Incandescence (Shadowlight Book 1) by Elena Leman (2020)

 

In thousands of years of my astral travels, I’d never needed a companion. But he found a way to ingrain himself in my every brain cell, my every goosebump, my every trembling breath… His darkness is the answer to my light."

Orobella is a cosmic wanderer, living borrowed lives in borrowed bodies. Her mission on planet Instaar is the same as always—collecting Crystals of Emotions while having as much fun as her new physical form allows, no strings attached. But once she meets the hypnotically mysterious Sambor, both her body and soul yearn for more. She makes him an offer he can't refuse.

In the world where creatures of death and darkness drive men mad, emotional detachment has been Sambor's greatest life achievement. As the future leader of the Lasota tribe and a spiritual tattoo artist, he can't afford the luxury of mental weakness. Yet his meticulously constructed equilibrium is shaken up when an alluring nymph promises to save his baby sister, in exchange for a sacred Lasota tattoo. He can't say no. Even if that means his demons will get the best of him.

Steeped in mysticism, elemental magic, and sensual vibrations, this romantic fantasy is more than a love story. It’s a journey through a soul.

SERIES: Shadowlight, #1

GENRE: Fantasy Romance/Metaphysical Fantasy

AGE CATEGORY: Adult

CONTENT WARNING: This book contains graphic violence, sexual situations, physical abuse, and adult language.

I don't read a lot of fantasy or sci-fi so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It is fast-paced, has plenty of drama, suspense and romance.

The magical world of Instaar is one of the things I loved most about this book. It is a world where anything could happen and not all of it good. So, I was on tenterhooks for much of the story, especially in relation to Child and whether or not she was going to be given a name at the naming ceremony or be cast aside. I loved how Orobella took her under her wing and taught her to sing.

 Orobella was very fun and flirty at the beginning of the novel and I laughed at her witty interactions with some of the men on Instaar. I liked her spirit guide, Smoku, as he was quite adorable and a font of knowledge. 

Sambor was a great character. He had some darkness in him which made him more interesting. His magical tattoos were genius. I loved that his came alive to help in fights when needed. 

Orobella and Sambor were a good match for each other and I was nervous about how things were going to end up with them as Orobella was adamant that her stay on Instaar was temporary. 

The action and suspense kicked up a notch towards the end of the book and I couldn't put it down.

I'm looking forward to following the rest of this series!

Incandescence will be published on the 9th of November.

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