REALM UNITED

This third installment of Keridan’s YA fantasy series tackles themes of identity, power, and societal change.

The story follows Kyra Valorian, a young woman with extraordinary abilities, as she navigates the complex political and social dynamics of her fantastical world, which includes the antagonistic realms of Astral and Daeval. Kyra is a Recovrancer, someone who can recover the shades (souls) of those who died before their time. This ability sets her on a path to challenge the existing power structures, particularly the oppressive practices of the tyrant Tallus, who performs cruel experiments on Daeval children. Tallus falsely accuses Kyra of being kidnapped by a Daeval to manipulate public opinion and maintain his control. With the support of her friends and family (including Sebastian, her love interest, and Demitri, a close friend), Kyra strives to unite the divided realms of the Astrals and Daevals. The narrative also delves into Kyra’s internal struggles and her relationship with her mother, who initially finds it difficult to accept Kyra’s choices and abilities. The tension between Kyra’s duty to her realm and her personal desires underscores much of the plot, highlighting the challenges of leadership and change. Throughout the story, Keridan weaves in elements of magic, political intrigue, and emotional drama as she explores the costs and rewards of pursuing one’s destiny and the transformative power of love. The author’s use of multiple perspectives adds depth to the story. Kyra Valorian is a well-developed protagonist with compelling internal struggles (especially regarding her identity and responsibilities) that are portrayed with nuance, making her relatable and sympathetic. (Struggling with her obligations to her family and her responsibilities as a ruler, she laments, “Yes, I could have done things differently, but I’d made the best choices I could at the time.”) The pacing maintains a good balance between action sequences and quieter, more introspective moments. Fans of the series will welcome this sequel.

A fantasy novel full of romance, politics, and the quest for identity sure to appeal to young adults.