Crossroads and the Himalayan Crystals

By C. Toni Graham

An ordinary school day in Middlefield turns into a mystical tale filled with endless adventures of magic, fairies, flying horses, and danger. A modern-day saga of four young teens who find themselves trapped in another realm—“The Otherworld”—where they must abide by an evil druid’s bidding or risk endangering the lives of their loved ones and the magical beings they have befriended.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Sep 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9781452558288

C. Toni Graham

"Graham starts her YA debut with a bang; the opening scene depicting Brigara's banishment is exhilarating." ~ Kirkus Reviews C. Toni Graham is a master storyteller and author of the award-winning Crossroads and the Himalayan Crystals. The first installment of the epic Crossroads fantasy series received the Readers Favorite International Book Award for Excellence in Writing and an Honorable Mention Award from the Los Angeles Book Festival for Young Adult Fiction. "Crossroads and the Dominion of Four" is an excellent follow-up in the fantasy series. "A fast-paced adventure for the YA fantasy lovers." Toni lives in beautiful l Northern California surrounded by family, an oversized golden retriever and a few mischievous fairies. To learn more, visit her website at www.ctonigraham.com.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Abolishment

B rigara fought back with everything she had, and it ultimately took all three of them to bind her powers. They could feel her energy surround them. The power she possessed was like nothing they had ever encountered. Their restraint spell was holding her securely, compelling her arms to be held tightly behind her back and her ankles to be forcefully bound together. She spit and screamed in their direction. She struggled and thrashed her head wildly, causing her stringy, long dark hair to fall across her flushed sweat-drenched face. She was extremely thin, almost skeletal in appearance, yet her body flexed and contorted relentlessly with vigorous intensity. Her dark eyes were wild with fury, and each member of the council made certain to avoid fixating on them, as she was skilled at hexing dark charms with a mere glance.

While their spell was strong, it would only serve as a temporary hold; they knew she would eventually find a counter charm to break free. It would have to suffice because they had to move quickly to get ready for the next step. They could not spare even a moment to weave any additional magic to make the charm stronger. Time was not on their side; it was the enemy.

Only a few days had passed since they had come to terms with their decision. They were acutely aware that it was the most drastic measure. To perform the foreboding ritual would put all they were trying to protect at risk, yet they unanimously agreed there was no other option. They were to proceed with her abolishment. Their plan would be launched when the required elements were aligned. This was the chosen night, as they would not have another chance for many seasons. According to their calculations, the full moon had to be positioned in the northern sky and in direct opposition to the sun during the midpoint of the lunar eclipse. This was the night everything would change.

Despite countless warnings, she had refused to cease practicing forbidden magic. Her abolishment would not be an easy undertaking; they had to rely solely on their instincts, inherited abilities, and passed-along teachings from others who had moved on from their realm long ago. They were the chosen High Council of Three, and they alone had to end her reign of harmonic destruction as well as her corrupted use of dark magic.

As leaders, the council knew it was their primary responsibility to maintain the balance among all magical elemental beings in their realm. They were entrusted to manage all things that might impact their way of life. They were also charged with identifying and removing all threats, no matter how potent or mighty, as this was their chosen fate in this lifetime. As such, they were to do whatever was necessary to prevail.

During the council’s meticulous preparations, they considered the possibility they might not survive, since it was highly probable she would be the one to prevail. The council had seen proof that the powers Brigara harnessed were increasing exponentially, and she was becoming more formidable. They were counting on the fact that they outnumbered her three to one, but in the event they did not succeed, they forged a contingency plan.

After much deliberation, each of the council members had decided to selflessly sacrifice their elemental gifts. These hallowed gifts would be used to safeguard their world. The council would no longer have the ability to command the magic of these specific elements. Next, they blended each of the elements and sealed them with an ancient trilogy charm. The council entrusted the most principal elemental being with this sacred rite, along with their specific and necessary instructions. They spoke of this only amongst themselves, as they knew she should never be made aware of its existence. Having made this choice, they were now prepared to sacrifice their lives and eradicate her from their realm without reservation. If they succeeded, the triumph would be widely celebrated, and this day would be one that would surely be recorded for all to know and celebrate for generations to come.

The council had expected to find Brigara’s secluded and unkempt dwelling protected from intruders. Instead, it was left open and unguarded. The house appeared almost deserted. Although they knew she had been living in squalor for quite some time, they were unaware of the magnitude of the poor conditions in which she lived. Brigara had elected to isolate herself from the majority of other elemental beings by living far and removed from those who would frown on her practice of dark magic.

The structure was small and built of sturdy obsidian stone, which had seen its fair share of being tested. The scorch marks from spells gone wrong were evident inside and out. They knew she had chosen the stone because of its powerful properties. They stimulated the gift of prophecy, and that was a gift she longed to acquire, since she believed it would add to her arsenal of magical abilities. The house had only one room, which served as both living quarters and the place where she created her dark spells. The room was void of any natural lighting. Each window was covered with thick, dark drapes that allowed only razor-thin beams of light to break through around the edges. There were a few small lanterns and several large, unscented candles positioned around the room, creating an ominous glow; their light cast large shadows that danced across the dirt and potion-stained walls.

The council moved around, examining all the nuances of the neglected home and surveying its contents. The ambiance was depressing, but it was conducive to the serious mission they had to execute. They had only heard stories of the ancient abolishment deed being carried out, but not a single being in their lifetime had practical knowledge or experience. They could not dwell on this as they hurried to prepare the room for the encounter.

It was time. The moon was in perfect alignment to activate the prophesying triad ritual, and they knew she would return home soon. The three of them pulled the hoods of their ceremonial black velvet cloaks over their heads and took their designated places. They were frightened, but none spoke this aloud. They methodically recited their rehearsed incantation in unison. The dimly lit room vibrated as they concluded the foundation spell. The charm would hold the house firm, and all spells cast would be contained within its walls to protect innocents from being harmed by any fallout. They nodded in confirmation to each other and then readied themselves in anxious anticipation.

Brigara arrived moments later, and as she stepped through the doorway, she displayed her arrogance proudly as she scoffed at them. She announced her presence with a loud, raspy voice.

You have dared to trespass and defile the sanctity of my home. As you know, I will not tolerate such a violation. I shall destroy you all! yelled Brigara. She showed no signs of fear. She had studied their abilities.

Ready yourselves, the Elder of the Council commanded his peers. They complied without hesitation.

Brigara pulled back her arms and positioned both palms up. Two brightly glowing fire-energy spheres of a pale blue hue appeared and hovered above her hands. She drew her arms further back. Her arms jetted forward, and the fire-spheres flew across the dark room, brightly illuminating the room as they hit an invisible wall and exploded on impact. She screamed in response and immediately retracted her arms to produce two more spheres. These were larger and brighter than the previous ones. Brigara balanced them close to her body as she simmered with anger.

The council braced for her next strike. As they had anticipated, she attacked without hesitation or negotiation. Trapping her was going to be more difficult than they had planned, and the night was not going as they had imagined. They knew Brigara was powerful, but the energy spheres had a velocity that was greater than they had ever witnessed, and she was producing them effortlessly. They were unharmed by her first attack since they had ritually shielded themselves in a protective aura of white light visible only to them. It was a basic but essential element of divine magic that would hold up against her dark magic long enough for them to subdue and capture her. They had diligently practiced their counterattacks and the necessary charms to be sure they were sound in their actions, and it was now time to react in sync. They took a defensive stance in unity. Not knowing if they would survive, they were determined to face her head-on. They would not back down.

Brigara, you must stand down as this will not end well for you, the Elder of the council bellowed.

Do you think I am intimidated by your talents? You do not impress me; you never have. Did you really believe I would not be made aware of your plans? Did you really think I would bow down to you? asked Brigara.

She shook off her frayed, dusty cloak, letting it drop to the floor. She kicked it aside with a muddy boot. The spheres remained level in their launch positions. The council stayed silent; their eyes were completely shielded beneath the hoods of their dark cloaks. She narrowed her gaze before addressing them.

You must know that I will be the victor of this encounter, Brigara taunted mockingly as her mouth twisted into a jagged smile.

The council stayed firm and held their position without response. Brigara surveyed them closely, smirking in amusement. She juggled the fire-spheres, one over the other. They could tell she was trying to bait them to reveal any weakness in their shield and that she was only stalling until she devised her next maneuver. The council had not considered she might be warned of the encounter, and they were grateful she had not received enough notice to execute an effective battle plan against them.

Brigara wasn’t fully prepared, and they all knew it. The council was reacting purely in defense mode, and they realized they had to counterattack before it was too late. The elder of the high council gave the signal, and they readied themselves.

Brigara turned her back to them slowly, as if considering to exit, and then quickly spun around to launch her next assault; she thrust both of the fast spinning fire-spheres directly at them. With precision, they struck back in retaliation and hexed the spheres. The fireballs stopped, suspended in midair, and then with only a brief pause, reversed their course and boomeranged back to their creator at an even greater velocity. Her nimble body reacted quickly as she dodged to avoid being struck from the returning fire, but she clumsily stumbled and lost balance. With arms flailing awkwardly, she fell to the floor.

She recovered immediately and began scrambling toward the door in an attempt to flee. Before she was able to reach the doorway, the council jointly sealed the door. The spell they cast transmitted bands of fire from the top of the threshold to the floor, barring it as an exit. Brigara’s face grew crimson as she stood back up and glared at them. The council had successfully trapped her within her own home to prevent any escape. The battle of their lives was underway.

Without hesitation, the elder of the council gave the signal to close in on the attack. The trio shifted their positions, tightening the meshing of their blended powers to strike as one source. They gained control and suspended her ability to respond but only momentarily.

Brigara skillfully broke free of the magically formed icy ropes that bound her hands tight. She expelled an energy ball that missed her target by mere centimeters. Before she could form another, they countered with a spell that created another set of ropes. This time, the spell created a sensation of intense burning around her wrists while pulling her hands high above her head. Brigara cried out in agony as she forced her lips to recite incantations to cease the pain.

The council knew she would eventually figure out a way to counter their maneuver and would react brutally. They did not vacillate in the slightest. Their protection charms were barely holding up against her relentless attacks, and they were quickly tiring. If this was going to work, they had to keep their spells intertwined, it was imperative. She would assuredly penetrate any weakness.

The council began to alter the various restraints; Brigara managed to find a way to break free each time, but they remained diligent in their efforts. After multiple failed attempts, with only temporary effects, they were able to successfully bind all of her extremities.

Brigara revolted and roared with such force that the ground shook beneath their feet. Release me now!

They continued calling out incantations without pause. She attempted to cast a charm unknown to them, but they quickly muffled it by distorting her words so they carried no meaning.

Brigara was frustrated by her predicament since she had received advanced warning of the council’s trap. She had considered it a great opportunity to shame them all, but she had underestimated their resolve and preparation. Her followers had flagged her of the impending ambush, but they did not possess enough power to stand by her side in battle. They were loyal to a fault but not foolish enough to take on the council.

Brigara would have dismissed them anyway had they offered to stand with her. She was convinced that no one could compete with her power, and she wanted them all to know that she stood her ground and defeated all who challenged her without intervention or assistance from others. Brigara believed that no being in her lifetime or any that came before could rival her talent to command the elements or bring all who crossed her path to their knees. She was of the belief that she harnessed greater power than any being in their realm and was fully prepared to eliminate anyone who got in her way.

This aspect of her conceit allowed enough time for the council to disarm and halt her ability to cast any counter or reflective charms. They had responded as soon as she set foot across the threshold and just before she finished her chastising; this provided just enough of an opening to get the upper hand.

The high council had wisely removed all items that Brigara could potentially use against them in her defense; the house was left barren. The only things that remained were the chairs they would use during the final stage of the obliteration. Three iron forged chairs had ceremoniously been anointed with apples of Avalon and the white fruit of mistletoe. Clusters of ornate blue and black pietersite crystals were placed along the tops, and the chairs were carefully arranged in a triangle configuration to create the necessary energy connection between them.

Precaution was taken to include all aspects of the ancient ritual to invoke the conduit points of the triad symbol; this was critically important. A fourth chair, left plain and unprotected, was positioned in the middle of the triangle altar where Brigara would be held as they carried out the foreboding ritual.

Upon entering her home, Brigara had observed the arrangement of the chairs and immediately knew they intended to do more than just strip her powers. She quickly came to the realization that the mission was to cast her out completely—to banish her from their realm altogether.

She was furious that she had not considered all possibilities. She tried hard to focus on removing the spell that was constricting her movements. She freed her hand, but the high council cast another spell to tighten the hold before she could create an energy sphere. Her arm jerked back in futile resistance. They had to keep a close eye on her; her desperation made her even more dangerous. They were taking too much time.

They skillfully levitated her to the center of the magical altar and into the designated chair. She kicked and screamed in defiance while being held in place by the invisible restraints. They were proud of their accomplishment, but they dared not take their eyes off of her to even acknowledge this to one another.

Brigara was determined to not let them see any hurt or fear as this was a sure sign of weakness. She concentrated hard to quiet her thoughts in order to evaluate the complexities of their magic. She began to detect the flaws in their restraints and sensed they were lacking confidence in their skills. She got excited and then immediately calmed as she reminded herself that she only needed to bide her time. She trusted they would trip up soon; at such time, she would deliver a fatal attack. She only needed one of them to falter.

She closed her eyes to begin formulating the spells to use next. She was determined to form an attack they could never contrive or expect. Brigara felt her thoughts wander, and she struggled to refocus, but to no avail. The council shifted their tactics. They began casting spells that forced her to respond to their will. She shook her head in response, but the enchantment made her recall the heartache she had pushed down deep from the surface. The events resurfaced; they had found her Achilles’ heel.

Brigara tried hard to alleviate all mistakes from her memory. She considered them mere reflections of incidents that had no bearing on her current quests, but they were digging deep. She could feel the memories flooding her conscience, and she had no control of the images as they flashed before her eyes. She was reliving them through vivid imagery along with all of the connected emotions of anger, loss, and failure. She screamed and cursed them more for her own weakness than their accomplishment.

The threesome had discussed Brigara’s potential limitations and knew the best strategy was to attack her ego by exposing her indiscretions. They had discovered several of her deeply hidden secrets and skillfully used them to their advantage. The recollection spell was the perfect charm. The council knew it was a risky maneuver, and they were elated that it had worked thus far, providing the advantage they needed.

Brigara had mistakenly believed she was well informed and had planned to disarm their attacks with ease. Their methods were not as she predicted, and she boiled over with rage. She despised them for having the audacity to go after an emotional connection in their attack. She miscalculated just how far the council would go to strip her of power and, even worse, expel her completely from existence. She would not stop until she had punished the one who betrayed her and led the council to discover her secrets. She was sure she would escape and when she did, they would all pay. She fervently vowed to strike out against all those that contributed to her detainment and the violation of her personal matters. Brigara sealed the vow with a charm of eternity.

As the council began the foreboding eradication ritual, she recited numerous incantations to counter their charms but to no gain. She could feel herself weakening, and she knew her time was fading. In spite of this knowledge, she refused to submit to their efforts. She scourged each of them and screamed condemning charms at them.

It is because of your naiveté and blatant weakness that this farce brings me strength and resolve. You are all simpleminded fools, Brigara yelled.

She tried to break free of the magic that restrained her by casting a counter charm. It didn’t work.

You are inferior with this absurdity of sorts, and you are reckless to underestimate my greatness. If you release me now, I may consider leniency, she said.

Brigara, you will receive the same consideration as those that you have trodden upon, said the Elder of the council with conviction.

Brigara had been confident that her threats would be effective. To her dismay, the council did not waver or display any signs of yielding to her demands; the three remained united and stayed true to their mission. Her weakness was increasing, and fatigue was beginning to take over, but she would neither allow them to make a mockery of her pursuit of power nor be disgraced by their inferior abilities. She was void of remorse for her actions, and seeking forgiveness was the furthest thing from her mind. She wanted vengeance.

Brigara continued assessing a potential means for escape, but saw none. She decided to go after one of their weaknesses since she was aware of their history for offering compassion to the condemned. She would never be so weak or tolerant, but she believed they would succumb to her plight.

I ask for mercy, honorable council of wisdom and ask for your gracious pardon to my deeds, Brigara said as she continued to use the last of her quickly diminishing strength to break free.

The council had anticipated that she may try various ploys and tactics. Without any consideration, they ignored her plea. They knew she lacked conviction and could never be trusted. Their disregard increased her hatred for them. She could feel the powers of the triad draining her will and although reluctant, she realized she had no choice and had to act quickly. She began to recite a protective charm for eternal survival. The council braced for the unexpected since they were unaware of the possible effects of such a charm. They knew it was weaved with dark magic and harnessed with a curse. Their chants to subdue or alter her voice failed. She threw her head back and closed her eyes.

I call upon the triple spiral to repel your outcast of my soul. I will return to our realm to rid you of your power as all known beings will fall in this land because of your small-minded views, said Brigara. I will rise again, and you will know my true power. My wrath will be unyielding. I will exert with great fury all my resentment for your ignorance onto you, your heirs, and all that follow. ’Tis my word. ’Tis my bond. ’Tis my sacred vow. Her shouts echoed throughout the empty dwelling.

Brigara was extremely weak. She knew she had only moments left.

The Sidhe shall not be blocked from me; your mastery of elements will be my sphere of protection. ’Tis your power of three that will release me, she said. These were the final words she uttered as she closed her eyes and braced against the invisible restraints. A solitary tear rolled down her cheek. It immediately evaporated, leaving a salt trail that ended just above her thin chapped lips.

Suddenly, Brigara screamed with the high, piercing decibel of a banshee; as quickly as it started, she ceased and became silent. Her body went completely limp. The room grew cold, and the frigid air made the council members shudder. A thick and fast moving mist began to fill the room, rising up from the damp floor. They knew the time was upon them. The moonlight that had shone so brightly was now in full eclipse. The time was three thirty-three; the hour of expulsion was upon them.

The room went completely dark and then was filled with a blinding light. The high council quickly covered their eyes with their cloaks. Without warning, a powerful gust of wind from an unknown origin blew through the room. The windows exploded—shards of glass sprayed the room. The dominant force caused each member of the council to be lifted into the air. They were thrown violently from their chairs; their bodies crashed into the stone walls and then crumbled to the floor.

As they rose slowly to their feet, each moaning in pain from the injuries they sustained, they exchanged a knowing look. They watched the mist dissipate and surveyed the spot where she had been. No one dared to speak as they knew they had done the impossible. They also knew their task was not complete—and things had not gone exactly as planned.

The council assembled quickly to begin the next phase of their mission. This would be even more critical than the last. They had to summon the leaders of all the primary elemental beings, and they needed to act quickly. The abolishment had taken longer than expected, and the hour of four forty-four was soon approaching. They had to be diligent since failure was not an option. To preserve their way of life, they knew they had to sacrifice in order to succeed.

CHAPTER TWO

Welcome to Middlefield

W hen Jake learned his new address, 444 Elm Street, he thought, You can’t get any plainer or more ordinary than that. The Anderson family’s new home was right in the center of Middle America, located in the middle of town and in the middle of the block. It also happened to be just three blocks away from Jake Anderson’s new school. Middle seemed to be the theme of Jake’s life,

Reviews for Crossroads and the Himalayan Crystals

[Shauny · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Four young teens Jake, Conner, Seneca, and Shayna are thrust together when a homework assignment turns into a magical adventure that takes them on a journey to save a parallel world of fairies and magical beings.

I thought this was a fun and exciting premise to begin the story on, and things only got better from then on. Crossroads and the Himalayan Crystals has a fun and engaging storyline, and the characters are all very individual but play off each other very cleverly as a group dynamic. I found the book to be quite fast-paced without ever spinning away from me too quickly, and I was hooked on the youngsters adventure very early on. I think this is definitely worth the read for fans of fantasy and magical tales.

[lusa04968 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Crossroads and the Himalayan Crystals has a wonderful formula that can’t fail in a fantasy story, and C. Toni Graham pulls it off perfectly! It’s an adventure novel filled with heroes, villains, a hint of romance, encouraging self-esteem and confidence. There is something for everyone!Teens Connor, Seneca, Jake and Shayna are thrown together after accidentally crossing through a portal to what they discover to be known as the “ Otherworld “, the Realm of Fionia.

Exploring a strange land , facing magic and creatures they had merely read in fairytales, they are dragged into a power struggle between one of their tutors, Ms. Bridget and the elementals that reside in this strange, new world. The foursome reveal hidden truths about their families, newfound powers, and a bonding among friends that only near-death adventure can bring.The author goes to great lengths to showcase her artistic flair in this teen/ YA novel. C. Toni Graham’s description of the characters is accurate and realistic, especially in the thought process. The plot may seem a little predictable ( a face-off as a conclusion is inevitable ) but there are several intriguing developments and the promise of a sequel is exciting. I admire the ingenuity of the alternate story world, especially the whole elemental concept and Druid storyline. Together, this makes for an exciting read and a pleasant escape.I think Seneca is my favourite character, solely because of her personal self- discovery, but the journey the four of them undertake is inspiring for their age.There was no tangible negative thing about Crossroads and the Himalayan Crystals. Therefore, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I am looking forward to more stories and the continuation of the Crossroads series. I would definitely recommend this book to any fan of YA fiction, including adults, who will find the discovery of a whole different world fascinating.

[Elle Alexis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Crossroads and the Himalayan Crystals is an exciting adventure for four students, Jake, Conner, Seneca, and Shayna. These four get put together by their biology teacher to obtain samples when they unknowingly stumble into the realm of Fiona. Together they embark on a journey where they come across magical creatures while trying to find a portal to get back home. This is a beautifully written story about friendship. This is fast read with shorter chapters that leave you wanting more. YA audience but honestly can be enjoyed by many readers and a great introduction if you are new to the fantasy genre.

[GrantedBooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For me the dialogue and characters are what made Crossroads and the Himalayan Crystals a most enjoyable read. The fact that I forgot I was reading a book at times shows just how absorbed by it all I was. Sometimes the elements that make up a good book can all seem to be there but somehow it still doesn’t click together, but this was a book that, for me, excelled in all areas.

Author Graham’s writing skills are so polished that the various characters she creates become tangible and credible, and begin to feel like you’re actual friends. Not only is the story quite solid, but the issues she creates for her fine characters are significant and challenging that kept me gripped throughout. This is a fine novel for the YA audience and beyond. Highly recommended.

[Novel XC · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Crossroads and the Himalayan Crystals by C. Toni Graham is an entertaining tale of four teenagers who shift into a magical, mystical dimension called the "Otherworld”. A magical realm full of fantastical creatures where all is not as it seems, and the protagonists soon find themselves in great danger with many enemies who want to destroy them.

I absolutely love the imagination of the author, with such a creativity and entertainment within these pages. I really enjoyed the world the author created, and the characters are all complete individuals, well-rounded and engaging. Even the secondary characters they interact with are pretty good, with none of the predictability and cliche that you find in some fantasy novels. This is an excellent read, with heaps of adventure, excitement, and intrigue.

[mypennameonly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I actually won a KINDLE copy of this book from the author through a giveaway she had on Amazon and the following is my honest opinion.Given all of the Christian and other genre books I’ve been reading and reviewing recently, I found this book by C. Toni Graham to be a refreshing and enjoyable change. The fantasy genre this book belongs allows readers to escape the mundane existence they live in and be transported to a realm where phantasmagorical occur on a regular basis. One thing is usually certain in stories where the protagonists, in this case Conner, Jake, Seneca, and Shayna, accidentally enter a portal get transported into an alternative universal/realm where the portal closes immediately behind, leaving them trapped with no apparent means of returning back home, and Ms. Graham doesn’t disappoint her readers in this regard. And what brought these protagonists to be thrown into this situation had been their science teacher, Ms. Bridget who had sent them and their classmates into a nearby park, to gather various bits of elements, with them assigned to gather moss.The fantasy realm in which they got transported into where there is a familiar ever-present conflict between good and evil, forcing them to endure an adventure that fraught with danger at practically every turn; where they wind up being forced to follow the demands of an evil Druid or chance jeopardizing their loved one’s welfare and those of the magical individuals, they’ve made friends with.Ms. Graham’s writing adds a uniqueness to what might have been an ordinary storyline, by capturing her reader’s interests and keeping it to the end with a page-turning story. Will good triumph over the evil which exists in the realm of Fionia or will the deadly magical war continue? Will our four protagonists return to the human world safely or will they accept their fate as the defenders of the Otherworld with the magical they’ve acquired since arriving in the realm of Fionia?For having given her readers in this first installment of a two-part saga, I’ve given this book and its author, Ms. Graham 5 STARS.

[lilyroseshadowlyn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What would you do if you were suddenly transported to a magical realm? Four teens find out first hand one day. I loved the depth the characters all had, and how well-developed Fionia was as a world. Although there was an underlying theme of good vs evil, it was the characters interactions with one another and growth that really interested me. The plot moved along smoothly, and at a decent pace. I know this is geared for the young adult crowd, but even older fantasy lovers can enjoy it. The story was engaging, and an overall fun read.