fantasy coming of age
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The Crossing Gate (A Waltz of Sin and Fire Series: Book 1) by Asiel R. Lavie
She can’t grow up. Literally.
In the kingdom of Elpax, juveniles must walk through the mysterious Crossing Gate to become adults—and seventeen-year-old Lenora is determined that her third attempt at crossing to adulthood will be successful. Even though adulthood means facing horrible realities, such as sin-spots appearing on her body whenever she commits a sin, it also means being able to have a job. And Lenora needs to work to support her struggling family.
But Lenora’s Crossing Day goes horribly wrong.Accused of trying to start a revolution, Lenora must obey the kingdom’s laws to the letter if she wants to take suspicion off herself. But following the rules isn’t as easy as it sounds. Especially when she meets a mysterious and handsome stranger who makes her feel emotions she’s never experienced before—even though juveniles in Elpax aren’t supposed to be capable of falling in love.
With the long arm of the law looming over her and her family, Lenora must walk a tightrope between following the rules and investigating why she’s unable to cross. Not to mention discovering where her new adult emotions are coming from. But as Lenora uncovers more of Elpax’s terrible secrets, she realizes that fighting the system might be the only way to save her family, her country, and her first love.
The first in an epic series perfect for fans of Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen and Lauren Oliver’s Delirium, The Crossing Gate combines the tropes of classic YA dystopia with a Greek-inspired setting and fantasy elements that will whisk readers away on a journey like no other.
Dawn of Fire by C.B. Vaughn
The ancient and enigmatic continent of Zannondale had seen its fair share of sorrow. Tortured and despoiled by the wars that had devastated its once glittering realms, it still felt the aftereffects centuries later. And now, from far back into the past, a new and more powerful evil than ever is rising, one that threatens to turn Zannondale’s fields to dust and her cities to ashes.
The brutal and merciless Baron Chronus has only one desire and that is to rule over all, no matter what. And for two young men, Dorian and Dain, it means the end of their carefree lives forever. Together with their mentor Julius and the ferocious warrior Kara, the two young men embark on a quest to defeat a shadowy evil, avenge the fallen and uncover long-forgotten secrets of a tragic and hidden past. They have the courage to face the evil that threatens to destroy them, but do they have the strength to defeat it?
