I always enjoy reading works by the RMFW Writer of the Year nominees, and this little gem by Jeff Seymour is one of the reasons why. It has sparkling wit, swashbuckling adventure, and a delightfully idealistic heroine, who starts out a foolhardy tomboy, but ends up a thoughtful and courageous leader. The artwork is beautiful as well.

The target audience is middle grade, but I enjoyed it immensely myself, and my tween years are long behind me. If you like fantastical worlds and kids who take on impossible odds, this might be a good story for you as well.