SISTERS OF SWORD AND SONG The Queen's Rising, Book 3

A young adult fantasy about the unbreakable bond between sisters will appeal equally to adults. Each sister tells her tale in interwoven chapters with narrator Caitlin Kelly speaking for the younger sister, Evadne, and Katherine Littrell, for the older, Halcyon. Kelly depicts the evolution of Evadne from a sheltered, sweet (but underestimated) girl to a scribe for a mage who relies on her to support him and his magic under dire circumstances. In contrast, Littrell shows the devolution of Halcyon from a proud, accomplished warrior to a state of disgrace and near death, followed by her near-miraculous recovery. At their core, the sisters are much alike, and the narrators appropriately adopt a comparable tone and pace. They also help unify the story with their similar portrayals of the multiple characters throughout. J.E.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2020]