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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Labyrinths of Radiance and Shadow by Jeffrey Hallett follows Dr. Tricia Carling, aka Beacon, who is forcibly recruited by Director Sorensen into the Institute for the Advancement of Human Potential. Sorensen’s goal is to control and replicate Tricia’s unique electromagnetic abilities to create a network of powered operatives loyal to him. Tricia is confined, monitored by a tracking bracelet, and subjected to invasive testing while resisting Sorensen’s coercion. Parallel to this, Izzy, a young woman with uncontrolled energy, and other recruits like Rene face dangerous experimentation. District Attorney Harris investigates disappearances linked to the Institute and seeks Tricia’s help. Tricia’s encounters with Sorensen, Umbra (Darci), and others revolve around her efforts to retain autonomy, survive the Institute’s control, and ultimately stop Sorensen’s plan to enforce power through enhanced individuals.
Labyrinths of Radiance and Shadow by Jeffrey Hallett is a brilliant second episode in the Beacon of Hope series, and the portrayal of Tricia’s captivity under Sorensen’s watchful control is heavy. Of course, Tricia is amazing and has this incredible ability to power through, but the constant awareness of her monitored environment, especially from the tracking bracelet to invasive tests measuring her energy output, is hard to swallow, nonetheless. Hallett's use of dialogue is intelligent, often witty, and always pitch-perfect, and through interactions with those like Rene and Darci, the revelation of conflicting motivations behind Sorensen’s program to create superpowered enforcers starts to become clear. Rene, who has been resurrected and now shares both knowledge and suspicion, is definitely the most interesting character after Tricia. Overall, Hallett’s talent at humanizing superheroes and showing how monstrous humans can be is second to none. Very highly recommended.
