cover image The Raven Girl

The Raven Girl

Kathy Cecala. CreateSpace (www.create-space.com), $12 trade paper (242p) ISBN 978-1-4610-6637-8

Aedan de Adamo is a young man training to be a priest. On the nearby island of Inis Ghall, a foreign girl named Marra washes ashore. Her arrival is accompanied by an outbreak of fever on the island, and many villagers assume she's a witch. Word of the mysterious girl reaches Aedan and his mentor, Lord Fulke, both of whom decide to investigate. When Aedan finds her, he immediately falls in love, but that love is complicated by the arrival of his long-lost father, pirates, and Lord Fulke, who is determined to keep his mentee in the priesthood. Aedan stands his ground, and when Marra is falsely accused of murder, he flees with her, risking their lives and abandoning the only home and family he has ever known. Cecala's debut novel is a fascinating introduction to medieval Ireland. The romance is well suited to teen readers, who will identify with the protagonists. Aedan and Marra are earnest and endearing, and their world is well drawn. A compelling, fast-paced story. Ages 16%E2%80%93up.