The Revelation of Light and Dark by Sawyer Bennett // ARC Review

Why does he hate me? And, at the same time, why do I fascinate him? Conversely, why do I seem to have a pull toward him?

The Revelation of Light and Dark by Sawyer Bennett

Chronicles of the Stone Veil #1
Release - February 9, 2021
Genre - Urban Fantasy
Dual POV - Finley 1st person/Carrick 3rd person (his pov was sparse)
Heat - none
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 252 pages
Publisher - Big Dog Books, LLC

I always knew I was different.

From a young age, my mind has been plagued with things only I could see. Some hauntingly beautiful, others completely terrifying. Never knowing if these visions were real or just hallucinations, I learned how to lock them down and ignore them. I learned to take solace in the relative anonymity of city life and find peace in the rainy days my city of Seattle is known for.

But just when I think my life is getting on track and my dreams are achievable, a moment of weakness causes me to learn a hard and fast lesson.

My entire existence has been a lie.

Now I’m faced with a new reality that’s as implausible as it is fantastical. Filled with realms and veils, light and dark, fae and daemons, gods and angels—things I don’t understand but am forced to acknowledge. It doesn’t help that the man teaching me about my unique gifts is the gorgeously handsome Carrick Byrne, one of Seattle’s richest and most powerful men. He intimidates, annoys, and intrigues me all at the same time. I don’t trust him and yet there’s no one else to help me.

No longer certain who to put my faith in, what to believe, or how I fit into it all, one revelation is clear…

The world as I know it will never be the same again.

The Revelation of Light and Dark is book one of the Chronicles of the Stone Veil series and is best enjoyed if read in series order.

What is with that cliffy??? I need A Discovery of Secrets and Fate in my hands pronto!!

Finley is a woman with a particular set of skills - she can see beyond the veil. What does that even mean? Well, she seems to be the only human who can see past the glamour of the fae. Light fae, dark fae and daemons alike aren't safe from her unearthly talents. But what is she to do with them? And how does Carrick factor into everything? He seems to be the only one who has an inkling of what is going on with her. Is he helping her for altruistic reasons or is something bigger at play?

As the first volume in the Chronicles of the Veil series, The Revelation of Light and Dark was steeped in mystery and magic. From the creatures that exist among us to the worlds created around us, I am now left more questions than answers. And Carrick? He's got to be the biggest mystery of all. His enigmatic character leaves with the impression of confidence, arrogance, competence, honor and determination. I am so infinitely intrigued by this man and I'm looking forward to learning all there is to know about him.

Sawyer Bennett has created such an engrossing introduction to this new series and I'm absolutely hooked!

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My other thoughts (the ones I won't include in my review) are hidden in a spoiler below. Just some rants and frustrations...

Finley was impossible for me to like. It was as if the author threw in everything that should have made her more personable and endearing, but forgot to take out all that made her terribly off-putting. It's great that she thinks she's free-spirited and that she prefers to wear band tees, jeans and Chucks... but when she sits in her glass house throwing stones... who even cares???

"I'm tired of being in the dark and of you not answering me. I'm not sure what use you are to me." Really chick? He's helping you. He even gave you money so you could buy the business you so desperately wanted. He's trying to work with you, train you, let you develop your skills and you're still wondering what he's good for? I only wish there was room in this story for him to abandon her to whatever is out there.

✲ she has every excuse in the book to rationalize her own shortcomings without actually owning them, but she's quick to point out the wrongs of others.
✲ as someone new to the world of magic, she never misses an opportunity to say she doesn't need Carrick when he's the only one she does need.
✲ I had to keep reminding myself that she was almost 28 years old because she reads as middling protagonist in a young adult story.
✲ she's impulsive, rude, irrational, cavalier, and walked around with a huge chip on her shoulder.
✲ she didn't know how to humble herself.

To be honest, I liked pretty much everything else about this story, especially Carrick, and I'll keep reading for him. There was no romance to speak of in this book, but I'm hoping that will change in the books to come. This series is advertised as a romance so it's gotta be coming. Right?

Amazon * Nook * Kobo * Apple * Google

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

For more information about Sawyer Bennett and her books, visit her website: https://sawyerbennett.com