Andarta is the first book in The Ascending Veil Series by Leanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy. The story follows twin sisters Emilia and Clara, who discover they are the human hosts for the ancient goddesses Andarta and Eir. As they grow up, they encounter various challenges, including Clara’s disappearance during a rescue mission against human traffickers. Emilia, infused with Andarta’s powers, joins forces with her Viking ancestor Brennhir and other divine allies to save victims of human trafficking. They face numerous obstacles, including powerful evil entities like Leandro Mammon. Throughout their journey, they rescue many victims and reunite them with their families, all while seeking justice for Clara’s disappearance. The book highlights the horrors of human trafficking and the strength and determination required to combat it.

Set against a backdrop of an enduring struggle between light and dark forces, the narrative weaves Norse mythology into contemporary conflicts, notably human trafficking. The story is complex but is aided by a character glossary that helps readers to follow along. Themes of resilience and justice dominate the plot. Leanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy’s dedication to human trafficking survivors is apparent in their writing. The writing style is detailed, with dialogue that captures the essence of each character. Occasional humor balances the darker themes, providing a reprieve without detracting from the story’s gravitas. The melding of historical flashbacks, mystical lore, and action-packed sequences is engaging. Andarta is a compelling tale of courage, family, and destiny. It skillfully introduces a rich mythology and sets the stage for future installments. The book will appeal to readers of epic fantasies that blend mythological roots with contemporary narratives.

Andarta: The Ascending Veil is a spellbinding fantasy by co-authors Leanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy that sheds light on a grave social issue--human trafficking. This tale introduces us to twins Emilia and Clara Benning who were raised in the small Midwestern town of Ottawa, Illinois. They grew up hearing their grandfather's stories about their powerful Viking ancestor, Brennhir Torox. When they were 16, Emilia and Clara's family relocated to Forest Hills, Seraphim City. Both girls are deeply moved by the presence of human trafficking plaguing their beloved city. This social injustice awakens a tenacious spirit in the twins as they decide to take a stand against this appalling infringement of human rights. However, when a critical rescue mission ends in tragedy surrounding Clara, Emilia has to tap into her inner strength and awaken Andarta's supernatural powers within her. Can Emilia achieve justice on behalf of Clara and the victims of human trafficking?

Andarta: The Ascending Veil does an incredible job of raising awareness and encouraging action against the prevalence of human trafficking today. Leanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy flawlessly intertwine mythical elements and modern social issues in this riveting tale. Emilia and Clara Benning's journey--in addition to the experiences of the human trafficking victims--makes this novel one of the most engaging, deeply emotional, and thought-provoking books to read this year. Fortunately, Emilia does not have to battle the forces of evil alone. She has the tremendous support of her skuldalið--her Norse god family. Together, they seek justice on behalf of the victims of human trafficking. Trust me, it's an outstanding journey you won't want to miss. Overall, the character evolution, plot development, and character interactions are perfectly executed throughout this mesmerizing tale. I urge fantasy and Norse and Greek mythology fans to grab this captivating novel today.

Andarta: The Ascending Veil, Book 1 by Leanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy combines modern-day realities with mystical, ancient Norse mythology. Twins Emilia and Clara Benning are unaware of how the tales of the deeds of their Viking ancestors, told to them as children, would become terrifyingly real and fundamental to their futures. The girls’ paths diverge in adulthood, with Emilia drawn toward law and justice, and Clara naturally heading into nursing and caring for humanity. It will take the plague of human trafficking to bring the two girls together in a quest to wipe out the evil practice and unleash the true powers of Andarta, Eir, and the pantheon of Norse gods. The two girls finally understand that they are human hosts to the Norse gods, Andarta and Eir.

Andarta is the first book in a series involving these characters and the Norse gods and their role on Earth in assisting humanity to achieve peace and equilibrium. Authors Leanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy have done a very good job of laying the groundwork for the future adventures of Emilia and Clara but also of their alter egos, Andarta and Eir. The authors use this first book to focus on the evil practice of human trafficking in all its guises. I appreciated that the focus was not just on sex trafficking. The story also focuses on the most predominant and often overlooked trafficking, that of sweatshop labor, whether it be the woman in a basement toiling away for long hours, churning out brand name shoes for nothing more than food and board, or the Latino farmworker slaving all hours for a wage that will never achieve freedom from the traffickers. As the story so rightly calls it - modern-day slavery. This is an interesting concept for a novel and I’m intrigued to see where the authors take their story next. I recommend this read.

Andarta: The Ascending Veil, Book 1 by Leanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy is a gripping young adult epic fantasy that transports readers to the dark and mysterious Seraphim City. In this powerful narrative, twin sisters Emilia and Clara Benning face an extraordinary challenge that intertwines ancient Viking mythology with contemporary social issues. The story delves deep into the sisters' journey as they must awaken ancient deities within themselves to combat a sinister underworld of human trafficking. Emilia's transformation becomes particularly pivotal as she embodies Andarta's legendary force while wrestling with profound personal loss and a burning desire to confront systemic evil.

Author team Leanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy show different and compatible skills in blending mythic elements with modern struggles. Their nuanced approach to storytelling creates a rich tapestry that explores themes of justice, sacrifice, and personal transformation within an exciting fantasy. The characters have much emotional depth, particularly Emilia, whose grief and resilience are a powerful narrative force that makes readers instantly relate to her. Vivid descriptions of exotic new places like Seraphim City reveal a complex urban landscape that feels both familiar and fantastical, with just the right amount of grit to keep young adult readers interested in the darker aspects of the story without it becoming overdone. The authors also masterfully balance intense action sequences with moments of deep introspection, ensuring readers remain deeply connected to the characters' internal journeys. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Andarta: The Ascending Veil as a compelling and thought-provoking read for fantasy fans.