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The Unwilling

Audiobook
4 of 4 copies available
4 of 4 copies available
"Fantasy at its most sublime!"—Erin Morgenstern, New York Times bestselling author of THE NIGHT CIRCUS
"Suspenseful, magical, wonderfully written... An essential addition to all epic-fantasy collections." —Booklist, STARRED review

A penetrating tale of magic, faith and pride...
Judah is an orphaned girl with a secret gift, born at the gates of Highfall castle. Raised alongside Gavin, heir to Lord Elban's empire, the two share an extrasensory bond—one that is key to Judah's survival and her possible undoing.
Elban—as mighty as he is cruel—plans to use Judah as a pawn to amass greater control. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
But beyond the castle walls, a magus, a healer with his own powerful force, has arrived from the provinces. He, too, has designs on the realm, and at the heart of his plans lies Judah... The girl who started life with no name and no history will soon discover her own strength. Intriguingly, she does not have to be given power: she can just take it.
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    • Publisher's Weekly

      January 13, 2020
      The dense, challenging first fantasy by Braffet (Save Yourself) drips with atmosphere and intrigue but features heroes with frustratingly little control over their own fates. On the same day that Gavin, heir to Lord Elban of Highfall, was born, foundling Judah was brought to Highfall and subsequently raised by his side. She and Gavin have shared a mystical bond since childhood; injuries to one also afflict the other. Now young adults, the cruel Lord Elban has plans for both Judah and Gavin, but his unnamed Seneschal has schemes of his own, as does Nathaniel Clare, a healer hired to attend to them. Nathaniel is a secret agent of the Slonimi, wanderers who have worked for generations in order to place one of their own in a position to meet Judah and use her untapped power to undo a magical binding that affects their world. The setup makes for a fascinating political chess game, though much of the action takes place off-page. Braffet’s tale is a study in suffering and cruelty but also in determination, particularly on the part of Judah. Readers who enjoy complex characters will find much to savor here. Agent: Julie Barer, The Book Group.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This fantasy is flawlessly narrated by Tia Rider. Judah learns to trust herself and battle the unfathomable plan for her future that is being set in motion by the evil Lord Elban of Highfall, the castle where she was brought as a foundling. In the destitute village below, a magus with healing powers is set on putting an end to the lord's brutal rule. Rider lends impressive power to the many female and male characters working together to change their destiny in this graphic and harrowing story. Especially noteworthy is her differentiation of multiple points of view and her sensitivity to triggering topics, including the brutality and ruthlessness depicted in many of the scenes. This epic adventure takes listeners on an engrossing journey full of prophecy. J.O. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
    • Booklist

      Starred review from November 15, 2019
      Judah is foster sister to Gavin, next in line to be Lord of the City. Judah, who was adopted as an infant by Gavin's late mother, is hated by Gavin's father, Lord Elban. He and others call her "foundling," "witchbred," and worse. It does not help that in a land of pale-skinned, lithe blondes, Judah is short and has dark, almost purple hair. Luckily, Gavin; his brother Theron; and Gavin's betrothed, Elly, love her. She and Gavin share an even more special bond. Any hurt she experiences, Gavin does as well, and she experiences all of Gavin's pain. No matter how Elban and his Seneschal try to break this bond, they fail. This mysterious magic that binds them is no accident. Soon, Judah will meet a man who will expose her to even greater magical works and the truth behind her birth. Suspenseful, magical, wonderfully written, and never predictable, Braffet's first foray into speculative fiction (after thrillers like Save Yourself, 2013) is an essential addition to all epic-fantasy collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

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  • English

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