
Unlocking a New Genre of Fantasy
J.R. Vaineo
Dark Fey Trilogy by Cynthia A. Morgan
Cynthia A. Morgan’s Dark Fey Trilogy is breathtaking! If you love the style and romance of Jane Austen’s books, as well as the epic fantasy undertones of Tolkien, you MUST read this trilogy. She wonderfully describes characters’ emotions in the classical way, where it gets to the point, but is written with the intent to string things together effortlessly like music.
The Reviled starts out very mysteriously, with Ayla, a Fey of the Light, having the sense that someone is watching her. As she discovers the awkwardness and joys of “first love” with Mardan, the dark presence continues to press in. He eventually reveals himself to Ayla. And he’s nothing like what she had imagined. Just when he discloses what he wants from Ayla, the Dark Fey find their way to Ayla’s home. They mean to frighten her into giving over what they came for. They’ve come for Gairynzvl. What will Ayla do to stop the dark ones from taking him? It’s a just-one-more-page sequence that packs a strong message of transformation by the end of the first book.
Standing in Shadows is a shining continuation of Ayla and Gairynzvl’s story. I can’t wait for you to see how they grow in this second book. Evondair, Ilys, and Rehstaed are my favorite additions. Rehstaed is sarcastic, kind when it counts, and an overall deep character. Ilys adds spice to the cast with her abrasive outspokenness. And Evondair, one of the healers, has a way of bringing the group together. Wisdom amongst chaos best describes him. The group prepares for a journey, eventually setting out for Uunglarda to rescue the kidnapped childfey. The end is a real tearjerker that propels you into the third and final book.
Breaking into the Light ends a series I plan on reading again and again. I told my partner about the story and he couldn’t wait to start it. He and I were going to listen to the trilogy together over the holidays. Before I knew it, he had finished the audiobooks on his own. Needless to say, this series doesn’t belong in women’s fiction. It is a moving tale for people from all walks of life to enjoy. The great evil portrayed in Uxvagchtr’s character sent chills to my core, throughout the last book. The inner war within Nunvaret’s character left me on the edge of my seat, often wondering what fate he’d have by the end. And the determination of the main Fey of the Light characters, to save those who were lost or stolen, continued to fill me with a sense of hope.
The classical good versus evil theme has a twist in The Dark Fey trilogy. I can’t wait for you to discover it. Evondair takes the stage in the last book, presenting the type of beautiful message that leaves so much room for contemplation on how we live our daily lives. At one point, he presented such an unusual way of reacting to evil. Just wait until you read, “Even for this . . .” within context. I was left breathless and in tears. Spread the word! Breaking into the Light is a timeless masterpiece. I hope to see the trilogy on the silver screen someday.
Best wishes,
Julie