A Dance Between Light and Darkness

The Dark Series #2

by M.C. Ryder

The war is over. Vladimir has been defeated, but not without tragedy. Now, a new era has begun. One where vampires and werewolves are united for the greater good. The future is bleak. Vince has found himself in charge of the vampires while he mourns for the one he lost. He fears he'll turn into the evil that's naturally in his blood. When bodies start piling up with Dragon's Eye symbol, Vince goes on high alert. He discovers someone from his past is still at large he wants to settle a score with, along with an unknown threat. One that may just be more of a sinister evil.

314 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2023

About the author

Award-winning author M. C. Ryder has been composing stories, poems, and lyrics from the beginning of time when reading became a hobby. The sky is the limit but enjoys exploring off the beaten path both figuratively and literally. Resides in the Keystone State with a clowder of felines who rule the house. Enjoys long trail walks during the cozy tinge of Autumn, appreciates music with deep lyrical meaning, and relishes in reading a variety of genres.

Reviews

[Brittany Rothermel]

Hooked by the continued plot line from the prior book, the story line did not disappoint with plot twists and turns I never saw coming in this sequel. The build of the characters through the novel set a new world and understanding that fit the plot perfectly and by the end I couldn’t put it down.

[4 The Love Of Books]

At first, It took me a bit to really get into the story. But once the puzzle pieces started connecting, I was locked-in, invested, and obsessed. I loved the role Melia played in bringing closure to some unfinished business from the first book. What an ending!!!

[Eliza Mila]

Picks up after the events from the first book. Introduces a new main character, Melia, a newly turned vampire who embraces the change. However, there's more than meets the eye with her transformation that Vince has to figure out while battling his own demons. Another page turner that introduces another element into the vampire fantasy world with a fierce ending you won't see coming.

[Book Reviewer]

An enthralling sequel to The Darkest Side of the Moon, A Dance Between Light and Darkness, immerses readers in a captivating world where vampires and werewolves have forged an unlikely alliance. However, the upheaval of age-old traditions proves to be a greater challenge than anticipated by the characters. In the midst of escalating threats that threaten to shatter the hard-won peace, Vince finds himself entangled in a web of enigmatic occurrences, grappling not only with external dangers but also with personal demons of loss, trauma, and love.

M. C. Ryder's latest work continues to elevate the narrative, largely due to its impeccably crafted characters. Each individual possesses a distinct identity and a rich complexity, driven by their own aspirations and internal conflicts. Vince, the central protagonist, is masterfully constructed, his flaws and strengths rendering him relatable and utterly compelling. Furthermore, the growth exhibited by Melia's character throughout the story is commendable, particularly in a tale that already boasted a beloved female lead in its predecessor. Ryder adeptly interweaves the personal struggles of these characters into the grand tapestry of the plot, resulting in a tale that seamlessly blends heart-pounding action with poignant emotional resonance.

Similar to its predecessor, A Dance Between Light and Darkness maintains its penchant for concise chapters, each encapsulating a single scene before transitioning seamlessly to the next. However, the second installment excels in presenting the characters' thoughts in a cohesive manner, rendering both their physical and mental actions easily comprehensible and digestible for readers. The novel's pacing is masterfully controlled, striking an ideal balance between gripping action sequences and introspective moments that facilitate a steady progression of the plot. Ryder's descriptive prose paints vivid imagery of the world and its inhabitants without succumbing to unnecessary verbosity, ensuring a smooth and immersive reading experience devoid of narrative drag.

A Dance Between Light and Darkness serves as an exceptional continuation, skillfully building upon the strengths of its predecessor while charting new and captivating territory for both the world and its inhabitants. It generates heightened anticipation for the forthcoming third installment, making it an unequivocal recommendation for enthusiasts of urban fantasy. Whether readers are embarking on this series for the first time or eagerly diving into its second chapter, they will find themselves thoroughly enthralled by the narrative's standalone brilliance.

[Koushiki Das]

A Dance Between Light and Darkness is the second installment in this series, and honestly, I found it even better than the first. A new character, Melia, is introduced here, and she adds great depth and intrigue to the storyline. There’s also a twist that I won’t spoil, but it makes the plot all the more stunning.

This book is a true page-turner. The writing flows beautifully, and the story keeps you hooked from the very beginning. At just 370 pages, it’s not overly long, and yet it packs in so much drama, emotion, and tension that you won’t want to put it down.

Like the first book, however, I did feel that the ending dragged a little. The last few chapters felt somewhat mundane compared to the rest of the story. Still, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise captivating read.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It’s beautifully written, compelling, and filled with moments that will keep readers engaged throughout. If you enjoyed the first book, you’ll find this second part even more rewarding.

I received a free copy of this book via Warrington Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington]

An Unsteady Peace . . .

She watched as men rounded up the cattle to be killed as they collected the meat. When finished, the group left, all except one. He apparently enjoyed killing. She shoved the lined up carcasses which fell like dominoes into him. But he grabbed her as she struggled to get away. She showed her true face which momentarily startled him until he pulled out a knife and carved the side of her face and she knew she would die. Suddenly his weight left her and he crumpled on the floor unconscious! Behind her she saw a tall creature wearing a black hood standing there. His face was hidden. After chastising her for letting herself become so weak, he said he was her new master. Melia has joined the world of the vampire. Will Vince welcome her? Or will they find themselves at odds? Can the vampires and werewolves truly be united together for the greater good? Or can evil break the tenuous peace and war erupt again?

[Cathy]

Again this author is amazing second book yes please I want more can't wait for the third in the series. These books are very eye opening especially if you have ever experienced drama in your life as a young person or an older person. These stories are very exciting and page turning leaving you wanting more and more and more and more. I love this author and will continue to wait a long time if necessary to get the next one and the next one, but this story was just as amazing as the first. An exciting adventure awaits you and everyone that can read because it is NOT just for young adults it is for everyone.

[undonelibrary]

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

This is book two in the series, and I found myself feeling much the same as I did after book one. The premise and themes have potential, but I continued to struggle with pacing and never felt fully connected to the characters or emotional stakes.

I went into this installment hoping the story would deepen and pull me in more, but unfortunately it still didn’t fully click for me. The atmosphere and ideas may work well for readers who enjoy slower fantasy storytelling, but overall this series just wasn’t the right match for my reading style.

[Amanda Frye]

It took me a little time to get into the book. This was not my usual book type. Once I got to reading the book I couldn’t put it down. The book had some twists I did not expect. We are back into the werewolf world with Melia. Melia is newly turned and Vince is in charge. But is everything as it seems?Will we see the vampires and werewolves uniting?.

I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shalyn Marie]

A Dance Between Light and Darkness by M.C. Ryder
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Warrington Publishing for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I was hooked by the continued plot line from the first book, it just flowed so wonderfully. The story line did not disappoint with plot twists and turns I never saw coming in this sequel. I couldn't put it down I needed to know what happened next!!
#ADanceBetweenLightandDarkness #NetGalley

[Jennifer]

I'm glad I got the chance to read this sequel. It follows The Darkest Side of the Moon so I would say readers should start with that one and move onto this. Great writing and flow. Another one for YA paranormal romance readers.

Thank you to Warrington Publishing for the review copy.

[M.C. Ryder]

Team Righteous Melia or Team Vengeance Melia?

[Lauren Head]

This sequel had me hooked! Twists I didn’t see coming and amazing character growth makes a book I could NOT put down. Absolutely a must read!