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To save the world she must die!

La’tiera is the beautiful and young Bearer of the Eye, a birthmark that signifies her as the savior of the world. Her birth, 19 years ago, began the latest Time of Trial. Now, the Herald, a fiery comet that is coming closer and closer to their world, has everyone scared, not knowing the exact time when the portal will open and whether they will live to see tomorrow.

La’tiera has prepared all of her life thanks to her uncle, the aging viscount of the kingdom. The only other person she had ever remembered having contact was her lady–in-waiting, Mela. The woman made sure that La’tiera was properly bathed and oiled everyday, brought her her meals and kept a close eye on the girl, especially when she went outside to the garden, enclosed by a high wall. La’tiera was taught that she must be a Willing Sacrifice when the portal opens. Her pure body and soul will appease the Demons and keep them from entering the world and destroying everything and everyone.

One day a traveling troupe of performers arrive in the city, seeking to entertain with their juggling, acrobatics, music and more. But they have a secret agenda. They are part of a larger group who generally seek out the Bearer to teach them how the Eye can be utilized to seek knowledge and the truth in saving the world. Their performances are censored and are not allowed to tell any stories of the Four Gods.

Before long, the sprite known as Aya, a playful, fun-loving little girl discovers La’tiera. They quickly become friends, even if La’tiera is a bit scared for Aya’s safety. But the thrill of having a friend and meeting someone new prevails.

Aya suspects that the large necklace La’tiera wears is covering something up. She tells Dal, a tall, dark and handsome performer who makes his way into the garden. It frightens La’tiera, but excites her. She becomes infatuated with the young man who spins stories for her.

Once Dal confirms his suspicions with Rostocha, the leader of the group and the other members, they kidnap La’tiera. They are only wanting her to be safe and to get the necklace off of her so the Eye will develop properly in the remaining few days so she can save the world. But they are taken aback when they discover what she has been taught and that she believes she must kill herself.

It’s a hard road trying to convince her they are right and her uncle is up to something. In the interim of her semi-imprisonment, she learns to live as she meets villagers, watches the troupe perform up close, learns to dance and actually gets to see dogs, cats, horses, etc. for the first time outside of a textbook from her uncle’s library. She see-saws between trusting and believing Dal, Aya and the other members or believing in what she has been taught her entire life.

Now the performers are on the run but trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible by keeping to their normal routine. It doesn’t take long for trouble to find them. But will it be in time before the Time of Trial? And will La’tiera trust the visions she is now seeing through the Eye and the knowledge supplied by Dal and the others; or will she sacrifice herself to save the world? She must decide between the Demons that she knows exists or the Four Gods, which she knows have left the world centuries ago.

Willing Sacrifice (Zumaya Otherworlds) is Gloria Oliver’s third book. Her character development and dialogue is very realistic. Although it is a fantasy book, Oliver steers clear of the typical trappings of magic wands, spellcasting, et al. With the exception of the necklace that blocks the Eye the same way lead prevents Superman from looking through something, most of the story is based in a very realistic world that would’ve existed in the days of castles, horse-drawn wagons, traveling roadshows and fairytale princesses.

The tale is a fun and relatively quick read at only 214 pages and is safe enough for teens and adults who don’t like a lot of bloodshed or cursing.

It could use a little more action and danger, but the pacing is great and she keeps the story interesting. Check her book out at Zumaya Publications or find Oliver at a convention in Texas or the surrounding states. She’ll be the one with dark hair and a bright, friendly smile.

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