We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Andy Darcy Theo, a successful author and booktocker, whose debut novel, The Light That Blinds Us, has become an instant bestseller, exceeding over 10,000 copies sold in just six months. The success of his first book has been a remarkable journey for Andy, providing him with a much-needed boost in confidence. He shared, “It’s provided me with such a boost in confidence. In my writing, my characters, and my potential to connect with readers.”
Fans are eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated sequel, The Dark That Hides Us, set to release in April 2025. Andy describes this new installment as a direct continuation from the cliffhanger ending of the first novel. “The Dark That Hides Us“… follows on directly from the devastating plot-twist ending of The Light That Blinds Us,” he explains. In this new adventure, Alexis, Demi, Blaise, and Caeli find themselves preparing for the Battle of Stonehenge, a significant fight for “light over darkness, good over evil.” As they navigate the impending threat of Mortem, Andy teases, “As the night wears on, secrets are spilled and dark truths come to light. The world is not all that it seems, and there might be a little darkness lurking just below the surface, within us all…”
"The reception has been unlike anything I could’ve expected."
The reception of The Light That Blinds Us has been nothing short of extraordinary. Andy recalls, “The reception has been unlike anything I could’ve expected. After becoming an instant bestseller, The Light That Blinds Us has been selling steady every week and is becoming one of the bestselling YA debuts of 2024.” This success has allowed him to connect deeply with his readers, and he loves to see them engaging with his work. “I just want to keep writing more and more to please all the readers out there!” he added, reflecting his dedication to his craft.
Highlighting standout moments from his journey, Andy mentioned attending large events where he met authors who inspired him. “My favourite moments would have to be attending huge events where I get to meet authors who always inspired me, as well as official book signings and sharing announcements online of its foreign deals,” he said. These experiences have enriched his authorial journey, making every achievement feel like a dream come true.
With the upcoming release, fans are curious about how they can pre-order The Dark That Hides Us. Andy noted, “Readers can preorder it from any online retailer! Most typically preorder through Amazon so that it arrives on publication day (April 2025) or through Waterstones where they can use their points!” He expressed hope that Waterstones will offer an exclusive sprayed-edge edition, just like they did for the first book: “Fingers crossed they decide to!”
As for the themes and changes in style readers can expect in the sequel, Andy promises to amplify many elements that readers loved in The Light That Blinds Us. “The Dark That Hides Us” amplifies many themes that readers enjoyed in TLTBU… The romance takes more of a driving force in the story, exploring the love/hate tension between Caeli and Blaise, and the softer, more tender feelings between Alexis and Demi.” He is also excited to delve into the political system underpinning the Elemental world and how the characters navigate this new terrain. “Finally, I wanted to expand upon the darker, psychological components that run through the story. The book takes many a dark turn, and I wanted to give the characters and the readers time to deal with the repercussions of the events in a delicate and mature way,” Andy shared, hinting at a narrative full of surprises, including “a plot-twist, or two or three, sprinkled at the end too (sorry not sorry!)”
As we prepare for the exciting cover reveal of The Dark That Hides Us, we’re thrilled that our very own Alex Forrest has illustrated the characters, adding a unique visual dimension to this captivating world.
Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for the cover reveal and more updates leading up to the release of The Dark That Hides Us. With a thrilling adventure and a deeper exploration of relationships on the horizon, this sequel promises to be an exciting continuation of Andy’s enchanting tale.
Be sure to visit his website which we had the greatest pleasure in helping him build – https://andydarcytheo.com
