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Annals of Lusiartha #1
Sedich: The Annals of Lusiartha
Enslaved since the age of six, Rilan Crendu lives at the bottom of the Regiment hierarchy, working in the fields of his small island home. Lusiartha is a world divided into those who have power and those who do not, where disobedience means swift retribution and personal choice does not exist. Rilan craves freedom, knowing that there is more to life than the labor forced upon his dark-skinned people. But unknown to Rilan, a secret society exists that struggles against the Regiment. This group, motivated by ancient prophecy, captures Rilan and takes him to their hideout. There, Rilan learns of the sedich, a centuries-old stone imbued with the power of the Creator, and takes its power into himself. The sedich grants Rilan abilities beyond his comprehension and places him at the forefront of the war against the Regiment. But Sovereign Izhara, the Regiment's bloodthirsty dictator, knows of Rilan and the hidden resistance, and will stop at nothing to ensure their defeat. Joined by slaves, soldiers, and civilians from across Lusiartha, Rilan must command those he once had to obey, and he must learn to do so quickly. For if the Sovereign succeeds and Rilan falls, Lusiartha's one chance at freedom falls with him.
244 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2014
57 people want to read
About the author
R. Ann Humphries
3 books30 followersR. Ann Humphries is a lifelong science fiction and fantasy addict. Unable to find a portal to Narnia in her closet, she started inventing her own fantasy worlds and storylines. She graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a BA in Creative Writing. She lives in Atlanta with her two weenie dogs, Smith and Wesson.
Humphries was introduced to the world of science fiction and fantasy by her father, who made her sit down and watch every episode of the original Star Trek series at a young, impressionable age. Hopelessly hooked from that point on, she moved through dozens of sci-fi/fantasy television shows, books, movies, and video games like a true addict. While the entertaining, escapist side of such stories is obvious, Humphries believes there’s a truly valuable side to far fetched and whimsical stories, one that allows readers to examine themselves and humanity through nontraditional and unfamiliar lenses.
Humphries was introduced to the world of science fiction and fantasy by her father, who made her sit down and watch every episode of the original Star Trek series at a young, impressionable age. Hopelessly hooked from that point on, she moved through dozens of sci-fi/fantasy television shows, books, movies, and video games like a true addict. While the entertaining, escapist side of such stories is obvious, Humphries believes there’s a truly valuable side to far fetched and whimsical stories, one that allows readers to examine themselves and humanity through nontraditional and unfamiliar lenses.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 21, 2014
I have to say this was a fairly good read! What I liked so much about the plot was that it was a dystopian that I haven’t quite seen before. This seems like something people would like if they enjoyed the Hunger Games, but this time we have a male voice in the lead role and the group of people are brought into the city to go to school – yet are treated horribly.
I thought the characters were believable and realistic, and Humphries doesn’t spare you emotions. When it comes to stories like this there will be characters you like who have to die or sacrifice themselves for the team, which made this book incredibly sad at some points. I thought it was also a way to show that I had connected with these characters as well. I would think that Aobren is my favourite character, because she’s someone who thinks about her choices and decisions, and weighs the consequences carefully beforehand. I would like think I was someone like that too.
The setting was described perfectly, especially at the beginning when we are on a certain island and there is a celebration going on. It was lovely to hear the descriptions of the tin whistle, so well done that I could imagine being there.
The one thing that this book lacked for me was the pacing. It seemed slow in some parts, intense in others, and the ending seemed to whizz by too quickly. I think if the author had managed to smoothen things out a bit more than the book would’ve been more face paced the entire way through.
I would recommend this to all dystopian lovers!
I thought the characters were believable and realistic, and Humphries doesn’t spare you emotions. When it comes to stories like this there will be characters you like who have to die or sacrifice themselves for the team, which made this book incredibly sad at some points. I thought it was also a way to show that I had connected with these characters as well. I would think that Aobren is my favourite character, because she’s someone who thinks about her choices and decisions, and weighs the consequences carefully beforehand. I would like think I was someone like that too.
The setting was described perfectly, especially at the beginning when we are on a certain island and there is a celebration going on. It was lovely to hear the descriptions of the tin whistle, so well done that I could imagine being there.
The one thing that this book lacked for me was the pacing. It seemed slow in some parts, intense in others, and the ending seemed to whizz by too quickly. I think if the author had managed to smoothen things out a bit more than the book would’ve been more face paced the entire way through.
I would recommend this to all dystopian lovers!
September 18, 2014
I liked this book alot. I loved the character development and the characters. Rilan has such a tough life and to see even a part of his journey is amazing. Can't wait to read the rest of the books.
November 20, 2017
It chose this book at a bad time so it took me forever to finish. (Thanks midterms) but I thoroughly enjoyed this. I could see the parallels in our own history that R. Ann Humphries uses but she takes it further into a well evolved world that sucks you in. I have to say I think my favorite character is Myla due to her depth and complicated personality and history. I love me a well written lady and Humphris provides examples of wildly different but equally amazing female characters. I will say that I took one star off because I felt this book could have gone on a bit further. The climax came too near the end of the book and was a little short. I wanted more! Haha. On to book 2 of the series!
June 1, 2015
I'm so glad I got a chance to read this book, Sedich; the first book in the trilogy, 'The Annals of Lusiartha. As I normally do before staring with a new novel, I held off on reading too many reviews. Otherwise I tend to form an opinion and later write my review of the book along the lines of the reviews I previously read. Long story short, I went in not knowing what I would find.
And what did I find?
I discovered that in a world far, far away, there exist four Islands by the name of Cailath, Mailyn, Shain and Setu, governed by a regiment formed of Cailath soldiers, who work under the reign of Sovereign Izhara. The people of Cailath are considered superior to those of other islands. Despite the brutal discrimination, it is the people of Setu who suffer the harshest of treatments. But Rilan Crendu has had enough, has seen enough, has endured enough and has been patient enough. He wants the Regiment overthrown, peace to be restored and the freedom gifted back to his people. Despite the markings of a warrior, the will to fight, supreme wisdom and resourcefulness, he's helpless. After all, how do you take down a whole army of carefully trained soldiers?
Oppressed under the wrath of the Sovereign and the soldiers, things cannot possibly be any worse. Except the death of the sovereign, causing his son to take over, does indeed make things worse.
The new rules and regulations at Dren; the so called school every child from the four islands attends gets pulled under the control of the regiment, causing the Setu students to flee.
One by one, each student gets rounded up, for a fate far worse than being whipped in a public setting at Dren.
All but one.
All but Rilan Crendu.
Is this the one chance he had been praying for?
Is this the one chance the entire Lusiartha, save Cailaths has been waiting for?
Read to find out
R. Ann Humphries has done a phenomenal job. The writing is smart, intelligent, believable and has an uncanny ability to keep your thirst perpetually alive, despite the plethora of information being constantly fed to you.
It's brilliant.
And what did I find?
I discovered that in a world far, far away, there exist four Islands by the name of Cailath, Mailyn, Shain and Setu, governed by a regiment formed of Cailath soldiers, who work under the reign of Sovereign Izhara. The people of Cailath are considered superior to those of other islands. Despite the brutal discrimination, it is the people of Setu who suffer the harshest of treatments. But Rilan Crendu has had enough, has seen enough, has endured enough and has been patient enough. He wants the Regiment overthrown, peace to be restored and the freedom gifted back to his people. Despite the markings of a warrior, the will to fight, supreme wisdom and resourcefulness, he's helpless. After all, how do you take down a whole army of carefully trained soldiers?
Oppressed under the wrath of the Sovereign and the soldiers, things cannot possibly be any worse. Except the death of the sovereign, causing his son to take over, does indeed make things worse.
The new rules and regulations at Dren; the so called school every child from the four islands attends gets pulled under the control of the regiment, causing the Setu students to flee.
One by one, each student gets rounded up, for a fate far worse than being whipped in a public setting at Dren.
All but one.
All but Rilan Crendu.
Is this the one chance he had been praying for?
Is this the one chance the entire Lusiartha, save Cailaths has been waiting for?
Read to find out
R. Ann Humphries has done a phenomenal job. The writing is smart, intelligent, believable and has an uncanny ability to keep your thirst perpetually alive, despite the plethora of information being constantly fed to you.
It's brilliant.
December 13, 2014
A rich, heroic tale well told
Lusiartha is a collection of four islands. But not all islands are created equal. There’s a history of conflict between them, and, now ruled by a harsh regime, known as The Regiment, our protagonist Rilan’s island, Setu, is the scapegoat, and its residents terrorized.
The story begins on Rilan’s home island, as he sits on top of a cliff, looking out at the sea. This first chapter is well done, giving the reader a personal way in to a large and sprawling setting with an arduous history. The situation set up at the beginning is nicely taut too. Rilan is about to be sent away for another term of school, school being a hellish place for kids from Setu. Not only that but Rilan is also being rushed into an arranged marriage with a girl called Briath, a family arrangement.
The various themes and threads that pull the reader into Rilan’s world are handled deftly, each appearing in turn and not crowding the others. At times, the expository passages are transferred to the dialogue between characters; these are the moments when the world’s illusion is somewhat betrayed. But mostly, the calm, omniscient narrator takes the reigns, guiding us through the world...
Read the full review on Towerbabel here: http://www.towerbabel.com/library/128...
Lusiartha is a collection of four islands. But not all islands are created equal. There’s a history of conflict between them, and, now ruled by a harsh regime, known as The Regiment, our protagonist Rilan’s island, Setu, is the scapegoat, and its residents terrorized.
The story begins on Rilan’s home island, as he sits on top of a cliff, looking out at the sea. This first chapter is well done, giving the reader a personal way in to a large and sprawling setting with an arduous history. The situation set up at the beginning is nicely taut too. Rilan is about to be sent away for another term of school, school being a hellish place for kids from Setu. Not only that but Rilan is also being rushed into an arranged marriage with a girl called Briath, a family arrangement.
The various themes and threads that pull the reader into Rilan’s world are handled deftly, each appearing in turn and not crowding the others. At times, the expository passages are transferred to the dialogue between characters; these are the moments when the world’s illusion is somewhat betrayed. But mostly, the calm, omniscient narrator takes the reigns, guiding us through the world...
Read the full review on Towerbabel here: http://www.towerbabel.com/library/128...
September 3, 2015
Visionary author R. Ann Humphries has crafted an epic adventure about a bold new world that is instinctively familiar yet profoundly different. “Sedich” is a fascinating story of young adults coming of age in an oppressive sovereign society and fighting with great honor for their freedom.
“Sedich” is a visually and emotionally cinematique story that brings to mind classic films like “Lord of the Rings”, “Divergent” and “Hunger Games”. Journey to the mysterious world of Lusiartha and discover enlightening parallels to your own life every day.
R. Ann Humphries is a gifted writer with a grand, gritty and compassionate vision who brings poignant people and places to life in vivid and alluring detail. Everything from her sentences to her storyline is well constructed. R. Ann weaves a dystopian tale that expands the boundaries of science fiction and fantasy.
“Sedich” is a classic tale of how the human spirit can triumph in spite of great adversity. With “Sedich”, Humphries has written a timeless story that beautifully unfolds in a far-away land. Prepare to be transported with “Sedich”.
“Sedich” is a visually and emotionally cinematique story that brings to mind classic films like “Lord of the Rings”, “Divergent” and “Hunger Games”. Journey to the mysterious world of Lusiartha and discover enlightening parallels to your own life every day.
R. Ann Humphries is a gifted writer with a grand, gritty and compassionate vision who brings poignant people and places to life in vivid and alluring detail. Everything from her sentences to her storyline is well constructed. R. Ann weaves a dystopian tale that expands the boundaries of science fiction and fantasy.
“Sedich” is a classic tale of how the human spirit can triumph in spite of great adversity. With “Sedich”, Humphries has written a timeless story that beautifully unfolds in a far-away land. Prepare to be transported with “Sedich”.
June 20, 2015
What an amazing adventure! Sedich is an interesting combo of dystopian, science fiction, and fantasy, and it was unlike any other book I've read. An oppressed race of people suffering under the control of a regime must rely on its new leader, and our main MC, Rilan. He must learn to lead these people, and fight for freedom and peace.
Despite the fact that it's a fantasy world, its inhabitants are very real and human, and the story is amazingly touching and genuine. The story leaves you dying to read the next in the series!
Beautifully written, amazing world-building, and perfectly paced. I felt so sucked in by the story, the world, and the emotions of its characters that I wasn't ready for this book to end. Can't wait to see what happens next!
Despite the fact that it's a fantasy world, its inhabitants are very real and human, and the story is amazingly touching and genuine. The story leaves you dying to read the next in the series!
Beautifully written, amazing world-building, and perfectly paced. I felt so sucked in by the story, the world, and the emotions of its characters that I wasn't ready for this book to end. Can't wait to see what happens next!
June 19, 2014
Find my ya fantasy debut Sedich : The Annals of Lusiartha on sale now at amazon.com/author/rannhumphries
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews