Review Detail

Paced with action and mystery in mind, the story quickly moves beyond the typical teen sighting--average girl notices the exquisite-looking boy--into a realm of magic and dark intrigue, twisting among ancient legends of gypsies where potions and spells are real.

As Anne wonders who this boy is, she dreams of a girl trapped in a strange place and by an eerie power who she'll come to know as Baba Yaga--the witch. The more she dreams the more she realizes the girl is real and she, Anne, is somehow linked to her. Tossing confusion into the mix is Ethan, who's original plan is to convince Anne to fulfill her destiny and save this girl, this Anastasia, but his past brings dangers he didn't foresee as his heart takes more than just a liking to Anne.

Their relationship is volatile at times and soft at others. The getting-to-know-you stage is amped up by the mysteries encroaching on them and the reader can't help but cheer for them.

Preble uses her characters to examine the act of trust and giving of oneself for another. In the end, the one who sacrifices the most doesn't always win. Life is a choice yet a gamble. And in this tale, it's up to the reader to decide who the true winner really is.