Blood Rose Rebellion

Gr 8 Up—In 1847 London, Anna Arden's family belongs to the Luminates, the ruling class whose power is derived from magic. Only members of this society have access to magic, which is held in reserve in the Binding. Anna has a complicated relationship with magic; she finds it much easier to break spells than to create them. Because of this unfortunate development, she is banished to Hungary with her grandmother. Hungary is in the midst of civil unrest in response to the Luminates' monopoly on magic. A rebellion is beginning; the people want access to the magic as well as the same rights and privileges enjoyed by the nobility. With Anna's ability to break spells, she could undo the Binding. Realizing that her power can do some good, she becomes swept up in the spirit of the cause, finally feeling like she belongs. But is breaking the Binding the right thing to do? Gabour, a Romani man who can practice magic, supports the revolution, but he is against Anna breaking the Binding. Torn between two worlds, Anna must ultimately decide the best course of action, even if it means disappointing the ones she loves. The open ending invites readers to follow the story in this proposed trilogy's forthcoming volumes.