Dark Breaks the Dawn

Gr 8 Up—Evelayn is the princess of the Light Kingdom, Eadrolan, and when the story begins, readers learn that she is awaiting her 18th birthday in order to access her full range of magical powers. More than anything she is wishing for her mother, the Queen of Eadrolan, to come back from the war front to celebrate with her. It is soon apparent that Evelayn is a strong young woman, much like her mother the queen, and is expected to rule the Light Kingdom one day. Details of the Dark Kingdom are revealed through its powerful characters interacting with the citizens and soldiers of Eadrolan, and it is this growing conflict that will intrigue readers as the inevitable confrontation between the two kingdoms hits a crescendo. Adding to the intrigue is a budding romance with the mysterious Lord Tanvir. Whether or not the reader is familiar with the story of Swan Lake really has no impact on the appeal of this book.