Daughters of Orange Island - by J Elizabeth Freeman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In a world where myth and reality entwine, the enchanted archipelago near Orange Island holds ancient secrets, whispered tales of a magical life, and the promise of a hidden gateway to a mystical kingdom. Drawn by Ponce de Leons' fables, alchemists and scholars from distant lands erected a castle of enchanted coral, aligned perfectly with the stars, intent on unlocking the mythical gate. For generations, the High Order trained and bred their chosen daughters to protect their sacred lineage, safeguarding magical texts penned by each reigning Magda - the Druid Queen herself. Six generations strong, these daughters carry the power to break the ancient seal and reclaim a paradise hidden from time.

Yet, as modernity encroaches and colonization darkens the land, native tribes are enslaved, their lives torn apart by the relentless advance of Christianity and capitalism. Trapped between a world of ancient magic and a brutal new order, the daughters of Orange Island struggle to preserve their heritage, even as their sacred lands are crushed.

With each generation, the council's power grows, and so do the dangers. The ancient rituals hidden within Coral Castle draw envy and fury, especially from the monks who desire to possess the women - and their secrets. Can the sacred daughters defy the forces against them and open the long-lost gate, or will the magic of the island fall to ruin, forever lost to the unforgiving pages of history?