Review: Sisters of Shadow and Light (Sisters of Shadow and Light #1) by Sara B. Larson
I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher (via Edelweiss) for an honest review.
Book Sumary
Zuhra and Inara have grown up in the Citadel of the Paladins, an abandoned fortress where legendary, magical warriors once lived before disappearing from the world--including their Paladin father the night Inara was born.
On that same night, a massive, magical hedge grew and imprisoned them within the citadel. Inara inherited their father's Paladin power; her eyes glow blue and she is able to make plants grow at unbelievable rates, but she has been trapped in her own mind because of a "roar" that drowns everything else out--leaving Zuhra virtually alone with their emotionally broken human mother.
For fifteen years they have lived, trapped in the citadel, with little contact from the outside world...until the day a stranger passes through the hedge, and everything changes.
Book Details
Sisters of Shadow and Light by Sara B. Larson
Sisters of Shadow and Light #1
Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy
Published November 5th 2019 by Tor Teen
Hardcover, 368 pages
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars.
Review
Sisters of Shadow and Light is new YA duology by Sara B. Larson set in a world featuring Paladin warriors, winged gryphons, forbidden doorways and an enchanted castle protected by a magical hedge.
Readers can expect a strong focus on the bonds of sistership, family dynamics, and the role of forgiveness with familiar fantasy elements that make for a heartfelt, if somewhat, recognizable story.
“The night my sister was born, the stars died and were reborn in her eyes.”
Raised in the Citadel alone, Zuhra and Inara are dealing with the physical loss of their Paladin father, who disappeared on the night of Inara’s birth, and the emotional damage of their distraught and broken mother, who cannot forgive his abandonment of them.
Born, but unable to control her powers inherited from her father, Inara finds peace in her balcony gardens while Zuhra tries to unravel the keys to the mystery behind their father’s disappearance and Inara’s magic.
Everything changes the day the hedge opens up revealing a handsome stranger who knows about their Paladin father. With his knowledge comes new possibilities and dangers, as the gate between their world and the Paladins becomes threatened.
This was an entertaining read for sure. The book’s strength, which readers will find compelling, lies with its representation of sisterhood while portraying (imperfect) family dynamics. Larson weaves into this story a world touched by magic and a hint of romance.
There are two-viewpoints in the story. One for each sister, but because of the constant “roar” overwhelming Inara—because of her inability to access her powers, Larson instead uses that time building the backstory and introducing Zuhra’s character. This delayed view may throw readers off, although I enjoyed discovering more about Inara’s abilities.
The glimpses into the Paladin world are fascinating, and I enjoyed spending time there. The soaring gryphons, battle training sessions and overall atmosphere of the Paladin’s homeland filled my fantasy thirst, but I would have loved more.
Both sisters encounter difficulties they must overcome, with moments of personal growth to enjoy. The romances are sweet and in the background, leaving room for the next book to explore them deeper. The ending answered many questions while revealing new dangers.
Recommended for readers searching for a new young adult series focusing on familial relations and character growth set in a fantasy world readers can escape to.
