As the daughter of a vagabond scoundrel, aspiring minstrel Mya has spent her childhood wary of her magical voice while traipsing through dangerous jungles in pursuit of her father's dream--fortune and glory.
She never imagined Pa's latest scheme would have her tangling with thieves, sailing across the sea with pirates, kissing a prince, meeting the foxy elf of her dreams (literally), and dodging the grasp of the most dangerous Sorcerer in Cerion, all the while wondering: Where is Pa?
A mysterious note promising he'll meet her soon pushes Mya toward options she never considered before. She could go on living at the mercy of her father's endless plots, or forge a new life for herself in Cerion, and finally embrace the power of her own voice.
Missy Sheldrake is an epic daydreamer and a muse of positivity who weaves worlds full of character-driven, complex fantasy adventures.
In 2014 she dusted off an unfinished Tassy Walden Award-winning manuscript from her college days, started writing her first novel, Call of Kythshire, and never looked back. In four short years, she completed the five-book Keepers of the Wellsprings series, an epic high-fantasy young adult adventure that was awarded the Golden Squirrel Independent Book Award in 2017 for Best Fantasy.
When she isn't writing, Missy can be found creating fantastical artworks in paint and clay, wandering hidden forest paths, and concocting plots for imaginary people who are beyond real to her. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to drop her a line!
Mya is the first stand-alone book in the "His Majesty Elite" young adult fantasy series.
We first met Mya in the "Keepers of The Wellsprings" series and this is her story 😍 You can read Mya before the KOTW series as Mya is set when she is thirteen years old, years prior to KOTW.
Her voice might be her power but Mya needs to find her voice and feet in this world. Will she succeed?
Mya is thirteen, naive and entirely too trusting. While she's waiting on her dad to come back for her, counting down the days in her journal, she is picked up by a questionable companion of her dads, and heads on an adventure across the sea to Cerion.
Finding herself on a pirate ship, she keeps to herself untill she's forced to reveal her power in order to try and help save the crew. While on the ship Mya meets Cort. I loved their dynamic the brotherly love Cort has for Mya. It's so sweet seeing how these two met and the growth in their friendship as they look out for eachother throughout the book.
In Cerion Mya's father is no where to be seen and she's forced into competing in a singing contest. She meets a fellow Minstrel but is he a friend or foe?
While navigating a singing contest, looking for her father, first love, figuring out who to trust and who to watch out for, Mya finds herself caught up in a Royal conspiracy.
Throughout the book we are introduced to the the dreaming, Royal members of court, magic, The Royal Guild and its famous cook (I love Mouli), Cerion's traditions and sorcerers. All woven together with expertise.
I absolutely loved this coming-of-age story. Reading Mya felt like coming home for me. It was heartwarming to see how Mya met some of the future Elite Guild members. I can't wait to read more of the Elites stories. Especially Elliot, he is my most anticipated read within the Guild members 😍.
This books is filled with friendships, love, Royal intrigue, Sorcerers and difficult choices that will define Mya for the rest of her life.
Will Mya find her happy ending? You'll have to read to find out..
loved this prequel to the Keepers of Wellsprings Series. I love Mya. Her story to me is amazing. I would love to hear her sing! I felt Little Mermaid vibes coming from this. How she is half siren and could enchant people with her voice. That poor girl though! The way everyone including her own father used her for their own greed is just heartbreaking. She is a very strong person and a wonderful role model. She stands up for what she believes in and for what is right. Mya remains humble and loving. I am so happy to see how all the characters from the series come together and form a family. This is definitely one of the best fantasy world. 5 out of 5 stars
The gang from Keepers of the Wellsprings series is back together, and a new generation of characters to focus on too! Mya is spunky and naive. She starts her story as a ward of sorts to a Miller family. Twenty kids, can you imagine? Form there she sets upon a quest that she has no clue about until it's well underway. Along the way she makes friends and allies that help guide her into a new life. While you don't have to read the Keepers of the Wellspring first, I would encourage you to do so. It's a great series and builds a framework for this new series.
You can read Mya as a stand alone book, as a prequel to the Wellspring series, or after you read the Wellspring series. This book was a journey of intrigue, action, new friends, sadness, and joy. Mya has a magical voice, but it’s almost as much of a curse as a gift. Fortunately, she is strong, resourceful, and makes some really good friends along the way! Really, I feel like anything else I say about this book will be a spoiler, so just read it already!
Mya Songspinner's adventures in Cerion present the young songbird with challenges beyond any she has faced so far in her travels with her Pa, who is now missing. Surrounded by her newfound friends, she must learn to find her own voice. Can she rescue her Pa, overthrow a coup, and make a new home for herself among people who love her? Read it and see!
Even though this takes place prior to the Keeper’s. I was so sad when those wonderful books came to a conclusion. Now though I get to discover the amazing lives of those who came first. I had a lot of hopes for Mya and I was not disappointed. Another fine feather in Missy Sheldrake’s cap.