When Imogen’s parents are killed in a fire at their English country manor, she is relocated to the United States to live with her guardians. Yet she never forgets her family and friends left behind in Rockford. Her Grandfather and her cousin are the sole surviving relatives, and while she feels shattered to have left them behind, she longs of news. Yet her guardians, close friends of her parents feel they know what is right, and she must forget about her old life.
She knows there is a secret that she should know, she remembers her father telling her to look to the maze, but she is not encouraged in any way to ask questions of her past. Even the boy she left behind is off limits, and she has finally relented. Her cousin is heir of the estate, and Imogen’s life is now in New York City. Even at 17 she feels as though there is something missing, something she is meant to do. What about the odd thing that happened to her at the estate before the fire. How could the flower have grown so fast and created such a furor for those that saw. She knows there is something, but does not remember what it is.
When she receives a letter that tells her she is the only living heir left to the estate and that she must return to England, her guardians must relent and allow her to make the choice. All is not as it seems and there is a mystery at hand that seems to involve her, but also Sebastian–the boy she left behind.
The secrets of the manor are very delicate and Imogen is cautious about creating any further concerns. There is something very strange about the deaths of her parents and that of her cousin, something that someone is willing to kill to keep secret. But there is also the secret of the land and the magic that creates abundance, another situation that also causes consternation.
Unsure who to trust with her own secret, and unaware of the dangers to her own life, she tries to find the answers without stirring up the lives of the only people she really remembers. Can her guardians give her any of the answers? Does Sebastian know what happened to her cousin?
If you enjoy mysterious and magical happenings you will find this story just the thing. The characters are fun and exciting and the story is rather enchanting. There are secrets everywhere, and Imogen is just the character to find them out. She is full of contradictions and folly, but also brave and tenacious. The characters each play a piece and each is central to their own part of the mystery.
This is a wonderful Young Adult mystery, threaded with magic and romance. If you are looking for that special book for your young reader, you will find this to be just the thing. If you enjoy fairytale type settings and happily ever after, even those who are not young adults, but just young at heart can relate to this work.
Rating 4/5
No comments:
Post a Comment