K10: First Year (Black Mage, book 1) by Rachel Carter

The Kidliterati Ten is an interview series with young readers. We ask them about a favorite book and hope that you enjoy their answers.

Tell us a little about yourself: what is your first name, how old are you, and what is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Emma. 12. Cookie dough. Or bacon [laughs].

What book did you read and why did you choose it?

First Year by Rachel Carter. It's the first book of the Black Mage series. I like it because I thought the plot was interesting and had lots of teen drama. It made me cry 3 times and I like books that make me cry.

Can you describe this book in one word?

Dramatic.

What was your favorite part of this story?

I liked when the person the main character hated in the beginning of the book ended up being the person she fell in love with.

If you had a problem similar to the main character's problem, what would you do?

The main character had so many problems I don't even know where to begin.

What would you say to your best friend to convince them to read this book?

Just read it!

What do you think about the book's cover?

It portrayed a good image of the characters.

Would you want to read another book about these characters? Why or why not?

Yes, because I love these characters!

Can you name another book that reminds you of this one?

No.

If you could ask the author one question about this book what would it be?

Why do you like making people cry so much?

We reached out to the author, Rachel Carter, and here is her answer!

My favorite books are always the ones that evoke strong emotions from me as a reader. Not every book can affect me so deeply, but when one does, I tend to remember that book far longer than others, so when I sat down to write The Black Mage I knew I wanted to take my readers on that same emotional journey. Crying over characters in a book is the ultimate compliment to an author, because it shows you felt deeply and were able to connect with them enough to feel heartbreak and joy the way my characters did in the book.

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A big thank you to Emma for sharing First Year with us!

 

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First Year (The Black Mage #1)

Before the age of seventeen, the young men and women of Jerar are given a choice —pursue a trade or enroll in a trial year in one of the realm’s three war schools to study as a soldier, knight, or mage. For fifteen-year-old Ryiah, the choice has always been easy. Become a mage and train in Combat, the most prestigious faction of magic.

Yet when she arrives, Ry finds herself competing against friend and foe for one of the exalted apprenticeships. Everyone is rooting for her to fail—first and foremost among them is Prince Darren, the school prodigy who has done nothing but make life miserable since she arrived.

Will Ry survive, or will her dream go down in flames?