Lady Mhysra Kilpapan was blessed from birth with a distinguished family, a glorious home and a giant eagle miryhl of her own. Fully aware of her luck, she wants for nothing in life – except a chance to become a Rift Rider. The elite force of the Overworld has been closed to women for over one hundred years and not even the legendary Wingborn are allowed to join. Until now.Women are being admitted to the Riders again and Mhysra wants to be first in line. Except her parents have other ideas, and there are plenty of others who are less than pleased about the change. Yet if Mhysra can find a way to reach Aquila, she will let nothing stop her.But the Overworld is in trouble and the vicious kaz-naghkt are destroying Rift Rider bases one by one. The Riders need help. Can Mhysra and her friends really be the difference between survival and destruction? Or will they fail before their first year of training is through? Having an overactive imagination hasn't always been a good thing: I spent much of my childhood scared of the dark and terrified by the stories my older sister told me (mostly to stop her being the only one afraid of the dark). These days I find it useful. I love stories, I love fantasy, I love things with wings, stars and the world around me, and I have great fun combining them all into my stories.Born in the UK, I live in the wild south-west where I run around with my dogs and get bossed about by cats, while taking photos of gorgeous landscapes, reading lots of books and climbing rocks.I've also been known to write stories. For over one hundred years, women have been banned from joining the Rift Riders. No one really remembers why, or much cares, it's just the way things are.Or were. Because the Overworld is in trouble. The vicious kaz-naghkt are growing in strength, the dragons have hidden themselves away and humanity has only itself to turn to for help. And front and centre, the pride and protectors of the Overworld, are the Rift Riders.With their numbers dropping and recruits become hard to find, the Riders are about to make a drastic decision – to readmit women. And standing right at the head of the line is Lady Mhysra Kilpapan, daughter of an earl, niece of the best miryhl breeder on the Overworld, and Wingborn to Cumulo.Girl and giant eagle were born to be Rift Riders – and now, thanks to the new proclamation – they can be. But getting in is only the start of the adventure, and Mhysra, Cumulo and friends are about to discover that the Overworld is a far bigger and more dangerous place than they could ever imagine.
