Shadows of Nyn'Dira (Fallen Light) Paperback – 18 Sept. 2023

Newell knocks it out of the park again. One of the brightest new talents on the scene, a new Newell always go straight to the top of my reading pile. Cracking writing and top notch cover art make this a definite winner for me.

Deeper you get in Neer’s adventure, it’s getting better and better. I loved the depth of the story and its lurking darkness. And finally, some cupid arrows in the air that I was so much expecting since book one! The third book is my favorite at the minute, fighting for the first place in my heart with the novella that we’re finally seeing Avelloch's return! A girl can have a soft spot for an Avaeish warrior, right?

Newell has certainly found her groove in this scintillating sequel.Let me start by saying I didn't have as great a time with book 2 as I did with book 1, but I appreciate I'm in a minority with my personal opinion there. However, after reading book 3, and seeing how everything is coming together so satisfactorily, I am so glad I continued. It has given me a different perspective on the previous books as a result, and I'm happy to be wrong.I suppose, books 1 and 2 can be considered world and lore building prequels in a sense. Along with their fast pacing and all out action, they throw a lot at you. Shadows of Nyn'Dira is the product of that groundwork, which has allowed the author to now spend more time with the characters, whilst still maintaining the solid world building and action sequences.I found the pacing worked so much better for me in this book, and the character work is excellent. The pace perfectly balances the action of the previous books, with much improved character work, elevating this series to yet another level.The world building, yet again, is brilliant, with lore, creatures, and magic that is intricately woven throughout the story.But it's the characters that shine in this installment. The multiple POVs work so well to keep the story's momentum moving.A few personal highlights I'd like to pick out from this book are, firstly, Y'ven's coming to terms with a disability and struggling to accept help. This is a great moment that resonated with me on a personal level, from a mental health perspective. Secondly, the atmospheric, vivid, forest of Nyn'Dira, which is brilliantly brought to life by the author's prose.The writing is visceral and emotive - it both sings and screams. This is an author who has truly found their voice. And with Nerana, a new favourite main character.With gut-punch moments, bloody gruesome battles, vivid imagery, and great character moments, I felt fully immersed in all the glory and gore of this story. Finally, just over halfway, Newell delivers a battle scene that is up there with some of my favourites I've read.Newell 'famously' wore a t-shirt at DragonCon that said "The next Ryan Cahill" on it. After this book, and certainly if the rest of the series continues at this level, there will be authors wearing t-shirts stating "The next H.C. Newell"!

Once again H.C. Newell gifts us with another installment in this quickly rising "Fallen Light" series. Book 3 "Shadows of Nyn'Dira" showcases Newell's continued progression in her craft! The story is deeper, world building expanded, stakes higher, and the loss...you guessed it, even more heartbreaking and brutal. So pumped to have gotten a eARC for this rollercoaster of a book!Neer, Aella and their busted, beaten band of warriors continue their quest through dark lands and little hope, to reset the balance for everyone in Nyn'Dira. While the pace does seem to back off slightly from books 1 and 2, we get a bigger, longer story this time around that fleshes out the relationships and backstories to even more of our characters. However, not to deter from the main theme of this dark series...when the action and trials are front and center, we are smashed in the face with brutality, horror, heroism, loss and sheer grit! Our group is reunited again from the separation we saw them go through in book 2 and the Novella "The Banished" and every single one of them is tested time and time again in Shadows. Families are reunited and strained relationships are tested even further. If they are to see this quest to the end our group is realizing that no matter their past differences, they will need each other to hopefully succeed.The enemies overwhelming strength in dark energy is on full display in this one, and we get a understanding of who and what our mixed band is facing. Ruthless, powerful and closing in from every direction, war has found our hero's. With the balance shifting to the dark...can Neer, Aella and the rest overcome personal, physical and magical loss to take on this strengthen threat?! The path forward is perilous and riddled with probable loss and pain...but having basically lived their lives through just that up to this point, our group is the only ones that hold hope in seeing this through.More emotional writing and deeper world building push this book and series to new heights. Doing that and still holding the darkness that this series is built around is a testament to the level of writing Newell has reached. I can only assume the story gets bigger and badder from here, especially with the ending we get here! 🤯 Grab a drink cause your gonna need it for this ride! 🥃 Wow! 🔥5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and seriously...book 4 needs to be in my hands like now! 😋📚

If I was impressed by books 1 and 2 in this series, book three knocked it out of the park for me.I don't want to give away too much of the plot being a book three, so let me share some overall gushing and feelings about Shadows of Nyn'Dira and the craft progression thus far.This is H.C. Newell's strongest work to date, this world bursts off the page and it shines through, it's vivid, immersive and ready to be explored.Throughout the series H.C. Newell has been working to balance banter, action, worldbuilding and characters, this book does all of that and more. This is the type of book that excites me because I can see the past lessons learnt coming to fruition and making a solid read. When people say "X could be the next Tolkien" this is it. Not in the classical fantasy over the top description of trees sense but the sheer amount of effort that has been poured into this world. The races, the locations, the deepening of the lore and backstories continually increase with each book in the series.Book three also does a great job of slowing down character moments and letting them breathe, there is far less reliance on fade to blacks and actions to make these scenes move. I cannot wait to see where this series goes because it is already a banger.Watch out fantasy fans, H.C. Newell is coming.

Shadows of Nyn'Dira is the continuation of the Fallen Light series, and if you're not reading this series...what are you even doing?? Do you like Tolkein and others like him? Yes? Then grab this book!This author's storytelling is absolutely sublime and is going to engage you from the first page of this book and the other previous.Shadows of Nyn'Dira starts out with a prologue that will have questions bubbling inside of your mind. What is going on?! What is going to happen next?! The stage is being set, and my recommendation? Clear your day, because you won't be putting this book down once you start. Trust me. My intent? To clear a week of my life to sit and simply soak in these books as I reread them from the beginning.Okay, back to the book - the next thing after the prologue? A "Wanted" poster. The Order is striking up their attempts to track down Neer. Can she just get a break? No? Fine. LOL! Because when this book picks up, Neer has been separated from her friends, and is now trying to find them. Things aren't going well in that respect, but not all is bleak! She makes a new friend! Thurandir! You're going to love him. I promise. He's a touch innocent, but he's a character who is going to grow on you the more you learn about him.Prepare for hair-raising moments. I don't mean crazy scary either. I mean the sign that this book is going to be truly amazing! Yeah, when that happens I just know that a book is going to be crazy good. Brace yourself for a cliffhanger, but this author has yet to disappoint so you'll be looking forward to the next when it comes.Exceptional novel - 5 out of 5 stars

Talk about a cliffhanger! Can’t wait until the next one! Shadows of Nyn’Dira builds off the characters and amazing world building of the first two novels. I love the little world she’s created! The characters are so cool, I’m attached to several of them. Still mourning the death of a fictional character from earlier in the series. I love the visuals I get from reading this book. I’m terrible with words but want to express how much I really enjoy this series!

Newell makes the series flow so well together and packs so much into this one book. It will leave you wanting more. I don’t want to wait so long for her next book because her writing style is absolutely amazing and character development is incredible.