Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

 

After her mother's death in a car accident, Bree Matthews, sixteen, is determined to get away.  She can't stay in her home and town where every sight reminds her of her loss.  An opportunity comes her way and she and a friend are accepted into a program at the University of North Carolina for teenagers where they can move ahead and take college courses.  They will live in a dorm.  Although her father is reluctant for her to leave, he thinks it could be good for her.

Their first night the two girls go with a friend to an off-campus activity.  That is against the rules but what happens is worse.  The party is broken up by a odd light that Bree can see but others can't.  That is, except for the fighters who rush to take care of the beast from another world.

Bree meets Nick and he introduces her to the society.  It is based on Arthurian legend and its mission is to protect humans from the beasts from another dimension.  Nick is this generation's Arthur and will eventually rule the society.  He is in love with Bree and she falls under his spell.  There is also Sel, Nick's protector and a mighty warrior.  He is suspicious of Bree and thinks she might be a threat.  Bree is not but her native ability plus her connection to root magic through her bloodline make her something different, something the society has never seen.  Will she get her answers before the beasts can take over the world?

This is a YA fantasy.  The author knows the world of UNC and Chapel Hill where the university is located well and readers from the area will delight in the references to well known landmarks.  It is the first in what is planned as a two book series.  The twist at the end of the novel will insure that there is plenty of material for a second book and the references to the Arthurian legend will play well with younger readers.  This book is recommended for YA and fantasy readers.