Tilion has its secrets. And things are about to change.
In the wake of tragedy, Jen Monroe steps into the world of Tilion, determined to find a way to end the war that she’s been thrust into. Leaving Earth, her family, and her friends behind, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to protect those she cares about. As she and the Human-Borns start to find their rhythm in this strange new world, Agerius begins to feel like home.
The brief semblance of a peaceful respite is abruptly pulled away, and things start to unravel fast. Despite their acclimation to Agerian culture, tensions are still rising with the High Council, and that tension slowly spreads through all of Agerius.
Meanwhile, their enemy plots and schemes. Ancient things stir throughout the world of Tilion. Mountains move. Legends awaken. And at the epicenter of all these quaking changes are seven young warriors that are forced to grow up fast, or crumble under the weight of their roles.
Amid the chaos, Jen discovers something else. Something she didn’t expect, with someone she quickly learns she can’t afford to lose.
In her desperation to end all the pain and torment of war, will the bonds she’s forged prove to be her strength? Or will she become worse than the monster she’s trying to stop?
Quarter Finalist
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: The Reflection of Raidin hosts an epic, multilayered plot, but Markloff manages to keep it believable on many levels. Protagonist Jen’s efforts to understand her own powers—and how they can be used to protect those she loves the most in addition to her world at large—are carefully wrought, lending her a palpable sense of uneasy responsibility. The romance sprinkled throughout adds heat to the plot and makes characters all the more memorable.
Prose: The prose is convincing and comfortable, poetic in all the right places while still surprisingly concise.
Originality: The Reflection of the Raidin brims with all the elements readers will expect in a sweeping fantasy: time travel, well-ordered worldbuilding, and a wealth of magic. The finishing touches are Markloff’s down-to-earth, relatable characters who offer readers a straightforward thread to follow in a complex, tangled tapestry.
Character/Execution: Characters leap off the page in this intricate novel, full of internal contradictions and vivid emotion. Markloff draws their authenticity exceptionally well, crafting heroes—and villains—who have the perfect mix of power and vulnerability. Each character, even those in minor roles, comes across as deliciously complicated.
Date Submitted: April 02, 2024
