From the moment I first heard about Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark from my friend, I was beyond excited! What’s not to love? This book has everything you could ever want in the perfect romantasy—enemies to lovers, grumpy-sunshine dynamics, a beautiful slow burn, and did I mention a fake engagement?! And if you're a fan of knife-to-throat scenes, you’ll find those too!

But what truly stole my heart were Jules and Selene. I fell in love with them from the very first page! Selene, our fierce and intimidating girl with a gentle heart, is ambitious yet deeply loyal and faithful, always striving to prove herself. And Jules? Oh, my poor tortured boy. What I love most about him is that, from the very beginning, he truly sees Selene for who she is. He recognizes the darkness in her soul, accepts it, and loves her even more because of it.

Sophie Clark’s writing is beautifully immersive, with rich world-building and complex, unforgettable characters. She left me completely captivated, and I simply can’t wait to read the sequel!

This book was intense, but in the best way imaginable. Cruel is the Light has completely blown my mind and expectations out of the water.

This was a HUGE release for me; I was pumped ever since the smallest info about it started making waves. I was BEYOND excited and intrigued by the premise; it sounded really unique and interesting. It really has exceeded any excitement that I had.

Cruel is so well-written that it is SO hard to conceive that this is Sophie's debut; The style is flawless and very atmospheric; it's quite a visceral book. It's a shame that the battle scenes near the beginning were so short, because Sophie really knows how to right powerful fighting! There is lots of action, however, sprinkled throughout to keep you on your toes.

There are so many twists, turns and secrets revealed in this book, that you don't feel that happy contentment and, I suppose, almost smugness that you have the plot mapped out; you can see where it's going. This book will surprise the hell out of you; there is a twist that I swear I did not see coming at all. It was incredible.

Selene and Jules are the greatest; Jules truly has my heart and unyielding affection. They are one of the best enemies-to-lovers couples that I have read in a very long time; they're just so believable. They're not phoney in the sense that they lose the enemy aspect pretty easily; the fury and chemistry is palpable. Jules is the greatest; I adored him. He's such an interesting character with a fascinating background that unravels throughout the story. And Selene is fantastic; we love a terrifying and powerful queen! I also really enjoyed that they're both such different characters with very different backgrounds.

The world-building is intense; I will admit that at the beginning I was a little confused as the plot and magic system were set up. I was slightly worried that I was too stupid to understand it. I think it just feels confusing because it's so complex and extensive; a lot of effort has been put into the creation of the world and it shows.

This was a spectacular debut!

I highly recommend this book; I think it will set the bookish world on fire.

I want to preface this review with thanking Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was massively drawn in by the premise of this book. Who isn't intrigued by demons, exorcists and an alternate Rome? The backdrop of the Eternal City was a really great idea, and Sophie's writing was really evocative of the locations. Selene and Jules were both flawed as characters, and written in a way that made you want to get to know them all the more.

The story takes us to some interesting places in Europe; Ostrava in the Czech Republic, Nice in France being the main destinations aside from Rome. The events of the book are intriguing, and some of the plot twists really got me.

I am already desperate for the sequel!

This was an engaging read that kept me hooked through most of the book. I really enjoyed the characters and the tension in the romance and it kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. I really enjoyed the train scenes and dialogue as well as the setup of the story.

However, I did find myself a little lost in the world-building at times. There were a lot of names and terms introduced that made it tricky to fully immerse myself in the setting. I had to reread a few sections to keep track of everything, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the overall plot and the romance. The fountain scene, in particular, was 🥵

I gave it an overall 3.5 stars so all in all, a great book and I’ll definitely be looking forward to more from Sophie Clark!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC copy. I was really excited to read this book and although I did enjoy it, I personally feel that it could have made more of the world-building and the magic system than it did.

The plot was a bit jumpy for me and sometimes I felt that I had missed something and ended up going back a few pages to find that I hadn't. Saying that I found this book highly addictive and I was very much invested in the main romance. I loved the male lead character although I know that others have labelled him annoying. Generally if you are a romantasy fan then definitely give this a go - I'm not sure it is a YA though as there is a fair amount of spice!

3.5/5

Many thanks to Penguin and NetGalley UK for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book really brought me back to the YA books and tv that I loved as a teenager. I didn’t realise I’d been missing that until I started Cruel is the Light and it filled an apparent hole.

As a story, it felt very fresh. I couldn’t put my finger on anything else that I’d read quite like it which was really exciting. Exorcists v demons feels new and I loved the mythology Sophie Lark created around the whole world. It definitely feels like there is more to learn and I can’t wait to keep exploring the world.

I loved the romance in this. It got its claws in me straight away and it had the back and forth banter that I love for in books. It really helped build the tension and I just needed to keep reading to see it continue to develop.

Really looking forward to the next book to see where things go next.

Thank you to Penguin Random House UK, Sophie Clark and NetGalley for sending me the ARC of this book..

This book had a great premise - conspiracy in the Vatican, demons vs exorcists - it was there. And that core plot is what kept me reading til the end.

However, I just didn’t fall in love this this book. I felt like it was a bit hard to follow and that things in the story happened with little to no explanation. I feel like it needed more editing / polishing.

I liked the characters, particularly Jules, Kian and Sparrow. But I don’t feel like some of the characters had enough depth too them, or reacted to situations in a normal way. Selene in particular had little depth. She’d been brought up with demons being the enemy. She’d sacrificed her family for it. But she accepts Jules with very little effort.

Something in the story did grip me, but I felt the execution needed work.

This was sadly not quite as good as I'd hoped it would be.
The concept was all there and I think it could have been something really good, but it just missed on the execution for me.

Worldbuilding wise, even using established places and setting we still seemed to struggle slightly and there were definitely unfamilar words used that weren't explained. It wasn't bad but just not as visual as it could have been.
I liked the idea of the POV but it wasn't always clear whos POV you were in right away which was a bit complicated until you caught on.

The magic system was an excellent idea in theory and I can see what the author ha intended but again, sadly slightly confusing and just left me wanting a bit more explanation.

That being said, i loved the main characters. I felt they were really good and they definietly are what kept me reading., They felt much more fleshed out than the world and I could understand them and their actions made sense to who they were as characters. I also quite liked their romance and the direction it took (although i think it's wrongly advertised as enemies to lovers, they were never quite enemies).

The plot itself I quite enjoyed too and I did want to keep reading to find out what would happen and that's always a really good sign!

Overall, it was okay but just needed a tad more polishing.

3.5 stars.

it took me a little while to get into this story, but when i did, i enjoyed it. i particularly enjoyed the dynamic between our two main characters—the tension was delicious. i also really loved the world, the imagery. the one remark i have to give though, is that the different povs were really confusing at times.

Sophie Clark’s Cruel is the Light presents an intriguing premise: an exorcist and a foot solider in a world where demons are locked in a century-long war against the Vatican. God has long since been felled and yet humanity has found ways to persist.

This book blends religious conflict with a near modern, dystopian aesthetic. The creative world and unique lore is the strongest element to this story and makes it stand out in the romantasy genre.

Despite my love for the concept, I found the pacing slow and struggled to engage in the story.

I may recommend this book to readers looking for a magic system similar to Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter universe in a setting reminiscent of Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals.

Thank you to Penguin Random House UK, Sophie Clark and NetGalley for allowin me to read this ahead of it’s release and share my review.

Thank you to Sophie Clark and Penguin Random House for providing me with a copy of this book!

Honestly, where to begin with this story? I found it to be fast-paced and very engaging. The tension between the female main character (FMC) and the male main character (MMC) captured my attention right from the start. I enjoyed watching their development and connecting with them throughout the narrative.

I will definitely be reading more of Sophie's books in the future.

Thank you to the House of YA besties for sending me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. I struggled to get into it and I found myself disinterested in the characters and the world. However, I did like the premise and think the idea was there, it just didn't hit the way I wanted it too.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sophie Clark and Penguin for a complimentary e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 10% / 51 pages in.
This book wasn't for me unfortunately - the writing style didn't gel with me at all and I found it to be written in an overly wordy, confusing manner which made me keep having to reread sentences as I found them so jarring. This meant the book didn't flow well. I was hoping the characters would save it for me but whilst both protagonists are interesting on paper, I didn't empathize with either of them and got very little feelings from them - it was very tell don't show.
A real shame as this book had such a fun premise and I was excited for the use of the Vatican and hunting of demons in the worldbuilding but the worldbuilding itself was very vague and not particularly explained so it lost my interest fast.
I'm leaving this book unrated as it was a DNF.

I was immediately drawn in by the premise and gorgeous cover and the writing hooked me. Selene and Jules are main characters that I missed the second I put the book down and I flew through it (even though it was 500-600 pages long, it didn’t feel like it!) Action-packed and full of yearning.

I rate this book 4.5 stars!

This book felt fresh and took me back to fantasy stories from a few years ago. I was hooked from the beginning and fell in love with the world and the characters. I love Jules and his cockiness. He's exactly the type of character i always fall for when reading a book.

The plot was nicely paced and i enjoyed all the action scenes. There was never a dull moment for me which is why i rated it high. You can expect forbidden romance, hunter x demon, fake engagement, knife to throat, one bed and many other tropes in this. So, if you are into all of that then this book is for you.

The only issue for me was that at times it wasn't clear whose pov we were reading from which had me confused at times so i would have to go back a little bit and re-read it. The writing could have flowed a bit better but i still enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading the next one when it comes out.

Thank you to netgalley and penguin random house for the e-arc.

I love a good fast paced romantasy, so Cruel is the Light was right up my alley. I loved the world building, there's a lot of action, tension and intrigue. At times I had trouble following what was going on, but I still enjoyed it a lot. The romance was really good, and the side characters made the story so much better. I'm looking forward to the sequel!

Cruel is the Light has a very unique and intriguing storyline following demons and exorcists in a fictionalised world based in the Vatican. There is initially a lot of world building which did take me a bit of time to get into. I found it a little bit difficult to follow at times. I enjoyed the second half of the book more as I enjoyed the reveal of twists and betrayals and alliances. Jules and Selene make great main characters and I enjoyed their character development individually and as a couple.
Overall this is a fun and unique read and I look forward to seeing what happens next in this series!

Cruel is the Light is an action-packed fantasy featuring a centuries-old war between demons and the Vatican, a reluctant alliance, and a forbidden romance. Selene Alleva, a high-ranking exorcist with a dark family legacy, and Jules Lacroix, an orphaned deserter, are forced to work together despite their immediate distrust—and undeniable attraction.

Tropes:
📖 Fake engagement
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
⛔ Forbidden romance
🌞 Reverse grumpy x sunshine
🗡️ Knife to throat
🏰 Forced proximity

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the banter. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed such a high-quality level of witty, engaging dialogue. The dynamic between Selene and Jules made for an incredibly fun reading experience, adding both humour and depth to their relationship. Their push-and-pull tension kept me hooked, and I loved the way their interactions evolved over time.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, there were a few areas where I would have loved a bit more development. The transition from banter and flirtation to love happened a little quickly, and I think a slower progression would have made their relationship even more impactful. Given the horrors both characters endured, I would have also liked to see more exploration of trauma and emotional aftermath, which could add even more depth—perhaps in the sequel! Additionally, some parts of the world-building left me with questions, and a bit more clarity in certain areas would have helped ground me in the setting.

That said, Cruel is the Light is an intense, thrilling, and romantic fantasy with fantastic character dynamics, gripping tension, and plenty of action. I loved the chemistry between the leads and the high-stakes plot, and I’ll definitely be looking forward to the sequel!

Cruel is the Light had a lot of elements I usually love in a fantasy read: a gritty, war-torn world, a forbidden romance, and a deep dive into the battle between good and evil. Sophie Clarke has crafted a fascinating world here, with a centuries-long war between demons and humanity providing a rich backdrop for the story. The Vatican Academy and the the exorcist training were particularly well-developed, and I appreciated the thought that went into the lore.

The premise of Selene and Jules, two soldiers on opposing sides finding themselves drawn together despite their duty, had a lot of potential. However, while I enjoyed their initial interactions and the building tension, the romance unfortunately fell a little flat for me. I didn't quite feel the spark between them that I was hoping for, and some of the romantic moments felt a bit rushed.

The action sequences, while frequent, were sometimes a little muddled. It was occasionally difficult to follow the choreography of the fights, and I found myself having to reread passages to fully understand what was happening. This did detract somewhat from the overall enjoyment, as the battles are a key component of the story.

Despite these issues, I was invested enough in the world and the overall plot to keep turning the pages. The mystery surrounding the Vatican's secrets was intriguing, and I'm curious to see where the story goes next. If you're a fan of dark fantasy with intricate world-building, Cruel is the Light might be worth checking out.

🪽🏛️ Cruel is the Light 🏛️🪽

- Sophie Clark

⭐️⭐️.5

Demon exorcists meet the Roman Vatican in this YA fantasy romance that’s taken the world by storm. We follow Selene, an exorcist at the prestigious Vatican academy and Jules, a foot soldier with a mysterious past, as their unlikely paths intertwine in the course of a bloody war.

I’m so sad I didn’t love this more, because on paper, it sounds exactly the sort of thing I would love. I spent a large majority of the book confused. We are thrown into the middle of the action, which normally I wouldn’t have an issue with, but it felt like things never really got explained and we were left in that state of confusion, which is a feeling I don’t particularly like when I’m reading (even when it’s intentional!) Occasionally, I felt like the time and setting jumps were jarring. One minute we would be in the middle of a scene and the next we would somewhere completely different, in another characters POV.

I liked the characters, especially some of the side characters (shoutout to Caterina and Lucia). Selene was well-rounded and the author did a good job of toeing the line between her reputation as fierce and feared and moments of vulnerability and tenderness. The romance between Selene and Jules definitely drove me to finish the book. It’s just such a shame I felt the other aspects were a bit let down by the worldbuilding and writing.

Cruel is the Light had so much potential but unfortunately the execution just didn’t land for me and I’m so disappointed! I will still be continuing the series, just to see if any of the aesthetic writing and worldbuilding errors might be resolved. In which case, I think this could be amazing!

Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC! 🙏