Shadow in the Empire of Light

by Jane Routley

Overview

A magical novel of intrigue, mystery and family drama from the award-winning author of Aramaya and Fire Angels!

Magic. Murder. Mayhem. But keep it in the family.

Shine’s life is usually dull: an orphan without magic in a family of powerful mages, she’s left to run the family estate with only an eccentric aunt and telepathic cat for company.

But when the family descend on the house for the annual Fertility Festival, Shine is plunged into dark intrigue; stolen letters, a fugitive spy, and family drama mix with murder, sex and secrets, and Shine is forced to decide both her loyalties and future...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781781088340
Publisher:	Solaris
Publication date:	01/19/2021
Pages:	339
Sales rank:	608,043
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.60(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jane Routley has had a variety of careers, including fruit picker and occult librarian, and once lived in Germany and Denmark for a decade. Now she works at a railway station and is a keen climate activist. Jane has published six books and won two Aurealis awards for Best Australian Fantasy Novel. Her short stories have been widely anthologized and read on the ABC. Her current ambition is to visit an active volcano.

Editorial Reviews

06/08/2020

Routley (The Melded Child) unravels a complex web of familial politics in this eccentric fantasy. It’s Blessing time in the Empire of Light, an annual tradition in which the Matriarch of each family ensures fruitful crops for the following year. As always, Shine and her Auntie Eff, both mundanes without magic of their own despite their noble lineage, are expected to host a clan of their condescending, magical relations for the duration of the festival. Shine’s usually monotonous life as a mundane is plunged into chaos as she must put out fires at every turn, from curbing her cousins’ inappropriate seductions to stopping a burgeoning plot to overthrow the Matriarch. To further complicate matters, Shine’s exiled cousin, Bright, asks her to hide Shadow, a foreigner caught in a crystal smuggling scheme that somehow involves their wicked and violent cousin, Illuminus. Though readers will struggle to keep track of Shine’s many relations, even with the help of the family tree Routley provides, Routley’s whimsical tone lends a dark comic quality to this intricate fantasy, and the outlandish characters and captivating worldbuilding make up for occasional confusion. This is a bumpy but entertaining ride. Agent: John Jarrold, John Jarrold Literary. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Utterly delightful! ...Shine is resourceful, witty, and competent—the perfect heroine for a madcap escapade of family drama." – Corry L. Lee

"Shadow in the Empire of Light is part witty romp, part gritty drama, and an entirely gripping read." — Glenda Larke

"Tremendous fun. Shine is a wonderful creation and Routley gives her a terrific voice. A welcome new addition to the world of contemporary comic fantasy." — J.S. Barnes

From the Publisher

Jane Routley’s books have won Aurealis awards and the writing style in her latest deserves another.” — Aurealis on Shadow in the Empire of Light

Aurealis

Jane Routley’s books have won Aurealis awards and the writing style in her latest deserves another.

Aurealis on Shadow in the Empire of Light