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Kergulen #1
Kergulen
A girl with the eyes of a witch escapes her abusive master, but instead of a happy ending she finds Kergulen, a land where the monsters are only slightly more terrifying than the people. As she struggles to stay alive in this new country, Rima must master the capacity for inner freedom and true friendship if she hopes to create a life worth living.
Rima is not a typical heroine; her misadventures involve universal issues such as racism and self-doubt, but also include the occasional monster or dragon. The entire Kergulenite forest works in harmony to keep Kergulen's secrets safe from Rima and the rest of the world.
Will uncovering Kergulen's mysteries give Rima the freedom she dreams of, or will she be condemned because she knows too much?
Rima is not a typical heroine; her misadventures involve universal issues such as racism and self-doubt, but also include the occasional monster or dragon. The entire Kergulenite forest works in harmony to keep Kergulen's secrets safe from Rima and the rest of the world.
Will uncovering Kergulen's mysteries give Rima the freedom she dreams of, or will she be condemned because she knows too much?
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2013
76 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
R.A. White
7 books26 followersI live just west of Orlando with my family, where life is a mash-up of parenting, gardening (or at least trying), cooking, and writing my new book series. I seek healthy balance in my spiritual, mental, and physical aspects, which is to say I do consume dessert a couple times a day, but I also eat lots of fruit.
I appreciate books full of humor, mystery, and diverse characters. I hope you do, too!
I appreciate books full of humor, mystery, and diverse characters. I hope you do, too!
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February 4, 2018I wrote the book. Wouldn't be ethical to review it myself!
April 20, 2018
Once in a while you stumble across a real gem. Kergulen is one such gem. A powerful and poignant story of a young slave girl, Rima from Banlund, who escapes the captivity of a merciless master that whips her constantly because he can, and because she's a half breed with strange eyes. The only place she knows to go, where she won't be tracked down, is the forbidden forest of Kergulen. No one ever escapes to tell of Kergulen. Little does she know, she's thrust herself into another world of pain, shaming, and struggle to survive. Yet, behind every cloud is a silver lining. Attacked by a vicious pack of Alepay (feral pigs), near death, she's rescued by a young border warrior, a Tonx by the name of Jail. Against his training and the law of Kergulen, he chooses to listen to his heart and takes her to his town of Nene to be healed by his sister, the only surgeon and primary healer of the town.
Foreigners are not allowed in Kergulen and are usually put to death immediately. The elders allow Jail and his family, because of their status and relationship to the King, to take care of her until such time as she can be taken to the capital city for interrogation and ultimately a decision on what to do with her. Her secret, she's an Alocan. Her eyes change color with her surroundings but she also has magical gifts, yet to be discovered and nurtured. This places her and her now adopted family in jeopardy creating a civil war in the town of Nene. Lured outside one evening by magic, she is captured, beaten, raped and left for dead by a group of haters. Only her will to survive keeps her alive until Jail and his family discover she's gone, find her, and save her life once again.
Through all of this, Rima not only struggles with her own self worth issues of being different and an outcast but now struggles with the pain of watching those who befriended her suffer loss as well. On the plus side, she learns to defend herself and is awed by the wonders nature offers; the natural beauty of the forest, birds chirping, snow, all of the things she's never known before, including love.
This story is powerful in many ways. It evoked and projected my own emotional outcry against racism, ignorance, and brutality, issues, unfortunately, that we still face within our own world day to day. It also touched my heart as to the compassion and love one family offered a scared young woman facing the fear of being killed by haters of those that are different. Going against and entire town and kingdom to defend Rima's rights as a human, the family places their own lives in jeopardy to defend hers.
R.A. White has written a tale definitely worth reading. I highly recommend this book to those who want to ride an emotional roller-coaster from start to finish. Kudos R.A. White. I look forward to following your series.
Foreigners are not allowed in Kergulen and are usually put to death immediately. The elders allow Jail and his family, because of their status and relationship to the King, to take care of her until such time as she can be taken to the capital city for interrogation and ultimately a decision on what to do with her. Her secret, she's an Alocan. Her eyes change color with her surroundings but she also has magical gifts, yet to be discovered and nurtured. This places her and her now adopted family in jeopardy creating a civil war in the town of Nene. Lured outside one evening by magic, she is captured, beaten, raped and left for dead by a group of haters. Only her will to survive keeps her alive until Jail and his family discover she's gone, find her, and save her life once again.
Through all of this, Rima not only struggles with her own self worth issues of being different and an outcast but now struggles with the pain of watching those who befriended her suffer loss as well. On the plus side, she learns to defend herself and is awed by the wonders nature offers; the natural beauty of the forest, birds chirping, snow, all of the things she's never known before, including love.
This story is powerful in many ways. It evoked and projected my own emotional outcry against racism, ignorance, and brutality, issues, unfortunately, that we still face within our own world day to day. It also touched my heart as to the compassion and love one family offered a scared young woman facing the fear of being killed by haters of those that are different. Going against and entire town and kingdom to defend Rima's rights as a human, the family places their own lives in jeopardy to defend hers.
R.A. White has written a tale definitely worth reading. I highly recommend this book to those who want to ride an emotional roller-coaster from start to finish. Kudos R.A. White. I look forward to following your series.
February 24, 2015
ETA: R.A. White worked really hard to re-edit the book, and the result is a remarkable story set in a well-developed world that is populated by complex, interesting characters. The edited version of the book gets those five stars I couldn't give it pre-edit.
This could have been a five-star book. It should have been something I wanted to give five stars. Instead, I wouldn't feel right claiming it was anything more than a three-and-a-half-star book. (Since Goodreads doesn't do half stars, and because I love the story, I'm marking giving it four stars.)
R.A. Whiteseems to have put in a tremendous amount of effort in building a world that is interesting and complex. She depicted each culture as consistent within itself while not falling into a trap of making anything predictable. (That's a result many authors fail to achieve.) Things that didn't make sense at first were almost invariably explained eventually, so my curiosity remained piqued, but I never felt like I was the victim of an info dump.
I found the central characters to be believable, and even though few made choices I would have made, I didn't find myself sneering at them.However, characterisation is part of where this book lost a star from me.
The plot kept me intrigued and invested in Rima's story throughout – even when it seemed to be trailing off into unimportant areas (but wasn't). I hadn't seen anything like that from an author in a long time, and I ate the experience up.
The first half star was lost early in the book: Rima, the protagonist, is a slave who has spent her entire life as a slave on an isolated farm located in Banlund – a country populated by dark-skinned people. She has lighter skin than most of her fellow Banlunders. And yet, in the first pages of the book, where the story-telling style in all other instances appears to be close third-person, we read about her observing her own dark skin. And that self-image continued on, even before she found herself surrounded by pale-skinned Kergulenites.
The next half star was lost to a similar fail, although I had to read the next book in the series before I felt comfortable saying it was, indeed, a fail. Turning red. Dark skin is highly subjective, and some people who have dark skin do visibly blush to the point of turning red. There comes a point, however, we our blushes stop manifesting themselves with visual cues akin to what one might describe for a White person. Even after reading the second book, I wasn't certain which category Rima fell. But I since I was already feeling sceptical, once I saw a character – albeit in the second book – whose description seemed to place him into the latter category also turn "bright red", it firmed up my scepticism for the descriptions in this book.
The final half star was lost to persistent word-use and punctuation fails. "Complement" in place of "compliment" and "discrete" in place of "discreet" are pet peeves of mine. Those, coupled with indiscriminate comma abuse made me grit my teeth through much of the book.
Fortunately, the story was so good, I was ravenous in my appetite to continue reading. I would have given up on a lesser book. I certainly would not have gone on to buy the second had R.A. White not had such a wonderful tale to tell.
R.A. White
I found the central characters to be believable, and even though few made choices I would have made, I didn't find myself sneering at them.
The plot kept me intrigued and invested in Rima's story throughout – even when it seemed to be trailing off into unimportant areas (but wasn't). I hadn't seen anything like that from an author in a long time, and I ate the experience up.
The next half star was lost to a similar fail, although I had to read the next book in the series before I felt comfortable saying it was, indeed, a fail. Turning red. Dark skin is highly subjective, and some people who have dark skin do visibly blush to the point of turning red. There comes a point, however, we our blushes stop manifesting themselves with visual cues akin to what one might describe for a White person. Even after reading the second book, I wasn't certain which category Rima fell. But I since I was already feeling sceptical, once I saw a character – albeit in the second book – whose description seemed to place him into the latter category also turn "bright red", it firmed up my scepticism for the descriptions in this book.
The final half star was lost to persistent word-use and punctuation fails. "Complement" in place of "compliment" and "discrete" in place of "discreet" are pet peeves of mine. Those, coupled with indiscriminate comma abuse made me grit my teeth through much of the book.
Fortunately, the story was so good, I was ravenous in my appetite to continue reading. I would have given up on a lesser book. I certainly would not have gone on to buy the second had R.A. White not had such a wonderful tale to tell.
May 9, 2013
Positive Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. I am not sure why it is listed as 600+ pages, as the copy I received was only 308, but I read it none the less. It took a bit to read it, as fantasy is not my usual genre to read. I received an email from the author, R.A. White, asking if I would review the book. I was honored she would asked, so I agreed to do so.
This book was very creative; think Cinderella meets Game of Thrones.
I loved the fact that there were so many radical differences from one culture to the next; contractions vs. no contractions in speaking.
The characters were engaging. I fell in love with Rima, the main character, the moment she stepped foot off of her farm. I loved her giddiness and childish antics. What I loved more, however, was watching her mature and grow. I felt her pain, my heart cried, rejoiced, and angered at the injustices she went through.
I absolutely fell in love with Lily, the "mom" character. She reminds me very much of a woman close to my own heart. The whole family that took Rima in was so well written, it could be a number of wonderful families I know in real life.
R. A. White does such a wonderful job of creating scenes that pulls the reader into it. Everything from violent uprising to heartbreaking deaths.
Negative Thoughts:
I am not sure if I did in fact receive a shortened copy to review, it being only 308 pages, but I feel the book has a couple "negatives" about it. I really feel there were areas of the book that weren't expanded on enough and some areas were over written. Sure, she's had a hard time.. I get that. But her insecure, almost childish, way about it got tiring. Buck up Rima! You've survived this long, so far, you'll survive so much more.
A. I feel like it's unfinished. I don't know if that means the author is going to write a sequel, because if so, hurry! Otherwise, it's really left open with SO many questions. I would love to know what happened to the poachers, dragons and the truce. I want to know what this kingdom was that Rima was venturing too at the end. I want to know what the heck happened to Yori and Mrinda.
B. I feel like it could probably generate more sales if it were broken into a few different, shorter, stories.
First story being Rima, her abusive master, her escape all the way up until she reaches Nene.
Second, Nene, the rulings, house guests, and the beginning of adjustment.
Third, fires, riots and Pitr.
Four, more rulings, training, and adventure.
Five, dragons!
Catch what I'm saying here? It was a long novel, to break it up could generate more interest in the book. Too long of a novel can grow boring. But as you can see, I have many questions that would lead me to pick up the next book in a series to answer those questions.
Overall Feeling:
I love this book. The author did a wonderful job constructing a mythical land with races, cultures, and dragons. It's creative, thought out and highly entertaining.
I really enjoyed this book. I am not sure why it is listed as 600+ pages, as the copy I received was only 308, but I read it none the less. It took a bit to read it, as fantasy is not my usual genre to read. I received an email from the author, R.A. White, asking if I would review the book. I was honored she would asked, so I agreed to do so.
This book was very creative; think Cinderella meets Game of Thrones.
I loved the fact that there were so many radical differences from one culture to the next; contractions vs. no contractions in speaking.
The characters were engaging. I fell in love with Rima, the main character, the moment she stepped foot off of her farm. I loved her giddiness and childish antics. What I loved more, however, was watching her mature and grow. I felt her pain, my heart cried, rejoiced, and angered at the injustices she went through.
I absolutely fell in love with Lily, the "mom" character. She reminds me very much of a woman close to my own heart. The whole family that took Rima in was so well written, it could be a number of wonderful families I know in real life.
R. A. White does such a wonderful job of creating scenes that pulls the reader into it. Everything from violent uprising to heartbreaking deaths.
Negative Thoughts:
I am not sure if I did in fact receive a shortened copy to review, it being only 308 pages, but I feel the book has a couple "negatives" about it. I really feel there were areas of the book that weren't expanded on enough and some areas were over written. Sure, she's had a hard time.. I get that. But her insecure, almost childish, way about it got tiring. Buck up Rima! You've survived this long, so far, you'll survive so much more.
A. I feel like it's unfinished. I don't know if that means the author is going to write a sequel, because if so, hurry! Otherwise, it's really left open with SO many questions. I would love to know what happened to the poachers, dragons and the truce. I want to know what this kingdom was that Rima was venturing too at the end. I want to know what the heck happened to Yori and Mrinda.
B. I feel like it could probably generate more sales if it were broken into a few different, shorter, stories.
First story being Rima, her abusive master, her escape all the way up until she reaches Nene.
Second, Nene, the rulings, house guests, and the beginning of adjustment.
Third, fires, riots and Pitr.
Four, more rulings, training, and adventure.
Five, dragons!
Catch what I'm saying here? It was a long novel, to break it up could generate more interest in the book. Too long of a novel can grow boring. But as you can see, I have many questions that would lead me to pick up the next book in a series to answer those questions.
Overall Feeling:
I love this book. The author did a wonderful job constructing a mythical land with races, cultures, and dragons. It's creative, thought out and highly entertaining.
January 1, 2015
I did enjoy reading this book.
The approach was quite different from mainstream fantasy and it quite cleverly tackles themes of racism and prejudice.
As I was reading though, I found the development of the two lead characters was a little confusing at times, causing me to go back and reread in case I missed something . I did find Rima just a wee bit weepy, but being a slave girl, you can hardly blame her, so I do understand this area of resentment on behalf of Jail. However, I did find myself wondering if Jail had some sort of chemical imbalance in the brain, as his reactions seemed to be excessive on occasion. I think explaining his reason for his reticence a bit earlier on would have been beneficial in understanding him better.
I did fall in love with Jail's family, what a wonderful, homely bunch of people, comfortable with themselves and their eccentricities. What a great place for Rima to begin her journey towards awareness of self worth.
Also, with mention of other lands throughout the book, had me thinking of the great scope for further volumes exploring each culture through Rima's ever changing eyes. It was with chagrin that I realised I had reached the end of the story for now and that my Ipad was not broken, there were merely no more pages to turn as yet. So here I am awaiting the next installment in Rima's adventure.
The approach was quite different from mainstream fantasy and it quite cleverly tackles themes of racism and prejudice.
As I was reading though, I found the development of the two lead characters was a little confusing at times, causing me to go back and reread in case I missed something . I did find Rima just a wee bit weepy, but being a slave girl, you can hardly blame her, so I do understand this area of resentment on behalf of Jail. However, I did find myself wondering if Jail had some sort of chemical imbalance in the brain, as his reactions seemed to be excessive on occasion. I think explaining his reason for his reticence a bit earlier on would have been beneficial in understanding him better.
I did fall in love with Jail's family, what a wonderful, homely bunch of people, comfortable with themselves and their eccentricities. What a great place for Rima to begin her journey towards awareness of self worth.
Also, with mention of other lands throughout the book, had me thinking of the great scope for further volumes exploring each culture through Rima's ever changing eyes. It was with chagrin that I realised I had reached the end of the story for now and that my Ipad was not broken, there were merely no more pages to turn as yet. So here I am awaiting the next installment in Rima's adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2013
No one has ever entered the forest of Kergulen and survived… except for Rima. To escape regular beatings from her slave master, Rima flees to the forest in desperation. After being saved from a pack of wild animals by a Kergulenite, Rima discovers that beyond the forest of Kergulen are peopled cities, a king, and even dragons.
The Kergulen people have strange customs and pasty white skin, and Rima’s dark complexion makes her stand out as a foreigner. The local people suspect that she is a spy, consider her a threat, and call her a bloodthirsty barbarian. When she is not with the family that saved her, she is required to wear a blindfold at all times, and is not allowed to speak in public. Rima quickly learns that although she is no longer a slave, her freedom is even more restricted than before. And her presence in Kergulen has put herself and her newfound friends in danger.
Read the rest of this review at Underground Book Reviews (dot) com.
The Kergulen people have strange customs and pasty white skin, and Rima’s dark complexion makes her stand out as a foreigner. The local people suspect that she is a spy, consider her a threat, and call her a bloodthirsty barbarian. When she is not with the family that saved her, she is required to wear a blindfold at all times, and is not allowed to speak in public. Rima quickly learns that although she is no longer a slave, her freedom is even more restricted than before. And her presence in Kergulen has put herself and her newfound friends in danger.
Read the rest of this review at Underground Book Reviews (dot) com.
April 16, 2013
This is a great story! Kergulen is such a fascinating place depicted in this book. Rima is a young girl trying to find her own place in the world. She ends up being in a different kind of danger when she flees her home in an attempt to get away from her crazy master. She meets up with Jail along the way, who is in his own right quite interesting, and her journey takes another turn. I would definitely recommend this read. The characters are multi-dimensional; the interaction between Rima and Jail is hilarious, but also endearing at times. The story hints to a sequel and I can't wait until it come out. I'm so looking forward to see what comes next for Rima.
January 9, 2014
I am always excited to find a promising new author who will provide hours of good reads for years to come. I just finished Kergulen and I am looking forward to beginning the sequel.
R.A. White explores the universal theme of belonging through the eyes of a young woman who feels like an outsider in everyway. Rima flees an existence where she is tolerated and ignored in the best of circumstances only to find herself trapped in a foreign country with different language, customs, beliefs, and culture. The color of her skin and place of her birth cause problems that she could never have imagined.
Kergulen is a richly imagined, unique world and I looking forward to visiting there again.
R.A. White explores the universal theme of belonging through the eyes of a young woman who feels like an outsider in everyway. Rima flees an existence where she is tolerated and ignored in the best of circumstances only to find herself trapped in a foreign country with different language, customs, beliefs, and culture. The color of her skin and place of her birth cause problems that she could never have imagined.
Kergulen is a richly imagined, unique world and I looking forward to visiting there again.
April 17, 2013
This is an interesting, engaging book. Rima has grown up as a mistreated slave. She runs away from her master, into a country she didn't even know existed, to discover new friends (and possible love interests?), an unimaginable path of danger and adventure, and gifts she had no idea were hidden inside of her. She has many obstacles to overcome and much growing to do. The story is not over at the end of this book, so I can't wait to see what adventures await Rima in the next installment!
August 24, 2015
This book was wonderful! I loved Rima. It is so refreshing to have a strong, smart and brave female lead and I loved how much she grew and developed throughout the book.
December 23, 2018
A Former Slave
We follow the adventures of a slave as she starts her adventure by running away from her master to an unfriendly forest. A guardian of the forest saves her from some pig like monsters. He does it because it is the right thing to do but because his people do not like her people, there are all kinds of trouble. From the people who hate her because she is not like them and cause terrible harm to her to some trouble makers that start a war because of her. The King, who is Jail’s, cousin sends them North with a group of guardians to search for Dragon poachers as they are protected. Needless to say, they both get into trouble with the Dragons. Many more adventures occur. You will not be bored! I am checking for sequels!
We follow the adventures of a slave as she starts her adventure by running away from her master to an unfriendly forest. A guardian of the forest saves her from some pig like monsters. He does it because it is the right thing to do but because his people do not like her people, there are all kinds of trouble. From the people who hate her because she is not like them and cause terrible harm to her to some trouble makers that start a war because of her. The King, who is Jail’s, cousin sends them North with a group of guardians to search for Dragon poachers as they are protected. Needless to say, they both get into trouble with the Dragons. Many more adventures occur. You will not be bored! I am checking for sequels!
January 22, 2023
Good book, but it needs a decent edit. The ending feels unfinished, and there are many, many grammar mistakes. Things like currier instead of courier, and dosed instead of dozed, certainly put me out of the rhythm of the story. I think with a good editor, this book has potential.
For my clean readers: no language, but there is a lot of violence. The main character is whipped, tortured, raped, and almost killed multiple times. Romance is limited to a kiss or two.
For my clean readers: no language, but there is a lot of violence. The main character is whipped, tortured, raped, and almost killed multiple times. Romance is limited to a kiss or two.
June 24, 2018
Great book
Wow what a great story, the slave girl who dared to run away and then being kidnapped and almost killed, not to mention the dragons, it was just great. You got a fan. Catha. Watkins Reese
Wow what a great story, the slave girl who dared to run away and then being kidnapped and almost killed, not to mention the dragons, it was just great. You got a fan. Catha. Watkins Reese
January 27, 2020
Good Start
I liked this story a lot, but it was a bit juvenile for me. That being said the themes of prejudice and rape are very adult.
I liked this story a lot, but it was a bit juvenile for me. That being said the themes of prejudice and rape are very adult.
September 18, 2020
Intriguing characters
Good plot. Characters you care about. A bit confusing in places, but a good read nonetheless. I will be reading the next one.
Good plot. Characters you care about. A bit confusing in places, but a good read nonetheless. I will be reading the next one.
December 7, 2014
Grabbed me from the instant I began reading!!!!! {My public APOLOGY: I forgot to update the stats on GOODREADS. Sorry!}
May 17, 2016
Wonderful
I enjoyed the story and want to read the next chapter in Rima life. I like the connection between her Jail.
I enjoyed the story and want to read the next chapter in Rima life. I like the connection between her Jail.
September 9, 2016
Best book ever.
January 27, 2015
Interesting tale of an escapee slave who crosses the border into her neighbouring country in a hope for a better life. The story itself was solid enough, but I found myself becoming irritated with the main character quite often throughout the book. Some of the supporting characters really helped to lend some colour and variety to this book, while others I felt were not as well developed as they could have been. There were some unexpected developments in the plot, and areas where I was really able to connect emotionally to the characters.
I was rather disappointed that the book ended where it did. Leaving it open for a sequel seems the obvious choice, but it feels like an entire chapter, bridging book one to book two, is missing.
I was rather disappointed that the book ended where it did. Leaving it open for a sequel seems the obvious choice, but it feels like an entire chapter, bridging book one to book two, is missing.
April 23, 2017
Loved reading this book! The plot was mind-blowing. Character growth was done very well, too. I haven't read a book in a long while that showed so much depth in all the characters.
Spoilers ahead:
Really, the only problem I had (and it wasn't really much of a problem, anyway) was Jail. I know that it's probably the author's goal to make him become a much better person than he was in the beginning (and he DEFINITELY did), but at first he seemed almost too whiny. However, I was already fascinated with the unfolding plot and main character, Rima, and so Jail eventually grew on me, too.
Another thing I really enjoyed was that, even though it felt like the plot was dragging a little bit, we get to see Rima's adjustment to her new home with Mrind, Driston, Lilly, and Jail (not sure I spelled them all correctly), exploring all the different aspects of it instead of having to move on right away to the next plot point.
Again, I thoroughly enjoyed the read and I recommend it to all my friends.
Spoilers ahead:
Really, the only problem I had (and it wasn't really much of a problem, anyway) was Jail. I know that it's probably the author's goal to make him become a much better person than he was in the beginning (and he DEFINITELY did), but at first he seemed almost too whiny. However, I was already fascinated with the unfolding plot and main character, Rima, and so Jail eventually grew on me, too.
Another thing I really enjoyed was that, even though it felt like the plot was dragging a little bit, we get to see Rima's adjustment to her new home with Mrind, Driston, Lilly, and Jail (not sure I spelled them all correctly), exploring all the different aspects of it instead of having to move on right away to the next plot point.
Again, I thoroughly enjoyed the read and I recommend it to all my friends.
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