We are presented with a country where everybody has magic. Some have major magic and they move to the capitol to be part of the government. Others have minor magic and they work in the towns and villages doing what their magic allows. Our lead character has minor magic. She can hear animals and talk to them. That makes her perfect for working at a combination stable and veterinary clinic. She is mostly happy with that, but she does want to visit the capitol just once to see the sights.
There are people who have no magic. They are called the Forsaken. They have no rights. The belief is that the gods forsook them so they should leave the country and go live in one of the neighboring countries where people naturally have no magic. Not all can leave, so each town has a slum where the Forsaken try to live. This fact matters to the story, but I won't tell you why. You'll have to read it for yourself if you want to know.
Zahru, our lead, manages to visit the capitol. There is a challenge the current ruler's heirs must accomplish to determine who the true next ruler will be. Indulging in foods she will never taste in her home city, Zahru manages to get entwined in the contest. The majority of the book is about how she interacts with the heirs and tries to disengage herself from the challenge. Since she is the sacrifice that marks the end of the quest, she is very involved in removing herself. Does she succeed? Again, you need to read to find out. But, since this is book 1, you can guess she does live.
Zahru has a habit of making the wrong choice. She admits this is her greatest failing. Like a lot of teens who don't pick the best for them selection, she's pretty hard on herself. Knowing her tendency, she is trying but she complains a bit more than necessary. I'm sure by book 3, she'll have gained the maturity to either change or accept her failing and find a work around for it. I like that she understands the room for growth she has.
All in all, I thought this was an interesting book. I look forward to the next volume.
There are people who have no magic. They are called the Forsaken. They have no rights. The belief is that the gods forsook them so they should leave the country and go live in one of the neighboring countries where people naturally have no magic. Not all can leave, so each town has a slum where the Forsaken try to live. This fact matters to the story, but I won't tell you why. You'll have to read it for yourself if you want to know.
Zahru, our lead, manages to visit the capitol. There is a challenge the current ruler's heirs must accomplish to determine who the true next ruler will be. Indulging in foods she will never taste in her home city, Zahru manages to get entwined in the contest. The majority of the book is about how she interacts with the heirs and tries to disengage herself from the challenge. Since she is the sacrifice that marks the end of the quest, she is very involved in removing herself. Does she succeed? Again, you need to read to find out. But, since this is book 1, you can guess she does live.
Zahru has a habit of making the wrong choice. She admits this is her greatest failing. Like a lot of teens who don't pick the best for them selection, she's pretty hard on herself. Knowing her tendency, she is trying but she complains a bit more than necessary. I'm sure by book 3, she'll have gained the maturity to either change or accept her failing and find a work around for it. I like that she understands the room for growth she has.
All in all, I thought this was an interesting book. I look forward to the next volume.