I haven't fully learned how to do the spoiler hide stuff (I will get around to it eventually) so I will keep this review general for the time being. However I LOVED this book!! I currently have a free amazon kindle unlimited trial so I've been reading ALL the books. This is one I'm going to have to buy in the end and re-read as I'm certain there are nuances I have missed. This book is really told from the point of view of an 8 year old boy. It pulls ideas from history/historical fiction and rolls them all into this intriguing new world of fantasy. Nothing is quite as it seems in this story and I am Desperate for the end of May to get here so I can read the second installment. You have political intrigue, family dynamics, blossoming love, and magical powers that have a new twist that I can't wait to learn more about. It's hard sometimes to find original stories and ideas these days, but I think this is a good one. I will be checking out more of Jeff Wheelers books while I wait. Once I figure out the spoiler stuff I'll give a more in depth review.