Book Review: The Sapphire Flute by Karen E. Hoover

The chains of magic that bind the world Rasann together are falling apart, and every mage in the land must work together to keep everything from being destroyed. If only they had a white mage, the only one who could bring completion to their net and save them all from obliteration ... but a white mage has not been found for over 3,000 years. Only a few know what fate befalls them if they cannot summon the kind of help they truly need.

One who knows is Ezeker, old and wise, learned in the ways of the magi. He has done his part, but he knows the strength of magic in the land is failing. He sees potential in one girl, Ember - but her mother will not let her attend the mage trials and begin her training, the one thing she wants more than anything.

Elsewhere in the land, an evahn and a human fell in love and married. Their daughter, Kayla, is an outcast in society because of her half status - not fully ev, not fully human. Kayla hopes that with her gift of music, she can convince the king to restore her family's honor, but instead, he gives her something she never imagined - guardianship of the Sapphire Flute, a keystone to linking all the magic into one powerful force. But she is told that she must never play it.

Each girl holds a piece of the puzzle. Each girl has something Rasann needs to stay whole. Will they find the strength and courage to do what they must, and can they do it before the evil C'Tan finds them both?

Karen E. Hoover's The Sapphire Flute is a perfect novel to introduce the world of fantasy to a reader who might never have experienced it before. The writing is evocative and creates beautiful mental pictures, but it's not so complex as to be overwhelming, as I find many fantasy novels to be. However, those who read fantasy often will not find this book too elementary. I consider it a perfect meeting place for all lovers of fantasy, those who have been reading it for years and those who might be giving it a try for the first time.

Best of all, this book is clean. It demonstrates the importance of integrity and courage, and it shows how family relationships can mean the world to those who appreciate them and allow them to grow. The closing scenes of the book are particularly touching in this regard and left me feeling utterly at peace and covered in chills at the same time.

I can't wait to see the other six volumes in this series. Karen did a fantastic job of creating her world in this first novel, and I want to see it come to life again and again.