A Magic Fierce & Bright is an adrenaline-charged fantasy steeped in Indian mythology with political intrigue, found family, and nonstop action.
Teenage Adya Sachdev, who lives in the jungles of Southern India, is a "technomancer" who can communicate with ancient machines. She draws her power from the "infinity wells," craters of magical energy left from a devastating meteor storm 400 years ago. The event transformed Earth's 21st-century electricity into a "dark, swirling force," which England is now using to try to reclaim its past "imperial glory." Adya's ability is rare among the Atavi people, which makes her a prized asset in the ongoing war between India and England. All she cares about, though, is finding her twin sister, Priya, who left six months ago to find the maharaja and help him free India. Adya's dogged brother; an "attractive in a cutthroat way" thief; the maharaja's sorceress daughter; and a willful, melodramatic sentient motorcycle join Adya in her pursuit to find Priya--a journey that will be both treacherous and illuminating.
Hemant Nayak skillfully infuses fantasy with Indian folklore while deftly exploring the importance of community and the effects of war in his exhilarating debut. Suspenseful, tense action is effortlessly twined together with supernatural creatures, magical elements, and Indian mythology. Nayak also includes discussions of power (both magical and political) and the significance of working together. Whether it's Adya's mismatched crew becoming a found family as they help each other escape near-death experiences, or Priya wanting to join with other magical groups to defeat the British, community is at the forefront. This heart-pounding adventure is action-packed and entertaining. --Lana Barnes, freelance reviewer and proofreader