By Blood, Shadow, & Fire - by Orin Steele (Hardcover)

Occasionally readers are blessed with a debut author who sinks directly into your soul. Orin is that author. Her words are descriptive and build a stunning world ripe with layers of trauma and yearning. Islyn has always hid from the world but now she longs to know what she really is. Touched by the Gods, but hidden in cloaks of fear and pain, she must decide who she wants to be. Beyond the well written, multi-faceted female main character, Orin created something truly breathtaking. Her world varies by area but also blends seamlessly together as the characters move across the continent. The realms of Gods intermingle and display elements of Greek, Roman, and other ancient mythologies. This principle of Gods gifting mortals with their touch at birth is very distinct depending on the God. Each God handles this gift differently as we learn early on. Islyn is a heartbroken, young woman who has walked through hell. She is willing to do anything to actually understand where she belongs. Orin gifted us with this story. I laughed, I cried, my jaw was on the floor. That ending had my heart pounding. I cannot express my gratitude enough for being gifted this story to read early. I will shout Orin's praises from the rooftop and wait with bated breath for the rest of Islyn's story.