Everless

Gr 8 Up—Blood is not only life but currency in the kingdom of Sempera. Blood is turned to money and the rich can buy eternal life. Jules Ember must journey to the palace at Everless and earn enough money to save her father and herself. When they fled Everless 10 years ago, Jules promised she would never return. Above all, her father warned her: stay away from the queen. Jules longs to see Roan, a boy she used to play with who is now in line for the throne, but she hopes she never sees his older brother Liam again. Jules takes a job at Everless right before the queen arrives. The closer Jules gets to the queen, the more she discovers that things are not as they seem. Jules is fearful that her power to stop time will be exposed. Debut author Holland builds this world effortlessly as Everless rises from the first pages in the village of Crofton and its outskirts. Readers will be instantly transported to a world where people travel by horse and kingdoms follow bloodlines. When time stops for Jules, readers will remain spellbound as she describes her surroundings. The author captures a fierce and solid female protagonist in Jules and surprising plot twists and unexpected villains make this series opener the next big thing.