The Colonies

"Dr. Emily McKiernan, Queen of Gunderic, stared daggers at her niece Frankie from across the judge's office. Emily had been summoned to the courthouse to pick up her wayward niece. Emily thought, "Great, this is the last thing my sister needs to deal with, a juvenile delinquent!" Her sister, Mackenzie, had fallen ill with cancer, and Emily was shocked at how fast she had spiraled downhill. Was Mackenzie going to suffer the same fate as their mother? Was Frankie suffering through the same emotions as Emily had in her teenage years? Emily's heart softened toward her niece, as she thought to herself, "Who dyed her hair black and purple? She's wearing eye makeup that makes her look like a raccoon! I don't even know this girl anymore. When did Frankie mature? I couldn't have been gone that long." Frankie was shocked to see her Aunt Emily in the judge's room. How dare her righteous aunt appear out of nowhere and swoop in, like Frankie was a project to fix! Where had Emily been the last ten years? Frankie noticed the shock on Aunt Emily's face as she glared at her across the judge's desk. Frankie thought, "Good! She should be shocked! My mom is dying and life is never going to be the same! Frankie stubbornly held back the tears that threatened to fall, the same tears she had been holding on to since her mother was diagnosed. Frankie's mom's sickness hung around her like a hangman's noose, and watching her slip away has taken its toll. Emily knew the only recourse was to sweep Mackenzie and Frankie off to the colonies. Up until now, Emily had no idea Frankie was dealing with a burden that she, too, had shouldered as a child. Emily squared her shoulders for what was to come next. It was time she stepped in and took over. She knew Frankie wouldn't be happy with another major upheaval in her life. Glancing at Frankie across the room, her arms crossed in defiance, she looked like a big ball of bad attitude. Emily took a deep breath and hoped the colonies were ready for Frankie. From cramming for her placement exams in a new school to learning unicorns really do exist, Frankie's story takes you on a wild adventure of lifelong friendships and otherworldly excitement. Come along with Frankie and her friends on a unique journey filled with strange looking giants, little gnomes and forests full of dangerous creatures." --Amazon description.