THE ANTIDOTE, by Shelley Sackier
HarperCollins - 2019
YA Fantasy
YA Fantasy
Page count: 368
Thank you HarperCollins for supplying this Digital Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I feel like I cannot begin until we discuss the cover of this book! Isn't it STUNNING?!
If an attractive cover was the most important aspect of a book, we could stop right here.
Thankfully what lies beneath the gorgeous cover was pretty good.
In a land where magic is forbidden, a horrible plague visits Fireli - one of four kingdoms.
Many people died in the first days of the plague before an antidote could be created, including Fee's parents, as well as the King and Queen. Of the people who survive the first days of the plague, some are evacuated to surrounding kingdoms, and some remain to maintain the kingdom during a decade of quarantine. Those who remain must take the antidote daily to ensure that the plague is eradicated.
Among those that remain in Fireli are our three main characters; Ophelia, Savva, and Xavi. Ophelia - or Fee as she is known to most, is apprenticing under the kingdom's healer Savva. Fee has special power over plants, but must keep this power hidden as magic has been outlawed. Fee's best friend happens to be the crown prince, Xavi, who is set to marry and take his throne at the end of the quarantine. Fee, Xavi, and Xavi's brother Rye have been best of friends since before the plague, and Fee is herself betrothed to Rye, who was one of those evacuated.
Just as the quarantine is coming to an end and those evacuated are set to return, Xavi falls deathly ill. Savva, the wise old healer is unable to cure him, Fee is determined to do what it takes to save him, regardless of the costs.
I enjoyed this story, and I really like the way the characters were developed. Wise old Savva was a force to be reckoned with, and Fee was no wilting flower. Despite her young age, and slightly rebellious nature, she was mighty and heroic and brave. I always enjoy stories that show the heroines as being strong, without doing it at the expense of their male counterparts. An especially good trait in a YA novel. The story was complex enough to be interesting, but not so complicated that it was difficult to follow.
All around, a good book.
If an attractive cover was the most important aspect of a book, we could stop right here.
Thankfully what lies beneath the gorgeous cover was pretty good.
In a land where magic is forbidden, a horrible plague visits Fireli - one of four kingdoms.
Many people died in the first days of the plague before an antidote could be created, including Fee's parents, as well as the King and Queen. Of the people who survive the first days of the plague, some are evacuated to surrounding kingdoms, and some remain to maintain the kingdom during a decade of quarantine. Those who remain must take the antidote daily to ensure that the plague is eradicated.
Among those that remain in Fireli are our three main characters; Ophelia, Savva, and Xavi. Ophelia - or Fee as she is known to most, is apprenticing under the kingdom's healer Savva. Fee has special power over plants, but must keep this power hidden as magic has been outlawed. Fee's best friend happens to be the crown prince, Xavi, who is set to marry and take his throne at the end of the quarantine. Fee, Xavi, and Xavi's brother Rye have been best of friends since before the plague, and Fee is herself betrothed to Rye, who was one of those evacuated.
Just as the quarantine is coming to an end and those evacuated are set to return, Xavi falls deathly ill. Savva, the wise old healer is unable to cure him, Fee is determined to do what it takes to save him, regardless of the costs.
I enjoyed this story, and I really like the way the characters were developed. Wise old Savva was a force to be reckoned with, and Fee was no wilting flower. Despite her young age, and slightly rebellious nature, she was mighty and heroic and brave. I always enjoy stories that show the heroines as being strong, without doing it at the expense of their male counterparts. An especially good trait in a YA novel. The story was complex enough to be interesting, but not so complicated that it was difficult to follow.
All around, a good book.
Happy Reading,
Christine
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