IMC’s omnichannel vision is bold and compelling. Like Wise Child (1987), to which it is a prequel, this focuses on contrasting value systems while providing some suspense plus food for thought. As the CEO of Juniper Commerce and Market by IMC, Bill Furlong often draws on his 25 years of experience in digital innovation and leadership. Meanwhile, Juniper comes to terms with her jealousy toward the new brother who now supplants her as her father's heir. Still, Furlong develops her characters with insight and provides enough intriguing details in this imaginary world to hold attention until the more vigorous action at the end, when Juniper and a friendly page contrive to rescue her best friend from witch-aunt Meroot with the aid of their own courage, a secret tunnel, and the magic at their disposal. Two thirds of the novel concerns Juniper's education, a curiously loveless process that, paradoxically, is supposed to be obediently endured without complaint even while it fosters independence. Finally, she goes home, where her father's evil older sister, Meroot, is plotting for his throne using her new power, Juniper outwits her. Months later, the two travel to the more hospitable home of another doran (wise woman), and Juniper completes the rites that make her a doran. As her training comes to an end, Juniper discovers that her power-hungry aunt is using black magic to seize the throne. Juniper's gift is already apparent, and she imagines that Euny will share both herbal lore and magic instead, she finds primitive accommodations, a harsh, taciturn taskmaster, and an uncomfortably ascetic life: reality, Euny says, is her teacher. Though Juniper enjoys the easy life of a medieval princess, she chooses to learn about herbs, healing, and the magic within nature from her strange and difficult godmother. Years after the time of King Arthur, the daughter of a minor Cornish king reluctantly elects to go to her godmother, Euny, for training in the healing arts.

Juniper furlong