The Black Witch

The Black Witch by Laurie Forest, 601 pages

Elloren has been brought up simply, but as a proper Gardnerian.  She knows that Gardnerians are the one true race.  Some of the other races aren’t too bad, such as Elves, but Kelts and Lupines are clearly inferior and Icarals are dangerous creatures that must be avoided at all costs.  Elloren, despite her uncanny likeness to her grandmother, the previous Black Witch, has no magic of her own, apparently.  Although, she knows that her uncle has been lying when he speaks of her testing.  Now that she is old enough to go to University, she must mix with people of other races, and is even forced to room with two Icarals.  Elloren isn’t sure how she will survive the year at University, since there are even some Gardnerians that hate her.  All Elloren wants is to learn the apothecary trade, but she is learning more about the world and its politics then she ever dreamed possible.  This was a really good book.  Parts were a little melodramatic and the romance is a little too contrived but the adventure is fantastic, and watching Elloren grow into awareness is great.  I have really enjoyed the characters, and even if the message is a little too obvious, I would still strongly recommend this for teens who like fantasy