“Harrison balances intimacy with wonder, grounding magic in profoundly human stakes. As relationships are built and loyalties are tested, the novel asks what it truly means to claim one’s power, even when doing so risks everything.

At its heart, this story is about choosing bravery over fear. One passage captures that transformation with striking clarity:

‘But she could feel its gentle spark inside of her. She dug into it and let the panic pass over her as she felt magic start to surge. Instead of fearing her power she decided today she would welcome it. She would embrace it.’

That moment reverberates throughout the book. An affirmation that strength is not the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward anyway. Evocative, emotionally resonant, and unafraid to confront the cost of becoming who we are meant to be, A Land of Dreams and Darkness is the beginning of a world we all need.”

Meghan M.

“This story has so much heart, such compelling characters, and such timeless themes that it accomplishes the very difficult task of transcending genre. Harrison masterfully brings to life the world of Agea; it would be easy to imagine this story being adapted for the screen. That this is Harrison’s debut novel is unbelievable. Without giving anything away, it’s a page-turner with enough easter eggs and plot twists to keep anyone hooked. By the end of the book, I got choked up twice.

On the heart of the story: As a young woman who lost a parent at a young age, and lives with resulting anxiety and panic attacks, I deeply relate to the struggles of our heroine, Nora. Her story made me feel more seen and validated than any other piece of literature has in recent memory, and her hero’s journey inspired me greatly. Seeing a young woman show up and face life head-on, in spite of her fear, is exactly the kind of story the world needs more of. Through Nora’s journey, Harrison conveys the importance of doing things even when, and especially when, we’re afraid. 

On the characters: Harrison has created a cast of characters with great nuance. Most are lovable, and even those who could be characterized as antagonists are not depicted as being outright “bad” people. Harrison must see the best in everyone, because that outlook on life shines through in her writing. Every character she breathes life into, regardless of their shortcomings or wrongdoings, remains sympathetic. 

On the story’s themes: Harrison’s book explores the epic struggle of Good vs. Evil, but in a way that is refreshingly not black-and-white. There’s also a substantial emphasis on Political Freedom vs. Oppression, which feels very timely given the world we’re living in now. The theme at the forefront, for me as a reader, is power. More specifically, what it looks like for a remarkable young woman to come into her own power, both literally and figuratively. The way Nora evolves over the course of her journey and becomes comfortable with her power is so fulfilling to read. Sometimes being powerful, and realizing we’re powerful, can feel scarier than anything else in life. Harrison depicts this universal truth in Nora, and delivers a protagonist and a story that is sure to inspire more women in the way that it inspired me.

Oh, and the spicy stuff doesn’t hurt either. In this coming-of-age story, Nora comes first.”

Tess P.

“This story is a wonderful exploration of self discovery, love and loss, knowledge, and bravery. Harrison has crafted a mesmerizing world with characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. The protagonist Nora must decide for herself to overcome her fear and embrace her powers in order to accomplish her goals. I love Nora’s optimism and willingness to fight, even for those who have oppressed her. My favorite line from this story is: “There’s always light to be found even in the darkest of places. Sometimes that light is you.” This quote solidifies these ideas of positivity and embracing power, even in spite of fear or darkness. Harrison has created such a captivating and masterful story that is incredibly written and will leave you asking for more!”

Mekena S.

“You escape into a fantasy world that you just don’t wanna put down.”

Rachel R.