Now THIS is how you write a sequel! I loved the dark fantasy world of the fae in A DARK AND HOLLOW STAR and I am so glad I got to go even deeper into it in A CRUEL AND FATED LIGHT. This book is a chonker, but reading it doesn't feel like it because Shuttleworth's pacing and sense of timing is so very good, perfectly timing out big reveals, betrayals and action scenes. Once again, the characters in this story are a true delight. The author does a great job not just with character development, but deepening the relationships between them, both romantic and platonic. I loved seeing Nausicaa and Arlo again, and their scenes were some of my favorite scenes in the book. I also loved seeing Queen Riadne's past and storyline in this story, where we have an antagonist who is both ruthless yet humanized, if that's possible with the fae. Once again, we have really wonderful world-building that is expanded on as we get to go to the Summer Court, and I loved that. And the ending? With all the twists and turns leading up to it, it was really pulled off so well and left me craving more.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Fans of "A Dark and Hollow Star" will have a lot to enjoy here in its sequel, "A Cruel and Fated Light". All our favorite LGBT+ fae (and more!) characters from the previous novel appear, and relationships are deepened, questioned, and fleshed out. A fan favorite from the previous book even gets his own POV, which was much appreciated! The action is fast, the quips are witty, and the lovely representation is a warm hug. This book hit the same tone as the first, so if you enjoyed its predecessor, you'll be sure to like this one as well.

My only complaint is that this book is padded at 640 pages. I felt like a LOT could be trimmed - there was a real issue in this book with telling rather than showing and info-dumping - and a lot of that meant explanations that weren't really necessary for clarity. This book was flat too long.

That said, if you're patient, you'll enjoy this one! It's a fun, ultimately uplifting book and I'm delighted it exists.

this was amazing, but probably a bit too long for it's own good. i think it could have easily been about 200 pages shorter, and would've worked way better because of it. i loved the characters, return to the world and queer relationships!!