Prodigy Prince introduces — and in an explosive manner — The Seven Covenant series by Natasha Sapienza, a gorgeous treat for aficionados of young adult fantasy. The story is about an ordinary prince who finds himself endowed with huge responsibility by circumstances beyond his control.

Seventeen-year-old Prince Nuelle doesn’t need to worry about anything. But when his older brother, Tane, ignores the authority of their father and ventures into the accursed lands, Nuelle becomes the bearer of the signet-ring. Submitted to training in the knight academy, the young Prince finds himself on a dangerous adventure across unforgiving landscapes with his companions and through other kingdoms in the land. Meanwhile, Antikai of Kaimana, an exiled Prince, wields powerful dark magic that allows him to torment his victims while they sleep. He is determined to sow darkness through the land and the only person to stop him is Nuelle, but how can he succeed without the Acumen, the magical book?

This book is intrinsically woven, cunningly plotted, and featuring characters that are humanly real. Natasha Sapienza creates characters that readers can relate to and thrusts them into a world that is complex and that evolves as the narrative moves forward. The protagonist is faced with a task that seems to be above his strength and he must seek allies — both natural and magical — to save the kingdom. The journey he and his companions make is fraught with danger, including dangerous beasts, dragons, shape-shifting creatures, and more. The themes are powerful and there is a strong parallelism with Christian ethics. The protagonist is a young boy who must define his values amidst chaos, shape his character through the crucible of suffering in this mesmerizing adventure. The setting is well-imagined and it is one that will, undoubtedly, fascinate readers who are looking for a quick escape from the strain into which life holds them captive.

There is so much to expect in this can’t-miss fantasy— a compelling coming-of-age that is steeped in the aesthetics of dark magic and the struggle of an adorable protagonist to find balance between personal values and duty. Natasha Sapienza has written a fantasy tale with enough magic and wonder that will thrill young readers and adults, filling it with deeper discussion of how faith works, a thing I never expected in fantasy. Prodigy Prince contains atmospheric writing, vivid descriptions, and strong imagery — elements of the writing that mix with the glittering prose to soothe the mind of the reader. Conflict is deftly handled and the plot is an eyeball-soppily piece of genius. Get ready for a ride with characters you will adore and landscapes you will explore with delight, but beware of the monsters that lurk in the shadows; they are manifold and unforgiving.