Emblem Island #01: Curse of the Night Witch

- Blurb -

Age range 9 to 12On Emblem Island all are born knowing their fate. Their lifelines show the course of their life and an emblem dictates how they will spend it. Twelve-year-old Tor Luna was born with a leadership emblem, just like his mother. But he hates his mark and is determined to choose a different path for himself. So, on the annual New Year' s Eve celebration, where Emblemites throw their wishes into a bonfire in the hopes of having them granted, Tor wishes for a different power. The next morning Tor wakes up to discover a new marking on his skin. . . the symbol of a curse that has shortened his lifeline, giving him only a week before an untimely death. There is only one way to break the curse, and it requires a trip to the notorious Night Witch. With only his village' s terrifying, ancient stories as a guide, and his two friends Engle and Melda by his side, Tor must travel across unpredictable Emblem Island, filled with wicked creatures he only knows through myths, in a race against his dwindling lifeline. ' Aster' s debut includes the fruitful elements of a riveting tale: loveable characters, thrilling heroics, and villainous fiends. What sets this series opener apart is the author' s exquisite use of real Latin American folktales to broaden her fiction, bolstering the particulars of the world she creates here . . . Tightly paced, Tor' s adventure concludes with a promise of more to come. Worthy of every magical ounce. ' - Kirkus, starred review ' Aster balances a fast-paced plot rife with hair-raising action and snippets of Emblem Island folklore, offering a story about sacrifice and risk-taking that' s great for young mythology fans. ' - Booklist