BORN TORN

A teen discovers the astonishing family her mother has long kept secret in Eglington’s YA fantasy debut.

Life on a Colorado reservation is the only life Kiara Noir has ever known. She and her mother, Willow, earn a living selling vegetables they grow on their farm. But for 16-year-old Kiara (who even does all of her schooling online), she may as well be a prisoner, as Willow doesn’t let her go anywhere. Now, Kiara, an aspiring photographer, wants to attend college—not virtually, but physically, on campus. Life takes an unexpected turn when Willow’s twin sister, Jade, shows up at the farm. Kiara didn’t know her mother had a sister, as Willow has told her nothing about her family or about Kiara’s father. When Jade threatens that Willow’s mother may also stop by her Colorado home, Willow reluctantly returns to her family’s homeland (accessed through a mysterious portal) to forestall such a visit with Kiara in tow. The teen finally meets her grandmother, who promptly throws her in a dungeon because Willow won’t reveal the identity of Kiara’s father. Kiara’s elders want to be certain she’s “pure,” as the family possesses amazing abilities, including controlling the elements. Kiara has powers, too—or so Willow claims—she’ll just have to work at honing them. The newly introduced relatives are a mixed bag, as some embrace Kiara and others are openly hostile toward her. Kiara’s grandmother may not allow her or Willow to leave, but someone else unmistakably doesn’t want them there and tries to kill Kiara.

Eglington’s novel abounds in mysteries and cryptic turns. For example, Willow periodically performs blood rituals (“Give back to the earth. Never understood this. Why would the earth want some drops of my blood? Never understood any of this”), and Kiara contends with a sinister, shadowy presence. It’s understandable that Kiara has a host of questions, like who’s her father, what exactly is the nature of the family (it’s obvious early on that they’re not human), and why do some call her a “mixed breed”? Willow purposely avoids direct responses, leaving Kiara and readers in the dark for much of the book. The cast is memorable; Kiara gradually trusts some members of the family and pursues not one but two potential romantic interests. At the same time, she and her mom have tough decisions to make: Should they stay with Willow’s family or attempt an escape? What is the best path to “unlocking” Kiara’s dormant powers? The author’s unadorned prose simply but adequately relays this tale, which unfolds primarily within the family’s enigmatic society. Character descriptions rather bizarrely focus on individual hair colors; Kiara is a redhead and envies one relative’s “shimmering silver” hair “with highlights of white,” while others sport “mocha-brown” or “shocking blonde” tresses. The narrative delivers a surprising amount of resolution, especially for a series opener: Kiara learns about her father, and the ending suggests a clear direction for the first sequel to take. Unanswered questions remain, giving readers plenty of incentive to stick around for future installments.

A motley cast propels this enthralling story of untapped potential.