Blood Mage Chronicles

Anais, the 11-year-old daughter of a fishmonger, enters the Great House of Brightshire as a scullery maid. Isolated from her peers, she fears a life of solitude and menial chores. In Brightshire, magic is strictly prohibited and after the tedium of the kitchens, when Anais discovers a manuscript that outlines methods for practicing the art of blood magic, she throws herself full throttle into practicing magic. At first she just practices simple spells for her own amusement, but when one of the girls from the kitchens goes missing - amidst rumors of monsters rising in the south and devouring townspeople - Anais decides to use her new skills to find the missing girl. In her search, she accidentally befriends the Lord of Brightshire's youngest son, Cedric, and then his cousin Mediera. Finally having friends she cares for is great, but practicing illegal magic and fraternizing with those above her station leave Anais in more danger than she can handle.