"A TALE OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS," by Jacob Gowans, Shadow Mountain, $17.99, 392 pages (f)
Henry sees the best in everyone, including those others have given up on. So it isn’t a surprise when his circle of friends willingly breaks laws when he needs help most. But their actions prove to have serious consequences and soon the leaders of two nations are hunting for Henry and his group in “A Tale of Light and Shadow.”
This book has managed to combine the right amounts of love, adventure and friendship into a page-turning masterpiece. Tension-filled moments can make staying up late to read a definite possibility, while the fast-paced action scenes help keep readers wide-eyed, eager to know what happens next.
While many action/fantasy books are continually serious, the touches of humor found throughout “Tale” are true treasures. The only bad thing about “A Tale of Light and Shadow” is that the novel ends — and leaving a hopefulness that author Jacob Gowans will give up his day job and write full time.
Gowans has managed to write a book that can appeal to a wide range of audiences of both genders. Adventure-lovers will enjoy the action while those who need romance will swoon over the love story.
Gowans’ characters are highly believable and easy to get to know and love. Each character has flaws and noble traits, both of which Gowans integrates into the story. In addition, he does an excellent job showing that not every hero is perfect and even a traitor can have a pitiable past.
“A Tale of Light and Shadow” is book one of a series. It has no profanities but does include a few minor crude expressions. Romance is limited to kissing, and the violence won’t make readers wince.
Gowans graduated from Brigham Young University and continued through dental school. He lives in Arizona with his wife and four children and works as a dentist.
Elizabeth Reid has bachelor's degrees in economics and history. She has worked in retail, medical billing, catering, education and business fields. Her favorite occupation is that of wife and mother. She blogs at www.agoodreid.blogspot.com.