The Official Site of Rebecca Chastain

The Temple of Shadow and Light Trilogy

Book One*

Caught in the perfect balance between the twin Goddesses, Areia Tinsunbar struggles to find her own harmony in a world that has skewed off-kilter. Selected by the Twins at the cusp of adolescence, Areia is gifted with a piece of their power and set on a path to train as a Priestess at the Temple of Shadow and Light. Her curiosity and agile mind are put to the test when it comes to the perils of temple politics, hidden alliances, and class friction. When her powers begin to fluctuate dangerously, Areia must work harder than ever before to prove her worth to the leaders of the Priestesses–or be striped of her powers for good!

*Book two and three are still in the works.

The Temple of Shadow and Light Cast

Below is a partial list of the characters of Areia's tale. In parenthesis after each name are my pronunciations (I know they aren't proper pronunciation guides, but I hope they help you hear the name as I meant it to be read.)

Areia's Childhood

  • Areia: (ah-RAY-uh) full name Areiakadeya
  • Casican: (cause-Eh-con) Areia's neighbor, and a boy who claims he will marry Areia when she is old enough
  • Merlayn: (mer-lane) Areia's adoptive mother
  • Kalde: (call-DEE) Areia's adoptive father
  • Jebeq: (ju-BECK) Merlayn and Kalde's

Temple of Shadow and Light

  • Priestess Bethnea: (beth-NAY) resident "den mother" for Apprentices and Adepts
  • Priestess Jasmine: Priestess of Light
  • Catori: (ca-Tory) gifted Apprentice with a troubled past; rumored to be "broken" and unable to fully use her power
  • Fayola Ladislaus: (fay-ole-ah) an Elite Apprentice with little tolerance for non-Elite
  • Quaniamatta Afanasi: (quan-e-ah-mah-ta) Fayola's best friend and Elite supremist
  • Jeral: (jair-all) merchant's son training to be a general of the Imperial army at the Fortress
  • Raoul de'Evaristo: Elite son, eldest of his family

Goddesses (aka the Twins)

  • Annian: (ah-knee-ahn) Goddess of light, fire, air, growth, fertility, summer
  • Nanaleig: (nah-nah-lay) Goddess of dark, water, earth, death, healing, winter 

Seven Families (and the current leaders)

  • Afanasi: (ah-fah-nah-see) Cassandra
  • al'Aziz: (all'ah-ziz) Marcus
  • Chandrakant: (chan-drah-kant) Alejandro
  • de'Evaristo: (day'ehv-are-ees-toe) Damayanti (Yanti)
  • Enolai: (in-oh-lie) Lujayn
  • Ladislaus: (lad-is-lahs) Gerard
  • Pavati: (pah-vah-tea) Narciso
  • Emperor Tarquin

Places of Note

  • The Daughter: child of Annian and Nanaleig, she is the earth upon which all creatures live
  • Suan'me: the capitol of the Empire and home of Areia and the Temple of Shadow and Light