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Hvaldi
In a post-apocalyptic world where digging into the past could land you in jail or worse, eighteen-year-old Semmi and her father travel using false identities as they research an ancient race known as the Hvaldi.
At a newly discovered Hvaldi city, they make a miraculous discovery: a journal. Using her gift for deciphering ancient languages, Semmi finds out that the Hvaldi are from another realm, but before she can connect all the dots, the authorities realize their ruse and rush to hunt them down.
On the run, Semmi finally figures out the riddle in the journal about how the Hvaldi traveled to their world. With no time to spare, she opens a doorway to the Hvaldi realm, and she and her father escape only to find themselves in a land populated by humans on the brink of civil war.
With her father captured, Semmi learns that as in her world, there are those in authority who will stop at nothing to maintain power and control. To save her father and free the people, she must help Dav, a handsome yet aloof rebel commander, to uncover the truth of their past and how they are connected to the Hvaldi.
At a newly discovered Hvaldi city, they make a miraculous discovery: a journal. Using her gift for deciphering ancient languages, Semmi finds out that the Hvaldi are from another realm, but before she can connect all the dots, the authorities realize their ruse and rush to hunt them down.
On the run, Semmi finally figures out the riddle in the journal about how the Hvaldi traveled to their world. With no time to spare, she opens a doorway to the Hvaldi realm, and she and her father escape only to find themselves in a land populated by humans on the brink of civil war.
With her father captured, Semmi learns that as in her world, there are those in authority who will stop at nothing to maintain power and control. To save her father and free the people, she must help Dav, a handsome yet aloof rebel commander, to uncover the truth of their past and how they are connected to the Hvaldi.
272 pages, Paperback
Published August 11, 2020
3 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
K.J. Simpson
2 books9 followersGrowing up out in the country, hiking, fishing and camping, it almost seems like I played out my stories already when I was just a child. Chasing a deer through the forest, turned into running from the bad guys over logs and across streams. It’s amazing how the outdoors has shaped the stories I write today.
My brother was a big influence, always dragging me with him to do something down by the creek from playing with G.I. Joes or helping to build a fort. Dad was there to encourage us and provide the tools with mom not far behind with the camera.
With a little imagination, I’ve taken my own experiences and used them to shape stories in far off places where I can take my readers to brightly colored worlds as they follow the characters on an adventure. I see the stories play through my mind and do my best to write them as I see it. Sometimes it seems as if the characters are taking me on their adventure rather than the other way around. My writing is my escape from the world around me.
My brother was a big influence, always dragging me with him to do something down by the creek from playing with G.I. Joes or helping to build a fort. Dad was there to encourage us and provide the tools with mom not far behind with the camera.
With a little imagination, I’ve taken my own experiences and used them to shape stories in far off places where I can take my readers to brightly colored worlds as they follow the characters on an adventure. I see the stories play through my mind and do my best to write them as I see it. Sometimes it seems as if the characters are taking me on their adventure rather than the other way around. My writing is my escape from the world around me.
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September 16, 2020Hvaldi is set in a post-apocalyptic world where archaeology is banned, officially to control access to the technology which destroyed the world, but actually because ancient sites contain secrets to undermine the ruling order. There's a first person narrator, and her voice is convincing and engaging. The journey she undertakes is exciting and the main relationship that develops along the way is sweet and authentic. I also really liked her second travelling companion, but after that I struggled to distinguish and remember the other characters, who weren't drawn with the same level of detail. This is probably an unavoidable feature of a journey-story, because characters who were met on the way there (who I thought were minor characters) re-appeared on the way back.
The multiple realms were interesting and the dead city was, well, haunting. All in all, a thought-provoking and enjoyable read. I can happily recommend it.
The multiple realms were interesting and the dead city was, well, haunting. All in all, a thought-provoking and enjoyable read. I can happily recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2020
Hvaldi is a fun fantasy adventure following the exploits of a young linguist obsessed with solving the mysteries of an ancient civilisation. Its tone is wholesome and gentle, but there are moments of gritty description that pull no punches when it comes to portraying the horrors of conflict, hardship and war. A fine read for young adults or those new to the fantasy genre, or readers wanting to avoid anything too grim-dark or complex.
August 28, 2020
When you find a new author and really enjoy their first book, you are often disappointed with their following works. Well I am very pleased to say that K.J. Simpson is not a "one hit wonder"!
"Hvaldi" is another wonderfully enjoyable read. Great story line, characters that you love, descriptive world building. Like her "Beyond the Rift" this is a can't put it down book. Looking forward to her next one!
"Hvaldi" is another wonderfully enjoyable read. Great story line, characters that you love, descriptive world building. Like her "Beyond the Rift" this is a can't put it down book. Looking forward to her next one!
September 29, 2020
Highly recommend creative, detailed descriptions of scenery , adventurous, interesting characters and good for adults and younger readers (middle/high schoolers)! Truly a great read!
October 17, 2020
Great book! Lots of fun twists and turns that kept me on my toes! Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews