Her sister has been taken, and the only boy she’s ever loved has disappeared. To get them back, she’ll have to use the magic she’s always feared.
Liora has shone from within ever since a star collided with her house when she was a child. Since that day, she has spent her life indoors, only venturing out on the brightest days when her magic can’t be detected. For discovery could mean falling prey to the king’s warlock, Darius, who uses mages’ magic to grow his own power.
But when her worst nightmare comes to pass, and Darius discovers her, she’s not the one taken. Instead, he demands that her younger sister return to the capital with him to work under his watchful eye. To make matters worse, Evran, Liora’s childhood friend and the only one who knows her secret, goes missing following Darius’s visit, leaving Liora with no one to turn to.
To find Evran and to save her sister, Liora must embrace the power she has always feared. But the greatest danger she’ll face is yet to come, for Darius has plans in motion that will cause the world to fall into chaos — and Liora and Evran may be the only ones who can stop him.
This is an easy to follow, magical story set in the land of Antalla. Our main character, Liora, is literally luminous, but has spent her whole life hiding and not understanding the true strength of her power.
This all changes when she is noticed by Darius, the evil warlock who controls the King and drains other mages of their power.
Liora risks losing everything she loves, including Evran, her friend who lives next door and secret shadow mage, and her little sister Mina, who Darius is holding captive in the castle, forcing Liora to act on his will. Can Liora, with the help of Evran, overcome Darius and his evil plans?
Full of magic and adventure, with the feel of a fairytale, this is a great story. With themes of good versus evil, finding your true identity and inner strength, working to overcome obstacles, and just a little romance, it is a great book for all secondary level readers.
Reviewed by Rob