The Quelling

by C.L. Lauder

AMAZON BESTSELLER

INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD
2025 Distinguished Favorite

Befriend your enemy, save your friend.

When you’re Stained, patches of skin glisten like liquid starlight, and sooner or later, his creatures find you.

When Kyjta accidentally brands herself with an alien fluid while plotting revenge, she knows her fate is sealed. As one of the Stained, her markings glisten star-bright, and the creatures sent by the Rhemans to scavenge for bodies will have no trouble finding her.

One night, while sheltering during a raid, Kyjta forms an unexpected pact with a Rheman rebel to protect a young girl, Calipsie, who’s fallen into her care. Days later, when Calipsie is taken, Kyjta abandons precaution to go after her. Facing impossible odds and allied by a Rheman she’s not sure she can trust, Kyjta must not only rescue Calipsie, but also face the Rheman overlord who’s taken a disturbing interest in her.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Ebooks, Fiction

367 pages, ebook

First published January 16, 2024

About the author

C. L. LAUDER grew up in South Africa before immigrating to the United Kingdom, where she attended the University of London to complete an MA in Creative Writing.
She now lives at the foot of a lush mountain in Hong Kong with her husband and two rapidly lengthening sons, who all enjoy their newfound proximity to nature, and especially the sea.

Reviews

[Hannah Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Endorsement*

A riveting adventure steeped in delicious prose, C. L. Lauder’s The Quelling gives epic fantasy an intergalactic spin with magic, monsters, and alien spaceships. With tangible characters you love to support—and love to hate—The Quelling pulls shocks and twists sure to toy with your emotions. A definite must-read for fans ready to immerse themselves in an adventure of ingeniously detailed world-building, vivid imagery, and quests that take you across the realm.

[Candie Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I initially started to read the Quelling. However, I was taken on a journey to another world. Wars rage between the people of the planet and those that arrived and settled. Many want to live amicably, but when people are quelled against their will, there are those that are stained that get taken away to distant cold places by horrendous creatures. The main characters Kyjta (Aurora Saurin) and Kranik (Rheman) are from two different worlds, together they become two unlikely heros and forge a bond like no other of their kinds have formed before. If you want to see what life could be like if we had visitors here on earth, read the quelling to get a taste of what possibilities could exist. A fantastic read and a plot that keeps the reader engaged! #books #booksbooksbooks #reading #reader #readingchallenge2024 #readingcommunity #readingchallege #bookreview #bookreviewer #reviews #thequelling #bookthequelling #authorCLLauder #CLLauder #hobby #feedingmybrain

[HWReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're certainly not short of dystopian novels as far as books are concerned, and so it's refreshing to read something truly original - of which The Quelling certainly is! As the first book in the series, there's much world-building to be had (a glossary would be awesome for those who lose track of names, such as myself), but this doesn't detract from the storyline, which is fast paced and keeps you wanting to know what happens next.

A great addition to the existing YA dystopian library, and I'm very much looking forward to reading the next instalment.

Thanks so much to @thebooknetwork.co.uk and @c.l.lauder for the complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️s

A riveting YA dystopian read rich in imagination immersing the reader in a fascinating world that drew me in from the get go. It’s a thrilling story about family, survival and the fight for a better world with a unique spin; I was hooked!

In a world taken over by two monstrous parasitic species, Kyjta is trying to evade capture by the terrifying ghoragalls. She befriends Calypsie who she feels compelled to protect. This sets in motion a chain of unsettling events that has Kyjta relying on the enemy and traversing the Perilous Lands for a dangerous rescue mission into the unknown. The chapters are filled with action, adventure, choices, mystery and an ominous presence lingers from horrors both seen and unseen. I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough!

I enjoyed the split perspectives which give a good pace. As we delve deeper into the story we see the complex nature of the main characters and the situation they find themselves in. Kyjta is a force to be reckoned with, she has endured much sorrow – we see her vulnerable side and fierce determination. Kranik is drawn to Kyjta and Calipsie. He wants to make things right and be more than the monster they see. The reader sees his inner struggles and true nature and hopes he can be trusted.

As differences are put aside and they work together, an understanding and connection grows. I loved their time together and the slow burn as an ember of trust sparks between them and we wonder if it can be fanned. Is Kranik friend or foe?

I wasn’t ready for it to end and can’t wait to see what’s next for Kyjta and Kranik in the second book! The Quelling is inventive, intricate and a captivating story dystopian fans will not want to miss.

With thanks to @literallypr and @c_l_lauder for the early review copy.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kyjta, marked by alien fluid, bears the unmistakable insignia of the Stained—a group hunted relentlessly by otherworldly creatures. The struggle for survival in a dystopian world unfolds as humans face the dual challenge of dealing with dangerous aliens and offering their bodies in the enigmatic Quelling process. Kyjta, disregarding caution, embarks on a perilous quest to find Calipsie, a little girl whose safety she was entrusted to ensure. Amidst the constant threat of the Rheman overlord, Kyjta must navigate treacherous waters to rescue the child, all while safeguarding herself from a fatal demise.
“The Quelling” by C. L. Landers is a good dystopian book that is unique from other books in the genre I’ve read. I liked the idea of the plot but was a little slow during the beginning. I wish I saw more of the father from before the book starts so I could get more emotion of the need for revenge that was so great that she could take such a risk to herself. I liked the book a lot despite that though. It’s been a while since a good dystopian was written so I was all in. 4 out of 5 stars.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The quelling by C. L. Lauder.
A Trilogy.
When Kyjta accidentally brands herself with an alien fluid while plotting revenge, she knows her fate is sealed. As one of the Stained, her skin glistens star-bright, and the creatures sent by the Rhemans to scavenge for bodies will have no trouble finding her. One night, while sheltering during a raid, Kyjta forms an unexpected pact with a Rheman rebel to protect a young girl, Calipsie, who’s fallen into her care. Days later, when Calipsie is taken, Kyjta abandons precaution to go after her. Facing impossible odds and allied by a Rheman she’s not sure she can trust, Kyjta must not only rescue Calipsie, but also face the Rheman overlord who’s taken a disturbing interest in her.
I really did enjoy this book. I loved Kyjta from the start. I did like how the creatures were explained. They sounded creepy. I was easily lost in this book. This was a interesting story which I did find parts of this story unique and different. This author is very talented. This was a great start to a Trilogy and I can't wait to see what happens in book 2. I definitely do recommend this book. 5*.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

“‘Some of us are tired of being someone else’s nightmare.’”

“She looks both determined and fierce. I hardly recognize her. She’s nothing like the broken, tormented wreck I know is wallowing on the inside. If I can be her for just one day, maybe I’ll have a chance to do this one thing right.”

This was a powerful and strong beginning to what I’m sure will be an incredible trilogy. I loved the characters, the world building, and the action! The main character reminds me a lot of Katniss; she’s tough but has a soft side to her and will do anything to protect those she loves. I think this trilogy is perfect for fans of The Hunger Games or Divergent.
The only thing I wish there was more of would be insight into Kyjta’s emotions. I felt that we had more emotional turmoil and inner feelings when reading Kranik’s POV, and I would have loved to be able to connect more with Kyjta!
I also wish that there was a glossary of terms included at the end of the book so I could remind myself about what certain creatures’ names /other terms meant. I ended up starting to take notes so I could refer back to them! This book has a TON of excellent world building which at times was hard to keep up with.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the next in the trilogy. I recommend this book! I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Dr. des. Siobhán · Rating 4 out of 5]

The publisher kindly granted me an advance reading copy. Thanks a lot!

I enjoyed "The Quelling" with it's scifi / dystopia content that somewhat reminded me of body snatcher but the people are still alive tropes, Meyer's "The Host" and some Star Trek. It's distinctly YA and I liked the plottwist in the end.

Given that I started reading it when I was quite sick, I had a bit of trouble with the world building later on because my brain refused to remember all the different names. I also did not really enjoy the blossoming romance as it felt quite predictable. Overall fast paced and some interesting choices when it comes to world building. I'm excited to see where it'll go from here (it's book one of a trilogy), I feel like this universe has a lot of potential, especially now that they're travelling to Earth!

3.5 stars because I found parts of the world building and the characters to be underdeveloped but that might be due to the fact that my befuddled brain did not pay proper attention in the beginning...

[Ciara · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best YA dystopia books I’ve read! Lauder added so many new elements I haven’t seen in the genre before. The idea of being stained, making you more likely to be taken away and have your body used by a bodiless alien species. And with that, the idea of your bodily autonomy being taken away forcefully, or in exchange for money. It’s also interesting that, in this world, there’s multiple alien species ruling over the Aurora Saurins and I enjoyed seeing the different ways they govern and interact. The split perspective between Kyjta and Kranik is great for keeping the fast pace and suspense. The only thing I was dreading was finishing the book without a sequel to continue on with right away. But the ending is perfect for leaving you satisfied but still invested in what’s next. I’m so excited for the next two books!

(I was provided a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

[Brigid Jelsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author creates a mystical world where ghoragulls soar above, yakkat roll over for scritches, and deserts are prowled by hungry spear-wielding ravvids.

Wielding a brilliant new vocabulary that challenges the unique worlds created by the likes of Tolkien, Rowling and Herbert, the author keeps us enthralled with a whirlwind of adventures and throws in an extra dash of simmering love as the cherry on top.

"Every wrong must be set right" is a saying that gives young Kyjta strength but can also lead her astray.

In this brilliantly unique world, amidst different people, monsters and species from a wide range of backgrounds, the young characters have to fight to do what is right, in a war rooted deeply in fear.

I am just devastated to have to step out of this fantasy world until the next books are out. In all honesty, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book needs to be a film! There was nothing I didn't love about it.

As always with fantasy/dystopia it took me a while to get my head around the new words/world/species. But once that was all straight in my mind it was perfect.

The Quelling had just the right level of threat and hope that the "good" side would win. Although of course no side is purely good or evil, and is there ever really a winner in any kind of war?

I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series and find out what happens next. 

[Emma-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the premise of this book and the beginning and ending are really interesting! I felt that it got super bogged down in the middle. Another gripe I have is that a word that is clearly part of this world would be thrown out with no explanation or context and you had to just figure out what they were talking about.

[Joe Foxford · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘She trusts me to find a solution. That’s what adults do. Find solutions to impossible problems. But I’m no adult.’

The Quelling is the first entry in what will probably be the next hunger games, no joke.

Without spoiling the story too much we follow Kyjta, a girl with a stain. The land of Aurora Saura has been invaded and the people live in fear of the Rheman who come and take away those that are marked to be quelled.

We meet Kyjta, Calipsie and our other narrator Kranik when along with hundreds of others, they are attacked by the Rheman whilst hiding in a basement. Kranik is a friend, or he was before he was quelled and now he is both human and not.

After Calipsie is dragged away for quelling Kyita and Kranik must learn to work together regardless of their world views on the body trust and their invasion to get her back, what follows is a fast paced action adventure focusing on operation and rebellion and how one person can light the spark to turn the tide against a dominant evil.

The multi perspective works so well in this book as they both wrestle with their struggles, Kyjta with her feelings for Kranik both who he was and who he has become and vice versa.

I don’t want to talk too much about the story as i don’t want to spoil anything, but this was phenomenal and has all the makings of becoming a global hit.

Characters -

There are so many reasons to love The Quelling and a huge part of this is the way the characters are written, their fragility, the turmoil of life, death and immortality and the fear of forgetting and being forgotten.

Kyjta comes across brash and hard in her interactions with those around her, but her inner monologue shows that she is just trying to survive and her solid exterior is the only thing that will get her through the day.

Merrick/Kranik are for the most parts polar opposites, I have never routed for a couple more than I did for our main protagonists but obviously with the body not being Kraniks own we know nothing can come of it, the complexity of sharing a body and the differences in personality traits is so intense to read and is really apparent when Merrick takes control and his utter disdain for Kyjta. I am intrigued to find out why Kranik is so protective of Kyjta which I imagine will be further investigated in the following two books as there is no real reason for him to be the way he is with her.

Along the way we also meet with rebels, ousted leaders and the other menaces to society, the tarrohar who can inflict mind pain and kill anyone in their way, their only enemy the Rheman who they are unable to control they will do everything in their power to gain an advantage.

The cast of characters is so strong, even minor characters who may only be around for a chapter or two leave a mark and you end up rooting for them regardless. Well everyone but Brezan. He had it coming.

The World Building -

I can’t imagine it’s ever easy creating a brand new world, but Carla has smashed it. The world of Aurora Saura regardless of its size is so vivid in its detail that you can picture every single tree, tent and communal space with ease.

We get the almost primitive townships blending in with the futuristic landing ships of the Rheman which are in contrast to the parched lands and ice realm where they are inhospitable to all but a select few of hardened survivors and monsters.

The world setting isn’t complicated at all, we only really travel to 3/4 places throughout this first entry with the majority being the homestead area and then the latter parts travelling to/from the ice realm.

Though the world is small, it holds more than enough terrors to create a real sense of dread everytime we’re taken along a new path.

That being said, I just know this world is going to expand massively in the next entry as the finale takes us off world and into the unknown.

The Plot -

What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this book? I stand by my comment saying that this could quite easily be the next hunger games, there is so much about this world that I want to see expanded, I already know who I have playing the cast in a movie adaptation.

To summarise the plot, after an accident leaves Kyjta stained and a target for Helacths ghoragalls she must endure and survive. After a raid forces her and Calipsie away from home with a Rheman taking the lead until an incident causes Calipsie to be abducted and the mission to rescue her starts before it’s too late and she is lost to the quelling.

I honestly couldn’t love this book more, I’ve just finished my second reread to ensure I could do the posts justice but again the word count sucks.

The story is completely original and there are so many twists and turns that just took my breath away, without spoilers I’ll just say the origin of a certain species was a complete WHAT THE F moment.

It takes a lot for a book to truly grab my attention and this is one of those that did that and more. If you are a lovely of fantasy/sci-fi or just want a really good thrilling story with a lot of depth and deeper meaning this is the book for you.

I honestly believe that this could go global, it has so much to offer, the writing is sublime and I could write a whole book on why I love it so much.

I cannot wait for the second and third instalments.

[Carla Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway for my honest review of this title. The book started out really slow. It started out bouncing around everywhere and I was lost. It finally smoothed out and got better. It was well written. It's about the small man overthrowing the oppressor. The story plot was ok. This book is average, nothing exceptional. I was disappointed how it ended unresolved. You have to wait until her next book to find out if the succeeded in their quest. It's the ominous cliffhanger. So disappointed. You can give it a try if you like. Definitely not my favor title of the year so far.

[Lia Anshar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed "The Quelling" with its dystopia content, it'd been a long time since I read one. I also liked the plot twist in the end.

Given that, I had a bit of trouble with the world-building. It was quite difficult for me to remember all the different names. Overall fast paced and has some interesting choices when it comes to world-building. I'm excited to see where it'll go from here (it's book one of a trilogy), I feel like this universe has a lot of potential.

Three stars because I found parts of the world-building and the characters to be underdeveloped but for the story itself, loved it!

[Emily Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Quelling by C I Lauder

*AD/PR Gifted

“When you’re stained, patches of skin glisten like liquid starlight and, somehow, his creatures find you.”

A chilling YA dystopian thriller telling the gripping story of Kyjta fighting to avoid being snatched by circling ghoragalls to fly them to the Ice Realm for Quelling.

Wanting to expand my reading & try new genres that are not my usual fare, I was lucky enough to be invited on the book tour for this debut novel, the first in a trilogy from author C. I. Lauder. I was captivated by this original, exciting and gripping tale. It was billed as a “captivating, stay-up-all-night-to-date-your-fiction addiction dystopian fantasy of loss and love, oppression and rebellion, and the power of the individual against dominant evil.” It lived up to the hype!

I was drawn in quickly and found it very hard to put down. My only issue with it is that there are a lot of different characters, creatures, ideas and concepts to get your head around and at times I could have done with a quick glossary to help me keep track and follow what was going on. The lack of one, however, didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment of this well written book. If you like gripping, dystopian fantasy this would be worth a read. Even if you haven’t tried the genre before, you might get pulled in as I did. Looking forward to the next 2 instalments in the trilogy.

Thanks to @literallyPR & @C.I.Lauder for the advanced copy and inviting me to participate in the online book tour.

[Jackiesreadingcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still being fairly new to fantasy fiction I cannot believe I have waited this long in my life to read some. Once the world building was done and I knew who was on who’s side, and what skills each person, or creature had that was it I was in hooked. What I loved about this book was the pace, I am one for a fast paced read, obviously the world building can’t exactly be fast, but this writer has a skill of drawing you into the story the pace rises, your heart is pumping not knowing who is going to survive the next attack, battle, or whatever is occurring , then the pace slows for a while giving you a chance to get your breath back before it all starts again. I loved how this pulls at you, gripping you, wanting to know who is in danger and who is safe.

I loved Kyjta’s character, she is empathetic she feels to blame for Callipsie being taken as does the Rhemen at the time they were together but couldn’t get to Callipsie quick enough to stop the ghoragall from taking her. The story is told from the perspectives of Kyjta and the rebel Rhemen.

There are several twists and turns in the story as Kyjta learns of things she had been led to believe to be different. So some of the reveals come as a shock to her. She feels guilt over some of the things she has done. But if she is on your side she will fight for you.

I’m not going to go over the whole story as that is for you as a reader to find out. What I will say is that this is a well thought out and plotted fantasy read, with some creatures that had me grimacing, and some who turned out slightly better than you thought they would.

The plot and story flows perfectly, never letting up keeping you engrossed from start to finish, and this is only book one, I can’t wait to see what happens in book two of this trilogy. But for all you fantasy lovers out there grab yourselves a copy of this you will not be disappointed. It is captivating, a dystopian fantasy of loss and love, oppression and rebellion, and the power of the individual against a dominant evil.

Who will end up winning?

I look forward to the next instalment but this one is an absolute ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It genuinely upsets me that this novel didn’t come out when I was a young teenager. I was so discouraged with the soup of samey YA dystopias that it nearly took me out of reading altogether. This is nothing like those, but also not void of the aspects that make them appealing.

The Quelling follows a rescue mission in a dystopian world where a stain of alien fluid means capture to the north under the oversight of the brutal Rehman overlord. Rehmans lack a physical form outside of a squishy white orb, but they can (and must) use the bodies of other species. Humans (or Aurora Saurins) of course being the best suited. Kyjta our human protagonist forms an unlikely bond with a Rehman, Krainik, after being stained while plotting a deadly revenge.

The plot and the world it is set in are lush in ways that a summary can’t quite capture. A vibrant journey through judgement halls, occupied cities, vast deserts, and a homey potion maker's cottage. In fact it is so thick with lore that I think this book would have really benefited from a glossary of terms (without the kindle search function, I would have been a little lost at points).
As I read, I kept making notes of things that seemed contradictory or didn’t make sense to me, but genuinely every single thing that bothered me was soon revealed to be a part of something larger and far more interesting than I could have ever expected. The sheer amount of twists in this book is remarkable, perhaps it’s a little much, but for the YA genre I think it’s quite well suited. There were times where my jaw genuinely dropped. Whenever I would think to myself “oh, I hope Lauder didn’t forget about ___” I would turn the (digital) page and there it was.
The characters could have been a little more fleshed out. I would have liked to get more attached to them, perhaps just by seeing their inner thoughts or giving them more meaningful conversations with each other. However, I understand why this wasn’t lingered on for too long as it would have likely harmed the swift flow of the plot. Kyjta and Kranik had really nice chemistry (the cliff/ocean scene stands out as one of my favourites) and certainly still work as decent characters.
One crucial element of dystopias is social commentary, and I was very pleasantly surprised at how it was included in this very fantastical world which is totally unlike our own.
The scale in this book is really impressive, seriously, this rivals the epic fantasy giants while still being easy to read. The worldbuilding is unique and very cohesive. I can tell there was a strong editor involved.

I would absolutely recommend this book to fans of science fiction, YA, or honestly anyone looking for something unique and entertaining. Can’t wait for the next instalments to come out!

[mommy_and_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

" When the lie is so much better than reality, it can seduce you, even when all evidence points to the truth. "
I didn't expect that when I picked up a book by C.L. Lauder titled "The Quelling", I didn't expect such a surprising story. This is the first part of a trilogy. I can't wait for the next volume. This novel is mainly aimed at teenagers and young adults. This is a science fiction story. We are dealing here with magic and terrible creatures. If you want to be enchanted, I refer you to this story. Our main character is Kyjta. She lives with her stepfather. Her mother was killed. This heroine has a side job as a delivery agent for the Potions Master. Together with her, you will experience unforgettable adventures, full of magic and danger. You will also meet a little girl, Calipsie. Her life will be in total danger. Will Kyjta find her alive? When you pick up this book, you will also meet Ghoragalls - monsters with waxed claws. Which are very dangerous. I wouldn't want to deal with them. You kill one of them, and his partner will get you. You must remember this. Rheman is a parasite that controls humans. One of them is called Kranik. And it's very good for our main character. Are the rest of his species so nice too? You will also encounter here, among others: the Stunned, the Stained and the Suppressed. Does our heroine belong to any of these groups? This book is a very quick read. Congratulations to the author of this good debut. Another author who showed me that science fiction books are not boring. Fast-paced action, a good plot and wonderful characters made this book impossible to put down. Of course, some events here left me in total shock. I still can't get myself together. I am glad that the author C.L. Lauder decided to share this story with us. I would love to see this novel on the big or small screen. What would you do to save your own friends? Do you believe miracles happen? Is revenge always sweet?

[oh_mybook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️

The first book in a trilogy, "The Quelling" is a gripping YA sci-fi/dystopia set on the planet of Aurora Saura, invaded years ago by the Rhemans, aliens that do not not possess physical bodies of their own but need to "borrow" the ones of the inhabitants of Aurora Saura to be able to do anything.

When Kyjta accidentally brands herself with an alien fluid while plotting revenge, she knows her fate is sealed. As one of the Stained, her markings glisten star-bright, and the creatures sent by the Rhemans to scavenge for bodies will have no trouble finding her.

One night, while sheltering during a raid, Kyjta forms an unexpected pact with a Rheman rebel to protect a young girl, Calipsie, who’s fallen into her care. Days later, when Calipsie is taken, Kyjta abandons precaution to go after her. Facing impossible odds and allied by a Rheman she’s not sure she can trust, Kyjta must not only rescue Calipsie, but also face the Rheman overlord who’s taken a disturbing interest in her.

✨️✨️✨️

I really liked this book, especially its world building. It's been a while since I read a book that felt so original. You may feel a little confused at the beginning but after a couple of chapters you'll totally feel immersed in this world.
Fast paced and full of plot twists (the last one at the very end!! omg!!!), it's the kind of book that you could accidentally read in one sitting.

I also loved the characters and I'm very curious to see what will happen to them and how their relationship will evolve 👀 (enemies to allies to lovers is one of my favourite tropes ever). I especially loved getting to read both Kyjta's and Kranik's POVs.

I can't wait to read the next book in this series✨️

A special thanks to @bookinfluencerscom and @c.l.lauder for sending me the book to review🤍

[Lauren Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Transference Trilogy. At first my mind was a bit blown by all the different names, species and places… but as the book progressed I became familiar with them all. I did feel that I had to slow down my normal reading pace to really take in the character and world building so that I could really take in all the details and develop a picture in my head. I understand though, as this is the first of a trilogy that character/world building and development will be important.

All I can say is… Carla, you have some imagination and I love it! This story was so out there and different but I was engrossed and wanted to keep reading at every possible opportunity! It was quite a brutal world to live in for the Aurora Saurins, I mean I’m terrified just reading about the ghoragalls never mind actually seeing one or being attacked by one! I love how effortlessly the author can dip from sinister parts of the story to heartwarming parts and back again. Kyjta was a very interesting character with a very intriguing past which highly influenced her choices she makes in the book. Some were very questionable! I really liked Kranik and I was rooting for him throughout. The book literally was jam packed full of excitement and adventures! The book was left in a nice little cliff hanger with a hint into what comes in the next book… I also really liked the “Forbidden Song” at the end of the book, it was very sweet and a nice touch to end the book.

A fantastic first instalment to the trilogy. I’m really looking forward to finding out what comes next for Kyjta and Kranik.

[Colette’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎 📖 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
The Quelling, C L Lauder
Dystopian Fantasy

𝘽𝙚𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙮, 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙...

𝘒𝘺𝘫𝘵𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘙𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯, 𝘒𝘺𝘫𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢 𝘙𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵, 𝘒𝘺𝘫𝘵𝘢 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘰’𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳.

Perfect if you love
👽 Dystopian Fantasy
👽 The Hunger Games / Divergent / Travellers
👽 Fast paced plot with multiple species
👽 Dual POV

So this gave me hunger games meets the bone season vibes. I love a dystopian fantasy and this author has written an incredible debut in this field. While the pacing in some sections feels a little off, the plot and ideas are unique and characters are written beautifully. A fascinating dual POV; human and one of the Rheman. I appreciated his pov especially as I’ve not had many where we’ve been able to get insight from the non human species.

I loved the concept of the Rheman being bodiless and paying to use human bodies - how do you really know who you’re talking to? They have to loan their bodies out once a month but those who have little funds/struggling for survival volunteer more and get compensated financially for this. Such a thought provoking concept!

I’m going to be thinking about this book for a long time. I’m so glad it’s a trilogy - now just for the wait for book 2😂!!


Thank you @literallypr and @c.l.lauder for my gifted arc copy!

[Em_bookarazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world where being stained by alien fluid causes your skin to glisten, you must be on the look out constantly for creatures spotting your stain and swooping down to capture you.

When I first started this book I was a little confused by all the different names of people and creatures. However I'm glad I stuck with it as very quickly everything fell into place and the story took off. Kyjta witnesses a small child, Calipsie, being taken and the story focuses on her mission to find her again.

Kyjta was a loveable character from the start. She was a force to be reckoned with, and I knew very early on she wouldn't let obstacles stand in her way of rescuing Calipsie.

I love sci-fi movies and shows, and have recently started getting into Sci-fi books. This book was definitely an enjoyable read for me, even being very new to the genre. The world building was easy to follow once all the people and creatures names were explained, and I felt like I could picture the characters. The story was very interesting and full of twists and turns. I think all of the politics and backstory explained throughout the book have also set it up perfectly for the rest of this trilogy, and I'm looking forward to book 2!

[Harsh Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the distant planet Aurora Saura, the good people hide in basements to avoid the scavengers plaguing the skies, the creatures sent by the Rhemans. Kyjta accidentally brands herself with an alien fluid. She has revenge on her mind. As one of the Stained, her markings glisten bright. She has to protect Calipsie, who's fallen into her care. Days later when Calipsie is taken, Kyjta abandons precaution to go after her. Allied by a Rheman she's sceptical of trusting, Kyjta must rescue Calipsie and also face the Rheman overlord who's taken a disturbing interest in her.

This is a science fiction fantasy novel packed with peculiar names and situations. The world building is amazing and so is the plot. But this isn't any simple fantasy novel or an easy read. It's a complex story that demands all the attention and our time. Initially I had a bit of difficulty comprehending the storyline but once I caught up with it, I was completely engrossed. This is a fast paced fantasy with dual POVs of Kyjta and Kranik that add depth to the story. It's an amazing introduction to the story and I'm keen on reading the next two parts of the trilogy. I'm absolutely in love with the book cover which was the sole purpose of me picking up the book.

[Sam Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

The simplest reaction to reading a good book, is you cannot put that book down! And I could not put this book down, simple!

I enjoy Fantasy genres, but YA, Fantasy/Sci-fi, is not one I would normally be drawn to, but boy am I glad I was on this occasion! Not only because I would have missed out on this fantastic read, but any other great books that follow this same genre!

This book has all the good stuff! A beautifully written story, characters described so well you feel you know them, an unlikely, but riveting emerging love story (fingers crossed it grows and blossoms even more in the next book!) and it most certainly has all the stunning twists and turns we all need!

Although the end of a book is always inevitable, I was not looking forward to the end of this book in particular. So, I am absolutely thrilled to discover that this very talented, certainly up and coming author will be satiating my desperate thirst for another instalment, hopefully in the not too distant future! I cannot wait! I will be watching avidly for this sequel!

I wholeheartedly recommend this book! Launch date is January 16th, 2024! So, get ready to read my fellow Readers!

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

his is a fantasy read y’all and I love my fantasy reads! There is so much in this book y’all! There is magic, monsters, and aliens in this book as an example. I love magic and am a huge HP fan, so I wanted to read this one folks!
This is also a YA Dystopian read and I do happen to occasionally read these types of stories. The MC is named Kytja. She has a friend named Calypsie who Kytja needs to protect. The story takes us into an epic journey of Kytja trying to protect her friend and also find out what is happening. There is something unique in the writing style from the author, the story is told in two different pov’s from the characters. The Quelling is literally when Kytja’s people must sacrifice one of their own people to alien monsters.
This reminds me of a series by one of my favorite authors of elementary or middle school reads and I loved that about this book. I will say the beginning of the book was a little slow to start but once you get into the book you will like this one if you like YA and Dystopian reads😊

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucks you in like quicksand, I can't put it down once I pick it up to read. Lauder’s writing grabs you by the eyes and doesn't let go >.< It's so easy to get completely absorbed in the story.

Kyjta's like : “screw caution," and heads out on this dangerous mission to find Calipsie, a little girl she's supposed to be protecting. Even with that nasty Rheman dude breathing down her neck the whole time, Kyjta's gotta steer through some really sketchy waters to save the kid. Crazy stuff.

The author totally nails the plot and makes everything feel so real. I read it while in the train, while walking, while listening to my professor because I just have to know what would happen next. It's an addictive read, for sure. I'd say it's a page-turner, but more like a page-devourer, really.

Lovely job on The Quelling!

[Jade Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐️
I like the concept and ideas and world of this story. It reminded me a lot of a more other planetary version of The Host by Stephanie Meyers, which is a story I highly enjoyed, even a decade later. However, this sadly fell short for me because the plot just felt chaotic. There were so many good components, but the assembly was just wonky for me. Sometimes there was too much info and world building that I was lost. Like information overload on the front end that every time some name or detail popped up again I would be confused. However, I think if you liked Dune, you’ll love this. I appreciated both stories but was equally lost while reading both.
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and River Grove Books for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Quelling is an engaging fantasy novel that grabs you from the beginning and keeps you coming back for more. Creatures taking over the bodies of others makes them hard to know who you are truly dealing with. The only way to truly know? Pay attention to their behavior...look for tells.
Packed with engaging characters, this storyline flows beautifully as it lays out a story that tells of a people being used for another's future plans of war and conquer. But it goes beyond Aurora Saura. This fantasy novel is bigger than that. It crosses galaxies and brings the drama to Earth's doorstep.
The Quelling is a page-turner of a novel with monsters, aliens, dynamic characters, and a storyline you're not going to want to miss out on.
5 out of 5 stars

[Rio Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Befriend your enemy, save your friend”

As always this is a spoiler free review. I hope you’re ready for a new dystopian tale! It’s nice to read something fresh and a new take on the genre. This is a YA read that I enjoyed thoroughly. I usually don’t have the patience for complicated world building but that is not the case here, the story is smooth and explains the world/history/politics clearly. It’s definitely giving The Host vibes but that’s a good thing! Lauder has one hell of an imagination and it’s refreshing to see something different out there. This one’s perfect for the big screens! I can definitely see a movie in the future. I can’t wait to explore the rest of this trilogy.

Thank you to Literally PR for the ACR in exchange for an honest review