Back of Book: 

It's been fourteen years since Gaeren saw Aeliana disappear, but he still searches every port for his childhood friend. When the latest clue points to lands across the barrier, where people are no longer supposed to exist, Gaeren is forced to relive the painful memories of losing Aeliana in order to discover if she's still within his reach.

The Light That Takes is a prequel short story in The Half-Light Chronicles.

Book Number: Prequel

Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A short story that will be sure to hook readers on the characters and world of "The Half-Light Chronicles."

"The Light That Takes" follows Gaeren, a young man who is searching desperately for his childhood friend, Aeliana, that was viciously ripped out of his life fourteen years ago.

This short story does a great job of introducing who Gaeren is now: his life searching for Aeliana, his strong will and stubborn mind, as well as his adventures on the high seas. But then the story shifts to a memory that Gaeren hasn't dared to remember: the day that Aeliana was taken from him. This tale is told with such urgency and it broke my heart to see the two separated. I can't wait to see these two reunited sometime in the actual series.

The magic in this world also seems very unique and original based on the small sample in this story. Much of their magic is based on the stars, the Sun, and the moon, which is neat. I also think it is cool that there are different types of magical half-lights with different abilities depending on what types of magic they possess.

Overall, I am very impressed with how well this story drew me in with only a couple pages. I am desperate to know what happens to these characters, and am excited to see where Gaeren and Aeliana end up in the main series. I am highly looking forward to reading the rest of "The Half-Light Chronicles."

Update 2/17/2026 -

I reread this one in preparation of diving into this series for real this year. I read Norton's debut science fiction novel earlier this year and loved it, which has inspired me to chip away at this lengthy fantasy series as the year progresses.

Audiobook Note: "The Light That Takes" audiobook is narrated by Paeter Frandsen, who is Karyne Norton's brother. I've heard great things about him, but this was the first time I've actually listened to his voice. I really like the way his voice sounds and am excited to hear more of him throughout future installments of this series! The fact that this series is narrated by a brother-sister duo is really cool, especially due to the fact that it is the author and her brother. 

Back of Book: 

Harnessing the power in her blood could turn the tides of war—if it doesn’t destroy her first.

It’s been fourteen years since Prince Gaeren lost Aeliana, the childhood friend he’d sworn to protect. Haunted by the unfulfilled promise, he searches for a way to bring her home. But with threats against the kingdom from both a rebel faction in the south and Mayvus, a power-hungry priestess in the east, he only has time to follow one last clue across the seas.

Kidnapped as a child, Aeliana is desperate to be rid of the chaotic magic in her blood, magic her captors use to ravage the land. When she’s found by Gaeren’s rebel enemies, she joins their fight to rescue her mother from Mayvus, but her unwieldy power only serves to attract Mayvus' attention. Aeliana must learn to control her magic before they reach her mother, or risk becoming the weapon Mayvus needs to take complete control of the kingdom. 

Book Number: One 

Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A lengthy epic fantasy story following a girl with powerful abilities she fears and the boy that has sworn to find her if it's the last thing he does.

Prince Gaeron has been searching for Aeliana for the last fourteen years. In his youth, he was meant to protect her, and he will never forget the day that she was taken from him. Aeliana has been living with dangerous captors, Mayvus and Arvid, who utilize the magic in her blood for their own nefarious purposes. Gaeron is determined to find Aeliana, even if it means pursuing her into the mysterious human realm. Eventually, Aeliana encounters a group of rebels who work against the crown that tell her they know where her mother is and are hoping to take Mayvus down. Desperate for someone she can actually trust Aeliana reluctantly places her trusts with the group of rebels in the hopes of a better future.

I first discovered Karyne Norton's books back in 2024, and I have been meaning to read this series ever since. However, each book is over 600 pages, so I wanted to get my hands on the physical editions of these ones, because I didn't want to have to stare at my ereader for a million hours. I was not disappointed by this story in the slightest and I'm so glad that I'm finally committing to reading this series!

The magic system in this one is so unique. It's set up as a wheel, with each spoke possessing different abilities. Once a person masters their spoke, they can sometime harness abilities from neighboring spokes. As a magic wielder becomes more advanced, they can move towards the outside of the spoke and can utilize the rim of the wheel. I'm definitely not an expert on this magic system yet, but I think it's conceptually so cool and unlike anything I've read about before.

The wheel system is paired with blood magic. Descendants of stars, called Half-Lights, are the people that can possess this magic. The magic is stored in their blood, which means that if cut, other people can take a half-light's blood and use it for their own purposes. There is a ton of dark magic in this book including using people's blood to brand and control them, but I thought this added to the depth of the magic system. Bonds are like the good versions of brands in which you can connect yourself to a partner or a parent in the hopes of better being able to protect them. There is a fine line between good and bad blood magic in this world, and I'm intrigued to see how characters' opinions on it evolve as the series progresses.

I really like both Gaeron and Aeliana as main characters. Aeliana has been heavily abused her entire life, so she is slow to trust and constantly feels she is being manipulated, even by her own allies. Gaeron is one of the most loyal characters I've ever come across. He literally only knew Aeliana for a short while, but he has dedicated his entire life to finding her, paying no mind to the fact that he is a prince. The bond these two share is really special, and I'm looking forward to seeing it evolve into the slow burn romance that this series promises. Also, Orra is so mysterious and I have no idea what to make of her.

The inclusion of magical creatures is also neat. There are some pretty typical creatures such as dragons and sprites, but there are also unique being such as these creatures that live and die with the moon's cycle. Aeliana befriends one by the name of Felk, and they have such a sweet relationship.

It's hard to go too much into the plot of this one when the book is so long. I can say that there is a ton of lore dumping in this one and that it mostly features Aeliana and Gaeron moving from one location to the next. It takes them quite some time to actually meet up, but the story definitely picks up once they do. This story is a bit slow, but it's definitely worth it.

Overall, "Blood of the Stars" is everything I expected it to be. It is a high fantasy book that is character driven and features a unique magic system. I found Aeliana and Gaeron to be extremely likeable, and I love the chemistry between them already. I look forward to seeing how their relationship develops more in future installments. Some minor plot points have been tied up, but there is a ton more story to be explored in future books. I am so excited to continuing exploring this series!

Audiobook Note: I listened to this one on audio in tandem with my physical copy. I still think it's so cool that Karyne Norton narrates her own books with her brother, Paeter Frandsen. I feel this adds a layer to the audiobook since I've been in contact with Karyne and am on her street team. They both do a phenomenal job of bringing the story to life and I look forward to hearing more of their narration in future installments! 

Back of Book: 

She plundered his ship, and he fell in love...

When Pirate Redwood plunders Captain Moss' ship to entertain her crew, she discovers he's already stolen her most valued an ancient cutlass. She takes it back, but it's only one of four relics they're both determined to find. Friendly competition turns deadly when a third sailor joins the hunt, and Redwood is forced to decide which treasure to go the relics she's vowed to protect or the man who's stolen her heart. 

This story is a companion novella to Blood of the Stars, the first book in The Half-Light Chronicles, and the story is referenced in chapter twenty-six of the full novel. 

Book Number: Companion Novella 

Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Romance 

Review: ? 

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The tragedy of Lovers' Falls...

This is a tragedy.

It’s also a love story with threads of hope.

But it’s important that you go into it expecting a tragedy.

In The Half-Light Chronicles, nearly every book and story references Lovers’ Falls, a waterfall near the center of Vendaras inhabited by sprites. It’s named for the skeletons embracing at the cave’s entrance, and its origin is a favorite story among bards and storytellers because it can be tweaked to emphasize various morals, making it a warning or inspiration, depending on the audience’s need.

But this version is the true story, the one that tells just how the skeletons got there (hence the tragedy) and how their story connects to others you may know.

The Light That Burns is a short story in The Half-Light Chronicles that can be read as a standalone but is best enjoyed with more context from the series.

Book Number: Companion Short Story

Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Romance 

Review: ? 

Back of Book: 

The knowledge to reverse her mother’s curse lies just across the barriers, but so do new prophecies that resurrect even older threats…

With Mayvus gone and relative peace restored, Aeliana must find her place in a foreign nation as the high priestess’ daughter. But her mother’s mind seems broken, and the research Mayvus left behind makes Aeliana suspect the evil priestess isn’t actually dead.

After leaving home as a traitor, Gaeren relishes the chance for a fresh start without expectations as prince and throne warden. But when his sister welcomes him back, he questions whether he can do more good for the people by his sister’s side or among them supporting Aeliana.

When they discover Mayvus is not only alive, but her life force is intricately woven with Aeliana’s mother’s, they set out to break the curse that binds the priestesses. But answers lie across the barriers in foreign nations, and the hunt for the ancient relics that take them there holds prophetic dangers of its own. If they can’t reverse the curse before Mayvus’ reach exceeds their fragile defenses, sacrificing Aeliana’s mother might be the only way to save the nation they love.

Salt in the Seas is the second book in The Half-Light Chronicles, an epic fantasy series with adventures at sea, prophecies, curses, slow burn romance, and the hunt for ancient relics. 

Book Number: Two

Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Romance 

Review: ? 

Back of Book: 

As a new recruit in the navy, Velden is eager to prove his heroic nature, especially since everyone else is wary of his webbed hands and feet. When his first voyage gets cut short by a deadly kraken, his defeat of the beast seems to do just that. But years later, after his mother's murder, he loses all hope in the people he's promised to protect as well as his own ability to save them.

Despite his efforts to hide away in a seaside village, rumors of his skill with the kraken follow him, until he's asked to rid the waters of another kraken now terrorizing his new home. Haunted by his past, Velden must set aside his hatred and fears in order to give the people—and himself—a chance at a future.

The Light That Leads is a novella starring everyone's favorite half-Sayhleen. It's part of The Half-Light Chronicles, and is best read between Salt in the Seas and Curse of the Moon. 

Book Number: Companion Novella 

Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy 

Review: ? 

Back of Book: 

A curse from vengeful witches. Hateful half-lights out to obliterate magic. A tyranny planned by the sister she’s never met.

The curse that plagued Aeliana’s mother now falls on her—and the sister she never knew existed. Desperate for a cure to avoid her mother’s fate, Aeliana is prepared to face the witches who set the curse in motion or to find the Dehvlonian archives foretold to have the cure—whichever will end the curse and weaken her sister, Anara.

Even as Gaeren’s heart tells him to follow Aeliana across volcanoes and barriers, duty keeps him by his sister’s side as her throne warden—a position of power that will protect both Aeliana and Enla better in the end. But as Enla’s mind breaks even further and her trustworthiness waivers, it’s unclear if he can even protect her from herself.

When Enla accuses the Recreants of treason, they’re forced to flee—and Gaeren along with them. But freedom to search for the cure only reveals Anara is already several steps ahead, with plans for power and immortality that mirror those of her predecessor. Crossing the barrier to break the curse seems like their best chance, but if they can’t return fast enough, it might not be enough to save the nation from Anara’s plans for tyranny.

Curse of the Moon is the third book in a planned quartet, and each book will be released on Kickstarter.

Book Number: Three

Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Romance 

Review: ? 

Back of Book: 

As Guardian of the coral and the gemstones they produce for the Sayhleen people, Gellen’s responsibilities dictate much of his life. It makes him an unlikely match for adventurous Nori, who longs to swim past Paelen’s Waters and cross barriers to other seas and land. But that doesn’t stop him from hoping she’ll accept the proposal expected by their parents.

When a coral reef is destroyed by one of their own, Gellen is forced to set aside courtship to hunt down the perpetrator. But catching the murderer only brings about more questions and deeper threats to the coral, the gemstones, and the Sayhleens. And the secrets he’s forced to keep push Nori even further away.

It always seemed impossible to keep his charges safe while also winning over Nori, but now he might not be able to do either.

The Light That Glimmers is a short story in The Half-Light Chronicles, and is best read between Salt in the Seas and Curse of the Moon.

Book Number: Companion Short Story 

Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Short Story 

Review: ?