Title: The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles - Book I
Author: A. L. Butcher, Alexandra Butcher
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Dark Fantasy (18+)
Book Blurb:
A beautiful young elven sorceress flees for her life in a dark world where magic is forbidden and elves are enslaved. A world in which her very existence is illegal. Watching her are the Order of Witch-Hunters; the corrupt organisation that rule Erana by fear and ignorance. An iron fist which itself is watched. As the slavers roll across the lands stealing elves from what remains of their ancestral home the Witch-Hunters turn a blind eye to the tragedy, and a story of power, love and a terrible revenge unfolds.
3rd Edition - revised and expanded.
*18+* age limit - this contains adult themes, including scenes of a sexual nature, violence, slavery and some profanity.
My Review:
Warning: This book is 18+, contains graphic sex and violence and would be considered a trigger book (rape).
I’ve been a fan of the fantasy genre since I was a wee tot and I can say without reservation that this is one of the most original dark fantasy romance books I’ve ever read. Blending fantasy with romance is difficult, especially to hard-core fantasy readers, but Butcher pulls it off with aplomb.
Dii is an elven mage and a sex slave. She’s abused, raped and more despicable things I won’t get into. She somehow escapes from her master and thinks she’s free. But between the Witch Hunters, her master’s family and other sinister forces, she’s on the run and in need of help. But when her path collides with Archos, a lord who’s against the brutal enslavement of elves, she starts to realize that the world is not 100% evil. There are good people in the world, willing to help her. Will those hunting her succeed in capturing her or will she finally be free?
Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a fluff piece where it’s all about the romance and sex. This is a deep, thought-provoking story with intriguing characters, plenty of action and a strong, independent female heroine seeking purpose in life. The main themes of slavery, violence and sex used as a weapon of power are well-laid out yet there’s an underlying theme of what it means to be free weaving throughout as well. I found the sexual violence to be a little too excessive for my taste, though that’s just my opinion.
I applaud Butcher for her world-building, crafting memorable archetype characters that grow as the plot progresses as well as a love story. Yes, it’s a dark tale yet it sticks with you long after you are finished reading.
If you’re looking for a dark fantasy that’s not only original but sensual too, pick up this book! I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.
My Rating: 4 stars
Buy it now:
Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/Lightbeyondstorm1
Amazon.com audio http://amzn.to/2iBgmQV
Amazon UK audio http://amzn.to/2iXfIdc
Audible UK http://adbl.co/2bGqZvO
Audible http://adbl.co/2hHT8El
Giveaway:
I'm one of the authors taking part in the N. N. Light’s Book Heaven’s March Pot ‘O Gold Giveaway:
Enter today! Contest runs March 1 – 31. Good luck!
Author Biography:
British-born Alexandra Butcher (a/k/a A. L. Butcher) is an avid reader and creator of worlds, a poet, and a dreamer, a lover of science, natural history, history, and monkeys. Her prose has been described as ‘dark and gritty’ and her poetry as evocative. She writes with a sure and sometimes erotic sensibility of things that might have been, never were, but could be.
Alex is the author of the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles and the Tales of Erana lyrical fantasy series. She also has several short stories in the fantasy, fantasy romance genres with occasional forays into gothic style horror. With a background in politics, classical studies, ancient history and myth, her affinities bring an eclectic and unique flavour in her work, mixing reality and dream in alchemical proportions that bring her characters and worlds to life.
Her short novella Outside the Walls, co-written with Diana L. Wicker received a Chill with a Book Reader’s Award in 2017.
She is also the curator of a number of exciting book bundles on Bundle Rabbit and frequently works with other authors.
She activity supports nature, wildlife and veteran’s charities.
Social Media Links:
Amazon Author Page http://amzn.to/2hK33OM
Smashwords Author Page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ALB123
Facebook Author Page http://bit.ly/FB2j0bbdZ
Twitter http://bit.ly/Twi2hJZ3h9
Goodreads http://bit.ly/GR2iqokvK
Library of Erana Blog http://bit.ly/Blog2iAWL3o
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.co.uk/abmonkey/
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Reviewed by: Mrs. N