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Chroma #1
Waterweaver
Lara has successfully raised four children on the limited resources of the wastes. Now, as she begins to search for her new purpose in life, the town well has run dry. To help her family, friends, and neighbors Lara travels to Azural, the Blue Realm, to try to bring the water magic back.
Azural has been hidden behind a magic waterwall for generations, and they are not excited about outsiders, especially ones that bring unbelievable stories of Wastelands beyond their borders. Lara must prove herself worthy of a stone, and do so against the system.
Oh, and did we mention the adorable baby dragon?
Azural has been hidden behind a magic waterwall for generations, and they are not excited about outsiders, especially ones that bring unbelievable stories of Wastelands beyond their borders. Lara must prove herself worthy of a stone, and do so against the system.
Oh, and did we mention the adorable baby dragon?
- GenresFantasy
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 2024
13 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Maya Gouliard
6 books4 followersMaya Gouliard is a fantasy author and artist who writes empowering stories for women over 35. Her Chroma Fantasy Series features older female protagonists navigating magical adventures with wisdom earned through motherhood and life experience.
Her debut novel Waterweaver and its sequel Terraweaver have captivated readers seeking fantasy books with mature heroines. Maya's unique cozy dystopian genre blends emotional comfort with epic world-building, featuring elemental magic powered by colored stones and emotions.
Beyond writing, Maya creates handmade bookish items including crocheted book sleeves, corner bookmarks, and amigurumi fantasy creatures. She founded the Wise Woman's Fantasy Book Club, celebrating fantasy stories with older female protagonists.
Visit mayagouliard.com for books, book club information, and handmade treasures.
Her debut novel Waterweaver and its sequel Terraweaver have captivated readers seeking fantasy books with mature heroines. Maya's unique cozy dystopian genre blends emotional comfort with epic world-building, featuring elemental magic powered by colored stones and emotions.
Beyond writing, Maya creates handmade bookish items including crocheted book sleeves, corner bookmarks, and amigurumi fantasy creatures. She founded the Wise Woman's Fantasy Book Club, celebrating fantasy stories with older female protagonists.
Visit mayagouliard.com for books, book club information, and handmade treasures.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 29, 2024
A story I’ve been looking for a long time
I think this is the kind of story I’ve been searching for without even realizing it. It takes tenets of fantasy that I love but process it through a wonderfully fresh kind of protagonist.
A married mother who has just had her youngest child leave the house. An older woman and one with wisdom, fresh interpretations of things that the usual hero messes up, and a wonderfully humble mission.
Lara is such a wonderfully pleasant protagonist. It’s really amazing what a mature hero will bring to a story—patience, wisdom, careful planning. I loved seeing all these smart decisions!
Fleck is adorable and I love how his relationship with Lara is built gradually but you can see how her life experience has led to the bond they have. I want one!
The villains/antagonists are a delightful kind—the ones that hide behind rules and policy and send you to your doom with a sugar sweet smile. The kind you want to see suffer so badly.
I adore the world building here. What a creative combination of elements and colors and oh, I cannot wait to see more! I am so hoping we get to explore the other color realms because I am totally invested!
I think this is the kind of story I’ve been searching for without even realizing it. It takes tenets of fantasy that I love but process it through a wonderfully fresh kind of protagonist.
A married mother who has just had her youngest child leave the house. An older woman and one with wisdom, fresh interpretations of things that the usual hero messes up, and a wonderfully humble mission.
Lara is such a wonderfully pleasant protagonist. It’s really amazing what a mature hero will bring to a story—patience, wisdom, careful planning. I loved seeing all these smart decisions!
Fleck is adorable and I love how his relationship with Lara is built gradually but you can see how her life experience has led to the bond they have. I want one!
The villains/antagonists are a delightful kind—the ones that hide behind rules and policy and send you to your doom with a sugar sweet smile. The kind you want to see suffer so badly.
I adore the world building here. What a creative combination of elements and colors and oh, I cannot wait to see more! I am so hoping we get to explore the other color realms because I am totally invested!
July 15, 2024
Lara is a middle aged woman who finds herself out of sorts since the last of her four children has left the home. With her husband always busy with other things she is searching what to do with herself. Living in a small town in the Wastelands with barely a trickle of water for everyone and everything to live on, the land is dying. In a last effort to save her family, friends and community, Lara travels to Azural, the Blue Realm, to bring water magic back to the Wastelands.
Along her way, Lara finds a baby fox-like creature that becomes her traveling companion. She also meets travelers along the way, learning more about the different color realms.
Lara’s wish to bring someone with the blue magic back to help in the Wastelands becomes more difficult than she imagined. Lara finds herself having to learn about the blue magic herself amidst many who do not believe her story of the Wastelands.
Lara learns her pet is more than it seems, her strength is in her wisdom of raising children and living the life she has. Getting past the close mindedness of the Blue Realm becomes an obstacle for her successful mission.
This was a great story! It is hard to imagine this is a debut author.
Along her way, Lara finds a baby fox-like creature that becomes her traveling companion. She also meets travelers along the way, learning more about the different color realms.
Lara’s wish to bring someone with the blue magic back to help in the Wastelands becomes more difficult than she imagined. Lara finds herself having to learn about the blue magic herself amidst many who do not believe her story of the Wastelands.
Lara learns her pet is more than it seems, her strength is in her wisdom of raising children and living the life she has. Getting past the close mindedness of the Blue Realm becomes an obstacle for her successful mission.
This was a great story! It is hard to imagine this is a debut author.
June 25, 2024
I really enjoyed having a mature main character - a mother whose children have grown who now needs a new purpose to her life.
When her community's water is disappearing because of the magic stones that were taken years before, Lara journeys to Azural to qualify as a stonegrafter and bring a water stone back to her home.
I also appreciated that the book celebrated quiet virtues - calmness, reliability, and honesty. My favorite parts were the classes and trials, but I also liked all the positive, supportive relationships. The ending, while a bit abrupt, was excellent. I hope there will be more in this world!
July 22, 2024
Lara a mother of 4 has just had her youngest leave the nest and is starting to feel antsy, not knowing what to do with her time now. Her family and neighbors have just been able to survive in the Waste Lands but the water is all but gone. Now the well is dry and the river bed is just a small stream the town folks turn to her for help.
Lara agrees to go to the Blue Realm, Azural and try to earn a blue stone to learn to be a Waterweaver by stone-grafting. On the road she gets adopted by a baby dragon.
Good ideas behind this story, Lara and her dragon are likable characters. It was a fun read.
Lara agrees to go to the Blue Realm, Azural and try to earn a blue stone to learn to be a Waterweaver by stone-grafting. On the road she gets adopted by a baby dragon.
Good ideas behind this story, Lara and her dragon are likable characters. It was a fun read.
August 22, 2024
A new kind of coming of age story
Self-published indie-author Maya Gouliard created a new type of fiction with her debut novel, Waterweaver.
An unlikely heroine sets off on a grand adventure in what the world around her would call “past the prime of her life.” Gouliard weaves parallels between Chroma and our own society, which questions the abilities, worth, and importance of women who no longer have children to raise. When that part of their life ends, what do they have to offer?
Gouliard proves that fantasy fiction has a wider audience than only YA readers…nor does it have to have “spice” to be a fantastic and engaging story.
Self-published indie-author Maya Gouliard created a new type of fiction with her debut novel, Waterweaver.
An unlikely heroine sets off on a grand adventure in what the world around her would call “past the prime of her life.” Gouliard weaves parallels between Chroma and our own society, which questions the abilities, worth, and importance of women who no longer have children to raise. When that part of their life ends, what do they have to offer?
Gouliard proves that fantasy fiction has a wider audience than only YA readers…nor does it have to have “spice” to be a fantastic and engaging story.
February 14, 2024
This is a lovely and refreshing book about womanhood, motherhood, and finding your purpose. Lara is a new empty-nester who finds herself called to be a hero, and embarks on a quest that calls on a lot of the skills she has learned from raising her children. It is so lovely to see a middle aged mother story where the woman is neither overshadowed by her motherhood nor called to diminish that part of herself in order to be a badass. It’s about fighting for your home, rooting yourself in your principles, and making the world better one small step at a time. A lovely read for when you’re feeling low!
February 12, 2024
Amazing story
This debut novel is amazing! I could not put it down but had to find out what happens next. The dilemmas that the main character faces are real as well as dramatic. Lara is a treasure to get to know. All the characters are true to life, except a very intriguing Pelanor. The environment plays an important role in the novel, and the contrast between the Wastes and Azural tell a contemporary story of first and third nations. I highly recommend this book for all ages.
This debut novel is amazing! I could not put it down but had to find out what happens next. The dilemmas that the main character faces are real as well as dramatic. Lara is a treasure to get to know. All the characters are true to life, except a very intriguing Pelanor. The environment plays an important role in the novel, and the contrast between the Wastes and Azural tell a contemporary story of first and third nations. I highly recommend this book for all ages.
March 31, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I found myself wanting more. More descriptions about the world, more stories about Lara’s family, and more details about the creature named Fleck. Hopefully I’ll find out if there’s a book #2!
Engaging, magical, sweet, and powerful story. Well done!
Engaging, magical, sweet, and powerful story. Well done!
August 15, 2025
In writer’s conferences, literary agents, editors, and writers counsel attendees to turn tropes “on their heads.” Maya Gouliard’s fantasy novel, Waterweaver, Book 1 in the CHROMA series, does exactly that. The main character, Lara, a middle-aged woman living in the Wastelands, quests to another part of her country to bring water back to her home.
Fantasy writing is ripe with quests. The protagonist recognizes an ill in their society and must journey across the world in order to find the all-important object that will fix the problem. And Gouliard’s protagonist, Lara, does exactly that. In the realm of Chroma, colorful stones imbued with magic were scattered throughout the lands, and specialized “Hunters” had removed each stone, carrying it to a specific state named for a specific color. The loss of the stones’ magical properties rendered the Wastelands to become an inhospitable, unsustainable place. Seeing the population diminish as the water resources dried up, Lara travels to Azural to retrieve a blue stone and return water to the Wastelands.
And here is where Gouliard turns the fantasy trope on its head. Lara is a mother to three grown children. She is not the archetypal wizard or young princess, or daring warrior. She is like many of the readers who will enjoy this book: a woman who has raised her children, still has much of her life ahead of herself, and is ready for what’s next.
Early in her journey, Lara is joined by a dragon hatchling that she names Fleck. Together, they enter Azural, where Lara expects to receive a blue-stone and return home. However, this is where the quest takes yet another turn. Lara’s conflicts are not against evil sorcerers, surly monsters, or hoarding dragons. She must overcome the inherent prejudices and moral myopia of the Azural citizenry. They cling to their stones and have laws stipulating that the blue stones must never leave Azural, regardless of outside need.
Fans of the original Wizard of Oz and the Avatar: The Last Airbender series will be at home in this fun novel. Maya Gouliard turned tropes on their heads with Waterweaver and gave women a chance to see what could be next.
Fantasy writing is ripe with quests. The protagonist recognizes an ill in their society and must journey across the world in order to find the all-important object that will fix the problem. And Gouliard’s protagonist, Lara, does exactly that. In the realm of Chroma, colorful stones imbued with magic were scattered throughout the lands, and specialized “Hunters” had removed each stone, carrying it to a specific state named for a specific color. The loss of the stones’ magical properties rendered the Wastelands to become an inhospitable, unsustainable place. Seeing the population diminish as the water resources dried up, Lara travels to Azural to retrieve a blue stone and return water to the Wastelands.
And here is where Gouliard turns the fantasy trope on its head. Lara is a mother to three grown children. She is not the archetypal wizard or young princess, or daring warrior. She is like many of the readers who will enjoy this book: a woman who has raised her children, still has much of her life ahead of herself, and is ready for what’s next.
Early in her journey, Lara is joined by a dragon hatchling that she names Fleck. Together, they enter Azural, where Lara expects to receive a blue-stone and return home. However, this is where the quest takes yet another turn. Lara’s conflicts are not against evil sorcerers, surly monsters, or hoarding dragons. She must overcome the inherent prejudices and moral myopia of the Azural citizenry. They cling to their stones and have laws stipulating that the blue stones must never leave Azural, regardless of outside need.
Fans of the original Wizard of Oz and the Avatar: The Last Airbender series will be at home in this fun novel. Maya Gouliard turned tropes on their heads with Waterweaver and gave women a chance to see what could be next.
July 3, 2024
When the town well runs dry, empty-nester Lara leaves her town in the Wastes to bring the water back. When she arrives in Azural, she discovers how difficult this task will be – the blue stones, responsible for water magic in the realm of Chroma, are hoarded by the people of Azural, isolated from the rest of the world by a massive waterwall.
This was a refreshing take on the Hero’s Journey, told from a perspective I rarely see in fantasy fiction: that of a mother. Lara’s journey, as she calls on the lessons of her parenthood and caregiving, is a relatable one. I greatly enjoyed following her journey and seeing my own struggles and strategies mirrored in hers.
The world-building and the magic system in Chroma are clever and unique. It was evident that much thought and care was put into Chroma and how the segregation of magic would affect the land and people. We spend much of our time in the Wastes and Azural, but during Lara’s journey, we get glimpses of two other realms, Green and Purple, and meet others displaced by the hoarding of magic, the Brown Travelers. Through the people Lara meets in Azural, the blue realm, we gain a deeper insight into Orange, and the values of the people who reside there, which was a clever bit of writing from Gouliard.
Also – ADORABLE ANIMAL COMPANION. Fleck is such a standout character, and the slow unraveling of his purpose and species was a delight to read. I’m a sucker, in general, for an animal companion, but one with lore revealed as well as it was here is an immediate YES from me.
A solid fantasy read with a refreshing main character and prose that gains confidence as the story unfolds.
Favorite quote: “Was it something that came with age that made people give soliloquies?”
This was a refreshing take on the Hero’s Journey, told from a perspective I rarely see in fantasy fiction: that of a mother. Lara’s journey, as she calls on the lessons of her parenthood and caregiving, is a relatable one. I greatly enjoyed following her journey and seeing my own struggles and strategies mirrored in hers.
The world-building and the magic system in Chroma are clever and unique. It was evident that much thought and care was put into Chroma and how the segregation of magic would affect the land and people. We spend much of our time in the Wastes and Azural, but during Lara’s journey, we get glimpses of two other realms, Green and Purple, and meet others displaced by the hoarding of magic, the Brown Travelers. Through the people Lara meets in Azural, the blue realm, we gain a deeper insight into Orange, and the values of the people who reside there, which was a clever bit of writing from Gouliard.
Also – ADORABLE ANIMAL COMPANION. Fleck is such a standout character, and the slow unraveling of his purpose and species was a delight to read. I’m a sucker, in general, for an animal companion, but one with lore revealed as well as it was here is an immediate YES from me.
A solid fantasy read with a refreshing main character and prose that gains confidence as the story unfolds.
Favorite quote: “Was it something that came with age that made people give soliloquies?”
June 21, 2024
After her youngest child leaves home to try to find his place in the Color Realms, Lara feels purposeless. That is, until their town, dessicated years ago when its magic was appropriated, eventually loses its water supply. Lara must travel to Azural, the home of blue water magic, to ensure her community's survival by entering the trials to become a Waterweaver. Azural is far from welcoming, however, and is hiding secrets that will lead them to question everything they thought they knew.
What I especially loved about this book is that it determinedly turns away from familiar tropes, and instead celebrates experience over angst, kindness over belligerence, as Lara endeavours to fit in with the teenage candidates. The dragon sidekick is adorably different, and the magic system unusual yet easy to understand. The writing seemed to grow in style and confidence throughout the book, and the story picked up the pace nicely towards the end and delivers a satisfying conclusion.
What I especially loved about this book is that it determinedly turns away from familiar tropes, and instead celebrates experience over angst, kindness over belligerence, as Lara endeavours to fit in with the teenage candidates. The dragon sidekick is adorably different, and the magic system unusual yet easy to understand. The writing seemed to grow in style and confidence throughout the book, and the story picked up the pace nicely towards the end and delivers a satisfying conclusion.
December 10, 2024
Waterweaver is the story of Lara who’s values of order, responsibility, intelligence, and honesty lead her on a great adventure to reclaim stolen magic and the much needed resource of water for her beloved village, in the remote part of a divided universe. Along the way Lara is connected to many good friends and also connects with her own emotions.
I loved so many things about this book! Lara is such a warm character whom you come to see as very deep. Also, she has Fleck who is basically an adorable magical fox-like pet who will grow into something even more magical! I would describe this book as the perfect blend of cozy fantasy and adventure.
If you enjoyed the book The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst then you will love this book also! This book is also book one of a series that I can’t wait to continue reading!
I loved so many things about this book! Lara is such a warm character whom you come to see as very deep. Also, she has Fleck who is basically an adorable magical fox-like pet who will grow into something even more magical! I would describe this book as the perfect blend of cozy fantasy and adventure.
If you enjoyed the book The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst then you will love this book also! This book is also book one of a series that I can’t wait to continue reading!
March 24, 2025
I had to DNF this 4 chapters in. I was really interested in seeing an older FMC in a fantasy book, unfortunately the repetitive writing and the wish-washiness of the main character really deterred me from continuing on. I understand not all FMC's need to be "strong" but when this character is presented to being older, and yet every few paragraphs she questions herself, I have a hard time really connecting to her. I felt the writing felt younger than what the character presented as and thus couldn't reconcile the 2 in my head.
November 2, 2025
A Journey Beyond the Waterwall
This book felt like a refreshing plunge into a world of wonder and resilience. Lara’s courage and maternal strength truly resonated with me, her determination to save her people while rediscovering her own purpose was both moving and empowering. The vivid world of Azural, the mystery of its hidden magic, and that utterly charming baby dragon made the story unforgettable. It’s a heartfelt blend of adventure, fantasy, and hope that reminds you that even in the driest places, faith and love can bring the water back.
This book felt like a refreshing plunge into a world of wonder and resilience. Lara’s courage and maternal strength truly resonated with me, her determination to save her people while rediscovering her own purpose was both moving and empowering. The vivid world of Azural, the mystery of its hidden magic, and that utterly charming baby dragon made the story unforgettable. It’s a heartfelt blend of adventure, fantasy, and hope that reminds you that even in the driest places, faith and love can bring the water back.
June 3, 2024
This is one of my favorite books of all time! It is so refreshing to find Lara, a mother who has become an empty nester find a need in her community and use that as inspiration to leave the world she knows and understands for the sake of helping her community. She creates friendships that span over different generations, challenges outdated practices and still manages to forge a deep connection with a baby dragon!
December 3, 2024
Waterweaver is a fun and engaging read. Lara is a wonderful character to follow and a refreshing step away from the typical teen-to-young adult fantasy heroine. Maya Gouliard also does a great job of giving her an arc that fits well with how her world and characters are established.
I love all the bits of worldbuilding that are included in the book and can't wait to read the rest of the series.
I love all the bits of worldbuilding that are included in the book and can't wait to read the rest of the series.
December 18, 2024
I LOVED Waterweaver and have now read it multiple times. I had grown tired of reading about teen heroes and needed the mid-life main character that I could relate to. The characters in Waterweaver are wonderfully written.
Waterweaver was such a thoughtfully written and emotionally intelligent story that I became a fan. I am ready to ready anything else that Maya Gouliard writes.
Waterweaver was such a thoughtfully written and emotionally intelligent story that I became a fan. I am ready to ready anything else that Maya Gouliard writes.
July 23, 2025
Waterweaver is a beautifully written coming-of-age fantasy filled with elemental magic, secrets, and self-discovery. Naïa’s journey as a water wielder in a world that fears her kind is both emotional and empowering. With rich world-building and a looming magical threat, this story hooks you from the start. A great read for fans of strong female leads and magical lore.
March 7, 2025
love the story!
I wish the grammar and syntax was better, there were a lot of things I was correcting in my head and some sentences seemed a bit unclear the way they were worded.
But I love the story and I am going to go and check out the next one Terra Weaver.
I wish the grammar and syntax was better, there were a lot of things I was correcting in my head and some sentences seemed a bit unclear the way they were worded.
But I love the story and I am going to go and check out the next one Terra Weaver.
September 2, 2025
My husband and I read this book together and we loved every chapter. So much depth to the struggles and characters. We had great conversations after we finally managed to put the book down. We are excited to read what comes next for Lara and Fleck!!
October 31, 2025
Nice, cozy read. I enjoyed it as a palate cleanse between heavier works. I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd book.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews