Sorry it's been so long. School has me swamped. Luckily, I only have about three weeks left until my winter break, so I should be able to comment more regularly soon.

I found this chapter to be rather sudden. I don't remember seeing Anika getting any training on how to use Naraiya (or maybe she did earlier and I just don't remember? If so, disregard that comment). And Mr. Howard just seems to come across as over the top when he gets mad at Olivia - I haven't really seen much reason for him to hate her like he does. Mistrust, yes, but the emotions he's showing seem a little too much for the circumstances. I guess I could see him losing his temper like he did if there was evidence of some special connection between him and Anika, but I haven't really seen anything out of the ordinary there, either.

Again, sorry it's been so long since I've reviewed!

-starsarewatching

Yours was the quickest return review I have ever received on Fictionpress! Haha, all right, Chapter 2...

I thought Doric surrendered the magic mirror to that Rennor fellow... So how come Anika had access to it?

'Vendor’s cries filled the air' = Vendors' cries

I don't really have anything else other than to say this was an interesting chapter although the pacing was somewhat abrupt. I did think you could have prolonged the tension slightly when she met the stranger in silver armor rather than conclude it so quickly.

This is a good prologue you have here; it leaves a lot of questions that do not exasperate but rather provides a sense of anticipation for chapters to come.

The interactions between the characters are believable and the dialogue doesn't feel stilted. So all-in-all, nice work here

This is awesome so far. You should consider getting it published, it's that good! I can tell that you've defnitely put a lot of effort into the characters and the plot.
Now that Anika lost Naraiya to the Chancellor, I wonder what he will do to them? Well, whatever it is, it won't be good...

Oh, intense! Can't wait to see what happens next!

Great work so far. I'm really interested to see how you play this out, although the story line tends to get a bit confusing. But other than that, this is good!

Aw, this was really moving. I was touched. It must suck for Olivia.
Keep up the good work!

This is coming along nicely, but I'm really anxious to find out what the heck is going on! What can the mirror actually do? Why was Anika chosen to be the Guardian? What will happen next?
I guess I need to stay tuned in! ;)
Keep up the good work!

Oh, I love this so far!!

Wow, excellent prologue. The way you wrote the beginning was very mystical and fantasy-like, great work. I am interested to see how the story progresses!
--IWG

i love your story! your very descriptive and i like how you describe the characters' apprearences.

Ooh, this just got better! I went back and read the extra info in chapter 3 that you posted, and it really adds to the history of Ellan. Especially how you've broken the centuries into different periods, such as the 48th century Siennel and the 3rd century Adonn which is what they're in now.

The bit where the portraits were painted black as though, Anika commented, "they had been wiped from the face of the universe" was chilling. And I like it how you've linked the portaits to later on in this chapter, where Anika and Michael hope to find the Great Witch Tamal.

Please update soon. So many questions to answer that I don't even know where to begin! Aargh!

I like the way you've shown more of the character's emotions for one another, especially Michael. There's no doubting the new depth of their feelings after everything they've been through, such as when Michael accused Olivia of being a traitor. I wonder if she is a traitor, or if Michael was so paranoid that he picked on her anyway?
Anyway, keep up the great work.

Vez

WOW! I really love this story! Firstly the name you've used are brilliant, I like how Anika sounds like a human name but also fits into the Ellanian-sounding names as well. I can see some danger of her getting a bit annoying - the girl who has stupidly powerful control, but doesn't see her own worth - but at the moment she's an engaging character. Michael as well I really like - poor man! I was really getting into his relationship with Olivia when she was revealed as a traitor. I still have faith that she will choose the right side =) This last chapter was slightly confusing - I think there was a bit too much information to take in, but in general I'm really liking your setting and history; it's clear you've put a lot of thought into them. The whole "last of the bloodline" thing is also a little bit overdone, but I'm confident you'll be able to pull it off. Oh, and the kids in the town who played with Anika, they're brilliant as well, especially the twins! I hope they'll have a more prominent role later on. Anyway, I'm rambling, but this was really good, I'm so glad I took the time to read it through. I'm really looking forward to later chapters!

how many chapters are you planning to write?