In a land ravaged by civil war, the Mage King Kedehen initiates a ruthless purge of women practitioners of magic. Eolyn, sole heiress to a forbidden craft, escapes by fleeing to the South Woods. When the mysterious Akmael appears in her forest refuge, Eolyn finds hope in the young man's friendship. But Akmael has a secret: He is the Mage Prince, son and heir to the man who slaughtered Eolyn's family.
As their paths separate and intertwine again, Eolyn and Akmael emerge as leaders on opposite sides of a violent conflict, one that will determine the fate of a millennial tradition. When the final battle approaches, Eolyn must decide whether to take up arms against the most powerful mage in the kingdom - and destroy the man closest to her heart.
In Book One of this award-winning fantasy trilogy, survivors of the Great Purge become entangled in a web of desire, vengeance, and renewal. At the center, Eolyn, last daughter of an ancient sisterhood, rises up against a realm of wizards, challenging their brutal authority in a desperate bid to restore women's magic.
“A tale of female oppression, prejudice, and even deadly seduction, Eolyn touches on issues that are deeply relevant in our own society. At times both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, the story warns young women about the ways in which the world will try to take advantage of them – but it does so in a way that never denies them their magic.”
A "dream-like, fairy-tale ambiance...immersive political machinations and grand battle scenes."
"Though Eolyn becomes the hope of a rebellion, she never has to carry the whole weight of the story; Akmael, the 'witch' Ghemena, and other characters develop many intriguing facets. Gastreich allows her heroes to have flaws - including moments of cowardice - and some victories bring new sorrows. Vigorously told deceptions and battle scenes will satisfy fans of traditional epic fantasy, with a romantic thread."
