Foremost By Jody Hedlund

Maribel is completely content at the convent.

Well, mostly. But only her best friend, Edmund, realizes she's not. And he's willing to take her hunting in the woods whenever she needs to satisfy her thirst for adventure.

In fact, that's how the biggest adventure she's ever had begins--an intruder in the woods who claims Maribel is actually a princess. Who claims she holds a key to a long-lost treasure. And who claims she must meet up with her recently-discovered sister to save her nation.

Oh, and Edmund can come along too, of course.

While we're already on the topic of Edmund--I was very pleasantly surprised with his character. In most medieval fiction (especially for young adults), the male character is able to do any physical activity presented to him, likely a general or somebody in the army, and good-looking besides.

Edmund is admittedly weak. He couldn't keep up with the training his mentor gave him. He fails sometimes. He gets hurt. Sometimes he loses. And that's what kept him interesting.

His dynamic with Maribel was also very well-written--the story of two best friends realizing they're changing. And changing together.

The element of the Fera Agmen was very interesting--how Edmund can talk to animals in their language. It added a new, intriguing element to the story. (And really, what's not to love about a wolf named Barnabas?)

Only negative I can think of off the top of my head was that a scene in the climax felt a bit rushed, but it might have had to be to convey the character's feelings.

That being said, that's why I've chosen Hereafter as my book of the month. Unique characters, unique relationships, and a wolf named Barnabas.