Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In a sinister world of perpetual darkness, only Siria the sunchild can bring back the light. Siria Nightingale has grown up reciting the mantra of Gildenbrook, a posh girls boarding school and incubator for the queen’s courtiers: “The Light was dangerous and destructive. Thank Her Highness the queen, the Darkness protects us now.” From the beginning, Siria knows she is different. Her red hair stands out, and she radiates extreme heat at the slightest provocation. At the Choosing Ball in Queen Iyzabel’s obsidian castle she is outed as the escaped sunchild and thus as the archenemy of the wicked queen. Siria explodes with destructive solar energy, sending the court into confusion and releasing her from the castle. She is rescued by her parents’ humble servants, Yarrow, a wise old mage, and his grandson, Linden, a hunky young wood nymph and Siria’s best friend. The excitement of constant transformations, battles, and terrifying escapes is sustained throughout the long narrative. During a grueling journey to reach the northern rebel stronghold where she can experience the vernal equinox, Siria comes to terms with her true identity and learns to utilize her solar powers for good and, ultimately, to destroy the Darkness. Her metamorphosis from an insecure teenager to a compassionate and powerful individual will appeal to readers struggling with self-esteem. Siria is White, and Linden is brown-skinned. An absorbing tale of triumph and self-discovery. (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In a sinister world of perpetual darkness, only Siria the sunchild can bring back the light.Siria Nightingale has grown up reciting the mantra of Gildenbrook, a posh girls boarding school and incubator for the queens courtiers: The Light was dangerous and destructive. Thank Her Highness the queen, the Darkness protects us now. From the beginning, Siria knows she is different. Her red hair stands out, and she radiates extreme heat at the slightest provocation. At the Choosing Ball in Queen Iyzabels obsidian castle she is outed as the escaped sunchild and thus as the archenemy of the wicked queen. Siria explodes with destructive solar energy, sending the court into confusion and releasing her from the castle. She is rescued by her parents humble servants, Yarrow, a wise old mage, and his grandson, Linden, a hunky young wood nymph and Sirias best friend. The excitement of constant transformations, battles, and terrifying escapes is sustained throughout the long narrative. During a grueling journey to reach the northern rebel stronghold where she can experience the vernal equinox, Siria comes to terms with her true identity and learns to utilize her solar powers for good and, ultimately, to destroy the Darkness. Her metamorphosis from an insecure teenager to a compassionate and powerful individual will appeal to readers struggling with self-esteem. Siria is White, and Linden is brown-skinned.An absorbing tale of triumph and self-discovery. (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.