Pacey and full of wit, this whimsical yet gripping adventure has a cast of likable characters who might just remind you of yourself. Meeting troubles head-on, triumphing, learning, growing. It’s what every teen who is growing up in a dysfunctional, abusive or violent home needs to hear.

Here we read of a young teen who is raised in a toxic environment, abused by her mother, bullied by her peers, raped by someone she had crushed on for many years, humiliated and taunted by neighbourhood kids. Every part of her young life has been a nightmare, an unending roller-coaster of excruciating experiences and debilitating encounters. However, a light burns in her; one nurtured by the love and visitations of her lover in the spiritual worlds.

Viviane is a lanky, shy teenager. Painfully aware of being tall, she feels altogether out of step with the other girls. But that’s not the main problem. The abuse at home fills her with the desire to escape, thus she looks for reasons not to go home after school. Her love of dancing helps her to do that and becomes a big part of her life. So too does playing in the school band and spending time reading at the library after school.

She finds comradeship in her first year of high school with her two new friends; they are brought together by ties stronger than themselves. Driving them is a sense of needing something more and of being capable of so much more.

At the start of the year, Viviane meets Glenda, a confident and happy girl whom she immediately clicks with. Glenda becomes a close friend and a major stabilising force in Viviane’s life. Their friendship is based on the many things they have in common. Neither girl really fits in, but now that they have each other, neither one feels the need to fit in.

Viviane has the potential to excel, but for her, school is just a way to pass the time. She tolerates her classes by sharing her quick-witted humour with Glenda, which helps to keep her from dying of boredom. She despises the mental straight-jacket that the whole system tries to impose…. so stifling and unimaginative! Fortunately, there is one class that grabs her attention though, and the man who teaches it is so interesting that he inspires her to listen intently and learn everything that he has to say. He will later become a major influence in all of their lives.

Her mind is hungry for learning and despite the boredom of her academic classes, she finds a way to satisfy her hunger for learning by studying more esoteric and mystical topics. This is what she and Glenda have in common – a fascination with other-worldly ideas. Satisfying that fascination through study and learning makes them both come alive.

Until now, there has been no teacher in Viviane and Glenda’s life who can deepen their interest and advance their knowledge of these things. Consequently, the girls feel a bit lost and their studies appear to be coming to a dead end. That is, until they approach a unique woman named Eleanor who  becomes their magical mentor.

Past experience has taught the teens that reality is never quite what it seems. Their new mentor confirms this and begins to show them brief insights into the true nature of reality. She shows them a world without borders – one that goes far beyond what their eyes and ears show them.

Eleanor knows how to truly control reality and introduces Viviane and Glenda to ideas that heighten their perception. However, before the girls will be able to use that power they must first triumph over themselves and their own adversities. We will see them triumph over these things in later novels.

Life isn’t easy for Viviane. School has its nasty side which causes her to sink into depression. The nastiest of girls tease, taunt, prod, and throw insults at her, causing her pain and embarrassment. Glenda does her best to support Viviane and proves to be a wonderful friend.

Luck turns in Viviane’s favour, and in the month of June a new friend comes into their lives. Vicky is a technology nerd who has a deeply intuitive knowledge of science and mathematics. She has noticed the way that these spiteful mean-girls treat Viviane, and she knows a few little tricks which will certainly deal with these vixens. With Vicky on the team, those classmates who think that being a bully is cool will soon learn a lesson or two!

As always there are lessons to be learned and obstacles to be overcome. Will the girls stick together, discover all that they can and join the ranks of the enlightened? These things will be revealed in the next novel in the series. Meanwhile, it may come as a shock to all three girls that an abundance of power does not denote an absence of evil. As they grow, so too does the evil around them, seeking to limit their potential and prevent them from succeeding on their journey.

Growing is perhaps the hardest thing to do in the world. It is a time of great change and discovery. For Viviane, her first year in high school was a torrid time. She was stretched to her limits and dealt with blow after blow throughout most parts of her life. Failing seemed inevitable and indeed did occur for her academically. However, a side road appeared and things changed for her where we see a new journey begin. This story is the journey of an unlikely heroine, a personality reborn in a cruel world that holds no regard or love for her. It is the story of a phoenix rising from the ashes of acerbic sorrows, enabled by latent powers and burgeoning friendship. It is a tale of impossibilities becoming possibilities, thorns become roses and underdogs becoming conquerors.

Join Viviane on her adventure as she is supported by her friends and as she discovers her own power. Follow her as she enters another dimension every night when she passes through the threshold of sleep. Feel her emotions as her spiritual partner visits her and reminds her not to forget who she is. Relate to her yearning for a place and time that tantalises and calls her from just beyond her reach. Share in her dreams, her thoughts, and her unlikely allies as they join together – much inspired by her trusted school-teacher Mr. Williams – to find a way to access this special place and unlock its meaning.

Join Viviane in The Bravehearts of Belgrave High and purchase your copy today in print and ebook. Look for it in your school library in the coming months.

The books of the Tolemac Chronicles are produced to raise funds for the Loving Heart Foundation. Click here to find out more about the Foundation.