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Y'keta
Banished. Cast out. Powerless. Y’keta is exiled to the small village of Esquialt as his father's punishment for his rebellious spirit. Village tradition gives him one Cycle, from spring to spring, to earn the right to stay.
The villagers have a legend about mighty beings called the Waki'tani, mythical lords of the wind and lightning who can shapeshift into human form. Y'keta knows the truth behind these stories. Could there be more to them than just tales shared around the campfire?
If Y'keta reveals what he knows to the villagers, it will tear their history and traditions apart...but sharing his secrets may be their only hope for survival when Esquialt is threatened by the brutal, ferociously destructive Utlaak.
Loosely based on the Thunderbird of North American legend, Y'keta is an epic fantasy set in an ancient world where legends walk and the Sky Road offers a way to the stars.
… I seriously loved reading this book. The characters all blew me away. They made me laugh at their playfulness and cry at their pain…. Jennifer S.
The villagers have a legend about mighty beings called the Waki'tani, mythical lords of the wind and lightning who can shapeshift into human form. Y'keta knows the truth behind these stories. Could there be more to them than just tales shared around the campfire?
If Y'keta reveals what he knows to the villagers, it will tear their history and traditions apart...but sharing his secrets may be their only hope for survival when Esquialt is threatened by the brutal, ferociously destructive Utlaak.
Loosely based on the Thunderbird of North American legend, Y'keta is an epic fantasy set in an ancient world where legends walk and the Sky Road offers a way to the stars.
… I seriously loved reading this book. The characters all blew me away. They made me laugh at their playfulness and cry at their pain…. Jennifer S.
174 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2016
5 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 9, 2017
4.5/5.0
With a culture reminiscent of Native American culture, and strong world building, "Y’Keta", the first book in The Sky Road Trilogy, offers an intriguing story with a solid setting.
Read full review in the 2017 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
With a culture reminiscent of Native American culture, and strong world building, "Y’Keta", the first book in The Sky Road Trilogy, offers an intriguing story with a solid setting.
Read full review in the 2017 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
April 1, 2017
When I first heard about this story from Sandra, long before it was released, I was anxious to read it. The subject and the mythological aspect really intrigued me. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it!
When she finally finished Y'keta, I begged for a chance to read it. I just couldn't help myself. Sandra talked it up to the point I felt I knew the characters and I felt as if I needed to dive in and reacquaint myself with some long lost friends.
When I finally got my hands on the book, I was not disappointed. I honestly loved this story. It was everything I expected and more. Sandra did an amazing job in this, her debut, illustrating Esquialt, the Umlaat, and everything to be honest. I truly felt that I was there in each village, seeing every character.
you will not be disappointed when you read this book.
When she finally finished Y'keta, I begged for a chance to read it. I just couldn't help myself. Sandra talked it up to the point I felt I knew the characters and I felt as if I needed to dive in and reacquaint myself with some long lost friends.
When I finally got my hands on the book, I was not disappointed. I honestly loved this story. It was everything I expected and more. Sandra did an amazing job in this, her debut, illustrating Esquialt, the Umlaat, and everything to be honest. I truly felt that I was there in each village, seeing every character.
you will not be disappointed when you read this book.
June 22, 2017
The book took me a while to get into, but that could have just been me as I had extra distractions when I started the book. Once I got into it i thoroughly enjoyed it and found the similarities between this and native Americans very good and made the book more realistic. If you enjoy fantasy books with some links to real life experiences then this is the book for you. As a debut novel this is a very good start and I will be keeping an eye out for Sandra's books in the future.
December 5, 2018
Y’keta’s new home is threatened by secrets of the past, and the traditions of his people may likely be destroyed if he decides to reveal the truth. On the other hand, those secrets may just be the tribes’ only chance at survival.
Hurst pens a fascinating survival story about tribal life and the interdependency of elders, providers, guardians, and healers in ensuring the continuation of a culture in “Y’keta”. On the surface, “Y’keta” is a rather primitive coming-of-age tale in which a young man learns the ways of his people and how best to defend them, but those lessons he has learns are quite compelling.
Hurst’s simple but highly creative plotline demonstrates how faith, family, and belief play an integral role in the development of an individual, and how these are the core elements that provide a base for a society’s survival. Hurst also used these components to bring about a necessary cohesiveness and creativity to her characters’ otherwise mundane world. Y’keta’s culture subsequently exists on the baser values of survival—seeking and securing food, clothing, and shelter. But when an enemy threatens the existence of Y’keta’s adoptive tribe, it is he and his tribesmates’ altruistic and selfless devotion to faith, friends, and family, along with their need to prove their worth as key members of their society, that go a long way toward ensuring their future survival as they band together against their common enemy.
United we stand... Divided we fall... Through her characters’ thoughts and dreams, Hurst weaves an intricate and profound story of a people who are unwavering in their love and dedication to one another—Her tale of a small group of primitive people, threatened by an enemy that seems bent on their destruction, shows how kindness, cooperation, and understanding goes a long way toward reconciliation and resolution.
At the time I read the Kindle version of “Y’keta”, it contained some basic formatting issues and punctuation errors, but these problems did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. Violence was present during the course of this read, but it definitely wasn’t what I would classify as over-the-top and fit well into the context of the storyline. I recommend this book for ages 15 and up.
Hurst pens a fascinating survival story about tribal life and the interdependency of elders, providers, guardians, and healers in ensuring the continuation of a culture in “Y’keta”. On the surface, “Y’keta” is a rather primitive coming-of-age tale in which a young man learns the ways of his people and how best to defend them, but those lessons he has learns are quite compelling.
Hurst’s simple but highly creative plotline demonstrates how faith, family, and belief play an integral role in the development of an individual, and how these are the core elements that provide a base for a society’s survival. Hurst also used these components to bring about a necessary cohesiveness and creativity to her characters’ otherwise mundane world. Y’keta’s culture subsequently exists on the baser values of survival—seeking and securing food, clothing, and shelter. But when an enemy threatens the existence of Y’keta’s adoptive tribe, it is he and his tribesmates’ altruistic and selfless devotion to faith, friends, and family, along with their need to prove their worth as key members of their society, that go a long way toward ensuring their future survival as they band together against their common enemy.
United we stand... Divided we fall... Through her characters’ thoughts and dreams, Hurst weaves an intricate and profound story of a people who are unwavering in their love and dedication to one another—Her tale of a small group of primitive people, threatened by an enemy that seems bent on their destruction, shows how kindness, cooperation, and understanding goes a long way toward reconciliation and resolution.
At the time I read the Kindle version of “Y’keta”, it contained some basic formatting issues and punctuation errors, but these problems did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. Violence was present during the course of this read, but it definitely wasn’t what I would classify as over-the-top and fit well into the context of the storyline. I recommend this book for ages 15 and up.
December 27, 2017
Y’Keta is the first book in a high fantasy series, based on the Native American Thunderbird legend.
I really enjoyed Y’Keta. I loved seeing these very separate and independent people begin to find their sense of community and togetherness, and even a little romance. I loved the theme of learning, and the way the roles shifted between the younger and older members of the tribe as they aged.
I also enjoyed the themes of identity and authenticity, which are so relevant to where we are today. Over and over the characters are asked to choose between accepting the identity they are given, or truly embodying their own.
So, a little context, Y’Keta comes to the Esquialt tribe looking to learn. He comes with secrets, and he comes with an attitude.
Sian is the daughter of the leader of the tribe, but she wants to choose her own path rather than taking up her birthright.
Laban returns to the tribe to find his parents, but discovers more than he was looking for.
Their stories intertwine and develop, delving into their personal histories and wounds as they work to become their best selves, and to save the village from what is coming.
This book is the beginning of the story. The author invites you into their minds and their psyches, to experience the world and its dangers through their experiences. I look forward to finding out how they develop next!
I really enjoyed Y’Keta. I loved seeing these very separate and independent people begin to find their sense of community and togetherness, and even a little romance. I loved the theme of learning, and the way the roles shifted between the younger and older members of the tribe as they aged.
I also enjoyed the themes of identity and authenticity, which are so relevant to where we are today. Over and over the characters are asked to choose between accepting the identity they are given, or truly embodying their own.
So, a little context, Y’Keta comes to the Esquialt tribe looking to learn. He comes with secrets, and he comes with an attitude.
Sian is the daughter of the leader of the tribe, but she wants to choose her own path rather than taking up her birthright.
Laban returns to the tribe to find his parents, but discovers more than he was looking for.
Their stories intertwine and develop, delving into their personal histories and wounds as they work to become their best selves, and to save the village from what is coming.
This book is the beginning of the story. The author invites you into their minds and their psyches, to experience the world and its dangers through their experiences. I look forward to finding out how they develop next!
March 30, 2018
Not my normal "go to" genre, but I must admit that once I started, it kept calling me back. An escapist fantasy with its roots in our natural and world; the descriptions painted visions and carried me over trails and by campfires to join the characters. Although my brain took a little time wrapping the names into the voices in my head, they soon became familiar syntax. The rhythm of the story and the ease with which the author gently segues from one P.O.V to another speaks to why this novel is quite hypnotic in nature. With definite inspiration from our own Indigenous Peoples' oral traditions, the pacing, characterizations, rituals, hierarchies and spiritual practices are well written and offer a respectful nod and understanding of such. A very intriguing first novel, I enjoyed it greatly and am looking forward to the next installment. Well done Ms. Hurst
June 5, 2019
This has been on my tbr list for a while. I first came across this book due to my bookstore. This book did not disappoint. It was such a fun read!
Hurst is amazing at world building. I enjoyed the language and culture she created. It definitely added much flavor and made the story more three-dimensional.
I also have to say that I enjoyed that romance was not part of the main plot. The romance that did occur as a minor plot was very sweet and almost like a chocolate after dinner. I enjoyed the friendships that grew between characters, as well as the character development. The characters felt real, all with their own flaws and qualities!
The book made me want to explore Native myths and lore more. This was an amazing intro to the Thunderbird legends.
To put it simply, it was a very fun read, I greatly enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it.
Hurst is amazing at world building. I enjoyed the language and culture she created. It definitely added much flavor and made the story more three-dimensional.
I also have to say that I enjoyed that romance was not part of the main plot. The romance that did occur as a minor plot was very sweet and almost like a chocolate after dinner. I enjoyed the friendships that grew between characters, as well as the character development. The characters felt real, all with their own flaws and qualities!
The book made me want to explore Native myths and lore more. This was an amazing intro to the Thunderbird legends.
To put it simply, it was a very fun read, I greatly enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it.
October 6, 2017
The world is both familiar and entirely new and the characters are as diverse as the changing landscape. I enjoyed that we got to see inside different character's heads and see their individual reactions as events unfolded. It's the first of a trilogy and it did a good job of setting up the villains and protagonists while still giving us enough action to feel like it wasn't just a set up for the following books. I wondered how it would all get resolved when I was nearing the last chapters and hoped I didn't have to deal with a major cliffhanger, but I needn't have worried - it was handled with grace and the right amount of reveal. Well set up for the second, I look forward to reading the next in this immersive and rich world.
January 2, 2018
Though not traditionally what I'd consider an Epic Fantasy, Y'Keta surprisingly holds it own with a plot brimming with thoughtful dialogue and vivid descriptions of cultures not unlike Native Americans. And a coming-of-age story I couldn't put down.
Read the full review at https://ravenousforreads.com/yketa-by...
Read the full review at https://ravenousforreads.com/yketa-by...
May 31, 2017
This is not what I normally ready but the story pulled me in and I'm plowing through it very quickly. I'm going to start nagging for the follow up soon!
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February 11, 2020Great world building. Enjoyed this book.
May 1, 2017
Y’keta combines the rich tapestry of aboriginal mythology with a universally relatable coming-of-age story and highly imaginative world-building. The writing is well-crafted, poetic, and deeply moving. Hurst’s auspicious debut into the YA fantasy genre is not to be missed!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews