Echoes of Shattered Light

Shattered Light Chronicles #2

by Sarah Bowen

The Light was never meant to break.

In the world of Velithra, magic is controlled by the Council of Light, a powerful ruling order that hunts anything it cannot control. The balance between Light and Dark has always been fragile—but now cracks are beginning to form.

Persephone Quinn was born with a power no one fully understands.

A power that powerful factions would kill to possess.

As rebellion spreads across the realm, Seph finds herself caught between forces far greater than herself. The Libertarians seek to tear down the Council’s rule. The Order of Light will do anything to preserve it. And somewhere in the shadows, an ancient threat is awakening—one capable of consuming everything.

Betrayal is closer than she realises.
Enemies are gathering.
And the fragile balance of Velithra is collapsing.

Because when the Light finally shatters, the world will discover what has been waiting in the dark.

This is Book 2 in the series and should be read in order. This is a reverse harem (RH) romance, and the FMC will not be required to choose between love interests. The book ends on a cliffhanger. FMMMM.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2026

About the author

I write fantasy romance about messy people, bad choices, and the kind of love that hurts a little. And I love a touch of magic!

Reviews

[Zurika]

Great series

This is a very good series and storyline.
I love the slow burn and a good plot
I can recommend.

[Belle]

meh

i really enjoyed book 1 … sadly i can’t say the same about book 2 …
it’s still well written ( so extra star for that ) … but i just found everyone but ash (awesome) and sy ( dragon so also awesome) … really annoying and childish … this behaviour would have made sense of some of the frankly idiotic behaviour if they were really young … but they’re all supposed to be “trained” and in their late twenties … while seph seems to have zero self preservation and is incapable of thinking rationally or logically about anything … so any sympathy / understanding i once had for her has now gone … which (for me ) is never a good sign when you no longer care about the main characters

[Marici]

Seph is 19 yo and you can see that. Zero character development. If anything, there’s a drop in development. The guys are supposedly older, but they behave like they are all 17. Even Sy, the hundreds yo dragon still managed to piss me off. Jess, bless her, the potential to be amazing best friend material was there, but the author ensured it would not happen. Kieran is someone that I’m still trying to figure out, are we suppose to like him without knowing his motivations? And listen, I’m no expert, but I do believe these books need some editing.

[EVELYN]

Look I love this book and I love how the fmc cares for her men but she pisses me off she can’t just accept things i know she’s paranoid and she cares but she always has something to say she should trust them..
( haven’t finished yet )

I think she’s amazing but she always thinks she knows best not everything is her fault but she always does what she thinks is right when really she has no idea, she risks other peoples lives constantly without realising then gets angry when people tell her to stay put.

I think she should grow up, she’s right they can’t force her to use her powers but Elliot is at most trying to keep her safe the least she could do is cut him some slack.

I don’t like the sister the TW at the start brought up betrayal and I think it’s her but obviously that’s the “ obvious “ answer so it could be anyone but she’s annoying and I suspect she’s jealous that they don’t want her in the way they want Seph.

4/5 🌟

Every time she argues back ( seph ) i cringe you make her out to be a bratty self sufficient hopeless child…

The characters connections are faulty as well I can’t tell what’s happening half of the time I think I know who are “ partners “ are but honestly I don’t know. I liked Jess but now I don’t get her she seems easily manipulated and just not a good character, I liked her more when she was independent and fierce now it feels like she relies on sable. I know she’s got more freedom and I love that for her but I do believe sable played mind games on her..
I suspect sable is trying to turn everyone against seph..

I hope the rest of the book is okay.. 27 I just found out dev is 27… are we serious why the FUCK is he in school…

[Katara Stella]

I was absolutely SHOCKED by some of the plot twists in this book. And OH. MY. GOD. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for giving the protagonist a brain.

Finally, one of the few characters I’ve read who actually asks the right questions. She doesn’t just automatically accept that whatever she’s told must be right. She genuinely stops and asks herself, “Why should I do this? What does this actually mean? Is this really the right thing to do?” And honestly, I loved that so much.

Because of her, the story makes it clear from the very beginning that things aren’t simply black or white. Sometimes they’re grey. People can have their reasons, situations can be complicated, and doing the “right” thing isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.

Some of the developments in this book created actual internal conflicts in me about how I felt about certain characters. And, honestly, I still don’t know how to define some of them. I’m having my own little existential crisis over here trying to figure out who I trust and what I’m supposed to think about them.

I also really loved the character development. I’ve seen quite a few comments criticizing it, but personally, I think it was exactly what the story needed. It made the characters feel much more complex and realistic, and I really enjoyed watching their perspectives and relationships evolve.

The only character I’m still struggling with a little is Sy. I’m having a hard time picturing him in my head the way I’m supposed to, but aside from that, I have very few complaints.

100% recommend this book, and now I desperately need the third one. Please, I am not emotionally prepared to wait.

[୨୧○• Erin •○୨୧]

Review of Advanced reader copy received from Author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars

What to expect
✨ Paranormal/ Supernatural romance
✨ Reverse Harem
✨ Forbidden Love
✨ Shadow Daddy
✨ Morally grey MMC's
✨ Bodyguard/ Protector
✨ Slow burn
✨ Hidden identities/ secrets

Ok wait what?! That ending, how can we leave it there, im not ok!

We continue on from book 1 with Seph, Jess and our MMC's at the Equinox Compound with Elliot and Sable.
Elliot is trying his hardest to get Seph on board with his plans.
Meanwhile Seph is struggling with how she wants things to work, and how to go about that without hurting anyone.

Ash is being Ash and never wants to leave Seph's side. Love this man!
Dev is till struggling with this feelings Seph. I love Dev I want him to get whatever he wants from life he deserves it 🔥

Kieran is being Kieran! 🙄

Sy he is one of my fav characters, especially when he grows at Kieran 😄

Now Sable, I was never a fan of even in the first book and now I feel validated in my choice. There were little breadcrumbs there and I was like hmmmm.....

This is a slooww burn🔥and I cant wait for more.

The plot in this one is fantastic, we get a lot of action in this book as well which I love.

The pacing is this book is perfect and it keeps you lock in wanting to know more! I was sat and loving every minute!

Eek the cliffhanger 😬 why why why! I want and need more info immediately!
Cannot wait for the next book!

Highly recommend this one.

Thank you so much to the Author for sending me an arc of your book 😊

[Bronwyn Wilton]

I liked this book. I really liked the first in the series as well. This book is darker.
We start with Seph in the hands of Equinox who want to use her for her power of the Void. She refuses to just accept what they tell, she wants to see all parts and make her own decision. But they don't accept that, even the men who say they care. The want control her just as the Light did. She wants to train and get stronger, they don't really want her to. She wants to be part of meetings, to understand and help in decision making, they don't want to listen to her.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this story. So much happens in the last third of the book and obviously ends on a cliffhanger which I am now going to have to wait until the next book to discover and answer all my questions.
I love Seph and Ash and Sy. Dev, Kieran and Jess, so so. Sable and everyone else I pretty much hate the whole way through.
This is a dark story with carnage, death and torture with a little more romance and yearning.

[Ana c]

Absolutely devoured this book, honestly I went above and beyond to get my hands on this book to the point I reached out to the author to see if I could get an ARC copy and I wasn’t disappointed for my persistence lol!

I loved seeing the FMC getting more of a backbone and her powers developing, can’t wait to see her full potential. She does do some questionable stuff but I’ll forgive her since she is basically learning to live life. Her relationship with everyone and their need to protect her is getting annoying, so I get the rebellious decisions.

The guys, I need more pages!! Ash is still my favorite, Dev a close second, but he got some groveling to do first. The other 2, I just don’t know, they both just don’t seem to be a good fit for her, I’m struggling wanting them with her.

Either way, I need book 3 asap, that ending!!! Highly recommend reading!!!

[Noelle]

Omg that cliffhanger!! I devoured this book in only 2 days. The pacing was perfect and the story was so well written but it is a slow burn (my favorite). Each character was completely different and had their own "voice" in their pov chapters. I absolutely adore Ash. He's the perfect mix of psycho and sweet. I was trying to hold off reading this series since it's incomplete and I already knew that I'd be dying for the next book but I just couldn't help myself. This author is an instant book purchase (on my kindle and paperback) for me. Hopefully the rest of the series won't take too long to be released because I desperately need to know what happens to Seph and her men.

Thanks for the arc Sarah!

[dorka]

I think this book was an improvement over the first one, at least in terms of the writing, but I still have mixed feelings.
I enjoyed the overall story, but I expected a lot more. There was almost no character development and there were quite a few plot holes (like what was the deal with Sable's and Kieran's supposed relationship?). Most of the characters felt unlikeable and immature, especially the FMC... Even Sy, an ancient dragon shifter, came across as weirdly childish at times.
There was also very little progress in the relationships which was extremely disappointing. And while the ending was meant to be a cliffhanger, I saw it coming from a mile away...
That said, I'm still curious enough that I'll probably continue the series.

[Samantha]

I came across this author in another series and was psyched to see she had more books. This series is just as good - dark and a punch to the chest. It’s very easy to get immersed into her writing. Seph just wants to make her own freaking decisions and have control over her own life. That’s all she wants, and yet she’s thrust into this mess created by others who just want to use her. Very curious to see what becomes of Echo in the end. There was surprising information that I actually wouldn’t have guessed ahead of time (which is rare these days lol) and I genuinely can’t begin to guess how it will land for that situation. Honestly my only complaint is having to wait for the next one!

[Dani]

eh

I like the story. The prose is good. Saw the betrayal coming. However, the FMC is probably the worst I’ve ever had to endure. She does act like a child. She is emotionally and logically infantile. She basically spends the entire book stomping her feet and pouting, instead of trying to learn more about her power and to see if she can control it. She can touch people in certain moments but once that moment is gone she just ignores it? Like why wouldn’t she continue to try to develop control? I’m guessing in book 3 she’ll miraculously learn control very quickly and start kicking ass. I don’t know that I’ll read it.

[Stephanie Ann]

This book kept me glued to the page even more than the first one. Seph has been dragged into a war and must choose if she will be a willing pawn or how she will use her powers to stop the growing threat of light. She needs to decide what her line is where do you stop before turning into the monster others think you are. Not every character is who they seem but the mole was predictable. I cant wait for sable to get what she deserves. Book ended on a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to reading the next one.

[Alison Brown]

Early reading copy received from author

Wow this book started where the first left off. We get to see more or the world in this one. Persephone really starts to become her own person. We see relationships been built and the others also grow. We also get some devastating betrayals.

The story is faced paced and action packed. The slow burn between Persephone and Ash, Dev, Sy and Kieran is done to perfection. The cliffhanger hanger at the end had me wanting more now.

Can't wait for the next book.

[Susan M. Farris]

It's an ok read.

I rarely write reviews. The Fml is one of the dumbest characters. Not likable. Pathetic. Sy and Ash are the only decent ones in the story. How are you being hunted cause you're supposed to be so powerful yet she can't protect herself in the simplest of attacks?? So easily manipulated. The rest of the guys are complete idiots. She whines and plays victim instead of being the bad ass that she should be. Couldn't stand it. Book 3 better be get it's ish together. Smh

[Sarah Bowen]

Echoes of Shattered Light picks up where Beneath the Whispering Void left off, expanding the world of Velithra with deeper relationships, richer world-building, and even greater danger waiting in the wings.

Seph remains a strong lead, while Ash, Dev, Sy, and Kieran all come into their own in this book. (Ash is still one of my favourites, though Dev has been a little bit of a surprise!)

Step back into Velithra, get lost in the story, and enjoy the journey. I’m incredibly proud of this one.

[Devinney]

another amazing book

Im absolutely obsessed with this series so far! I cant wait to see what happens next. I had a feeling something was up with sable i hope she kills her for all shes done. I really love all of the characters they are all so different but the personality work well together. I hope we get at least another 2 books from this series this will absolutely be one i reread a few times bc it’s that good.

[Kristen]

Very quick read and I think the overarching storyline is fantastic. I love the warring factions, individual powers, and evil masterminds.

But unfortunately, I don’t love the characters. There is so much distrust amongst them, but no character development. The FMC, Seph, in particular is great in theory but I find her very childish. I’m also not very invested in the men either.

I think I’m not going to continue this series.

[Anna-Marie Bell]

My heart still hasn’t stopped racing. This book is packed with action and tension, and it gripped me from the very first chapter. Every twist pulled me in deeper, and I genuinely didn’t want to put the book down. It’s the kind of story that keeps you turning pages long after you should’ve gone to sleep. I’m already counting down the days until the next book in the series.

[Miranda Hawkins]

This was a solid follow-up to book one. It was easy to follow, kept me invested, and as a fan of reverse harem paranormal romance, this hit the spot.
I expected betrayal... just not that betrayal. That cliffhanger was absolutely rude.
Now I need book three because you cannot leave me hanging like that.

[Nikki Thompson]

Let’s play how many times I can get in trouble and get caught. let’s play I am a dumbass and have no sense of self preservation. Ugh this one annoyed me and I loved the first one. I’ll read the third hoping it gets better and this was just a slump. Oh and the big betrayal saw it coming a mile away.
Seph get a spine and some smarts in book three for the love of god!!

[Debbie]

I never give spoilers. This book is well worth the read. I loved it from start to finish. I will wait a little while for more too enjoy this and post again. This is a new author for me but she did not disappoint

[Katherine Wilcox]

Absolutely fantastic.
With an original story, it was a fresh take without all of the open romance. Keeping the storyline about the story and not just about intimacy and relationships.
Makes me excited for the 3rd installment.

[Ms Eclectic]

Fantastic, though very quick to read. I wasn’t entirely shocked by certain characters behaviour but I definitely still have questions! Love the heroine, she is brave and earnest without being irritating

[terry little]

Not full series

Once again I looked for complete series at nd once again it lists two books. However, it is not complete, it's obvious that there will be more since the story is not completed 😕. This is so frustrating..

[Vicki]

This series is so good!
I feel like I blinked and it was over.
Its so absorbing, so much is happening and i cant wait until the next boo!

[Di T]

I enjoyed this book. It picks up straight after book one. It’s well written with fast pace that kept me turning the page. Can’t wait to see where the author goes next.

[Sheila Ryals]

😻

While the storyline is goid! I'm ready for the dam rose tented glasses to fall off. Like seriously....I think her At and Ash should just freaking leave!

[Liz]

Really strong

This is a super slow burn, but the plot and world building make it easy to stay engrossed. Looking forward to book three!

[Amber]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed the story line and plot but the characters could use some work. My annoyance with most of them made the book hard to read.