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Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Publication Date: October 24 2023
Genre: YA Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-63988-848-1
$15.99 Paperback
8.99 ebook
252 Pages
Distribution: Ingram
Yap’s middle-grade debut in the Gifts of the Shavtal series, a coming-of-age story about a young girl bequeathed with an extraordinary ability, is brimming with magic and intrigue. Twelve-year-old Georgina Trabeck found her pregnant mother unconscious and, defying warnings, called 911. Fear turned to anger and for the first time she noticed her ability to see auras was heightened. Georgina had seen them since age six. She soon realizes she could manipulate these auras mentally. With help from her best friend Danae Jenkins, Georgina attracted a Sidhe Fairy Irra who revealed they were related. She warned Georgina not to use it for revenge but Georgina couldn’t rest until she knew the truth about Denae’s parents, risking their friendship and enraging her Step-father. Yap has created a fantasy landscape that is vivid and captivating. Georgina and Danae’s bond is portrayed with remarkable accuracy; their shared suffering gives them an unparalleled connection. Through Georgina’s affecting first-person voice, Zap builds a steady tension as the young girl navigates this strange new world of auras and discovers the truth about Danae’s parents’ accident. Her journey culminates in a heart-wrenching cliffhanger conclusion. This gripping story that emphasizes the importance of friendship, family, and community, while demonstrating that revenge can never be justified makes for a definite page-turner.
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