Avala: Spirits of the Mindscapes - Book 1: Hope

by Caleb Teal

Four thousand years in the future, the Republic of Earth is at war with the oppressive Yajiran Empire. Meanwhile, on a primitive world, a half-human/half-Yajiran girl named Avala learns that her people’s beliefs are lies created by the Yajirans to keep them in a primitive state, so they can rule over them. While working with the Republic of Earth’s intelligence service in a collaborative effort to free her planet from its alien overlords, she discovers she has the same psychic and body-swapping powers that the elite Yajirans, the Yajixa, possess. In the process of learning how to master these powers, she awakens a long-lost precursor race from her planet called the Echarikith, who have magical god-like powers. The Echarikith offer to help Avala in her quest to free her people, in exchange for her help in freeing them from being enslaved in the Yajixa’s mindscapes. This is the beginning of Avala’s lifelong journey to become one of the spirits of the mindscapes.

167 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[I.G. Fleu]

It’s a very fast book. Expect fast paced adventures, character development that won’t be happening in years or chapters, etc.: things happen in the blink of an eye. I honestly was a little taken aback by this, but it suits the story itself and its characters.
About that: be prepared to face some who might break your preconceived notions of what should be wrong or right. I honestly don’t want to include spoilers, so I won’t, but I think the author did a very good job including *some* (if not all) topics of social concern and picturing them in his characters. It’s not just sci-fi/fantasy: it’s also philosophy and, at times, different kinds of theology. Interesting to say the least.
I personally loved the glossary at the end of the book. This world is immense, creative, colourful and the pace is, like I said, vertiginous, so finding a glossary was amazing for me.

[Simon Evans]

First of all, I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing. If If I'm perfectly honest fantasy is not my preferred genre but this book transcends that. It is an intertwining of genres, that few can pull off. For those that like Fantasy, you will love it. Those of you who prefer si-fi will enjoy it even more. It is a tale of a young woman who grows up oppressed by society and especially men. But she discovers she is far more than those that have dominated her life. I can't overstate the page-turning quality of this novel, which guides us through the destiny of a young woman that will not bow to her oppressors or shirk her destiny to fight those that seek to silence and destroy her and her kind. I won't post any spoilers because that will ruin this wonderful story, but If you're looking for epic fantasy with heavy elements of science fiction and hope, then this is the book for you. I can't wait to read the sequel. I'm certain I will enjoy it as much as 'Avala: Sprits of the Mindscapes'

[Pinky N.A]

Science fiction + fantasy + adventure with super fast story. I'm honestly not a big fan of those genres, but since this book is, like I said, super fast, I enjoyed it well.

This is a light read, despite those names and "wow" AI. If you're searching for a light read scifi - fantasy, and super fast pace book, Avala is the right book for you, my friend.

I was, like, "Wow!" and "What?" almost the entire time, and I'm loving this experience.

The ending is kinda too short for my liking, but I can tolerate it since the story itself is super fast. Yeah.

The writing is neat, too. I can't imagine reading an unneat (is this even a word?) book with fast paced story. Love it.

I give this book 4.5 stars (actually), and recommend it to my bookworm friends out there by the time I finished.

[Cindy Girard]

Excellent, well written, page turner! As a science fiction story it is very unique — far more than just aliens and strange planets. The entire concept of the Mindscapes is unique, fascinating, and creates a powerful storyline. I strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys science fiction, fantasy or unique fiction.

[Wayne]

I love science fiction and fantasy, and this book has elements of both. The main ideas of a future society, alien races, wars, with unique concepts made me want to keep reading right until the end. I look forward to reading more from this series.

[Livi Brooks]

Book Analysis – Avala: Spirit of the Mindscapes (Book 1) by Caleb Teal

For today’s book review, I will be speaking on a book full of magical realism, advanced technology, highly complex world development, and amazing characters. This book was a perfect length, not too long, to make you want to grab the second book in the series instantly. Avala, the main character, is a young girl who is half-human and half-Yajiran. She has very special psychic abilities including the ability to swap bodies with people. She also has spirits trapped in her mind.
Avala is a very well-developed character, full of both basic human emotions such as fear and happiness, and abnormal behaviors such as psychic abilities. She is taken from her world by her husband, whom she was forced to marry at the age of eight and was brought to the Republic of Earth. This organization helped her own self-discovery by providing her freedom and the ability to develop amazing fighting skills.
Along the way there are plenty of obstacles, all centered around the mindscapes. The mindscapes were made by Yajixa who enslaves people and their spirits to these mind confinements.
I do not want to spoil this book but give it a go if you are interested in escapism and magical realism, for this book brings out ideas towards our world that may spark a new perspective within your imagination.
Overall, the world's development was phenomenal. I loved the fantastical worlds, the means of transportation being teleportation, the high technology in the Republic of Earth. It was easy to visualize the differences between the worlds. The one where Avala is originally from consists of men dominating women, villages, and extreme weather conditions along the borders. The other world, however, consists of a woman running the organization, Silvia, with very high technological concepts, and the spaces being very minimalistic, clean, and white. I appreciate the distinct features in each realm so that I could imagine being in each place experiencing it with Avala.
The number of characters provided throughout the novel would seem overwhelming if I were to list all their names here, but the author does a great job in signifying each with unique personalities and abilities, just as he did with the world plotting.
This book was a treat to read, I definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone who is looking into a short but majestic book that dives into fantastical concepts. I cannot wait to read book two, so stay tuned for that review soon!

[John Dane]

This book did not seem much of a typical fantasy and rather a verging into the mind of another person. Avala: Spirits of the Mindscapes is more of an atmosphere, concept-driven album and that was what made the biggest impression on me. It is not spoon-fed worldbuilding, although, it gradually comes out as events unfold, memories, and discuss. I also appreciated the fact that the reader was not undermined to be a passive receiver of the story. You are supposed to think, make links, and at other times, you are expected to sit down without knowing. The themes of illusion and reality were presented in a manner that was not hurried. Characters are never that straightforward and easy to put in a category and that is how they became more believable in such a strange environment. Later chapters, in particular, those dealing with the Core and Namjila, are filled with emotions and philosophy. I would not suggest this book to a person who just seeks action-packed and fast-paced, however, it can be of real interest to the readers, who are interested in speculative fiction that explores the mind more than the world.

[Mason]

The thing that I liked the most about this book was the ambition. Avala: Spirits of the Mindscapes has no aversion to grabbing at great themes, consciousness, destiny, power, and the thin boundary between sanity and control. The feeling of something bigger than a mere battle between sides is present since the beginning chapters. The concept of mindscapes puts a distinct touch to the story and turns places into something personal and symbolic instead of physical objects. The feeling of some parts is sharp and heavy, yet it is in line with the subject. The book does not give quick answers which is why it asks questions and I admired that. Even in cases where the events themselves were surreal, emotional stakes were made real by the concluding acts. I read the book feeling pensive and not excited, but that is not an awful quality. It is the type of tale that reverberates even after reading it.

[Sandra]

The process of reading this book was like penetrating into a dream gradually becoming a conflict against reality. The rhythm is rather slow, and the ideas and characters are developed naturally. I liked the fact that the author combined science-fiction with fantasy without overrelying on the tropes. The Avalans and the concept of the Core were mysterious and important, which made the story seem deep-rooted and historical. Although certain chapters are rather thoughtful than action-oriented, they contribute to the emotional gravitas of the narrative. I liked the treatment of the power in the book in particular because of the fact that it is not represented as something heroic, but as something complicated and dangerous. The story has an adult edge to it as a result of a sober solemnity that permeates it. It is not an easy-read, but worth reading to the reader who takes pleasure in hidden narratives and philosophies.

[Paul Linda]

Avala: Spirits of the Mindscapes is the kind of book that needs a complex reader. The story does not attempt to quickly clarify itself and rather lets things happen step by step. I also enjoyed the way in which the theme of illusion was incorporated in the story and also in the lives of the characters. It left the world unstable in a deliberate manner. It is not only physical, but mental and emotional as well and this was what made it interesting to me. The parts addressing history and the past events gave the present struggle a sense of scale so that it was worth the struggle. On the one hand, the book requires, on the other hand, it provides impossibility to do without depth and originality. It is the type of a novel, which one wants to read again, not because it is not clear, but because there is more than meets the eye the first time around.

[Carroll]

This book made me continue thinking even after reading. It is serious and thoughtful, and treats its subjects with respect. I also liked the fact that the author has not used continual action as her source of interest. Rather, the tension is created with thoughts and awakening and changing points of view. The concept of mindscape enables one to be creative in telling stories that do not get deprived of any weight in narration. Their quests were meaningful as the characters had to struggle internally as a reflection of the conflicts they had to fight externally. There are chapters that seem to be intense, near overwhelming, but it appears to be a choice given the topic of discussion. It is a book that the reader who likes speculative fiction that challenges them and gives an emotional experience would like to read.

[François Cole]

I read Avala: Spirits of the Mindscapes a little at a time, at one time I only read a chapter or two then I paused to reflect on what I had just read. It is not a book that makes you hurry and I believe it does not want to be hurried. The most impressive aspect that immediately struck me was that the author pays a lot of attention to the inner world of the story. The fact that things like thoughts, fears, and beliefs have the ability to create their own reality was strong. I also enjoyed the way the story was unravelled gradually instead of being presented in one way or another. I was emotionally ready to read the story when it got to the Core. The book does not provide simplistic answers and I liked that. It was mature and deliberate. It is such a novel that will remain in your head, without shocking you but giving you a chance to reflect in quietnes

[Harold]

I would call this book the quietly ambitious book. It is not attempting to shock or overwhelm with eye-catching spectacle, but rather it is creating its effect through thoughts and atmosphere. Mindscapes enable the story to drift into inner conflict in a natural manner to the world. I really enjoyed the fact that the tone was serious, and no clichés or forced humor were used. The subsequent chapters, particularly the clashes with the Core, were deserved due to the well thought out preparation before. It is a book that does not belittle its reader in his/her intelligence and patience. This story is worth your time especially when you are a person who likes reading stories that will make you reevaluate your perception of reality and identity.

[Thomas Charles]

It was more of peeling off layers than going straight through as Avala read. Every section brings something new to the world or the conceptualization of it. I liked the fact that the book does not deem its audience. It offers difficult ideas and leaves it to you to work on them. The combination of the elements of science-fiction and fantasy are effective, and it generates the ambiance that is both futuristic and mythical. The battles extend beyond the corporeal fights and emphasize on ideology, perception and mental fortitude. There are emotionally intense scenes, but they are offset by those of contemplation. Not every person will like this book, but those who like to read something thought-provoking, based on an idea, it is quite a full experience.

[Lena]

This book does not emphasize action at all, instead of action, it creates tension, based on ideas and psychological feud. The concept of mindscape is applied in an innovative way and inner conflicts do not seem less significant than outer ones. I considered the speed to be slow, yet satisfying particularly when the narration headed to the climax of the story. The characters seem to be influenced by the surroundings and their decisions which ensured the believability of their travels. The aspects of control, illusion and identity are interwoven throughout the story. At the conclusion, the book was able to challenge me without overwhelming me, which is a balance that is difficult to gain. It is an insightful book that stays with you even after reading.

[Damien Logan]

At first I was not sure whether this book would become my thing, and after I got into the nature of the story I realized that I was truly hooked. I have never read something as comparable to Avala, and that was a good thing. I was interested in the idea of mindscapes, particularly their use in the expression of what the characters are experiencing or thinking. There were sections that I had to go through slowly, but I did not care since the concepts were intriguing. I have also enjoyed the fact that the story got even more intense moving on without losing its focus. The finale was significant but not spectacular. All in all, this seemed like a book that had faith in me as a reader and I liked that very much.

[Megan Blake]

Structurally and conceptually, Avala: Spirits of the Mindscapes is extremely well considered. It is clear that the author had a good vision and wrote beforehand, which manifests itself in the similarity of themes and laws of the world. The notion of mindscape is not merely a literary tool, but it is also a part of the philosophy of the story. I liked the way the book stacked its ideas such that earlier ideas were given a new meaning as the book proceeded. The movement between sections was smooth and gradual. It is not a tale that thrives on shock value or a series of twists, but is based on unity and richness. Those who like to deconstruct lore and themes will probably discover much to enjoy.

[Andre]

This novel is very conceptual, yet non-cold. It was an emotional under undertone to the philosophical concepts that made me engaged. The lack of sanity, power and perception is explored sensitively. I also appreciated the fact that the book does not attempt to simplify everything and leave the reader to follow. The arrangement and in particular the partitioning of the story assisted the story to feel structured in spite of its intricacy. Some scenes stick in the mind because they invoke some of the perennial anxieties of powerlessness and impersonalization. Upon conclusion, I felt that I had been through something special and not the usual fantasy formula.

[Alexandre Kyle]

This book hit me in a quiet way. Until I got to the later chapters, I was unaware of the level of emotional investment in it. The way Avala tries the identity and control is very personal. The mindscapes were not so much of physical locations but emotional conditions and this aspect of the story appealed to me. I also enjoyed the fact that the book provided time to be quiet and reflect as opposed to being in a state of activity. It provided me with room to experience the experience of the characters. At the end of reading the book, I felt reflective and a little bit unnerved, though in a good manner.

[Kayla Jason]

Being a person reading much speculative fiction, I liked the way in which Avala combined the concepts of sci-fi with the fantasy without cliching too much. World seemed original particularly on the intersection of technology, power and consciousness. Of special interest was the Avalans and the Core. I also appreciated the fact that the book did not aim at spectacle as much as consequences. The rhythm is not dramatic, it is rather monotonic, yet it suits the kind of narration one is doing. It was like a book to read when one loves the ideas as much as the plot and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to find something different in the genre.

[Liam Jaxon]

I picked up this book when a busy week was underway and to be honest I did not expect to remain with this one, but I got sucked into it more than I had imagined. I do not tend to read books that address this extensively abstractly, but Avala helped me to go slow in a good manner. The story isn’t loud or flashy. It is silent and allows ideas to sink with time. I was able to think of the concept of mindscape even when I was not reading. The book was respectful and not showcasing to me that it felt I was smarter than its word. At the end, I also felt that I had read something good, not only something good to laugh at. That is not usually the case with me.

[Jenna Kevin]

I do not normally read such profound books, yet I am glad that I took a chance with this one. There are sections I had to pause to re-read not because it was poor writing rather because it challenged me. The narration was solemn and directed and I admired that. I also liked that the book discussed control and choice but did not explain it in detail. Towards the end, I had the impression I had understood the message though I was unable to translate the message perfectly. It is not a quick or simple read, but it is worth being read.

[Amber Mason]

I was mostly left with the emotional effects of the story. Although the world is big and complicated, the individual problems were believable. The characters are not flawless and are not always likable but they make sense. I enjoyed the way their inner struggles could be compared to bigger struggles in the story. These moments were given time to sink without haste as a result of the pacing. At the conclusion, I was not interested in who had won and more about what was different. That gave the book the impression of being impactful in a subtle manner.

[Brianna]

I did not go on to another book immediately after I had completed Avala: Spirits of the Mindscapes. I needed time to sit with it. This is not an overtly loud and obvious story that tries to entertain. Rather, it develops meaning gradually by way of ideas, atmosphere and experience of a character. I liked how somber the tone is, and how it trusts a reader. The final part was appropriate, without being melodramatic but emotionally satisfying. It is a book that I would recommend to those who like depth, patience and stories that stay with the reader even after reading the last page.

[Roman Luca]

Personally, I read this book as all mood. I did not read it with a quick story or with huge twists in mind. I read it because of the impression it gave me. The atmosphere is heavy and thoughtful and remains the same with Avala. I liked the mindscapes which were surreal and disturbing. I did not always have to know all the details of the story in order to like what was going on. It was more like an experience than a problem to solve. At the end of it I did not haste to pass judgment on it--I simply sat down with it. That alone says a lot.

[Zachary]

The fact that this book was so much about control and identity drew me into this book. Those were quite topical themes, despite the setting being obviously fictional. I also found it interesting that the author demonstrated these concepts in reference to the choices made by the characters rather than the words. The symbolism between mindscapes was not confusing. Certain scenes were embarrassing, but they were sincere. It is not a comforter, but it is one that has a heart. I was moved by the end and this is much more important to me than action or spectacle.

[Cassian Brooks]

Avala: Spirits of the Mindscapes is one of those books that quietly slips into your imagination and then refuses to leave. The worldbuilding is stunning, an entire realm built out of thoughts, memories, dreams, and inner battles. I loved how Avala isn’t just fighting monsters; she’s confronting manifestations of fear, grief, and identity. The metaphysical layers gave the story a richness I didn’t expect, and by the end I felt like I had traveled through someone’s subconscious alongside her.

[Merritt Kane]

This book surprised me with how philosophical it is beneath the fantasy surface. Avala’s journey through the Mindscapes feels symbolic, almost like reading a myth about self-discovery. The creatures she encounters aren’t random, they represent emotional and mental states, and that made the conflict feel meaningful. Every chapter opens a door into another part of the psyche, and the pacing keeps you hooked. A truly imaginative read.

[Juniper Ellis]

What a refreshing, original world. I’ve read dream-realm fantasies before, but Avala takes it to another level by treating consciousness as an entire ecosystem. The author makes abstract ideas feel tangible and alive. Avala herself is complex, strong, innocent, confused, determined, and the internal vs external conflict is beautifully woven. This book demands attention and rewards readers who enjoy layered storytelling.

[Fabienne Maurer]

If you enjoy stories that make you think while still giving you action, this is absolutely worth picking up. The battles are intense, but what struck me most were the quieter moments, Avala questioning who she is, why she exists, and what her power truly means. The Mindscapes are described in vivid detail, and I could picture every shifting landscape. It feels like a fantasy novel written by someone with a deep love for psychology.