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A review by booksafety
Illumined Shadows by G.R. Lyons
5.0
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
A part of him was painfully aware of the abuse being done to his body, but he was able, from years of practice, to push it aside, pretend it wasn't happening. He hid away in the dark shadows of his mind, where it was safe.
This book was exactly what the blurb promised, yet nothing like I expected at all. I absolutely loved it. I must admit I was a bit worried in the beginning because of the power imbalance between the MCs. One of the MCs is *incredibly* vulnerable, and I was wondering how the hell the author was going to pull it off without giving me the ick along the way.
“Bad Man never lets me wear clothes,” Colby murmured, his awed tone making Vic want to hug the boy and punch someone in equal measure.
I ended up being very very impressed by how they managed to pull off the romance in this. It’s not I-need-you-now and tearing-off-clothes lust and chemistry, but deep affection, a sense of safety, friendship and love. It’s obviously (and thankfully) a slow burn and low heat, but it fit the story and the characters perfectly.
Being able to watch his sweet boy experience the beauty of nature for the first time in his life was both so utterly lovely and such a devastating reminder of just how much Colby had been denied.
Vic doesn’t want to be attracted to Colby, both because of his own past trauma, and because he’s afraid of preying on Colby. I thought Vic’s trauma really balanced out the story as well. He might be 31 years old, but in many ways he’s stuck as a scared and guilt-ridden 16 year old boy. He’s such a sweet and caring man.
The book is also set in a fantasy world with paranormal aspects, and it added a very different but intriguing vibe to the book, but without it feeling overwhelming.
Colby giggled—actually giggled—and Vic felt another piece of his shattered world settle back into place.
Definitely check the trigger warnings. Although there’s no gratuitous violence or graphic details on page, it doesn’t shy away from explaining what’s happened/happening either, and the warnings are most definitely warranted. Also, heads up about a lot of use of the words ‘kiddo’ and ‘champ’ from one MC to the other. I know that can peeve people.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Interactive ghosts
Age gap
Guardian/rescue
Size difference
Hurt/comfort
Paranormal fantasy
Slow burn
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Side character in a coma (past, detailed)
On page rape (not between MCs)
Details and mentions of sexual assault
Past kidnapping
Details of past abuse
Respiratory arrest
Stunted growth due to abuse and neglect
Mention of pet abuse and death (past)
Mentions of being cheated on (past)
Death of a sibling (past, off page)
Mentions of being drugged (past)
Past sexual experience with dubious consent (on page, ‘flashback’)
Side character drugged (past, on page)
Side character raped and beaten (past, some detailes)
Side character taken off life support (past, detailed)
Mentions of homophobia
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Paranormal romantasy, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles between MCs. The ‘top’ bottoms in a chapter flashback.
MCs age: 21 and 31
Pages: 353
“It's alright, champ–” Another nurse went by, and Colby let out a whimper, darting over to Vic and scrambling up his body until he had his legs wrapped around Vic's ribs and his head tucked against Vic's shoulder, his little arms wrapped around Vic's neck and his hands covering his own head. Vic put one arm around Colby's back to steady him. “Hey, kiddo. Easy. It's alright. They won't hurt you.”
You might be just what he needs. And he might be just what you need. Someday, as he trusts you more, this might be something really beautiful.
Colby's lower lip trembled. “Does that mean I can stay?” he whispered. “Of course, sweetheart. For as long as you want.” Colby glanced away for a moment, then looked up at Vic from under his eyelashes. “Forever?”
A part of him was painfully aware of the abuse being done to his body, but he was able, from years of practice, to push it aside, pretend it wasn't happening. He hid away in the dark shadows of his mind, where it was safe.
This book was exactly what the blurb promised, yet nothing like I expected at all. I absolutely loved it. I must admit I was a bit worried in the beginning because of the power imbalance between the MCs. One of the MCs is *incredibly* vulnerable, and I was wondering how the hell the author was going to pull it off without giving me the ick along the way.
“Bad Man never lets me wear clothes,” Colby murmured, his awed tone making Vic want to hug the boy and punch someone in equal measure.
I ended up being very very impressed by how they managed to pull off the romance in this. It’s not I-need-you-now and tearing-off-clothes lust and chemistry, but deep affection, a sense of safety, friendship and love. It’s obviously (and thankfully) a slow burn and low heat, but it fit the story and the characters perfectly.
Being able to watch his sweet boy experience the beauty of nature for the first time in his life was both so utterly lovely and such a devastating reminder of just how much Colby had been denied.
Vic doesn’t want to be attracted to Colby, both because of his own past trauma, and because he’s afraid of preying on Colby. I thought Vic’s trauma really balanced out the story as well. He might be 31 years old, but in many ways he’s stuck as a scared and guilt-ridden 16 year old boy. He’s such a sweet and caring man.
The book is also set in a fantasy world with paranormal aspects, and it added a very different but intriguing vibe to the book, but without it feeling overwhelming.
Colby giggled—actually giggled—and Vic felt another piece of his shattered world settle back into place.
Definitely check the trigger warnings. Although there’s no gratuitous violence or graphic details on page, it doesn’t shy away from explaining what’s happened/happening either, and the warnings are most definitely warranted. Also, heads up about a lot of use of the words ‘kiddo’ and ‘champ’ from one MC to the other. I know that can peeve people.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Interactive ghosts
Age gap
Guardian/rescue
Size difference
Hurt/comfort
Paranormal fantasy
Slow burn
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Side character in a coma (past, detailed)
On page rape (not between MCs)
Details and mentions of sexual assault
Past kidnapping
Details of past abuse
Respiratory arrest
Stunted growth due to abuse and neglect
Mention of pet abuse and death (past)
Mentions of being cheated on (past)
Death of a sibling (past, off page)
Mentions of being drugged (past)
Past sexual experience with dubious consent (on page, ‘flashback’)
Side character drugged (past, on page)
Side character raped and beaten (past, some detailes)
Side character taken off life support (past, detailed)
Mentions of homophobia
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Paranormal romantasy, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles between MCs. The ‘top’ bottoms in a chapter flashback.
MCs age: 21 and 31
Pages: 353
“It's alright, champ–” Another nurse went by, and Colby let out a whimper, darting over to Vic and scrambling up his body until he had his legs wrapped around Vic's ribs and his head tucked against Vic's shoulder, his little arms wrapped around Vic's neck and his hands covering his own head. Vic put one arm around Colby's back to steady him. “Hey, kiddo. Easy. It's alright. They won't hurt you.”
You might be just what he needs. And he might be just what you need. Someday, as he trusts you more, this might be something really beautiful.
Colby's lower lip trembled. “Does that mean I can stay?” he whispered. “Of course, sweetheart. For as long as you want.” Colby glanced away for a moment, then looked up at Vic from under his eyelashes. “Forever?”