To save her people, blind teen Fennel must face the Scourge alone. Survival is optional. Read the fantasy romance Brilliant Darkness series, called “My new favorite!” and a “captivating story and fascinating world.”
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you. My full disclosure is here.
The Scourge (Book 1)
Library Journal SELF-e Selection & Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist
Seventeen-year-old Groundling, Fennel, is Sightless. She’s never been able to see her lush forest home, but she knows its secrets. She knows how the shadows shift when she passes under a canopy of trees. She knows how to hide in the cool, damp caves when the Scourge comes. She knows how devious and arrogant the Groundlings’ tree-dwelling neighbors, the Lofties, can be. And she’s always known this day would come—the day she faces the Scourge alone.
A tale of star-crossed lovers, strange creatures, and secretive, feuding factions, The Scourge introduces readers to a rich and exciting new world where nothing is as it seems. Perfect for fans of the Divergent and Hunger Games series.
“One of the Best Books I’ve Ever Read! . . . Buy it, borrow it . . . whatever, just read this book!” ★★★★★
The Defiance (Book 2)
It hasn’t been long since Fennel, a Sightless Groundling, and Peree, her Lofty Keeper, fell in love and learned the truth: the Scourge, and their world, are not what they seem.
Fenn and Peree are determined to guide their people to the protected village of Koolkuna, but first they must convince them that everything they believe is a lie. An impossible task, especially when someone seems hell-bent on trying anything—even animal sacrifice and arson—to destroy the couple’s new bond and crush the frail truce between the Groundlings and the Lofties. Not everyone wants to uproot their lives in the forest, and those who stay behind will be left terribly vulnerable.
Fenn and Peree’s resolve to be together, and the constant threat of the Scourge’s return, push both groups to the breaking point. Unable to tell friend from foe, Fenn must again decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to ensure the future of the people of the forest.
Only this time, the price of peace may be too high to bear.
“Fans of THE SCOURGE, you will not be disappointed with this sequel. THE DEFIANCE was thrilling, romantic, and full of surprises. Loved this book!” ★★★★★
The Fire Sisters (Book 3)
Fennel and Peree are finally together and safe from the Scourge in the protected village of Koolkuna. But, on the day of their partnering ceremony, the children of the village are stolen away—Fenn’s loyal companion, Kora, among them.
Fenn wants to bring the children home, especially as the villagers seem to blame Peree and her for the tragedy. Only, since the death of her own family, she’s terrified that a wrong move on her part will lead to the loss of others she loves.
Despite her apprehension, Fenn and Peree join a small search party led by rival Kaiya, the one person who stands a chance of finding the children thanks to her mysterious past. As they travel away from the safe waters of Koolkuna and into the Scourge-infested wilds, Fenn endures Kai’s scorn, her subtle designs on Peree, and the squabbling of the group. But nothing in her life so far has prepared her for the fierce warrior women who will steal others’ children to preserve their own existence—the Fire Sisters.
If Fenn is to survive the threat of the Scourge, rescue the children from the Sisters, and have a hope of making a life with Peree in Koolkuna, she must face her fear of failure and loss and become the leader she’s destined to be.
“Wow! What an ending to a fabulous series! . . . I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next! . . . The Fire Sisters brings us excitement, love, doubt, danger and so much more!” ★★★★★
The Keeper: A Brilliant Darkness Novella (Book 1.5)
Peree knows what he’s doing as the new Keeper of the Water Bearer, Fennel. He knows Fennel’s Sightless. He knows that means the Scourge can’t hurt her while she gathers fresh water for her people. He knows how to wield his bow and arrow to take out the revolting flesh-eaters when they swarm around her. He’ll motivate her, distract her, do anything he can to keep her working. And most important, he’ll make sure his people get every drop of their share of the water she collects. Peree knows his duty is to his people and his people alone, and not to the Water Bearer.
What he doesn’t know is that he’s falling in love with her.
“This is a five-star, truly great book. Henley paints beautiful pictures with her words from the first page.” ★★★★★
The Gatherer: A Brilliant Darkness Novella (Book 2.5)
Alev is proud to be a Fire Sister, one of a fierce group of women who live on their own terms in a flaming mountain compound called the Cloister. The Sisters live without men, so Alev Gathers young girls to replenish their numbers.
After she plucks young Kaiya from the remote village of Koolkuna, the girl’s father follows them into the wilderness. Alev keeps him at bay, but over time she suspects that this man, at least, isn’t the monster she was taught all men are.
When Kaiya’s father manages to reach the Cloister, the Sisters want to put him to death. Alev can look the other way, or she can heed the growing whispers of her heart to help the girl and her father escape. But to defy the Fire Sisters is to revoke the only life and family Alev has ever known—and to face certain death herself.
“Beautiful writing, descriptive scenes, strong characters! I felt like I was right there with Alev and Kaiya! Can’t wait for book 3!!!” ★★★★★
The Brilliant Darkness Series Boxed Set
Get the entire Brilliant Darkness series in a convenient e-book set for less than purchasing each title individually. Find out why reviewers describe the series as “captivating” and “my new favorite.”