The third daughter by Adrienne Tooley

Adrienne Tooley presents an intriguing fantasy world where religion centres around a belief in the ‘New Maiden’ and the coming of ‘the third daughter of the third daughter’, a successor who will appear when she is needed by her people. When Elodie’s sister Brianne, supposedly the third daughter, is pronounced queen and all the power is assumed by Brianne’s father, the Chaplain, Elodie fears for her country. Desperate to ensure the power stays in her own hands, as eldest daughter, until her young sister is more ready to take on the responsibility, Elodie resorts to a magic potion that backfires on them both.

Another voice furthers the story in alternate chapters, that of Sabine, a young girl strangely inhabited by a sadness that overwhelms her and causes self-doubt. Her misery regularly leaves her withdrawn under her quilt until she can release her emotion in tears, tears that become a sort of magic, eagerly sought by others. Sabine’s darkness can be seen as a kind of depression where her confidence is constantly undermined. It is not until she can truly embrace her feelings that she is able to find the strength she needs.

It is an interesting juxtaposition: Elodie is the clear-headed strategist, and Sabine is the well of emotion. One is used to the privileges of royalty, while the other has only ever known poverty and hardship. The two girls are gradually drawn together; their love is tentative, but the path is rocky, trust is betrayed, and even siblings and friends seem two-faced. A danger arises that threatens them both.

It is an interesting story of conflict between state and religion, power and loyalty, love and doubt, embedded in a world that readers of fantasy will enjoy, though the twists towards the end may seem a little rushed. Clearly the travails of Elodie and Sabine have not concluded and there will have to be a sequel.

Themes: Fantasy, LGBQTI+, Depression, Magic, Religion.

Helen Eddy