Review Detail

From Netgalley: "In a world where the Emperor's goal is to stamp out magic in his kingdom, Makarria has found out that she is a sorceress. Through her dreams, she has the magical ability to wield magic. When she magically made her grandfather young again, she and her grandfather run away to find a safe haven where she can control her abilities. However, Makarria quickly meets Princess Taera, and the two of them embark on a dangerous quest to defeat the evil emperor.

Makarria is a heroine that readers can relate too. She was a woman who was quickly thrust into a situation for which she was totally unprepared for. She doubts herself and her abilities. She is also very naive. At first she is weak and lets others risk their lives to protect her. Eventually, she matures into a strong woman who is able to rely more on herself instead of others. She then decides to make decisions that is best for herself. However, she is not afraid to seek advice when she needs it. She is also very inquisitive, stubborn at times, and makes rash decisions. Still, Makarria is a woman who eventually becomes her own woman.

Overall, this book is about family, friendship, and choices. It is also a beautiful coming of age tale. The message of this book is to believe in yourself. I really liked all the characters, and I thought that they were very dynamic. Each of the characters had to make difficult decisions to fulfill their role in the story. I also thought that the world-building was complex and I liked the explanation of magic within the kingdom. Even though it is set in a medieval like setting, I thought that the steampunk element in this story was interesting and fitted the story together perfectly. I also liked that there was no romance in this story. Instead, the action and adventure were the focus in this story. Because there was no romance element, I liked how I could focus solely on the plot and the characters. For readers who would like some romance in your story, do not be disappointed because I’m sure there is room for romance in the sequel, Souldrifter. Thus, I’m very excited to read Souldrifter, for I cannot wait to read what happens next to Makarria. I recommend this novel for fans of Juliet Marillier’s Shadowfell trilogy, and Jeff Wheeler’s Muirwood trilogy."—Lauralee J, Reviewer