Author: Shayne Leighton
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: January 11, 2016
Pages: 400
Source: Author
Format: eBook
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Raised by a Vampire in a secret society of Witches, Shifters, and Elves, Charlotte finds that she is the freak in her world of magic and wonder. When she stands before an army of impossible obstacles, the likelihood of survival in this coming-of-age modern fairy tale is slim, resulting in a war between light and darkness.
Charlotte knows no other home than the one nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe, where Witches draw spells of enchantment, Shifters throw tea parties, and Elves are the closest in kin.
As genocide and war threatens her life and her home, Charlotte will not allow her one true love to be destroyed. Fighting for her adopted coven of rogue monsters, she will do whatever it takes to save them...and she'll do it before the sun comes up and light takes over forever!
Shayne Leighton has created such a wonderfully fantastical and magical world. Not only is this book very aesthetically pleasing, it is very well written.
Aesthetically pleasing you say? Why yes I did say! This book has pictures inside...pictures! Pictures that are wonderfully sprinkled throughout the book. Also, not only does each Chapter have a Title, each of the Chapter Titles have magical little drawings, dangling from the letters.
In the outskirts Prague, where our story takes place, along with many similar locales across the globe, we find Occult City. A magical city filled with all manner of mystical creatures.
Do you remember that feeling you got when you were reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and Diagon Alley was first being described to you? That's kind of how I felt when Occult City was being described. I could vividly picture this vibrant and bustling magic city, and wanted immediately to go there!
Here is a taste...
The Occult City square was vibrant, busy with enchanted fiddles and flutes playing themselves on street corners. Paper lanterns hung mysteriously string-less in the dead of night. Shifters chattered with each other in alleyways between taverns and shops while a gathering of caroling Imps sung in harmony near the center's fountain. Hearty Elves with round bellies and rosy smiles worked late, pushing their panted kiosks filled with baked goods and cured meats.
The world Shayne Leighton built was simply incredible. I also really loved the unique characters she created. From a stuttering scarecrow shopkeeper to a friendly, tea drinking, spindly arachnid shifter. This book has some amazingly imagined magical creatures!
Of Light and Darkness has some amazing elements working in its favor! Great writing, world building and characters, and not to mention pictures! However...I have to be honest in saying that I was confused by the plot. I kinda feel like it didn't really have one. It was a bit all over the place, and too disjointed, for my tastes. I just felt like I was unnecessarily confused. Plus, the main protagonist was just too whiny for my liking.
Having said that...Of Light and Darkness has some really GREAT reviews on Goodreads, LOTS of 4 and 5 Stars.
You be the judge!
Hello, Vanessa! Thank you for the Giveaway :) just one questions - is it international?
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