Periodically I like to check out the Young Adult and Teen books available out on the indie market, as I have grandchildren and like to be able to recommend a good read for them. Sinners of Magic, by Lynette Creswell is a YA fantasy book,
suitable for readers age 12 and up.
The Blurb:
Crystal is no ordinary sixteen year old girl. Ever since she
was a small child she's been able to sense things, feel when danger approaches
and now she's gone one step further and saved a boy’s life by summoning a
supernatural being.
Little does she know it but her natural parents are powerful
immortals. Secret lovers in a magical land where procreation outside of their
own realms is forbidden, the Elders punish Amella and Bridgemear by banishing
their new born child to the world of mere mortals.
Years have passed and dark times have descended upon the Elf
Realm. Crystal is visited by a shape-changer and tricked into believing if she
returns to the Kingdom of Nine Winters, she will find the answers regarding her
newly revealed birth right.
Soon she is caught up in dangers greater than anything she
could have ever imagined while those who fight at her side, battle to protect
her from a wicked sorcerer gone insane and one who is willing to take her to
the very edge of destruction...
MY REVIEW:
This is an excellent novel for teens. The characters are
compelling, and the storyline is a good play on the traditional switched-at-birth
theme. If at times the dialogue is a little stilted, over all this book was an
enjoyable read. Crystal is a kind, rather cocky and headstrong girl. She is
somewhat confrontational, but it seems to be her nature. Matt, whom she meets on Earth and whose life
she saved is also a well-drawn, three-dimensional character.
Bridgemear is hard to like, but he is Crystal’s birth-father
and a powerful magician, and Amella is a strong, usually likeable character. I
like the way their relationship was handled.
Tremlon, the shape-changer and King's envoy, has a major role in this
tale, and his burden of guilt and responsibility is handled well. At the end, I was left wondering about
Amadeus, a strong, loyal and brave elf warrior who struggles with many issues.
I’m definitely curious to see where that thread leads in the next book.
I did find the wood sprite, Bracken, to be quite hilarious, and I enjoyed Nekton, the innkeeper of Fortune's End, who longs for a
real adventure. There is great atmosphere in this tale, and great adventure.
As in all good tales, bad things happen to good people, and worse things happen to the bad people. I liked the way the evil King Forusian, who kidnaps Crystal with lustful intentions, was dealt with.
I’d gladly recommend this book to any young teen, and give
it four full stars for inventiveness and a good, immersive story. The narrative may be a little too young for some adults, but I found it to be an excellent afternoon of reading.
