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Vankara #1
Vankara
Vankara, an island nation founded by runaway mages, finds itself besieged by a series of mysterious plagues which decimate half the world’s population. When the Queen of Vankara falls ill from one of the plagues, she calls upon the talents of Sarah Harker. As a shifter, Sarah is physically able to transform into another person but only if she is touching them at the moment of their death, gaining not only their physical form but also some of their memories. Queen Emma Vankar entrust Sarah with the responsibility of protecting the people of Vankara from the ever growing greed of those in parliament and from the ambitious hands of Aleksander Chromis, dictator of the Chromis Empire and ardent suitor for the queen’s hand in marriage. To help Sarah become the ruler Vankara needs, the queen enlists the help of her trusted political advisor, Gabriel, and her estranged lover, Captain John Fallon. Sarah soon finds herself at the center of a mystery when she discovers the cause of the plagues, uncovering a diabolical conspiracy to conceal the truth of their origins.
Vankara takes place in a Neo-Victorian setting where zeppelins, automatons, dragons and magic exist.
Vankara takes place in a Neo-Victorian setting where zeppelins, automatons, dragons and magic exist.
225 pages, ebook
First published February 22, 2013
155 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
About the author
S.J. West
75 books1,188 followersOnce upon a time, a little girl was born on a cold winter morning in the heart of Seoul, Korea. She was brought to America by her parents and raised in the Deep South where the words ma'am and y'all became an integrated part of her lexicon. She wrote her first novel at the age of eight and continued writing on and off during her teenage years. In college she studied biology and chemistry and finally combined the two by earning a master's degree in biochemistry. After that she moved to Yankee land where she lived for four years working in a laboratory at Cornell University. Homesickness and snow aversion forced her back South where she lives in the land which spawned Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, John Grisham and B.B. King. After finding her Prince Charming, she gave birth to a wondrous gift named Caylin and they all lived happily ever after.
The second book to the Harvester of Light trilogy will be available for purchase no later than December 2012.
The second book to the Harvester of Light trilogy will be available for purchase no later than December 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 26, 2013
I am mildly...... okay maybe worse than mildly..... addicted to SJ West books. In every I have found romance, mystery, magic, and great story lines. This was no different for Vankara. It took me a minute to get into the book but once I did I could not put it down. Cannot wait to see if Sarah/Emma is able to save her people's future from the fae.
March 1, 2019
This is the first book in the Vankara series, there are three books in that series. There were some things I liked here and some things I didn’t. I wavered between 3 stars and 4 stars for this one. I just found some parts of the story really unbelievable. However, I did enjoy some of the steampunk elements, the Fae, and the dragons.
Sarah Harkar is a shifter who can take over a person’s body at the moment of their death. When the Queen of Vankara catches the plague she calls on Sarah to take over her body so that her kingdom doesn’t fall into turmoil. Sarah, now Emma, tries to lead the kingdom as best she can. However, the question of where these plagues originate from, lead her to try and bargain with the Fae kingdom which is dangerous and potentially kingdom destroying.
This whole book felt a bit off to me. I really loved the beginning part about Sarah’s childhood. Then she was quickly thrust into the role of Queen, which was very abrupt and seemed very contrived. Sarah steps right into the role of Queen Emma with very little issue which was confusing to me; she was a farm girl and now she is a queen and she suddenly has all the leadership skills she needs to rule a country? I had a lot of trouble getting past this, it felt very fake to me.
I also really enjoyed journeying to the Fey lands and meeting the dragons. However, I did not enjoy all the politics and intrigue Sarah/Emma is thrust into. I also did not enjoy the male leads in this novel (Fallow and Chromis) they both felt kind of creepy to me.
Overall this was a mixed bag for me. There are some things about the story I liked and some things I just couldn’t get past. The pacing was uneven and the whole story just wasn’t completely cohesive and felt kind of “off” to me. I wavered a bit about whether or not to continue the series since there are some aspects to the story I really enjoyed...however, in the end I decided not to.
Sarah Harkar is a shifter who can take over a person’s body at the moment of their death. When the Queen of Vankara catches the plague she calls on Sarah to take over her body so that her kingdom doesn’t fall into turmoil. Sarah, now Emma, tries to lead the kingdom as best she can. However, the question of where these plagues originate from, lead her to try and bargain with the Fae kingdom which is dangerous and potentially kingdom destroying.
This whole book felt a bit off to me. I really loved the beginning part about Sarah’s childhood. Then she was quickly thrust into the role of Queen, which was very abrupt and seemed very contrived. Sarah steps right into the role of Queen Emma with very little issue which was confusing to me; she was a farm girl and now she is a queen and she suddenly has all the leadership skills she needs to rule a country? I had a lot of trouble getting past this, it felt very fake to me.
I also really enjoyed journeying to the Fey lands and meeting the dragons. However, I did not enjoy all the politics and intrigue Sarah/Emma is thrust into. I also did not enjoy the male leads in this novel (Fallow and Chromis) they both felt kind of creepy to me.
Overall this was a mixed bag for me. There are some things about the story I liked and some things I just couldn’t get past. The pacing was uneven and the whole story just wasn’t completely cohesive and felt kind of “off” to me. I wavered a bit about whether or not to continue the series since there are some aspects to the story I really enjoyed...however, in the end I decided not to.
October 24, 2017
“Vankara” by S.J. West is quite the story. The world Vankara resides in is quite unique. It really shows a great imagination. Sarah (April/Emma) is a shifter who can change into a person by touching them as they die. Sarah’s ability to transform into this person and integrate into their lives is amazing and full of talent. The story will keep you on your toes as Sarah is asked to shift into the Queen of Vankara to save the country, as the Queen is dying. The adventures and transition Sarah has to make is so well written by S.J. West that you feel you are there experiencing it with the characters. Sarah’s support team of friends are great support characters and the chemistry she has with Fallon is hot. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait for the rest of the series. The ending definitely leaves you wanting more.
May 9, 2019
I found this to be a different type of paranormal, a shifter that changes/ absorbs souls upon their death and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! It was an adventure that caught me from the get go! From the start, Sarah's life was destined to be bigger and greater than she could ever believe. It all came about when she "absorbs" the soul of the Queen.
From here on, I was drawn in and could not put the book down. It has twists and turns that keep you reading way past your "bedtime".
I need to get book 2!
From here on, I was drawn in and could not put the book down. It has twists and turns that keep you reading way past your "bedtime".
I need to get book 2!
June 9, 2017
Great story. S.J West did it again. She create this wonderful world where magic, technology, far, and dragons come together. I have read her other book while I was waiting for the next one on her other series I decide to try this one. WOW I was hook with Sarah and what can she do. Know she is being assign a great responsibility and be force to get out of her comfort zone. I'm ready to start book two.
February 6, 2019
Foreshadowing
There seemed to be more foreshadowing than current action at times which I found quite distracting for the first three-quarters or so of the book. Obviously as the plot became more advanced some of that foreshadowing came to be more relevant. Also, I was adjusting to West's style.
I hope that in the next book, the plot will flow more smoothly, back and forth both as needed, making the reading less jarring.
There seemed to be more foreshadowing than current action at times which I found quite distracting for the first three-quarters or so of the book. Obviously as the plot became more advanced some of that foreshadowing came to be more relevant. Also, I was adjusting to West's style.
I hope that in the next book, the plot will flow more smoothly, back and forth both as needed, making the reading less jarring.
February 10, 2019
Five star book... but!
I read a few, first in a series books, and as a reader I expect a full story arc rather than a third of a story.
This isn't the worst but the characters need a goal to reach. As long as its met, open ended to allow for further volumes is fine.
Subject to my comments, above, this is a great read. The premise is sound and has legs, the characters are full, we care for them. There is more than enough here to fuel future volumes.
I read a few, first in a series books, and as a reader I expect a full story arc rather than a third of a story.
This isn't the worst but the characters need a goal to reach. As long as its met, open ended to allow for further volumes is fine.
Subject to my comments, above, this is a great read. The premise is sound and has legs, the characters are full, we care for them. There is more than enough here to fuel future volumes.
August 4, 2019
Shifter girl helps her kingdom
Another brilliant book by S.J.West. At age 7, adopted April Pew becomes Sarah Harker to live a better life and at age 20, the Queen of Vankara to protect her kingdom and the 2-year-old heir to the throne. An outsider’s view allows her to disentangle quite a few secrets. With not two, but three potential love interests, I’m curious to read the sequel.
Another brilliant book by S.J.West. At age 7, adopted April Pew becomes Sarah Harker to live a better life and at age 20, the Queen of Vankara to protect her kingdom and the 2-year-old heir to the throne. An outsider’s view allows her to disentangle quite a few secrets. With not two, but three potential love interests, I’m curious to read the sequel.
March 16, 2019
Really good
I was a little hesitant to read this series l, not sure why. I love SJ West’s series, and I decided to give it a try. I have to say this book was really great. It was a little slow starting off but I eventually got hooked. I cant wait to see the queens journey. Very happy I fave it a shot, definitely not disappointed.
I was a little hesitant to read this series l, not sure why. I love SJ West’s series, and I decided to give it a try. I have to say this book was really great. It was a little slow starting off but I eventually got hooked. I cant wait to see the queens journey. Very happy I fave it a shot, definitely not disappointed.
April 21, 2019
In all honesty I stopped 3/4 of the way through. It felt like a chore to me. It's not that the author has put together a badly written story, but I just didn't care about the heroine, she bored me. And it was way too much of a stretch for me to accept how easily she fell into the role of queen and how easily she fell into the role of mother.
October 17, 2019
I downloaded Vankara as a free ebook from Amazon. Now, this book was a pleasant surprise. A unique premise with shifters who can assume the form (and life) of dying person, and the way the experiences shape (pun intended) the life of Sarah, who is tasked with taking on the identity of a dying queen, Emma, to keep the kingdom stabilized. A nice blend of world-building elements. Well done!
September 25, 2022
generic bad writing
Characters are bland and lame so it’s hard to care about what happens to them. I guess it’s supposed to be a way to create a reverse harem, and it’s not a bad premise, it’s just that the characters and plot are too lifeless. The fantasy world isn’t very interesting.
Characters are bland and lame so it’s hard to care about what happens to them. I guess it’s supposed to be a way to create a reverse harem, and it’s not a bad premise, it’s just that the characters and plot are too lifeless. The fantasy world isn’t very interesting.
December 15, 2022
Mages and Dragons
Steampunk story of magic and mayhem swirled around a repetitive plague with mages and dragons. Love and loss entangle this installment for a smooth read. Only thing that stands out are the random comments made amidst the action of concerns, hints of what's to come.
Steampunk story of magic and mayhem swirled around a repetitive plague with mages and dragons. Love and loss entangle this installment for a smooth read. Only thing that stands out are the random comments made amidst the action of concerns, hints of what's to come.
October 25, 2017
Omg I seriously love this book
Wow! This is epic read. I absolutely love the world S.J. west wrote. Many twists and turns that I did not see coming. A world filled with magic and dragons. This is such an awesome book I highly recommend it
Wow! This is epic read. I absolutely love the world S.J. west wrote. Many twists and turns that I did not see coming. A world filled with magic and dragons. This is such an awesome book I highly recommend it
May 31, 2020
Somewhere between a 2 star and a 3. I found it just boring and too "stretched" out. But in the plus side, I must have liked it enough to finish it. I'm going to give the second book a chance. Here goes nothing.
November 29, 2016
Great book!
This book was so hard to put down! From the first page to the last, it never stopped compelling me to keep reading!
This book was so hard to put down! From the first page to the last, it never stopped compelling me to keep reading!
May 6, 2017
A series full of fantasy! Loved it!
October 26, 2017
Loved it!
February 14, 2019
Found me a new best author!!! Love this fantasy series!!!
October 24, 2015
"Listen to your heart. It will never steer you wrong."
The first few chapters are interesting but are a summary of years so it was difficult to connect to the story. She is young and naive and so makes a life altering decision without counting the cost. The writing isn't polished, but the story is engaging.
There are some proofreading errors. Also, there are statements foreshadowing what is to come that make this seem like the heroine is narrating--ie. I wouldn't understand what I had until much later. It built up a feeling of dread but I didn't care for it. The quote above shows the simpleness of this YA story.
The first few chapters are interesting but are a summary of years so it was difficult to connect to the story. She is young and naive and so makes a life altering decision without counting the cost. The writing isn't polished, but the story is engaging.
There are some proofreading errors. Also, there are statements foreshadowing what is to come that make this seem like the heroine is narrating--ie. I wouldn't understand what I had until much later. It built up a feeling of dread but I didn't care for it. The quote above shows the simpleness of this YA story.
June 18, 2016
I had previously read all of S. J. West's Watchers books. The Vankara saga is very different from the Watchers series, however West brings her creative and dynamic characters to life in this series as well. I enjoyed the dystopian atmosphere of the future presented in this novel, as well as the sci-fi aspects. The main character Sarah is very likeable and is probably my favourite S.J.West character since Jesse.The characters are very well developed and the conflicts in the book seem very realistic. Once again West leaves the reader wanting more when you have read the last page of the novel
October 2, 2013
I have read all of SJ West's books that are out and love each and every one. I love how her selection is so diverse and the way that she writes. I somehow feel in tough with the stories and characters. I haven't read a book by her that I couldn't put down. Vankara was a great story, filled with unpredictable twists and turns. I can't wait to see what happens next with Emma/Sara. I will definitely be recommended this book.
January 3, 2014
I loved this book. I picked it as my free down load through my prime subscription from amazon. Now I am sorry I do not own it. It was book 1, from a new fantasy collection. It was the fastest 421 pages I have read in a long time. One setting, and I was wishing for more. It has political intrigue, fantasy, a little romance,adventure and great characters. I do not do spoilers, but I will say once you start it plan to read it to the end.....than you will be sorry book 2 is not out yet.....
January 24, 2015
This is one of my Kindle monthly lending library picks. This was a fast read, especially since I didn't want to put it down. It's my first S.J. West book. It caught my attention and chapter one and can't wait for the second book to come out. She isn't releasing the second book until Fall 2014, but is doing a monthly chapter series (first draft) at http://vankara.weebly.com/ This is great news and I'll be able to read it before the books comes out. Can't wait!
June 21, 2016
Unusual book, unusual storyline.
Most of you know I read many, many shifter books, but this is a new type of shifter, someone who shifts only as a good person who is needed in this world. These shifters have to be holding onto the dying persons hand.
I'm going on for the second book, because this is not a usual story.
Read and enjoy.
Most of you know I read many, many shifter books, but this is a new type of shifter, someone who shifts only as a good person who is needed in this world. These shifters have to be holding onto the dying persons hand.
I'm going on for the second book, because this is not a usual story.
Read and enjoy.
February 8, 2014
Rich Imagery and great story line.
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were all great and there was enough mystery, action, romance and suspense to keep me reading. Looking forward to book 2!
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were all great and there was enough mystery, action, romance and suspense to keep me reading. Looking forward to book 2!
August 11, 2015
Interesting but fraught with error
The story is interesting. I will read the rest of the series, but the author frequently uses the wrong words i.e. she uses the word indiscrete when she means discrete (opposite meaning) and snuggly when she means snugly.
The story is interesting. I will read the rest of the series, but the author frequently uses the wrong words i.e. she uses the word indiscrete when she means discrete (opposite meaning) and snuggly when she means snugly.
December 23, 2013
Very good!
This was a very good read, I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next one! The plot has twists and I like that it has dragons, mages, and shifters in it.
This was a very good read, I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next one! The plot has twists and I like that it has dragons, mages, and shifters in it.
May 5, 2014
Pretty good
I was enjoying this book when, suddenly, I was at the end. Now I have to find Book 2. If you like fantasy, you'll like thus book a LOT.
I was enjoying this book when, suddenly, I was at the end. Now I have to find Book 2. If you like fantasy, you'll like thus book a LOT.
January 6, 2014
Awesome read
want more much more. was completely original. real page Turner can't wait for the rest of the series!!! looking forward to reading more of her work.
want more much more. was completely original. real page Turner can't wait for the rest of the series!!! looking forward to reading more of her work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews