Author Kimberly Grymes began writing after many years of reading books and watching stories on film. Shade of Light is the first book in her Three Shades trilogy.
Eighteen-year-old Adele has just escaped her imprisonment at Castle Forge, where she was kept captive for years and forced to work as a mind interrogator for General Annika. Adele doesn’t understand why she has the ability to infiltrate minds and ventures back to her hometown to seek answers from her aunt, whom Adele witnessed heal someone with her blood. Upon arriving, much has changed for the worst, and the town is currently under attack by the Shades, the same mysterious attackers that abducted Adele’s mother and caused Adele to flee eight years earlier. With the help of others, Adele soon discovers that these Shades come from another world, called the Under Realm, and are capturing humans to enslave them under the rule of Queen Maregoth. It isn’t long before Adele realizes that she has more in common with the Shades than she’d care to admit and that she must venture to the Under Realm to save those she cares most about.
This is a young adult dark fantasy that is captivating from beginning to end. The story is fast-paced and has all the elements needed for an exciting fantasy series: an original and interesting storyline, endearing characters, an abundance of magic, and thrilling combative scenes. The book also explores meaningful subjects including spirituality and angels, self-discovery, self-acceptance, and loyalty to loved ones. The conclusion of Book One brings some much-needed closure as well as excitement for what’s coming next.
Narrator Amanda Davidson delivers a compelling performance as both Adele and Rune, two very contrasting characters. Davidson’s clear, easy-listening tone and well-placed dramatic flair definitely benefit the listening experience and enhance the overall story. Although this book is marketed for a YA audience, it’s definitely one that could be enjoyed equally by adults. The highly anticipated book 2, Shade of Vengeance, is slated to be released later this year!
