C. H. MacLean - One is Come

55. One is Come by C. H. MacLean (2014)
The Five in Circle Series Book 1
Length: 231 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 22 November 2014
Finished: 2 December 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 September 2014
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and C. H. MacLean is a new author for me.

For fourteen-year-old Haylwen Rightad life is harsh. Beyond harsh, if truth be told. First of all, there's her annoying sixteen-year-old brother Cadarn, who delights in endlessly teasing her. Then there are her parents, who apparently have completely forgotten just how unfair life can be when you are always the new kid in school. In her entire life, Haylwen can't ever remember a time when she has stayed in one place long enough to make even one friend, so she doesn't understand why she's currently sitting in Principal Johansen's office being disciplined for something she didn't do.

Haylwen doesn't care who actually blew up the wall of the school library, all she knows is that it wasn't her fault. However, with the principal threatening suspension, Haylwen's sure of one thing: if the principal suspends her, her parents will have to move again. And Haylwen will miss another chance to finally make some real friends.

Her parents, forced to keep their own magical past silent, are shocked to learn that their daughter is indeed a magic user. That's just not possible; especially when she tested negative. Twice! Desperate to hide Haylwen from the King of magic users, they flee, but their efforts ultimately put them all in mortal danger.

Haylwen's parents don't know anything about the prophecy of 'The One'; or that the only one who doesn't suspect that Haylwen is an extremely powerful magic user is Haylwen herself. As the King schemes with the dragon clans to remake the world, and the dragon clans quietly set their own ulterior motives in motion, the time of 'The One' draws near. And as Haylwen struggles with her feelings of loneliness and unworthiness due to her inability to make a friend, little does she realize that the fate of the entire world rests on her choices. Will she learn about her magic and true friendship in time to save her life and hopefully the rest of the world?

Despite being seriously delayed in my reading, and having to postpone my review of Two Empty Thrones for about a month - I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I thought that the characters were well-developed and sympathetic, and the story is fast-paced and engaging. I also appreciated that there was a little bit of a back story provided about Abrennin and Crystyn Rightad; and their secretive magical pasts. I found these characters extremely likeable and completely believable as people.

In my opinion, the story flowed along easily and naturally - fire-breathing dragons, magical portals and ancient prophecies didn't seem out of place at all within the plot. One is Come by C. H. MacLean was an intriguing start to a new series. I give this book an A+! and am looking forward to starting the next book in the series: Two Empty Thrones.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often