SPIRIT SIGHT

Hightower offers a YA fantasy trilogy starter that features powerful magic, intricate lore, an evil empire, and an extraordinary quest.

Thirteen-year-old Minna Hunter lives in the modest town of Fennig with her parents and beloved younger sister, Alyn. Although Minna is exceedingly kind, her relationship with the civilians of Fennig is tense; when she was 8, she gained “spirit sight” and was branded as a witch, and she’s been ostracized and feared by those without magic. Minna communicates with magical “land spirits,” which manifest as flitting orbs of light that only she can perceive. This has been declared a crime punishable by death by the corrupt Empire at the heart of this fantasy land. When Alyn gains the same power, she’s kidnapped by the Inquisitors of the Empire. For the first time in her life, Minna takes decisive action and leaves the safety of Fennig to save her sister. She’s eventually accompanied by powerful allies and humble friends on her quest, during which she encounters death, romance, and powerful magic. However, although her story is the driving force of this tale, it is not the only one that will keep readers turning pages; a flood of characters, helpfully summarized in a list, lead captivating adventures of their own—including farmer Agmar Ericson, resistance member Aron Hunter, religious order leader Deirdre Breasal, and Inquisitor Harold Wolfe, among others who are introduced early on. The players cross paths in a sweeping story that culminates in an exhilarating finale. The cast members, though plentiful, are well rounded and often intriguing, and the relationships and dialogue between them are natural and believable. There’s a great deal of worldbuilding in this opening installment, including maps and helpfully defined terms in fictional languages: “Her father told her they were the lan’and, the land spirits, though, like everyone else, he couldn’t see them.” Hightower moves the story through this thoughtful environment swiftly and concisely, making it easy to grasp, and also provides scenes of action and adventure. Readers will likely be excited to see where the stories take them.

A lengthy but compelling tale that’s packed with essential fantasy elements.