Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.5 stars

Wow! This is a fantastic first book in a new YA Fantasy series. I can’t believe it’s the author’s debut novel. This book immediately grabbed my attention and I read late into the night because I just could not put it down. It’s full of cruel rulers, a unique magic system, a fierce FMC, and a world weary of war with their neighbor.

Elsa has songlight, a magic that allows her to speak mind-to-mind with another person. Some with songlight, called Torches, can project their image to the other person, see what that person is seeing and experiencing, influence another’s mind, and heal wounds. Songlights have been deemed “unhuman” in Brightland where Elsa lives, and those that are discovered are either forced to become a Siren and hunt down other Torches, or have their songlight removed from their brains and are forced to toil as mindless slaves. Other than her secret boyfriend Rye who shares her gift, Elsa keeps her gift a secret from everyone, including her own family.

Horrific events occur, as they do in these books, that solidifies Elsa’s determination to fight the patriarchy. While out to sea on her fishing boat, a young woman appears before her, drawn to Elsa’s grief. The girl lives in a city hundreds of miles away and is facing her own troubles. The two form a unbreakable bond and work to help each other fight their circumstances.

The girls are drawn into events surrounding the war that will change them, and those around them, forever. Truths are revealed, horrible people do horrible things, some storylines are resolved and others just get started, and you will be mad, sad, and ready for a fight when you reach the exciting cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the next book in this series. The book is currently on Kindle Unlimited and you should pick it up and read it now! You’ll thank me later.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksparks. All opinions are my own.