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Heir of Flame and Shadow
Heir of Flame and Shadow picks up where Daughter of Light and Dark left off, continuing Mina’s journey through a world steeped in shadow, betrayal, and dangerous magic. At its heart, this story is about survival and self-discovery in the face of unbearable odds. Mina struggles with her cursed gift, torn between the burden it places on her and the hope it brings to others. Alongside her, a cast of allies and enemies twist the path forward, pulling her into battles that are both physical and deeply emotional. Themes of identity, family, sacrifice, and the fragile line between love and pain shape the arc of this sequel, while the backdrop of supernatural powers and dark kingdoms raises the stakes to life-or-death levels.
I enjoyed how raw the writing felt. The prose is not polished to perfection, but that roughness gave the book a pulse, like the words were breathing with Mina. The imagery is often harsh, almost jagged, and it fits the tone of the story. I found myself swept along by the energy, even when the pacing slowed. The dialogue carried weight, sometimes heavy with pain, sometimes sharp with betrayal, and occasionally softened by fleeting moments of tenderness. At times, I wanted more quiet space to sink into the characters’ hearts, but the relentless drive of the narrative made sure I was never allowed to get too comfortable. I liked that. It kept me unsettled, the way Mina herself was.
The exploration of trauma and control felt unflinching, and it stirred up emotions that weren’t easy to brush aside. There were moments when I had to pause, not because the writing faltered, but because the weight of what was happening pressed too close. That’s a rare thing for me, to feel almost winded by a book. At the same time, the bond between characters, even when fractured, reminded me of how messy and stubborn love can be. It isn’t always gentle or safe. Sometimes it’s sharp enough to draw blood. And that messy truth gave the fantasy world a raw humanity that made it believable.
I’d recommend Heir of Flame and Shadow to readers who aren’t afraid of dark themes and emotional turbulence. If you like your fantasy with teeth, if you want magic tangled with pain, and if you enjoy characters who are complicated and scarred, this book will speak to you. It’s not for someone looking for a lighthearted escape. It’s for readers who want to be rattled a little, who want to sit with shadows and still see the flicker of flame inside them.
Pages: 262 | ASIN : B0FKZJDW49
A Character People Can Respect
Daughter of Light and Dark follows a young woman and orphan with the rare ability to see Jinn without the aid of a ring who searches for a stolen artifact belonging to her mother. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The idea for Daughter of Light and Dark first came to me while reading the true historical story of Zarqa’a Al Yamama, a woman known for her extraordinary eyesight. This inspired the character of Mina, a unique girl with the ability to see Jinn without needing any rituals.
Another source of inspiration was the Lord of Chains, modeled after a terrifying children’s tale “Abu Al Salasil / Man of Chains”, a horror folklore story from the Arabian Peninsula, particularly popular in the northern region historically known as Jilfar. While the original figure was frightening, I wanted Ashrush to be more of a guardian figure. His grumpy demeanor is one of the few remnants of the original Man of Chains.
I really wanted to write about these popular stories known here in the Arabian world, that not many know about out of this region, the Arabian peninsula folklore is rich with stories of Djinn and overpowered people like Zarqa’a, Antar Ibn Shaddad and so many more.
In a lot of contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
This is kind of embarrassing to say, but that would probably be Mina’s attempt to subdue her emotions. Human emotions are really hard to control, especially negative ones. When you are angry, you shout, when you are sad, you cry, when you are anxious, you can’t sit down. Mina has to control her negative emotions, she has to subdue them so she won’t feed the dark thing within her. That would be the most “me” thing I would do, that’s probably true for a lot of people too. But in Daughter of Light and Dark, while Mina has to control herself, she also has to find a way to be free, to break from the chains holding her back and express her feelings like normal people.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My main theme was to emphasize not letting others dictate what you should do. Ashrush is a popular character among readers, but if you notice, he often holds Mina back. He represents the people you love—whether a family member, close friend, or colleague you respect and adore—who have your best interests at heart but might discourage you from pursuing what you truly want. I wanted Mina to find her own voice, to stand up against being talked down from doing what she wants to achieve, and that’s why I think she’s a character people can respect or admire.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
I’m planning to have book two ready before May (hopefully). Book two will have Mina at her lowest, losing control and trying to find ways to gain back that control. There are new places to discover, new people to meet, and new stories to share. And for those wondering about all the unanswered questions left at the end of book one, don’t worry—you will find some of the answers in book two. I promise, just trust the process.
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An Enchanting Journey of Discovery, Belonging, and Liberation.
She wanted one thing and one thing only, to free her mother’s Jinn from his golden ring, but to free one is to free them all. Accompanied by her Jinny Companion, the Lord of chains, and a dark presence stirring to free from within her, Mina sets on a journey to find all the eleven golden rings of the Kings of Jinn, her main mission overshadowed by scheming royals, a troubled friend, and a crumbling world.
Daughter of Light and Dark
Daughter of Light and Dark, set in the fantastical kingdom of Rafah, is a compelling YA fantasy novel by author Ahlam Faris. The book introduces readers to Mina, a young woman with the rare ability to see Jinn without the aid of a ring. Protected by her mother, who guards this secret fiercely, Mina’s life takes a tragic turn when a devastating fire leaves her orphaned. Years later, accompanied by the enigmatic Jinn Lord of Chains, Ashrush, Mina returns to her childhood home in search of a stolen artifact belonging to her mother. This quest not only reveals the truth of her origins but also sets her on a path to save the Rafah Kingdom.
Mina’s journey of self-discovery unfolds against a backdrop of magical beings, including the Jinn and Ifrits, in a world on the brink of collapse. As the Veil that separates the realms begins to tear, Mina emerges as the potential savior of her kingdom. Faris crafts a richly detailed world filled with intricate lore and a plot that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
The story is successful in its world-building and offers a tantalizing hint of romance amidst the action. The characters that populate Mina’s world add depth to her development, particularly the mysterious Ashrush, her childhood friend Saif, and the noble Prince Zyed. Despite the mounting tension and violence from the fanatical rebel group, the Nonbelievers, these characters bring moments of levity to the story. I would love to have seen an expansion of the history of the fascinating Jinn and their descent into the human realm.
Daughter of Light and Dark is a promising debut with its engaging plot and richly imagined world, it is a worthy addition to the young adult fantasy genre, and Ahlam Faris is an author to add to any fantasy fan’s must-read list.
Pages: 291 | ASIN : B0D2S1LGQF
LITERARY TITAN 