The Forest King’s Daughter (Thirstwood #1)

In her youth Cassia, a Sylvan, is given a ring by her Dracu friend Zeru. When it is revealed to be the Solis Gemma, a powerful magical artifact, their relationship dissolves, becoming a point of contention amid the decades-long feud between the Sylvans and the Dracu. Despite 10 years of training, Cassia can still barely wield the ring’s powers against the underground-dwelling Dracu, much to the consternation of her father, the Sylvan king. To steal back the ring, Zeru captures Cassia, only to discover that she and the ring are bonded. Following a seer’s advice, Zeru persuades Cassia to go to Welkincaster, the origin of the ring’s creators. As they search for answers, sparks fly between the childhood friends turned enemies, even as war looms on the horizon. The central romance often feels unbalanced due to Cassia’s earnest drive to better understand herself and Zeru’s unwillingness to see beyond his own goals. Nevertheless, vivid worldbuilding conjures an expansive setting against which this romantasy series launch by Blake (the Frostblood Saga) unfolds, resulting in a majestic tale that weaves together questions of destiny, love, and self-discovery. Ages 14–up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. (Feb.)