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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Of Light and Freedom is book two in Rachel Fallon's fantasy series, The Star Queen Chronicles. In book one, Of Darkness and Ruination, Asteria Zagreus, enslaved on Celesterra, is placed in the Dusk Kingdom and given to Prince Cyrus Tynan. Refusing submission, she plans her escape. As war looms and King Calix of the Night Kingdom advances, Asteria faces choices that could reshape her fate and the continent’s future. Now, in this second installment, Asteria must face the consequences of a revealed identity while struggling to control powers that have always escaped her. Calix, after waiting centuries for his mate, finds himself tossed into a conflict between two kingdoms. As war brews, the gods deliver their command, and the continent edges toward upheaval that will redefine everything they have known. “The prophecy given to them spoke of a Star Queen who would rise when the night was darkest. Who would cast down the usurper, and free the people from their bondage...”
Of Light and Freedom by Rachel Fallon is a wonderful story that goes a long way in making a fantasy still feel grounded, which is a testament to Fallon's skill as a writer. The author embraces Asteria’s emotional breakdown over her Fae identity and the falsehood of her past with honest fear, grief, and numbness, in raw physicality. Calix’s vulnerability and intense feelings for her harness the huge emotional bond and his own love, guilt, hope, and regret. Fallon offers an original mythology, from the loss of ancestral powers to the origins of Minotaurs and the role of divine beings, and, yes, dragons! The lore is alive and textured in a way that evokes classic, epic storytelling. That said, the very best aspect is the subversion of traditional tropes and gender norms. Through Zakat we see a refreshing queerness that defies heteronormative fantasy traditions, as does Asteria’s refusal to embrace royalty or motherhood just because it’s expected of her. This reimagining of fantasy archetypes modernizes the novel in a genre in desperate need of inclusion, and alongside everything else, this is a series I'd give a whole bucket of stars if I could. Very highly recommended.
