<This is
the first novel in a series.>
Restrain. Contain. Maintain. Fourteen-year-old Aria
Loveridge lives at Resthaven Home for Dreamslingers in Texas. It’s a safe haven
for children born with a genetic mutation. It transports them to a magical
realm while they sleep, but in its raw form in those untrained, it is
unpredictable and can be deadly. Already a decade has passed since members of
the Royal League of Dreamslingers caused the Great Outburst, a tragedy that
killed many, including Aria’s mom. Aria’s dad, Jack, is the leading expert on dreamslinger welfare,
but the Kingdom of Royal Hanguk in Seoul announces the first Dreamslinger
trials to teenagers around the world, and Aria must join them. As the home of
the Royal League of Dreamslingers, she pictures shutting it down from the
inside by providing intel to her dad through butterflymail. But the
trials introduce Aria to a world where her mutation doesn’t make her a villain;
it is a gift that makes them exceptional. Bloom dragons, frost turtles, solar
phoenixes and harvest tigers aren’t beasts, but dreampanions. She has
friends in fellow trialeers Tui Walker from New Zealand and Lion Lee-Hendrick,
a heritage trialeer. Her gung-nyeo (like a lady-in-waiting), Junghee, is
a confidant and friend. Even her driver and his daughter fold them into their
found family (Nam Samchon and Saemi). She finally feels like she belongs. She’s
got work to do to gain the trust of her seedling, Rio, and there are secrets
coming to light, including one that will cause Aria to question her own
identity.
In a
world where contemporary fantasy twines with Korean mythology rises the
starting middle-grade adventure novel in The Slinger Series.
Mythical creatures, deadly magical trials and meal options that appear based on
your mood are just a few facets of this charming and inventive story. The main
character enters Royal Hanguk boldly believing one thing but falters when what
she’s been taught contradicts the appeal of the trials and what she wants. The
drama is political and familial, and Aria is learning what it is to be an
autonomous thinker. This is a bildungsroman that is executed brilliantly with
world-building that is rich and thrilling. Highly imaginative and so wondrous
to read!
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