Week Forty-One - October 8th - October 14th

Title: Light and Shadow

Author: Carolyn_Hill (It won't let me tag for some reason)

Genre: Fantasy 

Number of Chapters: 17

Completed? Yes

Link (Added as an in-line comment):

Blurb:

In a land where dragons must split themselves into separate entities of Light and Shadow, silver dragon Magnus teams up with dwarf warrior Hilda and human wizard Kara to confront the angry Shadowfolk looking to reclaim the lives of their counterparts.

Goose's Thoughts:

Welcome to week 41 and a short fantasy story that will have you almost dangling off the edge of your seat with anticipation!

I've read a lot of Carolyn's works over the years and each one is just as good as the one before it, and this is no exception. She has such a way with words and manages to capture even the most mundane of experiences in just a few words. The descriptions throughout this story are monumental and sometimes it was like watching a film rather than reading. I love how she manages to capture the world in just a few short paragraphs.

Not only that, but her characters are incredible. All three of our main characters - Kara, Magnus and Andor - are polar opposites from each other and have incredible development throughout the story. I loved watching them grow and come into their own as the story progresses, especially Magnus and Andor. Carolyn really manages to distinguish the two of them from each other and establish the Light vs Shadow aspect of the story.

Not only are our main characters awesome, but the side-characters really add so much to this story. One of my favourites has to be Hilda who always has Kara's back and is more than willing to fight for her and for what's right. She also adds a level of humour to the story that helps to contrast the darkness and tense atmosphere that runs throughout each chapter. She made for a great addition to the cast. 

What I loved about this story is the argument about Light and Shadow. The characters all view them as two separate entities, one good and one bad, and that is what creates the conflict within the story. However, as the story goes on we see these two entities become one and that realisation set in that they can both exist at the same time, and must exist together. It's such an interesting message to weave into the story.

If you're looking for a short fantasy story with a splash of romance and a storyline that will have you on the edge of your seat, then this is definitely the story for you. There is so much intertwined throughout this story in such a short wordcount that you can escape normal life for a few hours and become involved in these characters. Carolyn really is a masterful storyteller and this story shows that.

Thank you for writing such an amazing story, Carolyn!

-Goose