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"This story is fantasy at its darkest"

The street urchin Esmeree was born with a stone of considerable size and power in her chest. She lives among people who fear magic and she must learn to control her 'Witch Ember' stone before she is declared a witch and put to death. Lady Andelliza learns of Esmeree's Witch ember and begins to educate her on how to use it well. Also a friend and mentor called Myrdd hopes to have Esmeree grow up to marry above her social status.

Of course Esmeree's ember is not kept a secret forever and when she hits puberty she starts to run for her life. Her only hope is that she will survive another day and master her ember before she is captured by the Inquisition. Her life was never easy but it becomes even harder as she grows up fast to keep herself alive and sane.

This story is fantasy at its darkest. The author has written a story that could be a fairy tale with an 18 rating. Creating a world with so much depth must be hard work but the author's smooth writing makes it seem so easy. With so many interesting characters and exciting places in this book it is easy to get lost in the wonderful seven kingdoms that he has created.

The main character Esmeree is only a child when this book begins but she soon develops into a fine, strong and magical young woman. Every life experience is something she learns from and it only makes her character even more precious and fierce. Her story is intense and some readers will be shocked at some of the language and situations the young woman encounters but at the end of the day this depth only enhances the world the reader is pulled into.

What struck me most about this novel is the language that was used. With snippets of Welsh, Gaelic and other Celtic tongues the author has gone to a lot of trouble to complete his world and make it more realistic for the reader. Sometimes the dialects can be hard to follow but a great glossary of the words and terms are to be found at the back of the book. There are also a lovely amount of illustrations in the book which gives the mind a rest. It also helps make the descriptions in the story even more real.

This is a graphic fantasy novel and anybody who loves reading Maria V. Snyder's 'Study' series or 'The Noble Dead' series by Barb Hendee & J.C. Hendee will want to give this novel a try. With a second part in the series 'The Raven' waiting for readers this debut is worth some time and thought.

Reviewed by Amber Chalmers
Posted May 3, 2008

In the days when gods walked the earth and the clay of Man was still wet, a Stone of Power was shattered. From that day forward, all humankind carried a piece. Most have just a little--just the tiniest speck of dust--but some have one of the bigger grains--or even a pebble--and they are the most powerful of sorcerers.

In the paranoid, magically-barren lands of the Seven Kingdoms, the street urchin Esmeree is born to carry a stone of unprecedented size and power. As she struggles to survive the unforgiving streets of Cliffs Reach, she endeavors to master the sorcery of her stone and understand its purpose. But time is running out for her for others have discovered her skills and seek to use or destroy her. The Inquisition, the Superbus Tyrannus, the Primate of the Holy Median church. Esmeree must determine her own path, or she will die their slave.