As summer disappears and the weather starts to change, there is no better way for young adult readers to unwind than by curling up on the sofa with a captivating book. If your literary tastes lean toward fantasy, mystery and magic combined with a dash of historical intrigue, then Zoe Kalo’s Daughter of the Sun is a must-read. Daughter of the Sun is YA mythological fantasy that offers a thrilling escape that will appeal to teens, young adults and even grown-up readers looking for something fresh and imaginative.
Despite the title of this book, you can drop any assumptions about its content – it isn’t a tale about sun-drenched poolside drama, or a tale of a pampered teenager lounging in luxury. Instead, Daughter of the Sun, part of the Cult of the Cat series by Zoe Kalo, introduces us to Trinity, a 16-year-old orphan with a fiery temper and a mysterious past. She was born during a total solar eclipse and abandoned on the doorstep of a convent in the English countryside and spent her life under the care of nuns, shielded from the outside world and burdened by unanswered questions. Her life takes a dramatic turn just weeks before her 17th birthday, that coincides with a lunar eclipse, when Dr. Nassri arrives with astonishing news: Trinity has a grandmother, and she wants to meet her.
Trinity is whisked away to Kedilerin Ada, a secluded island off the coast of Istanbul. This island is also known as the Island of Cats. Here she is thrust into a world that is as eerie as it is enchanting. But her reunion with her long-lost grandmother is short-lived. Before Trinity can even speak to her, tragedy strikes, leaving her orphaned once again. Left in the company of Dr. Nassri and her daughter Ara, Trinity begins to unravel the secrets of her past – along with the island’s strange feline inhabitants.
What follows is an exciting, gripping story of self-discovery, ancient curses and mythological revelations. Her desire to understand her past and where she came from leads her to some important discoveries; the significance of an ancient papyrus that was left with her as a baby, the meaning behind her strange, vivid dreams, the bizarre behaviour of the thousand cats that freely roam the island and her developing feline abilities. As she delves deeper into her past, what she discovers is a world of Egyptian gods and goddesses, demons and a powerful legacy… one that come with dangerous consequences.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Daughter of the Sun, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in this story of mythological fantasy. The writing is vivid, immersive and intriguing and superbly blends the mystique of ancient Egypt with the complexity of a modern-day teenager. The story travels along at a nice pace, with just enough twists and revelations to keep teenager readers turning those pages. Trinity is very a very compelling character with her strong-will and impulsiveness, refreshingly authentic . Her struggles with abandonment, adolescence and her identity are portrayed with empathy and depth.
The story is one that combines ancient mythology with a modern-day contemporary setting and Zoe Kalo has written it in such an impressive fashion that it works extremely well. The fusing of ancient lore with supernatural elements, coupled with teenage angst and modern-day life I thought was handled with finesse and it all gelled together very well, ensuring that the story never felt forced or overwhelming, rich in atmosphere and character.
If I had one negative critique, it would be that I thought that the ending felt a bit abrupt – I wasn’t ready to leave Trinity’s world just yet. This is the first book in the Cult of the Cat series, so hopefully there is more to come, although as of yet there doesn’t seem to be any follow up and I would to see where the story goes next.
I thought that this was an excellent YA fantasy. It is a novel that offers a lot more than just pure escapism. It’s a tale of transformation with mystery and magic, one that will resonate with teenager and young adult readers. It has a unique plot with engaging characters and an evocative setting. Expect thrills, chills and a whole lot of cats.
Rating: 4.5/5
RRP: £10.99 (paperback) / £3.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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