Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene - OPTIONAL

Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene, 359 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic), 2018, $19.

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content PG-13; Violence: PG-13;

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Orphaned, Sylvie has lived at the edge of the Dusklands, and has been brought up by the Sisters of Scion who reluctantly took care of her before she ran away to find her destiny. Sylvie believes she can fit in at the court of the Amber Princess because she has magic.  Sylvie takes on a new name, Mirage, and works to master her magic at peril of her life.  Sylvie discovers that life at court is ruthless and cruel, and fitting in might cost her dearly. 

This story is well written and makes Mirage’s world believable.  Mirage is a driven, if not totally likeable character, and the court, while cruel, is intriguing.  There is a wealth of secrets that begin to work themselves out.  This it the first in a trilogy and the ending will be less than satisfying, unless you have book two ready to go.  

Michelle in the Middle/Teacher