Luminous

September 1, 2021
A young witch searches for her true identity while battling sinister magical forces. Liora Duval is a young mage whose distinctive glowing skin makes her a target for evil forces. She lives with her father and sisters on the outskirts of Sylvan, an old village in the magical land of Antalla; her mother was killed by a falling star. Liora knows that her magic is a liability and tries to hide it most of the time. However, she is ignorant of her true powers. After the powerful warlock Lord Darius invites Liora's little sister, Mina, to his palace, where he uses her and other mages for his own nefarious ends, Liora becomes an apprentice to the witch Margana. She helps her weave magical tapestries that come to life when the final knot is tied. Events take a dark turn when Liora and Evran, Margana's son and Liora's childhood love, become trapped in a dark tapestry landscape full of scary creatures. The two must struggle to escape. The tone of the narrative is overwhelmingly threatening, at times hinting at violence. Overall, a lack of plot development and the sometimes-meandering pace of the narrative may cause readers to lose interest along the way. All characters present White. Only the most determined fantasy aficionados will see this through to the end. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)

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November 1, 2021

Gr 7 Up-Liora Duval lives a secluded life to protect herself and family from anyone discovering that she is a mage, one who knows magic. But then Lord Darias comes looking for her and demands that her younger sister return with him to the capital. At the same time, her childhood friend and love interest goes missing. Both of these incidents cause Liora to embrace her magic and power to overcome Darias, who has bigger plans of his own. The emphasis on the bond between sisters and friends is only part of this adventure. Rutherford has built an exciting world that is intriguing, and coupled it with writing that is simple and easy to follow. The author has likewise created a unique way to harness Liora's magic through weaving. True fantasy fans may want a little more depth in the overall plot, but those who enjoy light fantasy will find this a hit. The tone is ominous and foreboding, keeping readers on their toes throughout. Characters seem to have glowing skin, but appear to be white. VERDICT Those looking for a light romance coupled with magic and a fantasy world will be intrigued. Fans of the "Shadow and Bone" trilogy by Leigh Bardugo will likewise enjoy it.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton H.S., Linden, MI

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