Light Redeemed
by Ken Sanchez
My rating: 
Heat level: 
Volume 2 of Shadowguards
Tags: Fantasy Superheroes
Posted in Book Reviews on May 22, 2024
The author kindly provided a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Eryx is learning to live with his newfound powers as the vessel of the god Apollo. His lover Alex is helping, along with his friends and fellow Shadowguards. It will take the entire team’s efforts to stop the plans of a shadowy group trying to free one of the ancient gods, who will wipe out humanity. Eryx is also trying to keep his music career going, and he has a new manager to help with that.
This story is a direct follow-up to Echoes of Destiny, so you need to have read the first book of the series before this one. The writing of this installment is a little more consistent, with fewer continuity issues. There are still sections that seem to contradict each other, as well as many cases of the same phrase used repeatedly. At least, I didn’t notice any mis-named characters.
Once again, the story revolves around Eryx and Alex, with their increasing circle of “found family” and friends. The number of characters is getting large enough that it can be challenging remembering who is who. While the storytelling alternates between Eryx and Alex’s points of view, it’s Eryx that is very much at the center of the tale. Eryx is a very likeable character. However, it’s hard to see how he can hope to continue developing his music career alongside helping the Shadowguard with an imminent threat against all of humanity. Even in the context of a fantasy, it feels very unrealistic.
Alex cuts a more traditional superhero figure. Especially the dark, brooding type. It’s hard not to like him even though he gets over-protective. The attraction between Alex and Eryx seems very real and totally natural.
There’s a large team of Shadowguards working with Alex and Eryx, as well as several friends. Many of them seem like interesting characters with their own stories to tell, but we never get to know much about any of them. Perhaps we’ll learn more as the series progresses.
“Light Redeemed” is available from Amazon (commissionable link).