Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Format: PB
Pages: 426
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Hyperion, 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0786839179
Series: Heir Chronicles, Book 1
Favorite Quote: There was nothing truly new in the world, but only the slow, circular march of time that revealed the old things once again.
Synopsis: Before he knew about the Roses, fourteen-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high-schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before. And it feels great until he loses control of his own strength and nearly kills another player during soccer team tryouts.
Soon, Jack learns the startling truth about himself: he is Weirlind, part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At the head of this magical society sit the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the White Rose, whose power is determined by playing The Game, a magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death.
The winning house rules the Weir. As if his bizarre magical heritage isn't enough, Jack finds out that hes not just another member of Weirlind he's one of the last of the warriors at a time when both houses are scouting for a player. Jack's performance on the soccer field has alerted the entire magical community to the fact that he's in Trinity. And until one of the houses is declared Jack's official sponsor, there are no limits to what they'll do to get Jack to fight for them...
Review: This book has some of the same feeling as the Harry Potter stories. However, it is not a recreation of those books by any means. It is original and well-written. It may be written for young adults, but I never did feel that I was reading anything less than pure, great fantasy.
With magic, battles, and just plain good story-telling, it's a fast read that I didn't want to put down. I am already well into the next novel in this series and really glad they were recommended to me by a friend.
Rating: 8.5 / 10
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