2026 CANREADS Finalist After her brother was dragged away by KingsGuard soldiers for 'training', Lorea has had one goal - protect the people of the Northeast. None of the taken ever return and she would do anything to prevent others from suffering at the hands of the brutal 'blackjackets'... including murder.Her single-track life gets upended when she saves the life of Henri, a helpless stranger who is charming and naive. Lorea's first instinct is to lose him at the first opportunity, however, Henri is not as easy to let go of as she'd hoped. Her new tag-along is an unwelcome distraction but he wants her to protect him, though he won't say why.Rumours of the KingsGuard attacking a nearby town send Lorea down a dangerous 'short-cut' path to help; one she knows she has to take, even if it means Henri follows. Secrets, betrayals, and magical monsters along the way have Lorea questioning everything she thought was important, and her feelings for Henri complicate matters more.When the battle against the KingsGuard comes to a head, Lorea must make a choice; stay the course and protect the Northeast, putting Henri in danger, or join a bigger cause and risk her life to save the world. "e;With its evocative writing and expert world-building, readers are taken on an immersive whimsical journey through uncharted realms and timeless adventures. What sets this fantasy apart is its characters. Complex, layered, and brimming with contradictions, each character feels alive on the page, driving a story that balances epic battles with quiet, intimate moments."e; ~ Canreads Book Reviews
