Jeffrey Hallett

While working on a technology project at Crystal Bay University, Dr Tricia Carling was involved in a freak accident. Following the accident, she acquired extraordinary strength and healing powers to become the world’s only functioning parahuman. Using the alias of Beacon, and donning a superhero costume, she has become a local crusader and celebrity, using her powers as a force for good to fight criminals. But, unbeknownst to Beacon, she is not the only person living in Crystal Bay with special abilities. A woman named Umbra was involved in the same accident as Tricia, although her abilities are significantly different. A year later, Beacon has caught the attention of Sorensen, the Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Human Potential. Sorensen has a secret mission to harness her powers and replicate them in others, creating an entire legion of parahumans. He persuades Umbra to work with him to recruit an army of people and give them the superpowers that will cure all society’s ills. But few people survive Sorensen’s rigorous experiments and Sorensen hopes that Beacon will provide all the answers he needs. Umbra is given her biggest mission to date, to recruit Beacon to the program. But when Beacon refuses to cooperate, Sorensen devises an elaborate plan to capture and incarcerate her. Stripped of her freedom and her powers, Beacon must decide whether to comply and survive, or fight back and risk everything.

Labyrinths of Radiance and Shadow is the sequel to Paths Into Darkness And Light, by Jeffrey Hallett. The book picks up Tricia’s story around a year after her lab accident. With some familiar characters from the first book, Hallett introduces new characters including an evil entrepreneur who sees in Beacon a new breed of enhanced humans. Beacon is a compelling protagonist – fierce, vulnerable and deeply human, despite her special abilities. The dynamic between Beacon and Sorensen is particularly well-drawn, capturing the chilling dance between heroine and villain, captor and captive, creator and destroyer. This is an electrifying (and sometimes terrifying) read that will satisfy readers of science fiction, super-hero fiction, and psychological thrillers.

Overall, a fast-paced, action-packed and emotionally charged sequel, with a fierce heroine, a terrifying villain, and a gripping, otherworldly plot. I would recommend reading the Paths Into Darkness And Light by Jeffrey Hallett first.

Star rating: 5 Stars 

Summary: A dark, science fiction / super-hero fiction novel, with a fierce heroine, a terrifying villain, and a gripping, otherworldly, plot.