NORTH

Although slavery is illegal in the medieval-like realm of the South Kingdom, Kai and other orphan children have been steadily forced into bondage over the past five years. While out on a hunt one day, Kai comes across a rich girl who asks too many questions. The girl is eventually revealed to be Cara, a royal whose father has recently died and whose mother has abandoned her duties in the aftermath of the loss. Despite her uncle’s attempts to sideline her because of her gender, Cara’s determined to continue rejecting political marriage offers and to protect the kingdom from increasing attacks from the North. With the help of her cousin Wil, she works to break Kai out of Lord Teagan’s cruel estate. The man tortures and enslaves orphans to produce the grain he supplies the rest of the country and pays special attention to Kai since he can heal from any injury: “When he was little, his mother told him his silvery clear eyes made him special, and his fast healing was a gift he would use for something important one day.” Once Kai arrives at the palace of Hartsfell, where Cara and Wil reside, he’s faced with a new set of problems borne of prejudice, court intrigue, and deadly political machinations. When Kai suddenly disappears without a trace, Cara is forced to decide what she will risk to save Kai and her kingdom. Harris’ world-building is detailed yet easy to understand, with enough mystery to keep readers engaged. Cara jumps off the page slightly more than the rest of the cast, but Kai’s perspective is also distinctive and compelling. Their developing relationship unfolds realistically at a similar pace to the wider plot. At times, the dialogue is stilted, but the rest of the prose holds up sturdily.