Firebird Rising — Jessi Hammond

Six hundred years before the founding of the Kingdom, the island of Kaikara was a collection of towns and villages and remote farmholds settled by those fleeing death and slavery by the Kalnari Empire on the Mainland. But now death and possible slavery have found them again, this time in the form of a man seeking vengeance, and riding a creature spawned by dark magic. Only three friends have any hope of saving Kaikara and its people. Cathira, one of the magic-wielding Hidden Folk, who lives apart and alone. Ariliri, a unicorn foal who has terrifying prophetic dreams. And Rhydian, a young man who discovers secrets in his past that will change his future. Three friends who will risk their lives to keep their island home free. Three friends whose lives will change forever when the firebird rises…