Waer

'A new world of shape-shifters and a time-honored battle between good and evil come alive in Caddy's debut fantasy for teens.'--Kirkus

Life in the valley is a peaceful for the community of "waer"--humans who can take the form of a wolf. When a near-dead stranger washes up on the banks of the river she is cared for tenderly. But who is this young woman, and who caused her terrible wounds? Lowell Sencha, a young waer on the verge of manhood, seeks to find out more about the mysterious Lycaea, and her pursuers.

The truth is revealed soon enough as the forces of the evil warlord Daemon Leldh sweep into the valley. When Lowell's village, and everything he loves, is destroyed, he and Lycaea must travel to the city of her origins. Their challenge is to gather forces to fight Daeman Leldh. But a terrible secret about Lycaea's past will threaten the new bonds of their friendship.

Before Lowell and Lycaea can prevail in summoning the troops, Lycaea must face the trauma of the events that brought her into the warlord's power. And Lowell must discover whether he has the strength to forgive her. If the two young searchers are not able to reconcile the past, the future is in terrible peril.

Told in the alternating voices of Lowell and Lycaea, Waer is a powerful fantasy novel that holds the reader tight. Meg Caddy was just twenty-one when she penned this debut.