Rating: 4.5🌈
Lighting The Darkness , a novel in the second Carnival of Mysteries collection, is a sequel to Eden Winters’ marvelous supernatural science fiction thriller, Darkness.
That book wasn’t a part of this series, and that’s very complex universe is the basis for this story and that cast of characters is central to the journey of Lio and Bel here.
Lio and Bel mirror the roles somewhat of the first couple in Darkness, that of Atlanta PD Det. Morrisey James and Farren Austin, all from the dying realm Domus who came to Earth by way of inhabiting the human bodies of those in the process of dying.
Unlike the first couple, for Bel and Lio, this is a separate and highly tragic/traumatic experience. FYI for readers because it happens with Lio on the page.
Winters does an excellent job of weaving in the background information for those who haven’t read the preceding novel. But the characters from that book and the agency they work for is such a substantial part of Lighting the Darkness, I highly suggest you read it.
The author throws in some interesting twists and a great turn with respect to the origin of the world and mystery. Wonderful work.
One of my favorite aspects of the story is how Winters used the Carnival of Mysteries to not only be a central element of the story but to continue to be an emotional component that moves the story forward. Truly one of the best uses of the theme in this collection.
Lighting the Darkness is a terrific story, situated within a complex universe, beautifully plotted, full of fascinating characters and layered storylines. Don’t miss out on it or it’s connected novel, Darkness.
Beautiful covers.
Carnival of Mysteries 2 -2024
🔹Rook’s Time by Kim Fielding (sequel to Crow’s Fate-2023)
🔹The Wrong Familiar by Megan Derr✅
🔹The Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt
🔹Blue Lightning by BL Maxwell
🔹Magic Escaping by Kaje Harper (sequel to Magic Burning 2023)
🔹Lighting the Darkness by Eden Winters – sequel to Darkness
🔹You Can Save Me by R L Merrill-Aug 21,2024
🔹Airs Above the Ground by Rachel Langella-Sept 10,2024
🔹Go for the Climate by Ander C. Lark
🔹 Flames of the Arcane by Nicole Dennis
🔹Midnight on the Midway by Morgan Brice
🔹Dust Bowl Magic by Zam Maxfield 🔹Dragonspark by Elizabeth Silver
Buy link
Lighting the Darkness: Carnival of Mysteries
Blurb
Only Light can balance Darkness.
Lio wakes in someone else’s battered body with plenty of questions but no answers. Who is he? Who are the strangers who rescued him? Why do they call him Tenebris and Darkness? And why does everyone treat him like a feral dog about to attack?
Bel Am’I’s home world of Domus died moments after his escape, trapping him in the human realm with a clear mission. As Light, he must prevent Darkness from destroying Terra and the Domusians who’ve escaped there. Failure will doom billions to certain death, but how can he locate and balance a single, hidden being who doesn’t want to be found?
A mysterious carnival unites Lio and Bel, who must work together to uncover Lio’s true identity and stop him from accidentally annihilating the world. Yet someone doesn’t want them to succeed, someone who will stop at nothing to achieve the total destruction of both realms—even pitting Light against Darkness.
The battle for the end begins…
Lighting the Darkness is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series and a side story to Eden Winters’ Darkness. Each book includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains characters from Darkness as well as new ones, alternate realms, a twist on soul mates, and bad guys. I mean, evil, horrible, terrible guys. Definitely the type you wouldn’t bring home to Mother. And one cookie-baking demon.
- Publication date: August 14, 2024
- Language: English
- Print length: 295 pages
Carnival of Mysteries series. 2023 and 2024:
- Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding❤️
- Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
- Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ❤️
- Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
- Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark❤️
- Roustabout by Morgan Brice❤️
- Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell❤️
- Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis ❤️
- The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky
- Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver
- You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill
- Sting in the Tail by TA Moore
- Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella
- The Black Robes of Flanders by Sara Ellis
Carnival of Mysteries 2 -2024
🔹Rook’s Time by Kim Fielding (sequel to Crow’s Fate-2023)
🔹The Wrong Familiar by Megan Derr
🔹The Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt
🔹Blue Lightning by BL Maxwell
🔹Magic Escaping by Kaje Harper (sequel to Magic Burning 2023)
🔹Lighting the Darkness by Eden Winters – Aug 14,2024
🔹You Can Save Me by R L Merrill-Aug 21,2024
🔹Airs Above the Ground by Rachel Langella-Sept 10,2024
🔹Go for the Climate by Ander C.Lark
🔹Flames of the Arcane by Nicole Dennis
🔹Midnight on the Midway by Morgan Brice
🔹Dust Bowl Magic by Zam Maxfield 🔹Dragonspark by Elizabeth Silver
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 