Land's Breath - Howe Śivani

Land's Breath traces the story of seventeen-year-old Jade, who is outwardly like any other prickly teenager dealing with irreconcilable loss but who is destined for an extraordinary journey of transformation. By the turns of fate, Jade finds herself at a spiritual retreat centre, headed by the enigmatic Lady on the Hill. The Lady, who has a mysterious connection to Jade, encourages her to confront her fears, her anger, her pain, to finally help her remember who she really is and why she had been brought there. The other characters-all-too-human in their imperfections and vulnerabilities-and the lively beings of the forest open Jade up to different ways of relating to the world, bringing to light parts of herself she had hidden away. The calm yet delightful natural beauty is layered over with two of Jade's most powerful experiences: one, a literal trial by fire, and the other reaching a crescendo with a magical, visually stunning episode that changes her, and the reader forever.