Book: The Dance of Sun and Shadow by Ash Leto
Reviewed by Rie
Rating: 4.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Ash Leto for the opportunity to read an eBook ARC of The Dance of Sun & Shadow. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Dance of Sun & Shadow was one of those books I was intrigued by but wasn't entirely sure I'd enjoy. I tend to gravitate toward fantasy stories featuring FMCs, so stepping into a story led by an MMC was a little outside my usual reading habits. Thankfully, this one won me over, and I'm glad I gave it a chance.
First things first: Ash Leto is a fantastic writer. Even if the story itself hadn't worked for me, I think I would still have appreciated the writing. The descriptions are rich and vivid, giving me enough to picture the world and the scenes unfolding without needing to have every detail perfectly mapped out in my head. It took me a little while to settle into the writing and let everything sink in, but once I did, I found myself moving through the book fairly quickly. The dialogue felt natural, and the story flowed well. There are some less common words that might trip up certain readers, but overall, I found it an easy-to-medium read.
One of my favorite parts of the story was watching Edmund grow. At first, I struggled a little with how weak he seemed, especially knowing he'd received some weapons training and knew how to ride. But reminding myself that he was only sixteen at the beginning of the story, turning seventeen shortly afterward, helped put things into perspective. He was young, sheltered, and scared in a world he didn't fully understand. As the journey continued, I began to see the difference between weakness and fear, and I really enjoyed watching him learn to navigate the world without an older mentor guiding him. He's come a long way, but he still has plenty of growing to do. Apparently, learning from your mistakes doesn't always mean you stop making them. And honestly, that feels pretty human.
The characters as a whole were another highlight. I liked most of them, and I especially appreciated that no one felt perfect or effortlessly amazing at everything. They all had strengths and weaknesses, and their flaws made them feel more believable. Rayne is a strong young woman with plenty of thoughts of her own and a fiercely protective streak, while Wren gradually grew on me as I got to see more of their development. I also loved watching the friendship between Edmund and Wren blossom, particularly because Wren had opportunities to walk away but chose to stay and help instead. Meanwhile, the developing enemies-to-friends dynamic between Edmund and Rayne has me curious to see where things go next.
The relationships feel just as intentional as the characters themselves. Everyone has a role to play, and it's satisfying to watch them grow into those roles through their experiences and connections. I found myself invested in both their individual journeys and what they might accomplish together. I would also happily spend more time with some of the side characters, particularly Jahna and Slade and their dynamic, including the way they care for and mentor the younger characters. If future installments happen to include a few novellas, I certainly wouldn't complain.
The worldbuilding worked well for me, too. I can't say I have a perfectly clear picture of every location, but the descriptions gave me enough to set the scene in my head, almost like watching a movie unfold. The larger conflict is easy enough to understand, and I have a good sense of what's at stake, even if the details of how everything will eventually play out are still up in the air. The journey itself felt natural, with a few twists and turns that fit within the larger story rather than feeling out of place.
I also appreciated the balance between action and quieter moments. This can be a violent story, with deaths, injuries, blood, and some dismemberment, although the gore isn't excessively descriptive. Having those calmer moments where the characters could simply exist between battles was a welcome change of pace. Nothing felt particularly rushed or underdeveloped, and the story gave its characters room to grow alongside the plot.
What I especially liked was that the story felt fresh compared with the fantasy I've been reading lately. It explores trust, loyalty, power, responsibility, and learning to navigate the world on your own, all while giving its characters room to make mistakes and figure things out. The ending also struck a nice balance. It brings closure to this chapter of Edmund's journey without pretending he's finished growing, and it leaves enough unanswered questions to make me curious about what's next without leaving me desperate for immediate answers.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of the world, watching these characters continue to develop, and finding out how the larger conflict unfolds. I'm also curious to see whether Edmund and Rayne's relationship changes over time. For now, they're figuring out how to be friends, and that's perfectly fine, but I wouldn't mind seeing where that dynamic goes.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable fantasy with excellent writing, meaningful character growth, and a cast I'd happily spend more time with. It may not be a contender for my book of the year, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and came away satisfied, with just a little lingering curiosity for more. I'd recommend it to fantasy readers who enjoy character-driven stories, found family, flawed characters, and the idea of fighting not only for the greater good but for yourself, too.