Band of Shadows (eBook)

Scarlet has no idea who she is. And after spending nearly a decade in the foster system, she has never quite felt like she belonged. In fact, for the first seventeen years of her life she didn't even know her last name. Night after night, she is plagued by a dream of a strange-looking door. Until finally, she stumbles upon that very door and is thrust into another realm, a place unlike anything she has ever seen. Now alone in the unknown world of Avalon, a land where the plants have healing powers, the birds play games, and the trees hide the most valuable secrets, Scarlet meets Morgana, the island's enigmatic leader who unveils the truth: Scarlet is a Faye, a powerful race of people whose population was nearly decimated during the Shadow Wars. But Morgana didn't bring Scarlet to Avalon solely to keep her safe. Unsure who to trust or what to believe, Scarlet learns that the truth isn't always what it seems. There is a new war brewing, and when it arrives, Scarlet will make a shocking discovery about her past from the most unlikely of sources, and everything Scarlet has ever known will be thrown into question.

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Band of Shadows is a fantasy fiction novel that will appeal to both young adults and adults. It is the first in a planned trilogy. Readers who will enjoy the book include but are not limited to young adults, adults age 18-35, women, and the readers of many series such as: Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Throne of Glass, Divergent, Twilight, Game of Thrones, etc... Friendship and morality play a major thematic role in the book. Scarlet has to work on growing her confidence and inner strength, but she also has to learn to trust and rely on her friends. She has never known her family and has spent most of her childhood bouncing from foster home to foster home, so trust is a nearly foreign concept to her. Since Scarlet is uprooted from her normal life and thrust into the mystical world of Avalon, her coming of age story is quite tumultuous, both her strength and her morality will be tested time and time again. Luckily she has her friends, Stiles, Lena, and Ryker, who are a lovable mix of intelligent, loyal, and witty (often quite sarcastic) to show her the ropes. There is also an underlying theme of turning your weaknesses into your strengths. When the book begins, Scarlet is in therapy for depression and anxiety, and she views the symptoms as a weakness. But in truth, the symptoms reveal her powerful abilities, and are actually her greatest strength. The message serves to not only turn weakness into strength, but also to de-stigmatize mental illness. The novel is a work of fantasy fiction that includes fantastical powers and abilities, mystical lands, plants with hidden powers, and a battle for what is right. The book also includes an illustrated map of isle of Avalon, as well as two gorgeous interior illustrations.