In the second book in the Veiled Flame series, author Meg Kramer continues to build her fascinating dual witch and human world based in San Francisco and Portland, Oregon.

When teenage witch Amoura Renly returns to Elderwood school for her second year, she turns down the opportunity to become a Champions Cadet; Champions are a branch of the ruling Elemental witches that seek to eliminate all Spirit witches. Amoura, in fact, has been hiding her identity as a Spirit witch.

In retaliation for Amoura’s rejection, the Cadets force Amoura’s closest friend, Bea, to train as a Cadet, participating in raids on suspected individuals and carrying out harsh interrogations. Bea pushes Amoura away to protect her, but Amoura isn’t easily sidelined.

Amoura has spent most of her life in the human world with her adoptive dads, but now she’s learning to cast more spells and fly on her besom, a traditional name for a broom. Learning that the Champions are looking for magical artifacts, altering historical records and persecuting individuals, including Bea’s uncle, Amoura knows she must act.

The story’s main characters are well-rounded and believable—teens who can be brave but rash, loyal but secretive, and decisive but insecure—as is the cast of supportive adults and teachers. Powerful themes include dealing with trauma, friendship and community, identity and personal growth. Fantasy lovers will enjoy all the adventures, from flight school to shape-shifting to spell-breaking.

Amoura’s journey brings knowledge and loss, and Kramer deals with teenage emotions sensitively, particularly around grieving. In Bea’s sections, however, too much hyperbole sometimes dilutes the impact of high-stakes conflicts, as when Bea declares, “One fierce hug from Amoura and I’ll shatter into molecules.” Later sections of Bea’s story are oddly formatted as poetry, an unnecessary distraction.

Overall, though, this is a fast-paced story featuring an engrossing series of witchy adventures that will leave young adult readers eager for more.

Also available as an ebook.