Fantasy Friday: Lightlark by Alex Aster

 

Happy Fantasy Friday, friends! There’s something truly magical about stepping into a world where anything is possible, where dragons soar, magic pulses, and heroes (or villains) emerge from the shadows. This week, I’m diving into a fantastical adventure that transported me far beyond reality and into a story brimming with wonder. Whether you’re a seasoned fantasy reader or just looking for an escape, grab a mug of something warm and join me as I explore Lightlark—a tale of twists, turns, and pure enchantment.

Title: Lightlark

By: Alex Aster

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 416

Release Date: August 23rd, 2022

Rating: ★★★★☆

 
Summary from Goodreads:Welcome to the Centennial.
Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die.
Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial.
To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything.

 

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Review:I almost gave Lightlark 3 stars, but in the end, its intriguing storyline earned it a 4. The beginning was a heavy-handed info dump that made it hard to get into the world, and I struggled to connect with the characters, which dulled the emotional impact of the big twist at the end. Still, once the story picked up, I found myself enjoying the ride—it’s an entertaining read with enough intrigue to keep the pages turning, even if it didn’t fully land emotionally.