What do you think?
Rate this book
Sage's Sanctuary #1
The Quiet Light
Not yet published
Expected 10 Mar 26
Immortal dragons can’t mate with humans… or can they?
500 years ago, Yora went into magical stasis to escape her violent life as the Sage of Wrath. Now she’s awoken because a hunted dragon shifter needs help, but the last thing she wants is to go back to war.
She’d much rather stay in her cottage with the dragon, Zan, and eat every kind of ice cream she can imagine. Even if she knows better than to give in to the rush she feels around him… Dragons can’t mate with humans, and soon Zan will have to leave again.
But the dragon’s flight has brought danger to Yora’s doorstep. Dark powers are desperate to claim her destructive powers for themselves, and they’ll stop at nothing to bring her under their control.
Yora knows how to use her wrath to destroy. But if she can harness that same magic to build instead, maybe she can protect her found family in Crystal Hollow—and find a way to stay with Zan for all of their days, too.
The Quiet Light is the first book of an ice cream-filled spicy cozy fantasy romance trilogy in the world of Sage’s Sanctuary, where the most powerful and vulnerable alike find refuge in an isolated mountain cottage with only one bed. Sage’s Sanctuary is full of dragon encounters, tender romance and hilarious banter, building community and having each other’s backs, and finding who you are and what you stand for.
500 years ago, Yora went into magical stasis to escape her violent life as the Sage of Wrath. Now she’s awoken because a hunted dragon shifter needs help, but the last thing she wants is to go back to war.
She’d much rather stay in her cottage with the dragon, Zan, and eat every kind of ice cream she can imagine. Even if she knows better than to give in to the rush she feels around him… Dragons can’t mate with humans, and soon Zan will have to leave again.
But the dragon’s flight has brought danger to Yora’s doorstep. Dark powers are desperate to claim her destructive powers for themselves, and they’ll stop at nothing to bring her under their control.
Yora knows how to use her wrath to destroy. But if she can harness that same magic to build instead, maybe she can protect her found family in Crystal Hollow—and find a way to stay with Zan for all of their days, too.
The Quiet Light is the first book of an ice cream-filled spicy cozy fantasy romance trilogy in the world of Sage’s Sanctuary, where the most powerful and vulnerable alike find refuge in an isolated mountain cottage with only one bed. Sage’s Sanctuary is full of dragon encounters, tender romance and hilarious banter, building community and having each other’s backs, and finding who you are and what you stand for.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 10, 2026
355 people want to read
About the author
Casey Blair
17 books235 followersCasey Blair is a bestselling author of hopeful fantasy novels about ambitious women who dare, including the Tea Princess Chronicles, Sundered Realms, and Diamond Universe: Sierra Walker series. Her own adventures have included teaching English in rural Japan, taking a train to Tibet, rappelling down waterfalls in Costa Rica, and practicing capoeira. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest and can be found dancing spontaneously, exploring forests around the world, or trapped under a cat.
For more information visit her website caseyblair.com or follow her on Instagram @CaseyLBlair.
For more information visit her website caseyblair.com or follow her on Instagram @CaseyLBlair.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 23, 2026
Thank you to the publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book, I loved Yora and Zak together, Yora was a complete badass. I liked the magic system in the book, it was easy to understand and follow as the Sage’s were using Kata’s/movements to power their magic. While Yora was in magical status and a dragon was visiting and talking to her, I was really hoping it meant what I thought it and that they had a bond. One of the things I loved the most was that Zan accepted Yora as she was, even if she was the Sage of Wrath and really powerful. Zan was so patient while Yora was acclimatising to life free of the order and what that meant for her, Yora on the other hand likes to rile Zan up. Zan was a bit stoic, slight touch of martyr syndrome going on there as he was so sacrificing. I really enjoyed this book and it was a very promising start to the beginning of a new trilogy, I look forward to what the next book holds.
I really enjoyed this book, I loved Yora and Zak together, Yora was a complete badass. I liked the magic system in the book, it was easy to understand and follow as the Sage’s were using Kata’s/movements to power their magic. While Yora was in magical status and a dragon was visiting and talking to her, I was really hoping it meant what I thought it and that they had a bond. One of the things I loved the most was that Zan accepted Yora as she was, even if she was the Sage of Wrath and really powerful. Zan was so patient while Yora was acclimatising to life free of the order and what that meant for her, Yora on the other hand likes to rile Zan up. Zan was a bit stoic, slight touch of martyr syndrome going on there as he was so sacrificing. I really enjoyed this book and it was a very promising start to the beginning of a new trilogy, I look forward to what the next book holds.
Want to read
February 18, 2026Received an ARC! 💜
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨ A cosy adventure through self-discovery, intentional love and owning your feelings ✨
This one was off to a somewhst slow start for me and I wasn't sure the tone of it was for me. However, around the 20% mark something changed and I found myself steaming through this book as I really wanted to know how it would all work out!
The FMC, Yora, has spent her entire life being controlled by people who have told her that they know what's good for her. Now, with the help of Zan, she slowly starts to unlearn what has been ingrained in her and replaces that with learning about herself. Her wants. Her needs. Her hopes.
Zan is swoon-worthy, being completely obsessed with Yora and determined to help her to learn how to really, truly live for herself. Their relationship is sweet and playful but don't mistake that for lacking spice. When they get to that point, you better believe it was worth the wait!
Cosy, ice-cream shop romance type stories aren't my usual vibe but I am SO glad that the cover on this one was pretty enough that it made me want to read it 😂 I can't wait for book 2!
This one was off to a somewhst slow start for me and I wasn't sure the tone of it was for me. However, around the 20% mark something changed and I found myself steaming through this book as I really wanted to know how it would all work out!
The FMC, Yora, has spent her entire life being controlled by people who have told her that they know what's good for her. Now, with the help of Zan, she slowly starts to unlearn what has been ingrained in her and replaces that with learning about herself. Her wants. Her needs. Her hopes.
Zan is swoon-worthy, being completely obsessed with Yora and determined to help her to learn how to really, truly live for herself. Their relationship is sweet and playful but don't mistake that for lacking spice. When they get to that point, you better believe it was worth the wait!
Cosy, ice-cream shop romance type stories aren't my usual vibe but I am SO glad that the cover on this one was pretty enough that it made me want to read it 😂 I can't wait for book 2!
February 14, 2026
A solid 4.5 stars for me! This was such a cute story! I really loved the chemistry between Yora and Zan, they had good banter and the chemistry was *chefs kiss* The spice was really well done too! I’m not sure if I’d totally call this a cosy fantasy as it felt a bit more like a Romantasy but there was definite cosy vibes, I mean who doesn’t want to be gifted a cottage? I only dropped half a star because I felt like the story started a bit abruptly and I had to double check this was the first in the series but other than that it was fab! I’d definitely recommend this one and can’t wait to read the next in the series when it comes out!
Thank you to Netgallery for providing me with this ARC!
Thank you to Netgallery for providing me with this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beautifully written from the start.
Yora; the MFC; has been in stasis for 500 years, until she is needed and reawakens. Ran, the MMC, has been waiting for her. Together, they form relationships in their village, protecting those that need protecting, all while trying to fight strengthening feelings for each other.
I did get a bit confused in places, but that was due to my own issues. However, the story flows well with beautiful illustrations to start each chapter and character break.
At the heart of it all, a beautifully set romantasy with the power of Ice Cream and strength in the face of adversary. A perfect read for those that love a strong MFC, slow-burn, will they won't they vibes and overcoming the odds.
Yora; the MFC; has been in stasis for 500 years, until she is needed and reawakens. Ran, the MMC, has been waiting for her. Together, they form relationships in their village, protecting those that need protecting, all while trying to fight strengthening feelings for each other.
I did get a bit confused in places, but that was due to my own issues. However, the story flows well with beautiful illustrations to start each chapter and character break.
At the heart of it all, a beautifully set romantasy with the power of Ice Cream and strength in the face of adversary. A perfect read for those that love a strong MFC, slow-burn, will they won't they vibes and overcoming the odds.
February 22, 2026
ARC review
I’ll admit I struggled with this book but pushed through to the end. Although The Quiet Light is book one I think I would have possibly benefited from reading the prequel The Quiet Side.
I wished there had been more of the dragon shift as Zen spend a lot of time in human form and hiding his appearance.
I did really enjoy Yora and Zen’s blossoming relationship and the banter between the two characters.
I’ll admit I struggled with this book but pushed through to the end. Although The Quiet Light is book one I think I would have possibly benefited from reading the prequel The Quiet Side.
I wished there had been more of the dragon shift as Zen spend a lot of time in human form and hiding his appearance.
I did really enjoy Yora and Zen’s blossoming relationship and the banter between the two characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.75 – thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op & Casey Blair for this ARC!
Wow. This was so poignant, hopeful, cosy…and generally just absolutely LOVELY.
The Quiet Light is a cosy fantasy romance, the first in the Sage’s Sanctuary trilogy. It follows Yora, the Sage of Wrath, who is awoken from her 500 year magical stasis by Zan, a dragon shifter, as they are being hunted by the same corrupt powers that Yora tried to stop before her stasis.
Together, they learn how to build a community with their found family through trust, communication and self-acceptance. There is some high stakes conflict here, but the bulk of this book is character focussed (my personal fav kind of story!).
I don’t even know how to articulate what I loved about this aside from EVERYTHING!! The world was so cosy, yet filled with absolutely justified rage and wrath. The romance was beautiful, both Yora and Zan were gorgeously fleshed out and their dynamic felt so lived in and real. Honestly, this book was a breath of fresh air, and perfectly channelled the anger that is just existing as a human with compassion in 2026 in a joyful, tender way.
There really isn’t much in this that didn’t work for me – the writing style took me a minute to get used to as there were a lot of very short paragraphs, and you are sort of just dropped in the thick of it at the beginning. However the payoff is excellent, so it’s not much of a gripe at all!
Casey Blair’s humour shines through the pages, so dry and unapologetic. I highlighted so many quotes, which is unusual for me as I am not usually one to annotate!
The tone is set right from the dedication:
“For everyone who's rightfully furious but refuses to let them steal your joy.”
The side characters were all wonderful too, and I cannot wait for book 2 (which is a continuation of Yora & Zan’s story?! YESSSSSS!). In the meantime, I will be hunting down the prequel, The Quiet Side.
This was such a delight. If you are looking for a cosy fantasy (with some *chefs kiss* spice), and you need some light in these dark times, I am begging you to get comfy with this and a tub of your fav ice cream when it publishes on 10th March!!
Some of my highlights:
“Every time I eat, I’ll have to choose the food. Every time! This is absolute madness that people apparently live with every day.”
“I want to keep all of him, his edginess and the fire underneath, his intensity and his assured calm and his hidden playfulness.”
“Don’t we all deserve to have more than simply what is necessary for literal survival? Don’t we all, sages and dragons and normal, extraordinary humans alike, deserve to have joy?”
“If you have to be forced to care about people other than yourself, you are the problem”
“If you believe you have the right to decide what responsibilities or knowledge a person can or should or need take up, that is still patronizing. A knife can stab a person, but it can also cut bread.”
“Let me destroy the belief that we have to sacrifice people and freedom for any goddamn reason.”
“Fighting can be the most compassionate thing you can do for another person. It can also be the most compassionate thing you do for yourself. I can be full of wrath and ice cream and love for a dragon all at once. I deserve to have it all.”
Wow. This was so poignant, hopeful, cosy…and generally just absolutely LOVELY.
The Quiet Light is a cosy fantasy romance, the first in the Sage’s Sanctuary trilogy. It follows Yora, the Sage of Wrath, who is awoken from her 500 year magical stasis by Zan, a dragon shifter, as they are being hunted by the same corrupt powers that Yora tried to stop before her stasis.
Together, they learn how to build a community with their found family through trust, communication and self-acceptance. There is some high stakes conflict here, but the bulk of this book is character focussed (my personal fav kind of story!).
I don’t even know how to articulate what I loved about this aside from EVERYTHING!! The world was so cosy, yet filled with absolutely justified rage and wrath. The romance was beautiful, both Yora and Zan were gorgeously fleshed out and their dynamic felt so lived in and real. Honestly, this book was a breath of fresh air, and perfectly channelled the anger that is just existing as a human with compassion in 2026 in a joyful, tender way.
There really isn’t much in this that didn’t work for me – the writing style took me a minute to get used to as there were a lot of very short paragraphs, and you are sort of just dropped in the thick of it at the beginning. However the payoff is excellent, so it’s not much of a gripe at all!
Casey Blair’s humour shines through the pages, so dry and unapologetic. I highlighted so many quotes, which is unusual for me as I am not usually one to annotate!
The tone is set right from the dedication:
“For everyone who's rightfully furious but refuses to let them steal your joy.”
The side characters were all wonderful too, and I cannot wait for book 2 (which is a continuation of Yora & Zan’s story?! YESSSSSS!). In the meantime, I will be hunting down the prequel, The Quiet Side.
This was such a delight. If you are looking for a cosy fantasy (with some *chefs kiss* spice), and you need some light in these dark times, I am begging you to get comfy with this and a tub of your fav ice cream when it publishes on 10th March!!
Some of my highlights:
“Every time I eat, I’ll have to choose the food. Every time! This is absolute madness that people apparently live with every day.”
“I want to keep all of him, his edginess and the fire underneath, his intensity and his assured calm and his hidden playfulness.”
“Don’t we all deserve to have more than simply what is necessary for literal survival? Don’t we all, sages and dragons and normal, extraordinary humans alike, deserve to have joy?”
“If you have to be forced to care about people other than yourself, you are the problem”
“If you believe you have the right to decide what responsibilities or knowledge a person can or should or need take up, that is still patronizing. A knife can stab a person, but it can also cut bread.”
“Let me destroy the belief that we have to sacrifice people and freedom for any goddamn reason.”
“Fighting can be the most compassionate thing you can do for another person. It can also be the most compassionate thing you do for yourself. I can be full of wrath and ice cream and love for a dragon all at once. I deserve to have it all.”
February 16, 2026
A fun, easy read!
One thing this book does well is to create a rich setting and cast of side characters that really make you envy Yora and Zen's experience. I would absolutely love to go blackberry picking up a mountain side and sell ice cream to the varied group of people in the town! I fell in love with Nomi and Teren, their "family" dynamic was perfect and I really enjoyed watching Yora help Teren develop his skills.
The magic system is another interesting element, Yora is Wrath - the latest in a long line of the God of Wrath's descendants. There are other Sage's like Yora (which I think we'll see more of in future books!) but even with the few we see here, I like the concept of how their magic can be triggered and applied. The fact that Dragons can embed their scales into various helpful tools is also a uniqueness to the plot that I enjoyed.
However, this book feels like it's tried to be too many things at once. It's fantasy, because we've got dragons and magic. It's romance, because we've got Yora and Zen dancing around each other as Fated Mates. It's cosy, because they're in a small town and making ice cream for the community. It's political because Yora is fighting against Priests that want to use Sage's powers for themselves. With this many elements crammed in, it can be hard to see the purpose behind the book.
It's also marketed as the first in the Sage's Sanctuary series, though it's prequel The Quiet Side is already published. I've not read the prequel, but I think it would've benefited me if I had. Unfortunately, there's a lot of info-dumping early on in The Quiet Light that really drags the pacing down to explain what's happened already in The Quiet Side (or what's happened while Yora's been meditating).
Despite the book having so many moving parts, it's very dialogue-heavy. There are a lot of conversations as a means of sharing information, and when not talking, Yora is repeatedly thinking over the same key thoughts. If her Wrath is meant to bring her clarity, why is she spiraling and taking so long to process various developments?
Yora's growing relationship with Zen is nice, though it's like their feelings are already there - almost insta-love. This isn't my personal preference, but I'm sure others would enjoy this. Though I wish Zen had had more dragon moments. Some of the draw for this book is the dragon-shifter element, but for the majority of it's pages Zen is in human form and hiding his appearance.
I can tell that the author really loves their characters and their world, I just don't think that it worked for me personally. I'm sure existing fans of the authors work, and those looking for an original cosy fantasy romance with political elements would enjoy this book!
Thank you to Casey Blair for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
One thing this book does well is to create a rich setting and cast of side characters that really make you envy Yora and Zen's experience. I would absolutely love to go blackberry picking up a mountain side and sell ice cream to the varied group of people in the town! I fell in love with Nomi and Teren, their "family" dynamic was perfect and I really enjoyed watching Yora help Teren develop his skills.
The magic system is another interesting element, Yora is Wrath - the latest in a long line of the God of Wrath's descendants. There are other Sage's like Yora (which I think we'll see more of in future books!) but even with the few we see here, I like the concept of how their magic can be triggered and applied. The fact that Dragons can embed their scales into various helpful tools is also a uniqueness to the plot that I enjoyed.
However, this book feels like it's tried to be too many things at once. It's fantasy, because we've got dragons and magic. It's romance, because we've got Yora and Zen dancing around each other as Fated Mates. It's cosy, because they're in a small town and making ice cream for the community. It's political because Yora is fighting against Priests that want to use Sage's powers for themselves. With this many elements crammed in, it can be hard to see the purpose behind the book.
It's also marketed as the first in the Sage's Sanctuary series, though it's prequel The Quiet Side is already published. I've not read the prequel, but I think it would've benefited me if I had. Unfortunately, there's a lot of info-dumping early on in The Quiet Light that really drags the pacing down to explain what's happened already in The Quiet Side (or what's happened while Yora's been meditating).
Despite the book having so many moving parts, it's very dialogue-heavy. There are a lot of conversations as a means of sharing information, and when not talking, Yora is repeatedly thinking over the same key thoughts. If her Wrath is meant to bring her clarity, why is she spiraling and taking so long to process various developments?
Yora's growing relationship with Zen is nice, though it's like their feelings are already there - almost insta-love. This isn't my personal preference, but I'm sure others would enjoy this. Though I wish Zen had had more dragon moments. Some of the draw for this book is the dragon-shifter element, but for the majority of it's pages Zen is in human form and hiding his appearance.
I can tell that the author really loves their characters and their world, I just don't think that it worked for me personally. I'm sure existing fans of the authors work, and those looking for an original cosy fantasy romance with political elements would enjoy this book!
Thank you to Casey Blair for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 15, 2026
3.5 stars!
Firstly, thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC! I had a great time.
I liked so much about this book - there’s so much commentary about what it means to be a community, especially when faced with difficult choices, such as to band together or sacrifice the few. It was cosy but also has elements of high stakes fantasy. This meant I was sometimes confused as things needed more clarity and development. To be honest, I really found this difficult to rate.
After years in a magical stasis to protect others, Yora wakes abruptly to save a dragon she’s never actually met. Suddenly, Yora is five hundred years in the future and while things have changed (Icecream! Avocado!), sages with magic like her own are still controlled by The Order (ominous music plays). However, having had five hundred years to reflect, Yora thinks this is actually rubbish and that maybe her magic should be hers to use as she wishes. And look, since she’s the Sage of Wrath, no one should really try to argue with her. But they do (idiots). Alas, while all of this is going on, Yora is also having complicated feelings for the dragon shifter, Zan. Not only has he secretly kept the people in this town alive for five hundred years, but he also believes Yora should have full control over her choices, future, and magic (we love).
Possible spoilers ahead:
After an abrupt and confusing start (had to reread three times to clarify details), I really enjoyed a lot about this book. Found family, a cool magic system, great characters. Even though it was insta-love, I quite enjoyed the romance too.
However, I felt several things needed more detail and unpacking. For instance, it’s unclear for ages what Zan’s motivations to stay and help humans/sages for five hundred years are and whether he and Yora had actually met prior to her magical stasis (I spent a lot of time flipping back through the start to try and figure this out). Therefore, I couldn’t really connect with Zan and his choices at the beginning, and I didn’t understand how their relationship could be so instant. But also why would she end the stasis and risk the lives of many for a random dragon? I was confused.
The pacing was also jarring at times - why are we making icecream when the bad guys could show up any minute? Why are we selling icecream when your friend has been taken by the bad guys?
Speaking of the icecream, why are we using icecream metaphors in the spicy scenes? Is nothing sacred?
I feel we also needed more info about the magic system. There’s lots to be clarified and developed here about Yora’s past, the sages, the bad guys, and magic system overall, but it definitely has great potential.
Anyway, did I like this book? Yes, the vibes are great. Will I read the sequel? Yes, I’m too invested and I’m hoping a bunch of my questions get answered. Also, Zan kinda gives off Howl vibes (iykyk).
Firstly, thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC! I had a great time.
I liked so much about this book - there’s so much commentary about what it means to be a community, especially when faced with difficult choices, such as to band together or sacrifice the few. It was cosy but also has elements of high stakes fantasy. This meant I was sometimes confused as things needed more clarity and development. To be honest, I really found this difficult to rate.
After years in a magical stasis to protect others, Yora wakes abruptly to save a dragon she’s never actually met. Suddenly, Yora is five hundred years in the future and while things have changed (Icecream! Avocado!), sages with magic like her own are still controlled by The Order (ominous music plays). However, having had five hundred years to reflect, Yora thinks this is actually rubbish and that maybe her magic should be hers to use as she wishes. And look, since she’s the Sage of Wrath, no one should really try to argue with her. But they do (idiots). Alas, while all of this is going on, Yora is also having complicated feelings for the dragon shifter, Zan. Not only has he secretly kept the people in this town alive for five hundred years, but he also believes Yora should have full control over her choices, future, and magic (we love).
Possible spoilers ahead:
After an abrupt and confusing start (had to reread three times to clarify details), I really enjoyed a lot about this book. Found family, a cool magic system, great characters. Even though it was insta-love, I quite enjoyed the romance too.
However, I felt several things needed more detail and unpacking. For instance, it’s unclear for ages what Zan’s motivations to stay and help humans/sages for five hundred years are and whether he and Yora had actually met prior to her magical stasis (I spent a lot of time flipping back through the start to try and figure this out). Therefore, I couldn’t really connect with Zan and his choices at the beginning, and I didn’t understand how their relationship could be so instant. But also why would she end the stasis and risk the lives of many for a random dragon? I was confused.
The pacing was also jarring at times - why are we making icecream when the bad guys could show up any minute? Why are we selling icecream when your friend has been taken by the bad guys?
Speaking of the icecream, why are we using icecream metaphors in the spicy scenes? Is nothing sacred?
I feel we also needed more info about the magic system. There’s lots to be clarified and developed here about Yora’s past, the sages, the bad guys, and magic system overall, but it definitely has great potential.
Anyway, did I like this book? Yes, the vibes are great. Will I read the sequel? Yes, I’m too invested and I’m hoping a bunch of my questions get answered. Also, Zan kinda gives off Howl vibes (iykyk).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think this book has some identity issues. I’m not sure what it’s trying to be, a cozy cottagecore? A romantasy? An adult fantasy? It feels disjointed. Like the calm, cutsey parts do not mesh well with the serious, high stakes plot events. I also say this book has an identity crisis because it reads like a 2nd book in a series, but it is labeled as the 1st book. Upon basic investigation, the author already has a prequel out for this series which shows some of Yora’s story 500 years prior. The beginning of the Quiet Light feels so jarring, as suddenly it is 500 years later, Yora wakes up, and is greeted by a dragon she sort of already knows. The first chapter feels like I’m reading a sequel to a story and I have no idea what the actual backstory is. It was a really confusing first couple of chapters, like you are already expected to know who these characters are and how they met previously. My advice would be to have the prequel be developed into book 1 and this book as book 2.
Outside of these things, I would say there is a ton of potential to the story. There is an order of priests controlled by the government who enslave “sages” and take away their power. It is seen as evil and inhumane. The fmc is a powerful sage who escaped from their clutches centuries ago. She then meditated for 500 years, putting herself to sleep in order to protect this specific area. When awoken, she has to learn the world anew due to the time change. Que the cute aspects of her learning about the world and trying to adapt to her new daily life. There is also unique magic based on emotions. These things are interesting in their own. However, I would say though outside this sanctuary area, there is no world building whatsoever.
All in all, there were interesting aspects of the story, such as the magic system, some world building, romance of the fmc and dragon mmc, and some cozy fantasy elements. However, this book lost major points for me because it felt so jarring and disjointed, with the storytelling going all over the place. I could not get into it and didn’t feel too attached to these characters. Lots of potential but not really for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victoria Editing for the arc! This review is my own.
Outside of these things, I would say there is a ton of potential to the story. There is an order of priests controlled by the government who enslave “sages” and take away their power. It is seen as evil and inhumane. The fmc is a powerful sage who escaped from their clutches centuries ago. She then meditated for 500 years, putting herself to sleep in order to protect this specific area. When awoken, she has to learn the world anew due to the time change. Que the cute aspects of her learning about the world and trying to adapt to her new daily life. There is also unique magic based on emotions. These things are interesting in their own. However, I would say though outside this sanctuary area, there is no world building whatsoever.
All in all, there were interesting aspects of the story, such as the magic system, some world building, romance of the fmc and dragon mmc, and some cozy fantasy elements. However, this book lost major points for me because it felt so jarring and disjointed, with the storytelling going all over the place. I could not get into it and didn’t feel too attached to these characters. Lots of potential but not really for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victoria Editing for the arc! This review is my own.
February 22, 2026
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this beautiful book.
📖 The Quiet Light by Casey Blair
Some books entertain you…some books quietly reach into your heart and heal something you didn’t realize was hurting. The Quiet Light by Casey Blair was absolutely one of those reads for me!! I needed this one💕
I had the genuine pleasure of receiving this book through NetGalley, and honestly this story arrived at exactly the moment I needed it most 😭🫶🏻
This isn’t a loud fantasy filled with battles or high-stakes chaos. It’s soft, emotional, and deeply human. It’s about burnout, exhaustion, and the overwhelming weight of constantly feeling like you have to do more or be more to matter. (A daily struggle for me 🥺) Watching her step away from everything that once defined her and slowly relearn how to simply exist felt incredibly personal and grounding. This made me look into my own life.
The magic in this story isn’t just in the world it’s in the quiet moments. The small acts of kindness. The healing that happens slowly, imperfectly, and gently. Casey Blair beautifully reminds us that rest is not failure, slowing down is not weakness, and self-acceptance can be its own kind of bravery. This hits hard💕
Reading this felt like I was sitting somewhere peaceful after a long emotional storm — warm, safe, and comforting. For me that’s a cruise ship surrounded my the sound of ocean waves and the smell of salt water.. This beautifully written book gave me permission to breathe, to reflect, and to remember that sometimes growth looks like choosing peace instead of pressure. Lord knows we need more peace in this world!!
This was a cozy, emotional, soul-soothing read that I truly adored and deeply needed. A story about healing, rediscovering joy, and finding light again even when it burns quietly.
This was my first book by Casey Blair. I look forward to reading her future books and following her journey.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — a gentle reminder that you are allowed to rest, heal, and begin again. As I continue to remind myself every day when things become too much 💕🫶🏻
📖 The Quiet Light by Casey Blair
Some books entertain you…some books quietly reach into your heart and heal something you didn’t realize was hurting. The Quiet Light by Casey Blair was absolutely one of those reads for me!! I needed this one💕
I had the genuine pleasure of receiving this book through NetGalley, and honestly this story arrived at exactly the moment I needed it most 😭🫶🏻
This isn’t a loud fantasy filled with battles or high-stakes chaos. It’s soft, emotional, and deeply human. It’s about burnout, exhaustion, and the overwhelming weight of constantly feeling like you have to do more or be more to matter. (A daily struggle for me 🥺) Watching her step away from everything that once defined her and slowly relearn how to simply exist felt incredibly personal and grounding. This made me look into my own life.
The magic in this story isn’t just in the world it’s in the quiet moments. The small acts of kindness. The healing that happens slowly, imperfectly, and gently. Casey Blair beautifully reminds us that rest is not failure, slowing down is not weakness, and self-acceptance can be its own kind of bravery. This hits hard💕
Reading this felt like I was sitting somewhere peaceful after a long emotional storm — warm, safe, and comforting. For me that’s a cruise ship surrounded my the sound of ocean waves and the smell of salt water.. This beautifully written book gave me permission to breathe, to reflect, and to remember that sometimes growth looks like choosing peace instead of pressure. Lord knows we need more peace in this world!!
This was a cozy, emotional, soul-soothing read that I truly adored and deeply needed. A story about healing, rediscovering joy, and finding light again even when it burns quietly.
This was my first book by Casey Blair. I look forward to reading her future books and following her journey.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — a gentle reminder that you are allowed to rest, heal, and begin again. As I continue to remind myself every day when things become too much 💕🫶🏻
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much Behind the Pages PA for sending me this ARC!
The Quiet Light is the first book in a Cozy Fantasy Romance series and I loved it so much, Yora and Zan were amazing and I already can’t wait for the next part of their story!
Yora is a powerful Sage of Wrath who put herself in a magical stasis for 500 years to create a shield protecting a sanctuary from priests of the Order. When she senses a dragon being hunted by the Order, she wakes up to save him and enjoys discovering the world and her freedom anew alongside her growing feelings for the handsome but grumpy dragon shifter, but the Order is not going to leave them alone and they will need to protect the sanctuary and its people again.
I was really excited to read this book and it was so much fun and exceeded my expectations, the plot was quite unique and really interesting and the characters were amazing and so lovable. Yora was a really great FMC, she was strong and always ready to protect others and I loved reading her story, seeing her discovering how the world changed in 500 years and her magic and the way she used it was really interesting. Zan was incredible as the MMC, he was a dragon shifter and so patient and understanding and caring and supportive and just the kind of love interest anyone would be lucky to have, I loved him so much. He and Yora had a truly beautiful relationship, they were so cute together but also awkward at times and just so adorable, I loved seeing them both navigate a relationship for the first time and they both were so understanding and had great communication and an amazing banter, these two were perfect for each other and I loved seeing them together. I also liked the supporting characters and the cute town, this book had such great cozy vibes and I loved every second I spent reading it and the ending is great and there’s no cliffhanger which I really appreciated.
The Quiet Light is an amazing cozy romantasy book that I absolutely loved and recommend to everyone and I’m excited for book 2.
The Quiet Light is the first book in a Cozy Fantasy Romance series and I loved it so much, Yora and Zan were amazing and I already can’t wait for the next part of their story!
Yora is a powerful Sage of Wrath who put herself in a magical stasis for 500 years to create a shield protecting a sanctuary from priests of the Order. When she senses a dragon being hunted by the Order, she wakes up to save him and enjoys discovering the world and her freedom anew alongside her growing feelings for the handsome but grumpy dragon shifter, but the Order is not going to leave them alone and they will need to protect the sanctuary and its people again.
I was really excited to read this book and it was so much fun and exceeded my expectations, the plot was quite unique and really interesting and the characters were amazing and so lovable. Yora was a really great FMC, she was strong and always ready to protect others and I loved reading her story, seeing her discovering how the world changed in 500 years and her magic and the way she used it was really interesting. Zan was incredible as the MMC, he was a dragon shifter and so patient and understanding and caring and supportive and just the kind of love interest anyone would be lucky to have, I loved him so much. He and Yora had a truly beautiful relationship, they were so cute together but also awkward at times and just so adorable, I loved seeing them both navigate a relationship for the first time and they both were so understanding and had great communication and an amazing banter, these two were perfect for each other and I loved seeing them together. I also liked the supporting characters and the cute town, this book had such great cozy vibes and I loved every second I spent reading it and the ending is great and there’s no cliffhanger which I really appreciated.
The Quiet Light is an amazing cozy romantasy book that I absolutely loved and recommend to everyone and I’m excited for book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I would recommend reading the prequel, The Quiet Side, which is set 500 years before this story begins, and gives you a feel for Crystal Hollow. Yora, the Sage of Wrath, was in magical stasis for 500 years until she’s awoken by the dragon who has been waiting for her all those centuries, and he’s in trouble. Yora had been controlled all her life by the priests who used her power for their own ends, but now she’s free of them (for now) and wants to see what her life could be on her own. And of course, there’s the dragon, Zan, who wants to help her be whatever she wants to be, and wants nothing more than to be with her. I loved this romantasy, with Yora’s exploration of what life could be like for her, if she can figure out how she wants to live. They’re on a small “sanctuary” island that has been protected for those 500 years by her magic, and now the priests are a threat to her, Zan and a young sage who needs her protection, as well as everyone on the island and the town of Crystal Hollow. As she learns to be around people, figures out just how wonderful ice cream is, and explores the possibilities of a romance with her dragon, she learns and grows, and makes friends. She was powerful before, when being used as a weapon, but now she has a chance to learn how she can use her power in other ways, to help instead of harm. There was a slow build-up of the romantic side of things, until it got to the point that my glasses were getting steamed up from the strong feelings and passion between Yora and Zan, phew! I loved how Yora made it clear what she wanted and needed, and Zan was all in. This is the first book of a trilogy, but the ending of this story was very satisfying on its own, no cliffhanger here. I’m wondering what will happen in the future stories, but definitely eager to find out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"A gilded cage is a cage nonetheless," I tell her, and look back at Mujin. "And I won't enter into it willingly."
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 || 🌶🌶
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a cute, cosy romantasy featuring an FMC who has been in stasis for 500 years, only waking when she must protect her dragon companion. She sort of knows him… but not really. Yet. Also, he can shift into a hot, blue-haired man, so yea, bonus.
For a good portion of the story, Sage is rediscovering the world as it is now- blue - haired men and ice cream seem to be the highlights. Watching her experience simple joys, like learning to make blackberry ice cream and making her own choices for the first time, was kinda cute and I had a lot of fun watching her discover her place in this new world.
The narrative itself is very character driven, which I appreciated because it gives real insight into Sage’s personality. The tone can feel slightly declarative at times, with short, direct sentences that read almost like her stream of thought, but it fits her voice, so I guess if you don't mind that, then it is fine.
The romance worked well for me. I usually lean toward enemies to lovers, yet their immediate connection and growing bond felt natural and satisfying. The central plot was engaging; The Order made suitably sinister antagonists, the found family was good, and the ending tied everything together in a way that felt earned.
If you like cost romantasy with spice that doesnt overpower the plot, blackberry ice cream, and blue haired dragon shifters, then this one is for you!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 || 🌶🌶
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a cute, cosy romantasy featuring an FMC who has been in stasis for 500 years, only waking when she must protect her dragon companion. She sort of knows him… but not really. Yet. Also, he can shift into a hot, blue-haired man, so yea, bonus.
For a good portion of the story, Sage is rediscovering the world as it is now- blue - haired men and ice cream seem to be the highlights. Watching her experience simple joys, like learning to make blackberry ice cream and making her own choices for the first time, was kinda cute and I had a lot of fun watching her discover her place in this new world.
The narrative itself is very character driven, which I appreciated because it gives real insight into Sage’s personality. The tone can feel slightly declarative at times, with short, direct sentences that read almost like her stream of thought, but it fits her voice, so I guess if you don't mind that, then it is fine.
The romance worked well for me. I usually lean toward enemies to lovers, yet their immediate connection and growing bond felt natural and satisfying. The central plot was engaging; The Order made suitably sinister antagonists, the found family was good, and the ending tied everything together in a way that felt earned.
If you like cost romantasy with spice that doesnt overpower the plot, blackberry ice cream, and blue haired dragon shifters, then this one is for you!
February 11, 2026
The Quiet Light completely pulled me in with its tender intensity, emotional depth, and beautifully crafted world. This is the kind of story that doesn’t shout to be heard. It glows. Every moment feels intentional, layered, and quietly powerful.
The world building is subtle but incredibly effective. Rather than overwhelming the reader with exposition, the setting unfolds naturally through atmosphere, routine, and emotional context. The environments feel lived in and meaningful, shaping the characters as much as the plot itself.
The character development is where this book truly shines. The characters grow in ways that feel organic and earned, shaped by their choices, past wounds, and quiet moments of reflection. Their inner lives are rich and nuanced, and watching them evolve over time is deeply satisfying. The author gives each character room to breathe, making their struggles, vulnerabilities, and connections feel authentic and relatable.
The writing is beautiful without being heavy, and the emotional arcs feel raw and honest. Themes of healing, resilience, and finding light in unexpected places are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative. It is a reflective and poignant story that stays with you long after the final page.
The only reason this isn’t a full five stars for me is that there were a couple of moments where I wanted just a touch more depth or clarity in certain scenes. That said, it is a very small note in an otherwise thoughtfully crafted and emotionally resonant book.
4.75 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️
The world building is subtle but incredibly effective. Rather than overwhelming the reader with exposition, the setting unfolds naturally through atmosphere, routine, and emotional context. The environments feel lived in and meaningful, shaping the characters as much as the plot itself.
The character development is where this book truly shines. The characters grow in ways that feel organic and earned, shaped by their choices, past wounds, and quiet moments of reflection. Their inner lives are rich and nuanced, and watching them evolve over time is deeply satisfying. The author gives each character room to breathe, making their struggles, vulnerabilities, and connections feel authentic and relatable.
The writing is beautiful without being heavy, and the emotional arcs feel raw and honest. Themes of healing, resilience, and finding light in unexpected places are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative. It is a reflective and poignant story that stays with you long after the final page.
The only reason this isn’t a full five stars for me is that there were a couple of moments where I wanted just a touch more depth or clarity in certain scenes. That said, it is a very small note in an otherwise thoughtfully crafted and emotionally resonant book.
4.75 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝐴 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑡, 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑛, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑎����𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟.
Oh my goooooosh! I was completely obsessed by the first page. The action, Zan showing up to keep Yora safe, and witnessing her powers right off the bat had my aching for more!
•Cozy Romantasy
•Fated Mates
•Dragon Shifter MMC
•Sage FMC
•One bed
•Rebellion
•Small Town
•Ancient Wrongs Being Righted
As a fellow angry person, I love that Yora is Wrath Incarnate. I feel seen in a way that I never have before🥺 Yora isn’t feminine or mindless rage. She’s the anger you feel when you ask yourself why you’re always so mad, but realize that you can redirect that into something beautiful.
Even though this is definitely cozy, the stakes are high with an oppressive government, a town brought together, and an ancient quiet rebellion beginning to rise up. The Quiet Light has all of the ingredients to be an action-packed read, but Casey weaved the sweetest, coziest relationships and environment! She still absolutely 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 when it came time for Yora to put her foot down though.
Zan and Yora are absolutely adorable! They both want the other to have freedom after five hundred years when they are each others freedom🥹 Seeing their relationship grow and the walls come down healed something in me. This is one of those that if you like any romantasy, this is a must read!
Thank you so much to the author and Behind the Pages for the gifted copy!
Oh my goooooosh! I was completely obsessed by the first page. The action, Zan showing up to keep Yora safe, and witnessing her powers right off the bat had my aching for more!
•Cozy Romantasy
•Fated Mates
•Dragon Shifter MMC
•Sage FMC
•One bed
•Rebellion
•Small Town
•Ancient Wrongs Being Righted
As a fellow angry person, I love that Yora is Wrath Incarnate. I feel seen in a way that I never have before🥺 Yora isn’t feminine or mindless rage. She’s the anger you feel when you ask yourself why you’re always so mad, but realize that you can redirect that into something beautiful.
Even though this is definitely cozy, the stakes are high with an oppressive government, a town brought together, and an ancient quiet rebellion beginning to rise up. The Quiet Light has all of the ingredients to be an action-packed read, but Casey weaved the sweetest, coziest relationships and environment! She still absolutely 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 when it came time for Yora to put her foot down though.
Zan and Yora are absolutely adorable! They both want the other to have freedom after five hundred years when they are each others freedom🥹 Seeing their relationship grow and the walls come down healed something in me. This is one of those that if you like any romantasy, this is a must read!
Thank you so much to the author and Behind the Pages for the gifted copy!
February 22, 2026
Absolutely inhaled this over the last 24 hours and loved it fiercely. Super glad I read The Quiet Side first. It gave me some important context for The Quiet Light. The Quiet Light is a book for the times we’re living in and I loved how Wrath is a force for good. It meant so much to read 2 books about what sanctuary means, as a space for being yourself and for giving space to others and to be a true neighbor. It also meant so much to read about Wrath, Comfort and Compassion as community builders, of protection, and fighting against tyranny. Also super loved the idea of Wrath needing to be action/motion, that righteous anger against injustice needs to be paired with positive problem solving and partnerships to be truly effective—absolutely a perfect reflection of the times we’re in when mutual aid is so important.
This is a perfect message for our current world, and exactly the comforting and inspiring and invigorating message that community can work and can change things for the better that I needed and wanted to hear.
And I absolutely loved how the romance in both books focuses on true partnership, seeing the other for all of themselves, and fighting to let the other be themselves, and an openness about self, a ferocity of acceptance and protection—what love is in its most fulfilling and selfless form.
Can’t wait to read the next two books in this trilogy!
This is a perfect message for our current world, and exactly the comforting and inspiring and invigorating message that community can work and can change things for the better that I needed and wanted to hear.
And I absolutely loved how the romance in both books focuses on true partnership, seeing the other for all of themselves, and fighting to let the other be themselves, and an openness about self, a ferocity of acceptance and protection—what love is in its most fulfilling and selfless form.
Can’t wait to read the next two books in this trilogy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Who knew ice cream could be so healing? Not just the mood boosting kind, but the soul soothing, heart mending kind. This book promised a cozy, ice cream filled read, and it absolutely delivered. It is warm, gentle, and deeply comforting. A true feel good story that I finished in a single sitting.
The world building is beautifully done, but it is the characters that truly shine. Yora and Zan are written with so much care and emotional honesty. Their struggles with trauma, insecurity, and feeling like they do not quite belong felt incredibly real. I saw a lot of myself in Yora, and more than a little of my husband in Zan, which made this story hit very close to home. Watching them navigate their pain and slowly find light again was both tender and healing.
The reason this is a four star read instead of five comes down to the beginning. It felt a bit abrupt, like being dropped into the middle of a story rather than gently guided in. It did not make the book confusing or hard to follow, but it did take me a moment to settle into the narrative.
That said, this is a cozy, emotionally rich read that delivers exactly what it promises. If you are looking for comfort, healing, and a soft place to land, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
The world building is beautifully done, but it is the characters that truly shine. Yora and Zan are written with so much care and emotional honesty. Their struggles with trauma, insecurity, and feeling like they do not quite belong felt incredibly real. I saw a lot of myself in Yora, and more than a little of my husband in Zan, which made this story hit very close to home. Watching them navigate their pain and slowly find light again was both tender and healing.
The reason this is a four star read instead of five comes down to the beginning. It felt a bit abrupt, like being dropped into the middle of a story rather than gently guided in. It did not make the book confusing or hard to follow, but it did take me a moment to settle into the narrative.
That said, this is a cozy, emotionally rich read that delivers exactly what it promises. If you are looking for comfort, healing, and a soft place to land, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
huge thanks to netgalley + victory editing for this arc!
this was… okay. i had high hopes based on the description, and i love a cozy fantasy, but it just missed the mark on a lot of things for me.
the quiet light wants to be a lot: high stakes fantasy, cozy fantasy, spicy romantasy, slice of life.. and it does all that! but a little too thinly spread for my liking. the beginning of the book was also really confusing - i felt like i was reading a sequel, or was dropped into the middle of a book. a lot of the world building elements - the sages and the magic system especially - weren’t completely clear to me, and needed more explicit development, rather than characters just talking about those systems and histories.
i did like yora and zan’s banter and chemistry, although their dynamic was insta-love and it wasn’t entirely clear if they’d met before. however, there is a LOT of dialogue, and a lot of it just… didn’t fit the world building. not dialogue, but “fucking cute and quaint as shit” felt so out of place for a 500+ year old sage in such a high-fantasy setting.
i didn’t hate this book, but i certainly didn’t love it. lovely cozy vibes and promising world building, but slightly disappointing delivery. 2.5 ⭐️
this was… okay. i had high hopes based on the description, and i love a cozy fantasy, but it just missed the mark on a lot of things for me.
the quiet light wants to be a lot: high stakes fantasy, cozy fantasy, spicy romantasy, slice of life.. and it does all that! but a little too thinly spread for my liking. the beginning of the book was also really confusing - i felt like i was reading a sequel, or was dropped into the middle of a book. a lot of the world building elements - the sages and the magic system especially - weren’t completely clear to me, and needed more explicit development, rather than characters just talking about those systems and histories.
i did like yora and zan’s banter and chemistry, although their dynamic was insta-love and it wasn’t entirely clear if they’d met before. however, there is a LOT of dialogue, and a lot of it just… didn’t fit the world building. not dialogue, but “fucking cute and quaint as shit” felt so out of place for a 500+ year old sage in such a high-fantasy setting.
i didn’t hate this book, but i certainly didn’t love it. lovely cozy vibes and promising world building, but slightly disappointing delivery. 2.5 ⭐️
February 20, 2026
This a 3 ⭐️ review because of some « mistakes » I could not oversee but I had a pretty good time reading this book and actually loved the story. I will definitely be looking forward to read the following books.
This is a cozy fantasy with cute main characters.
I felt quickly very invested in the budding romance, a real slow-burn (500 years is a pretty long time).
The world they live in is fascinating. The concept of sages is really clever and the take on the dragons in this book is brilliant.
Now the less positive :
- The writing style is a bit awkward. The book is easy to read, since we are following the inner monologue of the FMC and many dialogues, but sometimes, out of nowhere, I had to grab my dictionary to learn a new unusual word. The punctuation is a bit peculiar too.
- I was not okay with the concept of ice house… not scientific-friendly at all. I would have preferred it explained with magic. (Well it felt like sound in space…)
- The first 2-3 chapters are chaotic. Without reading the prequel prior, I found it impossible to make everything make sense at first…
Overall I really liked this book and would probably recommend it but I would advise editing it a bit and reading the prequel first.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC.
This is a cozy fantasy with cute main characters.
I felt quickly very invested in the budding romance, a real slow-burn (500 years is a pretty long time).
The world they live in is fascinating. The concept of sages is really clever and the take on the dragons in this book is brilliant.
Now the less positive :
- The writing style is a bit awkward. The book is easy to read, since we are following the inner monologue of the FMC and many dialogues, but sometimes, out of nowhere, I had to grab my dictionary to learn a new unusual word. The punctuation is a bit peculiar too.
- I was not okay with the concept of ice house… not scientific-friendly at all. I would have preferred it explained with magic. (Well it felt like sound in space…)
- The first 2-3 chapters are chaotic. Without reading the prequel prior, I found it impossible to make everything make sense at first…
Overall I really liked this book and would probably recommend it but I would advise editing it a bit and reading the prequel first.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Quiet Light is the first book in the Sage's Sanctuary series. This cozy fantasy romance series is an interesting one because I'm used to a lot of cozy romantasy series being made up of connected standalones these days. It looks like books 2 and 3 of this trilogy will continue the story of FMC Yora and MMC Zan. The Quiet Light does tell a complete story though, so readers will be glad to know that it doesn't end on a cliffhanger.
I'd say that The Quiet Light is a story that focuses heavily on reflection, self analysis and communication, between the two main characters but also between the main characters and the side characters. While I do like that all of the reflection and discussion meant that there wasn't much space for miscommunication between the main couple, it did mean that the majority of the story was made up of conversation, including some topics that came up repeatedly. This slowed down the pace a lot for me but I think there'll be lots of readers that love that focus on the characters talking things through so much.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
I'd say that The Quiet Light is a story that focuses heavily on reflection, self analysis and communication, between the two main characters but also between the main characters and the side characters. While I do like that all of the reflection and discussion meant that there wasn't much space for miscommunication between the main couple, it did mean that the majority of the story was made up of conversation, including some topics that came up repeatedly. This slowed down the pace a lot for me but I think there'll be lots of readers that love that focus on the characters talking things through so much.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yora, the heroine of this lovely romantasy, is the mortal embodiment of the divine quality of Wrath - which pretty much makes her a perfect beacon for These Times. I just loved how wholeheartedly she embraces that quality, not just in aid of destruction, but to find clarity to fight to make things better in the world for *everyone*. Her fierce self-conviction is absolutely proven true across the book, whether she's funneling her wrath into shifting an unjust world order or into making the best POSSIBLE ice cream (because she refuses to let anyone steal her joy). I also absolutely loved her draconic love interest, Zan, a sweet caretaking and supportive hero whose chemistry with her is literally combustible.
This book got me through an incredibly difficult day (when I'd tried to pick up and read various others beforehand and couldn't settle into any of them), and its joyful, righteous rage resonated with every bone in my body. I can't wait for the next book in this romantasy series!
(This one isn't out yet, but I got an e-ARC from the author, and I will be nagging her shamelessly for an e-ARC of the next one when it's ready!)
This book got me through an incredibly difficult day (when I'd tried to pick up and read various others beforehand and couldn't settle into any of them), and its joyful, righteous rage resonated with every bone in my body. I can't wait for the next book in this romantasy series!
(This one isn't out yet, but I got an e-ARC from the author, and I will be nagging her shamelessly for an e-ARC of the next one when it's ready!)
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a cozy sweet and spicy read. I loved Zan and Yora’s story. Yora used her magic to create the Quiet place on the side of a mountain where the priest could not use their powers but in doing that she put herself in a meditative state for 500 years. So while she was meditating in the temple, a dragon felt her power and chose to live in the Quiet for 500 years, saving Sage’s from the priests. When her dragon is hunted and in trouble, Yora feels the need to wake up and protect what is hers. 500 years has passed and she has to learn how to live on her own and to make friends. In her discovery of life, she learns how to trust herself and that she loves ice cream. She loves it so much that she learns how to make it. The banter between Yora and Zan was so funny. Zan is so sweet and has waited 500 years for Yora. I couldn’t put this book down. The found family and love story had my heart. Such a fun read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars. I received an advance digital copy via the PA of the author after expressing an interest in the book via Instagram.
This book has such a cosy vibe, cottages, friendship and ice-cream! However it also has magic, a dragon and threat from the Priests who oppress Sages and use their power.
Casey Blair has a lovely writing style which is easy to read and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next.
The book has spice in it, which kicks in just after half way through. The spice was well done!!
The main characters are Zan who is a dragon who can transform to appear in human form. He is so lovely 😍 and Yora who is a Sage who are magical and she emerges from a 500 year mediation.
I really enjoyed reading this book, minus point I have to say is I thought the beginning started abruptly. It perhaps could have done with a bit more scene setting but I quickly got into what was going on.
This book has such a cosy vibe, cottages, friendship and ice-cream! However it also has magic, a dragon and threat from the Priests who oppress Sages and use their power.
Casey Blair has a lovely writing style which is easy to read and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next.
The book has spice in it, which kicks in just after half way through. The spice was well done!!
The main characters are Zan who is a dragon who can transform to appear in human form. He is so lovely 😍 and Yora who is a Sage who are magical and she emerges from a 500 year mediation.
I really enjoyed reading this book, minus point I have to say is I thought the beginning started abruptly. It perhaps could have done with a bit more scene setting but I quickly got into what was going on.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the preview. All opinions are my own.
This was so good!! Magic, and a dragon shifter, and a cute town, so much ice cream, and 500 years of longing! Yora has to learn to live in the world again after 500 years of magical stasis, and thank goodness she has Zan, hot dragon shifter, to help!
This definitely has cozy elements, as Yora learns how to live on her own and make her own choices, but there’s also high stakes with the Order coming back to wreak havoc in her sanctuary. Plus the romance! I loved how intentional Zan and Yora both were in navigating their feelings and their bond. Choice and clarity were a huge emphasis throughout the novel.
This book is incredibly thoughtful. We do get a lot of internal thoughts as Yora works through actions, plans, and conversations. There are big topics that are timely here, and it really comes down to community and intention. I really liked it.
4.5 stars. I’m excited to see what’s next from Blair!
This was so good!! Magic, and a dragon shifter, and a cute town, so much ice cream, and 500 years of longing! Yora has to learn to live in the world again after 500 years of magical stasis, and thank goodness she has Zan, hot dragon shifter, to help!
This definitely has cozy elements, as Yora learns how to live on her own and make her own choices, but there’s also high stakes with the Order coming back to wreak havoc in her sanctuary. Plus the romance! I loved how intentional Zan and Yora both were in navigating their feelings and their bond. Choice and clarity were a huge emphasis throughout the novel.
This book is incredibly thoughtful. We do get a lot of internal thoughts as Yora works through actions, plans, and conversations. There are big topics that are timely here, and it really comes down to community and intention. I really liked it.
4.5 stars. I’m excited to see what’s next from Blair!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Quiet Light is the first book in the Sage’s Sanctuary series, and it was such a comforting introduction to this cozy fantasy romance world.
This story shines in its focus on emotional depth, self-reflection, and clear, thoughtful communication. Yora and Zan’s relationship is built heavily on conversation, and the connection and chemistry they shared was easily identifiable from the beginning. This book is very character-driven, with a strong focus on reflection, growth, and meaningful conversations.
While the pacing is slower due to the dialogue-heavy nature of the story, I think readers who love character-driven narratives will absolutely adore this approach. If you enjoy watching relationships grow through honest conversations and emotional connection, this book will be right up your alley. 🌸
This story shines in its focus on emotional depth, self-reflection, and clear, thoughtful communication. Yora and Zan’s relationship is built heavily on conversation, and the connection and chemistry they shared was easily identifiable from the beginning. This book is very character-driven, with a strong focus on reflection, growth, and meaningful conversations.
While the pacing is slower due to the dialogue-heavy nature of the story, I think readers who love character-driven narratives will absolutely adore this approach. If you enjoy watching relationships grow through honest conversations and emotional connection, this book will be right up your alley. 🌸
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a copy of The Quiet Light through the author’s Kickstarter campaign. This delightful cozy fantasy explores the relationship between Yora, the Sage of Wrath and Zan, a dragon, which started 500 years ago. When their town is threatened, she learns to view her Wrath in a way to build and support her community. After all, everyone should be free to enjoy ice cream! You don’t need to read the prequel, The Quiet Side, first, but it does provide some excellent story background for Yora and Zan. Kovan, a sage, and Tasa, who has no magic, learn how to make bread and deal those who are trying to destroy their sanctuary which leads to Yora and Zan’ story. Delightful characters, great world building and all the feels!
February 21, 2026
Hello, people!
First of all, let me mention that this book is the first book in the Sage's Sanctuary series.
The protagonists are Yora and Zan. This couple has so much humor and fantastic chemistry.
All the characters are well-written and very well developed. In addition, the author touches on topics such as trust, self-acceptance, hope, resilience, etc.
The book may not be a purely fantasy story, but it had a cozy atmosphere that won me over 1000%. The author's writing was warm, sweet, tender, enjoyable, romantic, touching and overflowing with hope, love and warmth.
I hope that in the next book we will see more depth in the fantasy world.
Thank you very much to the author and PA @behindthepagespa for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
First of all, let me mention that this book is the first book in the Sage's Sanctuary series.
The protagonists are Yora and Zan. This couple has so much humor and fantastic chemistry.
All the characters are well-written and very well developed. In addition, the author touches on topics such as trust, self-acceptance, hope, resilience, etc.
The book may not be a purely fantasy story, but it had a cozy atmosphere that won me over 1000%. The author's writing was warm, sweet, tender, enjoyable, romantic, touching and overflowing with hope, love and warmth.
I hope that in the next book we will see more depth in the fantasy world.
Thank you very much to the author and PA @behindthepagespa for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is everything a cozy fantasy should be - legendary beings needing to settle down and just be in a small neighbourhood with spectres of past and present conflicts disturbing their hard-won peace. And who says that dragons and humans cannot mate? Yora and Zan proved otherwise - with lots of steam and sexy exploration - and do they ever deserve that! Who falls next?
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolutely wonderful story, with so much mindfulness and joy throughout. I love the world building, set forth in bits and pieces around the central relationship, and look forward to future stories here. Setting the central goal of making ice cream more available grounds this airy fantasy in something everyone can understand and encourage.
Keep up the great work, Casey, I look forward to more.
Keep up the great work, Casey, I look forward to more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews