Staback and Kennedy draw from Norse and Greek mythology, as well as Viking history, to weave this enchanting story of sisterhood, friendship, and good versus evil—the first in their Ascending Veil series. The narrative unfolds from multiple points of view, exposing the violence and helplessness that victims of human trafficking endure while building the tension of two intertwined lives destined for something far greater than themselves. As both Emilia and Clara reach milestone after milestone in their lives, readers will be eager to discover how they embrace their destinies—and eventually go their separate ways, recognizing that they must let go of their past lives and invoke the power of the goddesses within.

At times foreshadowing and sinister, Andarta is a grandiose coming-of-age story and origin tale that hinges on the strength, resilience, and underlying power of two young women on a journey of self-discovery and legendary greatness. Through imaginative storytelling and emotive circumstances, the authors highlight the evil that mankind senselessly inflicts on others for personal gain, crafting a heart-pounding saga of two sisters tasked with saving humanity and raining down justice for the victimized souls of the world. Fantasy fans who relish well-drawn characters with grave destinies will be eager for the next installment in the series.

Takeaway: Twin sisters—human hosts to two goddesses—fight to save humanity.

Comparable Titles: Tracy Deonn's Legendborn, Hannah Lynn's Daughters of Olympus.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A-