Among Shadows is a dark adult fantasy of twists and betrayals and extraordinary powers that you won’t see coming.
Some of the elements reminded me a lot of Shadow & Bone, just all grown up and saying: what if the Darkling and Alina had a kid and she was Aila and a perfect fusion between the two 😌👌🏻 It’s definitely the kind of fantasy that is fast-paced and full of twists — leaving you wondering who Alia can trust and who truly has her back. Twisted court politics. A snarky mysterious captain who may not be as bad as he seems. A beautiful and gentle prince who maybe has a dark side. A girl groomed to be a spy until she realises she’s being pushed down a path she doesn’t want to tread.
Despite the danger and the secrecy, I’d learned to love the darkness, to cherish it, to worship the little place it occupied in my soul. It was a part of me, and I felt less alone for it.
It also features a really lovely and powerful friendship between Aila and Ruby! They end up becoming friends after a surprising collision while Aila is on the run and their bond is just so wholesome. It’s always epic seeing women supporting women in fantasy.
No matter how many quiet nights we spent together, when the sun rose again, he would still be the Kingdom’s Heir and I, a ruthless spy.
I also loved the contrast of the beginning starting off with glittering courts and balls, Aila spying and primping herself to be an air-headed young girl in search of a fiancé — when in reality she is a weapon at her master’s side, a spy who wields darkness by will. And then as the book progresses we have fight scenes and dark prison scenes that don’t hold back.
An epic fantasy of dark magic and a powerful woman determined to take control of her own fate! Among Shadows was a fascinating read and calls for a sequel asap.
Title: Among Shadows
Author: Aline P Mora
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Genres: Adult Epic Fantasy
Purchase a copy: Buy on Amazon | Book Depository | Indiebound | Blackwell’s
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I LIED, I KILLED, AND NOW, I’VE LOST EVERYTHING.
THE ONLY THING LEFT IS FINDING OUT IF ANY OF IT WAS WORTH IT.
In a world where powerful men hold all the control and magic is the ultimate privilege, Aila grew up with two secrets: spy to a powerful man and the only wielder of Darkness. She was groomed to kill and to lie, and she learned, from a very young age, that her own power could become her weakness. But her latest mission will either force her to reveal herself or to betray her only friend.
For years, she enjoyed the luxury and safety of Niram’s palace, trading in secrets and whispers whilst keeping her own power hidden at all costs. But, as she crosses path with a mesmerizing captain and a brewing rebellion against the power she served her whole life, she will realize there is more forces at play than she ever imagined. And she will finally have to learn exactly what her power and herself are really worth.
As her whole world crumbles down and her secrets are revealed, Aila will need to face her own mentor or risk losing herself.
Hi Aline! Thanks so much for chatting with me today about Among Shadows! Can you tell us a bit about your publishing journey and how Among Shadows went from first idea to finished novel on our shelves?
Hey there! It is such a pleasure to be here today. Among Shadows has been a long time in the making. Aila story has lived in my heart for many years. But it wasn’t until the pandemic that I decided to truly dive into writing it. The world went through such a difficult time that it made me realise that I was the only one stopping myself from following my passion and it simply didn’t make sense anymore. So, I just started writing and I didn’t stop until Aila story had taken shape on the paper.
So glad you took that plunge to start telling your heart stories 😍 Do you outline your books? Did you know how The Heir of Light & Dark series will end before you started?
I outline-ish, if that is even a word. Among Shadows was born out of two scenes: the very opening with Aila and Aiden; and a pivotal scene where Aila is forced to confront the truth of all the choices she made and who she truly is. So there was some level of outlining to get us from one scene to the other, but it was also an organic process with a lot of changes as each of the characters grew and evolved.
Introduce us to some of the main characters!
Oh gosh! I could speak for hours, but I’ll try to keep it brief. Aila is the best spy of the Kingdom and the last wielder of Darkness, but beneath all of it, she is just a girl looking for her place in the world and hoping she can be good enough to be loved. Then, there is Aiden, a hot – if a bit entitled – prince struggling to find the line between his naïve dreams and his role as a future ruler all while he tries to truly win the heart of the girl he fell for.
And there is Flynn! A mysterious, dashing captain that just came back to the palace ready to change everything. He is this enticing, puzzling creature that happens to be too involving to resist.
Honestly they were all so amazing to read about, and so complex too. What’s your favourite thing about writing fantasy?
I love how fantasy can offer an escapism from the real world while still touching on so many visceral human issues. It changes the rules of the game, in a way. As an author, it gives me the freedom to strip down my characters to their rawest parts and still navigating a universe that is full of magic and unthinkable potential.
The vast amounts of imagination and magic are truly my favourite thing about fantasy too 😍👌🏻 And lastly! What has been the best part of being an author so far?
The feeling of knowing that even if for a few hours, I was able to touch someone’s life and heart, to offer solace or laughter, or simply entertainment.
Another moment of pure magic!! That author feel when you realise you can also do magic. 😌✨ Thanks so much for the epic interview, Aline, and all the best with your new release and upcoming sequels!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aline P. Mora is Brazilian by heart and Londoner by choice. She is a passionate writer of strong and witty female leads and strongly believes on the power of a good book. Growing up, she found some of her best friends and lived some of her best adventures inside the pages of a book. And, in time, she found solace in her own written word. Now, after a decade of getting to know the most diverse type of people through her career in Marketing, Aline decided to follow her soul’s desire and dedicate herself to writing, wishing she can provide the same hope and joy that she found within her favourite books to all those that are brave enough to search for it. Her debut novel Among Shadows is the first instalment of an exciting new Fantasy series. Website | Instagram
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