Sydelle Mirabil, a talented weaver, lives in Cliffton, a desert town in the far west of the kingdom of Palmarta. The townspeople are living with rumors of war with the surrounding kingdoms of Saldorra and Auster. On one unforgettable evening, a sudden rainstorm hits, and a wizard named Wayland North arrives in town. Coincidence?
As "payment" for giving Cliffton's residents the much-needed rain, North takes Sydelle with him on a mission to the capital city of Provincia. Along the way they encounter friends such as the good-hearted soldier Owain, and enemies such as the deadly dark wizard Dorwan. Although a talented mage, North is haunted by an old family curse, and his mood changes are a challenge for Sydelle to handle. Sydelle also begins to realize that there is something unusual about herself; she has powers of her own that both attract and repel the wizarding community as it prepares for what could be a devastating conflict with its neighbors.
This is a fast-paced story. Scenery goes by swiftly, and secondary characters come and go with not much development. While I thought that the concept of this book was interesting, I wish there had been more depth to the characters and better descriptions of the countryside. Still, if you're looking for a quick fantasy read, this is a pretty good effort from a first-time author.
Kifflie (Now starting Hold Still by Nina LaCour)
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