Blessing and Light: An Order Universe Holiday Short

By: Kasia Bacon

Narrated by: Michael Fox

Length: 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

It’s the Night of Winter Lights.

Heedless of the holiday, the Commander of the H’Aren fortress, Captain Torýn Torhdhar, seems to find his satisfaction in work.

Such occurrence hardly surprises his Orderly, Sæbastyn Hyago, even though the young Lieutenant has spent a silent, aching decade wishing his superior officer would pursue pleasure elsewhere - specifically in his arms. But as the evening continues, nothing about it meets Sæbastyn’s expectations. Will the Lieutenant see his secret desires realised, or his heart shattered?

©2017 Kasia Bacon (P)2019 Kasia Bacon

Lovely. Amazing. Evocative. Romantic

Lovely. Amazing. Evocative. Romantic.

I don’t do audiobooks, this is my second, but if Kasia Bacon and this narrator are working together again: I’m in.
The pace is perfect. Just perfect. That beginning where Sæbadtyn is walking around the fortress, describing what he says, what he lives... I really loved the tempo, the British accent, the voice... us powerful.
I already knew the story, I’m pretty addicted to The Order Series and I’ve read Blessing and Light more than 10 times. Love the characters and the universe Kasia has created and I think the narrator did a perfect job giving them voice, giving them feelings.

Highly recommend!

Cozy MM holiday short

Although this is apparently a fantasy world with fairies and such, this tidbit could just as easily taken place in Victorian England or during the colonial wars. It did nothing to sell me on a fantasy series
(there’s not a lot by this author in Audible anyway, at this time). But, for an MM cozy romance, this was sweet and toasty, like snuggling before a fire on a wintry day.

So Sweet

This was a short sweet feel good story that I very much enjoyed. It was a nice break in a busy day and made me smile.

Short and sweet

This is a bite size visit to Kasia Bacon's wonderful fantasy world, this time it's more of a slice of life than a full adventure. We get to look in on the two main characters during a few hours on the eve of a holiday. Torýn and Sæbastyn make a great couple, and I was happy to share this important night with them. As often happens when I read a good short story I wish there had been more, but I was still happy to revisit the Order Universe.

As always Michael Fox's narration made the listening experience even better.

Lovely short

I don’t usually like short stories, but this was fabulous. Enough world building that I wasn’t clueless, but not so much as to negate the story. Told first person entirely from Saebastyn’s POV, it was a super sweet tale of unrequited love finally realized. It’s closed door, perfect if you’re looking for something without details.

This is my first time listening to Michael Fox narrate and it won’t be my last. He gave all the characters unique voices and did a great job with the various emotions. It’s not often a short makes me laugh, cry, & swoon.

🎧 Audiobook listener 🎧

Blessing and Light ( An Order Universe Holiday Short)by Kasia Bacon. This was a sweet short holiday listen. This story was well written. I would love to have more of these characters and the world they live in.
The Narrator Michael Fox did a fantastic job bringing these characters and story to life.

cute short

enjoyed this short story. loved that there was a happy ending and both characters got what they desired. I did wish it was longer and more world building. while this is a standalone and doesn't focus on the MC in the Order series I do recommend that other listeners give that a try. just so you don't go into it blind.

the narration was fantastic. no complaints.

a free copy was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

New to me

New to me author and narrator, but I really enjoyed this short story. It’s definitely got me on the hook to follow up with this series. Hopefully Michael Fox has narrated the others.

a sweet short

This is a sweet, make you feel good, holiday short.
Narrator Michael Fox does a fabulous job.

Sweet, short and lovely

New to me author and narrator. Both did a great job with such a short story.
I got such a vivid impression of the camp, the soldiers and the 2 MCs from the narration that I was honestly surprised that it wasn't longer!
I absolutely will look for more from both Kasia Bacon and Michael Fox.

Quality not quantity matters

I  love this author, I really do. Not many could write a super short story and drag me right back into the world she created quite like she does. I'm not a novella fan, I usually feel short-changed when reading them yet this one is the shortest I've read and really enjoyed it.

It's quality, not quantity that matters and Ms Bacon has that magical quality .... in spades.

A lovely winter story!

Even though it's the shortest of The Order Universe stories, it feels complete. Actually, it can serve as the first glimpse into this fascinating world. There a lot of showing and the emotions are palpable.
Michael Fox's narration is yet again tantalising and it brings the book alive.

Packed full of emotions!

Well done! A short story but deeply moving. You can really feel the emotion, the cold air, the festive spirit. I loved the cat (nice touch).
The narration was excellent: fluid, unhurried--it suited the mood. The voices for the main characters were distinctive and fitting. A very pleasant experience on the whole. Recommended.

Short and sweet

This is a bite size visit to Kasia Bacon's wonderful fantasy world, this time it's more of a slice of life than a full adventure. We get to look in on the two main characters during a few hours on the eve of a holiday. Torýn and Sæbastyn make a great couple, and I was happy to share this important night with them. As often happens when I read a good short story I wish there had been more, but I was still happy to revisit the Order Universe.

As always Michael Fox's narration made the listening experience even better.

Wonderful short story

This was the first of Kasia’s stories I read and it still holds a special place in my heart.
It amazes me how she can create complex worlds and likeable, engaging characters in so few, but obviously incredibly well-chosen, words.

Sort but intense

It is a standalone book inside The Order Universe, beautiful and exquisite, as usual with this autor. I don't know how she manage it, but her characters tug your heartstrings and not too much words are needed.

Just Lovely, Michael Fox Is Perfect

What an incredibly sweet and romantic holiday short. I'm enjoying everything I'm reading by Kasia Bacon, everything is beautifully written and truly creative. As this one comes from "the Order" universe, I'm going to check into that series and see what I've been missing.

The audiobook is performed by Michael Fox who has a lovely voice and does a wonderful job with these voices.

Words well wielded

An amazing amount of chemistry packed into such a brief story. A beautifully written short.

🎧 Audiobook listener 🎧

Blessing and Light ( An Order Universe Holiday Short)by Kasia Bacon. This was a sweet short holiday listen. This story was well written. I would love to have more of these characters and the world they live in.
The Narrator Michael Fox did a fantastic job bringing these characters and story to life.

Short and sweet

This Christmas short was my first taste of Kasia Bacon’s elven fantasy world and because it was so short, it was hard to judge. It describes a brief romantic moment between Captain Torhdhar and his loyal orderly, Sæbastyn. I found the glossary at the end helpful because it gave me a tantalising glimpse of the wider world Bacon has created. I liked the narration but felt it could have flowed a little better. I’d certainly explore more works by this author based on this taster.