“Oro and Grim” by Alex Aster was published on September 30, and has already sold over 10 million copies to both young adult and adult readers. “Oro and Grim” is the first novella to the “Lightlark” series. Featuring a dual point of view; one side of the book is Oro’s point of view (POV) and when you turn the book to the back, it turns to Grim’s POV.
This novel explores themes of power, loneliness, and redemption through the eyes of characters who were once only seen from the sidelines. Aster’s imaginative storytelling and emotional intensity make this companion novel a stunning addition to her growing fantasy series.
Aster’s writing is poetic yet sharp, filled with vivid descriptions and emotional vulnerability. With half of the book as Oro’s perspective and half Grim’s, it allows young adult readers to understand the character’s pain, ambition, and buried secrets. Each chapter flows seamlessly, revealing how power and guilt intertwined in a world built on curses and betrayal.
Aster starts Oro’s section not with power or duty, but with family, specifically the loss, longing, and grief that shaped him long before he became ruler of the Lightlark world. His section opens with his parents, the expectations placed upon him as a child, and the tragedy that ultimately isolated him from the world. This gives immediate emotional weight to his character, showing readers that Oro’s crude identity is built from more than leadership and curses; it’s built from the world of family he loved but could not save.
Oro is a “sunling,” his curse makes it lethal for him to be out in the sunlight. It’s one of the most compelling parts of Oro’s POV. I thought Aster balanced the fantasy and psychological elements well, making Oro’s guilt feel real and raw, his suffering adds depth to his strict personality in the story and helps readers understand why he makes such difficult choices.
The looming deadline to end the curses intensifies every chapter of Oro’s perspective. The stakes feel real and the pressure placed on him is intense. Aster uses this deadline to keep the pacing tight and show how desperation shapes Oro’s actions.
Grim’s reintroduction into Oro’s storyline disrupts the frail demeanor Oro has built. Their history is filled with betrayal, unspoken resentment, and uneasy respect. When grim returns to Lightlark, the balance of power shifts instantly, the people of Lightlark scared of him makes the story gain emotional and political tension.
Their alliance is one of the most interesting dynamics in this novella. The two are polar opposites—sun and shadow, restraint and chaos—but seeing them forced to collaborate exposes a surprising vulnerability.
Oro’ feelings towards Isla remain complicated. Isla is the main character of the “Lightlark” series. This section reveals how deeply he cared for her and how much her choices wounded him. His relationship with her is defined by longing, regret, and the constant pull between duty and love.
Oro feels relief tangled with grief for everything he lost along the way of his journey. The curse defined his entire identity, the isolation from the sun, the deterioration of his body, the constant fear of failing his kingdom. Without it, he is forced to face who he is without the burden that shaped him.
Oro’s ending feels hopeful, though with a hint of sadness. I thought Aster concluded his arc in a satisfying way. His pain is acknowledged, his strength is recognized, but his future remains uncertain to keep readers invested.
When the book is flipped to Grim, the mood changes immediately. Grim’s perspective is more chaotic, emotional, and unpredictable. His POV feels like a storm; intense, magnetic, and constantly changing.
Grim’s curse is very similar to Oro’s, but opposite, Grim the ruler of the “Nightshade” realm, cannot go out at night. His curse isolates him in a different way than Oro’s. Grim’s issues with darkness and his shadow powers make him feel more like a monster.
Instead of centering on Oro, this moment highlights what Grim feels; resentment, admiration, and the pain of being compared to a king he believes he can never match. Their interaction in Grim’s POV reveals his insecurities and the pressure he hides behind his charm that has been shaped by abandonment and how deeply he craves a respect that he fears he’ll never earn.
Grim’s backstory is the heart of his section. His childhood, the losses he’s endured, and the mistakes that haunt him paint a picture of someone who learned to survive through secrecy and manipulation. Aster does an amazing job showing how trauma shaped his humor, his recklessness, and his cruelty.
Toward the end of his POV, we reach the climax of Grim’s story. This part is full of tension and emotion, revealing the truth behind Grim’s fears and sacrifices he’s willing to make. I thought this was one of the strongest parts of his narrative because it gives readers a clear picture of who he is at his core.
I loved both of their POVs, they both add dimension to the ongoing series and give readers more emotional connection through the writing. Together their stories fit like two sides of the same coin, different reflections that form the full picture when placed side by side.
Aster’s writing makes the book addictive, her style is poetic, dramatic, and emotionally sharp, giving the readers a cool out-look to the vulnerability of the two rulers. Every chapter feels purposeful, revealing new secrets and building toward the whole series. If you like “The Cruel Prince” by Holly black, “Serpent & Dove” by Shelby Mahurin, or “The Shadows Between Us” by Chloe Gong, this book is a definite recommendation for you.
