Clíona Murphy returns to the Otherworld in 2027 … will you follow her?
By Sarah Azman
Photo by Kevin Bosc on Unsplash
Alex Parker Publishing is excited to announce the 2027 release of The Shadow of Samhain, the second installment in Laura Foley’s The Light of Lúnasa duology.
This highly anticipated sequel will follow Clíona Murphy’s continuing journey through the Otherworld of ancient Ireland. Find out if Clíona will leave behind modern Ireland forever as she fights to return to the Otherworld.
Let’s Talk Plot
The Light of Lúnasa (The Light of Lúnasa Series, Book 1)
Kirkus described The Light of Lúnasa as “A gorgeous fantasy novel perfect for readers seeking dark romance, mystery, and magic.”
The book begins in modern Ireland with the story of a young girl named Clíona Murphy. Cursed with uncontrolled powers in a world that does not believe in magic, she struggles to find a place for herself. Just as she makes an irreparable mess of her life and sees no way out, she is magically transported to a place called the “Otherworld.”
The Otherworld is a version of ancient Ireland where magical powers abound. At first, Clíona tries desperately to return to modern Ireland. As she stumbles through a world of unknowns, she meets a cast of friends, foes, and unwilling mentors. She finds purpose as she discovers that evil powers have captured a group of children—and she and her powers may be the key to saving them.
As Clíona becomes more and more entangled in the happenings of this strange new world, she is torn between the affection of two brothers.
Can Clíona defeat the powers that be, or will victory cost more than she is willing to give?
The Shadow of Samhain (The Light of Lúnasa Series, Book 2)
The Shadow of Samhain finds Clíona back in modern Ireland, this time trying to return to the Otherworld.
Her plans to reenter the Otherworld gate are thwarted by a series of trials. With the authorities in pursuit, she finally makes it through—but not without paying a high price.
Back in the Otherworld, things are not as Clíona remembers. Her sense of time is muddied, and lost loved ones seem to reappear. She is forced to confront her past loves and losses with a strength she never thought possible.
After a confrontation with an evil sorceress, Clíona is taken in by a band of rebels. Clíona’s presence renews the rebels' hope for rescuing the missing children. Family ties are rent as the rebels are challenged by another band who seek to overtake the island with a divine army.
As she continues her search for the missing children, Clíona falls into a trap and is forced to join with her greatest enemy. She does what she must to regain the missing children and restore the balance of power between good and evil in the Otherworld. According to Foley, the book ends with an epic “final showdown.”
Full of battles, self-discovery, and romance, you won’t be able to put this book down.
Ties to Irish Mythology
Foley’s The Light of Lúnasa and The Shadow of Samhain are steeped in traditional Irish mythology and Celtic culture, giving the books richness and dimension.
The Celtic culture originated in central Europe around 1200 BCE. The Celtic People, or Celts, were a diverse group of people spread across different tribes. They were unified by common cultural elements, such as language and religious beliefs.¹ Lúnasa and Samhain are two of the eight sacred Celtic holidays.²
Lúnasa, or “Lughnasa,” takes place on August 1st, celebrating the harvest. It gets its name from the multitalented Lugh Lamhfada, a Celtic god proficient in the arts, magic, war, and craftsmanship.³
Samhain, or “summer’s end,” is a darker occasion, taking place from the evening of October 31st through November 1st. The festival commemorates lost loved ones and the impending darkness of winter. The barrier between the world of the living and the spirit world is believed to be thinner during this transition from summer to fall.⁴
The Shadow of Samhain begins with a nod to its Celtic mythology roots, as Clíona and her friends attempt to reenter the Otherworld on Halloween. The book has an anticipatory dread that echoes the coming of winter.
Both The Light of Lúnasa and The Shadow of Samhain host characters inspired by gods and goddesses of Celtic mythology,⁵ such as Morrigan, Dagda, and the Tuatha Dé Danann family. Kirkus raves about Foley’s worldbuilding and character development, saying, “The world she creates is so well developed that it seems to live and breathe with the characters.”
What’s Next for Readers
While you wait for The Shadow of Samhain’s 2027 release, pick up a copy of The Light of Lúnasa to tide you over. This January, The Light of Lúnasa rereleases with stunning new cover art that perfectly captures Foley’s timeless world of Irish mythology.
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