Autumn Magic

by Triana Willard

Exiled to the last outpost of the Empire... "Wren could not remember the glorious city, and could not regret the quiet way she had been raised. But she knew Sky longed for nothing more than to return to the capital. Obviously, she was willing to do anything, even leave Wren behind, to return there."

When a stranger arrives from the capital, Wren is faced with a decision that will change her life forever as dark forces from across the mountains compel her to act.

Can Wren let her sister go, restore honour to her family, and come to grips with the world of magic unfolding around her?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

180 pages, Paperback

First published January 18, 2013

About the author

I was born in Springfield, Missouri, the fifth child in what would eventually become a family of eight children. I have four brothers and three sisters and like all large families, I suppose, we looked for space of our own. I found that peace, space, and escape in books. Not just in reading them, but in creating my own stories as well.
My love of writing was accompanied by another dream - to live in New Zealand. Another form of escape, perhaps, but both writing and moving to NZ have helped me to know myself, to find my life.

In 1999 I boarded a plane for the first time and travelled to Christchurch, New Zealand to attend University of Canterbury. Within three days of arriving, I had met my future husband and several life-long friends. I studied Japanese Language and Literature and the new country that has been my permanent home since 2002.

For the past 10 years I have been busy raising a family of four children and writing in whatever spare moments I could find for myself. Now that the children are all in school, I am grateful to be able to have more time to focus on living my dream, of developing my writing.

It has been, and will be, a journey that is public and private all at once. I can't write without exposing some part of my inner self. So, I hope that those who are willing to take this journey with me won't be disappointed.

Reviews

[Intisar Khanani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up during a 99 cent sale, and I would happily have paid full price for it. It's a wonderful foray into a fantastical land reminiscent of medieval Japan. Ms. Willard's knowledge of Japanese culture and customs serves to give this story a strong sense of authenticity. She has also done a brilliant job characterizing her two main characters, including (especially) Wren's struggles to come to terms with her own feelings, her hopes and what she is willing allow herself to dream of. I did wish that some of the minor characters that we see initially--especially Wren's sister Sky, for whom Wren is willing to do anything--were more well-rounded. Sky seems vapid at best, and it's hard to understand why Wren doesn't see this, or loves her sister more than say, the servant Mimi with whom Wren clearly has a strong rapport.

I loved the fairy-tale aspects woven into the story. I loved how Wren--without any magic--saved the day again and again, using a combination of wits and quick instinct. She's smart but not sassy (well, not really), brave but not arrogant, clever but kind. What's not to love? And then there's her companion, the stranger alluded to in the blurb--loved him. He's got a dark family history, and that history is still alive and kicking--and working to destroy all that he and Wren hold dear. It's a great plot with lots of twists and turns, right up until the very end.

I would have happily, happily given this story five stars, but for two issues that detracted from the story overall. First, I was frustrated with the exaggerated change in personality of a known character who betrays Wren, and then eventually repents. Both his personality during the betrayal, and his portrayal afterwards, did not ring true with the long history of Wren's knowledge of him. This isn't to say that people you know can't or won't betray you, just that betrayals are for more believable and frightening when a personality doesn't change, just your understanding of it.

However, this was a minor annoyance compared to my disappointment in the last two chapters. While I realize there's pressure on authors to wrap up a story after the major climax has been reached, I really, really, wanted an extra chapter here. Things wrapped up too fast and the final conversations and working out of issues that I was so looking forward to was all but glossed over. If I could have my druthers, I'd ask Ms. Willard to take another go at those last chapters and give us a little more time to enjoy the end of the book. That said, I still enjoyed it to a certain extent.

All told, an intriguing story with surprises around every corner and a pair of main characters I won't forget for a long time.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable story though it would have been nice to kniw moe about the characters feels towards eachother and also to see how things fold out afterwards. But a book worth the a read with a independant main character and intresting setting.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book reminded me of a Shannon Hale book

[J.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good coming of age story. The author paints vivid descriptions and you actually care about the characters. All around a pleasant read. :)

[Patricia Reding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Readers’ Favorite at www.ReadersFavorite.com.

The beautiful cover of Autumn Magic hints at the eastern influences in Triana Willard’s story of Wren, the youngest daughter of a family that has been exiled to live a great distance from the city. When Wren’s mother arranges a marriage for Wren’s sister, Sky, to a distant cousin, the family prepares for the great wedding day. Shortly after Sparrowhawk, the groom, his parents and their entourage arrive, the ceremony is to take place. But before the nuptials are completed, the bride and the other wedding guests suddenly turn into black swans that fly away. Only Wren and Sparrowhawk are left behind, both having been protected from the magic that transformed their loved ones. Together Wren and Sparrowhawk journey to find Sky and their other family members and to save them from the dark magic of the witch that seeks to destroy Sparrowhawk’s family.

In Autumn Magic, young readers will find courage with Wren, as she sets out to go beyond the furthest borders she has ever known in order to save her family. They will watch as Wren struggles to determine whether Sparrowhawk can be trusted. They will grieve upon learning that someone Wren had always trusted would betray her. They will be filled with wonder at the creatures created by magic that Wren and Sparrowhawk must overcome. With smooth prose and a unique story setting, Triana Willard takes her readers on an fantasy adventure that will have them discovering, as does Wren, that they too can face and overcome whatever fears and hardships might visit them.

Also posted on ReadersFavorite.com, Goodreads, PatriciaReding.BookLikes.com and linked at Facebook.com/PatriciaRedingAuthor, the post tweeted and the cover pinned.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed reading The Book Of En, I knew I wanted to read this story... I was not disappointed. This was an enchanting tale of Wren and her journey in finding out who she is and where she belongs.

I don't give spoilers but will say that this is a well written compelling read filled with magic, mystery, beautiful imagery and an Eastern culture.

Very well done and highly recommended.