Skip to content

Store & Venue Finder
Select your local currency
Back to All Books
Sophie Clark

Cruel Is The Light Paperback By Sophie Clark

£9.99

Released: 1st January 2026. AN INSTANT NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER THE EPIC AND SIZZLING YA ROMANTASY THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. SOON TO BE YOUR NEXT OBSESSION . . . *Features map artwork by Virginia Allyn* THEY SAY LOVE CONQUERS ALL . . . BUT CAN LOVE WIN IN A WAR BETWEEN DEMONS AND EXORCISTS? OR WILL IT JUST TEAR THEM ALL APART . . . ? A brutal war between demons and humanity has raged across Europe for over a century. At its heart are two elite soldiers: Selene Alleva, a powerful exorcist trained at the prestigious Vatican Academy, and foot soldier, Jules Lacroix, unrivalled in battle. When their paths cross, despite initial distrust – then unwelcome attraction – Jules and Selene discover a terrible secret at the heart of the holy Vatican City . . . Soon Jules is forced to question everything he’s ever known – including himself. And Selene, unable to ignore her growing feelings for Jules, must make an impossible choice between love and duty. Serpent and Dove meets Empire of the Vampire, with a star-crossed, enemies-to-lovers romance at its heart. Perfect for fans of Powerless, Fourth Wing and Divine Rivals. PRAISE FOR CRUEL IS THE LIGHT: ‘Sinister magic, crackling banter, and sizzling tension’ Emily Thiede, author of This Vicious Grace ‘A masterclass in romantasy . . . Thoroughly scorching’ Bea Fitzgerald, bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen ‘A story of forbidden love with yearning so keen it cut. . . Bound to be your next obsession.’ Eliza Chan, bestselling author of Fathomfolk ‘Drenched with dark magic, woven with complex morals and sprinkled with true love.’ Kika Hatzopoulou, bestselling author of Threads That Bind ‘A powerhouse debut . . . Gripping, vivid and beautifully written’ Vanessa Len, bestselling author of Only a Monster ‘A beautifully crafted fantasy. I could not put it down. Dark and romantic, twisting and full of tension.’ Imani Erriu, bestselling author of Heavenly Bodies ‘I'm obsessed . . . and I'm going to need to join an emotional support group in the wait for book two.’ ‘This book is for sure to be a new romantasy obsession, and I am hooked. The ending left me itching for more and I cannot wait for the continuation of the story.’ ‘It completely consumed me.’ ‘I loved everything about this book, from the world building and politics to the lead and side characters, the tension, the simping… ugh so good.’ ‘My new obsession, I will never stop recommending this book!’ ‘WOW!!!!! . . . This book is PERFECTION!!! A captivating, swoon-worthy perfection that I can't get enough of!’ Please note: stock may differ depending on availability.

More info

There was an error adding this product to your basket. Please try again.

Ring & Reserve

*Availability subject to change.

To reserve this item in store, call: 03333 230 667

Delivery
*Free UK delivery on orders over £20
(exclusions apply)
Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Click & Collect (UK only)
Get it delivered to a UK store near you with FREE Click & Collect available on this product.
  • Details

    Released:
    1st January 2026
    Format:
    Book
    Barcode:
    9780241635315
  • Description

    AN INSTANT NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

    THE EPIC AND SIZZLING YA ROMANTASY THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. SOON TO BE YOUR NEXT OBSESSION . . .

    *Features map artwork by Virginia Allyn*

    THEY SAY LOVE CONQUERS ALL . . .

    BUT CAN LOVE WIN IN A WAR BETWEEN DEMONS AND EXORCISTS?

    OR WILL IT JUST TEAR THEM ALL APART . . . ?


    A brutal war between demons and humanity has raged across Europe for over a century. At its heart are two elite soldiers: Selene Alleva, a powerful exorcist trained at the prestigious Vatican Academy, and foot soldier, Jules Lacroix, unrivalled in battle.

    When their paths cross, despite initial distrust – then unwelcome attraction – Jules and Selene discover a terrible secret at the heart of the holy Vatican City . . .

    Soon Jules is forced to question everything he’s ever known – including himself. And Selene, unable to ignore her growing feelings for Jules, must make an impossible choice between love and duty.

    Serpent and Dove meets Empire of the Vampire, with a star-crossed, enemies-to-lovers romance at its heart. Perfect for fans of Powerless, Fourth Wing and Divine Rivals.

    PRAISE FOR CRUEL IS THE LIGHT:

    ‘Sinister magic, crackling banter, and sizzling tension’ Emily Thiede, author of This Vicious Grace

    ‘A masterclass in romantasy . . . Thoroughly scorching’ Bea Fitzgerald, bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen

    ‘A story of forbidden love with yearning so keen it cut. . . Bound to be your next obsession.’ Eliza Chan, bestselling author of Fathomfolk

    ‘Drenched with dark magic, woven with complex morals and sprinkled with true love.’ Kika Hatzopoulou, bestselling author of Threads That Bind

    ‘A powerhouse debut . . . Gripping, vivid and beautifully written’ Vanessa Len, bestselling author of Only a Monster

    ‘A beautifully crafted fantasy. I could not put it down. Dark and romantic, twisting and full of tension.’ Imani Erriu, bestselling author of Heavenly Bodies

    ‘I'm obsessed . . . and I'm going to need to join an emotional support group in the wait for book two.’

    ‘This book is for sure to be a new romantasy obsession, and I am hooked. The ending left me itching for more and I cannot wait for the continuation of the story.’

    ‘It completely consumed me.’

    ‘I loved everything about this book, from the world building and politics to the lead and side characters, the tension, the simping… ugh so good.’

    ‘My new obsession, I will never stop recommending this book!’

    ‘WOW!!!!! . . . This book is PERFECTION!!! A captivating, swoon-worthy perfection that I can't get enough of!’

    Please note: stock may differ depending on availability.

  • Delivery and Returns

    Delivery charges

    UK Delivery:
    • Orders under £20 - £2.99 
    • Orders £20 and over - FREE*
    • Click & Collect - FREE**
    • Express Delivery - £5.99
    International Delivery:
    Costs are calculated at checkout based on parcel size and weight. Find out more here.

    *Some items are only available via a dedicated delivery service, for an additional charge.
    **Some items can only be delivered via Click & Collect to an HMV or Fopp store of your choice.

    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.


    When will my order arrive?

    • We aim to dispatch in-stock items within 24 hours* 
    • Standard UK delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 48® service, usually within 2-5 working days (including Saturdays).
    • Express UK delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 24® or DPD, usually within two working days (order by 2pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays).
    • International delivery: Tracked service, usually within 3-5 working days.
    • Pre-orders: dispatched with the aim to deliver on the release date.
    *Where an item is 'Back in stock soon', we usually expect stock within a week and will dispatch it once available.

    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.

    Will you tell me when my order is on its way?

    • You will receive a dispatch email when each parcel is on its way.
    • Orders may arrive in multiple parcels, depending on stock availability.
    • Out-of-stock items will follow as soon as we receive stock.
    • You can check the status of your orders in your account.
    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.


    Trusted Suppliers

    Items marked 'item fulfilled by Exertis on behalf of hmv' are dispatched directly by Exertis via their approved couriers. Your delivery details will be shared with Exertis and their courier to fulfil your order.


    Returns

    • We're happy to accept returns for unwanted items within 30 days of receipt, provided they’re in their original condition with all seals intact. Clothing and technology items without a seal may be opened for inspection (as you would in a shop) but must not be used and should be repackaged carefully.  
    • Some exclusions apply, please visit the Returns section of our Help Centre for more details. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Sign-up for emails

Sign-up for emails

Sign-up for emails

I'd love to hear about offers and promotions from hmv*