Orphaned and raised as a serving girl, 16-year-old Bristal is stunned to learn that she is one of three elicromancers mortal, magical beings her kingdom. Bristal is quickly found by the other two elicromancers and trained in their ways. One, Tamarice, is hungry for power and soon betrays them all, cursing the royal family and casting the kingdom into darkness. Over the course of the next 16 years, it falls to Bristal to stop Tamarice's machinations. She uses her shape-shifting skills to secretly raise the cursed youngest princess of the kingdom while helping the hidden oldest princess attend a ball and discover her heritage. At the same time, she disguises herself as a man to join a group of the king's soldiers and prepares herself for the coming fight. The inclusion of multiple familiar stories nderella, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan ves this plenty of heft, and the scope of Bristal's adventures, the atmospheric magical elements, and the light touch of romance will enchant fairy-tale fans.

Gr 7 Up-In the kingdom of Nissera, Bristal works as a common kitchen maid. Her world completely changes when she is kidnapped, thrown into the "Water," and transformed into an elicromancer. The elicromancers, now almost extinct, are an ancient race of magical beings. Bristal is a shape-shifter. Once she makes the transition from mortal to magical, she is befriended by the only two elicromancers in the kingdom, Brack and Tamarice. Brack encourages Bristal to use her abilities for their intended purpose: to serve those who rule Nissera. Tamarice, however, believes they should use their powers to serve themselves instead. Under the tutelage of Brack, Bristal finds herself in many predicaments that readers will recognize from popular fairy tales. However, under the guidance of Tamarice, Bristal begins to understand the allure of power. It is a balancing act she might not be able to handle. West has created a magical world with robust characters and where the themes of good vs. evil permeate the setting. VERDICT An adept work for fans of Alex Flinn's Beastly and Cloaked and books by Gail Carson Levine. Jeni Tahaney, Duncanville High School Library, TX