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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 | Romance 

Review: ? 

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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 Novella 

Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Romance 

Review: ? 

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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: ? 

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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 | Romance 

Review: ? 

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Book 3 in an epic fantasy series with cursed sisters, vengeful witches, endangered dragons, and sweet romance. 

Book Number: Three

Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Romance 

Review: ?