Review of ‘Sword of Light’

Synopsis

"You must find the four Keys to keep our worlds from burning..."Andie didn't expect to be orphaned, and she doesn't want to leave the only house she ever lived in. No parents, no Nan, no one but Anne, a weird woman who carries on conversations with old books and empty purses.

When Anne drops her off at her new home in a small town in The Middle of Nowhere, Texas, Andie is at a loss. Her new guardian, Celeste, claims to have been a lifelong friend of her nan, and is one eccentric figure among many others who live in the small town, all of whom seem to know something that Andie doesn't...

One evening, when the woods behind Celeste's house spirit her away, Andie discovers a secret so incredible she can scarcely believe it: she's half-Fae, half-Witch, and it's her destiny to find the four Keys that will save the Tuatha De Danann from annihilation.

Worlds collide when two of her new friends from school, the sweet, helpful Teagan and the rude bad boy Hunter, join her on her journey to reach the mysterious place known only as Finias. There; they'll find the first Key: the Sword of Light.

As they flee the wicked Fomorians and do battle with the Witch Freya, Andie and the boys forge new alliances and make some more adversaries. Will Andie and her friends rise to the challenge, or is the magical realm as good as gone already?

Review

Sword of Light was such a fun story. At only 170 pages, this novel is a quick and energetic read. J.C. Lucas has given readers a quick story here, but one that does not lack for a story. It has the right amount of detail and history to lure the reader in, as well as excellent pacing, keeps the reader engaged.

The pacing is vital here because, given the length, Lucas has to ensure that the momentum never lacks. She gives the reader a sound story, one rich with detail. It progresses quite fast, going from one thing to another, but it never loses the reader and strays from clichés just a tad. Andie may be “the chosen one,” but she has so much to learn from where she came from.

Fun and Lighthearted

Lucas uses just the right amount of detail to stir the reader’s imagination. It is easy to realize this small town and the people in it, grounding the reader in the story. Seeing Andie go to school, seeing her enter the woods, and seeing her talk to a parrot is all so vivid.

There is also this blend of Roman and Norse mythology. Lucas’s depiction of Diana, Goddess of the Moon, and the Hunt is beautiful, honoring the origins of this Goddess. She is a force to be reckoned with and Lucas honors this being with her description of her. Adding in Freya as the queen of the elves was also another interesting tidbit. It was unique and allowed the fantasy to breathe and be somewhat unique.

As for Andie herself, there are times she and the character dynamics fall into clichés. However, that does not spoil the overall enjoyment of the novel because of her spunk, her charm, and her flaws, they make her relatable.

Sword of Light is a lighthearted read but packed with a fantastic adventure and fun characters.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband and son and their two cats, Mr. J the Kitten and Nyx.