Light in the Shadows

Shadows and Light #1

By: Georgia C. Leigh

Narrated by: Shelley Reece

Length: 16 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Sheltered from the world since birth, 18-year-old Haven arrives at the Academy eager to learn what it means to be seraphim. Her excitement quickly fades as she struggles to master her gifts, to befriend and trust others, and above all, to understand herself.

But when she discovers an ancient magic within, she loses the glimpse of friendship she longs for and is thrown back into isolation. Her magic unknowingly awakens a dark shadow in her world and catalyzes those who seek to control her, to bind her and use her for her power. And if she can’t be bound, they will ensure she is dead.

Ryker, a world walker and a demon hunter, is the only one powerful enough to contain her magic and knows what it is like to be wanted for someone else’s gains. Ryker’s brutal methods may give her the chance to understand her gift and control it, but they are running out of time.

Haven must fight for a life she desperately wants, one where she can follow her own path, and her heart. And, maybe, finally find love before her life is chosen for her.

©2022 Georgia Erbez (P)2023 Georgia Erbez

Ryker is EVERYTHING!

Captivating New Fantasy Series! This is a new fantasy series about Haven, a girl who has felt isolated and unloved most of her life. She starts at an academy for magical beings and begins to really live life for the first time. She is discovering the power of friendship and love as well as uncovering her own magical abilities.

The narrator did an amazing job of bringing these characters to life. Once I started listening, I was hooked. This story definitely has it all! I must also say that RYKER IS EVERYTHING!!!!! This book is my first read by the author, Georgia Leigh. I think it is a fantastic start to this series, but it did start a bit slow and was very overwhelming with characters and beings to keep track of.

By the end of the book, I was in love with all of the characters, but it did take a while to really get into the story just because I felt confused about everyone. I had a hard time keeping everything and everyone straight and figuring out the ins and outs of this new world. So if you start this one, don't give up on it too early! It definitely pays off in the end! I hope the author will add a glossary or cliff notes or something to book 2 to help us keep everything straight!! I can't wait to continue this journey with book 2 and hope that comes out soon!

Fantastic story!

While there are some similar elements to other fantasy series I’ve enjoyed (magic, Fae, Seraphim, crossing into different realities), this author has built them into a completely different world. I was immediately invested in the story, and really enjoyed the character development in Haven and her friends. Great story and I can’t wait to see what happens in Book 2.

Amazing

Absolutely amazing story! The narrator did great with each of the characters for the story and presenting the storyline in general. But the overall story was perfection. It kept me so engrossed that I had to continue without stopping. I cannot wait for the next book to see what happens with Ryker and Havens story!

Excellent Story & Narration

The setting and storyline is definitely an excellent setup for the much larger series. Well written with interesting characters and plot. The narrator handled dialogue and character recognition well. Loved it,

Totally Obsessed!

I am completely obsessed with this story and these characters!

This story takes place over the course of 3 years and there was a LOT of character development and progression for Haven. She has become one of my favorite female main characters of all time!

At the beginning of the story Haven arrives at the academy as a cadet for her training as seraphim. She is 18 and has lived her life in isolation; she'd never even left her family compound until the day she arrived. The first half of the story focuses on her struggles to control her growing powers, her training at the academy, and the relationships she builds (and loses) with the other characters. I've always loved stories about schools/academies that teach magic and combat, so I found the entire process and her struggles very entertaining. I want to avoid spoilers as much as possible, so I'll just say: Haven really struggles and suffers, but she turns out to be really tough.

Part of Haven's training, and her struggles, involve Riker and his abilities to contain her out of control magic. The second half of the book focuses a lot more on their growing relationship, which transforms into a super hot slow burn romance. Being a shadow walker, Riker is just as isolated and lonely as Haven.

Why this book is a 5 star for me-
-This book is heavily character driven, and for me Haven is a great character. There wasn't a scene from her POV that I didn't enjoy. I also really liked Riker, and even several of the supporting characters.
-From the moment I started it on audible to the moment it finished, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I woke up excited to start driving to work so I could listen to it, I went to bed thinking about it. I made an excuse to drive one town over on a Saturday just so I could get an hour of alone time to listen to it.
-I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I yelled, I had total anxiety. Oh my goddess what a ride!
-That ending though, I didn't see that coming.

100% I recommend this book, I will be reading the next and the one after that! Seriously fantastic job by this author!

Angels what else needs to be said

NOOOOOOO…… 😭😭. A tear inducing cliffhanger.
I love the story I love the characters and I have a new book boyfriend 🤫 I know it’s way past bedtime but just one more chapter (I have book two down loading) I hope the next book is just as good.

Just amazing

Wow, this book was so good. I love when the stories have a military based plot line. The romance is a really good slow burn and you want to fall in love with all of Haven’s pod! The end is actually shocking and I can’t wait for book 2! Highly recommend!

loved this book.

loved the way it was written. it makes it easier to imagine everything going on