A MAIDEN'S WISH

Charpentier’s New Adult fantasy novella follows the intertwined lives of two sisters in a world where magical forces shape destinies.

Bayelle struggles with her sense of self-worth and with her place in society. Unlike her sister, Evora, who’s attractive and popular, Bayelle feels plain and unremarkable. The story begins with Bayelle reflecting on her fears that she’ll never become a woman, as she defines it; she feels overshadowed by Evora’s charisma and beauty. Evora has used her allure to effect a rise in her social standing, but her success comes at a dark cost, as she’s made a pact with a mysterious and malevolent entity known as the Interci—trading her soul for beauty and celebrity. Evora’s fame as a socialite grows, as was her wish, but the consequences of her deal become more severe, leading to supernatural oppression and the threat of eternal damnation. Bayelle, motivated by her love for her sibling and by a sense of duty, decides to accompany Evora on a perilous journey to seek redemption and break the curse. To do so, they must destroy the source of the evil—the Interci himself. Charpentier’s novella effectively delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the complex bonds of sisterhood, and it does so while also delivering a gripping tale with well-crafted characters. The author does a particularly good job of making the reader sympathetic to Evora’s sad plight: “I hold nothing inside me, only shadows and gaping spaces,” Evora says at one point. Despite its brevity, the work has a fully structured, efficiently paced plot that never feels rushed. Young adults who enjoy fantasy elements combined with strong coming-of-age themes are likely to especially enjoy this read.

A tale of magic, sacrifice, and the enduring power of familial love, set in a richly imagined world.