The Ballad of Ronan #1

THE BALLAD OF RONAN #1 is a captivating YA adventure that strikes a delicate balance between light-heartedness and dramatic depth. While it may not have enough jaw-dropping moments to fully grab the reader’s attention, it sets the stage for an intriguing storyline that leaves us wanting more.

The story begins with a poignant flashback to centuries ago in Ireland, where a sickly baby named Ronan is born to a woman who tragically passes away shortly after childbirth. Desperate to save his son, the father prays to the spirit world, and two Fae appear in his sleep, exchanging the dying infant for a fae child.

Fast forward to the present day, we meet Aisling, an orphan who has struggled to find a permanent foster family due to her outbursts, delinquency, and challenging behavior. On her sixteenth birthday, she decides to run away for good, no longer part of the placement program. Before leaving, she has a final conversation with Father Jack, who provides her with all the information he has about her deceased mother.

After bidding hasty farewells, stealing some pocket money, and getting a spontaneous tattoo, Aisling boards a bus to visit her mother’s grave. As she arrives in town, she decides to stay, and the issue concludes with an intriguing mix of new friendships, a mysterious visitor, and a foreboding dark attack.

The Ballad of Ronan #1 presents a heartfelt and engaging narrative, painting a vivid picture of Aisling’s journey. While it may not offer groundbreaking moments, it lays the groundwork for an enticing plot that leaves us eagerly anticipating what comes next.