Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.Īutumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart their mothers are still best friends. (deities and their powers, author’s note)

Will appeal to fans of fast-moving fantasy adventures. Adraa and Jatin both have black hair in contrast to the cover image, the text makes clear that Adraa is very dark-skinned while Jatin has lighter brown skin. The story also discusses questions of gender inequality, freedom, self-worth, and identity. This intricate world with magic-fueled, action-packed fight scenes and snarky, colloquial banter is loosely infused with Asian Indian cultural references. When Jatin finally leaves the academy, a series of mishaps results in both of them hiding their true identities even as they grow closer in their fight against a ruthless gang. He and Adraa compare their magical prowess and progress through letters. Jatin, heir to their more magical neighbor Naupure, has spent years polishing his nine colors of magic at the academy, away from the realities of ruling. Adraa’s strong sense of duty to her people leads her to fight against the corruption within her kingdom. With half its population Untouched by the Gods-unable to use magic-Belwar struggles with inequities between the Touched and Untouched, reminiscent of societal class divisions. Pledged to each other since childhood, Adraa and Jatin navigate the complex politics of their respective kingdoms.Īdraa is the heir to Belwar, and while powerful in most types of magic, she has yet to take the royal ceremony to prove her competency in all nine forms and, with it, her right to someday rule.

Cast in firelight by dana swift