![Candidate (The Black Mage Book 3) by [Carter, Rachel E.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51OfBbs3XQL.jpg)
Title: Candidate (The Black Mage Book 3) | Author: Rachel E. Carter | Pages: 382 | Genre: Dark Fantasy - Sword and Sorcery | Recommended Age: Young Adult
Welcome to the Candidacy. Where dreams go to die.
Twenty-year-old Ryiah is a black mage of Combat, but she's not the Black Mage. Yet. She's had her eyes on the legendary robe for as long as she can remember, and in just one year, she will have a chance at her country's prestigious--and only--tourney for war mages... Too bad she is going up against a certain prince--the one person she has yet to beat.
The Candidacy finally arrives and a winner is robed, but something dark is lurking in her kingdom's midst. Rival nations are closing in, and it's time to make an alliance.
Unfortunately for Ryiah, that's only the beginning. The worst enemy resides in the palace.
In this year of the candidacy, Ryiah faces her worst trials yet and has to make heart-wrenching choices. There is something sinister going on and Ryiah figures out who is behind it all. Whose side will she choose when her love and loyalty are at stake?
I found Book 3 to be one of the most disturbing books in the series with several traumatic events. Despite the dark content, every page had me hooked. Will Ryiah and Darren finally get their happily ever after? Hopefully we'll find out in Book 4, the last book in the series.
