Title: The Antidote
Author: Shelley Sackier
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 5th 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Magic is not allowed, under any circumstances — even if it could save someone’s life. Instead, there are herbal remedies and traditional techniques that have been painstakingly recorded in lieu of using the mystical arts. Fee knows this, so she keeps her magic a secret.
Except her best friend, Xavi, is deathly ill. He’s also the crown prince. Saving him is important, not only for her, but for the entire kingdom.
Fee’s desperation to save her friend means she can barely contain the magic inside her. And after the tiniest of slips, Fee is thrust into a dark and secretive world that is as alluring as it is dangerous.
If she gives in, it could mean she can save Xavi. But it also means that those who wish to snuff out magic might just snuff her out in the process.
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The Antidote started off a little slow for me. Although it was interesting to get the backstory on Ophelia (Fee) because as a character, I instantly loved her. She is fiesty, stubborn and not afraid of her magic. I think I felt the slowness more due to Savva’s cryptic ways. Like just say what you mean lady. Maybe I was just channeling my inner Fee.
Once the story picked it up, I found myself absorbed. There were definitely some things that still confused me. Like the mixing bloodlines and how important the stones are. Like maybe there wasn’t enough time to develop everything. I was really caught up in the suspense of figuring out who was the mastermind behind Xavi’s troubles as well as seeing the different characters develop.
I really did love Fee. She is such a fierce character, that is super loyal and protective of the ones she loves. Willing to do anything and fight anyone. I also really loved her friendship with Xavi and how they are so close but there is no romantic involvement. They truly love one another like they are family. I also liked her magic and how nature based it is.
So Kye was interesting. He’s changed over the years they have been a part but I did actually really like the romance between them. It was subtle but it was also sweet. Since Kye had been in love with Fee when they were little. Despite the fact he is kind of an idiot when he first comes back. I liked the lightness to their relationship.
I liked all the supporting characters from Quinn, Savva and the healers.
Despite the slow start, I did enjoy the story. It had enough to keep me intrigued until the end.
Shelley Sackier grew up in a small farming community in Northern Wisconsin continually searching for ways to grow warm. Realizing she would never be able to enjoy ice cream like real people should, she left the state and lived the blissful life of a traveling musician. Discovering her stories needed more space than two verses a bridge and a chorus could provide, she began storytelling in earnest. And then in Virginia. Which is where she lives now and continues to write.
Her first novel, DEAR OPL (Sourcebooks 2015), is a tale about a snarky, overweight thirteen-year-old, who suffers from loss everywhere in her life except on her body.
Her next novel, The Freemason's Daughter (HarperCollins, 2017) is a story about a 16 yr old Scottish girl living in 1715 who's raised entirely by six burly Scotsman--and they're all smugglers. The Antidote (HarperCollins February 2019) is a YA novel about magic and medicine, and the witches who wield them both.
To learn more about Shelley, visit shelleysackier.com where she blogs weekly about living on a small farm atop a mountain in the Blue Ridge and how it’s easiest to handle most of it with homegrown food, a breathless adoration for tractors, and a large dose of single malt scotch.
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Prize: Win (1) physical copy of THE ANTIDOTE by Shelley Sackier (US Only)
Giveaway Starts: January 28th, 2019
Giveaway Ends: February 11th, 2019
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