Book one of an immersive Sci-Fi / Fantasy series with themes of expansive world building, found family, and coming of age.
"Anaiess, home to many humanoid species, is a planet-wide nation of technologic advancements and a shining beacon of unity across the galaxy. But within the bustling, diverse world, a secret lies. Deeply rooted in the forgotten peninsula of Brynden Ka, a strange phenomenon has begun. Citizens have started to possess unnatural Elemental-like powers. Many across the nation attribute these ‘abilities’ to be the work of Avari, a species that has long since vanished, taking their own powers with them. In the chaos of how to address such energy in these rare cases, the Elemental Military Enforcement, EME, has risen to remove Elementals from the public entirely. Though rumor has it, EME isn’t searching for Elementals, but a single Avari. Growing up hidden and sheltered, Kon must learn what he is. In a world his people were rejected from, he remains. Alone. As he grows, it becomes clearer what he is. He can’t hide forever. His powerful unnatural abilities grow stronger every year, as does the grip of the EME, unstoppable in their mission to find him. Amidst fleeing the EME, he must learn to trust others to discover the true reason his parents, and his people, left him behind."
Airay is a Sci-fi / Fantasy illustrated novel. With over 500 pages, it contains 50+ full illustrations between chapters, drawn by the author herself. Set in a futuristic world, find a vast universe awaiting you with deep lore that will stretch across future books. With mention of multiple planets, humanoid species, and elemental powers, this book is a great mix of science fiction, and fantasy. Written and illustrated by Coz K.A., enjoy the mix of writing and artwork combined to enhance your reading experience. With back matter including sketches and character art you can dive even deeper into the story by following the artist online, where she posts weekly illustrations and updates on the story. Popular online via Instagram and Tiktok, this book was successfully funded on Kickstarter in 39 minutes and awarded the "Projects We Love" badge in September of 2024.
I found this beautiful book through the authors TikTok account and was I blown away by the gorgeous OC (original character) artwork and I was even more blown away when I found out she was writing a series following her OC’s!!
This is her first book and wow it did not disappoint!! I haven’t read a dystopian/sci-fi book in so long and this just read so entertainingly and engagingly. The characters were so interesting and fleshed out, and the chapters that ran through flashbacks and the current plot was so cohesive to follow through with the timeline.
I really loved the tropes and pretty much everything about this book, you can tell the author poured so much heart into the story and it was beautiful associating her artwork to the novel as I was reading it. Loved the entire cast of characters and I am beyond excited to continue and following this series when book 2 is announced!
Airay: Power Forgotten was everything I needed and more. To say I was waiting for this book for the longest time is an understatement. I’ve been following Coz K.A. on Instagram and Tiktok for a while because her original character art is so captivating. The moment I found out she was working on a book, I was hooked. I was so happy to get the chance to support her through the Kickstarter and receive the prettiest book box I’ve ever seen full of artwork, stickers, and of course the book itself.
Considering this is a new world and a new author, you would think there would be growing pains, but I was instantly transported to Anaiess. The world-building was done so fluidly. I wasn’t overwhelmed by an info-dump of all the species and the goings on of the world. The author manages to lay out the story in such away that allows you to learn about the world and its characters gradually, while also piecing together the past and present situations.
When I tell you I adored every single character, I truly mean it. Konali, Kon, our protagonist needs to be protected at all costs. Icelyn is so endearing and patient. Peter was so charming in his continuous pursuit of knowledge about Elementals and Avari. He is me trying to piece together all the details in the book and the art on Instagram. I could literally write so much about each character, but you have to enjoy each one of them as you read it. Not only did the plot build perfectly, but each character got moments to shine which allowed for me to get really grounded and attached to the world and all its inhabitants. I could gush for hours about how much I enjoyed this book. I’m already on the edge of my seat for book 2. This was a 5 star read and one of my new favorite Sci-Fi books. I will be mentally living in Brynden Ka for the rest of the year if anyone needs me.
I have been following this artist on social media for over a year waiting for this book because I love her character artwork! Got the book as soon as it was available! The artwork at the start of each chapter is so good and really adds to the story! I think the book is a really interesting concept. It was pretty slow going plot wise in this first book. I’m still pretty unsure what the overall plot is and the character relationships are slow building too but I was never disinterested and it’s set up good for the second book, excited for the next one!
I've been waiting for this one!!! I first stumbled upon Coz K.A. through their instagram account where their art and characters immediately captivated me. I was so stoked when they announced their characters were actually part of a book they were coming out with! The book? Did not disappoint. I loved the characters, the world, and the story that's starting to unravel. I'm very eager for the next book to get some answers for our poor MC's background. I'm also eager to see the romance (hopefully) start to become more prominent between the MMC and the FMC. I liked the switching between the present day events and the past events that led the MMC to where we meet him in the present day. I feel for those curious; if you like YA, found family, James Cameron's Avatar, and a fun sci-fi futuristic setting, you will really enjoy this book. Also the illustrations throughout the book were lovely! I wish more books incorporated illustrations into their books, but not all authors are as lucky to be artists too! Can't wait to read more.
DNF’ing at 22%. I powered through the first 100 pages but I can’t keep going. The art is gorgeous and there are some interesting ideas here. The writing reads like a rough draft, though. It’s very stilted and there’s just such little meat to it. It’s all bones. Interesting bones but still bones. I feel like a graphic novel could have worked better for this. The author’s art is gorgeous (and was the big draw for much of her social media following) and the dialogue is not terrible—certainly decent enough that it could hold up in a more visual storytelling method.
I absolutely loved this book! These characters… this universe… fantastic!!! The artwork is stunning!! This book made me feel so many different emotions throughout the whole book. It was an absolute adventure. I can’t wait to read more from this author !!
Coz K.A. Is definitely on my list of authors who I will read anything and everything they end up writing.
5/5 stars "He couldn't tell if he felt anger or sorrow. If it was tears welling in his eyes or rain. At least he was in the woods. At least he was safe there. Even if it was the end. He was out. At least he'd never have to go back. If that's what death granted him, he'd accept it. The rain around him faded, the light of sunset dimmed. Everything was vanishing, fast. It was never his world anyway." -Kon
Absolutely wow. I cannot believe that I had no idea this existed until now. I have been following Coz K. A. on tiktok/insta since 2023. Their art is absolutely magical, and made me wish it was a manga, book, some form of animation, ANYTHING to see more of their art. COME TO FIND OUT they wrote a freaking book! Seriously, writing and illustrating ?? Mad skills. The setting being futuristic, sci-fi but also almost fantasy with the different character traits and species. I LOVE IT. I also love that YOU Coz K. A. advertised your art before on socials and I had a perfect image in my brain of Kon. Main characters are always so hard to picture for me personally, but you made it so easy. The ups and downs Kon goes through were truly great, but gut wrenching to read. I love this book and will be impatiently waiting on book two for all of eternity.
There will be spoilters in this but that is my general review, now I will go more in depth. {SPOILERS}
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Kon (Konali)- Has now become one of my favorite book characters off of the top of my head. His calm demeanor sits so well with me and his character and really set how...traumatized... he is from his experiences. He is such a THINKER if that makes sense. It also really is beautiful the small yet AMAZING amount of comfort he began to gain while being at the base. Icelyn made it so much easier for him. It often broke my heart how many times he was tricked and betrayed. I cannot even fathom being the last one of my kind, or so I thought, running from EVERYONE who is trying to capture you. Terrifying plot, I freaking love it. I genuinely love his character so much, and his character design ;), as well as his development throughout the book.
Icelyn- I LOVE THIS GIRLS CHARACTER BRO. Absolutely awesome character. The description of her every time she came up on the page was magical. How often she tried to comfort everyone, her being determined to work in the medical field, and duh how her eyes ALWAYS softened when looking at Kon. Her name being Icelyn while having the power of temperature is so iconic, as well as we find out her mom named her after a winter storm. CHEFS KISS. I am so excited to see what the author does with her and Kon throughout this story as they continue.
Peter- I love Peter so much he is so adorable and had me giggling at my book the entire time I was reading. The animation on the authors tiktok account of Peter just trying to show Kon all he knows about the Avari had me CRACKING up. I think Kon and Peter;s relationship is so sibling coded, and I find that adorable. Also how he becomes braver and does more rebellious things is great. Finding out about his Dad, I couldn't imagine being in the room with Kon while seeing what your own Father did. That entire section made me so sad.
Stormy: I love Stormy and Icelyns's friendship. Stormy saying she felt so alone until Icelyn showed up was so heartwarming because I am sure so many of the other elementals felt that way too. I cannot wait to see more of their relationship in the next book...right Coz K. A. the next book...right??
Para/Terrance- I LOVE PARA so much. Gives boss mother vibes. The entire time I just pictured her as some baddie mom who has to take care of her sh!thead kids. I love her so much and how wanted she makes Kon feel. TBH I hope she mothers him more, and their relationship gets closer. Kon needs a hug :( Terrance when I catch you bro. Ok author, you are very good at writing GOOD but MEGA ANNOYING characters. Why was he SOO GRUMPY. I get being skeptical considering their situation, but even from the first time we meet Terrance he is obnoxious. The only scene with him that I liked him in was when Kon said he saw his softer sides around his children.
Kyro- Oh god. His story is so sad. He fought tooth and nail for Kon (from what we know) and ended up being captured only to be used as a soldier to RE CAPTURE KON. Him asking Kon to just k!ll him made me want to sob. I really hope we see more of his storyline in the future and by that I mean alive author.
I know I am missing characters but this is getting extremely long so here are some of my favorite quotes instead.
"It's enough for me. I'm glad I got to know any amount of you." -Icelyn "Kon stared at the final word, his diagnosis. "Flawed."" " All of that, just for Kon to reject a single grace Kyro had asked of him. He felt sick to his stomach. He had failed the one strand of family he had on the planet."
I found Coz K.A. while scrolling through Instagram one late night. Her art, characters, and world pulled me in and I waited excitedly for her debut self-published novel, Airay. I ordered the paperback standard edition (you can find the special edition here) and cracked it open the day it arrived. Despite being a fan, I’m going to be as objective as possible with my review—and I’ll start by saying the book didn’t wow me like I thought it would.
With over 45 original illustrations and a gorgeous cover, Airay is a sci-fi fantasy YA (NA?) novel set in Brynden Ka, a country on the planet Anaiess. Most of the characters are human save our tragic hero, Kon. Kon is an Avari—a species with elemental powers that fled the planet. The book’s primary question is why the Avari left Kon behind. There’s a wide cast of characters, some more grating than others, but none shine quite like Kon does. It’s hard to make your protagonist both interesting and likable but Coz K.A. does exactly that. While he may seem like your standard brooding male lead, Kon has depth, character, and tragedy.
Kon is hunted by the EME, the Elemental Military Enforcement, for reasons unknown. The book’s main plot is interrupted now and then with flashback chapters that show us who Kon is and what he’s done to survive. The EME are at times a vague, faceless, “government is bad” enemy1 like in Divergent or Uglies, but they’re most intimidating when they’re not present—seeing their impact on people (primarily elemental children, who they hunt en masse) hit harder for me than a bunch of guys showing up in uniforms, and that’s where I believe Airay’s tension and stakes shine the brightest. There are scenes, too, where Kon faces off against EME officers who beg for their lives or try to bargain their way out. These reminders that atrocious actions are committed by people and not just faceless governments hit their mark.
Though I can’t mention them for spoiler reasons, there’s another villain in Airay who had all my attention and definitely stole the show. I read each of their scenes on the edge of my seat.
My biggest gripe with the book is something so small and unproblematic that I shouldn’t be nearly as annoyed with it as I am, and that’s the acronyms. There’s the aforementioned EME, then there’s the EPS (Elemental Protection System), and the AIP (Avari Integration Program). All three are mentioned almost exclusively with their acronyms and the closeness of ‘EME’ and ‘EPS’ had me re-reading some paragraphs to make sure I was thinking of the right one. This may not be a problem for other readers, and it might be a sci-fi thing—I admittedly don’t read as much science fiction as I should.
The primary relationship in Airay is between Kon and Icelyn, whose dynamic hints at a future romantic subplot. While I found the pair cute (they had me smiling, I admit it), I thought they trusted each other too easily. We’re reminded in every chapter how untrusting and self-reliant Kon is and Icelyn, being an elemental, has every reason to be similarly distrusting but they click immediately. Icelyn has ice powers which was cute, if still very corny, and I’m interested in seeing where the pair’s relationship goes.
Ah, yes. Peter.
Peter is Kon’s friend and a member of the main cast. An elemental nerd with glasses and asthma, he read like a walking caricature. His obsession with Avari led to regularly making Kon uncomfortable with neverending questions about his species. The behavior was played off as comedic but irritated me. I don’t think Peter is useless. He has goals and personality, and his ideas advance the plot. But he was the most underwhelming character. I’m hoping to see him develop more in the sequel.
As for the powers, most characters have standard elemental conjurations save for Kon, who uses ‘terrashock’, an ability to harden the air into an impenetrable glass-like substance that explodes on command. He uses it frequently. I would, too.
We don’t learn much about the world of Anaiess beyond the country Brynden Ka. It’s hinted the rest of the planet doesn’t know about the EME’s behaviors, but I wondered why the Avari chose to leave the planet entirely and not just the country. The flora, fauna, and societies on Anaiess are identical to Earth. There’s advanced technology (hovercraft, holograms) and occasional alien races, but for the most part, readers don’t travel too far from home.
As the first in a series, Airay felt like a setup for something greater. On its own, it was entertaining if a little bland. The plot isn’t anything new—teenagers with powers hunted by the government for some reason—but the worldbuilding, art, and mostly well-written characters made up for it. I’m excited to see where the story goes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I came across this author on Instagram through another author that creates art for her books. What initially drew me in was the art that Coz shares on her IG. The synopsis of the book did interest me but if I'm being honest I mostly brought the book for the art. But the moment I got my hands on the physical copy and read the first page, I was hooked.
The story itself was *chef's kiss* amazing. I love a good fantasy/sci-fi read and haven't read any lately, that has kept me invested the way this one did. The world-building was great, the character-development was on point, and there was plenty of action!
I have a special place in my heart for Kon. Reading the flashbacks from when he was just an innocent child and then seeing everything he had to go through just to survive, just about broke me. What I really loved about Kon was that, while he was standoffish with others and kept himself at a distance, he wasn't a mean character. He had a reason for behaving the way he did and he eventually does warm up to everyone in his own ways. But he was never outright mean and was always thinking of how he can protect everyone else. (I know we've all read a book or two with a "brooding" male character with a horrible past and they are unnecessarily mean to the FMC. I'm not saying I hate it but the switch up was nice.)
I really enjoyed all of the other characters as well. Everyone was always looking out for each other. They bring a bit of lightness and humor to the book and I like to think Kon's life as well. I think the relationship between Kon and Icelyn is precious. I love how she was constantly there for him when he didn't even know he needed her. And she never pushed him.
I can't wait to immerse myself into this world more and am anxiously waiting for the next book! If you're thinking about reading this book, I definitely say do it!
"Airay" is a captivating read that showcases a perfect blend of artistry, immersive world-building, and memorable side characters, all tied together by the author’s exceptional writing skills.
The artwork is an absolute visual treat, drawing readers into its enchanting world from the very first page. The illustrations complement the narrative, creating a vivid tapestry that makes the story even more immersive. Each detail, from the intricacy of the characters' attire to the stunning landscapes, adds depth to the reading experience.
The author has crafted a universe that feels both fantastical and believable, with environments that are rich in detail and each location feels alive and integral to the story.
The side characters are well-developed and bring their own charm to the story. Their unique personalities and contributions enrich the narrative, offering moments of humor, wisdom, and heartwarming camaraderie.
The author's ability to craft such vivid imagery and deep connections with the characters is truly commendable, drawing readers further into the characters' lives and emotions.
Final Thoughts "Airay" is a gem for fans of fantasy and art. Its beautiful illustrations, intricate world-building, endearing side characters, and masterful writing make it a must-read. It’s a story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page, leaving you eager for more from this talented author.
If you're a fan of stories that transport you to another realm and leave you wanting more, Airay is a must-read. Highly recommended, and I can't wait to dive into the next installment!
Picked this book up because I had been following the artist for a while over on instagram and had fallen in love with the characters. Overall the concept and the characters in this book are amazing. I really enjoyed each and every one of them, side characters included. The art included is also beautiful. It’s definitely not like anything I’ve read before and that was refreshing (but I also don’t read much sci-fi stuff so who knows).
However, I will say that this book is pretty slow going compared to others I’ve read. While the plot was interesting and I did really enjoy it, it felt like 500 pages of set up for a second book which I guess is okay but I would have liked to see more action or something in the first book. The characters relationships, while I loved them, also came together way too quick and easily in my opinion. Maybe it’s just me but beyond Terrance and Kon’s small feuds, none of the characters really had any issues with each other, which seemed unusual for the circumstances. It doesn’t really make any difference now as the book is already written, but it would have been nice to see the crew have a bit more “growing pains” when it came to their friendships.
It’s also pretty easy to tell that this book is written by a new author, as some sections felt a bit clunky. I definitely saw improvements the further I read though which was nice. Overall, I think it’s done well and I will gladly read the second and any further books that come out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
First of all, I absolutely love CozKa's artwork. I’ve been a core fan for many years, and I instantly fell in love with Kon and Icelyn when I first saw them all those years ago. Seeing that there would be a series about their story was such a wonderful surprise — thank you, CozKa!
As for the story — I loved it! The worldbuilding is so well done and sets up the next expansion beautifully. The descriptions of the surroundings were vivid and made everything feel cohesive; I always knew where I was. Of course, the illustrations added so much to the experience as well.
The characters' actions felt natural, though I did feel like one part was a bit rushed. They met one day, and by the next, they already felt like friends of some kind. Luckily, it wasn’t too distracting, especially with a few days in the story to process things and let everything settle. So, in the end, I could vibe with it.
What I missed the most was some kind of love expression. But I have patience — I know this is a slow burn across several books, and I have all my fingers crossed that the wait will pay off! Since they’re both old enough characters, I’d love to see a refined and tense build-up. It doesn’t need hardcore explicit smut (though… Kon is chef's kiss, so I wouldn’t complain! 😏).
I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series. I hope it won’t take too long — this was amazing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I first found out about this book by seeing CozKa’s art on TikTok. I loved the designs and art style so I was super excited when I realized these characters would be brought to life in a book.
The art within the book is gorgeous and adds an extra slice of life to the story. I am not much for Sci-Fi but I absolutely LOVED this story. The side characters are fun and the world building is creative and interesting. Kon is my absolute favorite with his unique character design and heartbreaking background. I just want to wrap him up in a blanket burrito style and keep him safe from the world ❤️. Icelyn is also a favorite of mine and I liked how she helped Kon be more comfortable. I can’t wait to watch Kon’s and Icelyn’s relationship grow because they are just too cute with each other. I appreciated the steady pace of the book. Kon’s character development going from untrusting and aloof in the beginning to opening up more and starting to make friends at the end was executed perfectly. I’ll be eagerly waiting for book two!!
I think what makes this book so great is the fact that you can literally feel in each and every sentence how much love and passion was put into the story and its characters. It made me so happy finally being able to really see those artworks on Instagram come alive. At first, only seeing Kon's pictures, I could have never really imagined him have a proper conversation with anyone. Now it seems I can hear his voice in my head. Peter is such a sweet young man, love him so much! Also would adore to see more of Para and Terrance and how they act around each other when there isn't the whole Base to protect. AND JOEL WITH MALLIA, I WILL NOT BE AT PEACE IF THEY DON'T APPEAR IN BOOK TWO!
I gladly bought the book because I wanted to support a new and passionate author. Definitely not a choice I regret but instead feel very happy and glad about. If those artworks weren't already enough, now I completely fell in love with the world and it's unique people inside.
Totally worth a read if you enjoy some YA sci-fi, found family, a wonderful slow-burn and a lot of feels.
The book captivated me from beginning to end. I was often surprised while reading when I was deeply focused on the main plot, only to suddenly be shifted into a flashback during a moment of suspense.
The story is engaging and intriguing, making you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. The lore of the book's world draws you in, sparking curiosity about the species inhabiting each planet and how everything works. The dynamics between the characters make you eager to see more interactions among them. There are various personalities, and you can witness both the character and personal growth of each one, as well as their relationships with each other, which adds even more depth to the book.
I’m also excited to see how the next books will unfold to learn more about the lore, meet new characters and their backstories, explore their dynamics, witness the growth of the characters we already know, and discover more about the wonderful world the author has created.
I stumbled about the author’s instagram page a year or two ago. I fell in love with the characters they created. Once this story was announced, I was ready to dive into this new world. I read this whenever I had a spare moment. I never really found any dull or slow parts in the novel. I loved the flashbacks, and I do hope these are continued into the second novel. I wish I could write an in-depth review but I stayed up so late to finish this. The big takeaway is that this story is worth the read. It felt new to me; it kept my interest the entire time. I’m ready for the next installment. Support this author and their work (writings and art)!
I absolutely loved this book. I have not been as drawn into a book as this since I read The Lightning Thief back in middle school. There are so many layers to the world built and the characters, from the interplay between the planets in their galaxy to the various species included as characters and who they interact with. I devoured this book. I would highly recommend to anyone who likes sci-fi/fantasy novels, or anyone who loves books with detailed world building. I can’t wait until the next one!
I have a feeling this ongoing series is going to mean very much to me. Why read it: ~ Each character is quite special & has so much potential. The relationships between the characters are so admirable. I connected very deeply with Kon, the main protagonist, especially ~ This book may have been 500 pages or so, but it didn't waste a second of my time with filler material. So consise- that's difficult to find in books these days ~ The concept Coz KA. has developed feels like something I would have loved to write myself... The dystopian element makes the book so aluring, yet I never cared for science fiction before, now I do I believe this YA book could be such a hit for [teens] & the many illustrations completely bring it to life (This is the only review I've made because I truly believe in this author's work & where this story is going)
I loved this so much! Kon is such a interesting character and I just felt for him so much throughout the story. I loved seeing the small moments with Icelyn and I am super excited to see their relationship be further explored in book two. The worldbuilding was so interesting as well and not to mention all the beautiful illustrations. I fear this may already be one of my favorite reads of 2025! I am so excited for the sequel!
love love LOVEEEEE this book!! From learning Kon’s backstory and what’s gotten him to this point as he learns to find trust in those at the Base to the bravery of his new friends willing to put themselves in danger to help Kon feel seen and find the answers he needs!? Don’t even get me started on the cutest slow burn EVER between Icelyn & Kon??? I absolutely CAN NOT wait for the next book. This story was an amazing experience & I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
i follow this artist on instagram, it’s super cool that she wrote a book. it was not the most thoughtful or technically well-written book, but it was fun (!) which has merit on its own. it was enjoyable, i liked the main character, the concept in interesting, and the art is super cool. very darkest minds vibes.
wow, “Airay: Power Forgotten” played out like a breath-taking cinematic adventure, with its expansive world building and tenderly beautiful relationships, and my goodness, my heart ACHED for Kon seeing all of the heartbreak that he had endured at the hands of the EME, leading me to believe that the sequel is going to be even more grippingly brilliant! <3
this book was a roller coaster. I am slightly traumatized. the main character went through so much pain now I’m in pain with him. the story is obviously very well thought out. the author knew what she was doing writing each individual character. the story was too passive at certain points but I enjoyed it.