Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is a wonderful first book in a new YA fantasy series. The kingdoms of Myral and Gralanth are separated by a range of mountains. The Myral people have magic. It’s capital is Ringard and it’s ruled by a High Enforcer, who is a member of a group of fierce warriors called Ringada. Gralanth people do not have magic, and both sides are wary of each other.

Aliyah is a young orphan Myralian born on the wrong side of the mountains. Her aunt sells her to be wed to a Gralanthian nobleman with evil plans to use her to bring magic back to Gralanth, and more specifically, to him so he can rule the land. She knew she had powers, but didn’t know much about them or how to use them. He teaches her more about her powers and just how dangerous magic can be in the wrong hands.

Meanwhile in Myral, the capital Ringald has been attacked. With the help of his best friend, Josen sets out to hunt for those responsible. Driven by rage at the murder of his wife during the onslaught, Josen will stop at nothing to get revenge. When their paths collide, Aliyah and Josen must work together. Monsters once thought to be myth are hunting them, and the fates of Myral and Gralanth are at stake…

I really enjoyed this book. The author does a great job of weaving the worldbuilding throughout the story so you don’t have to suffer through a huge information dump. The main characters, as well as Kaino, Josen’s best friend, are well developed. I like how Aliyah is strong, fierce and determined, but still allows herself to feel and show her emotions with Kaino and Josen. She’s been through a horrifying ordeal and loads of information thrown at her, but instead of crumbling into a puddle, she firms her jaw and faces the next challenge.

At the beginning of the book Josen is closed off, bitter and focused on nothing but hunting down the man who killed his wife. Kaino tries to coax Josen out, to no avail. He is the light to Josen’s dark, an incurable flirt and the much needed levity to an otherwise dark and heavy book. Once the duo cross paths with Aliyah, the dynamic of the duo changes. Aliyah’s presence begins to reach through the layers of Josen’s despair, slowly bringing him out of the depths of his grief.

The focus of their mission changes, and they race back to Ringald to re-group. However, the dark evil that is spreading through the land is not finished with Aliyah and they must fight monsters and wild animals as they run back to safety.

This book has plenty of good guys to cheer, evil to hate and action to keep your attention. The book ends on a fun cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see how it ends. This book is perfect for readers that are new to reading fantasy, or a reader that just wants to try fantasy for the first time. It is well written, evenly paced and is interesting enough to keep your attention, but not so bogged down with complicated court intrigue, magic systems, or dozens of characters to be intimidating or overwhelming.

I was provided a complimentary e-copy of this book from Breys Book Tours and the author. All opinions are my own.