The story begins with Enna and her brother Leifer. Leifer finds a strange piece of vellum in the Forest and begins to develop a terrifying power, one that allows him to speak with fire and start fires without any kindling. So Enna visits Isi, who is the princess of Bayern and Enna’s best friend, and has the power to speak the language of the wind. Soon Bayern is swept into war with another country. Enna’s friends, along with Leifer, join the army to help their country. Leifer unleashes huge flames to his enemies and wins the first battle, but burns himself out as well. Caught in grief, desire, and fear, Enna reads the vellum and learns the fire. She is enthralled with the life-giving, ecstatic energy that is the heat all around. Enna knows she must help Isi and Bayern fight, but the fire is dangerous. Amid a passionate love story lie the perils and quest Enna must follow: she must save Bayern and herself before the fire consumes her entirely.

          I thought this was an excellent book. It was well written, and the vivid descriptions of the feelings of Enna captured me. Exciting and adventurous, twisting and unpredictable, this plot just clasps the reader. Though it hides a typical love story, the story adds much more. Enna’s power and the consuming fire send deep messages to the reader about how things can be so good and yet still destroy, and about love and understanding everyone. I think this book would be appropriate for eighth graders and up. The true meanings of the tale might be a little deep for anyone younger. I really loved reading this fast-paced and gripping book.

~Ellyanna Kessler, grade 8, Boardman Center Middle School