If you want a speculative YA fantasy with a difference, then this is your book! Not only is the setting and magic highly unique but it explores a lot of dark and thoughtful themes whilst still maintained a certain degree of whimsy. Add that to the fact the book has #OwnVoices Lipan Apache representation and the main character is asexual, you have yourself a must-read. Not to mention Rovina Cai’s beautiful chapter illustrations. 

 

As much as tropes have their place, it’s refreshing to see the lack of the “chosen-one” and “missing/dead” parents tropes. Elatsoe is incredibly matter-of-fact about her magical abilities which have been passed down with her Lipan Apache heritage, and I loved the writing of her family interactions with her parents because they actually talk to each other (can this even be a YA novel??). Much of the book emphasises the strength of story-telling and indigenous traditions with various stories of her six (greats) grandmother who also had her abilities. 

 

I would’ve loved some more world building; there was plenty enough to understand the plot, but Darcie’s created such a unique world, I want to read more about it!