Praise
"This is a rich, immersive tale about growing up, choosing trust after heartbreak, and discovering family in unexpected places. The worldbuilding is extensive, drawing readers fully into a magical fairy-tale realm inhabited by hags, bone-eaters, and bloodsuckers. Shay is flawed yet fearless as she navigates a world designed to keep her powerless, and readers will root for her as she confronts dangers on her quest to save her mother and find the family she has always longed for ... Deeply relatable and beautifully written."
“The Lustrous Dark is as lush and enchanting as it is raw and haunting. With rich mythology, lovable characters, and exquisite prose, Loretta Chefchaouni’s debut tackles themes of oppression and addiction with unflinching honesty and hope. A fiercely feminist tale about reclaiming one’s power.”
“At turns grim and whimsical, this is a fairytale of our times, filled with grisly dangers, feminist rage, and steadfast female friendship--and a lovely, gentle romance to wrap it all up. A story I will be thinking about for a long time to come.”
“A must-read for anyone who loves luscious, twisty, fairy tale-esque stories, especially the sort that come with a few thorns. Imaginative, adventurous, and elegant, but also not afraid to be bold and unflinching and when it comes to tackling mature elements like addiction and oppression, Loretta Chefchaouni’s The Lustrous Dark is a dazzling debut.”
“Lushly beautiful and wildly original, The Lustrous Dark explores faith, folklore, and feminine rage, brilliantly illuminating facets of girlhood and womanhood from self-sacrificing to monstrous, fearless to fallible. Readers will be rapt following Shay’s journey into deadly forests, heartbreaking betrayals, surprising friendships—and righteous anger. This one’s for the softhearted girls ready to find their fury and reclaim their power.”
“Chefchaouni's prose wraps around the reader like a dream, bringing to life the colours of the medina, the green of the forest, and the bleakness of Ard Al-Ghul. The Lustrous Dark will keep readers wanting more. Layered characters, a nuanced story, and glorious prose. I can't wait to see what Chefchaouni writes next.”