Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Language: The phrase “Lord help us all” is used and a reference to something being hellish.

Violence: A stage coach is held up and the driver is killed.  There is blood as Evie holds the dying man in her lap.  A snake bites Evie.  There are weapons and fighting.  Clair is bloody from fighting another leviathan, Bijou. Evie almost dies and with her, Clair. Evie’s  grandfather reveals how he accidentally killed her mother.

Sexual Content: There are many kisses.  The performers kiss Evie’s arms and hands.  Aidan kisses Evie.  The king and Annalise kiss.  Evie is in the tub naked when the king enters the room.

Synopsis

Evie lives a simple life in a quiet village with her grandfather.  She is known for her healing touch and often assists the people in her village.  Evie dreams of bigger things though.  She wants to study at the University and become a doctor.  Her chance comes when the king himself visits her village.  In return for helping one of the king’s men recover from an illness, the King awards Evie with a  scholarship to the University.   Evie sets out on the journey expecting one thing but gets quite another as she discovers a magic within herself that she never knew about, a love that she never realized, and a courage she never knew she had.

Julie Berry, also author of The Amaranth Enchantment, has written another fun, adventurous yet clean book for young readers.  I enjoyed this book even more than the first.  I want a leviathan!  Well, maybe I don’t, but it was a fun fantasy to read about.  Magic, loyal creatures, romance and a brave young heroine make for a great book!  I would recommend 12 and up for this book.