Today I am spotlighting Starlight Jewel by E. L. Lyons. Originally I’d planned to review this book, but life has gotten all the way in the way of my reading and I’ve only been able to read a few chapters. So a spotlight it is until I can get the book read.
Starlight Jewel by E. L. Lyons Series: Gifts of the Auldtree Trilogy #1
Published by Self-Published on 09/13/2022
Genres: Dark Fantasy
Pages: 493
IndieBound
Axly, the Starlight Company's premier seductress-thief and assassin, will do whatever it takes to keep her human brother hidden. The secrets of his origin could tear their world apart, and keeping them has driven her to lies and murder. Her people, the sprygan-human hybrids that live under the city of Minalav, aren't keen on allowing their most skilled asset to roam free. A job with a human offers a chance to get her brother out of danger, but it comes at a price. Divided loyalties, duty, romance, and the twisted hands of fate intertwine in this epic fantasy adventure.
Gifts of the Auldtree is a world of mythology, glamor, mud, blood, civilizations in conflict, and hints of distant powers. In the center of this is the mysterious Starlight Jewel of Minalav.
Content Warning: Graphic Violence, Suicidal Ideation, Classism & Ableism (woven throughout the book - the hybrid society structure is based off inherited genetic including appearances, linguistic capabilities, and abilities), child abduction, unnamed guard dog is killed quickly, child abuse/neglect (some questionable practices regarding training children are alluded to in the structure of the hybrid society and abuse/experimentation on a human child is mentioned in passing reference to a human child), torture, not-so-graphic violence.
About E. L. Lyons
E.L. Lyons holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Regent University.
She's worked as a pool manager, beauty department manager, relief counselor at a youth shelter and as a live-in caregiver. She hopes to finish her next novel from a loft overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains.