Arcinaë, the last of the Damselflies--a winged race of enchanted beings-- must put aside her gentle nature and fight for her life and the lives of her unborn children in Jayel Gibson's latest novel, "Damselflies: An Ancient Mirrors Tale." Celtic mythology and Arthurian legend blend together seamlessly to create an incredible fantasy world, where Arcinaë lives, hunted by powerful human warlords who've attempted to obliterate the Damselfly population.

Synergy Books (2007)
ISBN 9781933538648
Reviewed by Ian McCurley (age 13) for Reader Views (10/07)

“Damselflies” begins when Ilerion and his servant, Nilus, are traveling through the country of Aelarggessae.  They come upon the ruins of what was the last settlement of the Damselflies.  The Damselflies were a winged pacifistic race of the enchanted.  Finding only one alive, they take her to a healer.  With both her wings and her pacifistic nature gone, the Damselfly wants revenge on those who brutalized and butchered her and murdered her people.  Ilerion vows to help her.  He discovers that Lord Lazaro, due to fear of a prophecy, has been ordering the murder of all enchanted races in Grimmoire.  During their quest for revenge, Ilerion and Nilus train the Damselfly whose name is Arcinae to fight.  After her training, Ilerion sends Arcinae to Revere in Aedracmorae.  She travels there through the Ancient Mirrors to meet with the Dragon Queen, Yavie.  The Dragon Queen uses her influence over the winged council to convince the Feie to rekindle the Light of Grimmoire.  During her stay with the Dragon Queen, Qwen, the estranged daughter of Yavie’s guardian Nall, helps Arcinae find the Sylph who give Arcinae her wings back in exchange for her immortality.  For her help, Qwen asks Arcinae to help the wizard Lohgaen to recover his birthright, the House of Lochlaen.  Meanwhile, Ilerion is gathering forces to defeat Lord Lazaro before he and his allies can take over Aelarggessae. 

The book “Damselflies” hooks the reader from the start, and the story flows well.  Jayel Gibson’s writing style is, as always, unique.  The characters are deep and dynamic with little unknown about them.  The mood of the book changes throughout its entirety.  The book is divided into two parts; I have only summarized the first.  I will not hint at the plot of the second part because it would give too much away, though the book does span two generations. 

This book is for ages 15 and up who enjoy reading fantastic tales of adventure.  “Damselflies” is the third in the Ancient Mirrors series.