I love the weaving of history, romance, mystery, Earth spirituality, and magic! It definitely held my interest. Great character development. I like how the author subtly teaches the reader how to use one's intuition. Interesting insight/perspective into the witch trials of the Inquisition. What I liked best about the book was the way the author made sense of "light" and "dark" forces. I won't give anything away, but the author didn't separate the two as if they had nothing in common. A great read, and I look forward to the next book in the series!
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down. The author does a phenomenal job of captivating you into the lives of the book characters such that you can truly connect with them on their journey throughout the book. I love how she gracefully incorporate history with some magic, all with an intriguing storyline. I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series!
Loved it, loved it, loved it. The pacing was fantastic, the character development was phenomenal (I really felt like I personally knew all the main characters, like they were real people), and the story was well laid out. I really enjoyed this one. Ms. Causley has created a fascinating, in-depth magical world filled with a range of characters who are both exciting and believable, which is what made me enjoy this book the most, especially Vittoria's journey and the people she connects with.
What is also great is the author's descriptions of the setting. I felt like I was actually immersed in seventeenth-century Florence, which was thrilling, but with the added mystery of magic and fantasy (exciting!). There is definitely a complex world here, and one that was very well done. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Absolutely magical! Loved everything about it. The characters, the setting, the romance, the mysticism. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next book. Ms. Causley captures the reader’s attention and takes them into a magical world.
Ms. Causley is a master story teller. The character development is phenomenal, as is the setting, story line, and use of language. In the Shadow of Light is highly descriptive and engaging. I did not want to put this book down, and I can't wait for more!
This book gripped me from the start and I was unable to put it down, continuously wanting to know what happened next. I was intrigued and fascinated by the characters and felt connected to them very early in the story. The mix between dark and light is great for keeping you in suspense. I'm excited to see what comes next.
Wow! I picked this up by chance at a local bookstore. The author was there promoting her book. The cover caught my eye and after talking with her about the book I thought I’d give it a try. I’m so glad I did!
From the get go there was a lot of drama and action. I was swept up in the romance and the magic. She really made history come alive and I could totally picture Florence in my mind as if I were there.
This was a nice escape - a quick, easy read. I’m looking forward the next book.
Lovable characters keep this novel moving forward at an exciting pace. It's a great twist on the classic good vs evil magic and well worth the read!
Loved the pace and characters! I usually don't gravitate towards the historical fiction genre, but once I began it pulled me right in. There was a nice whimsical element to it—that I honestly wasn't expecting—yet it felt very natural, and not over-the-top. Can't wait to read the next one.
In The Shadow of Light is a tale of mystery, magic, love, and betrayal all wrapped up in the beautiful city of Florence, Italy. I’ll keep this review spoiler free, but it’s a unique take on history with a magical twist. The magic is a soft undercurrent with an important role that grows and grows, and with it so does Vittoria, the main character. So much revolves around her decisions and you go on the journey with her to see how it all turns out.
The characters are fun and fascinating, and you watch them develop throughout the book as the plague sweeps over Florence. And when the truth about the plague is discovered, they band together to end the evil that has infiltrated the land.
In The Shadow of Light is one of those stories that draws you in bit by bit, so much so that you don’t even notice it’s happening. And then, all of a sudden, you’re turning the page faster and faster to see what happens next.
It has a bit of everything from historical accuracy to church politics to magic. And it's a fun read through the whole book, sure to keep you entertained. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
In the Shadow of Light by Tracy Causley has received the 2018 Bronze Medal for Best First Book in Fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards.
The Independent Publisher Book Awards (the “IPPYs”) are intended to bring recognition to exemplary independent, university, and self-published titles published each year.
