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Adalta #1
Karda
On the beautiful world Adalta, a lost colony from Earth is about to come under attack by a forgotten enemy. To Marta, Adalta is just another planet to spy on for the massive trade ship that hides in the skies. Her tough-girl shell cracks when Sidhari, one of Adalta’s majestic flying horses, chooses Marta as her rider, and a soul deep bond begins to form. Still undercover, Marta trains to join the Mi’hiru, the elite all-female Karda guard.
Assigned to handsome nobleman Altan’s quadrant, they fight a growing attraction. She has her iron-clad rules—no relationships, no friends, no lovers. She’s not staying on this planet. He’s destined to marry for politics, not love. Flying on patrol with Altan, they spot a village under attack by marauders with smuggled weapons she recognizes from her ship. And she is thrown into a battle between brothers that threatens all of Adalta.
Assigned to handsome nobleman Altan’s quadrant, they fight a growing attraction. She has her iron-clad rules—no relationships, no friends, no lovers. She’s not staying on this planet. He’s destined to marry for politics, not love. Flying on patrol with Altan, they spot a village under attack by marauders with smuggled weapons she recognizes from her ship. And she is thrown into a battle between brothers that threatens all of Adalta.
554 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2014
266 people are currently reading
1016 people want to read
About the author
Sherrill Nilson
4 books16 followersSherrill Nilson used to raise horses. Now she writes about flying horses—with hawk heads and wicked talons. Author of the Adalta Series, she’s been a cattle rancher, horse breeder, environmentalist, mother of three, traveler to exotic places–even a tarot card reader. She lived in Santa Fe and Ruidoso, NM, San Francisco, and Austin after leaving the hills of Eastern Oklahoma and her ranch. Now she’s back in Tulsa where she started.
She has a Ph.D. in East-West Psychology, and her studies opened her to the world of ancient myth and story. Writing all those many papers and her dissertation suited her. She loves science fiction and fantasy and is a prolific reader. One day she put down the book she just finished and thought, “I’m going to run out of books to read. I love imagined worlds. Why don’t I create my own? One I’d like to fly away to.” So she took a leap of faith and embarked on writing Karda and Hunter–the first two books in the Adalta series. She’s now working on Falling, the third book, and lurking in the back of her mind is another series about the trees deciding whether or not to leave earth. She is also working on a series of short stories telling the Epic of Gilgamesh from a woman’s perspective.
She lives, writes, and reads SciFi/fantasy (and occasionally poetry) in Tulsa, Oklahoma—back where she started as the oldest of seven kids, (don’t ask to drive) three of whom are writers.
She doesn’t have a dog, a cat, or even a bird, but she does have an old Volvo convertible and loves to drive around in her sunglasses with the wind blowing her hair. It’s how she gets her vitamin D.
You can reach her through SherrillNilson.com or email her at sherrill.nilson@gmail.com. She would like to hear from you because she wants to know what you think about her work. She says it makes her a better writer––and makes her write faster.
She has a Ph.D. in East-West Psychology, and her studies opened her to the world of ancient myth and story. Writing all those many papers and her dissertation suited her. She loves science fiction and fantasy and is a prolific reader. One day she put down the book she just finished and thought, “I’m going to run out of books to read. I love imagined worlds. Why don’t I create my own? One I’d like to fly away to.” So she took a leap of faith and embarked on writing Karda and Hunter–the first two books in the Adalta series. She’s now working on Falling, the third book, and lurking in the back of her mind is another series about the trees deciding whether or not to leave earth. She is also working on a series of short stories telling the Epic of Gilgamesh from a woman’s perspective.
She lives, writes, and reads SciFi/fantasy (and occasionally poetry) in Tulsa, Oklahoma—back where she started as the oldest of seven kids, (don’t ask to drive) three of whom are writers.
She doesn’t have a dog, a cat, or even a bird, but she does have an old Volvo convertible and loves to drive around in her sunglasses with the wind blowing her hair. It’s how she gets her vitamin D.
You can reach her through SherrillNilson.com or email her at sherrill.nilson@gmail.com. She would like to hear from you because she wants to know what you think about her work. She says it makes her a better writer––and makes her write faster.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 20, 2020
I received an ARC from Reedsy Discovery in exchange for a book review.
In a land of magic and lore, Marta struggles to stay objective for her mission as she falls in love with the world of Adalta. She underestimates the challenges she’ll face when caught in the middle of the political struggles for leadership, as well as the fight for Adalta’s soul and her own heart.
Nilson's fantasy books has touches of sci-fi that added tantalizing depth to the story of Marta and her majestic flying horse-hawk Sidhari. The story had a slow start, and the ending was somewhat anti-climactic. I liked the switching POVs, but I think some of the interpersonal relationships (namely Marta/Sidhari and Marta/Altan) suffered as a result of not staying in one person's head long enough. There were some editing issues, mostly some odd phrases and an accidental repeat of a paragraph towards the end. The magic elements and the plot with the Consortium felt underdeveloped but seems promising for future books. Overall, the pacing was off and some ideas needed more development. nevertheless, I enjoyed the world of Adalta.
Follow my link to see my review on Reedsy:
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/kar...
In a land of magic and lore, Marta struggles to stay objective for her mission as she falls in love with the world of Adalta. She underestimates the challenges she’ll face when caught in the middle of the political struggles for leadership, as well as the fight for Adalta’s soul and her own heart.
Nilson's fantasy books has touches of sci-fi that added tantalizing depth to the story of Marta and her majestic flying horse-hawk Sidhari. The story had a slow start, and the ending was somewhat anti-climactic. I liked the switching POVs, but I think some of the interpersonal relationships (namely Marta/Sidhari and Marta/Altan) suffered as a result of not staying in one person's head long enough. There were some editing issues, mostly some odd phrases and an accidental repeat of a paragraph towards the end. The magic elements and the plot with the Consortium felt underdeveloped but seems promising for future books. Overall, the pacing was off and some ideas needed more development. nevertheless, I enjoyed the world of Adalta.
Follow my link to see my review on Reedsy:
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/kar...
October 7, 2019
Humanity has scattered across the universe in Ark Ships following the over-population and basically destruction of Earth five hundred years before. Many of these ships found habitable planets to settle on, attempting to start anew and avoid the pitfalls that doomed Earth (often through strict regulations regarding technological advancement). Others, though, never settled, and instead travel throughout space in search of these colonies to foster trade. Doing so means sending agents incognito to assess trade opportunities, and Marta is one of the best agents on her ship.
Marta grew up planet-hopping with her father, always following their mantra: “Don’t get attached.” But on the planet Adalta, her first solo mission, her cover story requires her to join with the elite all-women Mi’hiru, the riders and caretakers of the hawk-headed flying horse called Karda native to the planet. And when the Karda Sidhari chooses to bond with Marta, she finds herself inexorably drawn into the affairs of the Karda and the people on Adalta just as a nearly-forgotten darkness is growing once again.
Ms. Nilson creates a believable diaspora human society on a new planet, Adalta, which is determined to avoid the pitfalls that doomed Earth. While she doesn’t spend much time on elaborating these pitfalls – there is no need to – with each one she mentioned, I could immediately go, “Yes, I can see that, it’s something that’s even causing problems now.” The solution that the colonists of Adalta found was to limit technological advancement to align with socio-cultural advancement, meaning that we have a mostly medieval-feeling society, but one that also has some more modern tech such as steam engines, even after 500 years. I was surprised by how “close” the first settler’s experiences seemed to be to the current day, evident in how Adalta’s human inhabitants refer to the Ark Ship, the first settlers and their plans and intents for this new society. I expected a bit more…change, I guess – when we look at say, the UK today to 500 years ago, there is a huge difference in how the societies work, the socio-cultural aspect and the technological aspect, and what’s more, in how we recall the events of the early 1500s. Of course, this is likely attributable to the colonists’ desire to stick with the precepts they set at the beginning, though I am very curious to learn .
However, where technology may seem lacking, the planet itself provides: Adalta adopts humans as much as they her, gifting humanity with “talent” – such as the ability to heat a room using just magma stones in a fireplace, no wood. We learn about talent and how it works in bits and pieces as Marta learns about it, as with many other facts about life and society on Adalta, so that we discover Adalta right alongside her. Oftentimes, just as I was thinking it was time to learn more about talent or another aspect of Adalta, Ms. Nilson would oblige – and getting the first switch to the Adalta-born Altan’s point of view was a game-changer and much welcomed. Overall, I found each additional piece of information to come as it was needed, and just enough for the scene/purposes at hand.
While Marta is our first and main protagonist, before long she meets Altan Me’Gerron, the Guardian Heir to Toldar Quadrant. In this society, the landmass of Adalta is divided into quadrants (similar to countries), with each one headed by a Guardian who lives in the Prime (capital city) of the quadrant. These Guardians inherit/are chosen for the role essentially based on the level of their talent, with those gifted with the most talent being Guardian, and others with lesser but still strong talent being the “holders” (nobility). While Ms. Nilson never makes the feudal comparison as I have done here, the similarities are quite clear, right down to how holders can jockey for better positions, seek to make advantageous marriage alliances, and how there is political maneuvering and even a movement against the “aristocracy of talent” inherent in this society.
Yes, the “aristocracy of talent” is about as close as we get to using medieval nobility terminology to refer to the ruling powers. And none other than a skipped-over Guardian’s first-born son is at the head of it – Readen, of Restal Prime, the only human to have no talent whatsoever since humanity arrived on the planet. But he has something else to work with, to manipulate and coerce others into doing his bidding, and the bidding of the resurging darkness on the planet: the Itza Larrak with its Circles of Disorder and arcane knowledge of evil blood magicks, and worse.
Despite her desire to not get attached, Marta finds herself quickly in the middle of the action, starting with being chosen by the Karda Sidhari and soon followed by multiple murder attempts on her life. While she is a very capable fighter and really good at what she does even on a planet where she had so little information going in, she finds herself in over her head more than once, and in need of backup. Thankfully, she has made good, strong friends: Daryl Me’Vere (the second born and Guardian Heir of Restal), Altan, Mother Cailyn of the Mi’hiru, and the other various Mi’hiru she is stationed with. (Unfortunately, most of her lesser antagonists are actually female rather than male, and are so in direct correlation to her relationship with Altan.) She only ends up in positions of “damsel in distress” because of the curious nature of life on Adalta, things she could never have been prepared for, and not for lack of skills or competence on her part.
Of course, what is a good sword-and-sorcery story without a healthy dose of a romantic relationship. I will admit, I rather ship Marta and Daryl…even though it is not meant to be. Instead, Marta finds herself thrown with Altan through a surprise telepathic link between them, a link that is normally only possible between a Karda and their selected partner, and even then is not common. Marta is not common (and not just because she is not “from” the planet), and as the story unfolds we see how uncommon Altan is as well. While by the end I was mostly buying into their relationship () and their bond, given how much time they spent avoiding each other or not speaking, it was a little difficult to be as onboard with it as I was expected to be. Even if Altan did grow on me, secrets and all, there was a feeling of inevitability to their relationship, encouraged by This connection has its benefits and its drawbacks, as any close telepathic link would have, and it is interesting to see how they make use of it (intentionally or not) or even try to ignore it as the story moves along and events evolve.
Ms. Nilson also does a good job of bringing characters back into play, and in so doing giving them added depth. While “NPC”-style people are great, it’s even better to see these seemingly innocuous people come back as more than the appeared. (Once you read it, you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about. Okay, I’ll give you one hint: Not all agents wield swords.) She even manages to get you to feel for characters who started out very unlikable – not always an easy task! Though I will admit, keeping track of all the various Mi’hiru was not always simple, especially as we did not get to spend much time with any one of them - with all of Marta’s travels and the way that Mi’hiru operate, they were frequently shuffled around. My one “gripe” with the notoriously independent and self-sufficient Mi’hiru comes from a move Marta pulls at the end: the Mi’hiru are an elite group, few in number, and yet
All in all, I devoured this book as quickly as I could, though it wasn’t quick enough. I found the world Ms. Nilson created an interesting mix of science and magic, with beautiful and unique creatures, and engaging characters with their own motivations and inspirations. The society she has built is intriguing, and I am eager to jump into Hunter to see where things will go – the book can stand alone fairly well with the ending, but it leaves enough open to promise action and craziness to follow, and I am SO ready to hop on that Karda!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my opinion of the novel.
Marta grew up planet-hopping with her father, always following their mantra: “Don’t get attached.” But on the planet Adalta, her first solo mission, her cover story requires her to join with the elite all-women Mi’hiru, the riders and caretakers of the hawk-headed flying horse called Karda native to the planet. And when the Karda Sidhari chooses to bond with Marta, she finds herself inexorably drawn into the affairs of the Karda and the people on Adalta just as a nearly-forgotten darkness is growing once again.
Ms. Nilson creates a believable diaspora human society on a new planet, Adalta, which is determined to avoid the pitfalls that doomed Earth. While she doesn’t spend much time on elaborating these pitfalls – there is no need to – with each one she mentioned, I could immediately go, “Yes, I can see that, it’s something that’s even causing problems now.” The solution that the colonists of Adalta found was to limit technological advancement to align with socio-cultural advancement, meaning that we have a mostly medieval-feeling society, but one that also has some more modern tech such as steam engines, even after 500 years. I was surprised by how “close” the first settler’s experiences seemed to be to the current day, evident in how Adalta’s human inhabitants refer to the Ark Ship, the first settlers and their plans and intents for this new society. I expected a bit more…change, I guess – when we look at say, the UK today to 500 years ago, there is a huge difference in how the societies work, the socio-cultural aspect and the technological aspect, and what’s more, in how we recall the events of the early 1500s. Of course, this is likely attributable to the colonists’ desire to stick with the precepts they set at the beginning, though I am very curious to learn .
However, where technology may seem lacking, the planet itself provides: Adalta adopts humans as much as they her, gifting humanity with “talent” – such as the ability to heat a room using just magma stones in a fireplace, no wood. We learn about talent and how it works in bits and pieces as Marta learns about it, as with many other facts about life and society on Adalta, so that we discover Adalta right alongside her. Oftentimes, just as I was thinking it was time to learn more about talent or another aspect of Adalta, Ms. Nilson would oblige – and getting the first switch to the Adalta-born Altan’s point of view was a game-changer and much welcomed. Overall, I found each additional piece of information to come as it was needed, and just enough for the scene/purposes at hand.
While Marta is our first and main protagonist, before long she meets Altan Me’Gerron, the Guardian Heir to Toldar Quadrant. In this society, the landmass of Adalta is divided into quadrants (similar to countries), with each one headed by a Guardian who lives in the Prime (capital city) of the quadrant. These Guardians inherit/are chosen for the role essentially based on the level of their talent, with those gifted with the most talent being Guardian, and others with lesser but still strong talent being the “holders” (nobility). While Ms. Nilson never makes the feudal comparison as I have done here, the similarities are quite clear, right down to how holders can jockey for better positions, seek to make advantageous marriage alliances, and how there is political maneuvering and even a movement against the “aristocracy of talent” inherent in this society.
Yes, the “aristocracy of talent” is about as close as we get to using medieval nobility terminology to refer to the ruling powers. And none other than a skipped-over Guardian’s first-born son is at the head of it – Readen, of Restal Prime, the only human to have no talent whatsoever since humanity arrived on the planet. But he has something else to work with, to manipulate and coerce others into doing his bidding, and the bidding of the resurging darkness on the planet: the Itza Larrak with its Circles of Disorder and arcane knowledge of evil blood magicks, and worse.
Despite her desire to not get attached, Marta finds herself quickly in the middle of the action, starting with being chosen by the Karda Sidhari and soon followed by multiple murder attempts on her life. While she is a very capable fighter and really good at what she does even on a planet where she had so little information going in, she finds herself in over her head more than once, and in need of backup. Thankfully, she has made good, strong friends: Daryl Me’Vere (the second born and Guardian Heir of Restal), Altan, Mother Cailyn of the Mi’hiru, and the other various Mi’hiru she is stationed with. (Unfortunately, most of her lesser antagonists are actually female rather than male, and are so in direct correlation to her relationship with Altan.) She only ends up in positions of “damsel in distress” because of the curious nature of life on Adalta, things she could never have been prepared for, and not for lack of skills or competence on her part.
Of course, what is a good sword-and-sorcery story without a healthy dose of a romantic relationship. I will admit, I rather ship Marta and Daryl…even though it is not meant to be. Instead, Marta finds herself thrown with Altan through a surprise telepathic link between them, a link that is normally only possible between a Karda and their selected partner, and even then is not common. Marta is not common (and not just because she is not “from” the planet), and as the story unfolds we see how uncommon Altan is as well. While by the end I was mostly buying into their relationship () and their bond, given how much time they spent avoiding each other or not speaking, it was a little difficult to be as onboard with it as I was expected to be. Even if Altan did grow on me, secrets and all, there was a feeling of inevitability to their relationship, encouraged by This connection has its benefits and its drawbacks, as any close telepathic link would have, and it is interesting to see how they make use of it (intentionally or not) or even try to ignore it as the story moves along and events evolve.
Ms. Nilson also does a good job of bringing characters back into play, and in so doing giving them added depth. While “NPC”-style people are great, it’s even better to see these seemingly innocuous people come back as more than the appeared. (Once you read it, you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about. Okay, I’ll give you one hint: Not all agents wield swords.) She even manages to get you to feel for characters who started out very unlikable – not always an easy task! Though I will admit, keeping track of all the various Mi’hiru was not always simple, especially as we did not get to spend much time with any one of them - with all of Marta’s travels and the way that Mi’hiru operate, they were frequently shuffled around. My one “gripe” with the notoriously independent and self-sufficient Mi’hiru comes from a move Marta pulls at the end: the Mi’hiru are an elite group, few in number, and yet
All in all, I devoured this book as quickly as I could, though it wasn’t quick enough. I found the world Ms. Nilson created an interesting mix of science and magic, with beautiful and unique creatures, and engaging characters with their own motivations and inspirations. The society she has built is intriguing, and I am eager to jump into Hunter to see where things will go – the book can stand alone fairly well with the ending, but it leaves enough open to promise action and craziness to follow, and I am SO ready to hop on that Karda!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my opinion of the novel.
August 16, 2018
First the disclaimers...Karda was my first venture into fantasy novels so I have nothing to compare it to and, second, it took me at least one quarter of the book to set aside my terrene ways of thinking and enjoy the story. Once I did, I knew that Sherrill Nilson's story about flying horses with hawk heads and wicked talons (Kardas) was much better than I was prepared for.
Adalta is the first volume in the three-volume Karda series. Marta, our main character and heroine, is wonderful. Secretly sent to the planet Adalta to assess its resources and trade potential, Marta knows her job and she knows she can’t get attached––she’s not staying. Then she meets her Karda, the wondrous flying creature she grows to love and Altan, the arrogant aristocrat with strange elemental powers. Marta finds that she, too, has powers and they scare her but she must use them to save the place and the people she comes to love.
Nilson's prose is abundantly descriptive and that really helped me accept life on Adalta, her imaginary planet. The story is set in a disturbing future with a wonderful cast of villains. It is the classic struggle of good versus evil where Marta, arriving there on her voyage of discovery, is definitely an outsider. Our heroine is convincing and likable even when she is flying around on the magnificent Karda, the shining creature that “canters to a stop with it a gleaming pale gold mane and tail gleaming, a hawk head raised high and a proud, formidable, curved beak.” Karda has “four slender legs ended in huge bird feet with long wicked bronze talons.”
Where I really struggled was Marta's romance with Altan. When Marta is captured by the blood magician the reader will wonder if Altan will rescue her or will she save herself. When he arrives they are suddenly speaking telepathically. This was a little too much for me. Marta knows she can't stay on Adalta and however often she repeats her mantra, “Don’t get attached,” she does, to both Karda and the people of Adalta.
It takes a good storyteller to get me to believe and Nilsen succeeds! Karda, and its subtle environmental theme, held my interest. Karda will be followed by Hunter. Nilson is currently working on Volume III. I will read Hunter and will recommend Karda to other skeptics. I have never read Hunger Games but I know it has encouraged a generation of young people to read....if this is what they are reading, authors and publishers have little to worry about. Well-written stories like Karda will keep them reading!
Nilson, like her characters, has lead a rich life that includes everything from raising horses to reading tarot cards. She has a PhD in East-West Psychology and loves both science fiction and fantasy. She describes herself as someone who used to “raise horses but now she writes about flying horses with hawk heads and wicked talons.”
Adalta is the first volume in the three-volume Karda series. Marta, our main character and heroine, is wonderful. Secretly sent to the planet Adalta to assess its resources and trade potential, Marta knows her job and she knows she can’t get attached––she’s not staying. Then she meets her Karda, the wondrous flying creature she grows to love and Altan, the arrogant aristocrat with strange elemental powers. Marta finds that she, too, has powers and they scare her but she must use them to save the place and the people she comes to love.
Nilson's prose is abundantly descriptive and that really helped me accept life on Adalta, her imaginary planet. The story is set in a disturbing future with a wonderful cast of villains. It is the classic struggle of good versus evil where Marta, arriving there on her voyage of discovery, is definitely an outsider. Our heroine is convincing and likable even when she is flying around on the magnificent Karda, the shining creature that “canters to a stop with it a gleaming pale gold mane and tail gleaming, a hawk head raised high and a proud, formidable, curved beak.” Karda has “four slender legs ended in huge bird feet with long wicked bronze talons.”
Where I really struggled was Marta's romance with Altan. When Marta is captured by the blood magician the reader will wonder if Altan will rescue her or will she save herself. When he arrives they are suddenly speaking telepathically. This was a little too much for me. Marta knows she can't stay on Adalta and however often she repeats her mantra, “Don’t get attached,” she does, to both Karda and the people of Adalta.
It takes a good storyteller to get me to believe and Nilsen succeeds! Karda, and its subtle environmental theme, held my interest. Karda will be followed by Hunter. Nilson is currently working on Volume III. I will read Hunter and will recommend Karda to other skeptics. I have never read Hunger Games but I know it has encouraged a generation of young people to read....if this is what they are reading, authors and publishers have little to worry about. Well-written stories like Karda will keep them reading!
Nilson, like her characters, has lead a rich life that includes everything from raising horses to reading tarot cards. She has a PhD in East-West Psychology and loves both science fiction and fantasy. She describes herself as someone who used to “raise horses but now she writes about flying horses with hawk heads and wicked talons.”
July 7, 2019
A fantasy world, a sci-fi twist, unique characters, and an interesting storyline are the building blocks for this interesting story. Karda by Sherrill Nilson is a fictional story that brings readers a unique combination of fantasy and science-fiction taking readers to an alien world where humans have tried to populate it, but there is something about it that keeps it from being truly altered to suit humanity fully. A mixing of past and present meet on this planet, as humans blend styles, tools, and weapons from centuries past with styles and trends from the present as well.
Karda takes readers to a distant planet and takes us on a journey with Marta. Marta is alone in the world, but this journey that she is on is an important mission. She’s sent to gather information, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Marta is seeking to become a member of the Mi’hiru, riders of the Karda – beautiful creatures that have the body of a horse, but the head, wings, and feet of a hawk. Thanks to spy bugs that have been exploring the planet Marta has some idea of what to expect, but she quickly learns that those who navigate the spy bugs weren’t through with their spying “research.” She knows nothing about some of the most important aspects of this planet and the people who inhabit it.
Marta is an interesting character. She is determined to succeed at her mission, but she is constantly worrying about being recalled, failing or becoming attached to those around her. Her father always warned her about becoming attached and I see her fighting that as much as she can. I like her determination and I love her bond with her Karda. I have to admit that I feel frustrated with Marta being in the dark about certain aspects of the people and their planet. I say this because just as she is in the dark so the author also keeps the reader in the dark as well. The storyline moves along at a good pace and keeps the reader engaged throughout. I must also admit, I love the illustrations that are scattered throughout. The first illustration after the prologue piqued my interest immensely had me page turning to learn more about this strange creature the boy encounters.
There isn’t much that I don’t like about this story. There is more than meets the eye and I love it. There is the magic element, the dangers of the land, the suspicions of the people, and the underhanded dealings of so many around. It pulls you into the story and keeps you digging to learn what will happen next.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. As this story is Adalta: Vol. 1 I am eager to read more by this author and the unique characters that they present with this story and series. If you love a good fantasy novel with a science fiction twist then this is a good book to pick up and dive into!
Karda takes readers to a distant planet and takes us on a journey with Marta. Marta is alone in the world, but this journey that she is on is an important mission. She’s sent to gather information, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Marta is seeking to become a member of the Mi’hiru, riders of the Karda – beautiful creatures that have the body of a horse, but the head, wings, and feet of a hawk. Thanks to spy bugs that have been exploring the planet Marta has some idea of what to expect, but she quickly learns that those who navigate the spy bugs weren’t through with their spying “research.” She knows nothing about some of the most important aspects of this planet and the people who inhabit it.
Marta is an interesting character. She is determined to succeed at her mission, but she is constantly worrying about being recalled, failing or becoming attached to those around her. Her father always warned her about becoming attached and I see her fighting that as much as she can. I like her determination and I love her bond with her Karda. I have to admit that I feel frustrated with Marta being in the dark about certain aspects of the people and their planet. I say this because just as she is in the dark so the author also keeps the reader in the dark as well. The storyline moves along at a good pace and keeps the reader engaged throughout. I must also admit, I love the illustrations that are scattered throughout. The first illustration after the prologue piqued my interest immensely had me page turning to learn more about this strange creature the boy encounters.
There isn’t much that I don’t like about this story. There is more than meets the eye and I love it. There is the magic element, the dangers of the land, the suspicions of the people, and the underhanded dealings of so many around. It pulls you into the story and keeps you digging to learn what will happen next.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. As this story is Adalta: Vol. 1 I am eager to read more by this author and the unique characters that they present with this story and series. If you love a good fantasy novel with a science fiction twist then this is a good book to pick up and dive into!
November 28, 2018
Karda by Sherrill Nilson is the first book in the Adalta series. Sent on a mission to Adalta, Marta is drawn into a world of wonder and magical flying creatures called the Karda. She's taken in by warriors known as the Mi'hiru where she forms a telepathic bond with a Karda named Sidhari. The bond is unlike anything she's felt before. After an attack, she discovers someone wants her dead but she doesn't know who would have the motive. She's saved by the handsome and mysterious Altan whom she seems to clash with until everything changes and she starts hearing him in her head. It's clear whoever is behind the attack isn't done trying to kill her. As her relationship with Altan grows, Marta goes undercover to investigate the disappearance of several girls and the mysterious deaths of multiple Karda, but the answers she uncovers may be more than she can handle alone.
Marta is a strong-willed woman who is brazen and fierce. She has this bravery about her that makes her a hero from the very start when she's sent on a mission to another planet. She's a perfect fit in this group of amazing warriors as a woman who is skilled in self-defense and highly intelligent. Marta and Altan get off to a tense start in their relationship as they clash and banter but over the course of the story, they quickly develop a bond which leads to a romance. Their scenes are often sweet and humorous, filled with banter and a genuine progression to love. The romance isn't without some drama as Altan is set up for a political match and Marta isn't the ideal wife for him, but the bond between them makes matters complicated and something they're willing to fight for. They both let their walls down and open up to each other in a way that makes you root for their relationship to succeed.
Sherrill Nilson weaves a mystery into the plot starting with someone wanting Marta dead which ties to the deaths of Karda and missing girls. The mystery unfolds in unexpected ways, taking a darker turn with every twist. The bad guy is jealous and full of hate, using twisted magic to garner power and trying to prove he's better than his brother. Nilson doesn't shy away from darker elements which give the story a grittier feeling at times but it never gets too dark. As she handles this mystery, Marta also is discovering her place and, in doing so, finds where she belongs. Nilson blends various elements of science fiction, magic, action, and romance together for an unforgettable adventure. Karda is a story full of action-packed mystery and romance you won't want to put down until it's over with the end leaving you wanting more.
Marta is a strong-willed woman who is brazen and fierce. She has this bravery about her that makes her a hero from the very start when she's sent on a mission to another planet. She's a perfect fit in this group of amazing warriors as a woman who is skilled in self-defense and highly intelligent. Marta and Altan get off to a tense start in their relationship as they clash and banter but over the course of the story, they quickly develop a bond which leads to a romance. Their scenes are often sweet and humorous, filled with banter and a genuine progression to love. The romance isn't without some drama as Altan is set up for a political match and Marta isn't the ideal wife for him, but the bond between them makes matters complicated and something they're willing to fight for. They both let their walls down and open up to each other in a way that makes you root for their relationship to succeed.
Sherrill Nilson weaves a mystery into the plot starting with someone wanting Marta dead which ties to the deaths of Karda and missing girls. The mystery unfolds in unexpected ways, taking a darker turn with every twist. The bad guy is jealous and full of hate, using twisted magic to garner power and trying to prove he's better than his brother. Nilson doesn't shy away from darker elements which give the story a grittier feeling at times but it never gets too dark. As she handles this mystery, Marta also is discovering her place and, in doing so, finds where she belongs. Nilson blends various elements of science fiction, magic, action, and romance together for an unforgettable adventure. Karda is a story full of action-packed mystery and romance you won't want to put down until it's over with the end leaving you wanting more.
January 23, 2024
I ran across Karda (Adalta Vol 1) by Sherrill Nilson on BragMedallion.com. The mixture of science fiction and fantasy intrigued me. Here are my thoughts about it!
Synopsis (from the author):
On the beautiful world Adalta, an ancient alien emerges.
Young Marta is dropped to the planet for her first secret mission alone. In this dangerous job there are two rules: Don’t get attached. Don’t get discovered.
As cover for her mission, Marta joins the Mi’hiru, the all-female elite guard who patrol the skies on Karda, majestic hawk-headed flying horses.
Arrows and swords are the only weapons allowed on this planet. But Marta discovers illegal high-tech weapons smuggled from her ship.
The ancient alien, long thought defeated, uses a power hungry nobleman to escape and with the smuggled weapons they threaten all life on this planet.
To stop this threat, Marta reluctantly joins forces with handsome, arrogant Altan. As their connection grows, she struggles to keep her secrets.
Tensions rise. The alien’s power grows. Will Marta accept the frightening elemental magic Adalta wants to give her to save the planet she loves?
What I liked about Karda:
Karda surprised me with the combination of science fiction and fantasy. Marta’s cloaked trade ship, smuggled high-tech weapons, and the origin of Adalta’s population all added to the science fiction parts of the book. The Karda and their ancient alien enemy of Adalta, bring the fantasy conflict to life. I enjoyed the romance part of the book and the development of the relationship between Altan and Marta. The connection between the Karda and Mi’hiru provided a great backdrop to the story. Overall, Karda was an excellent book!
What I didn’t like about Karda:
Despite the book's appeal, there were a few issues for me. First, the “talent” that the people possessed was unclear to me for a while. Secondly, it wasn’t clear if Marta had talent from birth or if Adalta chose her to have talent. Lastly, the political divisions and the governing structure were a little confusing and not fully explained. Given its importance in the story, more clarity would have helped.
Overall impression:
I liked the book! The characters and their relationships were intriguing, and the political backdrop added a lot to the story. The Karda were cool, and their psychic link with the riders helped move the story along. Overall, Karda entertained me and led me to add the rest of the series to my TBR list.
My rating:
4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars)
Synopsis (from the author):
On the beautiful world Adalta, an ancient alien emerges.
Young Marta is dropped to the planet for her first secret mission alone. In this dangerous job there are two rules: Don’t get attached. Don’t get discovered.
As cover for her mission, Marta joins the Mi’hiru, the all-female elite guard who patrol the skies on Karda, majestic hawk-headed flying horses.
Arrows and swords are the only weapons allowed on this planet. But Marta discovers illegal high-tech weapons smuggled from her ship.
The ancient alien, long thought defeated, uses a power hungry nobleman to escape and with the smuggled weapons they threaten all life on this planet.
To stop this threat, Marta reluctantly joins forces with handsome, arrogant Altan. As their connection grows, she struggles to keep her secrets.
Tensions rise. The alien’s power grows. Will Marta accept the frightening elemental magic Adalta wants to give her to save the planet she loves?
What I liked about Karda:
Karda surprised me with the combination of science fiction and fantasy. Marta’s cloaked trade ship, smuggled high-tech weapons, and the origin of Adalta’s population all added to the science fiction parts of the book. The Karda and their ancient alien enemy of Adalta, bring the fantasy conflict to life. I enjoyed the romance part of the book and the development of the relationship between Altan and Marta. The connection between the Karda and Mi’hiru provided a great backdrop to the story. Overall, Karda was an excellent book!
What I didn’t like about Karda:
Despite the book's appeal, there were a few issues for me. First, the “talent” that the people possessed was unclear to me for a while. Secondly, it wasn’t clear if Marta had talent from birth or if Adalta chose her to have talent. Lastly, the political divisions and the governing structure were a little confusing and not fully explained. Given its importance in the story, more clarity would have helped.
Overall impression:
I liked the book! The characters and their relationships were intriguing, and the political backdrop added a lot to the story. The Karda were cool, and their psychic link with the riders helped move the story along. Overall, Karda entertained me and led me to add the rest of the series to my TBR list.
My rating:
4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars)
March 15, 2020
Story/full book review from when I originally read the paperback here which is still valid through and through.
So this review will instead focus on the fact that it was the Audible audiobook version. And honestly, it was tougher to get through. The narrator, Natalie Naudus, has a breathy sound to her voice, and for the first couple hours at least (or at least, it seemed that way), her narration was also very staccato, almost robotic in her delivery - especially for character dialog, which is the exact opposite of when you would expect the narration to be like that. I was tempted to bump this version a star just for the narration, honestly. It was also not very easy to differentiate between all the male characters, especially when two or more of them were engaged in conversation, but for the dialog tags. I guess I got spoiled by the last narrator I listened to (MacLeod Andrews with how he successfully differentiated the many key voices/characters. I guess I'd say Ms. Naudus was more reading the story than acting the story. She did get a little less staccato/robotic towards the second half or so, which was quite welcome, though there was still rather a lack of ... of feeling, I guess, in her delivery. And it did mean that certain details I wanted to key into (like the age difference between Daryl and Krager - 4 years, Krager older - and a couple other little things, I think I mentioned them in status updates), popped out at me more, and also reassured me that yes, I was indeed paying attention as I listened even as I multi-tasked while doing so. But in the end, I would definitely recommend reading the physical or ebook over the audiobook.
I received a copy of this book in paperback and later in Audible format from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my opinion of the novel.
So this review will instead focus on the fact that it was the Audible audiobook version. And honestly, it was tougher to get through. The narrator, Natalie Naudus, has a breathy sound to her voice, and for the first couple hours at least (or at least, it seemed that way), her narration was also very staccato, almost robotic in her delivery - especially for character dialog, which is the exact opposite of when you would expect the narration to be like that. I was tempted to bump this version a star just for the narration, honestly. It was also not very easy to differentiate between all the male characters, especially when two or more of them were engaged in conversation, but for the dialog tags. I guess I got spoiled by the last narrator I listened to (MacLeod Andrews with how he successfully differentiated the many key voices/characters. I guess I'd say Ms. Naudus was more reading the story than acting the story. She did get a little less staccato/robotic towards the second half or so, which was quite welcome, though there was still rather a lack of ... of feeling, I guess, in her delivery. And it did mean that certain details I wanted to key into (like the age difference between Daryl and Krager - 4 years, Krager older - and a couple other little things, I think I mentioned them in status updates), popped out at me more, and also reassured me that yes, I was indeed paying attention as I listened even as I multi-tasked while doing so. But in the end, I would definitely recommend reading the physical or ebook over the audiobook.
I received a copy of this book in paperback and later in Audible format from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my opinion of the novel.
January 11, 2019
" I recieved an Advanced Review Copy of this book."
Karda is the first book in a sci-fi series with technophobic humans on a living planet, majestic hawk-headed flying horses, a power struggle between brothers, and a plucky female hero who must learn to tap into powers she never knew she had to save the place and the people she comes to love. She is scared of her powers also.
Marta, a sword-swinging girl who rides an incredible flying creature meets Altan, the arrogant young aristocrat in a high-tech-space-girl meets elemental-magic-wielder on a lost planet colonized centuries before by refugees from Earth. Secretly sent to the planet Adalta to assess its resources and trade potential, Marta knows her job. She cannot stay she is there for a reason. But Then she meets her Karda, the wondrous flying creature she grows to love. And Altan, the arrogant aristocrat with strange elemental powers. Altan rescues her from a blood magician’s murder attempt, suddenly he and Marta can speak telepathically.However hard she fights it, and however often she repeats her mantra, “Don’t get attached,” she does.
I absolutely loved this book. So much happens. This book tells a beautifully written story. I was hooked from the beginning. I hope to read more from this author. Fantastic read. I lived the characters and what they do for each other. Kept me guessing. Love the hawk-headed flying horses that was interesting to read about.
Karda is the first book in a sci-fi series with technophobic humans on a living planet, majestic hawk-headed flying horses, a power struggle between brothers, and a plucky female hero who must learn to tap into powers she never knew she had to save the place and the people she comes to love. She is scared of her powers also.
Marta, a sword-swinging girl who rides an incredible flying creature meets Altan, the arrogant young aristocrat in a high-tech-space-girl meets elemental-magic-wielder on a lost planet colonized centuries before by refugees from Earth. Secretly sent to the planet Adalta to assess its resources and trade potential, Marta knows her job. She cannot stay she is there for a reason. But Then she meets her Karda, the wondrous flying creature she grows to love. And Altan, the arrogant aristocrat with strange elemental powers. Altan rescues her from a blood magician’s murder attempt, suddenly he and Marta can speak telepathically.However hard she fights it, and however often she repeats her mantra, “Don’t get attached,” she does.
I absolutely loved this book. So much happens. This book tells a beautifully written story. I was hooked from the beginning. I hope to read more from this author. Fantastic read. I lived the characters and what they do for each other. Kept me guessing. Love the hawk-headed flying horses that was interesting to read about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2018
I thought yesterday, "When will I find a fantasy novel as lovely and lyrical as the series I've been reading?" Here it is: KARDA is Volume 1 of Sherrill Nilson's amazingly expansive ADALTA series (I so anticipate the continuation of the series!). Adalta is a colonized planet of humans, in the far future of course, where sword and sorcery rule, not technology--never technology. Until Marta, a trade scout suffused with technological capability, arrives; and technology meets magic, with incredible results.
The psychology underpinnings of this novel are unbeatable. That made the novel for me as much as the magic.
I classify this series as sci fantasy, even though it is sci fi, because the planet Adalta is straight out wonderful fantasy: no technology, everybody (except one) is born with Talent (magical ability), weapon of choice is swords, castle, dungeons, oubliettes, and warded entities. Yay! I adored this novel and am eager to read it again, and then continue the series.
The psychology underpinnings of this novel are unbeatable. That made the novel for me as much as the magic.
I classify this series as sci fantasy, even though it is sci fi, because the planet Adalta is straight out wonderful fantasy: no technology, everybody (except one) is born with Talent (magical ability), weapon of choice is swords, castle, dungeons, oubliettes, and warded entities. Yay! I adored this novel and am eager to read it again, and then continue the series.
December 19, 2018
I will be honest and say I wasn’t sure about this book at first. I like Science Fiction and love where they throw in powers of one kind or another. It was interesting but I felt I could walk away from the book at any time so that is where i was wondering about the book. Then as I got farther in the book it caught me up and pulled me in. It was hard to put down where i didn’t want interruptions. The book is a HFN ending that leaves a couple thing open so that you could see the author could continue with this series in a couple ways. I will be looking more from this author. I did see a couple small errors but nothing that drew your attention away from the book. There was a couple areas at the beginning where it seemed to cut quickly from one scene to another , not again bad enough or often enough to really cry foul. Over all a story that was interesting and well worth reading. I did receive an ARC of this book from Hidden Gems for an Honest Review.
September 25, 2018
I started reading this with some reservation. After all, it had the potential to be either as bad as some of Lackey's odes to raptures or as mediocre as some of the genre books dedicated to mystical creatures. I was incredibly surprised when I ended up loving the Karda themselves, the complicated worlds created by the author and the system of magic both similar and unfamiliar to anything I read before.
I loved Marta, her motivations and fears and the sub-plots that surrounded her decisions. It took me a while to warm up to Altan and some of the others, but overall the characterizations were great.
The villain of the story is both repellent in his viciousness and pitiful to almost a point of tears. His decisions were almost inevitable and his descent into evil almost guaranteed.
I loved Marta, her motivations and fears and the sub-plots that surrounded her decisions. It took me a while to warm up to Altan and some of the others, but overall the characterizations were great.
The villain of the story is both repellent in his viciousness and pitiful to almost a point of tears. His decisions were almost inevitable and his descent into evil almost guaranteed.
August 15, 2018
Great Post-Apocalyptic Book!
I’m super impressed by this post apocalyptic book! The reading was intriguing and held the reader’s steadfast attention. I felt like it was a bit similar to Avatar in the fact that Marta is actually from another planet after the escape from Earth and is gathering intel on other planets. The language was well versed and the flow seemed to be quite fast. It was very difficult to put this book down! I did get a bit confused toward the end of the book, but it all worked itself out. That ending! Wow! I can’t wait to read volume 2! I would highly recommend this book to any sci-fi enthusiasts that are at least young adult readers.
I’m super impressed by this post apocalyptic book! The reading was intriguing and held the reader’s steadfast attention. I felt like it was a bit similar to Avatar in the fact that Marta is actually from another planet after the escape from Earth and is gathering intel on other planets. The language was well versed and the flow seemed to be quite fast. It was very difficult to put this book down! I did get a bit confused toward the end of the book, but it all worked itself out. That ending! Wow! I can’t wait to read volume 2! I would highly recommend this book to any sci-fi enthusiasts that are at least young adult readers.
June 13, 2025
Sci-Fi; Fantasy; Magic: Marta is an agent for the ship currently orbiting this planet (Adalta). She's here to collect information for the ship which will assist them in trading with the inhabitants. When her handler begins to ask her to do things she knows are not within protocol, she decides to leave her position as an agent and asks for asylum to the leaders of the colony. She informs them of the ship's secrets and their intentions. She bonds with the planet's beautiful Karda (half horse/bird) and also with Altan (a native royal heir). Her telepathic abilities and empathy become stronger with the bonds to Sidhari, Altan and the planet itself.
October 25, 2018
Whew! My heart has stopped racing long enough so that I can think again! I don't usually read in this genre, but I thought I'd give it a go. And I am glad that I did read it. The beginning caught my fancy, but it was the character development that kept me intrigued and reading further and further. By the time I was nearing the end, I really did need to keep closing the book to give my imagination (and my heart) a rest from the never-ending and ever-growing tension. A good thing! Thank you, Sherrill, for having a vision of this story. I can't wait to begin Adalta Vol. II!
July 8, 2019
Telepathic bonded flying animals, a great romance, and a twisty plot. This book had so many great points. An interesting magic system. An evil ruthless villain.
I really enjoyed the characters and magic in this book. The writing, though, felt a bit choppy. I wished it flowed better. I feel that with some editing, this book could be really great. But the way it currently is written detracted the experience for me.
The characters were easy to connect with, and I really enjoyed the magic and world building.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the characters and magic in this book. The writing, though, felt a bit choppy. I wished it flowed better. I feel that with some editing, this book could be really great. But the way it currently is written detracted the experience for me.
The characters were easy to connect with, and I really enjoyed the magic and world building.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2019
Interesting world, infusing fantasy with a touch of sci-fi. The writing is overall good, although at times the strain from trying too hard shows through. I enjoyed the story until the end, when it became very dark and finished with a deux ex machina resolution I was hoping was not going to occur but was disappointed to find. I felt cheated. If I had not already bought Vol II in the series, I'd move on to something else.
In the end, a decent read, a 3 star book.
In the end, a decent read, a 3 star book.
July 20, 2019
Nilson does an astonishing job of creating villains and the psychological twists are as horrific as they are surprising. The main character, Marta, is easy to connect with, completely believable and you can not help wanting bad things to happen to her employer.
This story is geared for Young Adults but the complexity of the psychological play between characters, the well-developed villains and the environment of the planet makes this a fascinating read for any adult as well.
This story is geared for Young Adults but the complexity of the psychological play between characters, the well-developed villains and the environment of the planet makes this a fascinating read for any adult as well.
April 1, 2020
Karda is a great fantasy novel. It has everything I could want: strong female character, interesting animals populating the landscape, and deep mythology. Adlta is a very intriguing world that I cannot wait to revisit. Marta is a strong character who also isn't afraid to show weakness or fear. The karda are such interesting and deep animals that I immediately found myself drawn into their story and world.
January 22, 2021
Wow!
This book was awesome! Even though it's part of a series is complete on its own, which is a delight. This is much more than just a romance fantasy- this is a sci-fi adventure that spans times and worlds. The romance in it was thoughtful and felt real- not rushed, also delightful. It also didn't derail the story or feel like the point of the story. The story was so much more!! Bravo !!
This book was awesome! Even though it's part of a series is complete on its own, which is a delight. This is much more than just a romance fantasy- this is a sci-fi adventure that spans times and worlds. The romance in it was thoughtful and felt real- not rushed, also delightful. It also didn't derail the story or feel like the point of the story. The story was so much more!! Bravo !!
August 5, 2021
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was not sure what to expect but I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read this. Diving into a new world with new mysteries as Marta tries to figure out what is going on. Then you have the added confusion of what is happening to her. This is an amazing book. For those that like fantasy and new worlds this is definitely a book for you.
I was not sure what to expect but I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read this. Diving into a new world with new mysteries as Marta tries to figure out what is going on. Then you have the added confusion of what is happening to her. This is an amazing book. For those that like fantasy and new worlds this is definitely a book for you.
February 13, 2022
Karda: Adalta vol one by Sherrill Nilsson
The story has a solid foundation and the characters are well written. I had trouble staying with the story at times. I could skip ahead several pages and still not get to the point. Some areas are very well described and others nothing. The book was not a waste of time as the characters are endearing but I don’t think I will read the rest of the series.
The story has a solid foundation and the characters are well written. I had trouble staying with the story at times. I could skip ahead several pages and still not get to the point. Some areas are very well described and others nothing. The book was not a waste of time as the characters are endearing but I don’t think I will read the rest of the series.
April 9, 2022
Wow!
This one had me hooked with the first few paragraphs. It is easy to tell that there has been a lot of intense world building that has gone into Sherrill Nilson's creation.
I wish that it had had one more pass through with a copy editor as the unnecessary hyphenations and a few other formatting issues did take me out of the visions forming in my mind, but I got to where I could ignore them after a bit.
This one had me hooked with the first few paragraphs. It is easy to tell that there has been a lot of intense world building that has gone into Sherrill Nilson's creation.
I wish that it had had one more pass through with a copy editor as the unnecessary hyphenations and a few other formatting issues did take me out of the visions forming in my mind, but I got to where I could ignore them after a bit.
August 24, 2018
Reminding me of Sharon Shinn
Great book within the science-fiction genre that also carries a feel for the fantastical. If you're a fan of Sharon Shinn and her Archangel series I would highly recommend this.
It has definitely been my favorite book so far for this summer.
Can't wait for the sequel.
Great book within the science-fiction genre that also carries a feel for the fantastical. If you're a fan of Sharon Shinn and her Archangel series I would highly recommend this.
It has definitely been my favorite book so far for this summer.
Can't wait for the sequel.
August 24, 2018
Sci Fi Fantasy
I really enjoyed this book as it perfectly combined science fiction and fantasy. The characters were well thought and easy to identify with. This book has all the great elements all rolled up into one ... action, romance and fantasy. Can’t wait to read more from this amazing author!
I really enjoyed this book as it perfectly combined science fiction and fantasy. The characters were well thought and easy to identify with. This book has all the great elements all rolled up into one ... action, romance and fantasy. Can’t wait to read more from this amazing author!
January 14, 2019
Karda: Adalta is a pretty standard storyline, son wants to take control from the heir. Having said that, the characters are very well developed and interesting especially the Karda and the Mc Marta. They made the book for me. I am intrigued enough to see where we go from here. Received a copy from Hidden Gems and this is my voluntary and honest review.
August 17, 2019
A good read fantasy read with lots of twists and turns in the plot. The hero and heroine are believable and she at least is very conflicted due to split loyalties. And there are also the magnificent Karda. I would dearly love to have one chose me as its rider. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series
March 10, 2021
Great series for those who like a cross-over between sci-fi and fantasy. Loved the creation of the karda living on another planet and the connection to their riders, reminiscent of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series. The "love at first sight" bonding of various couples was a little disappointing, but the overall struggles, successes, and failures of a clash between cultures was well done.
May 6, 2022
Exciting New Find
To all the readers out there who love Mercedes Lackey, this is an amazing opportunity to get acquainted with another author with a similar vibe. I loved the world building and the awesome Kardas. Great characters and suitably scary villain. I can't wait to see what happens next.
To all the readers out there who love Mercedes Lackey, this is an amazing opportunity to get acquainted with another author with a similar vibe. I loved the world building and the awesome Kardas. Great characters and suitably scary villain. I can't wait to see what happens next.
August 24, 2018
This was a great story including both the genres of sci fi and fantasy. The writer takes the reader on an extraordinary journey from start to finish. This page turner has vivid imagery that really pulls the reader in and allows imagination to take over!
April 27, 2020
I thought this story was different enough that I was not reading the same story others have written. Author did a good job with the characters and the Narrator did a great job of bringing the characters to life.
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