Today it's my pleasure to host YA author Angelia Almos, and her new release Unicorn Keep. Without further adieu, here's the blurb and my review.
Blurb:
Jiline of Ainsley is dismayed when her best friend is selected by the mages to become a unicorn keeper at the Keep, an isolated mountain fortress. Especially since Madelen is in love and engaged to the richest boy in the village. Jiline on the other hand has no prospects of marriage or a trade in their small village. So, she comes up with a plan to take Madelen’s place at the Keep and hopefully flunk out of unicorn keeper training before the mages can discover the deception. Unfortunately, the unicorns have their own plans for her.
Mage Herrick, son of the Keep Mage, returns home to the Keep as the trainee keepers arrive. A chance encounter with Jiline, who he believes is Madelen, on the trail sparks a magical connection between the two. Knowing he can’t feel a magical draw to someone who has no magic, he tries to prove Madelen (Jiline) has magic within her. His attention brings unforeseen complications for both of them.
My Review:
In fifteen year old Jiline of Ainsley, Ms. Almos has crafted the perfect bff. What’s not to love about a friend who will sacrifice herself for your happiness? Without thought for herself, Jiline does just that for Madelen, and steps into a rollicking adventure filled with mythical creatures and magic. Along the way she finds friends who will help her, and makes enemies who wish her ill. Yet she handles each with a steadfast devotion to her task, once she accepts it.
Herrick is a powerful young mage kept very carefully under his mother’s thumb. Once he meets Jiline masquerading as Madelen, he’s determined to get out from under the control of the the Keep’s mistress and live a life of his own choosing. Like many young men he turns his back on the familiar to embrace the unknown.
The unicorns are a wonderful basis for this story, and Ms. Almos has crafted the creatures in such a way that they truly live up to the fantastic legends we’ve become familiar with. Her love of fleet-footed, hooved creatures makes the story shine. The further along I read, the more I found myself cheering them on their journey.
If your older tween, or young teen would like to read something without fangs, this is a fantasy tale of adventure worth looking at.
Angelia Almos formed a lifelong passion for horses at the age of five when she talked her parents into riding lessons. Horses often play a prominent role in her young adult fantasy books. She also write horsey nonfiction and space opera. She lives in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, two cats, and one pony (she often thinks of bumping that number up to two).
Visit her website: www.angeliaalmos.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/angeliaalmos
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AngeliaAlmosAuthor
Thank you for allowing Fox Tales the honor of reviewing your story. We wish you much success!
