Mandanna, Sangu. Vanya and the Wild Hunt. Book 1 of the Vanya series. 2025. 288p. ISBN 9781250899835.
Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen has always felt like an outsider, grappling with her British-Indian identity in a predominantly white English town. Her parents hide their secretive pasts. And to compound it all, her ADHD scatter her attention. Adding to her unique circumstances, Vanya possesses the extraordinary ability to converse with books, and more remarkably, the books communicate back to her.
Vanya's life takes a dramatic turn when a monstrous creature, previously believed to exist only in fairytales, attacks her family, revealing her parents' hidden lives and the pervasive presence of other fantastical beasts.
Whisked away to Auramere, an enchanted library and school, Vanya finds herself among archwitches and archivists, embracing an unexpected, exciting, and wonderful new existence. However, even in this magical sanctuary, danger lurks. The mysterious and formidable Wild Hunt is on the loose, threatening Auramere itself. Vanya must tap into all her creativity and courage to unmask the Hunt's leader and thwart their destructive plans, fighting to protect the only place where she has ever truly felt a sense of belonging.
Emezi, Akwaeke. Somadina. 2025. 300p. ISBN 9780593309070.
When the land was devastated by the Split, the only people who survived were those who had a magical ability, called a gift. Somadina and her twin brother, Jayaike, share an unusually deep connection, almost functioning as a single entity. However, as they reach adulthood, their emerging gifts create a stark divide. While Jayaike's powers are admired and welcomed, Somadina's darkness and void evoke fear and ostracization within their community, exacerbating her lifelong status as an outsider and exposing her to open hostility.
When Jayaike, her closest confidant, mysteriously disappears after being kidnapped by a strange and vicious magical being bent on devouring him, Somadina is compelled to embark on a perilous quest to find and free him. This journey forces her to confront daunting challenges, including venturing into the forbidden Sacred Forest and undertaking grueling, otherworldly travel. She must delve into hidden realms avoided by even those deeply connected to the spirit world, testing the limits of her physical and spiritual strength in her desperate search for her missing twin.
Inspired by West Africa and Igbo cultures, Somadina's tale will resonate with readers who find themselves not identifying with their own culture and society.
Green, Alejandra and Fanny Rodriguez. Lost Legends of Nothing. Book 2 of the Nothing series. 2023. 320p. ISBN 9780062839510. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.
Following their confrontation with Stryx in the Fantastic Tales of Nothing, Nathan finds himself once again isolated, but this time with the crucial motivation of reuniting with his friends and pressing forward on their vital quest of protecting Haven from Stryx. However, their journey is far from unburdened, as Stryx relentlessly pursues them, threatening the very existence of their world, Nothing. To further complicate matters, a war has erupted between the humans and the Volken, adding another layer of peril to their already challenging circumstances.
Once Nathan is reunited with Haven, Sina, and Bardou, their journey to the city called the Edge continues, fueled by Nathan's intensifying visions of Lerina, the only one who knew how to stop Stryx. The group uncovers clues suggesting that the key to saving Nothing lies within forgotten legends of the past. While unexpected allies emerge to aid their cause, new and dangerous enemies lie in wait, and a particularly potent adversary targets Haven's inner spirit. Amidst the escalating pressure, Nathan and his companions must strive to prevent two realms from tearing Nothing apart, defeat Stryx, and ultimately survive their perilous mission to safeguard all magic and its inhabitants from vanishing forever.
Sparkes, Amy. The Tower at the End of Time. Book 2 of The House at the Edge of Magic. 2022. 273p. ISBN 9781406395327.
Nine and her friends have successfully lifted the curse on their extraordinary, magical House, granting them the freedom to traverse different worlds once again. This time, their initial destination is the highly anticipated Wizarding Hopscotch Championships, where Flabberghast had once competed. However, a significant obstacle quickly arises: the House is experiencing travel anxiety, manifesting as disruptive hiccups that randomly transport them from one world to another every time they occur.
Despite this chaotic journey, they eventually land at the championships, only for Flabberghast to have an unfortunate encounter with square number seven, leading him to the ominous Tower at the End of Time. This unexpected detour might provide the answers they seek to cure the House's peculiar ailment. More importantly, it could finally lead Nine to uncover the identity of the person who bequeathed her the cherished music box, and in doing so, reveal the truth about her own origins.
Humorous and fast-paced, The Tower at the End of Time features strange and wonderful characters with their own missions. Fans of light fantasy will love this fast read.
Sparkes, Amy. The House at the Edge of Magic. Book 1 of The House at the Edge of Magic series. 2021. 240p. ISBN 9781406395310.
Nine is an orphaned pickpocket who yearns to escape her existence in the Nest of a Thousand Treasures. She gets the opportunity when she steals a small, house-shaped ornament from a mysterious woman's purse. Upon knocking on its tiny door, the ornament magically expands into a sprawling, unconventional house. Inside, she discovers a quirky assortment of enchanted inhabitants, including Flabberghast, a competitive young wizard with a penchant for hopscotch, and a comically hideous troll housekeeper devoted to his feather duster.
These whimsical characters reveal they are all trapped under a powerful and unusual spell that they desperately need Nine to break. In exchange for her help, they offer her the promise of a new life, hinting at a future far removed from her current struggles. During Nine's journey, she unravels some of the house's secrets. She finds a sense of belonging among its magical residents, and she utilizes her ingenuity to free them from their enchantment, tying them to the house.
The story continues in The Tower at the End of Time.
Bernardin, Marc; Ariela Kristantina, Bryan Valenza, and Bernardo Brice. Adora and the Distance. 2021. 112p. ISBN 9781506724508. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.
Adora was abandoned as an infant by the city's well, but the ruler adopted her. Her dedication to her city earned her the respect and protection of its residents. However, Adora has always been plagued by dreams. Amorphous but always blacker than black, the dreams convey the idea that someone or something badly wants her to join them.
Now a nine-year-old studious girl, Adora learns that Distance seeks to get her. Distance always poses a significant threat to the very fabric of the world and is never satisfied until it consumes the one receiving all of the dreams. Understanding she must abandon her city to protect it, Adora sets out on a journey filled with peril and wonder. Escorted by loyal companions, she confronts underground pirates and ethereal ghosts, hoping to find a way to stop the Distance.
Adora's adventures are epic in scale as she confronts the dangers of the Distance and the challenges presented by the unique inhabitants of her world. Her quest involves navigating treacherous landscapes, facing formidable foes, and unraveling the secrets behind the Distance to protect her world from destruction. The graphic novel format brings Adora's vibrant world and thrilling escapades to life, promising an engaging and visually captivating reading experience.
North, Ryan and Erica Henderson. Danger and Other Unknown Risks. 2023. 206p. ISBN 9780593224847.
What if the world didn't end with a technological collapse but with magic's sudden and chaotic arrival on January 1st, 2000 instead? Years later, the Earth has been irrevocably changed. Magic is a reality, albeit unpredictable, and while people seem content on the surface, a sense of instability pervades this new world. Marguerite de Pruitt and her loyal and speaking canine companion, Daisy, find themselves at the center of this precarious existence.
Trained from childhood for a momentous task by her uncle Bernard, Marguerite and Daisy are seemingly destined to save the world from descending into deadly chaos. However, their journey is fraught with challenges and unexpected emotional depth. They encounter friends and foes to retrieve the three totems that her uncle Bernard needs to restore the world to what it was back on December 31, 1999. Through it all, Marguerite demonstrates resilience and grit as she overcomes obstacles despite possessing little magic.
Danger and Other Unknown Risks blends laugh-out-loud adventure with poignant moments. It explores themes of truth, chosen family, and rebirth. At its core, the story asks a profound question: What lengths would you and your friends go to to save the world?
Murray, Lauryn Hamilton. Heir of Storms. Book 1 of the Storm Weaver series. 2025. 416p. ISBN 9781250348159.
From the moment of her birth, Blaze, a rare Rain Singer born into a dominant fire-wielding family, brought catastrophic destruction, summoning a storm that claimed thousands of lives across the Empire. Unbeknownst to all, however, the girl derisively known as Storm Weaver has not been able to manifest any of her magical power ascribed to her since she was born. Since that devastating day, she has been kept hidden.
On her 17th name day, she and her twin Flint welcome guests to her grandmother's estate, and Blaze is finally introduced to the Empire's nobility. At the ball, Blaze is mercilessly taunted by her despicable cousin Amber, who mocks her lack of ability. Under the pressure, Blaze manifest a power she did not think she had, and she shatters all of the glasses. This makes a lasting impression on Howe, the crown prince.
An unexpected invitation to compete for the empire's future leadership thrusts Blaze and Flint are trust into the spotlight and into a world of political battle as they are summoned to the Golden Palace to participate in the next heirs' trials. The Empire's capital is is rife with threats, intrigue, and romance, as Blaze finds herself drawn to both the charming Crown Prince and a dangerously alluring newcomer, the prince's half brother. As she delves into her dormant abilities, she realizes the throne of the Queen of Water could be hers, but claiming it will demand shedding the narratives imposed upon her and bravely forging her own destiny.
Fans of series like Red Queen will enjoy this new series that dwells in the fantastic and the politics of an Empire teetering on the edge of chaos.
Fears, Mina. The Scorpion Queen. 2025. 320p. ISBN 9781250392350.
Amie, a young woman from a wealthy Timbuktu family in Renaissance Mali. Her older sister was accused of an improper relationship with a noble, and rejected the blame on Amie. As a result, Amie suffers a tragic fall from grace. Disinherited by her angry father, and separated from her sister, Amie is forced to serve Princess Mariama in the imperial palace almost as a slave, as all of her wages are to be paid to her father, and not to her. Amie will never again see the boy she loves, Kader.
Princess Mariama is also a prisoner in her own palace. Her father, the Emperor of Mali, has devised a series of deadly trials for her suitors. Designed to weed the nobility of its sons, the trials have resulted in ninety-nine deaths. Despite the hardships and the princess's volatile personality, Amie and Mariama form an unexpected bond. When Amie discovers a map that leads them to the desert and to the home of one of the exiled gods, who could provide a hammer that would end the trial once and for all, she devises a desperate plan to escape the palace with Kader and two other maids, and make their way to the desert and retrieve the hammer. Only then will the trial end, freeing Mariama from her father's control, and allowing Amie and Kader to live happily every after.
Only, things don't go according to plan. Caught by the god after suffering in the desert, Amie makes a startling discovery. Faced with a difficult choice, Amie must decide for whom she is fighting, and whether the effort is worth it.
The Scorpion Queen is inspired by a Malian folktale, and features a strong character with divided loyalties. Amie often makes the wrong decision for the right reasons, adding to her challenges. Family dynamics and rebellion are also explored as Amie attempts to reassert control over her own life. Fans of fantasy with a touch of light magic will appreciate this story told from a perspective we are not familiar with, but will enjoy the universal themes of betrayal and love.
Bracken, Alexandra. Silver in the Bone. Book 1 of the Silver in the Bone series. 2023. 480p. ISBN 9780593481653.
Unlike all of the people she knows, Tamsin has no magical abilities to speak of. This unfortunate circumstance makes her chosen profession especially difficult, as breaking into ancient burial sites looking for magical treasures also sought by sorceresses and faeries puts her at a clear disadvantage. Thankfully her younger brother Cabell is able to see the magical threads that link objects and people, which facilitates their job.
Abandoned by their foster father, who disappeared one night after stealing a powerful Arthurian ring rumored to be able to break the curse of lycanthrope that affects Cabell, the two of them had to fend for themselves. Now ten years later, Tamsin hears rumors that the ring is back in play, and that a powerful sorceress seeks it. Tamsin receives a comtract to find the fabled ring, only to discover that her erstwhile enemy, Emrys, is also looking for the ring.
Forced to unite their abilities for the time being due to the swarm of other seekers also looking for the ring, Tamsin, Cabell and Emrys track the last whereabouts of her foster father, only to stumble upon the Arthurian lands themselves through a gate. But the sickness that has taken over these lands threatens not only that kingdom, but also their present. With danger and treachery swirling around her, Tamsin's lack of magical abilities may in fact be her greatest strength ...
Adeyemi, Tomi. Children of Blood and Bone. Book 1 of the Legacy of Orïsha series. 2018. 544p. ISBN 9781250170972.
Orisha once was a land filled with magic. People could manipulate flames, water, and even the souls of the departed. A ruthless king took power, however, and immediately eliminated those known as maji, people would could control magic. As a result, magic died in Orisha. At least, that is the official line. In practice, magic survived, but those that practice it are being hunted down by the king and his forces. Zelie Adebola lost her maji mother by the king's command, and now she and her people are barely surviving on the scraps of humanity.
Zelie runs into Princess Arami, who has just escaped after discovering she herself has magical abilities. Zelie realizes that this may be the one way she can fight bak against the king and re-establish magic throughout the land, as Amari has as much claims to the throne as her father. Unfortunately, Inan, the princess's brother is looking for her, his devotion to destroy all things magic being widely known.
As they cross Orisha, seeking allies and hoping to escape the prince, Zelie must not only avoid traps and the dangers offered by the land, but she must learn to control the magic that is slowly building inside her, with no one to give her the guidance she needs ...
Andrews, Ryan. This Was Our Pact. 2019. 330p. ISBN 9781250196958. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.
Every year, during the night of the Autumn Equinox, Ben's town celebrates by holding a festival and releasing lit lanterns down the river. Ben has always wondered what happens to the lanterns as they fade from view. After releasing them, the adults return home, but this year Ben and his friends have made a pact to follow them and find out if the legend that they eventually drift into the Milky Way are true. The boys' pact is simple. No one will turn back for home, and no one will quit.
As soon as the lanterns are released, the boys ride their bikes by the road that follows the river. Ben is soon chased by Nathaniel, a boy who's a little strange and who's often picked on by the other boys. Ben likes Nathaniel, but he doesn't want to be marked as different so he doesn't defend him when the other boys make wisecracks at him.
But one by one the boys peel off, violating the pack. Soon only Ben and Nathaniel stand before the bridge over the river, the furthest they have ever ridden. Deciding to abide by the pact, Ben and Nathaniel cross the bridge, and enter a land populated by strange people, a talking bear looking for his fishing spot, and the enlightened ones coming over to visit. With the help of magical beings along the way, the boys will discover that friendship can be forged in the unlikeliest of circumstances.
Whimsically illustrated with rich blues, This Was Our Pact defies categorization. Readers who enjoy magic on the light side will appreciate the voyage that Ben and Nathaniel are embarked on, while they might wish that a friendly bear could join them to share some of their adventures.
Sebastian, Laura. Ember Queen. Book 3 of the Ash Princess series. 2020. 465p. ISBN 9781524767143. Available as an audiobook from Overdrive.
In Lady Smoke, Princess Theodosia assembled a fleet of ships to carry her ragtag army back to Astrea to wage war against the Kaiserin, her former friend and the daughter of the Kaiser's own Thain. Having assassinated the Kaiser and seized power, the Kaiserin is ready to exploit a newfound magical power Theodosia unwittingly delivered her when she was attempting to kill her instead. With Prince Soren held hostage by the Kaiserin and untold number of troops blocking their path, Theodosia and her friends will need to devise an unorthodox plan to turn the tide of war and restore her to her rightful throne.
Whatever has affected the Kaiserin also affected Theodosia, however, and she's able to control fire in a way that stoke hope in her people's heart. Poorly armed, yet led by inspired commanders, soldiers who have nothing to lose begin a series of marches getting them ever closer to the palace, with the ultimate infiltration and destruction of the Kaiserin their goal.
But as armies assemble, and as hearts collide, Theodosia will be faced with a difficult choice. Save the one she loves, or save her kingdom from a terrible fate under the continuing rule of the Kaiserin. Can Theodosia defeat cruelty and evil to restore faith and peace to Astrea?
Meyer, Marissa. Gilded. Book 1 of the Gilded series. 2021. 502p. ISBN 978-1-250-61884-9. Available at FIC MEY on the library shelves.
Serilda was blessed by Hulda with the abilities to tell stories, or so her father tells her, along with the story that he had saved a god and had been granted the wish of a strong and healthy child. For others, however, Serilda was cursed, with eyes that look like golden wheels. Always distorting the truth and weaving in outlandish lies, Serilda has grown up in the small village of Märchenfeld with her father, the local miller. Her mother disappeared one full moon night, lured by the hunt, the one time of the month there the veil between this reality and that of the Dark Ones breaks down.
Led by the Erlking, the hunt seeks rare animals, monsters, and other creatures, and its call often lulls humans to its ranks. Most die, but some are found later confused and abandoned. Often, children are taken by the hunt and are never seen again. The Erlking dwells within a castle on the other side of the Ashen Wood, which borders Mächenfeld.
On a full moon night, Serilda heard the hounds of the Erlking. Going outside her home despite the legends warning her not to do so, she saw two moss maidens attempting to hide. She helped them disappear in the crawl space below the house, and when the hunt and the Erlking at its head. His Grim inquired what she was doing out in the middle of a winter full moon, and Serilda's tongue once again got the better of her as she claimed she was here to harvest winter wheat so she could weave it into threads of gold.
Intrigued, the Erlking let her live, and Serilda could almost have imagined the whole thing except for the ring and necklaces the moss maidens offered her as payment for saving their lives. The next month, the Erlking returned, and this time he demanded she accompany him to his castle to prove that she could in fact weave gold from wheat.
Caught by her own lie, Serilda is imprisoned in the castle, where she meets Gild, who can in fact weave gold from wheat, but his help will come at a cost. As the months repeat themselves, and the amount of weaving increases, Serilda finds herself a captive in the Erlking's evil plans. The castle is imbued with a curse, its inhabitants now ghosts bound to the Erlking's service, but she's sure that if she could break the curse, then the Erlking's power would dissipate, and the denizens would be free.
Engaged in a deadly battle of wits with the leader of the Dark Ones, Serilda can only count on the power of her stories, and the help of unlikely allies, to keep her safe, while knowing that every day that passes gets her closer with a reckoning that could cost her her life.
Fans of fantasy will love this reimagining of the tale of Rumpelstiltskin from an author who successfully recreated the tale of Cinderella into Cinder, the first of awesome Lunar Chronicles series.
Tobin, Paul and Joe Querio. The Witcher, Vol. 3: Curse of Crows. 2017. 136p. ISBN 9781506701615.
Geralt is on his way to Novigrad and he is traveling with his daughter, the beautiful Ciri. They have been contracted to slay the Striga that plagues the city. A mythical monster stronger than most and exceedingly violent, most witchers stay clear of Strigas. Geralt, however, once confronted one and survived to tell the tale. With his daughter at his side, Geralt believes they can successfully defeat the Striga.
On the trip over to the sinking city, Ciri asks Geralt to explain how he defeated the first one. He tells her of the Duke who impregnated his sister and tried to marry her. She died in childbirth, and so did her child, but not before the midwife, who now runs a bath in Novigrad, witnessed the horrible creature that was birthed.
This midwife is in fact the one who contracted the witchers to solve the Striga problem. Her son meets Ciri and reveals he can transform into a crow, and that his sister is the Striga they seek. Yennifer, Geralt's former wife, pays him and her daughter a visit, and attempts to stir them away from the Striga, convinced that they are in danger if they attempt to slay it. But Ciri wants her own adventure ...
Grace, Adalyn. All the Stars and Teeth. Book 1 of the All the Stars and Teeth series. 2020. 373p. 744 mins. ISBN 9781250307781. Available as an audiobook from Overdrive.
Amora Montara is the first daughter and princess of the King of Visidia. Her family masters the magic of souls, and Amora and she has spent her whole life preparing to ascend the throne as the High Animancer. In this role, she will rule the islands that comprise Visidia with fairness, judging each soul on its merits. Each island is known for one type of magic, and all work together for the greater glory of Visidia.
However, not all is as it seems. The kingdom is plagued by a rebellion that seeks to overthrow the monarchy. An entire island has been laid waste, its population now starving. When Amora fails the test designed to demonstrate that she masters the complicated soul magic, her life is immediately in danger. Her father has no choice but to imprison her until the royal council can determine what to do with her. Rescued by a handsome pirate named Bastian, and accompanied by Ferrick, her fiancee and magic healer, they depart Visidia. Bastian explains that a strange magic is at work in the rebellion, where people are wielding multiple kinds of magic instead of being limited to one.
In order to regain her name and the right to rule the kingdom, Amora sets off to stop the rebellion, only to learn that there are far more powerful secrets out in the world she was never allowed to visit ...
Tobin, Paul and Joe Querio. The Witcher, Vol. 2: Fox Children. 2014. 136p. ISBN 9781616557935.
Looking for transport to Novigrad, Geralt the Witcher and his dwarven friend Addario book passage on a ship heading for that city. The passengers, led by Mr. Fysh, happen to be on a secret mission. At first glance it appears they have been hired to retrieve a child that has been kidnapped by a vulpess, a fox imbued with intelligence, the ability to transform into a human, and the cunning skills of a master illusionist. Unfortunately for the group, they were unable to find the child, so instead they captured another vulpess child and are bringing that creature back to Novigrad to collect the reward. Geralt knows this is a really bad idea, but since the ship is already underway, it is too late for him and Addario to get off.
As they sail down the river, the crew soon becomes aware that the mother vulpess is trailing them. Soon the ship and its crew finds itself hopelessly lost in the swamp, and dangerous illusions begin to play havoc on the dim-witted crew members. Sometimes, however, the real monsters are not the creatures out there in the swamp, but those on the ship ...
Maas, Sarah J. Throne of Glass. 2012. 406p. ISBN 978-1-59990-695-9. Available at FIC MAA on the library shelves.
Life in the prison salt mines of Endovier is harsh, even for a skilled assassin like Celaena Sardothien. For the last year, she has grown progressively weaker as violence and death are daily companions. When she meets Dorian, the Crown Prince of Adarlan, Celaena learns that the King of Adarlan, who has already conquered much of the world, seeks to appoint a Champion. To select someone who will serve as his enforcer, the King is holding a competition in which nobles of Adarlan can enter their own candidate. The most skilled following a series of tests will serve the King, bringing riches to their sponsor.
Though a year as a prisoner and slave in the mines has weakened Celaena, the Crown Prince has no doubt that she can win this competition. Her very presence back in Rifthold, the capital, is sure to irke his father, which is a bonus. Celaena will compete under an assumed name, as no one knows that this young girl is in fact the most skilled assassin the continent of Erilea has seen in ages. Given the choice between dying in Endovier or perhaps earning her freedom if she wins the competition and serves the King faithfully, Celaena accepts the Crown Prince's offer.
Once in Rifthold, however, Celaena realizes that the competition will be deadlier than she thought. Ancient magic seems to affect the area, while Champions are killed in gruesome and inexplicable ways between tests. With every day more dangerous than the next, Celaena will need to quickly regain her strength and hone her assassin skills if she hopes to survive long enough to become the King's own assassin ...
Tobin, Paul and Joe Querio. The Witcher, Vol. 1: House of Glass. 2014. 120p. ISBN 9781616554743.
Geralt the Witcher is traveling when he encounters Jakob, a hunter living on the edge of the Brokilon forest. A welcomed sight after days without human contacts, Geralt and Jakob are both happy for the company. Geralt saves Jakob from a Drowned attack, and the two then spend some time hunting and fishing. Jakob tells Geralt about his wife Marta, who was captured by female vampires and transformed into one of them. Ever since, she's been haunting these woods, and Jakob feels he can't depart and leave her behind. Geralt agrees to enter the forest with him and see if they can find Marta.
Venturing deep in the forest, they are confronted by a Leshen and a grave hag, before stumbling upon a manor house, with Marta standing on the balcony. The manor is not what it seems, and its denizens are under a curse. Geralt and Jakob soon find themselves in danger as they seek to discover what happened to Marta and who is holding the inhabitants back...
Sebastian, Laura. Lady Smoke. Book 2 of the Ash Princess Trilogy. 2019. 512p. ISBN 9781524767105. Available as an audiobook from Overdrive.
Following her escape in Ash Princess, Theodosia must stay one step ahead of the Kaiser and his assassins, who will stop at nothing to bring her back and torture her again. Accompanied by Prinz Soren and those that call themselves her shadows, Theo and Dragonbane the pirate queen, who is in fact her mother's twin sister, head to Stacrivero, the most prosperous nation, in order to find a husband and an army with which to regain her throne.
As rich and powerful nobles parade in front of her, Theo is not convinced this is the way to solve her problems. She is falling more and more for Soren, while she still has feelings for X, a youthful friend and one of Astrea's guardians. Furthermore, while the nobility of Stacrivero lives in luxury, thousands of refugees from the Kalovaxians' wars populate camps on the outskirts of the capital and live in misery. As she and her friends search for solutions, an archduke is murdered, and Soren is arrested on the suspicion that he was involved. With an assassin in their mists, Theo must exert extreme caution in who she trust.
With none of the nobles an acceptable partner for her, Theo stalls for time. The arrival of Erik, Soren's half-brother and heir to a ruined kingdom, changes her calculations. If Theo was able to free the Astrean slaves currently working in the Kaiser's mines, if she was able to free the refugees languishing here without a future, and if she was able to get Erik's soldiers, as meager as they are, it might be enough to defeat the Kaiser.
As this unlikely coalition of forces sails to Astrea, this will be a battle of which only one will emerge victorious!
