Crown of light and shadows

What The Vibes Are

Dragons — He Trains Her — Shadow Wielder —
Chosen One — Light vs. Shadows

What It’s About

A powerless outcast thrust into a brutal Fae academy.
Her ruthless instructor caught between duty and desire.
A forbidden love foretold to spark the kingdom’s absolute ruin.

On the day of my twentieth birthday, a brutally handsome Shadow Fae darkens my doorway and whisks me away to an elite Fae academy. The problem is I’m not Fae, and I certainly don’t have any magical powers.

Despite this, I’m thrust into a realm where magic is as vital as breath and far more dangerous.

Thrown into an academy teeming with powerful Fae, I must navigate the treacherous waters of magical education, summon my dormant powers and battle merciless fellow students to prepare to face the rival Arcanum Citadel across the river. Home to the treacherous Shadow Fae, the end of the year battle determines our fate.

More dangerous still is the mysterious connection with my ruthless, enigmatic Shadow Fae professor. As he begrudgingly mentors me in the ways of Light magic, our growing relationship becomes a forbidden attraction that neither of us can deny.

As my powers unfurl and the boundary between light and dark blurs, a deeper threat a secret prophecy that could ignite war. The shaky peace between the courts trembles, and I’m faced with a choice that could alter the fate of our realm.

I stand at the precipice, the key to averting a bloodbath—or igniting an all-consuming fire.


Author’s note:
This epic fantasy romance series contains steamy enemies to lovers, touch her and I’ll unalive you vibes, age gap and a smoldering slow burn student/teacher relationship. Content is for mature audiences and 18+ recommended.

What I thought about it

***Possible Spoilers below

Crown of Light and Shadows was a fun read. The idea of a war college followed the same parameters as most and was entertaining enough. You have Aelia, a young woman who thought she was unremarkable and stared down the barrel at a fate filled with servitude. That was, until the night before when she was attacked by a bolt of light. It was as if the light attached itself to her nervous sysem. The following morning, a shadow fae showed up and whisked her away to train for a war she knew nothing of. Her practice? Her classmates then the students of the opposing college. The only way out was to die or fail out. She made enemies with the bullies who saw her as a mere mortal — which valid because her ears were round. It was satisfying reading about her kicking their asses.

The shadow fae who retrieved her, Reign, was a shadow fae living amongst the light fae as a bound servant. Forced to be the shadow arts professor, he began to fall for Aelia as he trained her and pushed her magical limits. His character arc fell into the typical shadow daddy stereotype, but I’m not complaining…

The trope of her being the ambigitous chosen one and Reign knowing was predictable. Although, the way the magic and courts worked was intriguing. I also enjoyed that phrasing of the prophecy and that she could go either way. She could save them or destroy them. To rise up, or burn it all down. Will she overcome her oppressors or light a match and go insane? Guess I’ll have to keep reading

I had a feeling that Reign was royalty somehow, just wasn’t expecting an ass of a brother. I still have questions about that though. Why is this puntz the heir if Reign’s the oldest? How did Reign get shackled? Does the Headmaster know who he is?

Conclusion

Crown of Light & Shadows was captivating. Every chapter was filled with angst, lore, and an academic vibe I can only attribute to Hogwarts. It’s a little lighter than Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, but it scratches that itch for more than it leaves behind. I’m excited to read the sequels and figure out who Aelia’s parents are. There must be so much lore about it. Maybe bringing in some Gods and Goddesses? Man, I hope so.

Have any of you read G.K. DeRosa’s Crown of Light & Shadows? What did you think of the school and atmosphere? How about that shadow fae in the beginning? Do you think he’ll make a reappearance in the future? Will Aelia forgive Reign for his lies? How long do you think he’ll have to grovel? Please comment below!

♡ G&P