Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Battling the Unknown is the story of sixteen year old Katrina Rawl.  She lives with her aunt Helen.  She doesn’t remember her father, he died when she little.  Her mother died just a few years earlier.  Katrina lives in Umbrodia, a land ruled by an evil emperor.  Everyone was expected to conform.  No one was allowed to read because it encouraged free thinking.  The citizens were told what type of work they would do.  They lived on a strict schedule.  Katrina had a few precious books hidden.  She was a free thinker although she carefully hid the fact.

The emperor hated anyone named Rawl.  He thought he had destroyed all of them.  When he heard that Katrina existed he sent his guards to fetch her.  His plans included torture and death. Katrina overheard the soldiers talking and knew they were coming for her that evening.  She set out on a mission to find Amile the Warrior.  Her journey took her through a perilous trail through woods where there were tree spirits and shadows where there shouldn’t be shadows.  She meets Arlon a want to be hero, Tweety an adorable blue bird, and Barton the horse.  They become her companions and protectors.

This exciting book is amazing.  It was written by a high school junior.  She plans to donate all profits from this book to the homeless in New Hampshire.  She writes like a seasoned author.  The characters are multidimensional.  The plot is well developed, action packed and entertaining.  I did not want it to end.  My one complaint is the ending.  She leaves us with a cliff hanger.  I suppose this will be a series.  However, I felt let down that there was not more.  I hope the next book in this series is published soon.  While the focus of this book is Preteen, adults will enjoy it too.