A dazzling young adult fantasy novel you’ll love getting lost in.
Fresh from their final lessons at the Shadow Caster Sanctuary, Kaito, Sumi, and Nigel are embracing their positions as the newest members of the Legion of Shadow Casters. Their first assignment as junior officers has been successful so far, despite the best efforts of a scar-faced attacker who tried to intercept them. So while officials in Central work to uncover a potential traitor to the LoSC, Kaito, Sumi, and Nigel continue with their mission. Delivering an important message to Master Ganesh was only the first part, and as they journey onward, the teens quickly prove that Master Toshio’s trust in them was not misplaced. An unpleasant, but prudent decision has the trio heading through Huo Qiana, a village that is out of the way and not fond of shadow casters. For the first time, these young casters experience hostility and unfair judgment, testing their pledge as shadow casters. Protecting the very people who reject them is as much a challenge as an opportunity, and many valuable lessons are gained in the process. Kaito figures out the difference between obedience and loyalty. Besides working on the art of tie-breaking between his friends, Nigel’s expansive knowledge of all things Shadow Realm is put to the test. And Sumi steps out of her comfort zone by opening up to others. Anti-caster sentiment is growing, and the junior officers find themselves caught in the crosshairs.
Imagination knows no bounds in Defense of Huo Qiana, a dazzling young adult fantasy novel you’ll love getting lost in. Events pick up immediately after book one, so enjoying them sequentially is recommended. Kaito, Sumo, and Nigel confront harsh truths outside their small part of the world, and they must work with those who shun them, lending this installment a distinctly coming-of-age quality. From agile ape-like creatures to crafty mirror moths, Woodcox leans into the expansive lore he has created, guiding the teens through increasingly sticky situations. Their problem-solving skills and unusually reasonable approach to handling disagreements reveal an admirable, if uncommon, maturity for teenagers. But these are also the same qualities that make them easy to root for, and they continue to set a good example in handling responsibility while enjoying every aspect of their daunting assignment. Lord Izanagi, a villain glimpsed only briefly in book one, steps further into the spotlight here. As an antagonist, he raises the stakes for our three beloved heroes, his sinister nature matched only by a relentless drive to rid the world of casters. With a terrific beyond-the-grave sendoff and many exciting callbacks, readers will be left breathless, waiting to join them on more noble adventures. Defense of Huo Qiana is a feel-good fantasy novel that is fiendishly readable.
