Meg Kramer brings us beautiful coming-of-age fantasy fiction in Amoura Awakened. In a world where humans and witches live together, Amoura Renly has always been more of a loner at school. She is smart, intelligent, and ahead of her peers, which makes her a target for bullies. And when Amoura accidentally loses control and burns down her classroom, she learns that she is a witch. Amoura receives an invitation to attend the entrance exams at the prestigious school for witches, Elderwood, but has no idea what to expect. After all, Amoura was adopted as a baby, but being stubborn and headstrong sometimes has its uses. What she discovers about herself proves to be a death sentence. She has to blend in, stay small, and not draw attention. This could be hard for someone created to stand out.

Author Meg Kramer has laid the foundations for a magical journey of discovery in a world with an entirely new set of rules. This story is written from the perspective of the main character, making the read more realistic and relatable. Every so often, you will find a book that gives you a discovery on each page, making you want to devour the book in one sitting – this is one of those books. The scenes are full of sensory stimulation, and the plot is brilliantly executed at the end. The engaging writing style does not disappoint, making the first book in The Veiled Flame series truly magical. Amoura Awakened is suitable for young adult readers and contains a few triggers that were added with sensitivity and meaning. I can’t wait for the next book.

Amoura Awakened is the first book in The Veiled Flame Series by Meg Kramer, and it tells the story of sixteen-year-old Amoura Renly, who discovers, by accident, that she is a witch. When she receives a postcard inviting her to enroll in a magical school, she dismisses it, but when bullied, her anger causes a fire that destroys her classroom. She cannot deny her gift any longer; she is a witch, and her magic is dangerous. She goes to Elderwood School for the Magically Inclined in San Francisco, where she makes friends and attracts the attention of Kjell, who has questionable intentions. She discovers that her magic is unlike the others, and while others draw their magic from elements, hers is from within; she is the magic. She also discovers a magical history linked to her that has been suppressed. Her nemesis, Ingrid Mallory, from a renowned witch family, is not only jealous of the attention she receives from Kjell but also leads the secret police force designed to hunt and eliminate her kind. What can go wrong when they discover the nature of her magic?

If you loved Harry Potter and the worldbuilding in it, then Amoura Awakened will be a surprising delight for you. The idea of a magical school existing in a world where humans thrive is exciting. Meg Kramer skillfully creates this world, deftly showing the rift that can exist in the magical world when a segment of magically gifted people believe that others should not exist. The characters are cleverly drawn, and Amoura Renly is portrayed as a deeply flawed heroine who initially laughs at the idea that she has magic. Her struggles and persecution instantly draw the sympathy of readers. I also loved the company she keeps, and Bea, June, and Finn provide a world where she can grow and feel connected. This fantasy is told in lyrical prose, and the well-developed conflict, coupled with the finely drawn setting, makes the book a page-turner.