When I first started reading Of Light and Shadow by Tanaz Bathena, I honestly didn’t think I would like this book as much as I did. I am not a romance reader. I am a fantasy reader. About 10% into the book, I was ready to give up, but I stuck with my rule of reading at least 30%. I am honestly glad that I did.This book is set in the fictional kingdom of Jwala in a world based on aspects of Zoroastrian faith. It is a polytheistic society full of mythical creatures and nature magic. The magic and the faith are intertwined to create varying religious sects in the kingdom. This could easily create turbulence in the novel. However, it only serves to further richen the culture of Jwala.The strongest aspect of this book are the main characters and their character development. Both Roshan and Navin are flawed and understandably so.While Roshan has been molded from necessity Navin has been molded from neglect.Roshan was orphaned and abandoned near a raging fire as an infant. She was rescued and raised by Bhim Chaya, the leader of a notorious clan of bandits in the outlanda of Ashvamaiden. When her father is murdered, she becomes the leader in her father’s place. Talk about pressure.Then we have Prince Navin who, like his Disney name-twin, has lived his life free of responsibility or worry in a palace full of luxury. However, having a mythical being as a father among humans has not made life easy for Navin. He is an “other” in a kingdom of same. Even his own grandmother, the Queen of Jwala doesn’t show Navin the love and kindness one shows for family.Both of them are outcasts. Both are in need of saving, and it is fortunate for them that they find each other. This relationship could have easily fallen into the trope of “instalove”, but the author does a fantastic job of building the relationship over time.The plot and climax of this book are its weakest link. For most of the book the plot was laid out phenomenally. There were parts of the plot happening in the present while reading and small hints thrown in at what would be revealed at the climax. The connection of these hints with the climax wasn’t as strong as it could have been. Maybe there should’ve been more before the big reveal at the end or maybe there should’ve been different hints. Maybe there should’ve been more focus on these hints instead of the romance. I’m not sure, but when reading the climax, it felt like the whole story came out of left field. It made the story feel discombobulated for a few chapters. It felt like the book was completed, then the original climax was scooped out and replaced at the last minute.Whatever the case, it was a well-done standalone fantasy novel.4/5Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.