In the first book of a heart-pounding, Irish-inspired debut romantasy series set in a world of dragons and magic, one girl must make an impossible decision: watch the boy she loves get exiled for lack of magic, or pass her formidable powers off as his own.
This beautifully designed hardcover book includes a striking gold foil jacket, designed edges, printed endpapers, and a full map of Éadha's world.
How far would you go to empower the one you love?
In a world where dragons soar through the skies and magical abilities are an elite privilege, the ruling family of Ailm’s Keep is on a knife-edge: Can their son Ionáin prove that he can channel magic, or will his entire family be cast out in disgrace?
Éadha, a servant girl who loves Ionáin, is shocked to discover shortly before the test that she can wield magic herself. It’s extremely rare for a girl to have this talent, especially outside the few great Families. At Ionáin’s moment of truth, when it's clear he is about to fail, Éadha makes a desperate gamble to save him from humiliation by pretending her magic is his, forfeiting her own claim to power.
Her decision sends them both to an academy of magic, where she must shield her secret from every grim Master and scheming apprentice—especially the handsome but enigmatic Gry. As Éadha enters this whirlwind of patriarchy, class, heartache, and jealousy, she also learns about magic’s terrible cost—the human price that Channellers willingly pay to maintain their power.---from the publisher
448 pages 979-8217040506 Ages 12 and up
Keywords: fantasy and magic, romantasy, romance, academy, dragons, magical abilities, special gifts and abilities, intrigue, social class, If You Liked Powerless, secrets, power, sword and sorcery, 12 year old, 13 year old, 14 year old, 15 year old, Irish mythology
*****
Other reviews:
“Brimming with intrigue, romance, and peril…a lush and compelling debut.”—Kirkus Reviews
★ “O’Sullivan deftly interweaves Irish-mythology-inspired worldbuilding with dystopian fantasy trappings to deliver an intriguingly dark romance.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “O’Sullivan’s Irish-inspired fantasy creates a lush landscape filled with magic and deceit that readers will be eager to uncover.”—SLJ, starred review
“Brimming with intrigue, romance, and peril, this fast-paced fantasy sweeps readers into a world of impossible choices and breathtaking twists that will leave them racing toward the end. A lush and compelling debut.”—Kirkus Reviews
"This story will captivate any romantasy reader and have them eagerly awaiting the sequel.”—Booklist
"Pacey and gripping at every turn, this is a thrilling fantasy about power and patriarchy."—The Bookseller, featured as "Book of the Month"
