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Ndesa #2
Songs of Flint
Not yet published
Expected 1 Mar 26They wanted a simple life. The jungle had other plans…
Dashin, now of the tribe, has finally found the family he's yearned for. While Alina is thrilled to have Dashin by her side, she grapples with what this means for their future. Even Pritha comes into her own, accepting the trees and the village as her home.
But life in the trees is a fragile thing.
When a mysterious disease arises that preys on seers, anxiety ripples through the village. Unease turns to dread as news reaches them of a scourge that stalks the treetops. One that might see their village and perhaps their entire world undone.
The trials Dashin faced to join the tribe may be nothing compared to what it will take to keep it alive.
Dashin, now of the tribe, has finally found the family he's yearned for. While Alina is thrilled to have Dashin by her side, she grapples with what this means for their future. Even Pritha comes into her own, accepting the trees and the village as her home.
But life in the trees is a fragile thing.
When a mysterious disease arises that preys on seers, anxiety ripples through the village. Unease turns to dread as news reaches them of a scourge that stalks the treetops. One that might see their village and perhaps their entire world undone.
The trials Dashin faced to join the tribe may be nothing compared to what it will take to keep it alive.
375 pages, ebook
Expected publication March 1, 2026
About the author
David Pariseau
4 books6 followersDavid Pariseau has always dreamed of writing novels. He even tried it a few times amid life’s obligations and detours. "Dreams of Verdure" is the culmination of that dream. The first, he hopes, of many books along that path. The second book, "Songs of Flint", is in the final stages of editing, with first drafts of the other three books in the series completed.
Like many other SciFi/Fantasy authors, David spent years in the High-Tech as an engineer, wrangling electrons and debugging unruly code.
David lives in the Bay Area in California with his wife Janis and his writing partner Coco, who’s been invaluable in fleshing out Pritha’s details, though he still doesn’t understand why she had to be a cat and not a Shih-Tzu.
Like many other SciFi/Fantasy authors, David spent years in the High-Tech as an engineer, wrangling electrons and debugging unruly code.
David lives in the Bay Area in California with his wife Janis and his writing partner Coco, who’s been invaluable in fleshing out Pritha’s details, though he still doesn’t understand why she had to be a cat and not a Shih-Tzu.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 18, 2026
Wow this is a great sequel to Dreams of Verdure. There is intense action, high stakes, dramatic moments, and a full spectrum of emotional moment.
The brilliance of this tale is that Pariseau lulls the reader into the gentle softness of daily life. Dashin and the village are working at various improvements and we get to deepen our connections to everyone within the TreeKeeper village. The relationships have grown and you find a quiet peace that’s enjoyable for the first part of the book. The tensions grow with seer warnings, and explode into a fight for survival.
This story is nicely executed and maintaining itself as a great YA scifi fantasy. Although death and violence occur in this book, it is not so descriptive that YA audiences could not read it safely (mid-YA and up most likely).
The brilliance of this tale is that Pariseau lulls the reader into the gentle softness of daily life. Dashin and the village are working at various improvements and we get to deepen our connections to everyone within the TreeKeeper village. The relationships have grown and you find a quiet peace that’s enjoyable for the first part of the book. The tensions grow with seer warnings, and explode into a fight for survival.
This story is nicely executed and maintaining itself as a great YA scifi fantasy. Although death and violence occur in this book, it is not so descriptive that YA audiences could not read it safely (mid-YA and up most likely).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Life is going well for Dashin. Since completing his trials, he has become “of the tribe,” officially adopted into the community of TreeFolk where his space pod crashed several moons earlier. He has adapted to life in the canopy, settling into his new role as the community’s engineer. He now has everything he has ever dreamed of—a family, friends, and even a soulmate, the brave and beautiful Alina. Everything is good.
However, everything begins to change when news arrives of a sickness affecting the seers in neighboring TreeFolk communities. The sickness brings dark, hopeless visions of horrible events that are to come, and it traps the seers inside their own minds. Soon, it becomes clear that the fate of the TreeFolk depends on Dashin, Alina, and their krax friend Pritha (a jaguar-like creature who has a unique bond with Dashin). Their actions, however small, will determine whether their village survives the threats to come.
This series has stolen my heart. David Pariseau has a talent for drawing the reader into his world and making us feel like we are part of the TreeFolk community. After reading both Dreams of Verdure and Songs of Flint, I feel as if I know each of the TreeFolk personally and love them like my own family. I have a special soft spot for Solvan and Matse, the orphaned tree children taken in by the village. Witnessing their growth has been a heartwarming experience. I find Solvan’s use of the word “round” to be especially charming; he uses it in the way we Earth Humans describe favorable things as “cool.” And of course, I can’t fail to mention Pritha and how entertaining she is as she enters the krax equivalent of the “snarky teenager” phase.
I find Pariseau’s prose to be melodic and beautiful. To me, it feels like a story that is meant to be told aloud. The TreeFolk do not have a writing system; instead, their history is passed down through oral storytelling tradition known as “songs.” The book itself is written to feel like the song of these people. I can picture parents telling their children of Dashin and Alina’s adventures as a bedtime story, not needing to rely on the printed book to remember the tale. Dashin, Alina, and the rest of their tribe are now part of my heart, and I look forward to reading Book 3 so that I can learn the next part of their song.
However, everything begins to change when news arrives of a sickness affecting the seers in neighboring TreeFolk communities. The sickness brings dark, hopeless visions of horrible events that are to come, and it traps the seers inside their own minds. Soon, it becomes clear that the fate of the TreeFolk depends on Dashin, Alina, and their krax friend Pritha (a jaguar-like creature who has a unique bond with Dashin). Their actions, however small, will determine whether their village survives the threats to come.
This series has stolen my heart. David Pariseau has a talent for drawing the reader into his world and making us feel like we are part of the TreeFolk community. After reading both Dreams of Verdure and Songs of Flint, I feel as if I know each of the TreeFolk personally and love them like my own family. I have a special soft spot for Solvan and Matse, the orphaned tree children taken in by the village. Witnessing their growth has been a heartwarming experience. I find Solvan’s use of the word “round” to be especially charming; he uses it in the way we Earth Humans describe favorable things as “cool.” And of course, I can’t fail to mention Pritha and how entertaining she is as she enters the krax equivalent of the “snarky teenager” phase.
I find Pariseau’s prose to be melodic and beautiful. To me, it feels like a story that is meant to be told aloud. The TreeFolk do not have a writing system; instead, their history is passed down through oral storytelling tradition known as “songs.” The book itself is written to feel like the song of these people. I can picture parents telling their children of Dashin and Alina’s adventures as a bedtime story, not needing to rely on the printed book to remember the tale. Dashin, Alina, and the rest of their tribe are now part of my heart, and I look forward to reading Book 3 so that I can learn the next part of their song.
February 3, 2026
This is book 2 of the Ndesa series. Like book 1, this is a very long and detailed story clocking in at 58 chapters. It is so worth your time. Like the first book, it is so rich in the vivid descriptions of everything that you feel like you are there. You are swinging through the trees, you are swaying on the platform without even realizing it.
I know that Pritha is an animal but let’s get real here. Pritha is not just an animal. The mind meld is crazy when you think about it but the fact that becoming ‘of the tribe’ was so important to Pritha that she demanding to take part in the trials was so much more than anything I could have ever imagined would happen.
When Solvan had to stay behind it made me cry. You can see through every action just how badly this young boy/man wants to be ‘of the tribe’.
Drur really upset me. I knew that it was going to be unavoidable but I didn’t expect it to be him.
The moment when Alina is describing having their songs to Dashin made me cry. Like ugly cry. As I read the song of Karita that she was showing him, I had an immense feeling of loss. It was like realizing something so beautiful isn’t something we have in the real world. And honestly, that thought gutted me. It was like realizing you know all the words to the song but there’s no music. We can remember our loved ones when they are gone but we don’t remember the actual sound of their voices, their laughter, their smile. It crushed something deep inside me.
This book was much more serious than the first book. War, loss, death, birth, sickness.
I cannot wait for book 3 to come out. So far, this series has been nothing short of amazing.
5 stars
I know that Pritha is an animal but let’s get real here. Pritha is not just an animal. The mind meld is crazy when you think about it but the fact that becoming ‘of the tribe’ was so important to Pritha that she demanding to take part in the trials was so much more than anything I could have ever imagined would happen.
When Solvan had to stay behind it made me cry. You can see through every action just how badly this young boy/man wants to be ‘of the tribe’.
Drur really upset me. I knew that it was going to be unavoidable but I didn’t expect it to be him.
The moment when Alina is describing having their songs to Dashin made me cry. Like ugly cry. As I read the song of Karita that she was showing him, I had an immense feeling of loss. It was like realizing something so beautiful isn’t something we have in the real world. And honestly, that thought gutted me. It was like realizing you know all the words to the song but there’s no music. We can remember our loved ones when they are gone but we don’t remember the actual sound of their voices, their laughter, their smile. It crushed something deep inside me.
This book was much more serious than the first book. War, loss, death, birth, sickness.
I cannot wait for book 3 to come out. So far, this series has been nothing short of amazing.
5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
Ndesa is an immersive experience that beckons you back to its jungles in the Songs of Flint. I loved it in the first book, Dreams of Verdure, and love it even more in the second book. It is a vibrant and pulsing world that harkens back to simpler times, both in its beauty and danger. Through the eyes of Dashin, a junior maintenance engineer who crash-landed on the previously unknown planet, the secrets of Ndesa and the TreeFolk who inhabit the world slowly unfurl like a flower in spring bloom.
The writing is so engaging… You can feel the flapping of the nuxats. Hear the growl of the krax. See your TruePath through the trees.
While the first book is full of the trials of Dashin’s Becoming and intra-tribal dynamics, the second book opens the aperture and new threats loom, both seen and unseen. Life is dangerous in the trees! A mysterious illness befalls the tribal seers, while a warring intruder tribe brings death and destruction. Meanwhile, Pritha’s role grows as she transitions from kitten to juvenile krax and seeks a Becoming of her own.
The author’s superpower is the way in which he weaves a character-driven story where you, dear reader, feel like a member of the TreeFolk tribe.
It’s fun. It’s emotional. It’s got action, mystery and magic. I highly recommend the Songs of Flint and its predecessor, Dreams of Verdure, for a different type of fantasy escape.
The writing is so engaging… You can feel the flapping of the nuxats. Hear the growl of the krax. See your TruePath through the trees.
While the first book is full of the trials of Dashin’s Becoming and intra-tribal dynamics, the second book opens the aperture and new threats loom, both seen and unseen. Life is dangerous in the trees! A mysterious illness befalls the tribal seers, while a warring intruder tribe brings death and destruction. Meanwhile, Pritha’s role grows as she transitions from kitten to juvenile krax and seeks a Becoming of her own.
The author’s superpower is the way in which he weaves a character-driven story where you, dear reader, feel like a member of the TreeFolk tribe.
It’s fun. It’s emotional. It’s got action, mystery and magic. I highly recommend the Songs of Flint and its predecessor, Dreams of Verdure, for a different type of fantasy escape.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Songs of Flint
Ndesa series book 2
David Pariseau
@david.pariseau.author has done it again with endearing characters and prose. This series just works for me and sequels are pretty rare to be back-to-back five star reads, but this one is for sure.
Pritha really stole the show. I loved seeing her growing up, the humor in her banter with Dashin, her fierce loyalty to everyone and her determination to show her worth as part of the tribe.
This installment in the series got darker in the plotline with looming battle and terror preparing to fight to preserve the community with all their lives being at stake against invaders and a disease plaguing their seers. I thought PTSD was well represented and the theme of fighting for good against the type of people who, in the pursuit of power and control for selfish reasons, brainwash and enslave others in a cult-like mentality.
I'm always of the mindset of leading with kindness, acceptance and all of humanity deserving basic necessities, and I think that's why Dashin and Alina as characters work so well for me with their contributions to better the lives of the people in their community. I was full of anxiety for them as they stood their ground to fight for the greater good. The ending was emotional, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to read the ARCs of this beautiful series.
Ndesa series book 2
David Pariseau
@david.pariseau.author has done it again with endearing characters and prose. This series just works for me and sequels are pretty rare to be back-to-back five star reads, but this one is for sure.
Pritha really stole the show. I loved seeing her growing up, the humor in her banter with Dashin, her fierce loyalty to everyone and her determination to show her worth as part of the tribe.
This installment in the series got darker in the plotline with looming battle and terror preparing to fight to preserve the community with all their lives being at stake against invaders and a disease plaguing their seers. I thought PTSD was well represented and the theme of fighting for good against the type of people who, in the pursuit of power and control for selfish reasons, brainwash and enslave others in a cult-like mentality.
I'm always of the mindset of leading with kindness, acceptance and all of humanity deserving basic necessities, and I think that's why Dashin and Alina as characters work so well for me with their contributions to better the lives of the people in their community. I was full of anxiety for them as they stood their ground to fight for the greater good. The ending was emotional, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to read the ARCs of this beautiful series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
#cookiereads Songs of Flint by @david.pariseau.author 🐅
Book 2 of Ndesa series shows Dashin adjusting well to his new life with Alina. When all the sudden, the seers are struck with a mysterious illness that causes them to sleep. In addition to the illness, there is a tribe that is conquering all the tribes as they go. Enslaving the people as they move from tribe to tribe and Dashins’s tribe is next. Can the tribe band together to fight the intruders?
Furiends @david.pariseau.author has this wonderful gift of making each character so memorable. I loved every single character in this book. Aor and Hendricks especially impressed me. I loved Matse! She will be the one to watch in these next few books. But let’s save the best for last Pritha! Pritha really comes into her own in this book, and the bond between her, Alina, and Dashin is so strong.
I would love to thank the wonderful @tara.reeds24 for introducing me to this series and to @david.pariseau.author for writing this wonderful book with memorable characters. I cannot wait to see what David Pariseau has for book 3.
4 out of four paws. 🐾 #corgiinstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookgram
Book 2 of Ndesa series shows Dashin adjusting well to his new life with Alina. When all the sudden, the seers are struck with a mysterious illness that causes them to sleep. In addition to the illness, there is a tribe that is conquering all the tribes as they go. Enslaving the people as they move from tribe to tribe and Dashins’s tribe is next. Can the tribe band together to fight the intruders?
Furiends @david.pariseau.author has this wonderful gift of making each character so memorable. I loved every single character in this book. Aor and Hendricks especially impressed me. I loved Matse! She will be the one to watch in these next few books. But let’s save the best for last Pritha! Pritha really comes into her own in this book, and the bond between her, Alina, and Dashin is so strong.
I would love to thank the wonderful @tara.reeds24 for introducing me to this series and to @david.pariseau.author for writing this wonderful book with memorable characters. I cannot wait to see what David Pariseau has for book 3.
4 out of four paws. 🐾 #corgiinstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookgram
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the pleasure of narrating the audiobook version of Dreams of Verdure (the first in the Ndesa series) and recently read Songs of Flint before beginning work on the second audiobook. It’s not often I get to work with material that I truly enjoy as a reader as well but the Ndesa series is just that. Often I find myself disappointed with sequels for either blatantly repeating the same plot formula as the first book, or having established characters suddenly acting in very uncharacteristic ways in order to manufacture ongoing conflict. Songs of Flint has no need for either of these tricks. The characters are just as lovable and thoughtful as in the first book, but now faced with escalating conflict that, while hinted at in book one, I was completely taken away by. There is nothing formulaic about this plot and while I honestly have no idea where the series is going from here, I cannot wait to find out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book two in the Ndesa series
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. The author is incredibly skilled at building a vibrant, immersive world that feels rich with detail and atmosphere. Every setting is brought to life so vividly that it’s easy to get completely lost in the story and feel like you are truly swinging through the trees .
The characters are just as compelling as the world they inhabit. They’re loveable, layered, and feel genuinely in their emotions, struggles and growth. I found myself fully invested in all of them.
And I have to mention the animal sidekick, who absolutely steals the show as my favourite character!!
Her witty banter and remarks add so much humor to the story. She brings a lightness that you can't help but smile to
That said, this book is truly heartbreaking in parts. The emotional depth hits hard. I’d wholeheartedly recommend to everyone
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. The author is incredibly skilled at building a vibrant, immersive world that feels rich with detail and atmosphere. Every setting is brought to life so vividly that it’s easy to get completely lost in the story and feel like you are truly swinging through the trees .
The characters are just as compelling as the world they inhabit. They’re loveable, layered, and feel genuinely in their emotions, struggles and growth. I found myself fully invested in all of them.
And I have to mention the animal sidekick, who absolutely steals the show as my favourite character!!
Her witty banter and remarks add so much humor to the story. She brings a lightness that you can't help but smile to
That said, this book is truly heartbreaking in parts. The emotional depth hits hard. I’d wholeheartedly recommend to everyone
February 4, 2026
Magical. The forest and characters are so enchanting that I couldn’t put this down.. I loved how the characters developed further in this book through the element of danger and hardship. The writing of these elements are beautiful and vivid, almost as if you are there with them fighting for your life.
I loved how each character had their own individual story line but contributed to the overall plot. My heart was pounding the whole way though. It is a more emotion rollercoaster than book 1.
I needed that beautiful and heartfelt ending to calm my soul.
A wonderful series and one that I will continue to read.
I loved how each character had their own individual story line but contributed to the overall plot. My heart was pounding the whole way though. It is a more emotion rollercoaster than book 1.
I needed that beautiful and heartfelt ending to calm my soul.
A wonderful series and one that I will continue to read.
February 18, 2026
Songs of Flint ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The second book in the Ndesa series is just as immersive as the first, but with even more emotional depth. This story really explores grief and character growth in a way that feels grounded and mature.
The MMC and FMC are some of the calmest leads I’ve read—they handle loss with admirable strength. And Pritha? Still my favorite. Her sass adds the perfect touch of humor.
A satisfying and emotionally rich continuation.
The second book in the Ndesa series is just as immersive as the first, but with even more emotional depth. This story really explores grief and character growth in a way that feels grounded and mature.
The MMC and FMC are some of the calmest leads I’ve read—they handle loss with admirable strength. And Pritha? Still my favorite. Her sass adds the perfect touch of humor.
A satisfying and emotionally rich continuation.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow....
I didn't expect to love this as much as I did the first one.
Set in an enchanting treetop world a found family fights to survive.
Expanding on the first book we learn so much more about the array of characters and their stories. Particularly Matse, a young girl who finds her voice.
Expect strong world building, battle, love and loss
I didn't expect to love this as much as I did the first one.
Set in an enchanting treetop world a found family fights to survive.
Expanding on the first book we learn so much more about the array of characters and their stories. Particularly Matse, a young girl who finds her voice.
Expect strong world building, battle, love and loss
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews