From School Library Journal
Grade 7–9—In an old world where the lives of humans and Fae often intersect, the coming-of-age tale of Princess Aurelie and her friends of both species unfolds. Gifted as children by their young river drac friend, Loic, humans Aurelie, Garin, and Netta have grown up and gone their separate ways, no longer engaging with the Fae. As often happens in the move beyond childhood, the world becomes more complicated and difficult choices must be made. Aurelie is to inherit her father's kingdom and, as the heir apparent, must travel to a rival country—Skoe—in order to prevent war. Netta, cruelly blinded for revealing the sight, hides herself from her old friends. Garin is deeply enmeshed in a struggle for power in his own country of Skoe. Loic has also grown and realizes that the time has come to take a bride. He longs for the hidden Netta, but will settle for Aurelie. With little help from the adults in their lives, these fascinating young people (and one river drac) must find ways to overcome not only their own problems, but also the troubles brought about by greed and distrust. Political intrigue, star-crossed lovers, and the intermingling of two distinct worlds make for an exciting and intricate tale. The many characters and situations are fully realized and spellbound readers will be hoping for a sequel.—
Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
*Starred Review* This intriguing fantasy is set in a well-developed, vaguely northern European land where humans coexist with supernatural beings largely indifferent to their concerns. From their childhood friend Loic, a shape-shifting river drac, humans Netta, Aurelie, and Garin are gifted with the ability to see the Fae—fairy creatures who inhabit a mesmerizing world. As they grow older, though, the devoted friends grow apart: Netta is blinded, Aurelie becomes heir to her father’s kingdom, and handsome Garin returns to his own country. Graceful prose leads the reader through a complex chronological narrative and a Shakespearean tangle of love stories. Aurelie’s struggle to unite her friends and her world provides the novel’s anchor, but her coming-of-age story, told in third-person accounts, alternates with first-person reports from other characters, who are all well developed. Tomlinson paces her tale well, building suspense both in the political arena, through increasing hostilities between families, and in personal relationships; Loic courts Aurelie, for example, even though each prefers another. It is the power of childhood friendship that overcomes the barriers of nationality and species to unite the characters. Readers will be left hoping for a sequel after completing this stirring read from the author of The Swan Maiden (2007). Grades 7-10. --Kathleen Isaacs
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
