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A Dance of Darkness and Light
Eleanora Hawkins has a secret.
A rare elemental power, aether, runs through her veins, which she is forced to conceal while reluctantly studying to become her planet's future healer. But everything changes one summer night, when her home is invaded by dangerous enemies, and her power accidentally transports her and her best friend, Aya, to the foreign planet of Stygian. She meets Stygian's two princes, Jett and Orion, and a member of their Royal Guard, Sahar, and they inform her that they will help her and Aya return home.
Her plan to return to her home planet shifts when Eleanora stumbles upon a forbidden map of the universe. Sahar, Jett, and Orion share that they have been searching for a missing planet which contains a treasure beyond her wildest imagination, and her aether may be the key to retrieving it. Eleanora agrees to help them, setting out on a journey which exposes her to new planets and transforms her light-abilities into something she never expected. However, Eleanora soon begins to long for the comfort and normalcy of her old life, while simultaneously craving adventure and the truth of her lineage.
As an evil entity lurks within the shadows, Eleanora realizes that she must navigate the growth of her powers, her feelings for the two princes, and the battle of light and darkness within herself, and that her choices may eventually lead to the salvation or demise of her entire universe. This novel is a captivating tale of self-discovery, bravery, and the enduring power of love and friendship. It invites readers to embark on a thrilling adventure through vibrant and magical worlds, where the triumph of good over evil lies in the hands of a young heroine on the cusp of realizing her true potential.
A rare elemental power, aether, runs through her veins, which she is forced to conceal while reluctantly studying to become her planet's future healer. But everything changes one summer night, when her home is invaded by dangerous enemies, and her power accidentally transports her and her best friend, Aya, to the foreign planet of Stygian. She meets Stygian's two princes, Jett and Orion, and a member of their Royal Guard, Sahar, and they inform her that they will help her and Aya return home.
Her plan to return to her home planet shifts when Eleanora stumbles upon a forbidden map of the universe. Sahar, Jett, and Orion share that they have been searching for a missing planet which contains a treasure beyond her wildest imagination, and her aether may be the key to retrieving it. Eleanora agrees to help them, setting out on a journey which exposes her to new planets and transforms her light-abilities into something she never expected. However, Eleanora soon begins to long for the comfort and normalcy of her old life, while simultaneously craving adventure and the truth of her lineage.
As an evil entity lurks within the shadows, Eleanora realizes that she must navigate the growth of her powers, her feelings for the two princes, and the battle of light and darkness within herself, and that her choices may eventually lead to the salvation or demise of her entire universe. This novel is a captivating tale of self-discovery, bravery, and the enduring power of love and friendship. It invites readers to embark on a thrilling adventure through vibrant and magical worlds, where the triumph of good over evil lies in the hands of a young heroine on the cusp of realizing her true potential.
440 pages, Paperback
Published December 10, 2024
9 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 15, 2025
A female main character with grit and an attitude, check. A male main character with shadow magic and witty banter, check. Elemental magic and mythical creatures, check check check! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and getting to know a diverse group of characters with complex relationships of love and friendship. Fast paced, easy to read, and leaves you with a pretty major cliff hanger - needless to say, I am IMPATIENTLY waiting for book 2! What a great start to a fantasy series!
December 17, 2024
I laughed, I cried, but mostly I devoured this book in two sittings and am now impatiently waiting for the next book in the series! Emily Gruber has created a beautiful universe full of magic that is somehow both familiar and new. This unique twist on a coming of age novel has beautiful imagery, relatable characters, and witty dialogue- what more could you ask for? I would recommend this book to fantasy, sci-fi, and YA lovers alike.
January 7, 2025
Such a great book all around. If you’re a fantasy/romance reader, HIGHLY recommend!!! So excited for the next one!
December 9, 2024
Emily Gruber's A Dance of Darkness and Light is a breathtaking blend of fantasy, adventure, and self-discovery. From the very beginning, the story draws you in with the captivating tale of Eleanora Hawkins, whose hidden elemental power, aether, sets the stage for an epic journey. The world-building is impressive, transporting readers across vibrant and magical planets that feel both otherworldly and vividly real.
The characters are wonderfully crafted, particularly Eleanora, whose internal struggles between light and darkness resonate deeply. Her relationships with the two princes, Jett and Orion, and the loyal Sahar, bring complexity and intrigue to the narrative. Their quest for a missing planet containing a mysterious treasure creates a compelling mystery that keeps you hooked.
What truly stands out is the exploration of Eleanora's growth—not just her powers, but also her longing for home, her bravery, and her resilience as she faces her lineage and the lurking evil entity. It’s a beautiful balance of personal discovery and high-stakes adventure.
While the pacing occasionally slows in the middle with descriptive passages, the payoff in terms of character development and plot twists is more than worth it. The themes of friendship, love, and the constant battle between good and evil are timeless, and Gruber handles them with emotional depth and creativity.
This book is a must-read for fans of character-driven fantasy with a touch of romance and cosmic stakes. I am eager for more from Emily Gruber and this universe. Highly recommend!
The characters are wonderfully crafted, particularly Eleanora, whose internal struggles between light and darkness resonate deeply. Her relationships with the two princes, Jett and Orion, and the loyal Sahar, bring complexity and intrigue to the narrative. Their quest for a missing planet containing a mysterious treasure creates a compelling mystery that keeps you hooked.
What truly stands out is the exploration of Eleanora's growth—not just her powers, but also her longing for home, her bravery, and her resilience as she faces her lineage and the lurking evil entity. It’s a beautiful balance of personal discovery and high-stakes adventure.
While the pacing occasionally slows in the middle with descriptive passages, the payoff in terms of character development and plot twists is more than worth it. The themes of friendship, love, and the constant battle between good and evil are timeless, and Gruber handles them with emotional depth and creativity.
This book is a must-read for fans of character-driven fantasy with a touch of romance and cosmic stakes. I am eager for more from Emily Gruber and this universe. Highly recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
A magical relic broken into 9 pieces and scattered across as many planets, and our protagonist must retrieve them - while also learning how to wield the mysterious power running through her veins. With the help of her best friend Aya, two handsome princes - Jett and Orion - and the princes’ Royal Guard Sahar, Eleanora Hawkins must race to find these treasures before the enemy does. The whole universe may depend on her.
If you’re a fan of:
Strong FMC
BIPOC representation
LGBTQIA+ representation
Shadow wielders
Magical creatures
Intergalactic travel
Elemental magic
Witty banter
Romance subplots
…then this is the book for you!
Snaps for a pronunciation guide - we love to see it!
Great pacing - keeps the reader’s attention without rushing through the important plot developments.
This is one you won’t want to miss. Relatable and likable characters (and complex villains), an interesting magic system, and accessible yet sweeping world building all make this debut novel easy to pick up and hard to put down.
A magical relic broken into 9 pieces and scattered across as many planets, and our protagonist must retrieve them - while also learning how to wield the mysterious power running through her veins. With the help of her best friend Aya, two handsome princes - Jett and Orion - and the princes’ Royal Guard Sahar, Eleanora Hawkins must race to find these treasures before the enemy does. The whole universe may depend on her.
If you’re a fan of:
Strong FMC
BIPOC representation
LGBTQIA+ representation
Shadow wielders
Magical creatures
Intergalactic travel
Elemental magic
Witty banter
Romance subplots
…then this is the book for you!
Snaps for a pronunciation guide - we love to see it!
Great pacing - keeps the reader’s attention without rushing through the important plot developments.
This is one you won’t want to miss. Relatable and likable characters (and complex villains), an interesting magic system, and accessible yet sweeping world building all make this debut novel easy to pick up and hard to put down.
December 4, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was hooked from the start! Desperate to know what would happen…but wishing it would never end.
This is a beautifully crafted fantasy romance packed with adventure, vivid world-building, and unforgettable characters. Eleanora Hawkins is a heroine to root for!Torn between her rare powers, the comfort of home, best friend Aya, and the pull of a greater destiny.
The chemistry between Eleanora and the Stygian princes, Jett and Orion, is absolutely cosmic ~ burning bright with intensity and charm ~ while the steadfast Sahar adds even more depth to this gripping tale. With lush, magical worlds and high stakes, A Dance of Darkness and Light is a heartfelt exploration of courage, love, and self-discovery in a universe poised between brilliance and shadow.
Officially counting the days until I can get my hands on the next book!
I was hooked from the start! Desperate to know what would happen…but wishing it would never end.
This is a beautifully crafted fantasy romance packed with adventure, vivid world-building, and unforgettable characters. Eleanora Hawkins is a heroine to root for!Torn between her rare powers, the comfort of home, best friend Aya, and the pull of a greater destiny.
The chemistry between Eleanora and the Stygian princes, Jett and Orion, is absolutely cosmic ~ burning bright with intensity and charm ~ while the steadfast Sahar adds even more depth to this gripping tale. With lush, magical worlds and high stakes, A Dance of Darkness and Light is a heartfelt exploration of courage, love, and self-discovery in a universe poised between brilliance and shadow.
Officially counting the days until I can get my hands on the next book!
February 20, 2025
A fantastically written book that drew me into the story from the very beginning and didn't let me go until the end. What I found great was the pronunciation guide at the beginning, which definitely helped me to read the names of characters and places more quickly and didn't create any gibberish in my mind. The writing style is lively and adds to the captivating adventure and worldbuilding. The characters are all well developed and I really liked the character growth so far. The book is written from the point of view of Eleanora, who I also grew very fond of. I am really looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 8, 2024
⭐️A solid 4.5 read.
Eleanora Hawkins, your secret is simply captivating.
If you enjoy fantasy novels with deep world-building, multifaceted characters, and a story that pulls you in from the first page (with a side of slow burn romance), A Dance of Darkness and Light is a book you won't want to miss. The only downside? The agonizing wait for the sequel!
While we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, the artwork is stunning and makes so much sense once you finish. Additionally, shout out to Emily for the pronunciation guide, the depiction of The Wheel, and aesthetically pleasing pages to read!
Eleanora Hawkins, your secret is simply captivating.
If you enjoy fantasy novels with deep world-building, multifaceted characters, and a story that pulls you in from the first page (with a side of slow burn romance), A Dance of Darkness and Light is a book you won't want to miss. The only downside? The agonizing wait for the sequel!
While we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, the artwork is stunning and makes so much sense once you finish. Additionally, shout out to Emily for the pronunciation guide, the depiction of The Wheel, and aesthetically pleasing pages to read!
December 3, 2024
I was immediately captivated by the world created in the book. It is a beautiful blend of sci-fi and fantasy. I enjoyed the main characters growth and from beginning to end and the book hit all the right slow burn romance notes that I love ❤️
This book is action packed and filled with adventure definitely a must read !
This book is action packed and filled with adventure definitely a must read !
December 5, 2024
A Dance of Darkness and Light is an excellent fantasy novel that draws inspiration from stories we know and love. I was instantly sucked into the universe created and the various characters. The character development and twists kept me wanting more. A very fun and entertaining read and I cannot wait for the next book!
March 24, 2025
This was a strong start to the Lost Planet series, it had that fantasy element that I was hoping for from the description. I was invested in what was going on with the characters and how they were used in this world. Emily Gruber has a strong writing style and hope to read more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 5, 2025
Typically, I don’t read a lot of this type of non-fiction/fantasy, but I am so glad I did! What an amazing and magical journey. You will devour this book in just a few sittings. Impatiently waiting for book 2!!!!
March 1, 2025
I want to first thank Emily for sending me a copy of her debut novel.
Unfortunately, this did not work for me. I am in the minority with the reviews that have been shared. While the premise was interesting enough, it lacked in execution. Full review to come.
Unfortunately, this did not work for me. I am in the minority with the reviews that have been shared. While the premise was interesting enough, it lacked in execution. Full review to come.
December 10, 2024
Absolutely fantastic and I’m already wanting more. Thank you so much Emily for sending me and ARC!
March 2, 2025
The perfect blend of fantasy and a touch of science fiction, this books delivers on its promise of avatar meets treasure planet. I loved reading about this world and rooting for Eleanora and her friends. A wonderful debut by an author everyone should have on their list!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews