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Archives of the Night-Watchers #1
Equillian's Key
***B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree*** Welcome to Equillian, a nautical world where pirates plague the seas, enchanted objects are outlawed, and a mysterious element whispers of unparalleled power.
Our story begins in a time when Equillian’s precincts stand united, but their people are divided between the wealthy and the impoverished. With the alchemists’ creations banned, steam technology is on the rise and flying ships are replacing the need for dragons.
Here, Bastian and Felix live a simple life, picking pockets and pulling cons on aristocrats, dreaming of the chance to change their stars. But that’s all turned upside down on Bastian’s sixteenth birthday, when crashing the duchess’s engagement party doesn’t quite go as planned. Who would’ve guessed that conning the guests, stealing the castle’s prized artefacts and wooing the betrothed duchess would cause so much trouble? The event casts them both into an unexpected adventure that will challenge everything they know and change their world forever.
Our story begins in a time when Equillian’s precincts stand united, but their people are divided between the wealthy and the impoverished. With the alchemists’ creations banned, steam technology is on the rise and flying ships are replacing the need for dragons.
Here, Bastian and Felix live a simple life, picking pockets and pulling cons on aristocrats, dreaming of the chance to change their stars. But that’s all turned upside down on Bastian’s sixteenth birthday, when crashing the duchess’s engagement party doesn’t quite go as planned. Who would’ve guessed that conning the guests, stealing the castle’s prized artefacts and wooing the betrothed duchess would cause so much trouble? The event casts them both into an unexpected adventure that will challenge everything they know and change their world forever.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2019
About the author
K.L. Harris
4 books6 followersK. L. Harris is the award-winning author of the fantasy adventure series, Archives of the Night-Watchers, the picture book, The World is Full of A**holes, and the founder and managing director of Make-Believe Press.
As an author, Harris has received two BRAG Medallions, A Silver IPPY Award, and an honorable mention of the Eric Hoffer Award.
Raised in Northern California, Harris began her creative journey in theater before training in film acting with the New York Film Academy in Italy, and later with Charles Sturt University in Australia, where she earned her B.A. in Acting for Screen and Stage.
In 2019 Harris founded Make-Believe Press and released her debut novel, Equillian’s Key, the first book in Archives of the Night-Watchers series. She now lives in Western Australia with her husband and two children, continuing to bring new worlds and characters to life through the best stories she can imagine.
As an author, Harris has received two BRAG Medallions, A Silver IPPY Award, and an honorable mention of the Eric Hoffer Award.
Raised in Northern California, Harris began her creative journey in theater before training in film acting with the New York Film Academy in Italy, and later with Charles Sturt University in Australia, where she earned her B.A. in Acting for Screen and Stage.
In 2019 Harris founded Make-Believe Press and released her debut novel, Equillian’s Key, the first book in Archives of the Night-Watchers series. She now lives in Western Australia with her husband and two children, continuing to bring new worlds and characters to life through the best stories she can imagine.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 8, 2020
WOW. Wow, wow, wow. I think I’ve finally found my next Harry Potter. SO well-written, AWESOME story, AMAZINGLY told. I’m already mentally drooling at the movie this could be, and am eag-... okay, IMPATIENTLY waiting for the next installment.
Since “rated” reviews are hard to come by, I’d like to add my two cents. If this book were a movie, it would probably be rated PG-13. (In the right hands, this could easily be a family-friendly PG-13, leaning toward PG. Oh, how I hope non-slimy producers get their hands on this and make it amazing!) Two main things: sex and language.
Sexual content: There is no graphic description or “love scene” in this book; however, sex is a MAJOR theme. The book deals with a coming-of-age 16 year-old, facing societal expectations of “becoming a man.” His best friend is... experienced, and... at ease with casual sex. Brothels are mentioned as a common hangout. In one scene, clothing is removed to dress wounds. A boy becomes concerned with his “body betraying him” when a female is hemming his pants. One scene starts to get pretty steamy, before an abrupt shift. And another scene implies that a couple has sex, but tastefully does so without following the pair to bed. (Bravo.) Overall, it’s a lot of sex as a theme. Pretty mature content for young readers.
Language: For “lighter” phrases, characters use d*****bag and a** several times; otherwise, characters substitute words relevant to the storyline for swearing. (“Holy Schick,” for example.) Personally, I think this is a brilliant tactic on the author’s part. Get your point across without being completely obscene, while being a little cheeky. Smart.
Harris, you undoubtedly have a home run on your hands. Very, VERY well-done. The next book can’t come out quickly enough. (Praying to the Stars that the rest of the books stay as clean!)
Since “rated” reviews are hard to come by, I’d like to add my two cents. If this book were a movie, it would probably be rated PG-13. (In the right hands, this could easily be a family-friendly PG-13, leaning toward PG. Oh, how I hope non-slimy producers get their hands on this and make it amazing!) Two main things: sex and language.
Sexual content: There is no graphic description or “love scene” in this book; however, sex is a MAJOR theme. The book deals with a coming-of-age 16 year-old, facing societal expectations of “becoming a man.” His best friend is... experienced, and... at ease with casual sex. Brothels are mentioned as a common hangout. In one scene, clothing is removed to dress wounds. A boy becomes concerned with his “body betraying him” when a female is hemming his pants. One scene starts to get pretty steamy, before an abrupt shift. And another scene implies that a couple has sex, but tastefully does so without following the pair to bed. (Bravo.) Overall, it’s a lot of sex as a theme. Pretty mature content for young readers.
Language: For “lighter” phrases, characters use d*****bag and a** several times; otherwise, characters substitute words relevant to the storyline for swearing. (“Holy Schick,” for example.) Personally, I think this is a brilliant tactic on the author’s part. Get your point across without being completely obscene, while being a little cheeky. Smart.
Harris, you undoubtedly have a home run on your hands. Very, VERY well-done. The next book can’t come out quickly enough. (Praying to the Stars that the rest of the books stay as clean!)
June 3, 2020
We are proud to announce that EQUILLIAN'S KEY (Archives of the Night-Watchers Book 1) by K.L. Harris is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
October 7, 2020
What an excellent surprise. Good main characters, story and world. Well written and edited. Could do with more world building but I suspect that will come, just not enough pages to put it in. Looking forward to the next.
June 14, 2019
I've been looking for a good book to get lost in and oh boy did this one deliver! Once I picked up this book I couldn't put it down! My boy Bastian wanted adventure? Oh ho! Be careful what you wish for! Intrigues! Missing nobility! Thieves! Pirates! Battles! Magic! The world in this book drew me in completely! By the Stars I can't wait to read what happens next!!!
May 17, 2020
An enjoyable fantasy with characters that go well together. Twists and turns and adventure await the reader. I found the book fun to read.
October 5, 2020
When reading the prologue, at first i thought it was going to be a cliche, but not so. It turned out to be exciting and original. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
November 29, 2020
A wonderful steampunkish novel. The three main characters are very likeable and well written. I will definitely read the rest of this series
August 26, 2021
There is plenty to like about Equillian's Key. As a fantasy, K.L. Harris delivers on world-building (an Elizabethan Age world, but with magic), likable characters, and plot potential. Where it falls a bit short is in dialogue, occasional cliche, and completeness.
Equillian's Key opens with a bang, a world imbued with magic thanks to alchemists who can harass the power of mystical gold dust that can only be seen with a special lens (or genetics). However, the prologue concept is swept away in Chapter 1 after a so-called accident convinced the nobility to ban enchanted items except for Everfire (a prevailing light and heat source) until much, much later.
Instead, chapter 1 introduces us to two lighthearted roguish friends who have returned home after being out to sea for several years. Their first order of business, according to the more dominant of the two friends, Filex, is to get the chief protagonist, Bastian, laid — a right of passage once a boy turns into a man of a certain age. Except, Bastian isn't interested in hooking up with anybody. He loves a clothing designer, seamstress, and schoolyard sweetheart named Gwena.
The pair of them decide that the best way to accomplish this mission is to crash a courtly ball, with Gewna providing them the appropriate attire. Of course, while they are there, it wouldn't be a bad idea, they decide, to relieve the host of any wealthy burdens, which will help finance a grand adventure for the two of them (or three if Gwena is game).
Unfortunately, things do not go quite as planned. Felix, Bastian, and Gewna are forced on separate journeys. Felix becomes caught up in the noble conspiracy. Bastian hooks up with pirates. Gewna attempts to sort out the trouble these two lads have stumbled upon. The bulk of the story stays with Bastian as he learns about pirate life, galleon warfare, and Kraken attacks.
Aside from a few awkward comments from characters and cringy moments, Harris does a decent job moving the story along until it abruptly stops after Bastian's story climax, leaving readers uncertain of either Felix's or Gwena's storyline. In fact, Harris also skips any denouement for Bastian ... so call it an awkward cliffhanger. As long as you are okay with that, give Harris a chance to flesh it out with future installments. Over the long term, it could be the perfect series for anybody who enjoys a lighthearted, imaginative, and easy-to-read fantasy romp.
Equillian's Key opens with a bang, a world imbued with magic thanks to alchemists who can harass the power of mystical gold dust that can only be seen with a special lens (or genetics). However, the prologue concept is swept away in Chapter 1 after a so-called accident convinced the nobility to ban enchanted items except for Everfire (a prevailing light and heat source) until much, much later.
Instead, chapter 1 introduces us to two lighthearted roguish friends who have returned home after being out to sea for several years. Their first order of business, according to the more dominant of the two friends, Filex, is to get the chief protagonist, Bastian, laid — a right of passage once a boy turns into a man of a certain age. Except, Bastian isn't interested in hooking up with anybody. He loves a clothing designer, seamstress, and schoolyard sweetheart named Gwena.
The pair of them decide that the best way to accomplish this mission is to crash a courtly ball, with Gewna providing them the appropriate attire. Of course, while they are there, it wouldn't be a bad idea, they decide, to relieve the host of any wealthy burdens, which will help finance a grand adventure for the two of them (or three if Gwena is game).
Unfortunately, things do not go quite as planned. Felix, Bastian, and Gewna are forced on separate journeys. Felix becomes caught up in the noble conspiracy. Bastian hooks up with pirates. Gewna attempts to sort out the trouble these two lads have stumbled upon. The bulk of the story stays with Bastian as he learns about pirate life, galleon warfare, and Kraken attacks.
Aside from a few awkward comments from characters and cringy moments, Harris does a decent job moving the story along until it abruptly stops after Bastian's story climax, leaving readers uncertain of either Felix's or Gwena's storyline. In fact, Harris also skips any denouement for Bastian ... so call it an awkward cliffhanger. As long as you are okay with that, give Harris a chance to flesh it out with future installments. Over the long term, it could be the perfect series for anybody who enjoys a lighthearted, imaginative, and easy-to-read fantasy romp.
June 12, 2019
This story is the first in a series. A fun rollick through an alt universe with steampunk elements, fantasy, adventure, magic, mechanical birds, eyeglasses with fantastic powers, pirates, and more. Can't wait for the second one to hit print.
*My occasional note about stars -- I give five stars to only a small handful of books. Four stars means I thought it was great.
Coming back to add that I reread this in prep for the second book, Star-Locked. It was just as fun the second time through.
*My occasional note about stars -- I give five stars to only a small handful of books. Four stars means I thought it was great.
Coming back to add that I reread this in prep for the second book, Star-Locked. It was just as fun the second time through.
June 16, 2019
An absolute joy to read!
Harris had me chuckling through every twist and turn of luck and mischief. It is cruel of K. L. Harris to share her wonderous world through the lens of fascinating and relatable souls only to leave her readers with a glimpse of the path on which they are set.
Serendipity brought this book to me and I feel as though I am now the Luck Chaser.
Harris had me chuckling through every twist and turn of luck and mischief. It is cruel of K. L. Harris to share her wonderous world through the lens of fascinating and relatable souls only to leave her readers with a glimpse of the path on which they are set.
Serendipity brought this book to me and I feel as though I am now the Luck Chaser.
January 23, 2021
The first half of a decent story.
Unfortunately, I cannot justify a 4 or 5 star review based on just half of a story. Books, even books intended to be part of a greater series should still keep in mind that every book needs to tell a story in its own right.
As much as I enjoyed the world building and characterization of this book, it is ultimately not satisfying as a stand alone work.
Unfortunately, I cannot justify a 4 or 5 star review based on just half of a story. Books, even books intended to be part of a greater series should still keep in mind that every book needs to tell a story in its own right.
As much as I enjoyed the world building and characterization of this book, it is ultimately not satisfying as a stand alone work.
June 28, 2026
This starts like any number of boring fantasies that I’ve read over the years… and then it changed into something a little more interesting, and then turned into a really interesting first part of what promises to be an intriguing epic. I love that our main characters are separated from each at the beginning of what should be their quest, so we have the challenge of them unfolding mysteries while trying to find each other again. There’s also the amazing world they live in. It spreads out organically,with us finding out about it as the characters do. It’s a lovely mix of medieval and modern, with a dash of steampunk thrown in for good measure (and a little steampunk is about all I can deal with, thank you).
June 29, 2026
Beautifully written. I was swept up in this tale of rogues, found family, stars and pirates. I'm excited for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews