Light Wielder: Characters, spice guide, triggers, spoilers & more
Light Wielder by Rachel Schneider is the second book in the Fire & Metal series and the sequel to Metal Slinger.
The question on everyone’s lips is who is endgame for Jovie? Theories were rife, with readers speculating endgame may have been someone else besides Acker. I’m sure many would have rioted if that were the case. If you want to find out the answers, scroll to the bottom of this blog post, to the FAQ spoiler section.
Besides that, I’ve written a quick Light Wielder book review and included a character guide. Not to mention trigger warnings, tropes and more.
Or perhaps you’re here to find out about the spice levels and spicy chapters. They’re right at the bottom of this post too, be aware they might spoil some of the spicy surprises!.
Happy reading!
Light Wielder synopsis.
It’s been four years since Jovie betrayed Acker, fracturing their relationship. Her decision to take King Edmond’s magic, sparing his life at Acker’s request, has sparked a brutal war. The Kenta and Strou forces ally against the Roison and Alaha, with Maile perched dangerously on the edge of their battles.
Jovie is determined to keep the innocent Maile people from a conflict she helped start―even if it means suppressing the Matching Bond and sacrificing any hope of repairing her relationship with Acker. Yet, visions of him continue to haunt her dreams.
Acker is resigned to aid in his father’s war while in an arranged marriage with a wife who detests him. Though still pained by Jovie’s deception, he can’t stop his thoughts from turning to her. And Acker has found a way to slip into Jovie’s dreams despite her attempts to stifle the Matching Bond. There he watches her, torn between his loyalties and desire.
When he discovers the chilling reason behind the return of his father's magic, as well as Edmond’s dangerous new alliance, Acker must finally decide which war he wants to fight: the one for his king or the one for his heart.
Light Wielder characters.
Light Wielder is narrated from a first person point of view, from both Jovie and Acker’s perspectives.
Need a character recap on who's who? Here is a list of all Light Wielder characters we meet in the sequel of Metal Slinger.
Main characters.
Brynn and Acker are our two main characters in Metal Slinger… although I will say there is potential for main characters to change in book two, Light Wielder, depending on the direction the author takes the story after that shocking twist.
Jovianna / Jo / Jovie.
We pick up four years after the events of Metal Slinger, with Princess Jovianna, more commonly known as Jo. She’s fighting on the front lines in a war that resulted since the events of Metal Slinger, she’s still heartbroken, sad and determined to prove herself to the people of Maile.
Acker.
Acker is married. Yes that’s right. We start out Light Wielder finding out Acker DID get married to Irina after all. He’s hurt and feels betrayed
Supporting characters in Light Wielder.
Here’s a list of all the characters who appear in Light Wielder apart from our main ones, from majorly supporting roles to minor characters.
Messer: Jovie’s best friend from Alaha
Fredrich: A soldier of Maile under General Samasu, with a strong ability to shield as his power.
Beau: Acker’s half sister
Queen Evelyn: Queen of Maile
General Samasu / Sam: General of Maile
King Edmond: King of Kenta
Captain Wren: Kai’s father and leader of Alaha
Irina: Princess of Strou
Zion
Drake: Captain of the Maile navy
Stassia: A servant in Kenta that serves Acker and his father
Hallis: Acker’s best friend
Greta: Beau’s mother and King Edmond’s match.
Wells: Acker’s close friend
Olivia: Acker’s close friend
Iona: Maile palace’s nighttime doorkeeper
Chryse: King of Roison
Tyreek
Grenadine (also known as Cadence)
Kai
Aurora
Lawson
Vad: A soldier who deserted Kenta, Acker’s enemy
Other character names in Light Wielder: Minor roles or mentions
Character names who appear briefly or are briefly mentioned as part of the wider cast, but do not have a major or noteworthy role.
Harold: A driver
Lord Draken
Lord Paul
Raina: A healer of Maile
Bru: Regent of Strou
Joss: Irina’s mother
Ulrich: Irina’s father
Henry: Past chef of Kenta
Commander Imen: Commander in Kenta
Osiris: Past King of Roison
Wesley: Irina’s consort
Darcy: A soldier
Karla: A person who works for Evelyn
Phoebe: A vendor and trader
Lindy
Review: Light Wielder by Rachel Schneider.
View my review and follow me on GoodReads here.
Spice level: 🌶🌶 - 2 out of 5 chillies, open-door spice in a chapters.
Dang rabbits!
Without spoilers, a lot of things get resolved in Light Wielder, and I was along for the ride and the twists. My personal favourite reveal is possibly the origin of the phrase dang rabbits.
Although poor Irina, for real, that girl deserves peace and rest and happiness. I’m thankful the author didn’t pit a women against each other given the situation, over a dude, because I’m sure we all would've hated that.
As for the infamous Metal Slinger twist, having now read both books, I personally don't think the foreshadowing for the ending of Metal Slinger was gettable. The clues existed, but they were operating at a level which relied on access to information that we as readers didn’t have. That’s my personal opinion. It’s subjective on how you feel about that. You might want something you can solve and see the breadcrumb trail in hindsight, or you might want something that recontextualises everything after the reveal.
What I will say is I am very impressed by the amount of toxic enmity between Jovie & Acker in Light Wielder while still delivering on the angst, longing and emotional gravity. I do think it walks a very fine line between destruction and devotion and I’m impressed that I didn’t hate the toxic dynamic and I thought it was executed well. I felt for both of them.
Also, if you thought the whisky glass scene was… fascinating, then I can say that there is another… interesting scene or two in Light Wielder.
This is a fairly different vibe and aesthetic to Metal Slinger, a lot more action and war and political manoeuvering and manipulation (I’m calling GRRM would be proud), plus a thread of social commentary.
Pretty sure after reading the epilogue that we can deduce whose story gets told next and ofc I’m here for it.
View my review and follow me on GoodReads here. I chat about books a lot.
Light Wielder FAQs.
SPOILER ALERT:
Some answers WILL spoil Metal Slinger and Light Wielder if you haven’t read either already. Proceed with caution.
When is book three of the Fire & Metal series coming out?
As readers we have no information from the author just yet. Watch this space.
Whose story will book three in the Fire & Metal series be about?
Since the epilogue of Light Wielder is from Messer’s point of view, my bet is that the third book in this world will be Messer’s story. There also may be a chance of it being a dual perspective, with Aurora as another narrator, and main love interest. Watch this space for confirmation!
Is the Fire & Metal series a duology?
Well yes and no. Metal Slinger and Light Wielder form a complete duology… for Jovie’s story. Jovie’s story wraps up in Light Wielder, according to the author, Rachel Schneider. Most of our questions, as readers, are answered in Light Wielder… but not all of them. The reader’s journey will continue on into a book three. Press play on the video below to hear it straight from Rachel’s mouth.
What are the content and trigger warnings?
Murder
Sexism
Classism
Blood
Death
Gore
Injury and injury details
Explicit sexual content
Violence
Blood
Grief
Cursing
Confinement
War
Genocide
Torture
Toxic family dynamics
What is the age rating for Light Wielder?
Light Wielder is classified as adult, so ages 18+, due to adult themes and sexual content. Please also see the trigger and content warnings listed above.
Is Light Wielder spicy?
Character art shared by author @rachelschneiderauthor and artist @castleinthesky_art via Instagram.
Yes Light Wielder is spicy with open door scenes in several chapters.
What is the Light Wielder spice level?
Spice level: 🌶🌶
2/5, detailed open door spice in a couple of places.
What are the Light Wielder spicy chapters?
Find the Light Wielder spicy chapters below, as well as their heat rating.
Chapter 25: 🌶🌶 (MFM)
Chapter 33: 🫑
36: 🌶
39: 🌶
42: 🌶🌶🌶
Who does Jovie end up with?
Jovie and Acker are endgame for this duology and their story wraps up to a point of a happily ever after (HEA).
For readers who were wondering about Messer, he is Jovie’s best friend through and through and he reveals he was in love with Aurora.
Did Jovie know Messer was a shifter when she lived in Alaha?
This has been a question I’ve seen floating around in Metal Slinger discussion forums and the answer can finally be revealed via Light Wielder. No, Jovie never knew Messer was a shifter.
Enjoyed reading Metal Slinger? You may also enjoy reading:
Shield of Sparrows | Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry
Storm Breaker by Nisha J. Tuli
A Fate Inked in Blood | A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen
