After much brotherly-like teasing from Shayne and Ryland, the delegation of master metalsmiths grants Fairlie the master badge. Finally, she can visit her mother in Stanton who was only too happy to give up her adventurous daughter at only nine seasons old to apprentice with the crown's metalsmith.

Shayne Weverton is desperate. Unbeknownst to Fairlie, he loves her and can't imagine surviving possibly months without her. What is he to do? He resorts to acting like an immature brat and campaigns to badger her until she recants her decision and stay.

King William holds a gala as a tribute to those who died during the Jutras attack. During the ceremony he congratulates Fairlie's for making master and unveils a statue she created; a sculpture with the features of Queen Nasen and symbols of the many who died in defense of Crosspointe. Its sheer beauty leaves the people speechless and thunderous applause. While most of the attendees congratulate her and petition her services, the two strange foreign ambassadors make her nervous. Prince Vaughn crashes the celebration. The two brothers leave to discuss business. Once safely in Ryland's quarters, they embrace. The disillusioned Prince Vaughn has not rebelled against his father. Rather he is a spy for King Williams.

The King has been molding Ryland, his son, testing whether his loyalty to Crosspointe is true. His final test is Fairlie. He must betray his best friends. If turned to spawn, she would become a compass-majicar. Is he honor bound to Crosspointe, the King, or his conscious, but it must be done soon.

The day after the ceremonies Shayne meets as agreed with Fairlie who wants to give thanks to Chayos. As par for the course, they argue until he does the unthinkable. He risks their friendship and kisses her, finally telling her he loves her. Faced with his true feelings, she must decide if she only harbor friendship for him. Confused she travels into the Maida to Chayos. At the center the speaker of Chayos, Naladei warns Failie that her destiny cannot be avoided.

TURNING TIDE by Diana Pharaoh Francis is complex tale of the different loves and families one can have. How much will a person give up for love and family? How much will they go against their nature for love and family? It is an adventure fantasy with elements of romance. Ms. Francis brings out the danger to Fairlie from the first page thru the end of the book. I want to see what happens next.

Book Summary

They were the best of friends: Ryland, the son of the king, is bound by loyalty. Shaye is both a majicar and a Weverton, both rebellious factions. Fairlie, a fiery metal-smith, is the iron bond that held them all together. Until now.

Crosspointe’s greatest advantage at sea is its ship’s compasses—but the compass makers are dying. Without them, Crosspointe will fall. To save his country and repel the coming Jutras invasion, the king orders Ryland to commit an unforgivable act. And soon Ryland, Shaye, and Fairlie find themselves at war…with each other.