Incandescent Goddess by CoeurDeVrai at Inkitt

Story Notes

Main Characters

Emlyn/Nia:Protagonist, a paladin with a tragic past, newly bound to a goddess of fertility and battle. She is clever, resourceful, and fiercely independent, but haunted by loss and survivor’s guilt.Benger:Emlyn’s close friend and cohort member, supportive and protective, serving as a bridge to his large, loving family.Atres:A King’s Guard with dragon blood, becomes Emlyn’s love interest and emotional anchor, offering both protection and partnership.Oja, Daki, and the Bevis Family:Benger’s family, who provide Emlyn with a sense of belonging and normalcy.Abato Simcock:Spymaster, comic relief, and potential suitor, whose antics add levity and intrigue.Argonath, Korek, and the King’s Guard:Represent the martial and political establishment, offering both opportunities and challenges for Emlyn.

Plot Structure

Aftermath and Recovery:Emlyn, newly sworn to a different goddess, is recovering from trauma and loss. She is taken in by Benger’s family, where she experiences warmth and acceptance.Bandit Conspiracy:What begins as a simple journey is interrupted by a violent encounter with bandits. Emlyn’s tactical acumen and martial prowess are on full display as she helps rescue captives and uncovers a larger slave-trading operation.Integration and Found Family:Emlyn bonds with Benger’s family, sharing stories of her upbringing, her people’s customs, and her ambitions to improve the quality of steel and tools for the region.Social and Gender Commentary:Through Emlyn’s eyes, the story explores themes of misogyny, the value of women, and the struggle for respect and autonomy in a patriarchal society.Political Intrigue:The bandit plot is revealed to be part of a noble’s scheme to dispose of unwanted relatives and profit from the slave trade. Emlyn’s insight and courage help bring the conspiracy to light.Romantic Development:Emlyn’s relationship with Atres deepens, marked by mutual respect, slow-burn attraction, and the challenges of cultural differences and personal trauma.Preparation for Greater Threats:The book ends with Emlyn and her allies preparing for the next challenge—negotiating with (or hunting) a dragon, and the looming threat of supernatural forces.

Themes

Resilience and Healing:Emlyn’s journey is one of recovery from immense trauma, learning to trust, and finding strength in vulnerability.Found Family:The warmth and support of Benger’s family contrast with Emlyn’s tragic past, highlighting the importance of chosen family.Justice and Social Critique:The story tackles issues of slavery, corruption, and the abuse of power, with Emlyn as a champion for the marginalized.Identity and Self-Worth:Emlyn’s struggle to reconcile her past, her powers, and her place in a new world is central to her arc.Love and Partnership:The slow-building romance with Atres is grounded in mutual respect, honesty, and the promise of equality.

Key Story Elements

Paladin Oaths and Magic:Emlyn’s powers are tied to her oaths and her goddess, with unique abilities like detecting lies, healing, and placing magical Marks.Cultural Worldbuilding:Rich details about Cymry customs, tournaments, marriage, and the importance of steel and craftsmanship.Action and Strategy:Tactical battles, clever use of resources, and Emlyn’s leadership in both combat and planning.Romantic Tension:The relationship with Atres is marked by cultural misunderstandings, Emlyn’s inexperience, and Atres’s willingness to wait and support her.Mystery and Investigation:The uncovering of the bandit conspiracy and the search for missing Tinker-folk add layers of intrigue.

Summary

torm Crow’s Call: Book Two – Incandescent Goddess continues the epic journey of Emlyn ferch Terwyn ap Melfyn, now living under the name Nia ferch Hayden ap Rhys. Having survived the deadly machinations of her former patron deity, Emlyn is rescued by a new goddess—at a cost. Bound by new oaths and still healing from trauma, she seeks solace and recovery, only to be swept into fresh dangers. A supposed vacation is quickly derailed by bandit attacks, political intrigue, and the discovery of a sinister slave trade operating under the noses of the nobility. Emlyn’s skills as a paladin and tactician are put to the test as she and her companions uncover a conspiracy that reaches into the highest echelons of power. Along the way, Emlyn forges new bonds with Benger and his family, navigates the complexities of found family, and faces the challenges of being a powerful woman in a patriarchal society. As Emlyn’s powers return and her reputation grows, she must balance her duty to her goddess, her desire for justice, and her longing for a place to belong. With the threat of a dragon looming on the horizon and her own past never far behind, Emlyn’s journey is one of resilience, cleverness, and the unbreakable will to survive.

Genre: Fantasy

Author: CoeurDeVrai

Status: Complete

Chapters: 44

Rating: n/a

Age Rating: 16+

Introduction

If you haven’t read Book One: Shadows of Indigo, you probably should start there. For those who are impatient, this is the second book in the series. If you have read it, skip ahead to Chapter 1.

Emlyn ferch Terwyn ap Melfyn has finally survived her former patron deity’s attempts to kill her. At least she managed to survive his most recent effort. His prior efforts were so successful so he kept resurrecting her to see how creative he could get. She’s assumed the name of one of her deceased friends, Nia ferch Hayden ap Rhys. She was rescued by another deity, but not without some consequences and some obligations to her new Goddess. Gods seldom do anything for free, and this one is no different. Emlyn’s already made one binding oath to her new Goddess, along with some other promises to make more in the future.

She’s still recovering, mentally and physically, from her ordeal. She was on her way to a vacation when they ran afoul of some bandits. Having survived the argy-bargy with the bandits, Benger and Emlyn find themselves in an inn.