Episode 58 of the GSMC Book Review Podcast is my interview with ML Ruscsak, author of the Of Lite and Darke series. There are currently 2 books available in the series. The first is The New Reign and the second is The Fallen (which is actually a prequel). The third book, and second prequel, Secrets, Lies and Betrayal will be coming out in March.
Melisa didn't come to writing in the same way as a lot of authors but started writing as a way of helping regain her health after experiencing a series of strokes in 2011. She had to re-learn to do most everything, including reading and writing, and this series is a direct result of that process. I'm always impressed by the authors I interview, but Melisa's story definitely touched and impressed me.
Eighteen years ago, Princess Nisha became an orphan just days after her birth. Her parents and all of those with Fey blood all gone. All consumed by a fire that none had been able to stop. Or at least this is what is told. This is what is spoken aloud. Truth? Perhaps. But these are words Nisha has never trusted. Couldn't trust since they have never sounded quite right. Yet, not even her beloved aunt ever believed her when she questioned the events of that night.No one believed her when she had turned thirteen and she became the queen of the Under Kingdom. They didn't trust her when her powers and natural abilities began to grow to frightening results. That was fine, if they didn’t want to believe her then once she home and crowned Queen of Darke, then she would show them. Once she was Queen then she would find every answer that she had ever wanted.It wouldn't matter who or what stood in her way, for she would show them why she should be feared. She would show them what was created when her parents were stolen from her.For she is Nisha and she is the daughter of the darkness. (Source)
As the first in the series The New Reign sets up the characters and storylines, leaving a lot of room for more development of both. A lot of the questions the reader is left with from this story will be answered in the subsequent books according to Melisa.
The main character, Nisha, is an incredibly powerful young woman. She is also stubborn, loyal, and something of a terror to her family. The cast of secondary characters (most of whom will have significant roles in following books) are diverse and I look forward to learning more of their stories as the series continues.
The one thing I found frustrating in the book is actually part of the fabric of the story: Melisa deliberately uses typos and grammatical errors as part of the story as a whole, but the reader won't find out why until the last book. I admit to being very interested in finding out the purpose of these deliberate errors. I also admit to finding it really hard to read through them. I kept wanting to bust out the red pencil and make corrections. I'm very happy that they serve a purpose as part of the story, but it did make the reading more challenging for me.
Genres:
- Fantasy
- Young(ish) Adults
What I enjoyed:
- The relationships between Nisha and her family, especially her cousin Lily, with whom she should probably be enemies as Nisha is the crown princess of Darke and Lily is the crown princess of Lite. They work together to create their own relationship that isn't defined by their places of origins.
- The different types of fairy (or fey) creatures represented. There are many familiar-sounding characters that can be found in other fantasy books, but Melisa makes them her own and they are all unique.
- The world-building that went into this story.
Who should read the Of Lite and Darke series?
- Fans of kick-@$$ young heroines who are incredibly powerful but still maintain a sense of compassion and loyalty.
- Fans of fantasy.
- Fans of stories with complex casts of characters all of whom could be important as the series goes forward.
Quotes:
I am Nisha, the only daughter... the only child of the late Queen Adrianna and her husband Myrddin. Both died... vanished... were taken? I do not know the truth. Those who might are no longer of the living nor the dead. And how do I know this?Because I am the Queen of the Under Kingdom. The Queen of the dead. And I have questioned every person... every being that has ever existed... as to what had happen that night. No one knows the answer. So I must wait until my eighteenth year. I must wait until I take what is mine by birthright.I plan every day to find the truth. I plan to destroy anyone who dared to take my parents away. With help of my dear cousin, The Crown Princess of Lite and her Betrothed we press each other's natural abilities not daring to learn anything that does not come naturally. Least not yet.But soon. Oh So Soon I will teach those who doubt me... those who took my parents from me... Exactly why they should fear me.I am Nisha... And I am the darkness.
Where you can find Melisa online:
Website: https://www.mlruscsak.com
Facebook: @OfLiteAndDarke
Twitter: @M_L_Ruscsak
Instagram: @m.l.ruscsak
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/M.L.-Ruscsak/e/B06XD829TJ/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Author Bio:
Born In 1982, a native to Lorain Ohio, Melisa grew up living with her grandparents Frances and James Lasure. She attended Clearview High School as well as Lorain County J.V.S. While in J.V.S she attended the Culinary Arts program graduating in 2001. In 2003, she welcomed the addition of her daughter Chyenne. Who inspired her to start to put her dreams to paper. A story she wrote after her daughter's birth, although not published, became the stepping stone to everything else she would eventually write. In 2011 near tragedy struck as Melisa's health began to decline. By summer of 2011, she would need to use a cane to get around. Suffering a stroke she required a craniotomy where she suffered her second stroke. Leaving her with a partial impairment of her speech, and weakness on her right side. After surgery, she would need to learn not only to walk again but speak as well as recognize the alphabet. Two years later in the fall of 2012 after a divorce, she would meet the man who would push her not only to fight to regain her physical strength but to put her creative mind to work. No longer allowing her to dwell on what she could no longer do but what she could. In December of 2013, they would marry. With determination, Melisa would walk down the aisle without the need of a cane. In 2016, she would see her dream come true. With her daughter as her editor "Of Lite and Darke" was born. (Source)
To hear the interview with Melisa please click here.
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