Sisters of Shadow and Light

by Sara B. Larson

Overview

Imprisoned for years by a magical curse, two devoted sisters uncover the mystery of their family legacy in this YA fantasy adventure.

The night my sister was born, the stars died and were reborn in her eyes . . .

Zuhra and Inara have grown up in the Citadel of the Paladins, an abandoned fortress where legendary, magical warriors once lived before disappearing from the world—including their Paladin father the night Inara was born.

On that same night, a massive, magical hedge grew and imprisoned them within the citadel. Inara inherited their father's Paladin power; her eyes glow blue and she is able to make plants grow at unbelievable rates, but she has been trapped in her own mind because of a "roar" that drowns everything else out—leaving Zuhra virtually alone with their emotionally broken human mother.

For fifteen years they have lived, trapped in the citadel, with little contact from the outside world . . . until the day a stranger passes through the hedge, and everything changes.

"Packed with fascinating relationships, pulse-pounding romance, and breathtaking adventure, this story held me captive to every page." ―#1 New York Times–bestselling author Kathryn Purdie

"Larson's bold and imaginative tale of sisterhood, magic, and monsters is a deft exploration of loneliness, family, and friendship inside a citadel hedged by lies and blood." ―#1 New York Times–bestselling author A.G. Howard

Sara B. Larson's Sisters of Shadow and Light series

Sisters of Shadow and Light (#1)

Warriors of Wing and Flame (#2)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250208392
Publisher:	Tor Teen
Publication date:	03/14/2025
Series:	Sisters of Shadow and Light , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	362
Lexile:	970L (what's this?)
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

SARA B. LARSON is the bestselling and critically acclaimed author of the YA fantasy Defy trilogy and the Dark Breaks the Dawn duology. She can't remember a time when she didn't write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their four children, and their Maltese, Loki. She writes in brief snippets throughout the day and the quiet hours when most people are sleeping. Her husband claims she should have a degree in "the art of multitasking." When she's not mothering or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction.

Editorial Reviews

Packed with fascinating relationships, pulse-pounding romance, and breathtaking adventure, this story held me captive to every page.”—Kathryn Purdie, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Burning Glass

"I was completely swept away with this fierce magical story of broken family, and sisters trying to survive a mysterious past. Romance, betrayal, gryphons, forbidden doorways, and devoted sisters had me flipping the pages to unravel the secrets of this dark world where no one is who they seem to be. Larson has created a spellbinding world that has all the elements I love—magic, mystery, romance, and sisterhood! I can't wait for more!"—Mary E. Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of The Kiss of Deception

"What a stunning gem of a story. Fans of gorgeous, emotional, action-packed fantasy are going to want to snap this up. I loved it so much, I read it in one sitting!"—C.J. Redwine, New York Times bestselling author of the Ravenspire series

“Larson’s bold and imaginative tale of sisterhood, magic, and monsters is a deft exploration of loneliness, family, and friendship inside a citadel hedged by lies and blood.” —A.G. Howard, #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of The Splintered Series

“Sisters of Shadow and Light is a rare beauty that will grip your heart and steal your breath away. I adored this book!"—Jennifer A. Nielsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Traitor's Game

“Fantasy readers will become absorbed in the world-building and strong relationship between the sisters.” —Tara Williams, English teacher, Glade Spring (Virginia) Middle School, recommended, School Library Connection

“Fans of the author’s earlier work, as well as that of Kristin Cashore and Rachel Hartman, will enjoy this story. Purchase for those who love fantasy novels and Larson’s other books.” —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2019-08-28
Isolated from the world by a magical barrier, two sisters navigate dangerous changes when a stranger crosses over.

Eighteen-year-old Zuhra lives with her mother and younger sister, Inara, trapped by a sentient hedge in the long-abandoned Citadel of the Paladins. Once, the gryphon-riding warriors chased and defeated the rakasa monsters from their dimension and protected the humans of Vamala, but now they have all but disappeared. Zuhra and Inara share Paladin blood, but Inara's blue eyes glow with power, repelling their mother, who forbade all things Paladin when the girls' father disappeared after Inara's birth. Inara is often lost in her own mind, with only brief moments of lucidity, leaving Zuhra feeling alone, longing for connection. When Halvor, a scholar of the Paladin and the first boy they have ever met, breaches the hedge, Zuhra is intrigued by his revelations of the world and motivated to escape, but the mysteries of the citadel prove more dangerous than any of them know, threatening both realms. Larson's (Bright Burns the Night, 2018, etc.) narrative of might, magic, and a deep sisterly bond is uneven, with beautiful prose that is repetitive and dual voices that sound very similar. The female characters suffer abuse and isolation, making their longing for romantic connection understandable but leaving them dependent on their male counterparts. Naming conventions pull from different world cultural traditions, but physical descriptions point to whiteness as the standard.

An enjoyable, if flawed, tale. (Fantasy. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews