The Witches of Eileanan by Kate Forsyth

Genre: Fantasy; Witches, Magic, Dragons, Mer-people, Shapeshifters, Fae, Magical Folk,
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

From the Back Cover of Actual Book: ‘Twas a time when dragons left their lair and evil shadowed the Land… On the Day of Reckoning, the witches of Eileanan were outlawed – and violations of the new Order were punishable by death. Eileanan’s Great Towers, once meccas of magic and learning, were left in ruins. And now, the entire land trembles in fear… Yet deep in the mountains, in the shadow of Dragonclaw, a young girl is being tutored in the old ways. Ignorant of her past, uncertain of her future the foundling Isabeau will soon be forced down a dangerous path of prophecy, conspiracy, and magic. It is a world where dragons possess the key to ancient mysteries… where a lost prince will discover a strange and wondrous destiny… and where the ultimate battle between good and evil will be waged… A new day of reckoning is at hand…

This is the first book in the Witches of Eileanan series. The story follows a lot of different characters throughout the land that they are traveling through. You have the twins who have never known of one another, Isabeau and Iseult. These would be the main characters of the series. Yes, there are many more characters but I felt through this story these were the main ones. One is trying so hard to become a great sorceress just as her guardian is. While the other wants to be a great warrior like that of her father’s people. There is so much happening within this book that it will keep you on your toes. I really loved how the story is told and was drawn deep into the book while I was reading it. I even found myself crying at times. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, The Pool of Two Moons.

Publisher: ROC Fantasy
ISBN: 0451456890
Pages: 416
Series: The Witches of Eileanan
Volume: 1

(Image is actual cover of the book)