Nadia has spent her life fighting to fit in. Anala has always been forced to stand out. These two elves from two opposite sectors of the Island of Ezitahan have no reason to cross paths. But the sudden death of their ruler, Queen Emery, sends both sectors of the island into a panic, and even more so when her death is followed by the rise of her mysterious daughter, Erica, who makes it clear that things on Ezitahan will never be the same. The situation goes from bad to worse when Nadia and Anala face betrayal and lies from elves they once thought they could trust. Hidden secrets, magical spells, and widespread devastation threaten to tear their lives apart, but an unexpected tragedy brings them together to fight for a common goal: taking Erica down for good. In this high-stakes fantasy novel with relatable characters and coming-of-age themes, join Nadia and Anala in their journey to discover just how far they'll go for revenge.
This book has exceeded all my expectations and all I can say is WOW. I’ve been reading fantasy novels my entire life, and to say this has got to be one of the best is the truth. The writing is so well done, it’s shocking that this is her first book. The story and character building is beautiful, and the imagery of the setting is on point. I could talk about this book for hours, and the cliffhanger ending leaves me upset I have to wait for book two. I honestly can’t even come up with words to say other than that this book is amazing, the relationships of the characters so natural and fluid, the emotions so vibrant, and the story so captivating and exciting. Such an amazing book, 5/5 and would recommend to anyone, but especially those coming of age level.
This debut young adult fantasy novel is great! With strong, relatable female leads, the story explores complexities of teen friendships and family relationships. It's exciting and hard to put down, and is perfect for YA readers, families, and teachers. I loved the celebration of different strengths and the importance of teamwork in overcoming challenges. It's also an inspiring message about standing up for what one believes in. In her creative world-building, I especially appreciated how the author highlights the value of spending time in the natural world and our interconnectedness with wildlife and forests.
If you're looking for a compelling, meaningful, and empowering read, this is a great choice! I eagerly look forward to the sequel.
A very good youth fantasy book! I enjoyed it so much and loved the nostalgia that came with reading it as an adult. The characters are relatable, the plot is captivating, and I didn’t want to put it down. My only complaint is that the pacing felt a bit awkward. The first half is more leisurely and then the action comes on quickly and a bit unexpectedly in the second half. The ending felt a bit rushed due to this. I wish that either the book was longer or the first half moved a little more quickly (though I did love being able to spend time learning about the world). Other than that, this was great and I would recommend it!
The ending killed me. I enjoyed the whole book but the last half of the book genuinely kept me hooked for the entire thing. This book is perfect for anyone who is fans of Percy Jackson orKeeper of the lost cities. Anyone who enjoys a fantasy book with a light hearted story to keep you captivated then this book is for you. I cannot wait until the next book!!! The ending was such a cliff hanger but I am so excited for the next book! Cannot believe that Schoenwetter is a new author! I’m so excited to see where she goes!!