i just finished the first book in a young adult series that I loved. Fantasy with some romance. The novel involves complicated magic and royalty and monsters… all twisted into a compelling read. I love the rhymes and descriptions of the cards which allow controlled magic, the old fairytales about how magic came to be, the idea magic has prices, and the characters and discoveries.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is a beautifully woven tapestry of a book.
Why do I love it? I get to see the character think, make choices, be trapped in bad situations, and still stay true to herself. I could understand why she did what she did and was happy to travel with her as magic infiltrated her life more and more.
For another fantasy dealing with more physical monsters, read Tanvi Berwah’s Monsters Born and Made. This is a society rife with unfairness. Safety belongs to the rich elites while desperation, poverty, and danger haunt those who are prey to monsters of the sea. This book is about a heroine fighting fate and society and believing she can win despite the odds.
I cheered for her, hurt for the choices she suffered and was amazed by the creatures who lived on the pages. This book will transport you to a different world but one where you believe the people–they are so like people we know.