Books and Chat

Lily’s parents announce that they’re going on a once in a lifetime sabbatical in Germany for 2 years and send her halfway across the country to St Sophia’s, an elite boarding school in downtown Chicago. 

The former convent with its stone architecture, regimented lifestyle and push for academic achievement by ultra-rich girls leaves Lily a little cold.  But on day one she finds a kindred spirit in her roommate, Scout.

There are many secrets at this school which is connected to a number of tunnels running under the city.  Scout mysteriously disappears at night on missions she can’t tell her new best friend about.  Lily finds out accidentally when seeing Scout running from crazed people who are attacking them with magic.  Lily can’t be part of Scout’s rebel group of magical users bent on saving the world because she doesn’t have magical abilities.  Or does she?

It appears that this first book in a young adult urban fantasy series has only touched the tip of the iceberg with the things Lily is learning, including that her parents have apparently lied to her about what they do for a living and why they are in Germany; a dangerous mystery not yet revealed.

The premise of the story in regards to those with magic and how they use it is fairly unique.  Lily is somewhat mature for a sixteen year-old, but part of that is due to the philosophical teachings of her parents.  But it’s difficult to really connect with this character until she becomes passionate with what needs to be done.  Her interactions and relationships with other characters, including a cute guy and the school’s Brat Pack, do a good job of rounding out the story.