I love this book. I believe it will be in my 'all-time-favorite' list. My first series from Michael Wisehart.
This book (or series since it's the second) is about a 13yo boy named Ayrion. He was banished from his tribe because he's the best among them, and when you're the best you are either esteemed or despised then be followed or be kicked out. And leaving his tribe is the best way to keep his life and his family safe. (his banishment was the main plot of the first book). His father advised him to flee to Aramoor, a capital city of their land where he can stay and start a new life....thus the adventure of his life begin.
Ayrion has a strong character. He won't back down from a bully but swallow a beating if it will save his loved ones...well up to a point, really. He is mature for his age...so mature that I sometimes thought he is eighteen instead of thirteen. Though his maturity is attributed from his tough training and wise father who never failed to teach him how to be honest and honorable. I just wish that he was allowed to show his age through a little mischief or two or childish act about this and that. There's a tiny bit of childishness in there no matter how mature you are, even adults act juvenile sometimes.
What I like about this book is that it teaches the young readers 3 things: 1) no matter who you are, where you came from, what you can or cannot do you are worth something:
“Just look at these kids,” I said, pointing back to the open door. “They’re wounded in battle, but instead of being cared for and treated with respect for their service, they’re thrown into the streets like soiled rags.
“I don’t want to live like that. I’ve seen firsthand what it does. Everyone is worth something. Everyone should be given a chance to make something of themselves.” I laid a hand on his shoulder. “I can’t think of anyone more capable of taking what other people deem worthless and turning it into something worthwhile. Just look at me.”
2) that your environment, social status or upbringing shouldn't dictate what you should become – a good or bad person. Like Ayrion who grew up in a harsh society of assassins, train to become killer but brought up by a loving family, a caring mother and a philosophical father. He chose to always do the right thing no matter what the cause. He isn't the Mary Sue type because he can drop you off and turn his back on you if it's integral. Or Reeve who was brought up and apprenticed by a responsible father who was murdered and chose not to avenge him and become a healer to honor him instead. And Sapphire who escaped from a tyrannical father and negligent mother and chose to be a strong survivor than a whinny victim. Even Tubby who was treated like a predatory animal until Ayrion rescued him and turned out to be a protective ally.
3) that friendship and family matters, whoever that family is (biological, gang, tribe, guild, group etc)
The book showcased fighting, street politics, and humour (if you're smart enough to see it). It has a simple plot – surviving the street life in the world governed by gang of thieves and a Guild of corrupt leaders. Simple yet gripping, but a promise of a more sinister plot in the books to come. I can't wait to see the next book and the next, and the next and the next.