Nightmares and Warnings

Kennedy, the new Seelie Queen, is haunted by prophetic nightmares of bloodshed and betrayal. Her visions warn of imminent attacks on those she loves, especially Marguerite, a beloved maternal figure. When she wakes, the lines between dream and reality blur, leaving her shaken and desperate to prevent the tragedies she foresees. The weight of her role presses down as she scrambles to warn her allies, knowing that her ability to change fate is uncertain. The emotional toll of her seer's gift isolates her, but she clings to hope, determined to use her power to protect her found family, even as darkness gathers at the edges of her world.

The Queen's Burden

Kennedy's days are consumed by the demands of ruling a fractured kingdom. She faces political infighting, racial tensions between fae and humans, and the ever-present threat of violence from Luuk, a cunning rebel leader. Her council is divided, and her authority is constantly questioned. Despite her title, she feels like an outsider—both as a Druid among fae and as a young woman thrust into power. The castle is more prison than home, and her closest confidant is Torin, her loyal First Knight, whose feelings for her complicate their bond. Kennedy's longing for connection wars with her duty, and she struggles to reconcile her personal desires with the needs of her people.

Shadows of the Past

Kennedy is tormented by memories of Jared, her first love, whose death she blames on herself and Lorcan, the dark dweller who once claimed her heart. The pain of betrayal and guilt is compounded by rumors of Lorcan's escapades, fueling her self-loathing and unresolved longing. Her relationship with Torin deepens, offering comfort and the possibility of new love, but the shadow of the past lingers. Kennedy's inability to move on keeps her restless, and the ghosts of those she's lost—family, friends, and lovers—threaten to consume her. She is caught between the hope of healing and the fear that happiness will always be out of reach.

Attack at Honey House

A rare moment of purpose and joy is interrupted when Kennedy's visit to a children's home ends in a brutal attack. Bombs and gunfire rip through the peace, leaving her and her guards fighting for survival. Castien, a trusted friend, is gravely wounded, and Kennedy's healing magic is pushed to its limits. The violence is a stark reminder of the dangers she faces and the cost of her position. The attack exposes a mole within her inner circle, deepening her paranoia and sense of isolation. The emotional aftermath leaves her shaken, wracked with guilt, and more determined than ever to protect those she loves.

Aftermath and Guilt

In the wake of the attack, Kennedy is consumed by guilt over the lives lost and the suffering of her friends. She questions her ability to lead and wonders if she is cursed to bring pain to those around her. The burden of responsibility is crushing, and she finds solace only in the arms of Torin, whose devotion is both a comfort and a source of confusion. The lines between duty and desire blur as she contemplates what she truly wants—and what she deserves. The threat of betrayal within her own ranks looms, and Kennedy must decide whom she can trust as she prepares for the next move in a deadly game.

The Secret War Room

Kennedy is summoned to a hidden war room by Lars, the Unseelie King, who reveals the extent of the threat against her. With a mole in her core team and enemies closing in, Lars insists she must go into hiding, using a double to maintain the illusion of her presence. The plan is fraught with risk, and Kennedy is forced to accept Lorcan as her protector, reigniting old wounds and unresolved feelings. The tension between Torin and Lorcan explodes, exposing the deep rivalries and passions that threaten to tear them apart. Kennedy's world narrows to a handful of people she can trust, and the stakes of survival have never been higher.

Unwanted Reunion

Forced into exile with Lorcan, Kennedy is thrust back into the orbit of the man who broke her heart. Their chemistry is undeniable, but so is the pain of their shared past. As they travel through magical doors to Europe, hunted by enemies and haunted by visions, Kennedy must confront the darkness within herself and the unresolved bond between them. The journey is fraught with peril, misunderstandings, and moments of raw vulnerability. The line between love and hate blurs, and Kennedy is forced to question whether she can ever truly escape Lorcan—or if she even wants to.

Through the Doors

Kennedy and Lorcan's escape through the magical doors is a frantic race across Europe, pursued by assassins and fae loyal to Luuk. Each new city brings fresh dangers and tests their fragile partnership. Kennedy's visions grow darker, hinting at betrayals and looming catastrophe. The constant threat forces them to rely on each other, rekindling old passions and exposing deep wounds. As they dodge enemies and seek allies, Kennedy's sense of self is challenged, and she must decide who she is—Queen, lover, or weapon. The journey is as much about survival as it is about confronting the truths they've both tried to bury.

Hunted in Europe

In Switzerland and Germany, Kennedy and Lorcan are relentlessly hunted. A note from an unknown enemy reveals that their every move is tracked, and Kennedy's circle of trust shrinks further. Attacks by fae assassins and the constant threat of exposure force Kennedy to adopt a new identity, "Raven," complete with a radical makeover. The transformation is more than skin deep, as Kennedy embraces the darker aspects of her power and personality. The tension between her and Lorcan simmers, fueled by jealousy, desire, and the ever-present danger. The journey becomes a crucible, forging them into something new—or threatening to destroy them both.

Black Magic Rising

As Kennedy infiltrates the Druid Liberal Republic (DLR), she discovers a hidden world of Druids wielding black magic and enslaving fae. Her own latent dark powers begin to surface, frightening her and those around her. The line between right and wrong blurs as she is forced to use forbidden magic to survive and protect Lorcan. The DLR's leader, Franklin, tests her loyalty and power, pushing her to the brink. Kennedy's connection to Lorcan deepens, but so does her fear of what she is becoming. The struggle to control her magic mirrors her struggle to control her heart, and both threaten to consume her.

Infiltrating the Druid Rebellion

Kennedy's mission within the DLR is a delicate dance of deception and survival. She must prove herself to the rebels while hiding her true identity as Queen. The discovery that the DLR is led by her long-lost sister, Fionna, adds a new layer of complexity and pain. The sisters' reunion is fraught with suspicion, resentment, and the weight of family secrets. As Kennedy is drawn deeper into the rebellion, she is forced to confront the legacy of her parents, the true nature of her power, and the cost of loyalty. The lines between ally and enemy blur, and Kennedy must decide where her true allegiance lies.

Sisterhood and Betrayal

The revelation that Fionna is her sister shakes Kennedy to her core. The two women are bound by blood but divided by ideology and pain. Fionna's embrace of black magic and her willingness to use violence for the cause horrify Kennedy, who fears the darkness within herself. The sisters' confrontation is a battle of wills, each trying to save the other from a path of destruction. Betrayals within the DLR and Kennedy's own circle come to light, forcing her to make impossible choices. The cost of leadership is steep, and Kennedy must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice for family, love, and the future of her people.

The Battle for Belfast

Luuk's forces descend on the DLR's hidden base, and Kennedy finds herself at the center of a brutal battle. Outnumbered and outmatched, she is forced to unleash the full extent of her black magic, controlling fae and turning the tide of the fight. The power is intoxicating and terrifying, threatening to consume her. The cost is high—friends and allies fall, and Kennedy is left to pick up the pieces. The battle is a crucible, forging new alliances and exposing old wounds. In the aftermath, Kennedy must reckon with what she has done and what she has become.

The Price of Power

With Luuk defeated and the rebellion crushed, Kennedy faces the consequences of her actions. The darkness she unleashed cannot be easily contained, and the loss of friends and the betrayal of allies weigh heavily on her soul. Fionna is captured and held by Lars, who demands Kennedy's loyalty in exchange for her sister's life. The political landscape shifts, and Kennedy must navigate new dangers as she seeks to protect those she loves. The cost of power is clear—no victory comes without sacrifice, and the line between savior and monster is perilously thin.

Love and Loyalty Tested

The fallout from the battle strains every relationship in Kennedy's life. Torin's heartbreak and Thara's betrayal leave scars that may never heal. Kennedy's love for Lorcan is tested by guilt, loss, and the demands of her crown. The two are finally able to claim each other fully, but their happiness is shadowed by the knowledge that their union will never be accepted by all. Kennedy's friendships are tested, especially with Ryan, who cannot forgive Lorcan for past crimes. The struggle to balance love, loyalty, and duty becomes the defining challenge of Kennedy's reign.

The Fall of Luuk

In a final confrontation, Fionna avenges their family by killing Luuk in a brutal, magical duel. The victory is pyrrhic—Fionna is gravely wounded, and the violence leaves Kennedy questioning the path she has chosen. The death of Luuk brings no peace, only a new set of challenges as the kingdom reels from the chaos. The sisters' bond is tested as Fionna is imprisoned by Lars, and Kennedy is forced to make a terrible bargain to save her. The cycle of violence and retribution seems endless, and Kennedy wonders if true peace is ever possible.

Treason in the Ranks

The revelation that Thara, Kennedy's trusted guard, was the traitor who enabled Luuk's attacks is a devastating blow. The pain of her betrayal is compounded by the knowledge that it was motivated by love for Torin and resentment toward Kennedy. The fallout fractures the inner circle, and Kennedy is forced to confront the limits of forgiveness and the cost of trust. The political and personal consequences ripple outward, threatening the fragile stability of the kingdom. Kennedy must decide how to lead in the face of betrayal, and whether she can ever truly trust again.

The King's Demand

With the rebellion quelled, Lars reveals his true ambitions—he seeks the legendary Cauldron of Dagda, a powerful artifact that could tip the balance of power forever. He binds Kennedy to a magical oath, forcing her to help him find it in exchange for Fionna's life. The uneasy alliance between Queen and King is tested as old secrets and new dangers emerge. Kennedy realizes that the greatest threat may come not from her enemies, but from those closest to her. As darkness and light war within her, she must prepare for the next battle—one that will determine the fate of her kingdom, her family, and her soul.

Characters

Kennedy Johnson

Kennedy is a young woman thrust into the role of Seelie Queen after a devastating war. A Druid by blood, she possesses rare prophetic abilities and a deep well of healing magic, but is haunted by guilt, loss, and the fear of her own darkness. Her relationships are complex: she is torn between the loyal, loving Torin and the dangerous, magnetic Lorcan, whose shared past is both a source of pain and passion. Kennedy's journey is one of self-discovery, as she struggles to balance compassion with ruthlessness, light with shadow, and personal happiness with the crushing weight of leadership. Her greatest strength is her empathy, but it is also her greatest vulnerability.

Lorcan Dragen

Lorcan is a dark dweller—part fae, part beast—whose violent past and reputation as a killer make him both feared and misunderstood. His love for Kennedy is fierce and possessive, complicated by guilt over Jared's death and his own self-loathing. Lorcan's loyalty is absolute, but his methods are brutal, and he is constantly at war with the darkness inside him. His relationship with Kennedy is tempestuous, marked by passion, jealousy, and a deep, unbreakable bond. Lorcan's journey is one of redemption, as he seeks to prove he is more than the monster others see, and to find a place where he can belong.

Torin

Torin is Kennedy's First Knight, a fae noble whose devotion to her is unwavering. He is honorable, disciplined, and deeply principled, but his love for Kennedy is ultimately unreturned. Torin's sense of duty is both his strength and his curse, as he is forced to watch the woman he loves choose another. His friendship with Thara is a source of comfort and pain, and her betrayal wounds him deeply. Torin's journey is one of acceptance, as he learns to let go of the past and find his own path, even as the world he knows crumbles around him.

Fionna Cathbad

Fionna is Kennedy's long-lost sister and the formidable leader of the Druid Liberal Republic. Hardened by loss and driven by vengeance, she embraces black magic and violence in the fight against fae oppression. Fionna's relationship with Kennedy is fraught with suspicion, rivalry, and the pain of a stolen childhood. She is both a mirror and a warning to Kennedy, embodying the dangers of letting hatred and power consume one's soul. Fionna's arc is one of tragic ambition, as her quest for justice leads her to the brink of destruction—and forces Kennedy to confront the darkness within herself.

Lars (Unseelie King)

Lars is the ancient and powerful Unseelie King, whose motives are as inscrutable as his magic is formidable. He is both mentor and manipulator to Kennedy, guiding her through the treacherous politics of the fae world while pursuing his own secret agenda. Lars's emotional detachment masks a deep capacity for both cruelty and loyalty, and his pursuit of the Tuatha De Danann artifacts reveals his hunger for control. His relationship with Kennedy is a chess match, each move calculated for maximum advantage. Lars is both a shield and a sword—protection and threat in equal measure.

Thara

Thara is a fae warrior and one of Kennedy's most trusted guards, whose unrequited love for Torin drives her to betrayal. Her loyalty is torn between personal longing and duty, and her actions have devastating consequences for the kingdom. Thara's stoicism masks deep pain and vulnerability, and her eventual downfall is a study in the tragic cost of love and jealousy. Her arc is one of regret and penance, as she is forced to confront the consequences of her choices and the limits of forgiveness.

Castien

Castien is a loyal member of Kennedy's inner circle, whose near-fatal injuries in the Honey House attack underscore the ever-present danger facing the Queen and her allies. His recovery and resilience serve as a reminder of the costs of war and the strength found in friendship. Castien's relationship with Ryan is a source of warmth and stability in a world of chaos, and his unwavering support for Kennedy is a testament to the power of chosen family.

Marguerite

Marguerite is the heart of Kennedy's found family, a maternal figure whose life and safety are constant concerns. Her near-death in Kennedy's vision and the subsequent efforts to save her galvanize the Queen's resolve and highlight the stakes of the conflict. Marguerite's presence is a reminder of what is at risk—and what is worth fighting for.

Wizard (Adam)

Wizard is a human member of the DLR, whose technical skills and earnest loyalty make him both endearing and essential. His unrequited crush on Kennedy and his role as her guide in the rebellion add layers of complexity to the story. Wizard represents the ordinary people caught in the crossfire of magical wars, and his fate is a poignant reminder of the costs of conflict.

Luuk

Luuk is the albino fae rebel whose campaign of terror and violence threatens to unravel the fragile peace of Kennedy's reign. His hatred of Druids and hunger for power make him a formidable adversary, and his ability to exploit betrayal and fear exposes the weaknesses in Kennedy's circle. Luuk's downfall is both a victory and a warning—the cycle of vengeance he embodies is never truly broken.

Plot Devices

Prophetic Visions and Foreshadowing

Kennedy's seer abilities are the central narrative device, providing both foreshadowing and emotional stakes. Her visions are not just warnings—they are catalysts for action, shaping her decisions and relationships. The uncertainty of whether the future can be changed adds tension and urgency, while the recurring imagery of blood, betrayal, and darkness underscores the story's themes of fate versus free will. The visions also serve as a mirror for Kennedy's internal struggles, reflecting her fears and desires as much as external threats.

Doppelgängers and Deception

The use of a double to protect Kennedy's identity is a classic device of mistaken identity and subterfuge. It allows the plot to explore themes of authenticity, sacrifice, and the burdens of leadership. The doppelgänger's presence also heightens the sense of paranoia and mistrust, as enemies exploit the confusion to strike at the heart of the kingdom. The device is mirrored in Kennedy's own transformation into "Raven," blurring the lines between self and role, truth and performance.

Love Triangle and Emotional Stakes

The central love triangle between Kennedy, Lorcan, and Torin is both a source of romantic tension and a crucible for character development. The competing claims of loyalty, passion, and duty force Kennedy to confront her own desires and the consequences of her choices. The triangle is not just about romance—it is a microcosm of the larger conflicts tearing the kingdom apart, and the personal costs of leadership.

Black Magic and Moral Ambiguity

The rise of black magic within Kennedy and the DLR is a powerful metaphor for the seductive nature of power and the ease with which good intentions can lead to evil. The struggle to control or reject this darkness is central to Kennedy's arc, and the narrative structure uses her increasing reliance on forbidden magic to explore questions of morality, identity, and the true cost of victory. The device also serves as a source of escalating tension, as each use of black magic brings Kennedy closer to the edge.

Betrayal and Shifting Alliances

The plot is driven by a series of betrayals—personal, political, and magical. The revelation of a mole, Thara's treason, and the shifting allegiances within the DLR keep the reader off-balance and heighten the sense of danger. The narrative structure uses these betrayals to explore the limits of forgiveness, the complexity of motivation, and the ways in which love and hate are often intertwined.

Analysis

Lightness Falling is a sweeping, emotionally charged fantasy that interrogates the burdens of power, the seduction of darkness, and the complexity of love and loyalty. At its heart is Kennedy—a heroine whose greatest strength is her empathy, but whose journey forces her to confront the darkness within herself and those she loves. The novel explores the cyclical nature of violence and the dangers of extremism, using the rise of black magic and the Druid rebellion as metaphors for the ways in which trauma and fear can twist even the noblest intentions. The love triangle is not mere romantic drama, but a lens through which to examine the sacrifices demanded by leadership and the impossibility of pleasing everyone. The betrayals and shifting alliances reflect the real-world challenges of governance, where trust is rare and every decision has a cost. Ultimately, the book suggests that true strength lies not in the absence of darkness, but in the courage to face it—and that the price of peace is never paid by one person alone. The story ends on a note of uneasy hope, with Kennedy poised between light and shadow, her choices shaping not just her own fate, but the destiny of her world.

Last updated: September 24, 2025