The Water Mirror

Like many fantasy books, The Water Mirror by Kai Meyer does not disappoint.  The story is told through the perspective of a young girl named Merle living in Italy.  This is not normal Italy however, because magic is a part of citizen's everyday life, whether or not they are allowed to use it.  She is an orphan but is taken to work for a magic mirror maker who is very kind to her.  She does not mention while there that she has a magic mirror of her own.  Ever since Merle was born, she has had a magic water mirror that she can reach her whole arm into without getting wet.  Sometimes she can even feel someone holding her hand.  While working at the shop, she finds that the magic mirror maker has a rival who is a magic cloth weaver.  Merle and the other workers decide to do a prank on the magic cloth weaver.  It is while doing this prank that Merle meets Serafin, who will soon be her right-hand man for all their adventures.  Soon Italy is taken over by the Egyptian empire and Merle finds that none of them are safe, especially those who possess magic.  Together, Serafin and Merle flee together but are unable to get far because of the many soldiers patrolling the streets riding on stone lions.  Will Merle and Serafin reach safety?  You will have to read it to find out.  The Water Mirror is the first of a trilogy and my favorite.  It gives you the right amount of action and mystery.  I recommend this book to fantasy lovers!