Review of Alexander J. Blakeley's Blade of Light by Alicia Ang
Blade of Light is a fascinating delve into what makes a world, who shapes society, and how much power any one person can hold if they choose to wield it.
The story begins with the brash orphan Aletta in the midst of a revolution in the city of Talith, where we watch in horror alongside her as the revolutionaries are brutally quashed by the ruling class. The story’s message is clear from the beginning: this empire exists on the backs of its lowest classes, and the noble families will do anything to keep themselves in power.
From there we follow Aletta and Belisarius, two warriors on opposite sides who have been bestowed inhuman powers by forces greater than either of them. The former is driven by the suns Bhenna and Ghanna, and the latter is a Dracanna endowed by the Dragons that shaped how the Altarian Empire currently exists. Crucially, both struggle with how their powers work; Aletta is restricted by the rise and fall of the suns, and the draconic nature of Belisarius’ powers cause his human body to suffer when he uses them.
Anybody can make change, that much is established through Blakeley’s narrative. What is left up to interpretation, that kept me turning pages with bated breath, is how every individual chooses to wield the power given to them. Every action begs an equal and opposite reaction in Altaria, which stands as an empire that begs to be feared but rests atop very shaky dominoes.
It’s downright astonishing that this is Blakeley’s debut novel. The consistency of this text’s geography, politics and economic state read like this world has existed and been expounded upon for years, not like a world only now being tentatively introduced to us alongside every other title challenging readers for attention.
What’s important to this story—and to you, dear reader!—is that Blade of Light has no intentions of reinventing or subverting the genre it lives in; that is why it works. Blakeley has taken all the strengths of the fantasy genre and simply elevated them. The beloved tropes of magical espionage, the scrappy underdog struggling with her powers, and the stoic broad-shouldered male protagonist all have a home in Blade of Light, they simply live in a grittier, sharper environment than you might be used to. Every decision, fight and emotional outburst is written with real weight behind it, and as a reader it feels like you’re forging the path ahead alongside Aletta and her allies as they fight their way to freedom.
Fans of the fantasy classics will be delighted by Blakeley's take on the genre. You'll be delighted, frustrated, curious and furious at every turn, but at no point will you be bored.