MARIT UNSANCTIONED

A young woman in hiding is thrust into adventure in Storms’ YA fantasy novel.

Marit is the product of an “Unsanctioned” marriage in the fantasy realm of Aktaria. Her parents keep her hidden during the day, and she works on their farm at night; it’s their way of protecting her from being seized by the Aktarian Guard as an Unsanctioned person. This danger doesn’t stop Marit from slipping out during the day with her best friend, Torin. She pays for this bit of fun when she opens the door only to find the AG there to arrest her. Sold as chattel, Marit is fortunate to be bought by Naomi, who needs a maid for her new household. Naomi will be paired with Greyson Kencharo and feels she must part ways with her current maid (and lover) Mylene. But things don’t work out for the new couple: A bomb is thrown into the back room to which they’d been sent during their joining ceremony. Naomi is badly injured and sends Greyson, Mylene, Marit, and Torin on the run. They join up with Emily, who is Mysticborn, part of a group from whom Marit and Greyson seek to learn more about how their nascent magical powers work. (“Notgifted. Mysticborn. It’s the Aktarians who insist on making what’s natural seem like it’s not,” sniffs Emily.) Storms forces her characters to mature quickly. Marit is the ultimate outsider as a homebound fugitive; her fog-farmer friend Torin isn’t any more tied into what’s happening in the Heart of Aktaria. Mylene’s world begins and ends with Naomi. Naomi and Greyson aren’t party to governmental machinations either, despite being members of the upper class—all will have to learn on the fly if they’re to stay alive. Having the point of view alternate among Marit, Torin, Greyson, and Mylene is an effective storytelling technique as they all offer very distinct perspectives. Storms’ well-paced narrative feels considerably shorter than the 325 pages it fills. Winning characters and a well-constructed backdrop make for a riveting journey to a satisfying resolution.

Character growth is at the forefront of this engrossing tale of discovery.