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Song Gate #1
Lightning Tracks
An assassin hunting a blood debt
An ancient land arising from legend
A feud between dreams and duty
…and a choice that will decide the fate of an entire civilisation
Sixteen-year-old Nick Williams’ biggest problem is staying out of the principal’s office—until an assassin murders his aunt and an estranged cousin drags him through a song gate to a war-torn land that shouldn’t exist.
Hunted by a king who wants him dead, Nick’s only hope for survival may be Cal, a deserting enemy soldier haunted by the massacre he was forced to commit, who is on his own desperate search for redemption.
Caught in a war where loyalty is a weapon, their greatest threat may not be the assassins on their trail, but the secrets they keep from each other.
But to save the people he loves, Nick must confront the thing he fears most—relinquish his dreams and claim the birthright he never wanted.
An ancient land arising from legend
A feud between dreams and duty
…and a choice that will decide the fate of an entire civilisation
Sixteen-year-old Nick Williams’ biggest problem is staying out of the principal’s office—until an assassin murders his aunt and an estranged cousin drags him through a song gate to a war-torn land that shouldn’t exist.
Hunted by a king who wants him dead, Nick’s only hope for survival may be Cal, a deserting enemy soldier haunted by the massacre he was forced to commit, who is on his own desperate search for redemption.
Caught in a war where loyalty is a weapon, their greatest threat may not be the assassins on their trail, but the secrets they keep from each other.
But to save the people he loves, Nick must confront the thing he fears most—relinquish his dreams and claim the birthright he never wanted.
- GenresYoung Adult
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2018
About the author
A.A. Kinsela
2 books2 followersAlethea is an author of YA and NA fantasy books and archaeology non-fiction. Her first novel Lightning Tracks was a finalist in the Aurealis Awards. Her archaeology book Ancient Australia Unearthed was shortlisted for an ABDA Award and an EPAA Award. She lives in Australia with her husband and little tribe of boys.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 6, 2018
3.5 / 5
I was approached by the author with a review request and I was very intrigued by the (loose) premise: “What if the Roman Empire had made it all the way to Australia?” The book basically is set in the present times, as such, if the Roman Empire made it to Australia. Such a fascinating proposition! What do you think Australia would be like if the Roman Empire conquered Australia at the height of its power?
Lightning Tracks also contained one of my favourite tropes, world within a world; specifically a gateway from our present-times Australia to another world (albeit hidden) where Empires rule over the world. There isn’t a Roman Empire as such, in fact, all the empires and/or races in the story are made up though loosely based on Romans, Greek, etc. I thought there was also an Indigenous spin but it appears I was wrong (see tomorrow’s Q&A post with the author).
The novel opens with Nick getting into trouble at school on his sixteenth birthday. When he got home that day, he found himself fighting for his life and having to flee, found himself in a part of Australia he didn’t know existed but yet some things felt familiar. A very exciting start to the story, for sure! Nick has to quickly find out all he can about this world and his position in it as there is a war brewing; hostilities escalating on both sides and atrocities abound.
There is actually a second perspective to this story, Cal, a highlander boy kidnapped to be a soldier of the Empire. He has been very obedient so far (even in committing a most atrocious act) due to the threat to his family’s lives but event transpired which had him running for his life. For both Cal & Nick, the answer lies in the city Auremos, the rebellion centre of strength.
I liked both characters & perspectives. Nick, a troublesome teen, is not actually aggressive but is rather thoughtful & kind. He’s got a temper which he has to learn to control. Cal, on the other hand, has been trained to be calculated in his moves and he kicks ass!
Lightning Tracks takes the readers on an adventure in Australia’s hidden depth. However, it reads more like a fantasy novel with a couple jarring mentions of Australia. With betrayals, tragedies, secrets, and battles, Lightning Tracks is an exciting & fascinating read for all teens especially for those who feel they are different (like Nick).
Thanks to the author, A.A. Kinsella, for copy of book in exchange of honest review.
I was approached by the author with a review request and I was very intrigued by the (loose) premise: “What if the Roman Empire had made it all the way to Australia?” The book basically is set in the present times, as such, if the Roman Empire made it to Australia. Such a fascinating proposition! What do you think Australia would be like if the Roman Empire conquered Australia at the height of its power?
Lightning Tracks also contained one of my favourite tropes, world within a world; specifically a gateway from our present-times Australia to another world (albeit hidden) where Empires rule over the world. There isn’t a Roman Empire as such, in fact, all the empires and/or races in the story are made up though loosely based on Romans, Greek, etc. I thought there was also an Indigenous spin but it appears I was wrong (see tomorrow’s Q&A post with the author).
The novel opens with Nick getting into trouble at school on his sixteenth birthday. When he got home that day, he found himself fighting for his life and having to flee, found himself in a part of Australia he didn’t know existed but yet some things felt familiar. A very exciting start to the story, for sure! Nick has to quickly find out all he can about this world and his position in it as there is a war brewing; hostilities escalating on both sides and atrocities abound.
There is actually a second perspective to this story, Cal, a highlander boy kidnapped to be a soldier of the Empire. He has been very obedient so far (even in committing a most atrocious act) due to the threat to his family’s lives but event transpired which had him running for his life. For both Cal & Nick, the answer lies in the city Auremos, the rebellion centre of strength.
I liked both characters & perspectives. Nick, a troublesome teen, is not actually aggressive but is rather thoughtful & kind. He’s got a temper which he has to learn to control. Cal, on the other hand, has been trained to be calculated in his moves and he kicks ass!
Lightning Tracks takes the readers on an adventure in Australia’s hidden depth. However, it reads more like a fantasy novel with a couple jarring mentions of Australia. With betrayals, tragedies, secrets, and battles, Lightning Tracks is an exciting & fascinating read for all teens especially for those who feel they are different (like Nick).
Thanks to the author, A.A. Kinsella, for copy of book in exchange of honest review.
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March 4, 2019This book is an entry in the 2018 Aurealis Awards, for which I am a judge. Any review will be withheld until the results of the awards are announced.
April 9, 2019
Lightning Tracks (Song Gate Book 1) is an awesome book with outstanding word building!
Received this ARC and am leaving an honest review.
Received this ARC and am leaving an honest review.
April 19, 2019
Note: I was asked to review this by the author
I was curious about this story because while there were some elements that I was wary about, I was also intrigued. Fantasy and I have a love/hate relationship so while I was open minded, I was preparing myself. Thankfully it turned out to be all for nought because this is a wonderful Australian fantasy. It is refined and simple yet has a detailed and engaging story that has all the elements that makes a fantasy a fantasy.
Kinsela keeps the fantasy world elements close to our own, Korelios is another realm overlapping our own world with differences but a familiarity as well. Kinsela herself calls it an alternative history/fantasy novel and I think that is an apt description. The world is vast, made up of different cultures, languages, and has its own important history. The Australian landscape plays backdrop to both realms which was something that I really enjoyed. The characters may speak different languages and not actually be in Australia, but they still have emus, goannas and kangaroos. The world reflects Australia and as an Australian it is wonderful to see the Australian environment be able to be used in this type of storytelling, it is suited for this genre quite well.
Nick is a character I fell in love with right away. His voice is perfect and his personality is one of a defender more often than a fighter which I loved. Nick is a good kid but has had troubles and his loyalty is a blessing and curse. It’s not just Nick, all of Kinsela’s characters are well developed and from their first introduction she captures their voice and you know who they are. I was already so engrossed in Nick’s story that when it changed points of view I was surprised, certainly intrigued, but it adds a whole extra level of storytelling and suspense.
One thing I was not expecting was to still be so engaged continuously and especially at the end. Kinsela maintains an ideal pace that keeps the story flowing naturally but not fast enough that the reader feels like things are being brushed over. Conflicts are raised and resolved and new ones form in suspenseful and captivating ways while the longer story stretches out. I will admit I had reservations but Kinsela uses her characters well and in ways that feel true to who they are.
This story was full of delightful surprises and I cannot wait until the second book comes out because I would love to see where Kinsela takes these characters.
A longer version of this review was posted on my blog Lost in a Good Book
I was curious about this story because while there were some elements that I was wary about, I was also intrigued. Fantasy and I have a love/hate relationship so while I was open minded, I was preparing myself. Thankfully it turned out to be all for nought because this is a wonderful Australian fantasy. It is refined and simple yet has a detailed and engaging story that has all the elements that makes a fantasy a fantasy.
Kinsela keeps the fantasy world elements close to our own, Korelios is another realm overlapping our own world with differences but a familiarity as well. Kinsela herself calls it an alternative history/fantasy novel and I think that is an apt description. The world is vast, made up of different cultures, languages, and has its own important history. The Australian landscape plays backdrop to both realms which was something that I really enjoyed. The characters may speak different languages and not actually be in Australia, but they still have emus, goannas and kangaroos. The world reflects Australia and as an Australian it is wonderful to see the Australian environment be able to be used in this type of storytelling, it is suited for this genre quite well.
Nick is a character I fell in love with right away. His voice is perfect and his personality is one of a defender more often than a fighter which I loved. Nick is a good kid but has had troubles and his loyalty is a blessing and curse. It’s not just Nick, all of Kinsela’s characters are well developed and from their first introduction she captures their voice and you know who they are. I was already so engrossed in Nick’s story that when it changed points of view I was surprised, certainly intrigued, but it adds a whole extra level of storytelling and suspense.
One thing I was not expecting was to still be so engaged continuously and especially at the end. Kinsela maintains an ideal pace that keeps the story flowing naturally but not fast enough that the reader feels like things are being brushed over. Conflicts are raised and resolved and new ones form in suspenseful and captivating ways while the longer story stretches out. I will admit I had reservations but Kinsela uses her characters well and in ways that feel true to who they are.
This story was full of delightful surprises and I cannot wait until the second book comes out because I would love to see where Kinsela takes these characters.
A longer version of this review was posted on my blog Lost in a Good Book
October 27, 2018
ARC Recived in exchange for an honest review. I received a physical copy of the book as well as a digital copy. This doesn't effect my review but i am very greatful to the author and the publisher for allowing me to have a copy. So thank you.
Right , now to my review
3.5 stars.... i hate star system... but goodreads insists that stars should be placed on a review.
Lightning Tracks is set in Australia, although you don't need knowledge of the country to get sucked into the story.
The story is centered around Nick. Nick is a bit of a troublemaler at school... and somewhat unfairly gets manipulated into fights and gets the blame... well thats what it seems like to me in hindsight, because as you get to know Nick your opinon of him changes. He has a tendency to find trouble, but little does he know that his life gets turned upside down when old secrets and some things that are revealed about his family, become life or death. This books is a fantasy book. Set in Australia and an alternate world alongside our own.
I cant wait for the release of the second book. This book finishes on a kind of cliffhanger. Can they get back?? I want to know!!!
I wish i could tell you more... but this book is full of twists turns and matters of life and death...
Once you read it you will understand why i cant tell you more. ( i feel if i tell you one thing it reveals the secret of the other... )
Right , now to my review
3.5 stars.... i hate star system... but goodreads insists that stars should be placed on a review.
Lightning Tracks is set in Australia, although you don't need knowledge of the country to get sucked into the story.
The story is centered around Nick. Nick is a bit of a troublemaler at school... and somewhat unfairly gets manipulated into fights and gets the blame... well thats what it seems like to me in hindsight, because as you get to know Nick your opinon of him changes. He has a tendency to find trouble, but little does he know that his life gets turned upside down when old secrets and some things that are revealed about his family, become life or death. This books is a fantasy book. Set in Australia and an alternate world alongside our own.
I cant wait for the release of the second book. This book finishes on a kind of cliffhanger. Can they get back?? I want to know!!!
I wish i could tell you more... but this book is full of twists turns and matters of life and death...
Once you read it you will understand why i cant tell you more. ( i feel if i tell you one thing it reveals the secret of the other... )
March 10, 2019
Terrific read! The further into the book I got, the harder it was to put down! Looking forward to the next book when it comes out!
From the moment I read the sample of Lightning Tracks (Song Gate book 1) by A. A. Kinsela, I knew I had to read this book. In those few pages the plight of Nick grabbed me and I had to find out what happened.
It begins in Australia and proceeds to possibly a hidden area such as in Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World minus the prehistoric period, or perhaps it is another dimension. You decide for yourself, I prefer to think it is on our world just hidden from all but the inhabitants of that area who know the secret to entering. The culture is different from what most of us are familiar with yet interesting. I had wondered if I was learning about some aboriginal customs but was told it was a compilation of several different cultures as only aboriginals can write about things dealing with aboriginals. I love books that make me look further into things depicted in a book which this did. The characters are captivating. The story enthralling.
I don't like to give many details as I do not wish to get carried away and spoil someone else's discovery. As happens in this type of series, there is a conclusion to some events while other events are yet to evolve. Suffice it to say that I am eagerly awaiting for the next book as I want to see how the story continues.
I did receive a free copy of this book and am very grateful for it. I am voluntarily leaving this review, all opinions are my own.
From the moment I read the sample of Lightning Tracks (Song Gate book 1) by A. A. Kinsela, I knew I had to read this book. In those few pages the plight of Nick grabbed me and I had to find out what happened.
It begins in Australia and proceeds to possibly a hidden area such as in Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World minus the prehistoric period, or perhaps it is another dimension. You decide for yourself, I prefer to think it is on our world just hidden from all but the inhabitants of that area who know the secret to entering. The culture is different from what most of us are familiar with yet interesting. I had wondered if I was learning about some aboriginal customs but was told it was a compilation of several different cultures as only aboriginals can write about things dealing with aboriginals. I love books that make me look further into things depicted in a book which this did. The characters are captivating. The story enthralling.
I don't like to give many details as I do not wish to get carried away and spoil someone else's discovery. As happens in this type of series, there is a conclusion to some events while other events are yet to evolve. Suffice it to say that I am eagerly awaiting for the next book as I want to see how the story continues.
I did receive a free copy of this book and am very grateful for it. I am voluntarily leaving this review, all opinions are my own.
January 6, 2019
I received a free copy of this book.
What a wonderful start to a new series. Not many fantasies are set in Australia, so I was very intrigued when this one came to my attention. Nick, a young man who lives in modern day Australia, discovers that he has enemies who want him dead. They are from an alternate or perhaps another dimension Australia and they kill the only person that has taken care of him for many years. He is rescued by David who takes him through a song gate and into another realm. There he discovers his destiny and the truth about his family. Really looking forward to the next book.
What a wonderful start to a new series. Not many fantasies are set in Australia, so I was very intrigued when this one came to my attention. Nick, a young man who lives in modern day Australia, discovers that he has enemies who want him dead. They are from an alternate or perhaps another dimension Australia and they kill the only person that has taken care of him for many years. He is rescued by David who takes him through a song gate and into another realm. There he discovers his destiny and the truth about his family. Really looking forward to the next book.
April 3, 2026
4.5 stars. I received this book from the Author. Lighting tracks was a really fun easy read. I loved the dystopian/fantasy cross over and the sprinkling of Australian landmarks and flora/fauna throughout the book. This book was engaging enough to keep me turning the pages, the world building was simple to understand but was super relatable. The pace was mostly really good with a few chapters feeling a little fast, but given the size of the book I don’t feel it took away for the story or the adventure itself.
Thanks A.A Kinsela for the opportunity to immerse myself into your little word, I had a blast
Thanks A.A Kinsela for the opportunity to immerse myself into your little word, I had a blast
November 8, 2018
A great series starter
I really enjoyed following Nick along on his adventure. This was a roller-coaster ride of surprises, intrigue, and secrets. The story-line is well written and the fantasy world-building is top-notch. Nick is an engaging and relatable character and he is surrounded by a great supporting cast. I'm looking forward to reading book two.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*
I really enjoyed following Nick along on his adventure. This was a roller-coaster ride of surprises, intrigue, and secrets. The story-line is well written and the fantasy world-building is top-notch. Nick is an engaging and relatable character and he is surrounded by a great supporting cast. I'm looking forward to reading book two.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*
December 3, 2018
Amazingly well-crafted fantasy that travels between two worlds. A.A. Kinsela has an imagination that will delight and captivate the reader.
May 3, 2026
A. A. Kinsela has created a really interesting world.
I’m looking forward to finding out what happens in book 2
I’m looking forward to finding out what happens in book 2
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews