The author is a local writer in Arizona who wrote a book a few years back that I loved.  I ran into him at a local book festival and took a chance on this book.

This story is set in a medieval environment and the main character is Lady Cindra, a fourteen-year-old noble girl. Cindra is destined for an arranged marriage and she’s trying to make the best of it.  But her best intentions are thrown out when she gets the news that her intended is only twelve-years-old.  Apparently, her betrothal to his older brother was renegotiated when the young man died.  Cindra is rebellious and too easily tempted by the attentions of a handsome young knight, Sir Jaron, in her father’s court.  In an attempt to form some sort of happy memory to take with her when she leaves her father’s court and everyone she knows, she recklessly dresses as her maid and goes out into the town, alone.

The plan goes well and Cindra is thrilled to be observing the common people without anyone the wiser of her own identity.  But when she’s targeted by a young pickpocket everything changes.  The young pickpocket, Nixy, is out to prove himself to his gang but he is being targeted by something much more sinister.  Both children are shocked at being threatened by a hideous monster who climbs down walls like a spider but it’s Cindra who saves them both.  In her chase after the boy, she got a hold of his knife and it’s that knife that draws the blood of the monster who flees.  Apparently, there’s a bit of mystery about Nixy’s parentage and where he got what might be an enchanted knife. Seriously disturbed by the appearance of a monster in her father’s town and feeling protective of the young boy, she summons the Guard and demands an escort home for both of them; her adventure cut short. 

As the time to leave on her bridal voyage comes nearer; she finds herself more and more interested in young Sir Jaron which is encouraged by her own mother – hoping to leave her young daughter with the memory of a love to carry with her.  At a joust, the young girl is tempted by a flower seller to buy two roses and send one to Sir Jaron.  Unfortunately, both flowers were spelled and the two young people who had, to this point, only an innocent flirtation; found themselves in each other’s arms in front of the whole court.  Cindra’s bodyguard, who hated Sir Jaron, had cause to challenge him to a duel for her honor.  It didn’t go well for the bodyguard.

Both incidents that involved Lady Cindra draws the attention of a powerful Wizard who doesn’t believe in coincidences.  But searches for both the monster and the unknown flower seller fail.

Then there’s a strange chapter of the book with new characters that initiate a bit of mystery that doesn’t seem related to anything else in the story.  Something to do with powerful people trying to obtain a magical stone and the man they hired to steal it.

Cindra finally boards her ship along with her faithful maid to start her journey.  It wasn’t very many days before the ship was attacked by monsters.  Cindra escapes, barely; ending up in the surf of an unknown land.  She hides her true name and gratefully accepts help, food and safety from a traveling band, unsure what her future will hold.

Overall, this is a rather cozy medieval fantasy. The story flows well but I’m unsure where the author intended the plot to go.  Not all the high points relate to a single storyline. There are mysteries that go unsolved and unless Cindra ends up back at home; it seems unlikely they’ll be addressed.  It felt more like a single episode of story than a complete story; there was no conflict or goal.  But because the author is skilled with dialogue and world-building, I found it an enjoyable read.  I hope to find his plotting improves with the second book.   ~~ Catherine Book

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