At nineteen, Auris Afton Grieg has led an . . . unusual life. Since the age of fourteen, she has been trapped in a Goblin prison. Why? She does not know. She has no memories of her past beyond the vaguest of impressions. All she knows is that she is about to age out of the children's prison, and rumors say that the adult version is far, far worse. So she and some friends stage a desperate escape into the surrounding wastelands. And it is here that Auris's journey of discovery begins, for she is rescued by a handsome yet alien stranger.

Harrow claims to be Fae-a member of a magical race that Auris had thought to be no more than legend. Odder still, he seems to think that she is Fae as well, although the two look nothing alike. But strangest of all, when he brings her to his wondrous homeland, she begins to suspect that he is right. Yet how could a woman who looks entirely Human be a magical being herself?

In this new series from Terry Brooks, he explores a new world and new characters. I loved his Shannara series and Landover books so I was looking forward to the new book. In this novel, he explores the character of Auris who must find a way to uncover truths about herself with the help of Harrow who is Fae. The mystery is intriguing, how can Auris be Fae herself when she looks entirely Human and has none of the magic that the Fae have? Yet, with her memories absent, anything is possible. And that is the most thrilling part of the novel, the search for the truth about Auris.

I will admit to being highly curious about that truth but I also had a difficult time connecting to Auris. Emotionally, she acts as she should. She has lost her friends and any family she has ever had. Yet, that is the problem for me. She immediately latches on to Harrow and I find that behavior out of context, especially the romantic emotions. It is just so different from how I would react that I couldn't relate. Auris is tough and independent but she also seems to lean too heavily on a new acquaintance and I find that to be odd considering how independent she otherwise appears to be. Harrow himself is hard to connect to in the beginning as well. Both characters improve as you read so if you can stick with it, I think you will be rewarded with an intriguing and interesting story but that initial beginning was far more difficult to get past than I expected.

However, if you love Terry Brooks, if you are a fan of his other works, this is a different take on the Fae than he has explored before and the mystery of Auris, her origins, and just how it all relates to the Fae will likely keep you engaged. While it wasn't for me, I think other fans will thoroughly enjoy this new book by Terry Brooks.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Fae ~~ Andrea Rittschoff

For more titles by Terry Brooks click here