Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes books for this opportunity to read rate and review this arc which will be available January 16,2024.

If you are look for a sapphic fantasy novel that is actually good then I suggest any one but this one. It was all over the place. I was also bored. The characters fell flat and felt one dimensional. The plot was forced and not paced well.

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦: ꜱᴀᴘᴘʜɪᴄ. ᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴ. ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇ. ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ. ꜱᴘᴇᴄᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ꜰɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ. ɢʜᴏꜱᴛꜱ. ʙᴏᴅʏɢᴜᴀʀᴅ. ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ. "ᴍɪʟɪᴛᴀʀʏ".
📚 ᴀʀᴄ 🏳️‍🌈⁠

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𝚂𝚄𝙼𝙼𝙰𝚁𝚈/𝙿𝙻𝙾𝚃:⁠
I liked the world in-which this book was written. The whole anchoring between main characters, heroes and their guardians was really impressive, though it later felt oppressive when one learned what it cost the guardians. The introduction of the main characters and the start of their journey together was rather second-handed that I didn't develop a sentimental feeling for them. Yes, the synopsis states it is them, but the emotional way in which they were brought together was not quite good. And I have this huge issue about consent because it seemed that these poor guardians, call it puppy love, might not have even been consenting to the sexual activities that happened.. so no. And the heroes were bragging about all that.. Nope. Apart from all that, the magic and fighting were good.

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𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.

This book follows the greatest Hero in the community, Eryn, and the highest ranking guardian who are prophesied to be the saviours from the corruption, shadows and darkness that lurk outside the communities protective dome.

Things quickly escalate into chaos and mayhem when the pair are attacked on their first mission, leaving one of them dead.

When there is no one to turn to except for the lowest ranking guardian to save the day, there is not much hope in sight. Will this be their destruction or will they save their world after all?

Of Auras and Shadows is a spicy fantasy novel, thick with metaphors and themes of darkness and light. I would almost pair it with a dystopian, sci-fi, end of the world vibe.

At first it was a little hard to keep up with what is happening as there is some world building and background provided at the start, however things quickly move along to fast paced action and adventure.

There is definitely romance, and themes of a sexual nature in this book with fluid sexuality and gender roles.

“Shadows always lie” - I feel like the shadows are metaphors for insecurities and self doubt. The intrusive thoughts we can have on a daily basis that try to debilitate our resolve.

There are themes of finding your own path, beliefs and journey and not always following the crowd and listening to the masses. Not believing in your own truths can do more harm than good.

This book and plot is certainly unique and one of a kind. It is hard to fit it into one specific box or category.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for a gifted copy.