In a world where humans have mysteriously disappeared, animals have evolved into becoming humanoids known as humanimals. Some of them became archeologists and they discover the artifacts the humans left behind across the entire world. One of those archeologists is Tarskin, a black fox. His world changes when he meets an arctic fox named Kitvie who has no memories of who she is. Tarskin then decides to take her in as his apprentice and tries to train her into becoming a great archeologist like himself. However, Kitvie is not just an ordinary humanimal, she posesses mysterious and powerful telekinetic powers which she has problems controlling. Not only that, Kitvie's wanted by a mysterious colobus monkey, Silvano, who chases the duo around the world to kidnap Kitvie but can also provide information about her past. The duo must now be on the run from Silvano as they travel the archeological world, finding artifacts, taking down bad guys, and trying to discover the person who Kitvie was before.
Lorelei Balansa is an author and character designer who has written the Inventor Tarskin series and stand-alone novels such as Feral Hybrids and Dreamworld. She specializes in writing fictional novels suitable for general audiences.
Balansa comes from a mixed Mexican and Filipino heritage. She has gained her interest in storytelling at the young age of 10 and began studying to become an author at the age of 13. Balansa became interested in storytelling by mainly watching TV shows and movies.
Embark upon a realm where the boundaries of imagination stretch endlessly, and anticipation lingers at every turn within the narrative of "Inventor Tarskin: The Telekinetic Apprentice" by Lorelei Balansas. The tale unfurls, introducing readers to the inventive genius, Tarskin, and his apprentice endowed with telekinetic prowess, Kitvie.
Upon initiating my exploration of the book's pages, I was promptly transported into an exhilarating odyssey, replete with enigma, awe, and revelations. Tarskin's acumen as both an inventor and archaeologist adds a distinctive layer to the storyline, beckoning readers to delve into a domain where technology seamlessly intertwines with magic.
The crux of the narrative lies in the dynamic between Tarskin and Kitvie, as they embark on a quest to unveil the mysteries of the bygone era, navigating through formidable challenges. Balansas' narrative prowess effortlessly draws readers into their sphere, immersing them in a lush tapestry woven with elements of adventure and intrigue.
What truly distinguishes "Inventor Tarskin: The Telekinetic Apprentice" is its imaginative backdrop and a vibrant ensemble of characters. Whether it be the bustling streets of anthropomorphic cities or the ancient remnants of a forgotten civilization, each locale is meticulously brought to life with vivid intricacies, facilitating an easy submersion into the narrative.
While the plot brims with twists and turns, there were instances where a desire for more profound exploration in specific domains surfaced. Nevertheless, these trivial qualms were overshadowed by the sheer delight of witnessing the unfolding escapades of Tarskin and Kitvie.
In summary, "Inventor Tarskin: The Telekinetic Apprentice" is an enchanting chronicle that caters to readers of all age groups. Balansas' imaginative narrative style and the compelling nature of the characters render this a mandatory read for those yearning for a taste of escapism and adventure. I eagerly anticipate forthcoming chapters in this captivating series, intrigued to witness the trajectory of Tarskin and Kitvie's journey.
In a world where the Evolution of Man has been turned upside down, humans have become extinct and animals (humanimals) have taken over as the dominant species. Tarskin, a black fox whose passion is inventing things, is an archaeologist’s apprentice to Ruster, a racoon. When Ruster decides it’s time for him to retire, Tarskin is left to travel the world looking for artefacts alone, until he meets Kitvie, an arctic fox, who has a power she cannot control: telekinesis, which is why the villain Silvano is keen to capture her. Kitvie becomes Tarskin’s apprentice, and so begins a fun, humorous adventure, in the style of Indiana Jones, written to appeal to children.
Those are the positives; unfortunately, there are plenty of negatives, especially in terms of formatting. The book reads like a first draft with little or no editing or proof-reading. In many paragraphs, it is difficult to tell who is speaking: Tarskin will say something, then suddenly Kitvie or another character will reply on the same line; some sentences begin with three dots, I’m not sure why; and words like ‘your’ and ‘you’re’ are confused in context. Virtually everyone Tarskin and Kitvie meet on their travels can’t be trusted; they come across as friendly, then suddenly there’s a fight. In fact, there is a lot of fighting going on, presumably to make the story more exciting. Everyone, apart from Tarskin and Kitvie, appears to be a villain. Also, there appears to be no correlation between the inventor and archaeologist sides of Tarskin, apart from using his inventions during fighting, and the costs of travel between different countries in search of treasures isn’t referred to.
A great pity, because with some detailed editing this could have been a much better book. The three star rating is based on that potential.
Humans have come and gone, but left a mysterious legacy—potentially—in the form of humananimals, author Lorelei Balansas’s cleverly titled name for the anthropomorphized creatures that now dominate the earth. The titular Tarskin is a young black bipedal fox as well as an archeologist who studies artifacts left behind by said humans. We meet Tarskin with his companion Ruster, a raccoon. Despite their globe-trotting adventures, Ruster has grown weary, and seeks a turning point in his life. This opens the door to Tarskin taking on a new apprentice: a white fox named Kitvie with amnesia—but also telekinesis!
The story is a push-pull pursuit, a back-and-forth across the world with a sinister simian named Silvano. The telling is whimsical, heightened by the prose’s almost child-like simplicity. More effort could have been put into proper copyediting and formatting, however, and there are many instances of dialogue that feel cliché. However, fans of everything from manga to Pixar will find a charming ride.