What do you think?
Rate this book
Song of the Solas #1
Where Darkness Dwells
A land plagued with darkness and grief is all Amyrah knows, but when luminescent creatures appear in the Vale, her inborn gift awakens and allows her to see the shadows for what they are. Caught between fear and the pull of light on her soul, she must decide whether her convictions are worth shattering the beliefs of those she loves. If courage fails her and she gives in to the pressing dark, her people could remain shrouded forever. But if she stands against it, true light might penetrate the Vale for the first time.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2023
76 people are currently reading
1241 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Renae
10 books91 followersAndrea Renae is the award-winning author of Where Darkness Dwells and There Bleeds the Light, the first two books in the Song of the Solas trilogy.
Though she's usually writes fantastical worlds with familiar feels, she can't resist a swoony, sweet romance (with aching themes, of course) once in a while. A lover of cool temperatures, Earl Grey tea, and cheese toast, she prefers home to all other places in the world.
Andrea's a hopeless romantic who always seeks to make everything from written words to baked goods as beautiful as possible. The Canadian prairies may have her heart, but Jesus has her soul.
You can learn more about Andrea's award-winning YA fantasy books at authorarenae.com or by following @a.renae.author on Instagram.
Though she's usually writes fantastical worlds with familiar feels, she can't resist a swoony, sweet romance (with aching themes, of course) once in a while. A lover of cool temperatures, Earl Grey tea, and cheese toast, she prefers home to all other places in the world.
Andrea's a hopeless romantic who always seeks to make everything from written words to baked goods as beautiful as possible. The Canadian prairies may have her heart, but Jesus has her soul.
You can learn more about Andrea's award-winning YA fantasy books at authorarenae.com or by following @a.renae.author on Instagram.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
August 13, 2023
I enjoyed this story immensely.
I tabbed and annotated the life out of it. It's the kind of prose that you need to read, then you pause because it hit a string on your soul... And then you read it again.
The imagery was so vivid and the beauty of light in darkness so poignant, it truly felt like a story world created around one of my favorite scripture verses.
Highly recommend. Can't wait for book two.
I tabbed and annotated the life out of it. It's the kind of prose that you need to read, then you pause because it hit a string on your soul... And then you read it again.
The imagery was so vivid and the beauty of light in darkness so poignant, it truly felt like a story world created around one of my favorite scripture verses.
Highly recommend. Can't wait for book two.
May 6, 2023
“Walk in the light, friend…Darkness need not dwell in you any longer.”
Endorsement:
Within these pages, Andrea masterfully crafts allegory and characters that embraces flaws as well as strengths. Revealing the beauty of community that makes us stronger and what happens when pride gets a foothold, “Where Darkness Dwells” captures the eternal battle of light verses darkness, hope verses despair, joy verses grief, and how good will always prevail.
I love the characters so much. Amyrah, Belwyn, Téron, Wehna, and the rest just grab ahold of you. And won’t let go. The beauty of the allegory, the depth of the message, the eternal hope that lays within the light…ugh this story is gonna hold onto me for a while!
A clear five star read from me!
Very excited for book two!
Endorsement:
Within these pages, Andrea masterfully crafts allegory and characters that embraces flaws as well as strengths. Revealing the beauty of community that makes us stronger and what happens when pride gets a foothold, “Where Darkness Dwells” captures the eternal battle of light verses darkness, hope verses despair, joy verses grief, and how good will always prevail.
I love the characters so much. Amyrah, Belwyn, Téron, Wehna, and the rest just grab ahold of you. And won’t let go. The beauty of the allegory, the depth of the message, the eternal hope that lays within the light…ugh this story is gonna hold onto me for a while!
A clear five star read from me!
Very excited for book two!
July 25, 2024
Where Darkness Dwells is a lush, beautiful story with a radiant core of hope. It doesn’t shy from darkness, but it also doesn’t revel in it. Instead, it exposes the weak underbelly of that darkness, dwelling on the fact that, no matter how thick the darkness may seem, the Light is always able to overcome it. We might not understand why the darkness has held dominion for so long, or why the Light didn’t reclaim its rightful throne sooner. But we can know that a battle between the two forces is inevitable, and we rest assured of the fact that Light will win.
Some Christian fantasy feels like it merits the label simply because it’s clean and has a deistic worldview. Others seems to fall into that camp through force, by slapping Scripture or mentions or God onto the surface of the story periodically. Not so here. Where Darkness Dwells is rich in theological depth. It’s something of an allegory, especially in its portrayal of light and dark, but without those allegorical tones consuming the story. It’s one of those stories that radiates the presence of God on every page, and I loved the honesty of Renae’s worldview shining through. This was never preachy, yet it presented a world in need of the Gospel—and a world in which the Gospel must be present in some way—beautifully.
The Vale and whatever exists beyond it make for a very unique world. I was reminded just a tad of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone series in terms of the near personification of light and dark, as well as the importance of both to the story. But that’s really the only comparison I drew. I could see some of Renae’s inspiration, be it Biblical or fictional. I felt the presence of Narnia, of Middle Earth, of the cultural impact Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti have made in the hearts and minds of Christian fiction readers for decades. But Renae very much crafted her own world, told her own unique story, that never felt derivative of anything else.
I also came to love many of the characters populating the Vale, especially in terms of perspective characters. Amyrah is a lovely heroine; I loved watching her grow in moral strength and determination. Belwyn is a great romantic lead, with a core of goodness that cements itself over the course of the novel. Téron and Wehna took a little longer to win me over, but they did in the end. The relationships bonding the characters were also lovely, and believable. I have no idea where their stories are going to take them, and I can’t wait to find out.
I had a couple of small issues with this book. First, it’s well written, but oddly formal in tone. The prose is occasionally stiff, but then it will break into rich, poetic loveliness, so it balances out. And while I love big words, there’s a time and a place. Sometimes a smaller word works better in a particular sentence, and can make an entire paragraph stronger. It’s important to use to wording that actually serves the story best, not just the wording that will come across as the most impressive. But honestly, those are pretty minor complaints for an independently published, debut Christian fantasy novel. My only other complaint is that I found this series before the second book released. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
As I just stated, this book was independently published. I was incredibly impressed with the editing, as that’s an area where some indie novels fall short. And then there are the little extras that made the book as a physical object feel special. The first page of each chapter is inverted, white text on a black page that also boasts a scattering of stars and a trio of glowing mushrooms. It really served well to remind readers of the dark world in which the story takes place, but also gently reminds them that light and beauty exist even there. There are lovely poetic stanzas at the beginning of each part of the novel. And then, at the end of the book, Renae included some truly thoughtful appendices, featuring a pronunciation guide to the names, translations of in-world words and phrases, and a list of in-world seasons and days of the week. There’s even a recipe included. And an in-world song, complete with music! The appendix just brought me joy, and I want to make sure other readers are aware of it.
Where Darkness Dwells is everything I look for in Christian fiction. It’s imaginative, original, theologically sound, and well-written. God is not an afterthought in this story, and neither is craftsmanship. I’m so excited to have found Renae in the early days of her writing career, and I can’t wait to see where God takes her and her stories.
“After darkness, Light.”
Some Christian fantasy feels like it merits the label simply because it’s clean and has a deistic worldview. Others seems to fall into that camp through force, by slapping Scripture or mentions or God onto the surface of the story periodically. Not so here. Where Darkness Dwells is rich in theological depth. It’s something of an allegory, especially in its portrayal of light and dark, but without those allegorical tones consuming the story. It’s one of those stories that radiates the presence of God on every page, and I loved the honesty of Renae’s worldview shining through. This was never preachy, yet it presented a world in need of the Gospel—and a world in which the Gospel must be present in some way—beautifully.
The Vale and whatever exists beyond it make for a very unique world. I was reminded just a tad of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone series in terms of the near personification of light and dark, as well as the importance of both to the story. But that’s really the only comparison I drew. I could see some of Renae’s inspiration, be it Biblical or fictional. I felt the presence of Narnia, of Middle Earth, of the cultural impact Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti have made in the hearts and minds of Christian fiction readers for decades. But Renae very much crafted her own world, told her own unique story, that never felt derivative of anything else.
I also came to love many of the characters populating the Vale, especially in terms of perspective characters. Amyrah is a lovely heroine; I loved watching her grow in moral strength and determination. Belwyn is a great romantic lead, with a core of goodness that cements itself over the course of the novel. Téron and Wehna took a little longer to win me over, but they did in the end. The relationships bonding the characters were also lovely, and believable. I have no idea where their stories are going to take them, and I can’t wait to find out.
I had a couple of small issues with this book. First, it’s well written, but oddly formal in tone. The prose is occasionally stiff, but then it will break into rich, poetic loveliness, so it balances out. And while I love big words, there’s a time and a place. Sometimes a smaller word works better in a particular sentence, and can make an entire paragraph stronger. It’s important to use to wording that actually serves the story best, not just the wording that will come across as the most impressive. But honestly, those are pretty minor complaints for an independently published, debut Christian fantasy novel. My only other complaint is that I found this series before the second book released. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
As I just stated, this book was independently published. I was incredibly impressed with the editing, as that’s an area where some indie novels fall short. And then there are the little extras that made the book as a physical object feel special. The first page of each chapter is inverted, white text on a black page that also boasts a scattering of stars and a trio of glowing mushrooms. It really served well to remind readers of the dark world in which the story takes place, but also gently reminds them that light and beauty exist even there. There are lovely poetic stanzas at the beginning of each part of the novel. And then, at the end of the book, Renae included some truly thoughtful appendices, featuring a pronunciation guide to the names, translations of in-world words and phrases, and a list of in-world seasons and days of the week. There’s even a recipe included. And an in-world song, complete with music! The appendix just brought me joy, and I want to make sure other readers are aware of it.
Where Darkness Dwells is everything I look for in Christian fiction. It’s imaginative, original, theologically sound, and well-written. God is not an afterthought in this story, and neither is craftsmanship. I’m so excited to have found Renae in the early days of her writing career, and I can’t wait to see where God takes her and her stories.
“After darkness, Light.”
June 25, 2024
A fantasy novel that bursts with light
May 13, 2024
This book, was beautiful.
Every time you got to a place where the world felt kind of small, Andrea would add something more to the world, opening it up in a way that made you feel anticipation and a little trepidation down in your toes.
With gentle prose, a village gone dark, loss, death, grief, hope and light, this book is one that wraps you in, like a softly woven blanket and doesn't let you go until you find yourself sitting, staring at the last words, a little mind blown and a quieted. Two of my favorite things to be after a book.
Cannot wait to get to read the next book, and see where this story goes, because this one is beautiful, with beautiful (broken) characters and an intriging world with hints of 'The Giver' and some shiny mushrooms thrown in.
Every time you got to a place where the world felt kind of small, Andrea would add something more to the world, opening it up in a way that made you feel anticipation and a little trepidation down in your toes.
With gentle prose, a village gone dark, loss, death, grief, hope and light, this book is one that wraps you in, like a softly woven blanket and doesn't let you go until you find yourself sitting, staring at the last words, a little mind blown and a quieted. Two of my favorite things to be after a book.
Cannot wait to get to read the next book, and see where this story goes, because this one is beautiful, with beautiful (broken) characters and an intriging world with hints of 'The Giver' and some shiny mushrooms thrown in.
November 18, 2023
I purchased and started reading this book kind of on a whim, and I don't regret it!
The writing was absolutely lovely. The world of the Vale was so immersive, too. The concept of light vs darkness is always a favorite of mine, and the author utilized it well.
I enjoyed the way the story was more focused on the characters than on the plot. I don't feel like I come across that very often in the fantasy genre. But I have to admit, sometimes it moved too slowly for my taste. I kept getting antsy, waiting for things to really happen.
The main characters were all likeable, though, and I'm interested in seeing their story continue with the next book!
The writing was absolutely lovely. The world of the Vale was so immersive, too. The concept of light vs darkness is always a favorite of mine, and the author utilized it well.
I enjoyed the way the story was more focused on the characters than on the plot. I don't feel like I come across that very often in the fantasy genre. But I have to admit, sometimes it moved too slowly for my taste. I kept getting antsy, waiting for things to really happen.
The main characters were all likeable, though, and I'm interested in seeing their story continue with the next book!
April 30, 2024
Well done! I am thoroughly amazed at the beauty of this book. It is not a perfect debut novel but far far exceeded my expectations. I loved the world Andrea is building and feel connected deeply to the characters. I cried and laughed. Yes there were some forced scenes but that did not take away from the overall feel of the story. I am eagerly waiting for book 2.
April 28, 2023
This is a must read! I could not put the book down. I love the characters and cannot pick a favorite. They all have their own struggles and ways of overcoming them. In a world of darkness the key is getting light, but is it the right kind of light? And how will they keep the monsters away?
May 27, 2024
This novel should be in a genre all its own. If you like Christian fantasy, you're going to be blown away by Where Darkness Dwells. It has the battle between light and darkness, but these concepts don't just exist—they breathe.
Story: 5/5
Worldview: 5/5
Where Darkness Dwells is among the most stunning books I've read. The prose is vibrant and engaging, and each character feels so alive—even darkness and light, personified in the kaligorven and the solas. The author did an amazing job of balancing five perspectives within the very beginning and I take it as a masterclass in multiple POVs, seriously. The beginning was slower, but it was never boring, as it served to establish this world of perpetual darkness and the different perspectives. Amyrah only wants to find light, to help the people of the Vale, but the valefolk are deceived. They are tied to darkness and bound by the terrifying creatures that dwell in it. The whole story felt like an allegory. I felt like I was watching the Old Testament play out in front of me a little bit with idolatry.
Worldview was intrinsically tied to every page of this phenomenal novel. The struggle between light and dark was like an allegory of serving God versus false religions. The characters dealt with grief and loss in a way that rang with truth. Some other characters struggle with mental health, with obsession and idolizing, until God broke through and was once again on the throne of their hearts. I know this was a chosen one story, but I never got that impression at all. Every single person mattered, everyone was important. It was clear that God was orchestrating certain events to reach wayward hearts and bring light into deception.
This book is now among my favorites. It seems like 2024 is really the year that every other book I read is spectacular!
Story: 5/5
Worldview: 5/5
Where Darkness Dwells is among the most stunning books I've read. The prose is vibrant and engaging, and each character feels so alive—even darkness and light, personified in the kaligorven and the solas. The author did an amazing job of balancing five perspectives within the very beginning and I take it as a masterclass in multiple POVs, seriously. The beginning was slower, but it was never boring, as it served to establish this world of perpetual darkness and the different perspectives. Amyrah only wants to find light, to help the people of the Vale, but the valefolk are deceived. They are tied to darkness and bound by the terrifying creatures that dwell in it. The whole story felt like an allegory. I felt like I was watching the Old Testament play out in front of me a little bit with idolatry.
Worldview was intrinsically tied to every page of this phenomenal novel. The struggle between light and dark was like an allegory of serving God versus false religions. The characters dealt with grief and loss in a way that rang with truth. Some other characters struggle with mental health, with obsession and idolizing, until God broke through and was once again on the throne of their hearts. I know this was a chosen one story, but I never got that impression at all. Every single person mattered, everyone was important. It was clear that God was orchestrating certain events to reach wayward hearts and bring light into deception.
This book is now among my favorites. It seems like 2024 is really the year that every other book I read is spectacular!
August 19, 2024
I had some high hopes for this based on some friends' reviews. I will say that the writing was better than most debut Christian books I've read. And the story and characters have stuck in my head even a week after finishing it. However, I found it very difficult to get into the story, and I think a large part of it was the world building. I'm very impressed that Renae created an entire world with its own language, seasons, days of the week, religion, etc. But I found it very difficult to remember what certain words meant. It was until halfway through the book that I really felt the weight of the darkness.
Overall, I think it was a fairly well done story, and I wouldn't complain about reading the second one. There were some really great lessons, some really relatable moments, and a sweet romance.
Overall, I think it was a fairly well done story, and I wouldn't complain about reading the second one. There were some really great lessons, some really relatable moments, and a sweet romance.
December 29, 2025
What to expect: YA Christian fantasy, spiritual warfare, redemption, chosen one, subplot slow-burn, lyrical writing, dark and light creatures, metaphorical, setting with cottagecore vibes, medium pace
An excellent Christian fantasy 🤌 I should have read this sooner!! I loved the writing. It was poetic but not too flowery. Light versus darkness is a common topic within this genre, but the way the author wrote this theme into the world, plot, and magic system made it stand out to me. It was unique and complemented the deeper meanings of the struggles in the dark setting. I liked all the different POVs and learning about the characters’ backgrounds and how they were going through their own problems in the darkness. You have a father whose grief over losing his wife is misguided, a courageous girl who discovers the light within her, a boy who begins to turn from his bad ways and the culture he was raised in, and a missionary kid who is struggling by herself. I loved the way these characters’ personal journeys came together in the story. I didn’t plan to read this book so fast, but I didn’t want to stop. I already ordered the next book (not related to the review, but the covers are so PRETTY, so I need the shelf trophies, hehe).
spice level - kisses only
language - none
content - loss, grief, manipulation, systemic control, mentions of drinking as a coping method, typical fantasy violence (not graphic), supernatural evil entities, allusions to past mistakes but very non-graphic
An excellent Christian fantasy 🤌 I should have read this sooner!! I loved the writing. It was poetic but not too flowery. Light versus darkness is a common topic within this genre, but the way the author wrote this theme into the world, plot, and magic system made it stand out to me. It was unique and complemented the deeper meanings of the struggles in the dark setting. I liked all the different POVs and learning about the characters’ backgrounds and how they were going through their own problems in the darkness. You have a father whose grief over losing his wife is misguided, a courageous girl who discovers the light within her, a boy who begins to turn from his bad ways and the culture he was raised in, and a missionary kid who is struggling by herself. I loved the way these characters’ personal journeys came together in the story. I didn’t plan to read this book so fast, but I didn’t want to stop. I already ordered the next book (not related to the review, but the covers are so PRETTY, so I need the shelf trophies, hehe).
spice level - kisses only
language - none
content - loss, grief, manipulation, systemic control, mentions of drinking as a coping method, typical fantasy violence (not graphic), supernatural evil entities, allusions to past mistakes but very non-graphic
December 16, 2025
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒕.”
This was a story meant to be taken in slowly, while pondering the deeper meaning behind the words filling the pages. It was an allegorical tale of the fight between good and evil, light and darkness. The pacing of the story was moderately slow, but it worked with the overall vibe of the book.
“𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎.”
A world enshrouded in darkness, with only a few seeking the true light. I found this dark world to be quite fascinating—if not a bit depressing at times. The constant mental image of such a dark and oppressive world left me feeling bleak more than once. Yet the hope of escape and the true light being discovered kept me reading.
“𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝, 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚏𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕.”
The relationships between the characters were ones of true depth. I love that we—the readers—got to really connect with each character before they actually connected with each other. True lasting friendships were formed in this story, and they were beautiful to witness as the book played out. Healing was found in small doses for those carrying deep hurts. A sign of better things to come was certainly the prevailing theme of this story.
“𝚆𝚑𝚘 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚙 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖, 𝚒𝚏 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚖𝚎?”
This was a story meant to be taken in slowly, while pondering the deeper meaning behind the words filling the pages. It was an allegorical tale of the fight between good and evil, light and darkness. The pacing of the story was moderately slow, but it worked with the overall vibe of the book.
“𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎.”
A world enshrouded in darkness, with only a few seeking the true light. I found this dark world to be quite fascinating—if not a bit depressing at times. The constant mental image of such a dark and oppressive world left me feeling bleak more than once. Yet the hope of escape and the true light being discovered kept me reading.
“𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝, 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚏𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕.”
The relationships between the characters were ones of true depth. I love that we—the readers—got to really connect with each character before they actually connected with each other. True lasting friendships were formed in this story, and they were beautiful to witness as the book played out. Healing was found in small doses for those carrying deep hurts. A sign of better things to come was certainly the prevailing theme of this story.
“𝚆𝚑𝚘 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚙 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖, 𝚒𝚏 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚖𝚎?”
May 3, 2023
If you enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, you’ll love Where Darkness Dwells. Fantasy literature at its finest, Andrea Renae creates a tale combining fantasy, adventure, and faith that will leave you captivated and wanting more. It is a journey of a young woman and her unique ability to connect with rare luminescent creatures in a land of oppressive darkness.
With a perfectly paced narrative, this book takes readers on a soulful journey, immersing them in the first-person perspectives of four unforgettable characters. As you delve into their individual stories, you can't help but become deeply invested in their fight against the darkness. Andrea Renae’s skilled characterization will have you falling in love with each of these unique individuals and their experiences, making this a truly unforgettable read.
In the first part of the story, the Vale is depicted as a land of darkness, with no light or hope, and a dismal future. You can feel the weight of the oppressive darkness as you read about the characters' struggles.
In the second part of the story, the characters begin to learn more about the absence of true light in their lives as they grow and find connections with each other and to the mysterious luminescent creatures entering their lands. The introduction of a new kind of evil adds another layer of complexity to the story.
Part three of the story is an intense climax that will have you on the edge of your seat. The action-packed scenes are so well-written that you will be turning the pages faster than you can say "ignati." You will not be able to put down this book until you reach the very end.
Andrea Renae has a unique ability to break you down emotionally and spiritually through her writing and then build you back up in the most satisfying way possible. The way she writes will speak to your heart and convict you to look at the darkness holding you back in your own life. At the same time the community of light she creates in her book is welcoming and will make you want to seek the light.
A helpful glossary is included at the end of the novel to help anyone with the unfamiliar words written in the book. Readers will be introduced to words like “argentilum,” “boléis” and “kuvresh.” Just like any new language, it takes a little while for a reader to become accustomed to the words, but quickly they will become a normal part of your vocabulary. Now every time I see a mushroom I’m going to think of a “boléis.”
Overall, Where Darkness Dwells is a must-read for anyone who loves clean fantasy literature. Written for young adult readers, yet anyone who wants to explore themes of darkness versus light, good vs evil, unique magic, spiritual warfare, redemption, sacrifice, and trust in a higher power will find this read both captivating and spiritually resonant. I’m giving this book five stars and will definitely be looking to add the sequel to my library.
With a perfectly paced narrative, this book takes readers on a soulful journey, immersing them in the first-person perspectives of four unforgettable characters. As you delve into their individual stories, you can't help but become deeply invested in their fight against the darkness. Andrea Renae’s skilled characterization will have you falling in love with each of these unique individuals and their experiences, making this a truly unforgettable read.
In the first part of the story, the Vale is depicted as a land of darkness, with no light or hope, and a dismal future. You can feel the weight of the oppressive darkness as you read about the characters' struggles.
In the second part of the story, the characters begin to learn more about the absence of true light in their lives as they grow and find connections with each other and to the mysterious luminescent creatures entering their lands. The introduction of a new kind of evil adds another layer of complexity to the story.
Part three of the story is an intense climax that will have you on the edge of your seat. The action-packed scenes are so well-written that you will be turning the pages faster than you can say "ignati." You will not be able to put down this book until you reach the very end.
Andrea Renae has a unique ability to break you down emotionally and spiritually through her writing and then build you back up in the most satisfying way possible. The way she writes will speak to your heart and convict you to look at the darkness holding you back in your own life. At the same time the community of light she creates in her book is welcoming and will make you want to seek the light.
A helpful glossary is included at the end of the novel to help anyone with the unfamiliar words written in the book. Readers will be introduced to words like “argentilum,” “boléis” and “kuvresh.” Just like any new language, it takes a little while for a reader to become accustomed to the words, but quickly they will become a normal part of your vocabulary. Now every time I see a mushroom I’m going to think of a “boléis.”
Overall, Where Darkness Dwells is a must-read for anyone who loves clean fantasy literature. Written for young adult readers, yet anyone who wants to explore themes of darkness versus light, good vs evil, unique magic, spiritual warfare, redemption, sacrifice, and trust in a higher power will find this read both captivating and spiritually resonant. I’m giving this book five stars and will definitely be looking to add the sequel to my library.
September 8, 2024
Discovered this author from a writer friend and I'm so glad I did! I enjoyed the unique concept of this fantasy story, the contrast of light and darkness. There's danger, intrigue and conviction as Amyrah tries to find her way through the darkness, discovering her own light...and the creatures of the light.
Often YA is written from one perspective, but this one has multiple points of view, which I appreciate because it adds dimension to the plot.
I didn't expect their to be a cliffhanger, but I'm real excited for the next book to come out! My 13 year old also read this and enjoyed it!
Often YA is written from one perspective, but this one has multiple points of view, which I appreciate because it adds dimension to the plot.
I didn't expect their to be a cliffhanger, but I'm real excited for the next book to come out! My 13 year old also read this and enjoyed it!
July 27, 2023
This atmospheric world combined with Renae’s lyrical prose is like warm honey. And while the story is about a people group plagued by darkness, hope sings from every character as they fight against what they’ve always accepted as normal. I highly recommend this beautiful book to anyone who wants courage and hope to face life’s challenges!!
June 11, 2024
One of the better Christian fantasy books that I've read. I really liked the setting and the story framework. The idea of the solas, for instance, was unique and well crafted. Some of the themes came through a little cliche, for example, the theme of grief. I felt like the characters talked about their grief as if they were counselors, not like someone who is actually working through grief. They articulated their grief too fluently to be realistic. Otherwise, this was a good read and I would recommend it.
October 29, 2024
This is a fantastic fantasy, full of atmospheric writing, great quotes, and beautiful Christian allegories. Chapter 10 got me 😭 And I’m so excited to read the next one!! No spice, no language. Just a really good and wholesome book! My only struggle was remembering what certain words meant throughout and some world building with the villain felt a bit disjointed but I’m thankful for the glossary at the end to help.
November 26, 2024
4.5, this book was beautiful, but it was also incredibly slow at parts and I found myself skimming because of it.
December 12, 2024
4.5 stars. This was a great fantasy. I really enjoyed the story. The only thing was I had a little bit of a hard time following some things. I also feel like something was missing to make it a 5 stars. But overall I enjoyed it, it had like a Powerless feel to it for some reason and I loved it. It felt like fantasy/folklore to me and I eat that up.
July 22, 2023
Fantasy is not my typical genre I pick to read, but when I find a really good fantasy novel I have a hard time putting it down.
This book had me enraptured by it's beautiful words and captivating world of bioluminescent mushrooms, light and dark creatures, a place shrouded in darkness, and light imbued bones of the light creatures. The author of this book is a fellow sister in Christ and I loved seeing how her worldview and theology is all throughout her writitng, storyline, and quotes from the characters. She did such a beautiful job of it. The reader is joined in the struggles of the main characters. Amyrah: as she struggles with courage to stand against the darkness and learn about the truth of who she is. Belywn as he struggles with the darkness inside of himself and learns of the truth. There are lessons of forgiveness, standing up for the truth and your convictions (even when it is costly to do so), overcoming fear, and so much more in this intricately woven story. I can't recommend this story enough and I am eagerly waiting the next book in this series!
Some of my favorite quotes:
"'There's a calling on your soul, Amyrah. It's always been there since yeh were a wee babe.... No matter how deep the dark, somethin' always kept it from reaching your heart. It was so small tha' no one woulda ever noticed who wasn't lookin' for it."
Where did it come from?
"Tha' I can't know for cer'ain. But if I had to guess, I'd say Elyon put it there himself."
"It isn't about our skill at all. Faith is a gift from Elyon, not something we can cultivate on our own."
"Friend, no one is beyond hope. If the Highest can implant even the tiniest grain of faith in a heart like mine and cause it to grow, he can do the same for you. If he can remove my guilt from me, he can do so for you as well."
This book had me enraptured by it's beautiful words and captivating world of bioluminescent mushrooms, light and dark creatures, a place shrouded in darkness, and light imbued bones of the light creatures. The author of this book is a fellow sister in Christ and I loved seeing how her worldview and theology is all throughout her writitng, storyline, and quotes from the characters. She did such a beautiful job of it. The reader is joined in the struggles of the main characters. Amyrah: as she struggles with courage to stand against the darkness and learn about the truth of who she is. Belywn as he struggles with the darkness inside of himself and learns of the truth. There are lessons of forgiveness, standing up for the truth and your convictions (even when it is costly to do so), overcoming fear, and so much more in this intricately woven story. I can't recommend this story enough and I am eagerly waiting the next book in this series!
Some of my favorite quotes:
"'There's a calling on your soul, Amyrah. It's always been there since yeh were a wee babe.... No matter how deep the dark, somethin' always kept it from reaching your heart. It was so small tha' no one woulda ever noticed who wasn't lookin' for it."
Where did it come from?
"Tha' I can't know for cer'ain. But if I had to guess, I'd say Elyon put it there himself."
"It isn't about our skill at all. Faith is a gift from Elyon, not something we can cultivate on our own."
"Friend, no one is beyond hope. If the Highest can implant even the tiniest grain of faith in a heart like mine and cause it to grow, he can do the same for you. If he can remove my guilt from me, he can do so for you as well."
March 25, 2024
Wow! This is a book I won’t soon forget. A gospel thread shines throughout this beautiful tale. The biblical symbolism and Scriptural references throughout the book are truly incredible. Biblical themes of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, redemption, and grace abound in this novel.
The characters are well-developed and relatable. The world-building is complex, but approachable. Be sure to reference the glossary at the back of the book for pronunciation of names, places, and terms. Such a huge help while reading! You’ll also find a fun map at the beginning. I LOVE a good book map!
I’m so invested in what happens next for Amyrah, Belwyn, and Wehna and I won’t have to wait too long because book two releases this year. 🎉
If you enjoy fantasy and are hungry for fantasy books that are God honoring, you MUST read Where Darkness Dwells. Don’t skip the author’s acknowledgement at the end of the book. It brought me to tears.
I’ll leave you with three of my favorite quotes.
✨
“Friend, no one is beyond hope. If the Highest can implant even the tiniest grain of faith in a heart like mine and cause it to grow, he can do the same for you.”
“I can’t sit back and watch people stumble around in darkness, or what they think is light.”
“Don’t you see? Where there is true light, darkness fears to dwell.”
The characters are well-developed and relatable. The world-building is complex, but approachable. Be sure to reference the glossary at the back of the book for pronunciation of names, places, and terms. Such a huge help while reading! You’ll also find a fun map at the beginning. I LOVE a good book map!
I’m so invested in what happens next for Amyrah, Belwyn, and Wehna and I won’t have to wait too long because book two releases this year. 🎉
If you enjoy fantasy and are hungry for fantasy books that are God honoring, you MUST read Where Darkness Dwells. Don’t skip the author’s acknowledgement at the end of the book. It brought me to tears.
I’ll leave you with three of my favorite quotes.
✨
“Friend, no one is beyond hope. If the Highest can implant even the tiniest grain of faith in a heart like mine and cause it to grow, he can do the same for you.”
“I can’t sit back and watch people stumble around in darkness, or what they think is light.”
“Don’t you see? Where there is true light, darkness fears to dwell.”
November 16, 2023
I was privileged to read an ARC for this book - what a treasure! I'm looking forward to owning a physical copy and plan to read it aloud to all my kids.
If you love fantasy, if you love word-smiths, if you love considering the complexity of life and the pull that light and dark have in each of us - this book is a must read.
Characters are so very human -in that not one is "too perfect" and doesn't struggle. I have a special love for Wehna and Arvo. Their development, while not the main characters, was deeply satisfying and a great compliment to the main story arc.
My one complaint - this isn't the end of the story! And so, I'll have to wait patiently for the next book to be published. I only hope it can come sooner than later!
If you love fantasy, if you love word-smiths, if you love considering the complexity of life and the pull that light and dark have in each of us - this book is a must read.
Characters are so very human -in that not one is "too perfect" and doesn't struggle. I have a special love for Wehna and Arvo. Their development, while not the main characters, was deeply satisfying and a great compliment to the main story arc.
My one complaint - this isn't the end of the story! And so, I'll have to wait patiently for the next book to be published. I only hope it can come sooner than later!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2025
I loved this book, it's world is unlike anything I've ever read before, and so well done too! It does get quite heavy and depressing sometimes, but it also was very beautiful.
(WEHNA'S PARENTS BETTER HAVE A GOOD REASON FOR THEIR ABSENCE OR I'LL FIGHT THEM AT DAWN🤺)
(WEHNA'S PARENTS BETTER HAVE A GOOD REASON FOR THEIR ABSENCE OR I'LL FIGHT THEM AT DAWN🤺)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2024
I don't know how she did it, but Andrea created a world that was both dark and beautiful. It was fully immersive and so well thought out. Incredible. The relationships are so deep and full. (Shallow? Who's she?) The character development is top notch. And let me tell you, the allegories!! Whew!! 😍🙌🏻
As for the plot: it's slow. Everything happens at the end. BUT don't let that deter you! This book takes time in developing the world, helping you imagine a world so unlike our own. It takes time in developing the characters and their relationships. It is so very worth it. I woukdnt necessarily call it a slow burn because the whole book keeps you engaged. There wasn't a part that I felt was a rabbit trail or getting off topic or was dragging on. There was never a point that I was disinterested.
The beginning had me hooked, the middle kept me there, and the ending took my breath away (quite literally, I gasped). Never has a book given me such emotions like this one did in the last page alone. It was incredible
As for the plot: it's slow. Everything happens at the end. BUT don't let that deter you! This book takes time in developing the world, helping you imagine a world so unlike our own. It takes time in developing the characters and their relationships. It is so very worth it. I woukdnt necessarily call it a slow burn because the whole book keeps you engaged. There wasn't a part that I felt was a rabbit trail or getting off topic or was dragging on. There was never a point that I was disinterested.
The beginning had me hooked, the middle kept me there, and the ending took my breath away (quite literally, I gasped). Never has a book given me such emotions like this one did in the last page alone. It was incredible
January 6, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ The plot of Where Darkness Dwells was very intriguing to me. I loved the literal theme of dark vs light. My major complaints are as follows,
- I felt that the first half moved too slowly and the second half too quickly.
- It’s a little hard to follow with multiple POV’s (4 if I’m remembering correctly).
- Some of the Christian elements felt a little too direct for a fantasy novel, maybe I’d describe it as too flowery? I need to sit with my thoughts on this a little longer.
- I didn’t know how any of the names/places/things were pronounced until I found the glossary when I finished the book, but that’s more my fault than the author’s.
All that being said, I still enjoyed my time in this book and I’d like to read the second installment!
- I felt that the first half moved too slowly and the second half too quickly.
- It’s a little hard to follow with multiple POV’s (4 if I’m remembering correctly).
- Some of the Christian elements felt a little too direct for a fantasy novel, maybe I’d describe it as too flowery? I need to sit with my thoughts on this a little longer.
- I didn’t know how any of the names/places/things were pronounced until I found the glossary when I finished the book, but that’s more my fault than the author’s.
All that being said, I still enjoyed my time in this book and I’d like to read the second installment!
December 2, 2023
Where Darkness Dwells is a beautiful story of the power of light overcoming the darkness, not only within the unique world created by A. Renae, but also within each character. The character journey is one of discovery and hope and overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. It's a journey we all can relate to in some way. I highly recommend reading.
May 30, 2023
Where Darkness Dwells is a beautiful story filled with hope amid literal and figurative darkness. The novel follows four different characters on connected but very different journeys that help the MC learn the truth about her mother, the mysterious solas, the land she lives in, and the land beyond. I couldn’t put it down, and I can’t wait for more! Definitely a must read!
May 25, 2023
The Vale has (literally) been shrouded in darkness for longer than anyone can remember. Creatures of the dark rule over the people who go about their days in fear. And yet there are those who believe that something different is possible, a world filled with light and beauty. Amyrah is not afraid of the dark and not afraid to hope. When yet another light creature is killed, she decides to challenge everything her people have ever known. But is there any hope left for those who have forgotten the light and found refuge in the darkness?
Sometimes you are lucky enough to stumble across a book that feels like it was written for you. 'Where Darkness Dwells' was such a book for me.
Andrea Renae captures the battle between light and dark, good and evil, hope and despair, so perfectly. This story resonated with me so much on such a personal level. Each of the characters embodied some part of me, and (if I might be so bold) all of us as we struggle for what we believe in and what we hope for, in a never ending search for light and truth and beauty. There are those who fearlessly believe, there are those who are afraid of what it might mean to believe, there are those who doubt even though they know what they believe and their are those who find hope for the first time and almost don't know what to do with it. But there are alsothose who embrace the darkness for what it can give them, even though they know the light.
I could go on rambling but to get back to the book review part, this book is for you if you love strong, real characters, a story with real meaning, beautiful descriptions and amazing worldbuilding. I look forward to the rest of this series!
Sometimes you are lucky enough to stumble across a book that feels like it was written for you. 'Where Darkness Dwells' was such a book for me.
Andrea Renae captures the battle between light and dark, good and evil, hope and despair, so perfectly. This story resonated with me so much on such a personal level. Each of the characters embodied some part of me, and (if I might be so bold) all of us as we struggle for what we believe in and what we hope for, in a never ending search for light and truth and beauty. There are those who fearlessly believe, there are those who are afraid of what it might mean to believe, there are those who doubt even though they know what they believe and their are those who find hope for the first time and almost don't know what to do with it. But there are alsothose who embrace the darkness for what it can give them, even though they know the light.
I could go on rambling but to get back to the book review part, this book is for you if you love strong, real characters, a story with real meaning, beautiful descriptions and amazing worldbuilding. I look forward to the rest of this series!
January 7, 2025
When I first started this book, I was clueless what was happening. But I kept pushing through and I'm so glad I did! Now I want to get the next book!
September 3, 2025
I have been sleeping on this book. It was so good and beautiful and true.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews