"For an Adventure"; those are the words engraved on the cover of Fox Berger's diary. Ten years have passed since she was given the diary, and it remains practically empty. After all, there is not much adventure in Greentown, a small, quiet farming town where no one comes, and no one leaves. In fact, the only interesting thing about it is the Life Stone, a powerful stone that is the source of its prosperity and life. One day, the town's peace is finally broken when a group of masked men arrive with a flash of light; Zan's Marauders. They steal the Life Stone and kidnap all the men. With the survival of the town looking bleak and little hope for the return of what was taken, Fox decides to set off on an adventure to save her people.
Early on into her journey, warm, optimistic Fox meets cold, cynical Adrien Flèche, a young archer with a tragic past and a vengeful heart. Two motives, one goal: to find Zan's Marauders. Soon after they team-up, they learn that there are five other "Power Stones", each with its own unique ability and just as immensely powerful. With two stones already in their possession, Zan's Marauders will cause as much misery and pain as they can in order to acquire the remaining stones, and throw the whole world into chaos. Fox and Adrien hop from town to town in a desperate race to reach the Power Stones before their enemies do.
Throughout the story, Fox finally has a chance to fill her diary with her thoughts and recounts of events she thought she would never see. Although she sees some wonders, she encounters many more horrors. In the face of war, inequity, and a world she never knew, Fox's strength and values are tested as she struggles to grasp the true meaning of an adventure. Will the duo's determination and efforts be enough to best their enemies? Or will Zan's Marauders achieve their ambition and control the towns with an oppressive rule?
"In the Moonlight" is the first book in "The Diary of a Fox" trilogy.
(I don't own the cover image
Far to the north lies a land in black and white. A curse lies upon it, robbing its people of their courage, free will and emotion to lock them in three pendants in the hands of their leaders.
Jolette has lived just south of that land for all thirteen years of her life. But never once has she seen one of its people-until the day a Colorless boy turns up in her village, carrying one of his people's most prized possessions: the pendant of Free Will.
She quickly becomes his friend, but she has barely had time to get to know him and name him Edmian when the Colorless come for him. By sheer luck she and Edmian escape. But her village, with everyone she knows, is captured and taken to the Colorless Land.
Left to their own devices, the two set out to rescue the villagers while outrunning their own pursuers. Aid comes from a secret prince trying to save his own family from the Colorless, as well as his warrior bride. And yet the clock keeps ticking. For the Colorless' magic is slowly destroying the villagers' humanity, and the Colorless People are preparing a war against all the world.
What can two teenagers, a hidden royal, a military commander on leave, an old lady spirit, an elf and a dwarf possibly do against a power on the rise?
And what about the two married women who were captured without their daughter?
But sometimes the smallest individuals can change the course of history...
COMPLETED 9-8-2019