to attend to. I get it, he’s the regent, but then maybe assign someone else to help her?

[Jennifer Sebring · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the banter between a few of the characters, but the lack of detail and world building kinda threw me for a loop because it was after all a good book, I just felt it could be GREAT. I will be reading book two because I'm curious. For a debut book though, I would recommend it

[Alyssa Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put it down, I was hooked after reading the first chapter. The characters are all very interesting and make you want more. I finished it within a day and a half because I just couldn’t stop.

[Brooke | brookesreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

REVIEW TO COME

[Amanda Klingensmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting plot, characters you can’t help but root for, and a mystery to solve that has you wondering who you can trust and who are the bad guys. So glad I found this series!

[Sara]

Not clean. Contains profanity and implied impropriety

[Sophie Challis · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 7%

Only 2 chapters in but couldn't go on.

[Leesa Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come once I've had some sleep 😴

Aaaand I'm back! I read this book over the course of a stretch of night shifts. It was an honour to meet Danielle in person at a local book fair and purchase something she worked so hard on.

The plot of this book hooked me. I really don't think I have read a fantasy book with this Prince and the Pauper-esque story. There are a lot of great plot points that have me excited to read more. If I had any critiques, it would be to "dig a little deeper". There is so much potential in this story that when action scenes are rushed or the setting is glossed over, I was wanting for more. I think over time, Danielle will hone in her craft and we will get more adventures with Avery and Amara.

Even with this critique I still enjoyed reading this book and would recommend this book and author.

[Alice Bloomfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️✨

This was an okay fantasy adventure but not gripping. I feel like this genre is so popular everyone is jumping in but this didn’t have something to add to make it fun.

[Jillsbooknook · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ✨

"What the hell is going on? Who are you? Why do you look like a better dressed version of me?"

A Kingdom of Sun and Shadow is the first novel in the Upper YA Fantasy Romance following the characters Avery and Amara. Avery has spent all her life in the normal world to discover she is actually the daughter of royalty in the mysterious Kingdom of Soluna. In fact, she actually has a twin sister who is set to take the throne after the death of their parents. Amara has been struggling with political turmoil in the realm as figures question her legitimacy and she needs to find proof of a prophecy to prove them wrong...except she can't up and abandon her kingdom and it's not like she can be in two places at once...wait...

The premise of this story is quite fun and definitely keeps you on your toes. You get the dual POV of watching Amara seek to uncover secrets of the realm while Avery is forced to deal with the politics of the realm despite having no training. Personally, I found Avery's POV to be more easily relatable and absolutely hilarious at times. Her budding relationship with Xander was absolutely adorable (the banter gets SO GOOD) as they started off as enemies before growing closer and closer. I wouldn't say it fully becomes the romance yet but I anticipate it...and hope for it. Amara's relationship with her guard, Wesley, is sweet but I felt kind of thrown into it without a lot of context. Their relationship is left on a cliffhanger of sorts which should provide interesting to navigate.

"Jeeze, why do I even bother trying to be nice."
"This is you trying to be nice? i'd hate to see what you're like around someone you really hate."

This book is no spice but romance is growing at a slow burn pace.

In terms of plot, I felt there are a lot of things happening but we're not there yet. Amara's story definitely builds up the lore a lot more while Avery's felt a little stuck. I have some theories and am curious to see how they will end. Ultimately I found a lot of stuff happened while simultaneously nothing - in many ways this book is just the foundation for the greater story so there are a lot of unanswered questions and there is a cliffhanger! My hope is these questions get answered soon!

Overall, I feel this story has a lot of promise with fascinating twin characters, unique plots for each of them, and a growing world that boasts a much larger story in the works. I wish I had more answers than questions but with the new book coming out soon I feel my anxiety will be ended sooner, rather than later!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that the story and plot line were highly thrilling and had me rushing to find out what happens next.

I found that the writing itself lacked almost all detail and should have been written as a fan fiction piece of the Zodiac Academy series as the stories have very similar elements. (twin girls, found powers trope, shadow realm, multiple love interests)

[Angie Uhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t as interested in Amara’s chapters as I was with Avery’s chapters where she was pretending to be Amara but overall I enjoyed the story so much!
I loved the little Supernatural reference and calling Erik Not Zac was so funny!

Lastly THAT ENDING THO! I can’t wait for the next book!!