Sunrays Among Shadows is a work of fiction in the paranormal, historical, fantasy, and dark fiction subgenres, and forms the opening novel of The Anim series. Penned by author H. Dawn Hunter, it is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Set between two timelines centering around the same events, we find ourselves following the unfortunate history of the Howell siblings, Lily and Liam. A peculiar abduction left the brother and sister devoid of memories for part of their childhood. Liam isn’t keen to explore those missing thoughts, but Lily stumbles upon the key to unlocking it all. Adding to this danger is Jasper Behrtram, responsible for the abduction of numerous children over the years. The guilt is weighing heavy on Jasper’s soul, and Lily’s presence may just be enough to push him over the edge at last.

Author H. Dawn Hunter has crafted a horrifically good work of dark fantasy fiction that I was engrossed in from beginning to end. One of the things I loved most about this work was the author’s narrative and depiction centered on relationships and emotion, especially Lily’s at the driving core of the tale. With such conviction in her emotional arc, the dark developments and secrets revealed by the plot become all the more intense and meaningful. I also adored Jasper and the psychological exploration of the toll that his work and the duress he’s suffered has had on him over time. The fantasy aspects were also credible and atmospheric, never once overshadowing the emotional core of the work. Overall, I would highly recommend Sunrays Among Shadows as an engrossing read for those who love to be lost in mystery, intrigue, converging timelines, and unpredictable dark fantasy twists.

Sunrays Among Shadows by H. Dawn Hunter is a story full of magic and wonders about Lily and Liam, who lost their memories due to an unknown accident. After many years have passed and they are adults now, the topic of the mystery is brought up suddenly once again by Lily. What is the reason for it? Will they be able to recover their memory? Or, most importantly, what if they lost it for a reason?

To begin with, I cannot praise enough the ability of the author to create such pleasant relationships between the characters. Moreover, every character has a very distinct personality, so I did not have the impression that any of them was created to fill a hole in a plot. Also, I enjoyed the personality development, especially Jasper’s. I have a really hard time choosing between Lily and Jasper as to which one of them is my favourite character. Both of them are stubborn, feisty, and have the ability to use sarcasm extraordinarily well, which I love in fictional characters. I would say Lily won my heart slightly deeper as she was so brave to face the expectations of society and rebel against them. Furthermore, when it comes to the plot, I enjoyed the presence of nature, its importance, and the idea of spirits.

What is more, without spoiling too much, H. Dawn Hunter touched on some serious issues. The most important of them is the feeling of loneliness, even when you have many people around you. Also, there is the problem of abuse and the inability to reach out for help for those suffering from it.

I noticed just two slight downsides while reading the book. There were so many characters and names that at times I lost track of who was who and had to go back a little, which connected with the fact that the story is written from more than two points of view. Furthermore, some descriptions were a bit too long for my liking, which made the storyline move a bit slowly at times.

I rate Sunrays Among Shadows a solid 5 out of 5 stars. This book will definitely stay in my memory for a long time, and it will be a challenge to find a better one. Its story was so beautiful, full of magic, but also, in a way, educational. The minor downside that I noticed is my personal preference, and I am sure that many people will not find it bothersome, so it did not influence my rating. I did not notice any errors, so the book is well-edited.

I recommend this book to teenagers over fifteen and adults, as it contains bloody descriptions of violence. Also, it will be a perfect read for those looking for something with some good old magic and a spice of adventure. It should be kept in mind that monotheist believers may feel offended as there is a strong criticism of religion by one of the characters.

Jasper Behrtram successfully completes his assignment of abducting children from another world. His has been to obey and never ask questions. While he can put himself in grave danger and be in for the worst form of punishment if he failed, Jasper has never thought about the reason behind the abductions. That is until he met Lily, twenty years ago. Lily and Liam Howell were abducted and made to forget the experience. They have avoided speaking about it until Lily remembers something that stirs her memory and her heart. Can Jasper risk everything for Lily, even his own life?

Sunrays among Shadows by H. Dawn Hunter is the opening book in The Anim Series and a compelling science fiction narrative that is as nuanced as it is absorbing. The story is told from multiple points of view and this reinforces the suspense that is already strongly created in the story. The first-person narrative voice creates a strong sense of intimacy, pulling readers irresistibly and irrevocably into the inner worlds of the characters. This author explores the psyche of the characters with aplomb and makes them convincing. The prose is dazzling and the dialogues are well-crafted; they feel real and the author uses them to drive conflict, deepen the plot, and move the narrative forward. H. Dawn Hunter has an extraordinary gift for stellar characters and the world-building is no less impeccable. Jasper is a man torn between duty and conscience, a charmer who succeeds to win hearts on Earth only to abduct them and bring them to another world. Lily's experience is as disturbing as it is vividly drawn and her journey to reconnect with the past is intriguing. Sunrays among Shadows is a deftly plotted, cleverly executed tale with an irresistible appeal to fans of science fiction.