Review by Booklist Review
Raine is a young woman with a forbidden gift: she can see and speak to the dead. If discovered, a public stoning is the best she could hope for. She's survived for 17 years by keeping her mouth--and heart--closed. Caring about people isn't practical in Raine's knife-edged world, so naturally when she rescues a helpless woman pursued by men wielding powerful magic, it all goes to hell. The woman was carrying a page from a cursed book, and if not for these men--warrior magicians called Draoihn--she would have raised an ancient evil. Raine accompanies the Draoihn to Redwinter as a witness, hoping to learn magic, the kind that might help her survive rather than get her killed. McDonald's thrilling coming-of-age fantasy, first in a series, also excels as a suspenseful mystery, as Raine is approached by different factions investigating the theft of the cursed page. McDonald's medieval fantasy world feels lived-in, with a robust history, an intricate magic system, and a host of fascinating characters, but Raine herself--vulnerable but fierce, direct, and almost ruthlessly practical--is the heart of this memorable story.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This uncommonly vivid and vigorous sword and sorcery novel from McDonald (Blackwing) follows Raine, a rootless young woman whose only certainty is that she must never reveal that she has "spirit-sight," the ability to see ghosts. It's a mortal crime in her society, where people fear both the unknown and, especially, invasion by the dead. After Raine innocently aids the mysteriously ensorcelled Hazia LacFroome to rouse one of the ancient wizard-kings, she hastens to correct her mistake and is taken under the protection of Ulovar LacNaithe, head of one of the clans that make up the Draoihn, elite warriors of the "fortress-monastery" Redwinter. Inside Redwinter, Raine must navigate relationships with Ulovar's heir, the indecisive Ovitus; Sanvaunt, a forbiddingly grim swordsman; and her new, dear friend, Esher. Then there are "Those Who See," the skulking rabble who share Raine's spirit-sight and who insist that the Draoihn are murderously wrong. Meanwhile, the ghostly Queen of Feathers hovers enigmatically behind everything. Raine must use all her wits, not to mention her skill with bows and arrows, to survive in this world and to find her place in it. McDonald makes familiar story and character beats come alive with imagination and energy. The result is a superior start to a promising new saga. (June)
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Review by Library Journal Review
When Raine rescues an injured woman from the snow and takes her back to the beleaguered fortress of Dalnesse, she had no idea that it would set off a chain of events that would change her life forever. The rescued woman was fleeing from Redwinter, home of the Draohin, warrior magicians. Now Raine has no choice but to enter Redwinter herself, where she discovers power and secrets abound. She has a bigger secret, however: she can see and speak to the dead. Her power carries a death sentence but may save her nation. A Scottish-inspired setting, complex magical system, and engaging characters create a high-stakes, high-action story. The pacing starts slow and there is a lot of information, but the setup pays off with building tension, twists, and betrayals. VERDICT McDonald ("Raven's Mark" trilogy) begins an immersive new fantasy series, good for fans of George R. R. Martin and Brandon Sanderson.--Kristi Chadwick
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