4.5⭐ This was a brilliant YA that I thoroughly enjoyed. From the magic to the characters to the world to the action, I adored this book's personality. It had me genuinely laughing at times and I felt the way these teenagers were written -cringe at times, still coming into who they are, their banter - was spot on. I think this book shined in the action scenes, they were cool and interesting to read and added onto the development of the characters. The character's relationships with each other were also great, hope to get more of them all bonding and learning more about everyone in the following books. This book also had great suspense, it almost never went where I thought it was going to go lmao. I loved this world and I will miss it until the next book comes out!!

The light that blinds us is Andy Darcy Theo’s debut YA fantasy novel and it is action packed!!

From the start, I was sucked in to this amazing world where we meet Alexis. A young boy who sees things other people cannot. A mystery shadow man plaguing his thoughts and telling him what dark things he should do. It was definitely an intense start to the book!

I really liked the 4 main characters. All their personalities were different, but they perfectly fit in with each other. The banter between them was funny at times too!

I did find that I skimmed the last 20% of the book. I still enjoyed it. I just felt like it was getting a touch repetitive! But apart from that it is an amazing book!

E-Arc Review 📚
THE LIGHT THAT BLINDS US - Andy Darcy Theo
4.5🌟
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Alexis Micheal's childhood was filled with disturbing hallucinations of The Shadow Man, and and his only comfort was a blue amulet that he's HD longer that he can remember.
A trip to stongehenge unexpectedly unites him and his best friend with two other, where they find that are Chosen Ones. Each born with the power of one of the 4 elements, they must train and undertake a perilous quest that none besides them can complete.
The quest tests them in more ways than they could imagine and Alexis past brings itself back to the forefront causing more questions for him.
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I came across this book and it looked really interesting to me and I have to say I loved it. The first chapter is much darker than the rest of the story but it becomes more understood later on.
This book is Ya and it reads like that in the best way. The more I read the more I felt like I was 15 again going through the up and downs of each part of thier quest.
Each of the characters are great and thier interactions throughout the story on their quest are written well and remind you that they are only teens and yet so much is expected of them. Each step of the story unravels more to Alexis, including the mystery of the Shadow man from his childhood.

I absolutely love this story and despite the fact that there is a little under a week before this is released I can it wait for the next book in the series.

Thank you to @netgalley and @simonschusteruk for the copy of the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I want to start off by congratulating Andy on a fantastic debut - YA fantasy genres and introducing new worlds is not an easy feat. I have read so many books where it takes a while to settle where multiple characters and spheres are involved, but this was not the case here, I was a goner from the first page and hooked by the introduction we got to protagonist, Alexis ("Lexi") Michaels. The book just got better and better from that point onwards - if this is Andy's first book, I can hardly keep my excitement at bay at the thought of the body of work we have to look forward to in the future. Bravo!

Lexi is plagued by hallucinations of a 'Shadow Man' whilst growing up - the force at one point is so strong, it takes over Lexi's control over his actions causing serious harm and danger to those around him. Over time, Lexi learns to contain this darkness but finds himself constantly worrying about it's return and all he wishes for is to live his life as a normal teenager. His best friend, Demi, is his biggest support, constantly reminding Lexi of the goodness that lies within and how that is greater than all his demons. On a school trip, Lexi and Demi are drawn to Stonehenge and find themselves falling through to an Elemental World, along with two strangers they meet there, Blaise, confident and funny and his friend, Caeli, no-nonsense and a natural leader. The four soon realise this meeting was no coincidence, they are the children of the original Elementals, each holds an affinity to the elements - water, earth, fire and air and they have a greater purpose; to use those powers for the greater good of the world and to fight a darkness which is threatening to takeover. Before they can release the magic from the elements, they will need to go on a quest to find their elemental stones and that too, before they fall into the wrong hands!

The build up of the narrative generally, and this Elemental world was phenomenal. Although there is so much going on, Andy's approach was clear and straightforward for the reader and medium pace kept this as an engaging read throughout. There were so many plot twists and moments where my heart was in my mouth, I was totally consumed by what was going on and *those* unsuspecting battle moments (trust me, this is no spoiler, you cannot predict anything in this book) and at one point, I paused to have a little cry....exhales. One thing is that you really relate to the characters in this book and the growth and development is wonderfully layered so the attachment for the reader happens quite naturally, each of the protagonists is gorgeous and also the MMC showing some morally grey traits, oof, we are here for it all. There are so many one liners/dialogues between the characters that had me chuckling away. I know that this is Book 1 and so further exploration into these characters is going to be fun going forward!

Most importantly for me - I want to take a moment to laud the Representation - *standing ovation* - ALL of the accolades (take a bow Andy!) Readers are going to love this book because they will feel seen - it is so crucial generally but given the target audience being young adult readers, I cannot emphasise how important it is to be able to identify with the protagonists and even beautiful supporting characters you find within the pages of a book. Andy has been thoughtful throughout this book, you will spot signs of this in the headings of the chapters, in the ethnicity of the characters and the diversity of their names, in the discussion around mental health, depth in complicated relationships, the importance of having a mentor and positive influences around you and yet how ulterior motives/intentions are not always clear and to question everything and everyone around you. The Light That Blinds Us is truly inspiring.

The reasons why it isn't a five star for me - I found myself questioning who the book was aimed at whilst reading - there were some elements which were so shocking to read that I questioned where it was for YA (specifically injury details/blood and gore) but then in parts the concepts/writing was so simple that I thought a much younger audience was probably the best readership for this (training before the quest was more descriptive). Also, some parts were not fair - I feel robbed with the romance, the only reason I am slightly less bothered about this, is because we've been given a taste of what is to come and I can't wait for the next book! The end is a crazy cliff hanger and I have exhausted myself as to possible explanations - none of them, I can tell you now, will be correct. We are in for an unpredictable rollercoaster ride with this series.

In summary though, read this for:

- morally grey MMC
- found family
- fantasy/action adventure
-high stakes quest

Thank you @Netgalley @simonkids_UK and Andy Darcy Theo for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest unedited review. I cannot wait for the next instalment (and hope we're not kept waiting long!!)

I’m so pleased for the author, I know this was a labour of love. It’s magical and unique with diverse characters.

I love the found family elements in this book with some indications to romance potentially blooming between a few characters. Having 4 main characters added multi layered dynamics to the story, I hope we get multi POV in the next book to really get some of the other character perspectives.

This is perfect YA fantasy, it’s filled with adventure, secrets to uncover and betrayals to weather.

4.5🌟
I have waited YEARS for this book and let me tell you it was worth the wait! From the very beginning I was hooked and trying to work out where the plot was taking us (a lot of the time I was wrong!) The world building makes me feel like I am right there with them and the character description is so perfect the art is exactly how I had imagined them! Absolutely fantastic read and cannot wait for more!
Admittedly it feels like something is missing. Just something tiny but I can't figure out what. Overall though I really enjoyed it!


- I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review -

WHAT a debut! an exciting and thrilling read from start to finish. I cannot express enough about the talent. I wait in complete anticipation for the next instalment. This is everything that any Hunger Games/Divergent fan is looking for to sink their teeth into.

The Light That Blinds Us is that classic YA fantasy tale, but elevated and given such an emotional core that really drew me in.

Our central quartet of characters is well defined and three dimensional. I loved how we got to see all of them develop over the course of the quest, particularly with how their element interacted with their personalities. They were all fantastic. I would like to focus on Alexis and Demi, best friends and definitely something more there too. Demi was possibly my favourite character, bringing a quiet sense of steel and strength through her caring, loving nature. Do not underestimate her though as she’s one hell of a fighter too! Alexis was a fantastic protagonist - the story Theo is telling through his portrayal is excellent, impactful and nuanced. The mental health storyline through this is considered and necessary. I just loved it with every fibre of my being. Alexis himself is haunted by secrets and shadows of the past. He has such a sense of humour and heart, as well as an all-consuming loyalty and passion to defend his friends.

This checked every box for me. It has such great characterisation, a vividly imagined world and fleshed out and fascinating magic system. Every new space we got to explore was so richly described and evocative for me. I could almost feel the earth beneath my feet. There is also an intriguing throughline about family and legacy, which we get hints of but I can definitely see where it will be expanded on. We have some excellent twists and turns throughout the story. Every chapter heightened the tension and you could feel the pressure of the quest weighing down on all the characters. The darkness is insidious as well, particularly with how it warps familiar characters. I am beyond excited to see where the sequel takes us!

The Light That Blinds Us is a twisty, character focused and fantastically crafted YA fantasy novel that I hope will get the love it deserves.

Oh my god I thought this was such a great debut!! Andy's writing is just so so good, I'm so impressed.

The world building and the established magic system were just complex enough without getting too out of hand. The humor and Alexis' sarcasm are 100% me so I thoroughly enjoyed it. The beginning was maybe just a taaaad slow to start for me with the backstory and introducing all the characters, but once you've gotten through this, it's almost all action and kept me hooked. Also I just love a good found family!

Move over Hunger Games. Step aside Maze Runner. There's a new kid in town

Let me start by saying, Andy deserves every ounce of recognition received for this masterpiece. There is no doubt in my mind that he has a flourishing career ahead of him that is going to leave millions astonished by his writing.

Imagine a story where you are hooked from the first sentence. Sound good.. then I urge you to read this novel.

From the moment your eyes meet the page you are instantly connected to Alexis Michels. Not just through words, but he is etched into your heart almost immediately. His radiant love for his brother, his naiveness to the hollows of the world, his desperate plea for the torment to stop. I felt my heart being torn from my chest and an unmistakeable prescese of protection take over my mind. Oh sorry, Did you not know I was talking about the prologue of the book? 😉

This book boasts a magic system that both appears intricate, yet easy to understand at the same time. The characters are wildly relatable, and there is true strength in the found family with the Elementals. Intertwined with mythology and modernism this is the perfect new addition to your TBR.

Basic Plot: When two sets of best friends are thrust into the unknown, they are transported into a new environment and find out an incredible secret about their lives. They are the children on a prophecy, a prophecy that can save the entire world. Will they make the decision to fulfil their fate? What lies ahead is not easy. They will be faced with challenges, life & death, mythical creates and the birth of an unbreakable bond like no other.

I am sure in my heart of hearts that this book will land a movie series one day! Congratulations Andy Darcy Theo! 13 year old you would be SO PROUD!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster YA UK for the ARC, via NetGalley. Please note this is only the opinion of one person and is in no way influences by the gifting of this ARC.

A solid YA debut that reminded me of reading Percy Jackson for the first time. The Light That Blinds Us is a super fast paced fantasy perfect for younger YA readers (ages 12-16) looking for a slice of adventure. The prose is simple to follow, and there are some really good lines in here which took my by surprise. I really liked the main 4, how different their personalities are and how they bounce off one another. The action sequences are crazy, and kept me hooked, and the banter between the characters was enjoyable to read. I feel that in places the pace was a little too quick.

The reason I recommend this for younger YA readers is because of the lack of complexity in the world building. This is not a drawback per se, but just an observation I made. The bad guys have very obvious bad guy names (Mortem, Sinner, Vultress), the magical objects and magical creatures also have very straightforward names (Elemental Gems, Creatures). That being said, the book works well for what it is, which is a YA book. So an adult reader may not get the same enjoyment out of this as a YA reader.

4 stars- This is exactly the type of YA fantasy I would of jumped at when I was at school. I really loved the character and world building, it was enough that you could picture everything without it being too heavy, the detail was just perfect. The plot was engaging from start to finish, I mean I was HOOKED from the prologue.

I am such a fan of the found family trope and I loved it in this. The relationship that the characters developed was so heart warming and the combination of their elemental powers was insaneee. And omg how can I forget about the character artwork in this, just beautiful!

I still am left with a lot of questions about our villain in this but I am sure we will find out more in the next book and I cannot wait!

I have been following Andy's journey for a while now on TikTok and I was so excited to be given the opportunity to read and review this before its release date. This is a fantastic debut and I am so excited for the next book!! Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

so glad I got an ARC of this. This entire book is reminiscent of 2012-2014 sci-fi/dystopian golden era. Id say this is a strong introduction for a debut series- I love the found family trope, and I hope the next book has the other Elemental’s POVs because I’d love to see inside Caeli’s mind. I can see the potential for Alexis’ story, and excited to see if he will embrace the shadows!

This is a must read! If you love an urban fantasy with a complex fast paced plot do not pass on this! There is found family, a slow burn romance, friendships, tension, a quest, magic, light and darkness. There are 4 main characters and each are so different from the next. You will see the growth in each of them as the 4 face fate and learn magic! I absolutely got shadow hunter vibes! The world building is astonishing! I'm excited to see where this series goes! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 ⭐️

I’ll start this review off by saying if I was thirteen, I would have absolutely adored this and ate it up!

I really enjoyed the first 50% of the book – getting to know the characters and the worldbuilding. I thought it was written excellently and a part of me wishes the whole book could have been set in the Haven because it was just so fascinating to me and it felt like such a great place for a book to be set. Unfortunately, I found the second half of the book really rushed through the story and I found myself drifting a little whilst I was reading, because everything just happened so quickly and I couldn’t keep up.

The writing was fantastic though, and I think this book will go down excellently with the target audience. I think it has the potential to become a beloved series by the younger side of the young adult genre (ages 12-14). I genuinely think Andy Darcy Theo has something great on his hands and I hope the rest of the series lives up to this first book!

I was absolutely certain from the start that this book deserved a perfect 5-star rating. Even though I had the privilege of reading it a year in advance before, my opinion remains unchanged and if I could give it a rating above 5 I would!
The love, dedication, care, and immense effort poured into creating this masterpiece are palpable. It is evident that this literary gem took a remarkable 10-11 years to come to life. I am thrilled and proud of Andy's journey and progress, as the saying goes, "you haven't come this far to come this far." I eagerly anticipate what the future holds, and as I mentioned in my previous email, Andy, I am eagerly awaiting book 2, confident that it will be just as outstanding and extraordinary as the first.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for providing me with a literary home adorned with diverse characters, and allowing me to find pieces of myself within their stories.
As soon as I delved into the book, I was immediately struck by how effortlessly it flowed. Despite its complex ideas that will undoubtedly blow your mind, you can easily grasp the storyline without feeling overwhelmed. This accessibility is a true blessing for readers like me, who may struggle to maintain focus and become easily overwhelmed by excessive words. The book includes multiple one liners that either have you cackling, crying your eyes out, or even wanting to tattoo it on your forehead!
The book is a masterpiece in terms of pacing, with each chapter moving swiftly and leaving you eager to turn the pages. While the plot may appear simple on the surface, there are numerous obstacles to overcome, making it far more intricate than it initially seems. The stakes are incredibly high in this captivating tale, so prepare yourself for an exhilarating ride! What truly captivated me about this book is the meticulous attention to detail, leaving no room for any inconsistencies or plot holes. I am astounded by the level of thought that has been poured into ensuring that every aspect is perfectly in place.

I could talk endlessly about these characters, and I will always have something to say. The characters are incredibly enjoyable to read about.
Alexis, with the A in his name representing angst, portrayed it flawlessly. I couldn't help but want to give him a warm embrace and never let go. The psychological aspects, particularly from Alexis' perspective, were captivating and relatable in numerous ways. I felt a deep emotional and mental connection with him, and I am eagerly anticipating his further development.
Demi is a character that I have adored for the longest time. Her moral compass resonates with me on a personal level, and I see a part of myself in that aspect. I absolutely adore her straightforwardness and how she embodies the essence of nature. Demi effortlessly brings a sense of tranquility to the room, to the readers, and to Alexis.
If humor were personified as a coping mechanism, it would undoubtedly be named 'Blaise'. Throughout the book, Blaise had me laughing uncontrollably. Amidst all the stressful situations, he brought a ray of light into the darkness.
Caeli is an incredibly intriguing character, particularly due to her insecurities. I love the way her confidence and insecurities are intertwined. Her moments of jealousy and annoyance were highly entertaining, and there were times when I just wanted to reassure her that everything would be alright.
Now, let's talk about Zaddy Mortem. He is the epitome of entertainment and sass. Fearless and in control, he exudes confidence in every situation.
And finally, we have 'Incantus', the embodiment of love and warmth. Every time he appeared on the page, he emitted a sense of safety. The way his love and care were beautifully portrayed touched my heart. There is a fatherly figure within him that I deeply adored, and his instant connection with the Children of the Elementals was everything I could have hoped for and more.
This book has captured my heart like no other, and I am eagerly anticipating book 2! I am counting down the days until everyone gets to experience this literary gem so we can all discuss it together ❤️.

Phenomenal 🤩 it gives “I am Number Four” vibes!!! Elemental powers mixed with doomsday was just so amazing. The characters are all real and have their own unique traits. I also love their friendship and relationships with each other, it feels very authentic.

I didn't love this one, but on the other hand I didn't hate it either., I can see why others might really like this but to me it just felt very much the same as many other books I've read the last few years, I didn't really feel any connection to the main characters and wasn't particularly bothered what happened to them, which is a shame because I've seen many people say how much they enjoyed it and I wish that I had had the same experience but it just wasn't to be.

✨4 stars✨

I really enjoyed this debut! It was fast paced, I enjoyed all of our main characters, and I thought it had a unique spin on elemental magic which I hadn’t read before.

The writing had me hooked from the first few chapters and maintained my attention throughout.

I’m really looking forward to see how this series is going to progress in the future.

I received an ARC via NetGalley from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Fate leads four teenagers to Stonehenge to transport them to a world where magic is real. To fulfil the Prophecy of Light and Darkness as the Children of the Elements: the four of them, with their Elemental powers are destined to destroy Mortem and the Darkness. Water, fire, wind, earth.
Together, they must quest to find the four lost gems.

‘Isn't this the part in the movie where you scream at the characters to not go down the hallway that likely leads to hell?"And then they go anyway, don't they?' Alexis replied with a shrug. 'There's no other option.'

Whilst the start read a lot older and I was impressed with the insight, language, and knowledge, after the prologue, the book reads younger.
It is very reminiscent of younger YA quest-type stories and I think it will gain a lot of traction in school libraries!

I did love the definitions of words at the start of each chapter. Such beautiful words I had no awareness of that perfectly explains something and foreshadows the forthcoming chapter.
I also loved the character illustrations- they are gorgeous!

It reminded me of Akarnae by Lynette Noni, and I think it would find fans amongst readers of Percy Jackson!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing me an arc in exchange for a review!