Like most issue books, this is not an easy read, but it's poignant and transcendent as Charlie breaks more and more before piecing herself back together. Through intense, diarylike chapters chronicling Charlie's journey, the author captures the brutal and heartbreaking way 'girls who write their pain on their bodies' scar and mar themselves, either succumbing or surviving. Feeling rejected, Charlie, an artist, is drawn into a destructive new relationship with her sexy older co-worker, a 'semifamous' local musician who's obviously a junkie alcoholic. But things don't go as planned in the Arizona desert, because sweet Mikey just wants to be friends.

After spending time in treatment with other young women like her-who cut, burn, poke, and otherwise hurt themselves-Charlie is released and takes a bus from the Twin Cities to Tucson to be closer to Mikey, a boy she 'like-likes' but who had pined for Ellis instead. Seventeen-year-old Charlie Davis, a white girl living on the margins, thinks she has little reason to live: her father drowned himself her bereft and abusive mother kicked her out her best friend, Ellis, is nearly brain dead after cutting too deeply and she's gone through unspeakable experiences living on the street. The majority of characters are white two secondary characters share a same-sex romance.Ī fantasy with an intriguing premise that is ultimately more style than substance.Īfter surviving a suicide attempt, a fragile teen isn't sure she can endure without cutting herself. Loose threads and an unexpected reveal in the epilogue set the stage for a sequel. Flirtation between characters abounds, slightly undermining the gravity of their quest.

Readers will enjoy the novel’s exciting action sequences and original mythology, but abrupt tone shifts cause the narrative to falter on occasion, and the rather overblown writing style is reminiscent of fan fiction. With the fate of the kingdom at stake, Asterin must confront hidden truths and make an impossible decision. On their journey, the group discovers that a greater force of evil than the demon is at work.

She is joined by three trusted companions-her Royal Guardian, Orion the commander of her Elite Royal Guard, Eadric and her best friend, Luna-and two soldiers, Rose and Quinlan, whose queen sent them as a gift to Axaria from distant Eradore.

When she learns that a demon has ravaged villages near the kingdom’s outskirts, Asterin volunteers to find and kill it. Ma’s debut introduces readers to 17-year-old Asterin Faelenhart, the Princess of Axaria and one of the few in her world who possess multiple affinities. In a world where magic exists through nine elemental affinities, a headstrong princess who has the potential to wield them all seeks to prove her worth.

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