Skyseeker’s Princess: Epic contemporary fantasy thriller

Ellen's always known that her island home of Si'Empra has a precarious existence, stitched together by ancient alliances. Her grandfather tested those alliances, setting in train the gradual destruction of the island's fabric. Blinded by power, Ellen's brother continues to ignore the dangers of following in his grandfather's footsteps. Unable to bear her brother's abuses, Ellen flees into the island's mountainous wilds, stumbling into the lives of other fugitives. She becomes embroiled in battles against the ruling elite, proving herself a skilled negotiator and woman of the people. However, as she navigates the treacherous waters of Si'Empra to secure a better future for the island's inhabitants, there remains a past to face and many things to learn ... like not making deadly promises.

In a world divided by prejudice, survival comes at a cost – and the question is, does Ellen really survive?

***** An intriguing fantasy that's both compelling and fascinating ... Vergeek's series opener is lyrically written, deeply emotional, and full of intrigue (Prairie's book review)

***** Ms Verbeek presents her characters in stunning detail, capturing the imagination and bringing them to life. Her world build is unique and interesting (OnlineBookClub)