Storm Bringer

The idea of conflict between magic and science has been a strong theme in literature for a long time.  This story is set in a world where the land has been split by tremendous storms and deep chasms, the various territories chosing to follow either science, or the use of magic.  The central character, Amelio has been brought up in a science environment, but his parents were originally from a magical background.  After a tremendous storm Amelio and his mother find themselves back in the magical world and are drawn into a search for the reason behind a looming danger, as well as the mystery surrounding Tomassi, the historical figure behind the two conflicting beliefs.  As he navigates this new and very dangerous world, Amelio does not know who to trust.

The author has created a world which feels almost post-apocalyptic in the way that people are thinking and living their lives.  The various states have become almost medieval in their structure, with often autocratic rule keeping the countries functioning; this means that it is difficult to reach a consensus about how to deal with the approaching catastrophe.  Not only is Amelio dealing with the situation, but he is also going through the emotional struggles that are part of being a teenager; however, in this case we can see that a romantic triangle is developing, one unlikely to end well.  The story itself is full of drama and adventure, but based on a strong environmental message about the world and the way that mankind can affect what happens in nature.  Part of this message is the fact that we do not have infinite resources, whether they are magical or scientific, so we should use them effectively and sparingly.  This is the first in a series and ends with a cliffhanger that will leave the teen reader eager for the next episode.  It is safe to say that the plot was thrown a ‘curve ball’ at this point, which I can`t wait to read about in the future.