Series: The War of Six Crowns #1
Author: M. Gerrick
Publisher: Etopia Press (October 4, 2013)
Genre: YA Fantasy
Book Description: Since the death of her parents, Callan Blair has been shunted from one foster family to another, her dangerous secret forcing the move each time. Her latest foster family quickly ships her off to an exclusive boarding school in the Cumbrian countryside. While her foster-brother James makes it his mission to get Callan expelled, a nearby ancient castle holds the secret doorway to another land...
When Callan is forced through the doorway, she finds herself in the magical continent of Tardith, where she’s shocked to learn her schoolmates Gawain and Darrion are respected soldiers in service to the king of Nordaine, one of Tardith's realms. More than that, the two are potential heirs to the Black Knight—Nordaine's crown prince.
But when the Black Knight fails to return from a mysterious trip, the realm teeters on the brink of war. Darrion and Gawain set out to find him, while Callan discovers there is more to her family history than she thought. The elves are claiming she is their princess.
Now with Darrion growing ever more antagonistic and her friendship with Gawain blossoming, Callan must decide whether to stay in Nordaine—where her secret grows ever more threatening—or go to the elves and uncover the truth about her family before war sets the realms afire.
First line: The wet air smelled like blood.
Last line read: "I do. Don't worry. He knows it's from me."
Overall Impressions: A very well-written start to this novel! I want to learn more about Callan's entity as well as the land and people of Tardith. The characters are well-drawn and feel very realistic. I really feel for Callan's plight in particular.
Would I keep reading?: Yes!
