**A Good Morning America YA Book Club Pick**
"A thrilling fantasy about power and patriarchy" ? The
Bookseller, featured as Book of the Month
The first book in a searing new romantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of A
LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS and THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE.
If he has the ability to wield magical powers, everyone will rejoice –
especially the girl who loves him. But what happens when they
realize she has the gift?
Éadha (A-ya) has grown up in a deeply flawed society. In Domhain, power is
drawn by elites from the life force of other, “lesser” people called Fodder.
Those with this innate ability, the Channellers, have reshaped society to
ensure their own high status and obscure the exploitative nature of their
powers. Éadha, a lowly servant girl, is in love with her close childhood friend
Ionáin, the son of the keep’s ruling family. But the fate of his family’s
position rests on whether Ionáin has inherited a Channeller’s ability –
everyone is tense, waiting to see the result of the assessment on his 17th birthday.
However, in a twist of fate, Éadha discovers that she herself contains this
power … and Ionáin doesn’t. It’s unheard of – and dangerous – for a servant,
especially a woman, to be a Channeller.
Instead, Éadha tricks everyone into believing her to be gifted only as a
Keeper, a Channeller’s assistant who is less powerful but can manipulate the
threads of power from Fodder. She is allowed to attend the Channeller training
academy alongside Ionáin, who is – unbeknownst to him – being empowered by Éadha’s
own gift. Here, she is caught up in a whirlwind of patriarchy and heartache,
torn between her lifelong devotion to Ionáin and her undeniable attraction to
the enigmatic Gry. She also learns a devastating lesson: the human cost of the
Channellers’ power – and the lengths they will go to keep it.
About the Author
Clíodhna O’Sullivan is a writer based in Co.
Louth, Ireland. She works part time as a legal counsel, is reasonably fluent in
German, and plays in a band, Molasha (you can find them on Spotify!). She is
married with three children, living with far too many cats and a dog.
