I was nervous going into this book because I feel like sometimes second books fall short, but man did this book knock it out of the water. The Ather is so awesome and such a unique world! Harley continued to be badass and Ray is so adorable! We also got to see so much more of Cassiel (who I think is my fave!) There was so much sass and banter (which I live for) not only between the two main characters, but between all of them! I also might be a little in love with Wallace! This was packed with action and scary creatures!

I just didn’t want it to end. I just fell in love with these characters and getting to go along on their journey. I can’t wait to read more wonderful stories from this author.

A great addition to this series! I absolutely love these books and can't wait to read the third one!

Fancy a trip to Hell. Enjoyed the wild ride with Harley tryin to save the world from demons and the Twelve. Harley just seems to get stronger and will do anything to save her sister Ray. I love the bond they have and how Harley goes all the lengths she goes to protect her.

First of all this book, this series actually is amazing and I end up finishing it in one go because I need answers! And what was that cliffhanger! Excuse me what!??*

Really enjoyed the story. Very fast paced, action packed story full of banter, relationship created under hard condition, a blossoming romance and unconditional
Sister love. I’ve started reading the next book and enjoying where the story brings me.

Harley and Ray had that tight sisterhood bond in book one and in book two things really turn up a notch!

The world building is bigger, we travel through different realms with a group of new characters, Harley has put together to save her sister. All this just sucked me right into the story and kept me engaged into every piece of this mission they were on.

The romance was the biggest plus, the information we get towards the end isn’t as surprising but it definitely gave me some Rhys AND Feyre vibes, if you know you know! It was a great read and it was such a great cliff hanger in the end! Definitely a book that leaves wanting the next book asap!

Ok, so I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with this series. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending of the first book. It felt random and weird and I was rolling my eyes a bit at the direction it was taking. But, here we are.

The audiobook literally brought this book and series to life for me. If it wasn't for the audio, I probably wouldn't have continued. The voice actors made these characters much more compelling.

I liked this story more than the first. The insta-love was a little better in this one but it still felt very insta-love.

Once again, I wasn't crazy about the ending of this one. It felt a little out of left field but I'd read the conclusion to this trilogy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Solid sequel. Interesting to find out what happens next. Betrayal and growing closer to other characters as they deal with consequences from book 1. Very excited to continue the series and see how it ends!

Totally enjoying book #1 and jumping into book #2 this one took us right into the Aether or hell as we know it. As Harleys sister needs some help so we meet so many new characters who I fell in love with. Draven and Harley's relationship progresses so much as they are constantly challenged. Then they are pretty much led to her father who has been trapped there for a millennia or a long time idk. We learn a lot in this book which will help our quest in book #3. Then it ends on a wtf cliffhanger when we were all happy in WITSEC living the farmers life.

Book 2 in the series and Harley finds herself in Hell…literally. With her motley crew and burgeoning powers, she must find out the truth, and maybe find herself along the way.

In the book, we meet new characters. I loved seeing Harleys powers and confidence grows. Draven is total book boyfriend material in the way he supports Harley and the decisions she makes.

And, if you thought the bombshell in book one was big, just wait until the end of this book! Ready to dive into book 3 and hope that, despite everything, there’s a happy ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Teen for a copy of the book.

Shadow of Light is the second book in Molly E. Lee’s Ember of Night series. The series focuses on protagonist Harley Ward who becomes the hero of her own story after she’s thrust into a world full of demons and more that she never knew existed. Harley who has spent most of her life as her father’s punching bag has always had to fight to survive. But the events of Ember of Night takes all of that to a new level. With the help of Draven, a boy who mysteriously appears and is more than he seems, and a warlock with powers galore, Harley fights off demons trying to kill her and a Greater Demon who wants her to open the Ather gates.

Shadow of Light picks up before the final chapter and epilogue of Ember of Night. Unlike the rest of the book, the prologue is told from Draven’s POV. I personally don’t think this is a standalone story, though some key events from Ember of Night are mentioned. Shadow of Light finds the most important person in Harley’s life, her eight-year-old sister Ray being possessed by Greater Demon Marid in a quest to get Harley to let him out of the Ather, so he can take over the world. Again with the help of Warlock Kazuki, Harley, Draven, Ray, Draven’s best friend and brother in arms Cassiel aka the Angel of Death make the dangerous journey to the Ather to break Marid’s hold on Ray and finish him off for good. Along the way, they make new friends, get into some fights and Harley discovers who or what she really is and takes her rightful place. Sadly, a girl who has the power to destroy the world just can’t be happy and content. Shadow of Light ends with an amazing cliffhanger that at least I didn’t see coming.

Molly has once again written an amazing story full of surprises, twists, and turns that you won’t see coming. The fight scenes are good. There are memories and mentions of the physical abuse Harley endured. There is also a consensual encounter between Harley and Draven. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book Spark of Ash.


~ Favorite Quotes ~

“Outside appearances can be deceiving.”

“There is nothing we can’t face when we’re together.”

“Insanity is repeating the same action and expecting different results.”

‘It’s easier to believe the worst about people.”

“I’m enough. I’ve always been enough.”

“I will always find you.”

“You are more than you’ll ever know.”

“Nothing worth anything in this life is ever easy.”

Everything I loved about EMBER OF NIGHT I loved about SHADOW OF LIGHT, and frankly, everything I love about YA fantasy in general. SHADOW OF LIGHT is fearless, bold, edgy and explosive, and adventure with characters you can't help but adore and a plot that keeps you turning pages. I listened to the audiobook in tandem with the eARC and it was just such a delight. Harley's character development is arguably the strongest part of this book. I loved seeing her newfound confidence as she travels to the depths of hell to keep her sister safe from a vengeful demon. Watching her journey has truly been a wonderful experience and it really warmed my heart to see her claim her power and accepting the love of those around her. I loved the romance and the chemistry between Harley and Draven. This romance is the stuff of favorite OTPs and was very sweet to watch develop throughout this book. I still love Harley's love for her sister. All the relationships, familial, romantic, and platonic, were all so well-formed. Learning more about the Seven and who Harley really is was also fascinated, and we have very high stakes that propel the plot perfectly forward. It's a fun read, to be sure and didn't lag at all. From beginning to end, it hooked me, and thus earned a coveted 5 stars. So excited to continue with SPARK OF ASH soon!

Action packed from beginning to end! After the brutal cliffhanger in Ember Of Night, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book but boy did it take me for a wild ride! A wild ride through each realm, straight to the depths of hell 😳 Harley, Ray and Draven pretty much fight for their lives through the entire book! They even managed to make a few friends along the way. Now there's a whole tribe trying save Ray from Marid. And another cliffhanger that made my jaw hit the floor!

When I wrote my review for Molly E. Lee’s Ember of Night, I drew a comparison between the main character, Harley, and Buffy Summers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame due to Harley’s tenacity and resilience. Much to my joy, in Shadow of Light, Harley acquires her own interesting Scooby gang, just like Buffy’s, as she goes on a mission to save her little sister, Ray, from demonic possession.

At the beginning of Shadow of Light, the sequel to cliff-hanging Ember of Night, Harley due to a steel strong connection with Draven, brings him back from death and Hell–much to both of their amazements. We see that Harley’s powers continue to grow. Disturbingly, however, one evening Marid possesses Ray. Ever the protector of her little sister, Harley is determined to find a way to get Marid’s link to Ray severed once and for all.

The action is almost non-stop as Harley and her Scooby gang tour a version of the underworld that is nothing like Harley anticipated. Indeed, it feels quite a bit like an episode of Star Trek or Star Wars with colorful aliens rather than any vision of “hell”—I am not complaining. I enjoyed this bit of world building.

The romance between Harley and Draven felt a little forced, maybe because at this point it just feels boring. It’s kind of like when couples get together in sitcoms and then, there goes the sitcom to its ugly death. Ooops. Tangent.

Ignoring the Harley-Draven romance, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of Shadow of Light, which kept me on the edge of my seat. It did, however, end in—you guessed it—a cliff-hanger. 🙁 This time though, I know when the next book is coming out (Spark of Ash, May 24, 2022) and will be reviewing it soon.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m still reeling from the aftermaths of a good story. It’s not easy to describe your feelings when you get attached to a book this much. I literally savored the book, it starts from where it left off in Ember of Night. Draven and Harley fighting both, their inner demons and actual demons. Some truths are hard to digest and even harder to bear with the others. The chemistry between them grew in every nook and corner, I adore their banter. There were a lot of twists & turns and their journey took them with few others to the doors of actual HELL. While traveling through Hell the story takes a stronger instance and shots of secrets are revealed, a proper background of things is given which makes the story more interesting. Hearing about the little girl Ray is all the hope needed in this difficult path. The characters are incredibly developed and seeing strong-willed females makes the story even more passionate. I don’t like cliffhangers and damm this has one. I want to get my hands on the third book ASAP but I know it’s not going to happen anytime soon, it’ll be a long wait.

Ever read the second book in a series and thought it was better than the first?

I have. The second book in the Ember of Night trilogy, A Shadow of Light by Molly E Lee is intoxicating!

A Shadow of Light pulled me into the demon realms and straight into Draven’s arms. I may have a new book boyfriend. A mysterious, sexy syphon from a demon realm and fated soulmates? This book hit all the high points for me.

Although, the book does drag a little in the middle, Lee turns it all around. She writes a fantastic ending, a cliffhanger ending! Lee is the queen of cliffhangers! I can’t handle this ending! I’m so excited to read the final book in the trilogy!

So, with syphons, fated soulmates, magical realms, powers, and a strong, female protagonist, I highly recommend this to fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Lee’s writing style is somewhat similar.

Thank you so much to Entangled Teen and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. Thank you, Molly for the opportunity to review your book! I loved the Vampire Diaries and Lord of the Ring references!

I am really loving this series. Harley thinks her life will finally be back to normal when she is sucked into going to hell to save her sister. This fantasy series is captivating and so interesting. Molly does an amazing job of hooking you from the first page and telling an enchanting story!

My poor sweet little Harley, just as she thought she may be able to live somewhat of a normal life she gets suckered right back in again and ends up having to go to Hell to save her sister, so naturally our resident bad boy we love to death called Draven goes along with her.

This is the wonderful second instalment to this series and I’m really enjoying this easy middle grade read. The characters are wonderful, the plot is incredible and the authors mind is clearly a wonderful place to live.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hold on to your seats friends, we are going to Hell!

And like everything else about this delightful story, it is not at all what you expect.

Shadow of Light pick ups where Ember of Night left off plot wise... pacing, I felt like the gas was let off a little in the beginning so it took me a little bit to get back into the story but once it took off, it was a nonstop adventure.

I really enjoyed the mythology shared in this one about Earth and Ather. I love Harley and Draven as well as Harley's found family. I so appreciated that their relationship didn't take the turn I was expecting of 'I'm going to make unilateral decisions about our relationship for your own good.' Also love love love Harley's take no crap straightforward attitude.

If you want a fun, twisty story with great characters + romance - check out this series!

Also that ending... I cannot WAIT to dive into book 3.

Content warning: child neglect/abuse, topics of PTSD, alcohol abuse and self-harm