A Land of Light and Shadow: A Tale of Decamonde

by Stephanie Ascough, Dawn Davidson (Illustrator)

An expedition goes terribly wrong. Tremors shake the land. Something forgotten sleeps in the ravine...and one girl awakens ancient and hidden powers. The recent loss of vision in her right eye only motivates Ardin to work harder. After all, the Princess of Sedonia has a lot to live up to, and she loves her country and her parents, dispensing justice alongside them in the castle’s imposing throne room. When someone delivers an unusual statue to the castle, Ardin discovers the forgotten world of magic and her own ability to wield it. But magic is tied to the one place forbidden to all the treacherous ravine. Now she must uncover what really happened in her country’s secret past without compromising her public responsibilities. Can she share the burden of her newly discovered powers, or will they alienate her from those she loves—or worse, endanger them? And can she save Sedonia from a power-hungry magician before he destroys everything she loves? A middle grade fantasy novel with elements of mystery, friendship, and the search for wholeness, A Land of Light and Shadow by Stephanie Ascough is the story of a girl and her fight to protect everything she loves.

Genres: Fantasy

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2020

Reviews

[Scarlett Mobley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story filled with adventure, twists, determination, and of course, magic! I absolutely loved Ardin's wisdom and humility. While geared for middle grade readers, this is a wholesome read for the whole family. And just look at that cover 😍 absolutely stunning!

My only wishes are:
1. I wish it was longer!
2. I wish the characters were fleshed out more.

But hey, that's the game with first books. The writing was beautiful and fresh. Can't wait to read more from Stephanie!

[Emily Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story that had such a unique twist! I loved following along with the MC on her journey to find answers about their land, magic, and how she's connected to it all. Lovely debut!

[Alexis Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely debut! This novel gave me such a nostalgic feeling, reminding me of the books I would pick up as a kid. My favorite part of this story is the family dynamic. I love that Ascough gives focus to a strong family that works together to face the problems and struggles they encounter right up to the end. I really like the relationship with Ardin and her cousin especially, not enough books have cousins as a focus point. Ardin is a great character that many girls will resonate with. She is curious and strongly opinionated, but teachable. She trusts her instincts, follows them to the truth, and thinks outside the box. This story has a lot of turns and surprises that keep it interesting throughout. I highly recommend this for middle grade readers, or adults like me who just enjoy good stories at any age.

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll admit, this was only a slow read because I typically only read it before bed. I only last a few pages at a time no matter how good the book is. And this one was very good. I enjoyed the very unique characters and especially loved watching them develop as the story played out. I love a good magic story, and this one reminded me of a couple different ones in different places.

I REALLY liked that there wasn’t even a hint of romance here, so it made it much easier to just focus on the actual situation itself rather than wondering who was going to get with whom.

[Amy Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book! Ardin is a compelling heroine who carries a wonderful combination of uncertainty and authority. She gripped me right from the start, and her growth throughout the story was both relatable and moving.
Stephanie Ascough has crafted a beautifully-worded story, filled with endearing characters and exciting twists. Well worth the read!

[Caitlin Keely · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic middle grade book that would appeal to all ages. I loved Ardin and found myself wishing for an entire series with this wonderful character. Also, the family dynamic was just absolutely lovely. There’s lots of magic and adventures too! What I love most though is Stephanie Ascough’s style of writing.