Twelve wields her twin war axes as if they are part of her. Her training while at a Hunting Lodge has honed her skills. She will need them to carry out her plan of revenge.

Twelve was once called Starling and her past is almost too horrible to bear. She might train with others of her age but she has no friends – not allowing anyone close to her. But there is Seven. Seven is a small, timid girl seemingly without any skills at all. She is shunned even more than Twelve by the other huntlings. Only Seven seems to like Twelve, giving her a baby squirrel called Widge. Widge is now Twelve’s constant companion.

Suddenly under attack, the Lodge Hunters and Elders leap into defense mode. Seven is kidnapped by goblins. Everyone is asking themselves why Seven? She can hardly hold up a sword.

Three separate rescue missions set off, none knowing of the others. Twelve feels responsible somehow. Five and Six, two boys in her huntling group have their own reasons, and the last is The Guardian. He is a huge dog made of stone, without fear, can feel no pain, and centuries old. They soon discover one another and join in their quest to rescue Seven.

They encounter terrifying creatures, life threatening danger at every turn and also must face uncomfortable truths revealed among them. Twelve’s past haunts her every night and suddenly the plan of revenge that is keeping her going, begins to unravel. In the way of magic, their quest is turned around upon itself where Twelve finds a betrayal that rivals the pain from her past. Everything she thought she knew was an evil deception.

Determined to fight for the people she has always shut out, Twelve finds a way to forgive herself, accept others, and how to strike back at her enemies. She not only surprises all those battling alongside her, but herself most of all.

This may seem like another quest novel, but it is so much more! This story has it all. Action, adventure, courage, betrayal, self-acceptance, and a grief and guilt so deep it drives a young girl towards revenge. Her forged path is changed however, by a boy she dislikes, a timid girl and a giant stone dog.

The inner character development of Twelve is intense, so the reader gets to know her well. The world of Ember where she lives is a land of different clans, oaths, magic and monsters. Twelve carries a kind of Monster Guide Book with her on their search for Seven, and this ups the tension as she shares their stats on Aggression, Danger or Difficulty to fight. A 10/10 warns the reader there is spectacular action on its way.

 We learn of Twelve’s past through her dreams, and begin to understand why she acts the way she does. She’s strong-willed, determined, and a skilled warrior and her metamorphosis into a loyal, accepting friend is an inner quest of its own throughout the story.

Starling = Twelve = Phoenix. You’ll have to go on this quest with Twelve to find out what this means. Can’t wait for the next episode.

Author – Aisling Fowler

Age – 10+

(2021, Action, Adventure, Betrayal, Courage, Grief, Guilt, Growing up, Acceptance, Fantasy, Fire, Magic, Series, Fantasy, Friendship, Battle, Goblins, Monsters, Spiders, Magical Forest, Fast paced, Gripping, Powers, Kidnap, Rescue, Quest, Snow, Ice)