Shadow of the Lost: A Novel in the Jewel of Life series by Ryan D. Gebhart is a coming-of-age story that deals with heartbreaking loss, grief, and the protagonist’s journey towards acceptance. Jaerol Solaris's world is complete with Kiron, the love of his life. They love each other deeply. In fact, Jaerol thinks he cannot live without Kiron. On the day of the Grand Tourney, they are excited about the competition after spending an evening together, but when they realize that they are paired in the deadly games, they know that one of them must kill the other. Being the stronger one, Kiron gets Jaerol to kill him, and it is too late when Jaerol realizes what he has done. Stricken by pain and grief, he moves to the temple, but can he open his heart to anyone, even to the patient and supportive Liam?

Ryan D. Gebhart crafts a wonderful fantasy tale with a great setting and characters that readers will love. Jaerol is a complex character and the complexity in his nature is written into his struggle to reconcile his warrior nature as a Cyndinari and the tenderness of his heart that is equally sensitive. The setting is well-written and the conflict explored at different levels. While the protagonist has his personal struggles with accepting the loss of the man he has always loved, there are clashes when it comes to the relationships between the different groups of people that inhabit the entire island of Cynethol, from temple knights to shadow elves, to goblins. The author writes compelling characters and readers will enjoy reading about the interactions between the protagonist and characters like Liam, Bastien, Renaud, and Stephen. Shadow of the Lost is an enthralling, skillfully plotted, and passionate tale that keeps the reader turning the pages; it is emotionally rich and features elegant prose that lures the reader deeper into the intricate plot.

Shadow of the Lost: A Novel in the Jewel of Life series by Ryan D. Gebhart is a heart-wrenching, poignant fantasy tale that starts with a compelling premise. Readers encounter Jaerol Solaris and his boyfriend Kiron exulting in their being together and looking forward to the violent competition ahead: a great day for Broid, for the entire island of Cynethol, and for the Erynien Empire. The Grand Tourney is at the center of everything, and while they know there are candidates who literally obliterate their opponents, they are not worried. Until the dreadful moment when they learn that they have been paired and will be fighting each other. One of them must die. Being the stronger person, Kiron chooses to be the one to die, and it is too late for Jaerol to do anything about it. Can he live without the man who has been everything to him, the love of his life? Even joining the temple, will he find solace, and will his heart ever open to love again the way he has loved Kiron?

This is a mesmerizing fantasy tale with a great storyline, same-sex relationship themes, action, and romance. But what is fascinating about the story is how Ryan D. Gebhart builds the protagonists. Jaerol is a fighter, a Cyndinari, and the offspring of those who value courage in the face of danger. But his heart is soft, won over by the love he has for Kiron. Being made to kill the one person who matters most to him upends his life and he goes through the phases of denial, anger, negotiation, depression, and acceptance. The author captures his emotional and inner world with such vividness that readers understand his pain as intimate and deeply human. Other characters like Liam, Bastien, Renaud, and Stephen are fully drawn as well, and I enjoyed how the author uses the connection between Liam and Jaerol to build suspense in the story. There were moments I wanted to see what will happen between the two, and even after the unprecedented kiss, their journey continues to intrigue the reader. One is very patient; the other is struggling with his past, one he couldn’t let go: “I loved him and the world made me kill him…”

Shadow of the Lost: A Novel in the Jewel of Life series has impeccable world-building and readers get a clear idea of the different kinds of people and creatures living in the different segments of this world, from temple knights to shadow elves, to goblins and more. It is a novel with unforgettable characters, a fascinating world to navigate, and a conflict that grows stronger with each page turned. The writing is top-rate and the drama never diminishes.