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Band of Shadows: The Scarlet Onyx Saga by HP Waitt

A compelling new fantasy epic from debut author H.P. Waitt! Scarlet has no idea who she is. And after spending nearly a decade in the foster system, she has never quite felt like she belonged. In fact, for the first seventeen years of her life she didn’t even know her last name. Night after night, she is plagued by a dream of a strange-looking door. Until finally, she stumbles upon that very door and is thrust into another realm, a place unlike anything she has ever seen. Now alone in the unknown world of Avalon, a land where the plants have healing powers, the birds play games, and the trees hide the most valuable secrets, Scarlet meets Morgana, the island’s enigmatic leader who unveils the truth: Scarlet is a Faye, a powerful race of people whose population was nearly decimated during the Shadow Wars. But Morgana didn’t bring Scarlet to Avalon solely to keep her safe. Unsure who to trust or what to believe, Scarlet learns that the truth isn’t always what it seems. There is a new war brewing, and when it arrives, Scarlet will make a shocking discovery about her past from the most unlikely of sources, and everything Scarlet has ever known will be thrown into question.

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About the Author

Hailey “H.P.” Waitt currently serves as a board member of the Waitt Foundation, which supports government efforts to restore our neighboring oceans. Her passions lie in supporting families in the foster care system and raising awareness about mental illness, as both issues are addressed in the first book of her debut YA series, Band of Shadows: The Scarlet Onxy Saga. A South Dakota Native, Waitt now resides in San Diego after getting her degree in history and psychology at the University of Southern California.

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My Review

5 stars

Scarlet is seventeen and been in the foster system her whole life. She suffers from depression and anxiety. She also doesn’t feel like she fits in and dreams of a strange door. Once day she finds herself in front of this door and transported to Avalon. She learns that she is a Faye, a race that was nearly completely destroyed in the last war. That she is an empath which explains her depression and anxiety.

Scarlet has found her way home but war is in the air and she is going to have to get some serious training in if she is going to be able to defend her new home. Thankfully she has some great friends to help catch her up. But she is going to learn that not everyone that seems helpful is good and not everyone that is bad is evil.

This is an amazing first book from new author HP Waitt. I felt for Scarlet, I mean she didn’t even know her last name. But I loved how she didn’t let her problems weight her down. She used them to rise to her calling. She made mistakes, had to train, and simply had to learn the hard way. But this made me love her more.

I really like how there was no romance, insta or anything else, to really distract her from what is more important. She does have some amazing friends to teach her how home is where you make it and family doesn’t mean blood only.

I was sad to put this book down because I can’t wait to get into the next book to see what happens next. This is an insightful YA fantasy story that will appeal to teens and adults alike. Make sure to check out this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank Smith Publicity for the opportunity to read and share this book.