So, I decided to give Romantasy a try.
A Touch of Shadows, the first of The Lost Queen series, has mysterious magic and even more mysterious characters. The opening scene tells of how Elodie, a hedge witch, comes to live in a forest – which threads shadow magic – with her daughter Wren. As Wren grows, so does her magic, and where she is tempted to reach towards the forest’s shadow magic, Elodie encourages her to reach for the light. Though the story has Rapunzel vibes, Elodie and Wren are determined to protect each other from the dangers of the outside world.
But when Wren is sent to the market and is attacked by her ex, Finn – a brave and daring knight – comes to save the day. But Wren is no damsel in distress – she too helps protect Finn from danger, sparking their love for one another.
Because of the magical factor of the story, you are left guessing whether the love which Finn and Wren share is genuine, or if it is a result of the magic Wren used to save him. I liked how Thorne tangles the magical and romantic elements together which I found really interesting.
I also liked how the novel didn’t just focus on Wren and Finn’s love life, but also Elodie’s. I found her really intriguing with her secretive past life and love affair. Who is she that she had to run away from everything she knew to not only protect Wren but herself too?
I found the magic systems were interesting. There’s mention of the Nox, a past god leaving a type of magic which Elodie discourages Wren to use, but Wren is drawn to. Equally, light magic seems to suit Elodie but is painful for Wren. This adds to the mystery of Wren, who she is, and how important she may prove to be.
For me, this was a good introduction to Romantasy. I’m not sure the genre is a go-to for me, but I had a lot of fun finding out and I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy. But be warned, this book does contain steamy scenes and it is definitely for an adult audience.
Find out more about Jessica Thorne AKA Ruth Frances Long: https://www.rflong.com/
This book review is part of a new #Octobooks series. #Octobooks are books associated with authors/guests/members (past and present) of #Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention. Find out more about Octocon on their website and their socials: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, BlueSky, and Mastodon.
MARK KIELTY 