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Summary

In a floating world that is physically affected by dance, one woman realizes everything that she has been taught maybe not be the full truth. 

Stats

Genre: Adult fantasy

Series length: Three books

Violence: Moderate fantasy violence, ranging from sword fights to kidnapping

Magic/Supernatural: Strong, but clearly delineated

Romance/Sex: Moderate and clean

Christian/spiritual element: Overt allegorical elements

Recommendation: Those like dance, have an interest in cults, or love fantasy

You might like this book if you liked... 
C.S. Lewis's Perelandra, Lord of the Rings, or Brandon Sanderson

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Opening Lines:

Destiny is measured in inches. One move in the wrong direction or one faulty gesture can erase a lifetime of preparation. The weight of that truth tightened my muscles as I lined up for class with the other novitiates. Beneath the taut, hooded scarves covering our hair, we looked alike: wide eyes anxious and alert, cheeks hollow form years of relentless training, identical blue tunics and leggings. We were the remnant, the few dozen women who had endured each level. 

Hidden Current (The Dancing Realms, Book 1)
by Sharon Hinck

The dancers of the Order direct their floating world of Meriel with their movements, but are they steering it toward destruction?

Calara spent her life learning dance patterns and seeking to become the perfect servant to her people. When she discovers the work of the Order is built on lies, she flees with a rough-edged herder, Brantley of Windswell. Pursued by soldiers, her journey through the suffering villages of the rim leads her to a forgotten truth that sends ripples through her world-and through her soul.

Calara seeks clues to her forgotten family and discovers newfound courage in the face of danger, while her quest awakens a growing but forbidden affection for Brantley. Yet even his support can't fully be trusted, since he'd rather destroy the Order than bring reform.

She is a lone woman facing opposition from rim villages and treachery from the all-powerful Order. Can she restore the dance to its true purpose and bring freedom and hope to her people?

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Opening Lines:

Across a sweep of waves, the new world called to me. Sea breezes tickled my skin, stirring excitement and making my muscles twitch. What surprises might the unexpected island hold? The tangleroot shore of Meriel's rim rocked beneath my bare feet, daring me to leave its safety. 

Forsaken Island (The Dancing Realms, Book 2)
by Sharon Hinck

On an uncharted world, happiness is effortless and constant ... but can true joy exist without sacrifice?

The people of Meriel have long believed their island world floats alone in the vast ocean universe, so they are astonished when another island drifts into view. With resources becoming scarce, Carya and Brantley quickly volunteer to search the new land for supplies.

After navigating a barrier of menacing trees, the pair encounter a culture of perpetually happy people who readily share their talents and their possessions. But all is not what it seems. At the core of the island is a horror that threatens everyone, including Brantley and Carya.

Freeing the villagers of the bondage they've chosen may cost Carya and Brantley more than they could have imagined. Even if the two succeed, they'll have to find a way to return to Meriel quickly ... or be cut off from their home forever.

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Opening Lines:

Where could he be? I squinted toward the horizon, where stormy sky met turbulent sea. Brantley had planned to be back by midday, but the primary sun was already lowering beyond the churning waves. not a good sing. Wind howled from the ocean, and the ground bobbed. A gust slapped into me, rippling my tunic and forcing me to lean forward to keep my footing. My toes dug into the tangleroot. 

Windward Shore (The Dancing Realms, Book 3)
by Sharon Hinck

The island world of Meriel faces an old adversary and a new danger. Will the reformed Order die before it has a chance to blossom?

Storm clouds loom on the horizon as Carya and Brantley struggle to overcome wounds of the past and build a future together. The fragile new Order is on shaky ground, with too few dancers and sparse resources. Then trouble erupts—and now an insidious rebellion and a new foe threaten their entire world.

When she uncovers an old enemy behind all the destruction, Carya realizes the past is not done with her. With conflict tearing apart the dancers and villages, rimmers are soon overrun, and Carya must unite her people by leading the battle to protect the very heart of her world … or lose it all.