This engaging fantasy story begins in a magical school called Balmerick. It is highly hierarchical, with family bloodlines holding all the power. A ruling family must sponsor a student for them to secure their future career. It’s an ancient land, once populated by dragons, and the remnants of their unique magic remain.

Ren and her friend Timmons are both scholarship students from poorer families. Despite Ren’s brilliance, her excessive studiousness and inability to ingratiate herself with the wealthy families do not help her ambitions. Ren and Timmons travel to and from school in a magical portal, which works like a bus powered by candles and magical currents. When waiting in the portal one day for the magical current to take hold, two wealthy students who are being punished for misbehaviour get into an argument with another student just as the portal activates. The magic goes haywire. They are all transported to the Dires, an ancient forest many days travel from their homes, and one of the students is dead on arrival. The rest must work together, despite their dislike for one another, if they are going to survive the terrors of the woods.

This first book in a duology is an exciting mix of dark academia fantasy and action adventure set in an intriguing, magical land. Fantasy lovers aged 12+ will enjoy the fast-paced challenges Ren and her companions must undertake to survive.