The Wizard's Ward

Prepare to be whisked away to a complex land of fantasy, magic, emotion, war, and love. Vale: The Wizard’s Ward is an imaginative and adventurous coming of age story, challenging each of us to decipher who we can trust, to step out into the world, to learn our natural gifts, and to harness our powers. It’s the message every young girl needs in today’s world — you are strong, you are powerful, and you can have an impact on the world. I couldn’t wait to turn the page to what would happen next. Highly recommend it!

What an escape! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this story. Vale is an exciting new world, and Francis is a worthy heroine. I became attached to all of these complex characters quite quickly. Read it as soon as you can!

Vale the Wizard’s Ward is the most effortlessly enjoyable YA fantasy I have ever read. I tend to be partial to fiction because I find it hard to acclimate to the world in a fantasy novel which makes getting started more difficult. Somehow, this novel manages to have all the complexity and wonder of a unique fantasy world without ever making me confused. My understanding of the world the story takes place in developed steadily along with the plot, and the backstories embedded into the narrative were so seamlessly integrated that I would become immersed enough to forget it wasn’t the main story. I always looked forward to picking this book up again, and I never found it difficult to jump back into the story where I left off.
Worldbuilding is critical to a great fantasy novel, and as I previously mentioned, this story did a fantastic job at revealing the world along with the plot in a way that was effortless and clear. The mechanics of the world, such as the magic, were somewhat similar to other magic I have read about, but with a unique aspect brought by Francis. I loved the mix of old-technology and aesthetics with magic and advanced society.The pacing of this book was also very good. The switch from the first chapter of backstory to the primary narrative was slightly disorienting, but the perspective it gave me certainly enhanced my experience of the rest of the novel.
Despite the very different subjects, settings, and characters, my love for this book reminded me of the love I had for the Percy Jackson series when I was younger. I think this comes from the characters. Both Percy Jackson and Vale the Wizard’s Ward have strong, engaging, fantasy worlds, but ultimately their characters are what made me fall in love. I felt like Francis, the main character in Vale the Wizard’s Ward, had gone back in time and stolen emotions from a younger teenage me. Early on in the story, she describes a mysterious type of magic she does where she simply “begs” the magic to work, and I really resonated with this sense of desperation to succeed at the things that mattered to me and the way that they often worked out inexplicably. Francis’s struggles throughout the story feel so deeply authentic and realistic, which is so grounding in a fantastical world. Her insecurity about how she fits into the world she lives in is a feeling I know everyone can relate to.
In terms of characters overall, each one of them had a complex and specific personality that is evident from the moment they are introduced. Billington, the wizard who takes Francis under his wing as a baby, is immediately likeable. He does not act like a typical father to Francis, yet his relationship to her is similarly nurturing which makes their relationship both relatable and intriguingly atypical. Unlike many characters in YA stories, Francis’s love interest, X, manages to be a complete character independent of his ark with Francis. His depth is revealed later than some other characters, but I could always root for him. Other characters, including ones we are designed to be against are still captivating and enjoyable to read about. The characters in this story are consistently themselves while experiencing massive growth throughout the story, mirroring the reality that every person experiences as they grow and change.
Overall, I loved this book, and I think anyone could. This story contained all the best elements of fantasy, romance, and young adult stories. Beyond that, I think the pure entertainment factor of this book makes it worth the read. It was simply enjoyable! Francis’s journey feels universally accessible, and the fantasy world she lives in is fascinating, making the overall story one that I never wanted to put down.