Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "emmie-hamilton"

When Stars Become Shadows by Emmie Hamilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An erotic, psychological dark fantasy.

Escaping her life of sex slavery and attempting to stow away aboard a ship, Syn discovers her dreams of freedom may be shortlived.

The crew know more about her than they share, while her chemistry with the captain may ignite far more danger than seduction.

In an odyssey across the ocean and into realms of gods and monsters, Syn may just discover the secrets of her destiny.

'When Stars Become Shadows' is the first novel in a duology by fantasy author Emmie Hamilton. Following the story of Emersyn “Syn” Merona, we are plunged straight into action as she makes a daring escape from a brothel that has become her prison, leaving a dead man in her wake. Immersing us in a world seeped in the magical atmosphere of a fairy tale with a shadowy edge of burgeoning desire, Syn takes to the seas with a crew of pirates in a tale of romance, adventure and mystery. Featuring vivid world-building and a depth of lore and history, taking inspiration from classical mythology, every chapter brims with action and erotic tension.

I don't frequently read fantasy, but when I do this is how I love it - dark, psychological themes, layered with eroticism, mythological imagery and creatures, and entwined with adventurous mystery. I found some of the set-pieces reminiscent of TV series ‘Once Upon a Time’; scenes in this vein a delight to read on the page. Flashbacks reveal Syn's backstory and her deep-rooted trauma, as well as how she developed into the feisty, fierce and courageous young woman she's become. Smart, sassy, strong-willed, foul-mouthed, red-headed and exceedingly beautiful - Syn is an entrancing character; one you may find yourself developing a burning crush on. Surrounded by a host of characters, their actions and motives ranging from morally ambiguous to suspicious, Syn is never quite sure whom she can trust and whether they be friend or foe.

Fantasy, by its very nature, allows us to explore dark themes such as trauma and abuse somewhat through a safety lens, less confrontational than it may be in thriller and horror set in our world. The novel explores the nature of consent, misogyny and exploitation, and the attitudes and expectations of society towards women's relationships with sex and stigma attached to it. Hamilton does a marvellous job of using these heavy themes to evolve Syn's character and encourage empathy with her, exploring her trauma and how it affects her relationships and perceptions, while demonstrating her resilience and fighting spirit - always more a survivor than a victim.

Lustrous and seductive, 'When Stars Become Shadows' is an evocative and titillating fantasy, ending on a delicious cliffhanger; we await, with baited breath, the second part of Syn's story.



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