The Vatican is waging war on demons, but when a series of extreme demon attacks pop up, it's up to Selene Alleva and Jules Lacroix to figure out what's happening. Selene is a powerful exorcist, and Jules is a front-line grunt with an unnerving ability to always survive and know the perfect strike to kill. Even more mysterious than the attacks is Jules' unknown background, but that background might just be the key to everything.

The author clearly put a lot of effort into world-building, and the writing was good. The characters were likable, and the plot was interesting. A lot of what happened was fairly predictable, but it was still enjoyable nonetheless. I had a hard time getting through this novel, but it's easy to see why someone would enjoy this book.

"In the beginning, there were two worlds. Ours and theirs.

I think that the aesthetics and the power structure of this book were particularly interesting. It felt somewhat dynamic and refreshing in comparison to other systems. The glossary at the beginning of the novel felt unnecessary though since the book did an adequate enough job of explaining all of that information organically.

"Unusual was never good when it came to demons. Unusual meant something had changed. And death was sure to follow."

The lore of this world is interesting but pretty murky. The world is our world and history but branched. The problem is there is no key defining branch point. So cities, cultures, buildings, and technologies that have been created through our subset of historical events also have occurred in this alternate reality with very different cultures, rules, and restrictions.

There's also inconsistencies that are confusing. Like Selene being "Roman" but also speaking Italian. Which only evolved as a regional dialect after the fall of the Roman Empire. And obviously, people from Rome are called Romans. But she regularly speaks Latin. So, even if it's not an inconsistency, it feels so poorly expressed that it creates a mental inconsistency. In the later portion of the book, Selene says she doesn't know enough Latin. But earlier she made a VERY specific prayer with words I hardly imagined she learned in school for Latin.

The deaths of the side characters, in the beginning, felt brutal and really set the scene and tone of the novel. It created stakes and consequences. With the exception of the "death" of Kian, the character whose death I mourned the most, and who didn't die for no reason at all. That didn't really persist throughout, but it was a cool setup.

I'm not normally a fan of dual pov, but I think it worked in this case because of the mystery elements and both of the protagonists were keeping secrets from one another.

While I found the main characters, Selene and Jules, to be mostly likable. Jules' backstory was incredibly predictable. But, I did respect and appreciate the scars he chose to bear as being a part of his story.

I think the romance progressed too much considering there is going to be a sequel book. The depth of affection felt disproportionate to the dynamics at play between the two. This would be a bit more forgivable if this was a standalone and the only opportunity to develop a romantic relationship between the pair. But, alas. I do like their banter, it didn't feel cringey surprisingly enough.

It felt like most of the plot elements were either too obviously alluded to or did not break from the traditional formula. I knew nearly everything in the mystery of the plot before it happened. The Cesare (spelled that way specifically) archetype really was fulfilled in every conceivable way, wasn't it.

Unrelated, but the fight sequences were written a little sloppily.

"It would make it easier if they all looked like monsters, wouldn't it?"

I feel like this book had the potential to cover some really interesting ground in morality. But, the very obvious heroes and villains created a void in which that discussion could exist. It's a particular shame because the villains had opposite goals from what was told at the beginning of the book. And the main villain's, Cesare's, goal was accomplished in the end.

It all ends with patricide.

In all seriousness, I think the ending of the book felt a little odd. Like the bait for a sequel was unnecessary considering the events that transpired. In theory, the world could be revisited, but the story was pretty conclusive.

p.s. Crucifixion being discussed as not being an act of cruelty since it was a perfected art is the most clear-cut case of delusion.

This book was okay! It was written beautifully but I found myself getting lost a little bit and the world building/hierarchy of demons and hunters was just a tad confusing for me. The first half of the book I had a hard time with all the different characters being introduced but when I could finally feel the plot coming together I was definitely more invested!

Jules and Selene were my favorite part of the book! I really enjoyed their relationship. I enjoyed the setting of the book and the plot was great. The ending leaves space for a sequel which I think will be perfect as there is definitely more to the story.

Thank you for an advanced copy of Cruel Is The Light in exchange for an honest review!

I was really anticipating this read but just wasn’t in the mood for it when I got approved. After sitting on my kindle for a couple months I finally picked it up and really enjoyed this. I haven’t read anything like this is my adulthood and it was fun and refreshing. I will keep an eye out for future books from this author. Thank you for providing me with an early ARC

Cruel is the Light centers on Selene Alleva (the “Butcher of Rome” - an Exorcist Second Class and captain within the Vatican’s demon-hunting military army) and Jules Lacroix (a very successful corporal foot soldier in the Vatican Empire’s army). These two reluctantly come together against the backdrop of a devastating holy war that has been raging for the last century.

This book had all of my favorite tropes: Forbidden love, fake relationship, and forced proximity (I will always love the micro-trope: only one bed). I loved that we have a grumpy x sunshine situation, but the MMC is the sunshine. This was original, and I appreciated that. The banter and tension was enjoyable, and I found myself really routing for this couple at first, but there wasn’t enough chemistry between them to keep me invested.

Romance aside, I found it difficult to maintain interest in the plot, mainly due to the lack of world building. I also did not enjoy modern language use (which is a personal preference). The read is fast paced, and could have benefitted from slowing down in order to enrich the atmosphere, world building and overall story. Perhaps we will get more in the sequel, but I really believe the first book should lay the foundation.

All this said, this was still an enjoyable read that I would recommend as long as you go into it without high expectations.

Thank you Penguin Random House & NetGalley for the ARC! The opinions below are all my own. :)

3.0 ⭐

From demons, to the Vatican, to exorcists, to enemies that go from begrudging acquaintances to lovers- Cruel is the Light has it all. Jules and Selene were fantastic leads, and the world was equal parts grim and engaging once I got into it. The magic system was easy to understand, and incredibly interesting- not to mention how much more intriguing it is when you finally learn more about the history of the Vatican and demons. This took me a while to get into, though, and the pacing at the beginning really caused me to struggle. I just wish there was a bit more structure, especially considering the war and severity of what's going on around our leads. There's a lot of urgency we're told about but can't really feel. Despite this, the ending is sweet, but the tone and implication of more to come (as well as the knowledge this is a duology) have me on the edge of my seat. Very excited to see what's next!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an early copy for my honest review.

2.75 ⭐️

I honestly thought I was going to love this more than I actually did. The dialogue seemed a bit immature to me, I had a hard time understanding what was actually going on as it moved incredibly fast.

I do find that the author is great at world building however the plot fell through the cracks for me.

Maybe I will try this again at a different time. Maybe it was me.

At first, this story feels like a classic battle between light and dark. But the further you read, the more you see that the complexities of the story create a gray area not divided by such stark lines. The author did a fantastic job weaving an intricate storyline that revolved around the discernment between truth and lies, which begs the question, how much of the information we are told to believe is actually false? Or, if not completely false, twisted to serve the designs of those in power? The book is fueled by a serious plot, but alleviated by some lighthearted banter throughout and an enemies-to-lovers romance that, while following a common trope, still feels original in itself.

**Disclaimer: From a religious standpoint, this story can be perceived as blasphemous, stemming from the Biblical account of Jesus, the Son of God, being nailed to a cross to take on the sin of the world as a perfect sacrifice followed by His resurrection. Or, it can be perceived as inspired by the Biblical account to create a separate story unrelated to the original account rather than changing it to fit the demons versus humans narrative of the plot.**

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Have been reading reviews about this book and am so happy I was given the opportunity to read it!

It definitely lives up to the hype.

Highly recommend.

Soft DNF at 20%

Unfortunately, this book just could grasp my interest. I felt like the world building details provided did not paint a full picture and I found myself confused even with a glossary. I didn’t feel an immediate connection to the characters and by 20% the FMC and MMC still didn’t know one another.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for access to this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the e-arc.

For vibes this book is a 4.
For everything else I’d say a 3.
The two main characters are really likable but sometimes it was hard to follow what was going on.
You’ll find
-forced proximity
-cat and mouse
-forbidden romance kinda
-badass fmc

Beautiful cover, but ultimately the plotting was too thin, the pacing confusing, and the characters weren't compelling enough to hold it together. Great concept and I will pick up Sophie's next book to see how she's grown!

Selene, a high-ranking exorcist of the Vatican, and Jules, an orphan-turned-foot soldier, are thrust into a deadly investigation as mysterious demon attacks shake their world. With their growing attraction complicating an already dangerous mission, they must survive both the darkness around them and the secrets within.

The concept and setting immediately pulled me in—demons, exorcists, and the Deathless God create a compelling backdrop for the story. The book includes a detailed glossary of terms, characters, and demons, which helped ground the lore. However, while the world had potential, I felt we only got to see a small fraction of it, leaving many aspects underdeveloped.

Selene is a disciplined, no-nonsense exorcist deeply devoted to her cause, while Jules is loyal, warm, and a perfect contrast to her intensity. Their relationship is full of push and pull, making for an engaging dynamic, though I wish their trust and romance had developed more gradually rather than feeling rushed.

My biggest struggle with this book was the pacing and writing style. Some sections raced through events, while others dragged, making the flow feel inconsistent. At times, the writing felt a bit choppy, which made it harder to stay immersed. That said, the premise was intriguing, and I enjoyed the action-packed story despite its flaws.

If you love dark fantasy with exorcists, demons, and star-crossed romance, this book may be worth checking out!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley. PRHAudio, and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

This was a book I enjoyed as I listened to it, but the more I think about it, its flaws become more visible. This is a kind of angels and demons, alternate universe Vatican where demons are hunted. Selene is our FMC, a talented exorcist, and Jules is our MMC, a solider in the Roman army that fights demons. But there's more to him than meets the eye.

I liked their forced proximity fake relationship. But it was kind of insta-love, especially on Jules' part. And they seemed to lose focus on finding answers for him pretty quickly. I definitely suspected/figured out the twists and reveals. And while there was definitely danger, I was never really in suspense or worried while listening.

Overall, I wanted a lot more out of this book, but I did have an enjoyable time with it. I suspect I'll forget it rather quickly though, and I'm not sure if I'm invested enough to read the next book.
However, the narrators are all fantastic, and I'd absolutely recommend the audio (though Steve West is criminally under-utilized).

Thank you Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an earc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Clark's debut novel, Cruel is the Light, offers a captivating Romantasy that will grip readers. The book opens with a thrilling, centuries-old war between humanity and demons, immersing readers in a detailed world built with care. The plot unfolds gradually, with well-paced writing and captivating twists that keep you hooked. As the story progresses, Selene Alleva, a skilled exorcist, is revealed as a complex character with strength and vulnerability, while Jules Lacroix’s mystery adds intrigue. Their evolving relationship, filled with tension and chemistry, is a major highlight, set against a backdrop of political intrigue and war. The secondary character, Sparrow, also brings a dynamic presence that enriches the narrative. With a slow-burn romance and unexpected twists, the book’s emotional depth leaves readers eagerly awaiting the sequel. Note that while Cruel is the Light is marketed as YA, it contains some adult elements, including mild sexual content. Overall, this book is an engrossing read that promises an exciting continuation in its sequel.

Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark is a fantasy tale set in the familiarity of our world, but if our world was changed by a history of demonic wars. Exorcists travel Europe, fighting back against demonic hordes with swords, guns, and magic. Selene Alleva, high-ranking exorcist, must make an uneasy alliance with Jules LaCroix, a battlefield soldier, to unravel a mysterious conspiracy brewing within the very heart of Rome.

I loved reading about the grandeur of Rome, the nostalgia of Nice, and the frigid fighting in Ostrava. Each location was written beautifully, bringing the locations to life. The magic system is unique and I wanted to see more of it.

The first quarter of the book was intriguing and the last quarter was strong and tense. But I struggled to stay interested within the middle. Some scenes felt disjointed from the whole and knocked me out of the story.

Also, this is written in third-person, but it switches back and forth between omniscient and limited within the same page, same paragraph. From time to time, it would bounce between showing what everyone was thinking to showing only what one person was thinking and it made an awkward reading experience.

All of that being said, I really liked the story that’s at the heart of this and plan on reading book 2. I loved some of the secondary characters, specifically Sparrow, Lucia, Caterina, and Eliot. I need to know more about them!

Cruel is the Light is a good book and I overall liked it. If you like realistic settings, only one bed, and enemies to lovers, this is for you. Also, that cover is GORGEOUS!

I was really excited for this book. I liked it but I didn’t love it. I loved the concept and the characters, but the world building was a bit confusing for me. I would have like more explanation of the magic system. The chemistry between the two main characters also fell a little flat for me. Hoping the next book in this series has more world building!

So so interest!!!!! The characters were well fleshed out and the writing style was very easy to get through. I’m always a sucker for books in this genre. I’m so happy I was given the chance to read this!!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Clark, and Random House Children's for allowing me access to the e-arc.

4.5 stars

I was so worried that this book was going to be overly complicated. Yes, the world is complex at times, but it is still easy to understand. I loved the characters. They carried the story for me. I enjoyed the demon and demon hunter aspects of this book. I’m curious to see where Book 2 goes. This was such a captivating story that you’re not going to want to put it down. If you enjoy books with demons, mystery intrigue, and historical fiction vibes then you might enjoy this one. I highly recommend it!

3.5 stars! I enjoyed this and thought the writing was amazing. I'm picky when it comes to YA books because I'm in my 30's, but luckily this one didn't have too many moments that felt immature. I was a big fan of both main characters and it was interesting to see how things played out. My main complaints are the predictable plot points and heavy religious themes (the latter is my own personal issue.) I'm very curious (and nervous!) to see what happens next with Jules and Selene. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.