Title: Radiant Shadows
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2010

Ani is one of my favourite secondary characters throughout the whole Wicked Lovely series. I mean, she’s a fire cracker, and a really fun character. Plus, as the stories unfold, you realise that she has a whole lot more power than previously understood. Then there’s Devin, he’s a bit more of a mystery, but also a character that I very much liked. I always felt kind of bad for him as to his treatment by his sisters. Which meant that reading their story and how they are both able to reshape a lot of the world of the fae was really enjoyable. They might both flirt with the grey lines of morality, but that’s honestly how I generally love my characters. And it was certainly how I loved both Ani and Devin – guided by morality that might not quite hold up in a human court.

As with every story in the Wicked Lovely world, this novel bought to light more and more layers of the different courts and politics that run rampant. I love that for every book I read, Marr is able to layer in more details and intrigues. The Higher Court was one that I really wanted to know a whole lot more about, and just how Scorcha’s decisions in Fragile Eternity are going to impact the rest of the world. The changes that can be felt at the very beginning of this story with Aislinn in Wicked Lovely seem to be gaining traction as well. Both of which to combine to make Radiant Shadows feel like a book that is perched on the precipice of change. Change that I am seriously keen to learn more about!

Not only did Radiant Shadows highlight some of the consequences of the actions in the past stories, but it also foreshadows the potential for future conflicts. It’s a great way to build up to the finale of this series. And it meant, that, although this story finishes out nicely without any cliffhangers, it did finish with that lingering sense of the unfinished. Plus, there is now a huge separation between the real world and Fae – again, something that I can’t wait to see how it translates throughout the rest of this series. Radiant Shadows is all about changing the playing board and making way for Bananch to finally be removed from everyone’s displeasure. At least, that’s how it felt to me.

There were a few hints to some of the actions that occurred throughout this story in Cotton Candy Skies. Because, as usual, I did read things slightly out of order. Yet, even with some of those hints, this was a very intense and enjoyable journey. One that still surprised me. And, honestly, the reveals that I read about in Cotton Candy Skies, they just meant that some of the more horrible moments had their edges a little dulled. Probably something that I needed, because there were points in this which made me want to cry, just a little.

There is so much darkness in this, but what do you expect from a book that is called Radiant Shadows? Yet, Ani’s strength and determination provide points of light and joy throughout. I love that this story deals so heavily with the Dark Court and the more negative emotions that people experience – grief, horror, and confusion. Even through this all, Ani is able to be amazing and shine a light, even in the darkest moments. Probably why I just like her so much as a character. And this story so much – she gets her place in the world and happily ever after.

Image source: Amazon