Runelight

The Aenigma Lights, Book 1

By: JA Andrews

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Kate thought finding the puzzle box would give her all the answers—but it only holds far more desperate questions.

Kate is a Keeper—a storyteller, magic-wielder, and researcher—but a single mystery has evaded her all her life: What happened on the tragic day when two strangers stole not only the puzzle box that hummed with magic but so much more?

She and her brother Bo have searched for twenty years with no luck. Until Venn, a surly elf, shows up on the hidden doorstep of the Keepers' Stronghold with that same aenigma box—and a message that Bo has disappeared.

Kate needs a guide back to Venn's homeland to search for him, and Venn needs to find him for reasons of her own. Reasons she refuses to explain. Despite their mutual distrust, Kate and Venn form a grudging alliance.

Somewhere in the midst of infiltrating dwarven tunnels, discovering the secrets of the aenigma box, and stumbling onto shocking ancient relics, the alliance shifts to friendship.

As the search for Bo grows increasingly dangerous, they uncover a complex plot woven through centuries, devastating not just individuals but entire empires. Even working together, the inexplicable forces standing against them may be too much.

Half treasure hunt and half rescue mission, this epic fantasy adventure is a tale of puzzles, mysteries, and the kinds of friendships—both old and new—that shape the soul.

©2023 J.A. Andrews (P)2023 Podium Audio

Critic reviews

"Reading's performance is smooth and thoughtful as she guides listeners through the puzzles and complexities of this fantasy novel. She captures the individual characters as they form uneasy alliances and fight the forces against them."—AudioFile Magazine

Characters both good and bad

As in a lot of books constant repetition of scenarios from previous chapters . That being said said I’ll continue in the future books.

Awesome

the only thing I wish for this is that I could get the other two books! Miss light and last light.

The narration by Kate Reading is great as always

Do you know ation is great, and character are very interesting but the plot was often tedious with too much emphasis on Nance.

Awesome plot, and original. Great narration.

I was on the edge of my seat by the end! can't wait for the next book.

My kind of book

It’s become rare for me to find a fantasy novel that I enjoy. Too many of them are repetitious stories about endless wars and tedious political machinations seasoned with gratuitous sex. None of those elements appeal to me. And then there are those including too many zombies, vampires, etc. Since I already read the first volume of the Keeper Chronicles and enjoyed the world, its stories and magic, I decided to give Runelight a try and found I loved it.
It begins with a quest in which Keeper Kate sets off to find her brother Bo who has been seeking for their brother Evan, lost years ago in a youthful misadventure. Kate and Bo believe he’s alive somewhere. Kate has spent years been pursuing her studies as a Keeper and hoping to find some clues about Evan’s disappearance. Bo has been exploring many lands in search of physical traces and stories that might lead him to Evan. He sends Kate letters describing what he observes, but Kate is frustrated and can’t respond with her own discoveries because she never knows where he’s headed next. Kate’s studies are interrupted when an elf named Venn arrives bringing Kate a mysterious box that Bo had asked her to deliver to Kate. The enigmatic box is so compelling that Kate asks Venn to show her where Bo was at the time Venn met him, and the quest begins. Other characters are drawn in for their own reasons, and the mysterious box itself becomes a central figure. The journey is perilous. There are mysteries, puzzles, magic and legends that are part of it all.
I enjoyed the characters and their interactions. The world drew me in. There were no warriors killing each other and other beings, but tensions arose from encounters with a mysterious shadow that may have also been a walking tree. There were characters who grew along the way and became less wary of each other. There was strength revealed through acts of caring and healing, rather than swordplay. And, of course, Kate Reading is a skilled narrator who doesn’t just give characters their own voices, but also uses cadence and tone effectively.
Volume 2 can’t arrive soon enough!

loved it

the characters were very engaging, loved the pace, didn't want to stop listening. I'm so ready for the next book.

great story

really enjoyed it. Kate know how to keep the listeners engaged. Highly recommend. I look forward to the rest of the series.

I loved this book

I just finished this book, and it was such a good, well written story. I read this authors first trilogy, and it was good enough to try this. The author has improved since then. I like the trilogy I love this book. I can't wait till the next one. the trilogy was well written buy a little slow. This was perfect.

Great reader and story

It is amazing what Reading brings to all these incredibly well constructed characters. Loved it.

Surprising narrative and characters

I’ve listened to the other books from this world and have enjoyed all of them. Think one is similar and has a complex narrative that is difficult to guess exactly what will happen. The characters are delightful and while there are similarities to the other books and how the characters bond with one another, they are also distinct and interesting on their own.