Sophie Clark, Cruel is the Light, Penguin, January 2025, 496 pp., RRP $24.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761340512
Cruel is the Light is a thrilling fantasy novel filled with magic and high stakes. It weaves a complex tale of survival, loyalty, and forbidden love. As ancient secrets unravel and alliances are tested, difficult truths must be confronted, truths that could alter the fate of the world itself.
The novel begins in the midst of an ongoing war between demons and humanity that has raged for over a hundred years. At the heart of this conflict are Selene, the renowned “Butcher of Rome” and an elite exorcist, and Jules, a battle-hardened corporal who has survived what no one else could. Their initial distrust quickly turns to unwelcome attraction when they’re forced to team up after a series of unprecedented demon attacks.
With Jules posing as Selene’s estranged fiancé to maintain their cover, the two grow closer, but the tension between duty and desire becomes increasingly impossible to ignore. Selene is burdened by her family’s dark history and her own role as an exorcist. She struggles with the weight of her responsibilities and her growing feelings for Jules, unsure if she can trust him. As the two navigate the dangerous landscape of the Vatican, they uncover disturbing secrets at the heart of their sacred institution. Secrets that could destroy everything.
From bloody battles and magical confrontations to the raw vulnerability of falling in love, Clark creates a rich and immersive world filled with horror and drama. This book is a must-read for fans of fantasy romance. Recommended for readers aged sixteen and older who enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope or are drawn to fantasy tales filled with magic and demons.
Content Warning: blood & mild gore, adult language, self-harm for magical intent and sexual content.
Reviewed by India Boon.
