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Standing in Shadows: The Strength Of Acceptance (Dark Fey Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Cynthia A. Morgan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 52 ratings
See all formats and editions

Gairynzvl escaped the captivity of The Reviled Fey, barely. The cost of his freedom was higher than he ever imagined, but now he wants to return to their dark realm and he wants Ayla and his new Fey of the Light friends to join him.

The perils are terrifying, but to rescue childfey who were abducted by the Reviled like he was, Gairynzvl will risk everything.

If they are captured, they will pray for death long before it comes. Will the Fey of the Light risk war with The Reviled and who will join Gairynzvl's quest into the realm of shadows and fear?

Five Star Praise for Standing in Shadows

“Never less than compelling and with a decided darkness throughout., Standing in Shadows is a book any Fantasy aficionado would relish. Sufficiently sprinkled with delicious descriptions and a sprinkling of romance, the final line leaves us salivating with its ominous undertones. More, we shout! We want more!”

“Epic adventure awaits in this magical realm. Standing in Shadows is a superb continuation in the Dark Fey series.”

“I stayed up the entire night frantically reading and turning the pages. The plot, the characters, the story within the world Ms. Morgan created were all compelling and exceptionally done.”

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Previous page
  1. Book 2 of 3
    Dark Fey
  2. Print length
    354 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    December 4, 2015
  6. Reading age
    15 - 18 years
  7. Grade level
    9 - 12
  8. File size
    2947 KB
  9. Page Flip
    Enabled
  10. Word Wise
    Enabled
  11. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Review Rating:5 stars! Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Standing in Shadows is a young adult fantasy novel by Cynthia A Morgan and the sequel to The Reviled, part of the Dark Fey series. The realm of Jyndari is undergoing major changes once again as the newly released Gairynzvl vows to free the Childfey who are being severely mistreated by those who dwell in darkness. With Ayla and Marden stepping into new maturity as the seriousness of their situation deepens, epic adventure awaits them once more in this magical realm. Gairynzvl's secret knowledge of the dark realm brings to light some grisly truths and threatens to provoke a powerful war between The Reviled and the Fey of The Light.

Having only recently read the first book, The Reviled, I was delighted to step back into the lavish world of light and dark which Cynthia A Morgan has created. Once again her prose takes on an almost poetic flow as the world of Jyndari spills out before her audience, and this time the stakes feel even higher than before. With time to really develop the three central characters during this second novel, I felt even more invested in the emotional ties they share and the duty to The Light which they feel. Whilst the torturous treatment of the Childfey is an upsetting subject, it is handled gracefully without the need for graphic reference, and it brings a new gravitas and danger to the plot that further enhances the sense of tension and adventure. Standing in Shadows is a superb continuation in the Dark Fey series.

From the Author

Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows, book two of the Dark Fey Trilogy, delves deeper into the mystery and suspense of the tale initiated in book one: The Reviled. In book two, readers discover the history behind the main character, Gairynzvl, in greater detail as they learn about the harrowing life he endured among the Reviled of the Uunglarda, as well as the terrors of The Integration; the process of intentional cruelty and neglect designed to twist childfey into Dark Ones.  Although Standing in Shadows reaches deeper into the shadows, it never strays entirely out of the Light, relating a tale of both fear and hope as readers share Gairynzvl's challenges to return into a restored life.
Although certainly darker than book one, Standing in Shadows does not incorporate this level of horror simply for the sake of it. One does not need to open the pages of a book to discover the unthinkable, as the darkness typically embodied in fantasy genre stories by some terrifying being or creature is very much alive in our own reality and this is the underlying motivation for the darkness woven into Dark Fey.  Standing in Shadows was inspired in great part by the terrifying, yet true-life events of the Lord's Resistance Army or LRA, a rebel militant group in Uganda that has for over 20 years abducted children from their homes; forcing them to commit horrifying acts of violence against each other and their own people. These children suffer a very real Integration and, like the childfey of Jyndari, they endure violence, starvation, multiple rapes and beatings at the hands of truly sadistic overlords.  This is how the Reviled came to life and became the horrifyingly cruel beings depicted in Dark Fey.
However dark, Standing in Shadows also gives readers the opportunity to explore the vibrant realm of Jyndari more fully.  There are accounts of distant lands and exotic wildlife; readers join the villagers of Hwyndarin in a night of celebration and exquisitely described traditional music; and the characters even get time to enjoy an exhilaratingly heart-pounding sporting event, but through it all, Gairynzvl's purpose remains and the reasons why he wants to return into the dark realm of The Uunglarda are ultimately exposed.
In spite of the dangers involved and the very great risk of sparking full-scale war with the Reviled, Gairynzvl has an inescapable need to go back into the dark realm of the Uunglarda to rescue as many of the childfey trapped there as he can find. The success of his plan will hinge upon more than courage and military strategy; it will call upon the unique skills and magic of each individual who chooses to join his band of Liberators, and it will require a level of dependence upon each other for which few of them are prepared.  Their actions will test all of their limits, could easily divide loyalties, and will shake the foundations of everything The Fey of The Light have accepted as truth for thousands of years. Can Gairynzvl convince his friends and the Temple Elders to allow him to return to the Uunglarda?  Who will join him to help the innocent childfey who have been abducted into the realm of shadows and fear?  Will the Fey of the Light risk a savage war in order to rescue so few, and will any of them be prepared to face the consequences of their actions?

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B018HF4HSA
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow City - A Next Chapter Imprint; 3rd edition (December 4, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 4, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2947 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B08993YRR5
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 52 ratings

About the author

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Cynthia A Morgan

Cynthia A Morgan

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Cynthia A. Morgan is an award-winning author, freelance writer, and digital artist whose captivating stories, poetry, thought-provoking articles, and beautiful artwork transports readers into magical realms and promote powerful messages like ‘show thankfulness through kindness and appreciate blessings through generosity’ and ‘the only way to achieve peace is by becoming peace’.

Morgan is also the creator of the popular blog Booknvolume where over 18,000 followers regularly explore her poetry, daily meditations, writing prompts, and articles about spirituality, her books, characters, and spotlights on other authors.

When asked how she feels about writing, Morgan has said: “To write; to paint with words as an artist bedecks his canvas with hues and shades and layers of pigmentation; to sing a melody upon which the gaze may linger and over which the heart may muse again and again: to create visual splendor with grammar and language is the most beguiling form of intoxication in which I could ever take pleasure.”

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
52 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Michelle Clements James
4.0 out of 5 stars Returning to the realm of the Reviled
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows is book number two in the Dark Fey trilogy. Because Standing in Shadows gives light to the characters and the plot, I would recommend that Dark Fey: The Reviled be read first.
The story opens with an introduction to The Uunglarda and the torment found there inflicted upon Childfey by the Reviled, a grotesque, loveless, and evil population that lives in the realm of dark shadows.
On the other side, in the mystical realm of Jyndari, where the Fey of Light live, we learn of a former Dark One, who has undergone the Integration, the process to renounce the Reviled and join the Fey of Light. Gairynzvl enlists the help of the confidence of the Temple Elders and Ayla, a Guardian of Childfey, to rescue those kidnapped, neglected, and tortured Childfey living in The Uunglarda against their will.
What I loved about this second book is that the characters have developed greater maturity. Yes, we see some jealousy between Marden and Gairynzvl, but they are able to rise above that and work together. Ayla has found an inner strength she didn’t previously possess for the sake of the Childfey. The descriptions are rich and detailed though not to the point that the reader becomes bored. On the contrary, they give depth to the story so the reader can visualize Jyndari and The Uunglarda and those who live there. I loved the easy flow of words in this and the previous book, which is so characteristic of the author, whether writing fiction or poetry or, just telling about her day.
What I didn’t like about Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows is the manner in which the Child Malefey and Shefey were treated, even though a lot was through intimation, such treatment was difficult reading, but this is my personal view and it does not impact my review. There are a lot of movies that I don’t watch for the same reason. I won’t go into more detail to avoid giving away spoilers.
I recommend Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows to anyone who enjoys fantasy or young adult fantasy. On a scale of 1-5 stars, I would award this book 4 ½ stars. I am looking forward to reading book three in the Dark Fey Trilogy.
This is my honest review.
One person found this helpful
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Amber
5.0 out of 5 stars 5/5
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2024
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The book came in great condition and I look forward to reading!!
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M. Holly-Rosing
4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Epic Fantasy
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2019
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"Standing in Shadows" starts where book one ends.

Celebrant Fey Marden is still unconscious recovering from his ordeal while a newly "reborn" Gairynzvl tries to adapt to his new life as a Light Fey. But the years of being a Dark Fey have taken it's toll and he carries an heavy emotional burden from the trauma. The only way he can think to redeem himself is to rescue the Childfey who still suffer in Uunglarda. Meanwhile, Ayla is torn between her old love, Marden, and her new love for Gairynzvl.

I would rate this a 3.8. It is a well-thought out and epic fantasy world with bigger than life characters. The reading can get a bit dense at times, but it's part of the world building. The quibble I have which I thought was a formatting mistake in the first book is the lack of proper punctuation of dialogue. Often the dialogue of one speaker is part of the same paragraph of the thoughts/actions of another character instead of starting a new paragraph for the new character. It becomes a mish-mash at times and I often had to stop to figure out if the character who was speaking was the one doing the action or if it was a new character. It was a little annoying.

However, I did find the characters to be engaging and the conflict organic. Nothing comes easy for them which is great and you definitely want to find out how it ends!
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reader2010
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it.
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
Ms. Morgan writes like a good wine tastes, there are wonderful notes of things in it and sometimes you must re read a passage to get all you can from it. Lyrical and rich, it beckons you to go further, take more. And this is from the individual who does not like, hates?, cliff hangers. But I am so into this series. I really do want the next installment now.
One person found this helpful
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richhist
3.0 out of 5 stars Ok
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2017
Seemed more of a romance than fantasy. I skimmed a good deal of the book to skip all of the dialogue related to the romance potion. The fantasy is ok though.
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Atlanta Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars A fantasy with a serious theme
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2018
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The battle between good and evil – light and dark – picks up steam in book two of the Dark Fey Trilogy. Gairynzvl, who escaped from the cruel, dark world of The Reviled in book one, is now determined to save other “younglings,” like him, who were snatched from their parents in the world of the Light Fey and dragged into a truly brutal existence. (As horrible as the treatment is of these “childfey,” the author bases this part of the story on a real-life nightmare in Uganda, where children were kidnapped and forced to carry out violence against each other.)

Gairynzvl and his band risk everything by sneaking into the world of the Dark Fey. The level of tension escalates as they venture into dangerous territory. There's also the jealousy between Gairynzvl and Mardan, who both have their hearts set on the beautiful and gifted Ayla. The writing is lyrical and the scenes well drawn as our understanding of the characters deepens.

I look forward to reading book 3 to find out whether the light fey are willing to follow Gairynzvl’s lead by risking their cushy existence to save the innocent victims of the depravity inflicted by The Reviled.
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Boatdave
5.0 out of 5 stars It's a book
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2020
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It's a book. Either you like it or you don't. My wife liked it.
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Robin
4.0 out of 5 stars "Dark Fey: Standing in the Shadows" is a moral ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2016
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"Dark Fey: Standing in the Shadows" is a moral tale that encompasses romance, action, and drama. The author offers highly imaginative, richly detailed settings in both Uunglarda, the dark world inhabited by the Reviled (a grotesque, loveless race), and Jyndari, the world of the Fey of Light (beings of light and love). The primary story revolves around Ayla, Guardian of Childfey, who rescues kidnapped, tortured Childfey from Uunglarda. Over time, she grows in strength and character. Secondary characters, Marden and Gairynzul, struggle with a rocky relationship, fraught with jealousy. Because this is the second book of a trilogy, I was grateful for the descriptive introduction and glossary.
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Top reviews from other countries

Maria
4.0 out of 5 stars Standing in Shadows
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 11, 2017
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Highly recommend to fantasy readers and while not strictly necesary I would suggest reading the first book in the series, The Reviled.
This type of fantasy isn't normally my cup of tea but having been surprised by how much I enjoyed the first book earlier this year, I took the plunge. I think I'm enjoying this series for two reasons, the high standard of writing and the clear and strong themes behind the story.
The author uses skilful writing to describe the two worlds she has created, one of darkness and one of light so they really come to life.
I related so well to Gairynzvl whose aims drive the story. Having escaped the darkness into the light he wants to return to the darkness to rescue the stolen children, knowing they will be suffering the same abuses he did. To me his character stood head and shoulders above his supporting cast.
Although I related to one character the rescue of the children involves team work, trusting the unknown, putting aside personel differences and several characters discover new strengths.
A very enjoyable read.
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bookworm81
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 5, 2017
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The Dark Fey Trilogy is a beautiful, detailed series that transports the reader into a complex world of fantasy. Cynthia Morgan's writing is visual and colourful, with quite a literary feel to the book.

It had been a while since I'd read the first book in the series, so I was grateful for the recap at the beginning of this book- certainly necessary for such a complex world! I thoroughly enjoyed Standing in the Shadows with its gripping adventure and complicated romance thread.

Looking forward to seeing how the trilogy ends!
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adam boustead
4.0 out of 5 stars Can they get away with it.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2018
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The dark fey has services the ritual that has transformed him back to a fey of the light. Now he wants his lover and her old lover to help him go back into the darkness and rescue fey children. Can they suk seed?

I agree with his dark fey old lover I preefer him whith his dragon hide wings.

Would recomend this wunderful book to any lover of fantasy.
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