Book excerpt: Seventeen-year-old Kinta is an innocent young woman enjoying an idyllic life in her seaside village—until the high priestess, Vylaine, suddenly becomes aware of Kinta and her mother’s special powers. They have no choice but to embark on a desperate journey to escape the clutches of evil tyranny, leaving all their lives hanging perilously in the balance. Along the way, Kinta meets an unlikely friend who joins her on her travels and helps her transition from an awkward teenager to a confident young woman as well as to discover her true destiny and first love. As the family stands resolute in the daunting face of seemingly hopeless adversity, they refuse to buckle under immense pressure or risk compromising their values until peace is restored to their land. But will they be successful in their mission or die trying? In this exciting fantasy novel, a teenager sets out on a twisting, turning, coming-of-age journey where she matures into a courageous warrior determined to seek freedom and justice for all.