Unbidden Magic Bk. 1:
Moonstone
by Marilee Brothers

    MOONSTONE by Marilee Brothers
    Category:  Paranormal
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  8/1/08
    Publisher:  Bell Bridge Books
    Reviewed by:  Allison Fraclose
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Fifteen-year-old Alfrieda Emerson already had enough to deal with before finding out she has freaky psychic
    powers.

    Crammed into a one bedroom trailer with her mother on her half-uncle’s property, Allie's life has been pretty
    miserable since her mom decided (thanks to Oprah) that she has fibromyalgia and can't work anymore. Every
    Thursday, her mother's lawyer, "Big Ed," comes to spend the night, and Allie has to escape to her creepy neighbor's
    opulent home.

    The eccentric Kizzy keeps telling Allie that she has the Gift, but Allie never believed her until a fall from a ladder into
    the bull pasture triggers something strange in Allie's brain, and she's suddenly able to keep the bull from charging her
    with a mere thought. Later that night, a hippyish ghost named Trilby appears out of nowhere, claiming to be Allie’s
    spirit guide.

    Apparently, Allie has passed “the first test,” but Trilby refuses to tell her anything more, except that Allie is part of an
    ancient prophecy.  

    Things get weirder when Kizzy gives Allie a moonstone pendant that has been in her family for generations, saying
    that Allie is meant to have it. If this piece of jewelry means even more magic, Allie wants nothing to do with it. But
    despite her reluctance, she finds herself in the middle of a magical tug-of-war between those who would misuse the
    power of the moonstone and those who would see the prophecy fulfilled.

    It's time for her to live up to her destiny as "The Maiden Who is Strong of Mind" so she can protect the people that
    she loves.

    This first book in the new UNBIDDEN MAGIC series starts off with great promise, and draws the reader into
    Allie's world, where ancient conspiracy and magic meet the most common of circumstances. Watching the main
    character grow to take charge of her life and deal with her new role left me itching to read the next book and find
    out what happens to her.