Agnieska loves her village home in a quiet valley. But life is not all good - the corrupted Wood stands on the border full of malevolent power that threatens to overrun their lives. If not for the power of the Dragon, a mysterious wizard who keeps the Wood at bay, her lovely village would be overrun. In order to continue to protect them, however, the Dragon demands that every ten years a young maiden be handed over to him.Everyone in the area knows that Agnieska's best friend, Kasia, will be the one who is chosen. She is beautiful and kind and good, all traits that the Dragon seems to value. There is no way to save Kasia from being chosen and everyone knows it.
And then the dreaded day comes and it isn't Kasia who is chosen but Agnieska herself and for reasons she can't imagine. It turns out that the Dragon sees in her what runs through him - magic.
Locked in the tower castle with the Dragon, Agnieska slowly and reluctantly comes to use her powers and draw closer to the man who has imprisoned her. But when Kasia is taken by the Wood, Agnieska has no choice but to try to save her dearest friend. And from then on her life, the life of the Dragon, and all those she loves are changed and put in danger as the power of the Wood threatens to take over everything.
Inspired by Polish and Russian stories told to the author by her mother and grandmother, this is a lovely book to read. I don't usually like science fiction/fantasy but really enjoyed this one. Agnieska is a well developed character whose love for her friend and family and the valley she lives in practically leaps through the pages. The Dragon is mysterious and yet sympathetic. The danger of the Wood is all encompassing. Will it be destroyed? Read and find out!
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