Book Review: Elixir Bound by Katie L. Carroll

Elixir Bound
Author: Katie L. Carroll
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Fantasy
Released: August 31st 2012
Review Source: Author
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Katora Kase is next in line to take over as guardian to a secret and powerful healing Elixir. Now she must journey into the wilds of Faway Forest to find the ingredient that gives the Elixir its potency. Even though she has her sister and brother, an old family friend, and the handsome son of a mapmaker as companions, she feels alone.

It is her decision alone whether or not to bind herself to the Elixir to serve and protect it until it chooses a new guardian. The forest hosts many dangers, including wicked beings that will stop at nothing to gain power, but the biggest danger Katora may face is whether or not to open up her heart to love.

I have never read anything like this book and I was quite surprised to say the least. At first it was a little slow to me because of course you need to meet the family and what the family does for a living. The names were different and I was not used to the fantasy type of characters.

The book starts out in a small town on the outskirts of Faway Forrest called Tussar, at the Kase family farm. The Kase family grew Essenberry vines on their farm. Katora is the daughter that is to take over the family farm, but what she doesn’t know is she is also to be guardian over the elixir that is a magical healing elixir. Her father, whom she calls Pop, lets her in on the secret but there are things he cannot let her know. Katora must find out for herself on the journey she embarks in the Faway Forest. Katora is not alone on this journey, her siblings, a longtime family friend of the Anni demick species and a friend of the family’s son all embark on the hunt for the elixir. The Faway Forest is not a forest you would want your children to go play in. There are many dangers hidden in Faway.

This book has many twists and turns, battles, not only physical battles but Katora has her own battles within herself as well. It is also a very cute love story. I would recommend this to anybody young or old. I found the plot very well written and the book is easy to follow. I literally could not put this book down. I just had to know what was going to happen next. I really hope to read more about Katora and the Kase family in the future.