The Otherworld is at war. The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts trains warriors. And Kelcie Murphy―a foster child raised in the human world―is dying to attend.
A place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers and―most importantly―finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned her in Boston Harbor eight years ago.
When Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she’s a Saiga, one of the most ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld’s most infamous traitor.
But Kelcie is a survivor, and she’ll do whatever it takes to find her parents and her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies.
With the release of the trade paperbook, I read the first book in Erika Lewis’ series about Kelcie Murphy. I found it full of Celtic Magic. While the story is reminiscent of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, Erika Lewis brings her own spin on Celtic mythology, creating an inviting hook to introduce the engaging characters. The story is fun, the Celtic motifs represented with respect and authenticity, and the pacing is almost perfect for a young adult novel.
One of the best pieces is the pacing, how Erika Lewis slowly reveals secrets and mysteries, with the action just fast paced enough to allow time for introspection and character development. The conclusion is a brilliant blend of Celtic Mythos. I love the use of Winter and Summer as foes and how the fae are treated in the story. I look forward to reading more from this world, more Celtic magic from Erika Lewis.
5 out of 5 elements
