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Summary

​A slave boy with the telepathic ability reserved for those in the line of the king. A girl of nobility who disguises herself as an orphan to avoid unwanted romantic advances. Together they seek to reunite a world literally divided in half by darkness and light.

Stats

Genre: Teen (13-16 years) high fantasy with threads of political intrigue and romance.

Series length: Three books, plus prequel trilogy (The Kinsman Chronicles)

Violence: Moderate fantasy violence

Magic/Supernatural: Light to moderate supernatural

Romance: Minimal until the end of book 2; moderate after that. 

Christian/spiritual element: Overt allegorical elements

Recommendation: Excellent for boys or girls who enjoy medieval fantasy and high adventure

You might like this book if you liked... 
The Lord of the Rings, Eragon, or books by Chuck Black.

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Opening Lines:

Ladies of Intrigue
by Michelle Griep

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Opening Lines:
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12 Days at Bleakly Manor 
(Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, Book 1)
by Michelle Griep

Darkness divides the land.

Half of Er'Rets is locked beneath an impenetrable shroud. On the side that still sees the sun, two young people struggle to understand the mind-communication abilities thrust upon them.

It's called bloodvoicing. Some say it's a gift. One of the newly "gifted" wish it had never come.

Achan had been a slave all his life. Worse than a slave—a stray. He is consigned to the kitchens of a lord and forced to swallow a foul potion every day. When an enigmatic knight offers to train Achan for the Kingsguard, he readily accepts. But his new skills with the sword do not prepare him for the battle raging between the voices in his head.

Vrell Sparrow is not who she seems. She masquerades as a boy to avoid capture by the powerful forces that seek to exploit her. But Vrell feels called to help a young squire who recently discovered his bloodvoicing gift, even if doing so requires her to work with those who could destroy her.

While Achan learns to use his new ability, Vrell struggles to shut hers down. All the voices strive to learn Achan and Vrell's true identities—and a different kind of voice is calling them both.

Toward a destination that is by darkness hid.

Review of By Darkness Hid

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Opening Lines:

A Tale of Two Hearts
(Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, Book 2)
by Michelle Griep

Enter darkness...

They have no choice. Chased by an evil prince, Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights flee into Darkness. They head north, for Tsaftown and Ice Island, where they must free an army that can help them fight for Er’Rets.
 
Darkness sickens Vrell. How long can she keep her secret without being caught? Achan already suspects her of lying. If she is not careful, he will suspect her of treason as well. She hopes he will let his suspicions go until they reach her home. 
 
Achan wanted freedom, but this new journey has bound him more than ever. Sir Gavin’s claims are so far fetched. First, that there might only be one God, and second, that this God chose Achan to push back Darkness, the magnificent curse of Er’Rets. Him. Achan. Barely a man himself.
 
Each setback Darkness brings seems minor compared to the one choice only Achan can make. What will he choose?
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Opening Lines: 

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Once Upon a Dickens Christmas
(Books 1-3)
by Michelle Griep

Darkness trembles.

Achan steps into his role as Crown Prince and prepares for war. But war against whom? Could Esek still be alive? Has Lord Nathak taken Esek's place? Or is the mysterious Hadad the true enemy Achan must confront?

Vrell has her own agenda of serving Prince Oren as a healer, but when she is stormed and lost to the Veil, Achan does all he can to bring her back. His conversations with her are strange, though, as if she has no memory of who he is.

In a land consumed by Darkness, the fate of Er'Rets hangs in the balance as Achan endeavors to take the throne and end the reign of Darkness.