by K. Ferrin

Deep in the Oakwood, a boy is born without magic.

In a land where powers flow through one’s veins as naturally as water down a mountain stream, Micah is an aberration detested by everyone—everyone except Alekka, a gifted but solitary mage who understands the price of isolation. Her sensitivity to the thoughts of others drives her to seek solace in the forests surrounding Aclay, a small village that has been living under a malevolent shadow for hundreds of years.

As fear and loss ravage the countryside, the two outcasts form an unlikely bond forged in loneliness and surrounded by the flickering silhouettes of destiny. When their home is destroyed, the outcasts must join a volatile group of their peers on a journey that threatens to strip them of everything they cherish, imperil everything they’ve ever known, even force them to question the nature of reality itself. Can they find the key to stemming the tide of darkness without losing themselves along the way?

“… The story was paced very well and the characters were well defined in their world. I appreciated the romantic elements but they weren’t overplayed and really added to the plot. I particularly enjoyed the original creatures that the author created, so there weren’t the same typical fantasy players you would expect. I would definitely recommend this book to other lovers of fantasy! “