Veilfire

The Nayis Trilogy #1

by Krista Walsh

After twelve years of peace, trouble has returned to Andvell…Seventeen-year-old Naya Reed has seen what’s coming. Born with a dragon bond she doesn’t understand, she has been plagued by visions of a withering countryside and of dragons falling from the sky.She longs to help her family bring an end to the unknown force attacking the Veil, the barrier between worlds and the source of all magic, but every vision leaves her weaker, and she fears what will happen if she stretches too far. But when Naya wakes up on a mountaintop, the course of her future changes. Not only does she discover the truth behind her dragon bond, but she also meets a young man—with golden eyes and a dragon bond of his own—who can help her master it.Thrown into a battle she isn’t ready to fight, Naya must risk her mind, her body, and her heart to gain control over her bond before the Veil tears, the dragons fall, and more than one world is torn asunder.

612 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 25, 2018

About the author

Known for witty, vivid characters, Krista Walsh never has more fun than getting them into trouble and taking her time getting them out.
When not writing, she can be found walking, reading, gaming, or watching a film – anything to get lost in a good story.
She currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario

Reviews

[Traci Otte · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dragon Girl starts her own adventure!

I received an advance copy of the book for my honest review.

I'm SO GLAD that Naya gets her own series! She was an adorable little spitfire in the Cadis Trilogy, and I'm thrilled to get to know her as a teenager, even though it means that Andvell is in danger yet again.

If you haven't read the Meratis or Cadis trilogies, you could still jump in with this one, but you'll have a much richer experience if you read the others first. You'll know who the older characters are (Naya's parents and their friends), what has gone on before in this universe, and all that.

Now back to Veilfire: I was very impressed with this book, as I am with everything I've read by this author. I devoured it and can NOT wait until the next one! The action is exciting, and the plot is extremely intricate and imaginative, but the thing I am most impressed with is how spot on Ms. Walsh writes about being a teenager. Naya brought me right back to when I was 17 and having to balance what I wanted to do with what my parents would want me to do. (She did the same thing with Molly in her Invisible Entente series, plus she wrote wonderfully from the perspective of Molly being blind.)

If you like fantasy stories with magic and dragons and a bit of snark and humor, please check out this book and the other series in this universe (the Meratis and Cadis trilogies). This one is an excellent addition to Krista Walsh's collection, and I look forward to reading how things turn out for Naya, her family, her friends, and the dragons.

[Topsues · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Krista Walsh. Veilfire seems to encompass a world that has already had its own series, which I haven’t read. However Veilfire is a book I found was perfectly ok without knowing any history. The main thing that is great about Veilfire is that, ,I found Krista Walsh has a distinguished and individual inventiveness, and able to form mental images or concepts with such realism and depth of feelings that brings she her characters to life. The storyline itself has the ability to engage your thoughts and make the world disappear around you as you are transported through time and space to Andvell where we find The main 17yr old female lead character Naya Reed. This is a story about the journey Naya, a fragile young woman with a Dragon bond, struggles to find peace in her own mind.....The world is in danger, her family are in danger and she is in danger if she can’t strengthen the bond with her dragon. She finds help in an unlikely place, someone who offers to train her, but will it be enough before the veil destroys there world and every dragon. Everyone thinks she isnt strong enough, she needs to prove them wrong. You will experience Strength, Weakness, Betrayal, Lies and friendship alongside an innocent romance and so much more. This is an incredible start to a new series, it is fresh, new and engaging. The action and urgency keeps you turning those pages. I can’t wait to see where it goes

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had such high expectations , I mean what can go wrong? - you have dragons, a beautiful heroine, a handsome stranger that the heroine meets on a mountainside (really!) , a royal family in turmoil, missing friends and family , magicians, an evil Nayii and magik. Magik!! With all that in your arsenal you would expect fireworks and excitement, suspense - all at breakneck speed leaving you as a reader gasping. Right?
Wrong.
Horribly so.
This story trudged through an insecure heroine's angst and poor self-esteem - chapter after mind-numbing chapter . It was only at the 2nd last chapter that events perked up a bit and the heroine finally found her backbone - and purpose.
What was doubly disappointing is that I have read 'Death at Peony House' from the same author - a cracker read and was expecting the same level of suspense and excitement.
Nothing could be further from the truth with this book.
A big miss in my humble opinion - and what a pity it is.

[Kristina Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragons are always going to be a big draw for me and this first instalment of a new trilogy doesn’t disappoint! It’s been a while since I read the earlier books set in this world but I had no trouble getting right back into the feel of the place. What’s it all about? I don’t like giving away plot details, so my best teaser for this is to give you a quote from the book itself: “It’s time for us to push ourselves and prove what we’re capable of, even if our efforts seem small. This is the time that anyone who can do anything to help should do everything they can. It’s the time to prove our greatness, no matter the cost.”
Can the dragons, and the world, be saved? Enjoy the read and find out!
(I received an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review - Life is too short to read bad books so trust me, this one is worth reading!)

[Cheryl Da Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! This series opens with Brady and Jasmine's daughter, Naya, taking center stage along with her cousins, Kyle and Laren. I am not a fan of spoilers so suffice it to say that it sure is good to be back with all our friends at Feldall! Story line keeps you interested until the very end and am looking forward to the next one already. This book is taking us on a new direction with new characters to get to know and cheer for. I imagine that when the third book is in my hands, I will start from the very beginning with The Meritas Trilogy and read it straight through like an epic movie (requisite buttered popcorn and all!). This series, along with The Invisible Entente Series, is one of favorites and will be reread any times. I highly recommend both! Krista Walsh does not disappoint!

[Shannon Rajtmajer · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒖𝒔 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒔” - 𝑲𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒉, 𝑽𝒆𝒊𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆.

I had the pleasure of being sent a few of Kristas novels after reaching out as a fan. Firstly I wanted to say a big thank you to @kristawalsh, not only have I been a fan for a long time, but being able to work with you in any shape has been such an honour.

Furthermore, let’s head into the review!

4/5 stars - mini spoilers.

We follow seventeen year old Naya Reed and her troubles with her visions. She’s born with a dragon bond and is being plagued with visions of a withering country and dying dragons.

The visions are slowly killing her; but when she wakes up on the side of the mountaintop and meets a mysterious stranger, her whole life changes. Knowing she is the only one to save her loved ones, she makes the ultimate sacrifice.

————————————

I will say, you can most definitely read this trilogy as a stand alone trilogy, but I do recommend reading both the Meratis and Cadis trilogy’s first as this helps link the world and past together and you’ll have a much better and richer experience in doing so.

Krista brings something very unique to her writing and it’s always such a joy falling into her worlds. Each time I read one of her books, I find myself thinking that I haven’t read something like this before; her writing is fast paced and consumable.

You will experience; strength & weakness, adventure, innocent love, family bonds, lies & betrayal and of course magic and dragons.

Congratulations @kristawalsh on another epic adventure!

[Aighmi* · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a staunch fan of Ms. Walsh's fiction and the worlds she creates, I was thrilled to find myself back in Feldall's Keep from the start of this book. The writing and editing are terrific, characters and setting well fleshed-out and relatable, and plot complex and fascinating. I highly recommend this for any fantasy fan, but especially to those who, like me, find dragons irresistible! How I envy the characters who can communicate with dragons....though not so much the health damage to Naya suffers for it. This book works just fine as a stand-alone, but there are still enough unanswered questions that I am dying for the next one to come out!

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back with old friends in Andvell, this book is like visiting a second home. Having received an early copy for review, I was eager to tuck in to new adventures with the next generation and reconnect with characters from earlier series. This book was a bit lighter in tone and story from the first two Andvell series - more of a book for young adults, which makes sense since the main characters are still teenagers in this novel. While I was a little disappointed that I was not as enrapted in the world as with previous works by this author, Veilfire is still a great read and a fun escape from our side of the veil.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW excellent start to The Nayis Trilogy! Dragons, adventure, saving the world story that kept the pages turning. I look forward to learning more of the Nayis and seeing Naya and Felix grow.

[Damion Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, engaging characters and well written world building. Found it very hard to put the book down 😁

[Walt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aye! There be Dragons! But, they’ve been silent for centuries, and mankind has largely relegated them to the realm of myths.

Then Naya Reed, teenage daughter in the House of Feldall, a noble family, begins to have dreams and visions about dragons. The visions increase in intensity, often giving Naya headaches and violent convulsions afterwards.

Before she was born, Naya’s father had melded minds with a dragon to save their territory. Now it appears that Naya has inherited an ability from her father, and she is the best hope humanity has of connecting with the awakening dragons to save both worlds from sure destruction if the veil separating those worlds continues to deteriorate as its as been doing in recent years.

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat as Naya, with the help of court magicians and a mysterious stranger, grows in her ability to deal with the dragons and the evil power that threatens them both.

Highly recommended.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are fond of fantasy, this is a great book to read. The author has previous books set in this world, however this book can be read perfectly happily without having read any of the other books. There are dragons, enchanters, and castles - and a young woman who has her 'own' dragon - however this author blends them in a particular way to give a good story, which I can recommend.

[Barbara Klinko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great tale from Krista Walsh

I received a copy of this book for review consideration. That said, I love Naya! She's not physically strong so she uses her mind to solve problems and aid her family. And the dragons know a quality mind when they touch one. This book is great for fantasy fans of all ages.