From Goodreads: Seventeen-year old Clara Williamson, reluctant princess and daughter to Queen Ada, lover of wine…who exchanges Clara’s liberty for free trade of grapes with another sphere…

Bracus, who as a protector of the Band, must save his clan’s people from extinction Outside…

Charles, Clara’s long-time companion, keeps his love for her tightly veiled…

Prince Frederic, her sadistic betrothed…bent on having her, and she, escaping his grasp…

Suddenly, with both the clan and sphere peoples’ destiny in her hands, Clara finds herself torn between love and duty…

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This is a very well written novel.  I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting; I’ve read Blodgett’s other book, Death Whispers, and I knew she was a great writer, but she still blew me away with this novel.  It’s completely different from Death Whispers and, if I didn’t already know that Blodgett wrote them, I’d never think that the same writer was responsible for both novels.  They are so completely different, yet both beautifully written.

What I really love about this novel is that Blodgett keeps the story fresh and original—I’ve never read anything like it—and she maintains an almost archaic tone throughout the prose and dialogue, never straying into modernization or slang, which I’ve noted a lot of authors do accidentally when trying to write a novel from another time period.  It is obvious that Blodgett has put a lot of time and love into this novel, perfecting the language and causing the reader to transport to another world entirely, becoming lost within the pages of this epic novel.

Although the story takes place in the future and is superior in terms of technological advances (a sort of steampunk novel), the society seems to have backtracked as well, at least in terms of language, giving it a historical feel while at the same time lending itself to both the paranormal and fantasy genre.  I thought it was ingenious that 19 states in the USA are kingdoms within themselves, set inside a sphere, as the outside air is tainted and savages roam the land.  Although the background concerning the Guardians/Evil Ones is not fully disclosed, including how the divide between the sphere and the outside world truly came to be, the story will maintain reader interest through the constant action and fascinating love triangle of sorts—and the sequel is set up to answer any ensuing questions one might have.

While more of a romance story than that of suspense, Blodgett still captures the reader and creates suspense in terms of character actions, withholding key information until the perfect time to drop it upon the reader.  On more than one occasion I found myself fretting for Clara, the kindhearted princess subjected to abuse from Queen Ada and her betrothed, Prince Frederic.  These two characters set my teeth on edge and their interactions within the novel made me cringe.  Yet, juxtaposed with these two evil characters is a cast of dashing young men forever at the aide of Clara, and I honestly cannot pick a favorite.  I think I switched loyalties at least five times within the novel, constantly going back and forth between the characters as new information was provided.  And as of yet, I still haven’t decided where my loyalties lie!

Blodgett does not end her novel hanging by a thread, but she does leave it open for a sequel, for which I am very excited, as there are new mysteries waiting to be solved.  I cannot wait to find out who Clara chooses and how the Guardians/Evil Ones come into play, forever changing the earth.  This novel, set to release June 16th, is completely different and a truly wonderful read that you won’t want to miss!    Four stars!