Maerad of Pellinor: Books of Pellinor by Alison Croggon

Books of Pellinor:

1. The Naming

2. The Riddle

3. The Crow

4. The Singing

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Strength Rating: 4

Recommend: 5

The Naming

Mearad is a slave. She barely remembers the time before she and her mother were brought to the rough place she now lives. Since her mother's death she has been alone. She wishes to escape but cannot see a safe way to get out.

While she is milking cows one morning she sees a strange man stumble into the barn. He is surprised she can see him because only those with the gift can see through his spell of invisibility. The man, Cadvan, helps Maerad escape.

Though they will have a difficult journey, Cadvan is taking Maerad to a school for those with the gift, or Bards as they are called. It is the right of anyone with the gift to be educated in one of the seven schools.

This first book in the series tells of a world where evil is rising and there is corruption in some of the Bard's schools. Mearad's life will be better than it was as a slave, but she may have to work just as hard to survive.