In Shadows and Black in the Light, Amy van Rijthoven draws us into the intriguing lives of Millie and Andy, the protagonists. Their journeys are formed through a profound sense of loss, a strong desire to possess something out of their reach, and a past that troubles them relentlessly. Millie's and Andy's intertwined tales unfold in rural Australia. Millie is struggling to process her father's sudden death and the painful emptiness triggered by her detached stepmother. Andy is a former associate of Millie's father, who is tormented by his unlawful past and hopes to redeem himself one day. Their journeys merge during their mutual search for answers. This search guides them to a series of well-concealed secrets. What unfolds is an evocative tale of damaged family relationships and the power of healing.

Amy van Rijthoven's Shadows and Black in the Light is a heartfelt tale of redemption, family ties, and self-discovery. What gripped me the most was the author’s ability to present emotional vulnerability through the characters without disrupting the narrative flow. The writing is engaging and crisp, occasionally even tender, but at other times raw, creating experiences that feel sincere. Millie’s character development is well-written, while Andy's committed presence and tough persona add nuance to the story. While the pacing vacillates between calm and dramatic, it does so with intent, leaving enough space for readers to reflect without affecting the impact of the plot. In the end, this beautiful speculative novel isn’t just a well-crafted piece of literary fiction; it is also a thought-provoking tale that lingers long after the story has ended!

Amy L van Rijthoven's Shadows and Black in the Light unfolds during a teen girl's summer full of profound change. It follows the emotional journey of Millie, who grapples with the hidden secrets of her family life just as she draws nearer to celebrating her 18th birthday. After years of living with an aloof stepmother, coupled with unresolved thoughts surrounding her father’s unusual passing and her mother's mental health, Millie is pulled into a series of discoveries sparked by the appearance of a strange box. Her story becomes entangled with Andy's, a loner with unresolved issues of his own. Together, Millie's and Andy's quests for answers lead them down a path filled with uncertainty and deep-rooted trauma, blurring the line between memory and reality in unnerving but poignant ways.

Amy L van Rijthoven has an exceptional skill in drawing out the emotional complexities behind each chapter. She carefully interlaces elements of realism into the book's core. The narrative flows naturally, centered by dialogue that is grounded and protagonists who develop authentically over time. Millie’s inner challenges are conveyed with empathy, while Andy’s rugged character provides both tenderness and tension in the storyline. Shadows and Black in the Light doesn't offer easy, quick-fix solutions. Rather, it openly explores deep themes of human vulnerability, trauma, and family dysfunction. I applaud the way the author doesn't exaggerate the dramatic elements in the book. Instead, she lets the characters' genuine emotions and experiences convey meaning. Overall, this novel is both intimate and immersive. Readers captivated by narratives on identity and grief will enjoy reading this story.

Shadows and Black in the Light by Amy L. van Rijthoven follows Millie, an eighteen-year-old discovering a fraught family legacy after her father Marco’s suspicious death. Living with her stepmother, Vivian, Millie suspects Vivian’s involvement and fears losing her inheritance. Millie seeks independence while working through secrets surrounding her father’s illicit dealings. She forms a tentative alliance with Andy, who is connected to Marco’s past, and a dangerous criminal network led by Enrico. Together, Millie and Andy try to find evidence of what's behind Marco’s demise and the dangerous forces still at play. At the same time, Millie must reconcile the reality of her mother's institutionalization and mental illness. As threats mount, Millie must decide whom to trust and balance her desire for autonomy, while Andy maneuvers to extricate himself from the criminal world.

I honestly did not know what I was in for going into Shadows and Black in the Light by Amy L. van Rijthoven, partly because the description, while intriguing, is a little vague, and also because I'm not a fan of two different narrators both in the first person. But almost immediately, I was roped in, and from that moment on, I could not put this book down! Millie has been dealt a pretty crappy hand with a father dead from a supposed scaffolding accident, a volatile (to the point of abusive) stepmother, and an absent mother she has not seen in years. Sophia's mental health issues are sympathetically portrayed, as are those around her, despite different perspectives on how they should be treated. Better still, Millie is afforded agency by the author, and she frequently asserts it. Andy is another story entirely, and it took me a long time to warm to him, even with moments of true tenderness toward another beyond Millie. The mystery is great, as are some well-placed twists, and overall, this is a wonderful work of literary fiction.

Shadows and Black in the Light by Amy Van Rijthoven follows Millie, and the unsettling memories from her past that begin to resurface as she approaches her eighteenth birthday. Following her father's unexplained death and her mother's prolonged institutionalization, she is raised by a distant stepmother and becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the events that fractured her family. Millie meets Andy, a drifter with a criminal history, and their lives become closely connected as they investigate the circumstances surrounding their shared sense of loss. A mysterious box containing cryptic clues draws them deeper into a network of hidden truths. As Millie navigates grief and confusion, Andy is forced to confront his own abandonment, and their search leads them toward a final, tragic revelation that challenges their understanding of what is real.

Amy Van Rijthoven’s Shadows and Black in the Light skillfully explores Millie’s emotional interiority with authenticity and vulnerability. Millie’s grief, suspicion, and hope create a believable character whose inner conflicts are portrayed with literary subtlety, allowing readers to engage with the long-term effects of familial trauma and emotional neglect. The alternating points of view between Millie and Andy introduce contrasting tones; her impulsive and emotional voice balances his gritty, mature perspective, offering insight into their fractured relationship and building suspense through moments like Millie’s cryptic note. The settings, shifting from highways to secluded falls, reflect Millie’s changing emotional landscape, symbolizing transitions and renewal. This approach grounds the story in both psychological depth and atmospheric detail, making the read thoughtful and engaging throughout.