Curses and Warfare

June 15, 2017
Twins Zander and Alexa are faced with the threat of warfare in this second book of the Tokens and Omen series. At 17, Zander has been anointed with the task of training all the young warriors to prepare for war to defend their village of Puck's Gulch, intended as a Utopian society for its five racially diverse tribes. His twin, Alexa, is on the path to become a fortuneteller. The twins have taken on Zephyr as an adopted little brother of sorts, whom Zander decides to train to fight among the warriors. As revealed in chapters that alternate perspective among these three main characters, secrecy and division in the tribes threaten to weaken their bond. Zander is on high alert, as he knows there are unknown traitors in the ranks. The women want to fight as warriors, and leader Zander wrestles with the need for fairness and his competing concern for their safety, especially one that he favors. Alexa's impatience to use her magic before she is truly ready causes serious consequences for those closest to her; aligning with the women warriors who make their own preparations for war gives her direction. Though the story is not immediately riveting due to a slow build, the characters are well-developed and diverse, with a strong sense of camaraderie built among them. The setting is evocative of medieval Europe, with significant liberties in details and dialogue. Deepens characterizations as it neatly sets up Volume 3. (Fantasy. 12-16)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.