Katora Kase isn't the firstborn son nor does she possess the type of magic that conjures spells or bewitches others. In the land of the Great Peninsula--an epic fantasy world ruled by the Great Mother Nature and her offspring--those things aren't a measure of one's worth. And what Katora does possess is the subtle magic that marks her as the next guardian of a secret healing Elixir that is her family's legacy. It is such a highly guarded secret that Katora doesn't know of its existence until a rare snowstorm blows through with a message for her father, the current guardian.
Katora sets off on a quest into the wilds of Faway Forest to find the flowers that give the Elixir its potency. Even though she is accompanied by her sister, her brother, an old family friend, and a handsome mapmaker, she feels alone. For it is her decision alone whether or not to bind herself to the Elixir's magic to serve and protect it until a new guardian is chosen. The forest hosts many dangers, including wicked beings that will stop at nothing to gain power, but the biggest danger Katora faces is whether to give up a piece of her independence for the Elixir.
Award-winning author Katie L. Carroll began writing after her 16-year-old sister, Kylene, unexpectedly passed away. Since then writing has taken her to many wonderful places, both real and imagined. She wrote her YA fantasy ELIXIR BOUND, winner of the 2019 Connecticut Author Project for Best YA, and its sequel ELIXIR SAVED so Kylene could live on in the pages of a book. Katie’s middle grade adventure PIRATE ISLAND was selected by the Milford Public Library as the 2018 One City, One Story middle grade read, and she is also the author of the picture book THE BEDTIME KNIGHT, illustrated by Erika Baird, and the forthcoming MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, illustrated by Phoebe Cho. She teaches writing and publishing workshops for children and adults and works as a freelance writer. Visit her website at katielcarroll.com.