Burning Glass

January 1, 2016
Revolution is brewing in Riaznin, and 17-year-old novice Auraseer Sonya Petrova is the people's only hope for freedom. Sonya can divine the feelings of others, and as a result of her ability, she belongs to the empire. When the current sovereign Auraseer is executed for failing in her duties, Sonya, as the next eldest Auraseer, must take her place. In a palace of gold, marble, and amber, she becomes the ruthless Emperor Valko's sixth sense, his guard against those who seek to destroy him. The blandly drawn and oftentimes whiny Sonya quickly falls into a problematic willing-unwilling love affair with the manipulative and violent emperor. She also falls for Prince Anton, Valko's treasonous younger brother, but his attitude toward her seems indifferent. The love triangle plays out predictably and resolves, at least for now, in Sonya's commitment (described without graphic sex in one of many over-the-top ways: "Our auras entwined in a beautiful dance and affirmed the rightness of our union"); the political situation likewise plays out without much suspense. Connections to the world-outside-the-book are clear: Riaznin is certainly czarist Russia circa the revolution, while surrounding empires Estengarde, Abdara, and Shengli are analogous to France, Iran, and China, respectively; the Romska Sonya travels with correspond to the Romany, down to their coloring. Unfortunately, this debut is just another first in an epic fantasy trilogy that relies on a love triangle to bring tension to the story. (map)(Fantasy. 12-18)

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December 1, 2015

Gr 9 Up-Sonya has a rare talent: she can feel, both physically and emotionally, those around her. With this talent brings the responsibility of becoming the Sovereign Auraseer for the Imperial Majesty, Valko. Sonya travels to Torchev with Anton, the heir to the throne and younger brother to Valko. Sonya is thrown into learning her new role, balancing court life and rules for the first time, all the while trying to discern if someone is really attempting to assassinate Valko. While observing, Sonya finds herself conflicted as she is drawn to Anton, and whether he has the best interests in mind for his country over his brother. Does she betray Anton? Does she side with the Uprising? Or does she honor her duty as Sovereign Auraseer, despite her nature telling her it is not the best interest of the people of Torchev? Filled with mystery and intrigue, betrayal and passion, Purdie's political debut will sweep readers away to a world that is not that different from their own. Characters are richly developed, leaving teens with a sense of who they are and where they stand in this well-paced story. The ending comes to a satisfying resolution, with a hint of a further installment. VERDICT For libraries whose patrons clamor for additional high fantasy tales, this start of a new trilogy will fit the bill.-Stephanie Charlefour, Wixom Public Library, MI

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2016
Sonya, an untrained empath, inadvertently becomes the emperor's protector. Thrust into the center of court politics, she struggles to hone her gift and follow her heart as the country heads toward revolution. Sonya's journey from confused girl to brave leader--first reinforcing then subverting several common tropes--is skillfully depicted in this romantic, suspenseful fantasy inspired by Imperial Russia's history.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)