Firstly, Thank you to NetGallery, the author and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC of Shade of Light in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3 stars

As a big fan of Dark Fantasy, I was excited to pick up this read. Although I was disappointed that there was no major romance, I still thought to try it.

The first few chapters did seem a bit hard to make my way through. I didn't resonate with the main character, but it didn't mean she wasn't interesting (I liked her morally-grey personality). Adele (our main character) was held captive for eight years and forced to use her powers for evil. Upon returning home, she is left questioning everything. The only way she finds herself and the answers he seeks is by facing true evil. Adele constantly battles between good and bad (heaven and hell). She possesses the gifts of hell (the underworld) but was raised in a human village. After deciding to stay in the town, she fights both to protect it and to understand who she is.

This is a coming-of-age story; it is quite a YA fantasy and works well as a beginner fantasy read. The plot is well-focused and does set up an excellent second book. I felt that the friendships in this novel were quite lovely. Although, I’m hoping for better character development in the second book. The world-building wasn't overdone (which was refreshing). I quite liked Grymes's unique writing style so that I will be picking up the next book!

I received the eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion on Shade of Light.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: Adele has been stolen from her life, forced to use her gifts for evil, and held captive for 8 years. After she breaks out, she makes her way back to her home only to find that it is not close to what she left. All she wants is to know who she is, but she must face some true evil to learn the truth.

The basis of the plot is heaven vs. hell. Adele being a wildcard. She possesses the same gifts as the evil that comes from the Under Realm. However, she is raised in a human village so she feels love, compassion, friendship, and guilt. She CHOOSES to stay in the village to protect, to fight, to learn who she is, and decide to be/do better.

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Did I love this book? No, did I hate it? Also, no. It’s the perfect intro into fantasy. While I believe it is a true YA fantasy and better geared toward the under 18 crowd, adults just dipping their feet into fantasy will find this book great as well.

I slogged through the first chapters, but I picked up speed towards the middle. Adele was a difficult character for me to connect to. I also felt as though some of her dialogue changed tone throughout the book. All that aside, I’m honestly excited to see how Adele, Elijah, Kit, and Rune’s characters grow in the second and third installments.

It’s a quick read with good (not overwhelming) world building. There were a few plot twists that I didn’t see coming, and have me wondering what will happen in book 2. There is no romance and no love interest to be found. It’s more about a young girl finding out who she is, deciding there are people she loves and cares about, and coming to terms with the fact that she’s only evil if she chooses to be.

Review of "Shade of Light" by Kimberly Grymes

Disclaimer: I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for providing an honest and unbiased review.

"Shade of Light" is a good book, although I hesitate to label it as great. It took some effort to navigate the initial chapters as I struggled to connect with the main character. Additionally, the frequent shifts in perspective, away from our central character, disrupted my immersion in the story. The writing style and world-building, while intriguing, left me teetering on the edge of complete immersion.

Nevertheless, the core idea and storyline hold promise. I can't help but think that upon a second reading or if I were to delve into the second book in the series, I might develop a stronger connection to the overarching narrative I was hoping to find.

I believe many readers will pick up "Shade of Light" and find it enthralling. I encourage you to give this novel a chance, as it may resonate more deeply with you than it did with me.

This is a condensed review.
If you like a simple, easy read, this is a good choice. The story is very unique and filled with plenty of unexpected turns. I love what Grymes is trying to build. It’s a very unique world and one I’ve rarely seen before. I’m curious to know what future novels do to build on this concept.
I wanted to love this book, I really did. I did enjoy reading it because it was a short read, but found myself skimming far too much by the end. I’d give this book at best a three. The prologue had me hooked, but by halfway, I was lost. I kept thinking maybe I missed a page of information somewhere that explained any background to Adele and the last eight years of her life. We learn next to nothing about why she doesn’t like being the Interrogator and hardly anything about what makes Selene such a valued friend. And even when Adele promises explanations, she never gives them. This is not the only place explanations are regrettably absent.
The characters, especially Adele, lack personality and often contradict themselves. You don’t see the twists coming at all, mostly because there’s nothing that would allude to it; unless it’s too vague to pick up on. I would have preferred if the book were longer and explained more. Maybe a lot of my questions will be answered in future books, but will I read a sequel? Unfortunately, no.
I will be sharing a more detailed review to Goodreads on 9/24/23 and marking it for spoilers because I do not want to spoil anything on this site.

I struggled to get into this book as I didn't feel attached to the characters. But beyond that the story is creative and I was curious to see were it went. I would say this book is classically YA. Perfect for YA fantasy fans.

This was such an amazing read! I really enjoyed this book and was immediately swept in by the first chapter. I liked how the author carried the story in a way that wasn't slow or boring. I will be recommending this book to all my friends and family.

Shade of Light
By Kimberly Grymes
October 24, 2023

Shade of Light is the first book in the Three Shades Trilogy series. Eighteen year old Adele has the capacity to invade other people’s minds. She finds out her aunt also has powers, the power to heal people using her blood. But Adele has been held captive at Castle Forge for years, she now knows she must escape in order to find answers. She would have to leave the only person in the castle that has shown her any sympathy.

As Adele proceeds to her childhood village she runs into The Shade, some shady attackers who have transformed her life eight years ago. The Shade has been terrorizing the villagers, seizing and taking them to the Queen of the Under Realm. The Shade seems to have some of the same powers as she does. Making Adele question her own abilities and also where she came from and how she’s connected to the monsters.

With evil all around her and her childhood friend in danger, Adele must decide who she wants to be and where her future stands.

Adele is a strong and brave main character. I loved reading from her pov. Morally gray characters are my favorite characters ever. This dark young adult fantasy book has so much depth. I love fantasy books with romance in them, but sometimes they get repetitive. Shade of Light has a friendship in it but it does not turn into a romance and that is very refreshing.
I can’t wait for the second book.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Tractor Beam Publishing for this advance e-copy for my honest opinions.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

If you are looking for a short fantasy story that is led by a cursed, dangerous, and morally grey heroine who has a small soft spot inside of her, then you are in the correct place. SHADE OF LIGHT follows Adele, our protagonist, on a journey of escaping her exploiter and discovering who- or what- she is.

This is a dual pov fantasy that is the first in a trilogy. It is safe to say that I adore how Grymes conveyed the fact that you don’t need a knight in shining armour to come save you, all you need is some determination and good friends. We meet compelling characters that are both interesting and entertaining to read about. I do truly like Grymes’s unique writing style.

Conclusion:
• Dangerous heroine
• Curses
• Whimsical magical elements
• Dual pov
• A journey of self acceptance
• Twists that always surprise you.

This title releases on the 24th of October 2023.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eArc.

I just have to say I absolutely loved it! From start to finish it was fast paced but still was able to world build. Adele was such a strong FMC with growth and character development. I loved that we got dual POV between her and Rune. The world is such a promising concept, and I can’t wait to see what else Kimberly brings with the trilogy. I will say I think I would have enjoyed a bit more world building but other than that the book was entertaining and kept me wanting to learn more.

3.5 stars

We love a strong, headstrong, independent FMC - and this story delivers on that. Interesting plot and concept, fast paced, and a few twists to keep you interested. I like to think Aelin would’ve been this fmc’s role model!

The writing is a little fast paced or clipped, and there were a few moments that took me out of the fantasy world - but all in all a good read for all of us ready to take control of our own fate!

If you’re looking for a quick fantasy book to read this is it! Smaller fantasy books scare me a little because normally it feels like there’s a lot being left out, but this one was pretty dang good! The story line and the plot are huge, there’s quite a few good jaw dropping moments of revelation. I’m loving the concept of learning to love and accept yourself (dark parts and all) throughout the book without having to have a romance aspect to help guide it along.
I’ll for sure be preordering the hard cover (absolutely adorable) copy so I can have a physical book to represent on my bookshelf as well. This was one for the favorites list and I can’t wait to see where Adele’s story leads.