Dark Fey Standing in Shadows

Review Rating:
5 stars! Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Standing in Shadows is a young adult fantasy novel by Cynthia A Morgan and the sequel to The Reviled, part of the Dark Fey series. The realm of Jyndari is undergoing major changes once again as the newly released Gairynzvl vows to free the Childfey who are being severely mistreated by those who dwell in darkness. With Ayla and Marden stepping into new maturity as the seriousness of their situation deepens, epic adventure awaits them once more in this magical realm. Gairynzvl's secret knowledge of the dark realm brings to light some grisly truths and threatens to provoke a powerful war between The Reviled and the Fey of The Light.

Having only recently read the first book, The Reviled, I was delighted to step back into the lavish world of light and dark which Cynthia A Morgan has created. Once again her prose takes on an almost poetic flow as the world of Jyndari spills out before her audience, and this time the stakes feel even higher than before. With time to really develop the three central characters during this second novel, I felt even more invested in the emotional ties they share and the duty to The Light which they feel. Whilst the torturous treatment of the Childfey is an upsetting subject, it is handled gracefully without the need for graphic reference, and it brings a new gravitas and danger to the plot that further enhances the sense of tension and adventure. Standing in Shadows is a superb continuation in the Dark Fey series.