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A review by winecellarlibrary
First Light by Elizabeth Hunter
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
First, I would like to thank the author and Valentine PR for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“‘Keep looking at me that way’–his voice rumbled like soft thunder–’and I’ll forget all my strict rules about patience.’” (p.332)
Tropes:
alternate dimension
parallel world
portal magic
Scottish folklore
mythical creatures
dragon shifters
love triangle
widower MMC
hidden identity
forbidden love
revenge
Dragons and unicorns and forbidden love? I’m hooked!
Refusing to believe her boyfriend of four months simply ghosted her, leaving behind his car and other belongings, Carys travels to Scotland from California to speak to Lachlan’s twin brother Duncan. Duncan is reluctant to tell her the truth, but when he does, he escorts her into an alternate dimension–the Shadowlands, a world of magic parallel to her own where Lachlan is a prince. All Brightkin–those living in the known world–have a “twin” Shadowkin in the Shadowlands. While she contends with the shocking reasons why Lachlan entered her realm and abruptly disappeared, she must also battle with her conflicting feelings for the twin brothers while seeking information that will reveal the person who murdered her own Shadowkin.
First Light immediately grips the reader, plunging straight into the mystery of Lachlan’s disappearance and the magical yet treacherous world of the Shadowlands. More fantasy than romance, this story was a welcome break from all of the romance novels I have been reading lately. Elizabeth Hunter’s world-building is fully immersive and atmospheric. I always love a well-written love triangle, and the dilemma of Lachlan betraying Carys’s trust on top of Duncan and Lachlan being identical yet complete opposites of each other in personality is immensely captivating. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, revealing shocking information…meaning I need to get my hands on the next book in the series as soon as it’s available!
First, I would like to thank the author and Valentine PR for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“‘Keep looking at me that way’–his voice rumbled like soft thunder–’and I’ll forget all my strict rules about patience.’” (p.332)
Tropes:
alternate dimension
parallel world
portal magic
Scottish folklore
mythical creatures
dragon shifters
love triangle
widower MMC
hidden identity
forbidden love
revenge
Dragons and unicorns and forbidden love? I’m hooked!
Refusing to believe her boyfriend of four months simply ghosted her, leaving behind his car and other belongings, Carys travels to Scotland from California to speak to Lachlan’s twin brother Duncan. Duncan is reluctant to tell her the truth, but when he does, he escorts her into an alternate dimension–the Shadowlands, a world of magic parallel to her own where Lachlan is a prince. All Brightkin–those living in the known world–have a “twin” Shadowkin in the Shadowlands. While she contends with the shocking reasons why Lachlan entered her realm and abruptly disappeared, she must also battle with her conflicting feelings for the twin brothers while seeking information that will reveal the person who murdered her own Shadowkin.
First Light immediately grips the reader, plunging straight into the mystery of Lachlan’s disappearance and the magical yet treacherous world of the Shadowlands. More fantasy than romance, this story was a welcome break from all of the romance novels I have been reading lately. Elizabeth Hunter’s world-building is fully immersive and atmospheric. I always love a well-written love triangle, and the dilemma of Lachlan betraying Carys’s trust on top of Duncan and Lachlan being identical yet complete opposites of each other in personality is immensely captivating. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, revealing shocking information…meaning I need to get my hands on the next book in the series as soon as it’s available!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Death, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment