Craig A. Munro

There are threats to the people in the kingdom of Bialta that one cannot always see. And even when they can be seen, they are not easy to defeat. The Night Guard, an elite and specially trained force, are responsible for rooting out these threats and eliminating them. Salt never expected that he would find himself among their ranks, yet here he is.

Nial hasn't had the greatest childhood. Her father is not the most attentive, and he's quite fond of the drink. So when a mysterious new friend arrives and offers her power beyond her imagination, she takes it. But the power may be darker than Nial understood, and there's a chance this power may also be beyond her control.

Add to this the mysterious reappearance of a long-lost city and the rise of a vicious tyrant, and the relatively quiet lives of the people of Bialta--and the world--are about to be changed in unexpected ways.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I picked this book up. Yes, I read the blurb, as I always do. But I guess I hadn't expected just the sheer amount of people and places that the reader is introduced to here. That said, the author does an excellent job of keeping everything clearly defined for readers to follow. Their motivations aren't always entirely clear, but that's part of the mystery that I anticipate will be revealed in future installments. I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes.

[Disclaimer: This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.]… (plus d'informations)