Of Light and Shadow
A Fantasy Romance Novel Inspired by Indian Mythology
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Of Light and Shadow is a novel about magic, mayhem, love, and betrayal—the story of a bandit and a prince who change each other in unexpected ways.
When they don’t give us our birthright, we steal it.
Roshan Chaya is out for justice. Abandoned by her parents at birth and adopted by the kingdom of Jwala's most notorious bandit before his brutal murder, she is now leader of the Shadow Clan, a gang of farmers-turned-bandits impoverished by the provincial governor’s atrocities and corruption. Roshan’s goal: to avenge her adoptive father and earn back rights and dignity for her people.
Prince Navin has always felt like an outcast. Second in line for the throne, he has never been close to his grandmother, Queen Bhairavi of Jwala. When a night out drinking with friends leads to his capture by the infamous Shadow Clan, Navin schemes to befriend Roshan and use her as a means to escape. His ploy, however, brings Navin closer to the corruption and poverty at the heart of Roshan’s province, raising questions about its governor and Navin’s own family.
To further complicate things, the closer Roshan and Navin get, the harder it becomes to fight their growing attraction. But how can they trust each other when the world as they know it starts to fall apart?
Set in a magical world inspired by the badlands of 17th century India, this standalone epic fantasy novel by Tanaz Bhathena is packed with political tensions, dangerous schemes, and swoon-worthy romance that asks the age old question: can love conquer all?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A spoiled prince and an infamous outlaw forge an unlikely alliance in this dazzling adventure by Bhathena (the Wrath of Ambar series), set, according to an author's note, in a fantastical version of 17th-century India. Roshan Chaya, an orphan raised by the feared Shadow Bandit, has succeeded her adopted father as leader of the Shadow Clan, a gang of marauders fighting to reclaim their land from the oppressive regime ruling the kingdom of Jwala. When happenstance leads Roshan to inebriated Jwalian Prince Navin—who is half human and half mythological peri—Roshan kidnaps Navin. She believes, with him as her hostage, that she can force Jwala's cold, indifferent ruler to meet the clan's demands. But Navin, gifted with persuasive soul magic, proves a worthy match for Roshan's own innate abilities. The two engage in a game of scheming and manipulation as they suppress their undeniable attraction for each other and test their individual allegiances. A heavy dependance on exposition and in-world, glossary-reliant terminology muddles an otherwise engaging plot, but enthralling action sequences, intricate magic systems, and steamy romance make for an urgent adventure. Characters read as having central Indian ethnicity. Ages 12–up.
