Princess Sylvianel is anxious about her upcoming binding ceremony, which will formally connect her with her very own Pegasus. The Pegasus are a beautiful and mysterious race to the people of Balsinland, for who it is forbidden to touch them or expected to have contact with…but Sylvi can’t help but wonder.
When she first sees the gleaming black Pegasus that is to be her bondmate, she is shocked to discover that they have perfect communication. For the first time a human and a Pegasus can speak, and barriers start coming down all around the pair. Ebon, Sylvi’s Pegasus, becomes her best friend and their attachment becomes the intrigue of the royal court and kingdom. But the union is not sanctioned by everyone, and Sylvi and Ebon will have to fight to keep their friendship from being torn apart.
Warning: This is a two-part book! I was shocked because Robin McKinley has never written a series so I wasn't really prepared for the 'to be continued' cliff hanger at the end. And let me tell you, it is a mean cliff-hanger. It seems to end in the middle of a sentence, in the middle of a thought!
Now that that is out of the way, I'll say. Wow. Love it. This was lyrical and poetry to read. There was a beauty in the world that McKinley created, reminiscent of her fairy-tale books, but brand new. This book is about friendship, being yourself, responsibility, and duty. While I was reading this I was eager every night when I had the time to turn to it and read about Sylvi and Ebon, their struggles and their growing friendship. The things they face aren't simple, they aren't black and white, and this book is more than just a simplistic story of right and wrong. It's about life and doing what is right and worrying that you did it wrong. I really loved it and can't wait to read the other half of the book.
3 1/2 out of 5
