My body sang. I could feel every nerve, every fiber, every hair on my body tingling with something so wonderful I could hardly stand it. Purple light danced on my skin, and vines of green light snaked their way up my arms and legs.

Seventeen-year-old Ayve has spent her entire life hoping for a taste of adventure, so when two mysterious mages arrive in her sleepy town and ask her to help them explore an old dark cave, she jumps at the chance. Deep inside the tunnels, she discovers a strange crystal and hidden magic of her own. Impressed, the mages immediately offer her a spot at the royal academy, and she eagerly accepts and journeys with them to the palace.

Through the trials of magic classes, mastering her powers, and surviving the world's most boring etiquette teacher, Ayve makes friends and finds herself caught in a tricky love triangle. Yet there's something curious about the crystal work her mage master has asked her to do, and Ayve ultimately must decide who she trusts and which adventure she truly seeks.

The Crystal in the Cave is the first book in The Sorceress of Stars Trilogy, a YA fantasy series that follows Ayve, a courageous bisexual female character who comes of age while uncovering the truth about her past. This tale of elemental magic and found family is filled with glittering spells, detailed worldbuilding, and hidden secrets. Perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce.