Shadow in the Empire of Light

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

Murder. Magic. Mayhem. But keep it in the family.

Shine's life is usually dull: an orphan without magic in a family of powerful mages, she's left to run the family estate with only an eccentric aunt and telepathic cat for company.

But when the family descend on the house for the annual Fertility Festival, a week of drink, drugs and debauchery, Shine is plunged into intrigue: stolen letters, a fugitive spy, and family drama, mixed with murder, sex and secrets.

As the festival draws to a close, Shine is forced to decide both her loyalties and future...

(P) Penguin Audio and Rebellion Publishing 2020

Critics Review

Routley deserves credit for superior world-building and above average characterization… covering familiar ground with more aplomb than many of her colleagues.

Publishers Weekly on Aramaya

One of the genres bright new stars . . . Routley produces a fantasy that can be read for more than myth or pyrotechnics . . . While many fantasists simply add magic to political intrigue, Routley’s are noteworthy for the natural and inevitable intertwining of the two. Well drawn backgrounds and characters add to the appeal.

Publishers Weekly on Mage Heart

A highly original romatic fantasy.

Cherry Wilder, author of Signs of Life, on Mage Heart

A superb entry into the realm of magic and demons . . . a wonderful addition to the fantasy genre.

Affaire de Coeur on Mage Heart

Blend of tragic, comic, nitty-gritty [and] glamorous.

Locus on Mage Heart

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