Description
Brimming with danger and magic, this new fantasy adventure from acclaimed author MarcyKate Connolly will leave readers breathless as Aria discovers the strength of her courage—and the power of friendship.
Aria is raised by the Wind. She grew up in a castle, floating among the clouds with creatures of the air. She spends her days racing and soaring through the sky with her best friend, Gwyn, a young gryphling. At night, she falls asleep to the music of the Wind.
One morning, Aria is woken by a frantic Gwyn. The chimes are silent, there is not a breath of breeze, and their castle has settled on the ground. The Wind has vanished.
Aria and Gwyn go on a desperate search only to discover the Wind is being held captive by a sinister alchemist named Worton. To free the Wind, Aria and Gwyn must complete a series of trials to find and retrieve three magical talismans for Worton.
Nothing will keep Aria from rescuing the element who raised her—not a riddle, not a quest, not a race against time. Except Worton can’t be trusted, and it’s not just the Wind that needs saving…
My Thoughts
Connolly has succeeded in creating yet another gorgeous “otherworld” peopled by “otherlings” – windlings, earthlings, waterling, and firelings. The primary character is Aria, a child of the wind who awakes one day to find the Wind is gone and her castle has descended to earth. Prior to this catastrophe, Aria has no idea that there are others like her in the world, making this as much a story of self-discovery and friendship as a quest.
As in her other stories, Connolly creates a fascinating and unique quest for the four otherlings, resulting in a showdown with the villain.
Connolly’s work is a fantastic introduction to fantasy for early middle grade readers who cut their teeth on unicorns and dragons, and she’s a darn good storyteller!
Highly recommended.
Publication Date: April 4, 2023
Published By: Sourcebooks Young Readers
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy
It's All About the Book 