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Writing Sparkle Books
Pub date December 12, 2023
ISBN 978-1778253140
Price $13.99 (USD) Paperback, $3.99 Kindle edition
Set prior to the events of The Ember Files Series, Marshall’s standalone prequel delves into the events that took place forty years before Kori Ember and the discovery of the Ember stone. Thirteen-year-old Juniper Berry’s family is attacked by the Society of Blood Wind, leading to her parents’ tragic fate. Fueled by vengeance, she becomes a powerful spellbinder, seeking revenge and using her relationship with Nekane, a member of the Society, to gather intel. However, her love for Nekane complicates her plans as she finds herself torn between conflicting desires. Juniper Berry is a remarkable protagonist with unique and vulnerable abilities. As she grows, her magical powers also strengthen. Marshall balances tragedy with lively descriptions of the magic system and unexpected moments of romance and drama. Though the pacing can be slow at times, Juniper Berry’s secretive lifestyle and search for information on the Society of the Blood Wind keep the tension high. With her expert, evocative writing, Marshall breathes life into the fantasy world and its inhabitants, presenting them in a compelling and multi-dimensional manner while exploring themes of family, love, friendship, grief, revenge, identity, duty, and responsibility. Engaging through and through.
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