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Unseen
She heals with magic but must become more to save lives.
In a world reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition, Alaia heals with herbal remedies but risks being hanged as a witch.
Alaia has lived in grief since her brother and his friend Txomin died fighting as mercenaries for the Inquisitor of neighboring Navarre. In the two years since, the Inquisitor has taken over Ea and executed innocent women for witchcraft. Now Alaia's father is dying from lung disease. Alaia is a gifted healer and can cure him given enough time, but instead she must disappear, because the Inquisitor has accused her of practicing magic.
Mateo has loved Alaia since childhood and vows to protect her from his uncle, the Inquisitor. Together, they attempt to flee in his boat in a forbidden romance, but lies and deception cut in. Alaia must plunge into the ocean to escape. As her life slips away, she receives help from the most unlikely source. Txomin returns to guide and protect her.
The young healer must learn to fight for a future without fear and persecution and for everyone she loves.
In a world reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition, Alaia heals with herbal remedies but risks being hanged as a witch.
Alaia has lived in grief since her brother and his friend Txomin died fighting as mercenaries for the Inquisitor of neighboring Navarre. In the two years since, the Inquisitor has taken over Ea and executed innocent women for witchcraft. Now Alaia's father is dying from lung disease. Alaia is a gifted healer and can cure him given enough time, but instead she must disappear, because the Inquisitor has accused her of practicing magic.
Mateo has loved Alaia since childhood and vows to protect her from his uncle, the Inquisitor. Together, they attempt to flee in his boat in a forbidden romance, but lies and deception cut in. Alaia must plunge into the ocean to escape. As her life slips away, she receives help from the most unlikely source. Txomin returns to guide and protect her.
The young healer must learn to fight for a future without fear and persecution and for everyone she loves.
248 pages, Audiobook
First published July 1, 2021
3 people are currently reading
1336 people want to read
About the author
R.M. Scott
6 books9 followersR.M. Scott lives with her family in the mountains of Idaho. She tries to be as brave as a Gryffindor but is more a Ravenclaw. Her YA Fantasy novel, UNSEEN, released July of 2021 (Literary Wanderlust), and her chapter book, SLOWPOKE AND THE GUARDIANS OF ATOPA, released on Audible in 2022. She holds a BA and MA in Business. Her passion lies with learning and writing the power of existence. Learn more at www.rmscottauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 4, 2022
This book definitely did not disappoint. It has action, clean romance, and fantasy. It moves at a quick pace. and has believable characters. The very last page brought me to tears. Can’t wait for a sequel!
July 1, 2021
"Unseen" takes readers on a captivating adventure of self-discovery for the protagonist, Alaia, a young woman with a special gift for healing. As religious fanaticism threatens her way of life, she must believe in herself to unlock the power within her that can save her loved ones. Alaia is written authentically as a character with relatable fears and desires, and her tale of heartbreak and loss is interwoven with joy and self-actualization. A great read for anyone needing a reminder that we all have the capacity to realize the gifts and talents within us.
May 20, 2021
A fantastical story that keeps you cheering while gripping the edge of your seat all while melting your heart. A family that not even the doors of death can separate, a romance that is tried by wars, witch hunts and loyalty. Each character brings hope and each reader will love UNSEEN!
I was lucky to be an early reader of this YA novel!! 🙌
I was lucky to be an early reader of this YA novel!! 🙌
May 29, 2021
Excellent read! I loved the characters and how they interacted. The villain is truly chilling.
I also loved the setting. RM Scott did an amazing job at portraying a historical setting that feels real, even the hint of fantasy.
I also loved the setting. RM Scott did an amazing job at portraying a historical setting that feels real, even the hint of fantasy.
June 4, 2021
This was an enjoyable and relaxing book to read. It has a a great balance of about everything: magic, action, romance, drama, suspense. It’s a book that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike.
May 22, 2021
This book was so much fun to read. It has a little of everything magic, adventure and romance. I highly reccomend reading it. I loved this book!
July 21, 2021
New author RM Scott does not disappoint in this page
turner action adventure first novel. Alaia has been grief stricken since her brother Benin and friend Txomin died fighting as mercenaries and her father is dying of Ocean Fever. She has the power and gift to heal but in 17th century Spain with the inquisition that gift could mean death. This book has vivid images of flowers trees, landscape and culture and romance and intrigue. It captures your imagination with unexpected twists and turns.
turner action adventure first novel. Alaia has been grief stricken since her brother Benin and friend Txomin died fighting as mercenaries and her father is dying of Ocean Fever. She has the power and gift to heal but in 17th century Spain with the inquisition that gift could mean death. This book has vivid images of flowers trees, landscape and culture and romance and intrigue. It captures your imagination with unexpected twists and turns.
July 1, 2021
Excellent story! It kept me on the edge of my seat. I was rooting for Alaia as she grappled with the desire to develop her healing gift and her concern for the danger to herself and others if she is caught. The story is a perfect balance of magic, action, suspense, and romance (clean).
I am grateful to be an early reader of UNSEEN and will enjoy rereading this story! I recommend this book for older teens and adults who like magical realism fiction.
I am grateful to be an early reader of UNSEEN and will enjoy rereading this story! I recommend this book for older teens and adults who like magical realism fiction.
July 2, 2021
This book was amazing! The setting, the mystery, the warmth, the suspense . . . I could go on and on. It was a page-turner and I found myself wrapped in the story and wanting to know more. This book checks all the boxes for a great read. I would love to read more about these characters!
July 1, 2021
I was not expecting this to be a page-turner, but found myself drawn into the story and the magical world. The characters, the storyline and the descriptions of the setting work together to draw the reader into the story. A well-woven tale.
July 28, 2021
I received Unseen by R.M. Scott through GoodReads Giveaways in exchange for a fair review.
In Unseen, R.M. Scott takes us back to the Inquisition, though to a fantastical and well-imagined seaside village, where magic is real and the people worship the Earth Goddess. Alaia, the protagonist, is a headstrong and talented healer, determined to save her father from a long-standing illness. Her efforts to do so drag her deeper into the forbidden world of healing and magic, where women can have power, regardless of their gender and social standing. However, using natural remedies is vilified by the Inquisitor, who has come from the more powerful mainland and has been tasked with removing witches.
The Inquisitor is a force of evil, easy to hate, with very little nuance. He is given the backstory of having loved Alaia’s former mentor, but feels he was betrayed by her decision to marry someone else. Having already hung his love as a witch, he has decided to continue to take out his hurt and anger on all the women of the village, by accusing, torturing, and killing them. By eradicating the women, he will eradicate the entire population.
Like the character of the Inquisitor, much of the possible richness of the story is removed by overtelling and over explanation. The Inquisitor himself reveals his pain and intentions in his dialogue with Alaia. The intensity of Alaia’s emotions are described without understatement or subtlety. Good characters do good things and bad characters do bad things. There are plenty of surprises in the plot, and the story is interesting, but the book would have been more pleasurable to read if the characters had been more complicated.
It is significant to note that the book avoids criticizing Christianity, though historically, the inquisition was fueled by an effort to forcefully convert non-Christians. The romance does not go any further than kisses and embraces and while there is violence, it does not get any more gory than what one would read in Hunger Games.
As Scott’s debut novel, there is promise for future works, given the expansive world building in Unseen, especially if characters are able to be flawed and complex beings that further complicate the plot and add to the reader's enjoyment.
In Unseen, R.M. Scott takes us back to the Inquisition, though to a fantastical and well-imagined seaside village, where magic is real and the people worship the Earth Goddess. Alaia, the protagonist, is a headstrong and talented healer, determined to save her father from a long-standing illness. Her efforts to do so drag her deeper into the forbidden world of healing and magic, where women can have power, regardless of their gender and social standing. However, using natural remedies is vilified by the Inquisitor, who has come from the more powerful mainland and has been tasked with removing witches.
The Inquisitor is a force of evil, easy to hate, with very little nuance. He is given the backstory of having loved Alaia’s former mentor, but feels he was betrayed by her decision to marry someone else. Having already hung his love as a witch, he has decided to continue to take out his hurt and anger on all the women of the village, by accusing, torturing, and killing them. By eradicating the women, he will eradicate the entire population.
Like the character of the Inquisitor, much of the possible richness of the story is removed by overtelling and over explanation. The Inquisitor himself reveals his pain and intentions in his dialogue with Alaia. The intensity of Alaia’s emotions are described without understatement or subtlety. Good characters do good things and bad characters do bad things. There are plenty of surprises in the plot, and the story is interesting, but the book would have been more pleasurable to read if the characters had been more complicated.
It is significant to note that the book avoids criticizing Christianity, though historically, the inquisition was fueled by an effort to forcefully convert non-Christians. The romance does not go any further than kisses and embraces and while there is violence, it does not get any more gory than what one would read in Hunger Games.
As Scott’s debut novel, there is promise for future works, given the expansive world building in Unseen, especially if characters are able to be flawed and complex beings that further complicate the plot and add to the reader's enjoyment.
August 6, 2021
Let me start with a warning for all my fellow readers and reviewers. If you wish to save yourself from spoilers? Avoid reading the blurb at the back cover. I am being polite here but hello? Who narrates the entire story for the readers at the back cover? It's a place for a 10 line summary of what could be expected from the book. You are not supposed to put the entire story in short over there. Ugh! I went in knowing who the bad guy is *face palm*
TW: Torture, Death.
It's set in the 17th century in the village of Ea, Spain. The powerful Inquisitor is eliminating any witch practicing witchcraft from the village. He has taken over Ea and executed innocent women and kids with the mark- either by hanging them or sometimes with extreme torture.
Alaia lost her brother to battle. Her father is dying of Ocean Fever. Without a male figure supporting the family, Alaia takes up responsibility to bring home whatever she can earn by selling her herbal teas. Little did she know of her healing power. The evil Inquisitor has his eyes on Alaia and accused her of witchcraft. The Inquisitor's nephew was in love with Alaia and swore to protect her. He invented a crossbow to prove her innocence. The crossbow has a sensor to detect witches. When he pointed it towards Alaia, he immediately knew what she was. Confused by his uncle's deceitful teachings about women practicing witchcraft, he does what he never imagined he would in his worst nightmare.
The story is undoubtedly a good one. I mean, I am always up for witches and witch hunters but honestly, the blurb spoiled it for me. While reading the book, I realised almost half the plot twists have already been mentioned in the blurb.
On addition to that, I felt like the narration was scattered all over the place. Some of the scenes ends abruptly without explaining the hows and whys. The character descriptions were vague. I needed more details but I guess the author wanted to leave it all to our imagination. Instead of dragging the story so much unnecessarily, I would have appreciated if necessary details were provided because it felt so incomplete at places.
TW: Torture, Death.
It's set in the 17th century in the village of Ea, Spain. The powerful Inquisitor is eliminating any witch practicing witchcraft from the village. He has taken over Ea and executed innocent women and kids with the mark- either by hanging them or sometimes with extreme torture.
Alaia lost her brother to battle. Her father is dying of Ocean Fever. Without a male figure supporting the family, Alaia takes up responsibility to bring home whatever she can earn by selling her herbal teas. Little did she know of her healing power. The evil Inquisitor has his eyes on Alaia and accused her of witchcraft. The Inquisitor's nephew was in love with Alaia and swore to protect her. He invented a crossbow to prove her innocence. The crossbow has a sensor to detect witches. When he pointed it towards Alaia, he immediately knew what she was. Confused by his uncle's deceitful teachings about women practicing witchcraft, he does what he never imagined he would in his worst nightmare.
The story is undoubtedly a good one. I mean, I am always up for witches and witch hunters but honestly, the blurb spoiled it for me. While reading the book, I realised almost half the plot twists have already been mentioned in the blurb.
On addition to that, I felt like the narration was scattered all over the place. Some of the scenes ends abruptly without explaining the hows and whys. The character descriptions were vague. I needed more details but I guess the author wanted to leave it all to our imagination. Instead of dragging the story so much unnecessarily, I would have appreciated if necessary details were provided because it felt so incomplete at places.
August 9, 2021
Overall, I give this book 4 stars.
It is a very well written young adult fantasy novel with a sweet, clean romance. I think this book could appeal to the middle grade and young adult reader!
I've always been interested in the Salem Witch Trials, and that is the vibe I get from this book. In this book, Alaia lives in a village that has been torn apart by the Inquisitor who has taken over the village and executed many innocent women for using witchcraft. Alaia has always been a gifted healer in her village and has been working to take care of her ailing father.
Alaia has a sweet friendship with Mateo, but he is the nephew of the bloodthirsty Inquisitor!
Alaia must save her family and the village from these evil witch hunts.
The story is well written and just lovely.
"Next life, Alaia. We will be friends or lovers. Whatever you wish."
- R.M. Scott, Unseen
There is a bit of a love triangle in the book, but I appreciated the love both characters clearly had for Alaia and the sacrifices they were willing to make for the person they love.
This was a lovely debut for Scott, I am curious to see what comes in the future for this new author!
It is a very well written young adult fantasy novel with a sweet, clean romance. I think this book could appeal to the middle grade and young adult reader!
I've always been interested in the Salem Witch Trials, and that is the vibe I get from this book. In this book, Alaia lives in a village that has been torn apart by the Inquisitor who has taken over the village and executed many innocent women for using witchcraft. Alaia has always been a gifted healer in her village and has been working to take care of her ailing father.
Alaia has a sweet friendship with Mateo, but he is the nephew of the bloodthirsty Inquisitor!
Alaia must save her family and the village from these evil witch hunts.
The story is well written and just lovely.
"Next life, Alaia. We will be friends or lovers. Whatever you wish."
- R.M. Scott, Unseen
There is a bit of a love triangle in the book, but I appreciated the love both characters clearly had for Alaia and the sacrifices they were willing to make for the person they love.
This was a lovely debut for Scott, I am curious to see what comes in the future for this new author!
September 20, 2021
I really enjoyed the book. It was a fresh perspective and interesting story. I was warned not to read the back cover to avoid some spoilers. I finished the book wishing there had been a prequel. The book starts with so many bad things already happening and in later chapters discover even more problems. The book has a dark journey but also a story of love abs self discovery. It also tells the cultural story of fear and self preservation. Im eager foe more books from Rachel.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews