“Everything I hated and feared was outside that window. There was nothing between me and the night, nothing but a boy I didn’t know and shouldn’t trust.”
When the sun sets in Merak, a terrifying shadow world appears, guarded by nightmare beasts that prowl the darkness enforcing the rule of a tyrant lord. Terrified of the night and plagued with crippling panic attacks, seventeen-year-old Ara Holstenner’s only solace from her anxiety is the bond she shares with her brave younger sister. But when Lan is taken by shadow creatures, Ara must embark on a perilous quest to rescue her, aided only by a strange boy who claims to be from her past.
But the night is not what it seems. If Ara cannot untangle the dark secrets lurking within its shadows, she will condemn her sister—and herself—to a lifetime of unimaginable torment.
Thank you to Lindy Enns who sent me a gifted copy of her book in exchange for an honest review.
Dear god, what a book!
This was the perfect novel written under the fantasy genre. I demolished this within a few hours and I'm not even sorry.
As soon as you open the first page, you are sucked in like an addiction. Strong opening start, written in first person creating complete authenticity. We have the FMC, a 17-year-old girl called Ara who conveys anxiety perfectly through this novel, as she is faced to be the strong one. When you might ask? When her younger sister is taken by the shadows. We all can relate to anxiety right? Which is why adored the MC so much, you can see so much of yourself in her, even if you don't like to admit it.
"There was a bond between us that went beyond our shared goals and the dangers we faced, something which can not be described in words."
The best thing about this novel, and yes...debut novel?!! HOW has Lindy managed to write this good for a debut?
I am so shocked at how immaculate the writing was...
Imagery and the world building reflected sheer hard work, you could imagine yourself there as the trees were twisting and turning, as the creaks outside the door were making noise, threatening your every being whilst you trap yourself inside the house trying desperately to not let the creatures in and take you from your sleep. Everything was genuine, her vulnerability, the pain, the love and you are taken on the adventure of a life time. The lord's tyranny controlled everything, and when Ara's sister was taken she was forced to change herself as a person, leave the world behind and risk her life to save the one's she loves the most.
The plot is incredibly unique, I don't think I've seen a novel similar to this before, including the fact that the machinery was running via emotions?! Monsters, an evil lord, shadow world that only comes alive at night? What more could you want from a novel, that takes you on such a journey.
The tension in the book is kept amazingly well, I have no idea how Lindy managed to keep me on my toes the whole way through, especially when something could be easily guessed, something else changes. If you like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and a cross between Disney villains, this one is for you.
Is Nat, the one who disappeared those few years ago, really who he seems? Is her sister dead, or safe? Where did her father go?
Only you will find out when you read this book, and I possibly will be the FIRST one to buy the second in the series.
A fantastic debut novel.
If you don't believe me check out the reviews, splashes of 5 star everywhere!
To buy: https://amzn.eu/d/0f2OddvL
Free on Kindle Unlimited.
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