A new Black Witch will rise…her powers vast beyond imagining.
Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner, who drove back the enemy forces and saved the Gardnerian people during the Realm War. But while she is the absolute spitting image of her famous grandmother, Elloren is utterly devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else.
When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University to embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother’s legacy. But she soon realizes that the university, which admits all manner of people—including the fire-wielding, winged Icarals, the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians—is a treacherous place for the granddaughter of the Black Witch.
As evil looms on the horizon and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, everything Elloren thought she knew will be challenged and torn away. Her best hope of survival may be among the most unlikely band of misfits…if only she can find the courage to trust those she’s been taught to hate and fear.
My Review:
Elloren is not a regular Gardnerian. Her grandmother was the last Black Witch. To everyone's disappointment Elloren has no access to any magic. Because of this Elloren is allowed to study at the University to become an apothecary like her mother. Unfortunately for Elloren, she has lived a rather sheltered life with her uncle. Because Elloren is the spitting image of her Grandmother things are far more difficult for Elloren. There are a lot of different cultures at University that Elloren has no experience with. Not only that, but her appearance makes here a target of hate whether she has magic or not. There are a lot of predetermined notions of what the other cultures are like and how they are to be treated. Elloren learns quickly that life here will not be as fun as she thought. Especially since she is the target of Evil. Will Elloren be able to look past everything she was brought up to know as truth?
Relationships are quite different in this world. The author does a great job at describing all the different religions/cultures and how they view love. Unfortunately for Ellorens people, they are forced to fast to men they may not love and relationships are solely for producing children, not love. Elloren has a very hard time with this as her aunt, a very politically powerful Mage, is pushing her to fast to Lukas Grey. He is a good political match but, could she grow to love him? At this point I am honestly not sure. I see her with someone else but, I do not know if this relationship will be possible as it "crosses lines". Lukas is a very powerful Level Five mage, attractive, and very highly thought of. Elloren has a hard time because she doesn't know him. If she chooses to follow her heart then she will be in serious trouble, disowned even. Choosing her heart may not even be an option.
This book also had one of the best quotes of all time:
"Real education doesn't make your life easy. It complicates things and makes everything messy and disturbing. But the alternative, Elloren Gardner, is to live your lie based on injustice and lies."
Ohhhh so powerful!
There are a number of different characters in this world. They range from elves, Lupines (wolves), Mages, Selkies, and many other races. All with different beliefs. Just like any culture they believe their way is the best way to live. Thus enters the controversy of this book I guess. I was unaware of this when I read this book. To me it is a fictional story that brings in issues of racism and people thinking they are better then others. Elloren gets sucked in a bit to prejudice but I think she is coming around. I still enjoyed this story very much and read the book rather quickly. I have already started reading the next book.
I am really enjoying this story. Things are starting to get out of hand. I have a glimmer of hope that Elloren will find a way to access her magic and do what is right rather then what is currently happening. I think her group could change the world and I have high hopes for them. Time will tell as the story progresses. I highly recommend this book. Don't let the controversy deter you.
No comments:
Post a Comment