Rift, by Andrea Cremer - ADVISABLE

Cremer, Andrea  Rift, 430 pages.  Philomel Books, 2012.  $18.99  Content:  Language: PG (2 swears); Mature Content:  PG-13; Violence: PG-13. 

From the time of her birth, Ember was promised to a small community of knights from Conatus.  When she turns sixteen, the knights come to collect her and take her to be trained.  Ember’s excited to train with the knights because she has never wanted a typical woman’s life of marriage and children.  She is also excited because she will train with her best friend Allister who is also a knight.  She is surprised to find herself strongly attracted to her mentor Barrow Hess.  She also learns that magic is at play among the knights and they are fighting evil.  Her stubborn will helps her to be successful at her new calling, but when one of the knights turns to the dark side and unleashes a strong evil, the knights divide among themselves.  Ember has to choose a side between her best friend and her mentor.  

This is the first book in the prequel series and is very well written.  The language is a bit advanced with big vocabulary words.  The character development and quick moving storyline make it a fast and intense read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.  

MS-OPTIONAL.  HS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.