Astrea Sovna is destined to die. As a Lightbringer, she’s expected to serve the Helosian government as a battlefield healer; but when the court seer—Astrea’s uncle—has a vision of her being killed in the line of duty, he forbids her to reveal her powers.
Until now, Astrea has gone unnoticed as a junior librarian. But when she gets reassigned to a diplomatic project to strengthen ties between Helosia and one of its neighbors, she finds herself saddled with her past, in the form of returned war hero and her ex-best friend, Prince Varojin Auris.
Forced to work together, Astrea soon learns that although Varojin has been out of her life for years, he’s still the kind, patient friend she remembers. As they navigate old friendships and imperial politics, the pair discovers that the mysterious shadows stalking the city are leaving a trail of murder victims in their wake. And when Astrea becomes a target, a dear friend gets caught in the crossfire…
As Astrea and Varojin begin searching for answers, they realize there is much more to the emperor’s project than political niceties. If the shadows aren’t stopped, Astrea’s future—and the security of the entire continent—hangs in the balance.
- Author: H. E. Bauman
- Release Date: April 16, 2023
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance
- My Rating: 5/5
Get Under Darkened Skies
The saying goes, ‘never judge a book by its cover,’ and that couldn’t be more true for me when it comes to the book that I didn’t know I needed in my life. It was a beautiful story about friendship, adventure, mystery, and the unexpected journey of friends becoming lovers.
Right from the start, readers are drawn to Astrea’s character as she struggles with her own doubts and insecurities. As someone who has always been told she is not good enough, Astrea constantly second-guesses herself and wonders if she will ever be able to live up to her family’s expectations. This is a relatable theme for many readers, especially in today’s society where the pressure to be perfect is ever-present.
But Astrea is not the only character that readers can connect with. Enter Prince Varojin Auris, a war hero and Astrea’s ex-best friend. Forced to work together on a diplomatic project, Astrea and Varojin must confront their past and rediscover their friendship. As the two characters navigate their old feelings and the political tensions between their countries, they also discover a dark secret that threatens the safety of their continent.
The dynamic between Astrea and Varojin is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. Their friendship is tested, and readers can feel the pain and turmoil as they try to reconcile their past with their present. As they work together to uncover the truth behind the mysterious shadows stalking the city, their bond grows stronger, and readers can’t help but root for them.
Astrea’s struggles and doubts are not just limited to her powers, but also her relationships and her sense of self-worth. Varojin’s journey towards redemption and forgiveness is also a relatable theme, as many of us have made mistakes and long for a chance to make things right.
As the plot thickens and the stakes get higher, the emotional investment in the characters intensifies. With each twist and turn, readers are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, feeling every triumph and setback alongside the characters. And when the final battle ensues, readers are on the edge of their seats, holding their breath as they wait for the outcome.
I set myself reading goals to have this book finished on my own deadline, and I passed all the goals before my deadline. Why? Because this book is amazing, and I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what happened next! The pacing of the story was perfect, with just the right amount of action, mystery, and romance to keep me engaged throughout.
I highly recommend reading ‘Forged in Flames,’ the prequel to ‘Under Darkened Skies.’ Having the characters’ background story intertwined with this book makes it ten times better. It gives you a deeper understanding of why and what they did. I like having answers, and this prequel provided just that.
Darkened Skies Series:
- (Prequal) Forged by Fire
- Under Darkened Skies
- Into Whispering Shadows
- Amid Twisted Chaos
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