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Anya of Ark
The earth flooded, the old world drowned, and now the last humans fight against the elements, on a vast driftwood town. Welcome to the Ark, humanity's last chance of survival.
On her sixteenth birthday, Anya must choose her role in the tribe. All she wants is to be a Hunter, but only men are allowed to take the daring trials. To prove herself worthy, Anya journeys to the mysterious waters of the Shallows, and there she discovers an underwater world beyond her wildest dreams.
Prepare for an oceanic adventure filled with sea creatures, monsters and much more.
On her sixteenth birthday, Anya must choose her role in the tribe. All she wants is to be a Hunter, but only men are allowed to take the daring trials. To prove herself worthy, Anya journeys to the mysterious waters of the Shallows, and there she discovers an underwater world beyond her wildest dreams.
Prepare for an oceanic adventure filled with sea creatures, monsters and much more.
318 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2020
5 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Kristian Joseph
7 books15 followersKristian Joseph is a dystopian action adventure author; he loves writing high-impact plots full of deeply flawed characters and putting them in tragic situations. His worlds are imaginative and though provoking, whether it’s the dark and gritty political dystopia of Titans, Cranes and Monsters Games, or the flooded earth and underwater monsters of Anya of Ark.
www.kristianjoseph.co.uk
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www.kristianjoseph.co.uk
www.twitter.com/kristianjoseph
www.instagram.com/KJscribblez
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 23, 2020
Anya Fairheart lives on a large raft with her brother and other survivors in a post-apocalyptic world. Anya only knows of life on the water and frightening stories of the water dwellers who lurk in the shadows of the sea. Anya’s determined to become a hunter for her people but knows that the sexist ways of her people prohibit it. When a daring excursion goes awry, Anya realizes that her life will never be the same. Alone and afraid, Anya must create a new life for herself, a life she never knew existed.
The world-building and character-development are my favorite parts of the story. The above and underwater worlds created are incredibly unique and vivid, and the author did a great job of immersing me in this post-apocalyptic world. The idea that all of the lands on Earth is underwater and people survive on huge rafts is not something I see often in dystopian reads. I was quickly pulled into this difficult and harsh world where only the strong survive.
The underwater world is unusual and exciting, and the creatures of the world are so interesting. They live in and around the submerged cities of the past, which is really cool. Some of my favorite parts included the explorations of the sea. I enjoyed learning more about what happened to our world, how people evolved, and how Anya fits into these vastly different societies.
Anya is a great protagonist. Smart and brave, Anya has many adventures, and she learns a ton about prejudice, facing fears, and acceptance. I like that, as Anya goes on a physical journey, she also goes through an emotional one. Anya examines her prejudices, especially her views on people and the world around her. Her willingness to grow, change, and learn from others says a lot about her character.
Anya’s strong bond with her brother, aunt, and uncle grounds her and gives her a sense of home. However, it isn’t until she explores the world below that she realizes how important her family is to her. She forms some unlikely friendships, which help her on this journey, and these friendships are fantastic!
This is a great coming-of-age story for people who like YA fantasy and post-apocalyptic fiction with strong messages about standing up for what you believe in, accepting yourself and others, and embracing change. With a ton of action, unique characters and worlds, and an interesting plot, I think it will appeal to middle grades and above. Thanks so much to the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
The world-building and character-development are my favorite parts of the story. The above and underwater worlds created are incredibly unique and vivid, and the author did a great job of immersing me in this post-apocalyptic world. The idea that all of the lands on Earth is underwater and people survive on huge rafts is not something I see often in dystopian reads. I was quickly pulled into this difficult and harsh world where only the strong survive.
The underwater world is unusual and exciting, and the creatures of the world are so interesting. They live in and around the submerged cities of the past, which is really cool. Some of my favorite parts included the explorations of the sea. I enjoyed learning more about what happened to our world, how people evolved, and how Anya fits into these vastly different societies.
Anya is a great protagonist. Smart and brave, Anya has many adventures, and she learns a ton about prejudice, facing fears, and acceptance. I like that, as Anya goes on a physical journey, she also goes through an emotional one. Anya examines her prejudices, especially her views on people and the world around her. Her willingness to grow, change, and learn from others says a lot about her character.
Anya’s strong bond with her brother, aunt, and uncle grounds her and gives her a sense of home. However, it isn’t until she explores the world below that she realizes how important her family is to her. She forms some unlikely friendships, which help her on this journey, and these friendships are fantastic!
This is a great coming-of-age story for people who like YA fantasy and post-apocalyptic fiction with strong messages about standing up for what you believe in, accepting yourself and others, and embracing change. With a ton of action, unique characters and worlds, and an interesting plot, I think it will appeal to middle grades and above. Thanks so much to the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
February 23, 2021
The gorgeous cover of ANYA OF ARK pulled me in immediately, just as K. Joseph's book SUNLIGHT had. And "pulled" seems so appropriate a verb; the author welcomes us into a dystopian world swallowed mostly by water. And -- sort of like those man-made cities on wheels found in MORTAL ENGINES, but in a more WATERWORLD sort of universe -- the Ark is a man-made city on water, "a contraption built from salvage and desperation"; this is where we meet the Arkers and, among them, Anya.
Obviously a lot of thought, energy, and imagination has gone into the world-building of this novel, and that itself is a feat for any author! Is it perfect? No. The punctuation is sometimes off, and there are a good deal too many adjectives for my taste. Sometimes the head-hopping is jarring, too, as in that first underwater exploration scene where we flip from Anya's mind to that of a yellow-eyed creature and back again. Overall, I would have liked the narrative to be smoother, both in terms of language and flow, but it still manages to effectively build an intriguing world and carries us along with an interesting plot. Commendably, K. Joseph has the patience to craft scenes that subtly show character development, as when Jake trains Anya in the blindfolded spear dance, or when Anya struggles to come to terms with her strange transformation. These are instrumental to such a story, though many writers tend to overlook them.
The final confrontation on the Ark, while extremely morally satisfying for me, has its share of info gaps and unanswered questions Throughout the book, Anya is continuously described as a "child" even though she's 16 at the novel's beginning ("young woman" feels more appropriate), which could either be interpreted as demeaning or sweetly innocent. Inarguably, she's a brave teen with a soft heart who's sure to have a lot of young readers rooting for her. I appreciated that this story touches upon and dares to examine a variety of social themes, as well -- ranging from sexism to climate change to the stigma of sickness, and how (for the most part) mankind basically digs its own grave and brings upon its own demise (or at least is quite capable of doing so). That said, there's always hope for redemption and renewal, and this book (for me, at least) ends on a very positive note.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Obviously a lot of thought, energy, and imagination has gone into the world-building of this novel, and that itself is a feat for any author! Is it perfect? No. The punctuation is sometimes off, and there are a good deal too many adjectives for my taste. Sometimes the head-hopping is jarring, too, as in that first underwater exploration scene where we flip from Anya's mind to that of a yellow-eyed creature and back again. Overall, I would have liked the narrative to be smoother, both in terms of language and flow, but it still manages to effectively build an intriguing world and carries us along with an interesting plot. Commendably, K. Joseph has the patience to craft scenes that subtly show character development, as when Jake trains Anya in the blindfolded spear dance, or when Anya struggles to come to terms with her strange transformation. These are instrumental to such a story, though many writers tend to overlook them.
The final confrontation on the Ark, while extremely morally satisfying for me, has its share of info gaps and unanswered questions Throughout the book, Anya is continuously described as a "child" even though she's 16 at the novel's beginning ("young woman" feels more appropriate), which could either be interpreted as demeaning or sweetly innocent. Inarguably, she's a brave teen with a soft heart who's sure to have a lot of young readers rooting for her. I appreciated that this story touches upon and dares to examine a variety of social themes, as well -- ranging from sexism to climate change to the stigma of sickness, and how (for the most part) mankind basically digs its own grave and brings upon its own demise (or at least is quite capable of doing so). That said, there's always hope for redemption and renewal, and this book (for me, at least) ends on a very positive note.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
July 12, 2021
This is an inspiring and unique story. The author does an amazing job with the imaginary world and character building, which are my favorite parts of the book. The world he creates is vivid and unique. Besides the brilliant scene setting Kristians writing is effortless and contemporary.
I loved the bond between Anya and her brother. I also loved how Anya realises that family is the most important and valuable gift of our lives. Family gives us comfort, unconditional love, encouragement, advice, values, understanding, hope... This shines bright and clear throughout the whole book.
Anya is a strong and brave protagonist. I loved reading about a young and courageous female character. She grows throughout the story while learning about how to face her fears and the prejudices she is faced with.
This story is about standing up for what you believe, adapting, accepting yourself and others and embracing change.
Great read for people who like coming-of-age storys, YA fantasy and post apocalyptic fiction.
Thank you Kristian Joseph for gifting me with a copy of your amazing and unique story!!
I loved the bond between Anya and her brother. I also loved how Anya realises that family is the most important and valuable gift of our lives. Family gives us comfort, unconditional love, encouragement, advice, values, understanding, hope... This shines bright and clear throughout the whole book.
Anya is a strong and brave protagonist. I loved reading about a young and courageous female character. She grows throughout the story while learning about how to face her fears and the prejudices she is faced with.
This story is about standing up for what you believe, adapting, accepting yourself and others and embracing change.
Great read for people who like coming-of-age storys, YA fantasy and post apocalyptic fiction.
Thank you Kristian Joseph for gifting me with a copy of your amazing and unique story!!
November 2, 2020
First of all, I would like to thank the author, Krisitan Joseph for sending me an e-ARC of this book. What you'll read below are what I felt and are not influenced by anything or any person.
In a post-apocalyptic world, Anya Fairheart and other survivors including her elder brother live on a raft. Having lived a life that is surrounded by the great sea on all side, she has heard a great many stories of what lies beneath those waters, the SEA MONSTERS! On her sixteenth birthday, she is expected to go down like everyone else has to keep up the tradition of Ark. Arya wants different things from life. But will they matter? Not much as nobody knows that something big is coming for all of them! Something that will change what Anya and much of Ark itself.
The blurb might have sounded like its a dystopian coming-of-age novel, but in reality, it is so much more. It has the action, the right kind of thrill, a gripping mystery, and a very rich imaginative world that is full of weird yet interesting creatures. It has a little bit of everything. I even found a lot of political issues being brushed off in the undertone for the readers to spot and pick along the way. At this point, it is important to acknowledge that this could have gone seriously wrong - this whole turning an otherwise dystopian centric novel with tinges of other elements, but somehow Kristian manages to pull it off with quite an ease.
As already mentioned, the world-building in this novel is intricate but never confusing. Whenever you'll expect an information overload to come through, the dialogues would begin! The characters would interact - and this probably works in the favour o the story as it remains to keep a balance. The writing is effortless and the text is easy to consume, easy to digest. Kristian never loses the grip over his protagonist, Anya, who is fierce, courageous and compassionate. The secondary characters that appear in this story also written thoughtfully with enough back story that they don't come off as a single-note, in there just to proceed with the story prototype.
I would like to mention the relationship between Anya and her brother which I enjoyed reading the most.
I read this almost 300 paged novel in over 10 days and that is an achievement for me because I usually never take up digital books. But, something about Anya and her world pulled me in. And I quite grateful that I choose to take my time and read the book in bits and parts! This allowed me to stay with Anya and all the magical creatures/monsters for a little longer than expected.
At the end of the day, this was a satisfying read. If you like this genre then GO FOR THIS without a doubt! But in case you don't usually read this kind of a book, then let Kristian's Anya of Ark be a good starting point and an introduction!
In a post-apocalyptic world, Anya Fairheart and other survivors including her elder brother live on a raft. Having lived a life that is surrounded by the great sea on all side, she has heard a great many stories of what lies beneath those waters, the SEA MONSTERS! On her sixteenth birthday, she is expected to go down like everyone else has to keep up the tradition of Ark. Arya wants different things from life. But will they matter? Not much as nobody knows that something big is coming for all of them! Something that will change what Anya and much of Ark itself.
The blurb might have sounded like its a dystopian coming-of-age novel, but in reality, it is so much more. It has the action, the right kind of thrill, a gripping mystery, and a very rich imaginative world that is full of weird yet interesting creatures. It has a little bit of everything. I even found a lot of political issues being brushed off in the undertone for the readers to spot and pick along the way. At this point, it is important to acknowledge that this could have gone seriously wrong - this whole turning an otherwise dystopian centric novel with tinges of other elements, but somehow Kristian manages to pull it off with quite an ease.
As already mentioned, the world-building in this novel is intricate but never confusing. Whenever you'll expect an information overload to come through, the dialogues would begin! The characters would interact - and this probably works in the favour o the story as it remains to keep a balance. The writing is effortless and the text is easy to consume, easy to digest. Kristian never loses the grip over his protagonist, Anya, who is fierce, courageous and compassionate. The secondary characters that appear in this story also written thoughtfully with enough back story that they don't come off as a single-note, in there just to proceed with the story prototype.
I would like to mention the relationship between Anya and her brother which I enjoyed reading the most.
I read this almost 300 paged novel in over 10 days and that is an achievement for me because I usually never take up digital books. But, something about Anya and her world pulled me in. And I quite grateful that I choose to take my time and read the book in bits and parts! This allowed me to stay with Anya and all the magical creatures/monsters for a little longer than expected.
At the end of the day, this was a satisfying read. If you like this genre then GO FOR THIS without a doubt! But in case you don't usually read this kind of a book, then let Kristian's Anya of Ark be a good starting point and an introduction!
November 12, 2020
I thought this book was excellent , what a great fantasy book , and no lie , it made me get excited to read on and on every page , I'm not usually one to take a long time reading a book unless I'm ill , so usually up to 3 weeks if I find I'm very busy in that week .
Not a slow book , so that's good , I found it fast paced just enough to keep you hooked in all the right places .
Anya is a special youngster , strong at heart , wanting to be more than what she is allowed , life on the ark , is hard especially when you can't be someone you want to be ,I loved the adventure Anya went on to really find herself and her strengths , she also became apart of something much bigger than what she was used to , And even though when she lost her family , she found a new family , she was not happy and wanted more , or in her case less of what she had . The characters I loved the most were pearl , hali . and jack her aunt and uncle , and a few others , I love her power under the sea . I do think it was a bit sad at times but that's mostly because I'm always emotional , I'm glad in the end that her struggle was not as heavy as it was in the beginning of the book .
she faces hardship , sorrow , friendship and family and love in this new world she had now become part of , but there's always something missing , and when she finds it , it makes her re think of everything she has lost .
I recommend this to everyone whatever the age .
I will re read this book , but next time in paper back form ,as I love holding the book which to me adds to the experience .
I don't want to leave I long review for this book , as I'm scared I might give to much away . and you really need to read it for yourself
Not a slow book , so that's good , I found it fast paced just enough to keep you hooked in all the right places .
Anya is a special youngster , strong at heart , wanting to be more than what she is allowed , life on the ark , is hard especially when you can't be someone you want to be ,I loved the adventure Anya went on to really find herself and her strengths , she also became apart of something much bigger than what she was used to , And even though when she lost her family , she found a new family , she was not happy and wanted more , or in her case less of what she had . The characters I loved the most were pearl , hali . and jack her aunt and uncle , and a few others , I love her power under the sea . I do think it was a bit sad at times but that's mostly because I'm always emotional , I'm glad in the end that her struggle was not as heavy as it was in the beginning of the book .
she faces hardship , sorrow , friendship and family and love in this new world she had now become part of , but there's always something missing , and when she finds it , it makes her re think of everything she has lost .
I recommend this to everyone whatever the age .
I will re read this book , but next time in paper back form ,as I love holding the book which to me adds to the experience .
I don't want to leave I long review for this book , as I'm scared I might give to much away . and you really need to read it for yourself
October 26, 2020
Part Blackfish City, part The Drowned World, part Miyazaki (mainly Nausicaä), this is an action-packed dystopian YA/middle grade novel about a girl forced to grow up pretty fast once her already fragile reality is torn from her. The world (on the water and below it) is built up well, and the descriptions of the submerged cities did remind me of - as stated - The Drowned World. The story itself is pretty fast-paced, with snappy dialogue, a strong protagonist (the eponymous Anya) and a worthy secondary cast. I found it a little odd that rigid patriarchal structures would persist even after the seas rise to the extent that human life as we know it has been erased forever, but it sets up the rest of the story well, so...I guess it doesn't need dwelling on. Another thing to add is that the story never beats you over the head about the climate crisis; it's just always there, in the background, subtly guiding everything that happens, with the novel being all the stronger for it.
January 1, 2021
So glad Anya of Ark was how I wrapped up this year. This book was amazing. Brilliantly written with dynamic characters and scene settings.
A theme I’ve noticed with many of the books I’ve read this year is that humans basically suck. Whether it is the destruction of a land, destruction of a life, or angering a Kracken... as was seen in the conversation with Anya and the formidable sea monster.
“What did humans do to anger you?” Asked Anya, her voice a whisper.
“Humans burned trees, killed animals, poisoned the seas and turned on each other. Humans were a plague, and now they are almost gone. Death to all that is human.”
But with all good stories there is a choice, redemption, and the consequences that the MC Anya is left with. I found the epilogue left me on the edge of me seat. Does this mean that we are to see more of the Arkers and the water dwellers?
The writing was phenomenal. The story unique and incredibly inspiring. I would suggest this to every young girl and boy that is looking for a symbol of strength and courage. Definitely a must read.
A theme I’ve noticed with many of the books I’ve read this year is that humans basically suck. Whether it is the destruction of a land, destruction of a life, or angering a Kracken... as was seen in the conversation with Anya and the formidable sea monster.
“What did humans do to anger you?” Asked Anya, her voice a whisper.
“Humans burned trees, killed animals, poisoned the seas and turned on each other. Humans were a plague, and now they are almost gone. Death to all that is human.”
But with all good stories there is a choice, redemption, and the consequences that the MC Anya is left with. I found the epilogue left me on the edge of me seat. Does this mean that we are to see more of the Arkers and the water dwellers?
The writing was phenomenal. The story unique and incredibly inspiring. I would suggest this to every young girl and boy that is looking for a symbol of strength and courage. Definitely a must read.
February 9, 2021
What can I say, I absolutely LOVED the book. I was fortunate to get a review copy from the author and I had blast reading this book. Anya of Ark is set in a post apocalyptic world where the whole planet is covered with water and it tells us about the story of one daring girl whose dream in forbidden because of her discriminatory society. The word building is amazing and the lore is handled very well. Often, in book such as these, authors tend to info-dump tirelessly until you lose interest in the story, but this book is masterfully written, giving information according to the context of the setting. The story was great. It was fun to read and a very interesting concept as well.
I really liked that things like sexism and discrimination were adressed in this book, because it makes the story much more genuine and interesting. I love Anya as a character and I love the world this author has created. Great book. Would recommend it to everyone.
P.S. OMG THE ENDING WAS SUCH A HUGE CLIFFHANGER YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!
I really liked that things like sexism and discrimination were adressed in this book, because it makes the story much more genuine and interesting. I love Anya as a character and I love the world this author has created. Great book. Would recommend it to everyone.
P.S. OMG THE ENDING WAS SUCH A HUGE CLIFFHANGER YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!
October 21, 2020
I was generously given the ARC for this book, Anya of Ark by Kristian Joseph. In exchange for reading the ARC I promised to give my honest review. My review is below:
Can I give this book 10 stars instead of just 5?? In all honesty this book made my top three for this year! I could easily see this being made into a movie as I read it.. Anya of Ark is about a girl named Anya Fairheart living on a raft built to survive the great flood that drowned the earth. Little of humanity survived. It starts with Anya turning 16 and surviving on the Ark with her family. Kristian created such a beautiful, harsh, dystopian world that made me wish if our world was flooded I would want to live amazing adventures such as Anya did. I cannot wait to read the next installment and definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves stories about dystopian worlds, fierce female characters, heartwarming (and sometimes heartbreaking) moments, and great friendships. I cannot recommend this book enough! So far this year there hasn't really been a book I could say held my attention to the point I couldn't put it down, but this one did. It was such a great refresher and really got me wanting to read more again.
Can I give this book 10 stars instead of just 5?? In all honesty this book made my top three for this year! I could easily see this being made into a movie as I read it.. Anya of Ark is about a girl named Anya Fairheart living on a raft built to survive the great flood that drowned the earth. Little of humanity survived. It starts with Anya turning 16 and surviving on the Ark with her family. Kristian created such a beautiful, harsh, dystopian world that made me wish if our world was flooded I would want to live amazing adventures such as Anya did. I cannot wait to read the next installment and definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves stories about dystopian worlds, fierce female characters, heartwarming (and sometimes heartbreaking) moments, and great friendships. I cannot recommend this book enough! So far this year there hasn't really been a book I could say held my attention to the point I couldn't put it down, but this one did. It was such a great refresher and really got me wanting to read more again.
November 18, 2020
If you're reading the reviews you've already read the synopsis so I wont summaries it again here but I will say that I really enjoyed this book! I love a dystopian narrative and particularly liked this one because it centers around a strong female lead and the ocean, what more could you want!
This was fast paced and I literally couldn't put it down, there were so many unexpected twists and turns that at some points I had to make sure I wasn't near the end because I couldn't have it ending like that! I found that the ugly aspects of this book really struck me, while we often see characters struggle and develop, its not often as honest as its shown here, especially not in fantasy! I thought it was a brave move to push a character to such dark places in this kind of genre and it really paid off.
100% would recommend! Now I just want to know what happens next!
This was fast paced and I literally couldn't put it down, there were so many unexpected twists and turns that at some points I had to make sure I wasn't near the end because I couldn't have it ending like that! I found that the ugly aspects of this book really struck me, while we often see characters struggle and develop, its not often as honest as its shown here, especially not in fantasy! I thought it was a brave move to push a character to such dark places in this kind of genre and it really paid off.
100% would recommend! Now I just want to know what happens next!
October 14, 2020
Kristian Joseph created a thrilling fiction book full of mystery and action. I really liked it! You keep connecting with all the characters which is not easy. It is very hard for an author to create empathy between the reader and the characters, but you can expect it in Anya of Ark.
I recommend Anya of Ark as it is a great book mixed with political issues and mystery for you to think about how sometimes we are pawns and we don’t even know it. Kristian did a wonderful job describing the many characters personalities and expressions. I truly enjoyed how his characters were real and are important to the literary community.
Anya is definitely my favourite character ever; she is a badass and she is always trying to save everybody and be the best version of herself. I have always enjoyed dystopic or post-apocalyptic worlds, so I knew that this book would be on my top list. It is awesome to imagine a new world and this case an enormous driftwood town where people will have to fight for their survival.
I also enjoyed how this book is fast-paced, but at the same time it is not rushed as some novels tend to be. Kristian has also used the perfect amount of dialogue, so that we wouldn’t be bored with too many descriptive scenes, but at the same time we wouldn’t get to much information when the characters are interacting.
To me this book is a must for this fall. You can expect a roller coaster of emotions. Believe me when I tell you that it is addictive. You can expect so many great moments that I had to take a break from reading.
I recommend Anya of Ark as it is a great book mixed with political issues and mystery for you to think about how sometimes we are pawns and we don’t even know it. Kristian did a wonderful job describing the many characters personalities and expressions. I truly enjoyed how his characters were real and are important to the literary community.
Anya is definitely my favourite character ever; she is a badass and she is always trying to save everybody and be the best version of herself. I have always enjoyed dystopic or post-apocalyptic worlds, so I knew that this book would be on my top list. It is awesome to imagine a new world and this case an enormous driftwood town where people will have to fight for their survival.
I also enjoyed how this book is fast-paced, but at the same time it is not rushed as some novels tend to be. Kristian has also used the perfect amount of dialogue, so that we wouldn’t be bored with too many descriptive scenes, but at the same time we wouldn’t get to much information when the characters are interacting.
To me this book is a must for this fall. You can expect a roller coaster of emotions. Believe me when I tell you that it is addictive. You can expect so many great moments that I had to take a break from reading.
January 4, 2021
Anya of Ark is a fantasy/dystopian novel that immediately pulls you in from the first few pages. I read this book in only a couple of days and found myself reading long chunks at a time. I've always had an affinity for the water (growing up in Florida I learned to swim before I could walk), sea creatures, and a curiosity about what "lurks below." Throughout reading this book I imagined it being read by audiences of all ages because the themes are very universal and the writing is vividly cinematic (I could easily see this book being adapted to film and I'm sure the special effects would be incredible). I felt drawn to Anya as a character and sympathised with her throughout her journey. It is no easy task to be a girl or a woman in a world dominated and dictated by men. Anya is also no damsel in distress, and when left without any sort of support she carves her own path and makes her own choices; she is the type of character I hope children and young people can read about and admire.I also loved how real this book felt; it's set in a very probable future given the way the impacts of climate change are going and the author doesn't shy away from that.
Anya of Ark is perfect for fans of Deeplight by Frances Hardinge. It would also make a wonderful introductory novel for anyone interested in dipping their toes in the waters of fantasy. The book also ends with a major cliffhanger and there is no doubt that a sequel is in the works!
Anya of Ark is perfect for fans of Deeplight by Frances Hardinge. It would also make a wonderful introductory novel for anyone interested in dipping their toes in the waters of fantasy. The book also ends with a major cliffhanger and there is no doubt that a sequel is in the works!
February 8, 2021
I can’t say enough good things about this wonderful book. There was a book I loved as a child, about a girl living alone on an island and finding her strength, and this reminded me of a modern version of that tale. The scenery and the descriptions were wonderful, Anya was a strong character I would be proud for my daughter to read, and the post apocalyptic world was just the right touch to give this story a unique spin. I loved it!
January 24, 2021
Anya of Ark is honestly a fantasy lovers jackpot! The unique and well thought out world building and complex characters kept my attention the entire way through. This novel was a ton of fun to read and I will definitely be recommending it to my friends and all my fellow book lovers! Anya of Ark is a wonderful, entertaining story that is 100% worth 5 stars!!
May 29, 2021
This book turn out to be completely different then I thought it would. A very unique story. a must read. Now I must wait until Book 2 is released.
October 16, 2020
This is the first book i’ve read in a while that kept me as interested as this one. As a lover of the dystopian future type novel genre, I really enjoyed this book. A great story that kept me enthralled throughout with intriguing plot development and believable characters. The thought of an all water and underwater world is so intriguing and well done. I love when an character is given a life altering trial it make for the suspense that I look forward to in amy dystopian novel I read. Bravo on the world description and plot I couldn’t have asked for any better.
March 27, 2021
I was kindly gifted a copy of this book by the author
Global warming has struck the planet, the world has been completely flooded and no land exsists.
Our protagonist Anya lives aboard The Ark, a place deemed as humanity's last chance of survival. Things however take a turn upon her sixteenth birthday, when she states her wish to the tribe to become a hunter it falls on deaf ears. She sets of to prove herself worthy by venturing to the dangerous shallows.
When this little adventure goes awry things are set in motion which takes Anya on the ride of her life into a hidden underwater world filled with sea creatures, monsters and more.
A truly captivating readfrom start to finish which just left you wanting more. My heart went out to Anya as I watched her adventure unfold.
This brilliantly written book by Kristian Joseph effectively captures the readers attention leaving them entranced with the story. I found this book truly difficult to put down and read the majority of it in one sitting.
A must read for anyone who loves dystopian or fantasy, this book promises to sweep you up on a fun filled adventure
I wholeheartedly recommended that you check out @kjscribblez for this book and his other works
Global warming has struck the planet, the world has been completely flooded and no land exsists.
Our protagonist Anya lives aboard The Ark, a place deemed as humanity's last chance of survival. Things however take a turn upon her sixteenth birthday, when she states her wish to the tribe to become a hunter it falls on deaf ears. She sets of to prove herself worthy by venturing to the dangerous shallows.
When this little adventure goes awry things are set in motion which takes Anya on the ride of her life into a hidden underwater world filled with sea creatures, monsters and more.
A truly captivating readfrom start to finish which just left you wanting more. My heart went out to Anya as I watched her adventure unfold.
This brilliantly written book by Kristian Joseph effectively captures the readers attention leaving them entranced with the story. I found this book truly difficult to put down and read the majority of it in one sitting.
A must read for anyone who loves dystopian or fantasy, this book promises to sweep you up on a fun filled adventure
I wholeheartedly recommended that you check out @kjscribblez for this book and his other works
January 14, 2021
First of all I would just like to say a massive thank you Kristian for an ARC copy of this book. I will be honest it's not a book I would have chosen to read myself. But I am so pleased I have read it! I would deffo give this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5. Would recommend to anyone to read this book. It's definitely a book I will be reading again. I love it from the beginning to the end. To be honest it is a book I really did not want to end.
January 31, 2021
Check out my blog for the full review.
I was provided a digital copy of Anya of Ark by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this book. The premise seemed interesting, sort of a ‘Waterworld’ meets ‘Little Mermaid’, minus Kevin Costner and the bad hair. Elements of the plot were quite unique, and I appreciated the effort that went into creating this dystopian world. Unfortunately, there were too many issues for me to truly enjoy this book. Anya as a character felt a lot younger than 16, and I found her to be rather flat as the main voice, and quite irritating at times. I didn’t find much growth in her personality over the course of the story, even though over a year passes and significant events occur. The other characters were also lacking depth, they all felt like one dimensional prop figures (e.g. Big Brother, Mean Roommate).
There were several issues with the writing that I feel like a good round of editing could have cleared up. The dialogue felt unnatural and at times the character interactions were downright cringe-worthy. This would constantly pull me out of the story, and made it very hard for me to finish the book. I also found it very grating that Anya, supposedly a ‘woman’ at 16 by the Ark’s rules (yikes), is constantly being referred to and referring to herself as a ‘little girl’. I could nit-pick about the other problems I found, but it all falls under the main umbrella of ‘Major Editing Required’.
To end on a more positive note, I think with some serious editing that this could be a reasonable Middle Grade/YA novel. The characters all felt very youthful, there was a focus on friendships rather than romantic relationships, and there was no significant violence or horror, making it appealing for younger audiences. Unfortunately at this time I won’t be recommending this book.
I was provided a digital copy of Anya of Ark by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this book. The premise seemed interesting, sort of a ‘Waterworld’ meets ‘Little Mermaid’, minus Kevin Costner and the bad hair. Elements of the plot were quite unique, and I appreciated the effort that went into creating this dystopian world. Unfortunately, there were too many issues for me to truly enjoy this book. Anya as a character felt a lot younger than 16, and I found her to be rather flat as the main voice, and quite irritating at times. I didn’t find much growth in her personality over the course of the story, even though over a year passes and significant events occur. The other characters were also lacking depth, they all felt like one dimensional prop figures (e.g. Big Brother, Mean Roommate).
There were several issues with the writing that I feel like a good round of editing could have cleared up. The dialogue felt unnatural and at times the character interactions were downright cringe-worthy. This would constantly pull me out of the story, and made it very hard for me to finish the book. I also found it very grating that Anya, supposedly a ‘woman’ at 16 by the Ark’s rules (yikes), is constantly being referred to and referring to herself as a ‘little girl’. I could nit-pick about the other problems I found, but it all falls under the main umbrella of ‘Major Editing Required’.
To end on a more positive note, I think with some serious editing that this could be a reasonable Middle Grade/YA novel. The characters all felt very youthful, there was a focus on friendships rather than romantic relationships, and there was no significant violence or horror, making it appealing for younger audiences. Unfortunately at this time I won’t be recommending this book.
December 15, 2020
ANYA OF ARK: BY KRISTIAN JOSEPH
MY VIEW: 4.7/5
🎁 Kristian Joseph made an exciting fiction book brimming with secret and activity. I truly loved it! You continue interfacing with all the characters which isn't simple. It is exceptionally difficult for a writer to make compassion between the reader and the characters; however you can anticipate it in Anya of Ark.
🎁 Anya is an incredible hero. Savvy and daring, Anya has numerous experiences, and she learns a ton about bias, confronting fears, and acknowledgment. I like that, as Anya goes on an actual excursion, she likewise experiences a passionate one. Anya analyzes her biases, particularly her perspectives on individuals and her general surroundings. Her eagerness to develop, change, and gain from others says a ton regarding her character. The submerged world is unordinary and energizing, and the animals of the world are so intriguing. The characters I cherished the most were pearl, hail. Furthermore, jack her auntie and uncle , and a couple of others , I love her capacity under the ocean . I do think it was somewhat tragic on occasion however that is generally on the grounds that I'm generally enthusiastic , I'm happy in the end that her battle was not as weighty as it was in the start of the book .
🎁 I realized that this book would be on my top rundown. It is magnificent to envision another world and this case a gigantic driftwood town where individuals should battle for their survival. I can't stand by to peruse the following portion and unquestionably prescribe this book to any individual who loves tales about tragic universes, furious female characters, inspiring.
🎁 At the last all my regards to I am just amazed with the way of your writing. Would love to read more from you.
MY VIEW: 4.7/5
🎁 Kristian Joseph made an exciting fiction book brimming with secret and activity. I truly loved it! You continue interfacing with all the characters which isn't simple. It is exceptionally difficult for a writer to make compassion between the reader and the characters; however you can anticipate it in Anya of Ark.
🎁 Anya is an incredible hero. Savvy and daring, Anya has numerous experiences, and she learns a ton about bias, confronting fears, and acknowledgment. I like that, as Anya goes on an actual excursion, she likewise experiences a passionate one. Anya analyzes her biases, particularly her perspectives on individuals and her general surroundings. Her eagerness to develop, change, and gain from others says a ton regarding her character. The submerged world is unordinary and energizing, and the animals of the world are so intriguing. The characters I cherished the most were pearl, hail. Furthermore, jack her auntie and uncle , and a couple of others , I love her capacity under the ocean . I do think it was somewhat tragic on occasion however that is generally on the grounds that I'm generally enthusiastic , I'm happy in the end that her battle was not as weighty as it was in the start of the book .
🎁 I realized that this book would be on my top rundown. It is magnificent to envision another world and this case a gigantic driftwood town where individuals should battle for their survival. I can't stand by to peruse the following portion and unquestionably prescribe this book to any individual who loves tales about tragic universes, furious female characters, inspiring.
🎁 At the last all my regards to I am just amazed with the way of your writing. Would love to read more from you.
April 2, 2021
Set on an ark made of wreckage, floating on an unending sea, Anya of Ark is an exciting dystopian novel that twists and turns its way through a series of adventures.
The world has flooded, and the last human civilisation has reverted back to more primitive, sexist times, with the men hunting fish for survival while the women mend the ark and care for the needy. Sixteen-year-old Anya Fairheart doesn't fit within the structures of her society. She wants to be a hunter, like her brother, but to do so she must risk betraying those she loves, as well as the gruelling trials of strength and bravery required of every initiate. Before her trials, she sets out on an expedition to a rare rooftop found beneath the surface. There she comes face to face with a monster – and a whole new world – her people could never have dreamed of.
This tale had me hooked from start to finish with fresh plot points and twists. Throughout, I rooted for Anya (a strong, rebellious but kind-hearted soul) and loved exploring the post-apocalyptic worlds both above and below the waves. I enjoyed the subtle commentary on the way we treat our planet and each other, the interesting take on evolution and the concept of moving back towards harmony with nature.
If you like a strong female lead, fast-paced action, undersea legends and solid world building, I recommend giving this a go. I'll certainly be looking out for the next one.
A big thank you to the author for my free copy in exchange for a review.
The world has flooded, and the last human civilisation has reverted back to more primitive, sexist times, with the men hunting fish for survival while the women mend the ark and care for the needy. Sixteen-year-old Anya Fairheart doesn't fit within the structures of her society. She wants to be a hunter, like her brother, but to do so she must risk betraying those she loves, as well as the gruelling trials of strength and bravery required of every initiate. Before her trials, she sets out on an expedition to a rare rooftop found beneath the surface. There she comes face to face with a monster – and a whole new world – her people could never have dreamed of.
This tale had me hooked from start to finish with fresh plot points and twists. Throughout, I rooted for Anya (a strong, rebellious but kind-hearted soul) and loved exploring the post-apocalyptic worlds both above and below the waves. I enjoyed the subtle commentary on the way we treat our planet and each other, the interesting take on evolution and the concept of moving back towards harmony with nature.
If you like a strong female lead, fast-paced action, undersea legends and solid world building, I recommend giving this a go. I'll certainly be looking out for the next one.
A big thank you to the author for my free copy in exchange for a review.
April 3, 2021
(3.5)
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the concept of the flood and I love anything that takes place in a world of water! I'm also a huge fan of creature books so this was definitely an anticipated read for me.
The story was enjoyable, and for the most part I liked the characters. I definitely sped through it, and I want to carry on with the story and find out what happens next! I had a good time reading it overall.
However, giving it a 3.5 stars pains me because my only problem was with the editing! I think this book could be so so much greater if it was given a good once over by someone and had some editing done! The writing in spots is a bit cringey and sometimes the plot comes across as very unbelievable. At points it even took me out of the story! Also there were some very minor contradictions in the writing that made me question some aspects of the timeline.
This was overall a good book, I really enjoyed it and I would definitely recommend it. I think a younger audience will love it and I am going to be carrying on with the story. I do also want to check out other stuff by the author so I'm excited for that!
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the concept of the flood and I love anything that takes place in a world of water! I'm also a huge fan of creature books so this was definitely an anticipated read for me.
The story was enjoyable, and for the most part I liked the characters. I definitely sped through it, and I want to carry on with the story and find out what happens next! I had a good time reading it overall.
However, giving it a 3.5 stars pains me because my only problem was with the editing! I think this book could be so so much greater if it was given a good once over by someone and had some editing done! The writing in spots is a bit cringey and sometimes the plot comes across as very unbelievable. At points it even took me out of the story! Also there were some very minor contradictions in the writing that made me question some aspects of the timeline.
This was overall a good book, I really enjoyed it and I would definitely recommend it. I think a younger audience will love it and I am going to be carrying on with the story. I do also want to check out other stuff by the author so I'm excited for that!
October 23, 2021
Questo libro è davvero unico e ringrazio l’autore per avermi mandato una copia 🤍
Anya Fairheart vive su un'arca gigantesca, in un mondo post apocalittico, in cui le città sono per la maggior parte sommerse dall'acqua. Gli abitanti vivono su queste Arche che li tiene lontani dai mostri marini.
Il forte legame con il fratello e gli zii la tiene a bada dal non diventare cacciatrice, tuttavia ben presto sceglierà se stessa mettendo da parte gli altri. Una grande storia di formazione perfetta per chi ama gli YA con ambientazioni post apocalittiche.
Anya vive in un mondo duro, nel quale solo i forti sopravvivono e ne sono stata risucchiata completamente. Devo fare i complimenti all'autore per la creazione del mondo sommerso, davvero realistico e immersivo (scusate il gioco di parole). Le creature acquatiche vivono nelle vecchie città sommerse, è davvero fantastico!
Parliamo ora della protagonista, Anya è coraggiosa e intelligente e riesce a inserirsi nelle società che visita in maniera esemplare.
+
Raccomando questo libro se volete una ventata di aria fresca e volete cimentarvi in una lettura in lingua inglese (non è tradotto)
Anya Fairheart vive su un'arca gigantesca, in un mondo post apocalittico, in cui le città sono per la maggior parte sommerse dall'acqua. Gli abitanti vivono su queste Arche che li tiene lontani dai mostri marini.
Il forte legame con il fratello e gli zii la tiene a bada dal non diventare cacciatrice, tuttavia ben presto sceglierà se stessa mettendo da parte gli altri. Una grande storia di formazione perfetta per chi ama gli YA con ambientazioni post apocalittiche.
Anya vive in un mondo duro, nel quale solo i forti sopravvivono e ne sono stata risucchiata completamente. Devo fare i complimenti all'autore per la creazione del mondo sommerso, davvero realistico e immersivo (scusate il gioco di parole). Le creature acquatiche vivono nelle vecchie città sommerse, è davvero fantastico!
Parliamo ora della protagonista, Anya è coraggiosa e intelligente e riesce a inserirsi nelle società che visita in maniera esemplare.
+
Raccomando questo libro se volete una ventata di aria fresca e volete cimentarvi in una lettura in lingua inglese (non è tradotto)
March 6, 2023
Kristian Joseph came out with a unique concept for this type of book. I loved that this was unique in the underwater world genre, I enjoyed getting to know Anya. The story worked well in a post-apocalyptic world and I was invested in what was going on, it worked well overall and left me wanting to read more in this world.
"Anya sat shaking; it was warmer now than before, but she was still very cold. Why did I ever say the words? Why did I ever say I wanted to be a hunter? she thought. She grasped her emerite necklace, it was warm, and then she wondered what her mother would do. Her mother would tell them all where to go. She would overcome such animosity, become a master hunter, and show them how wrong they were."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Anya sat shaking; it was warmer now than before, but she was still very cold. Why did I ever say the words? Why did I ever say I wanted to be a hunter? she thought. She grasped her emerite necklace, it was warm, and then she wondered what her mother would do. Her mother would tell them all where to go. She would overcome such animosity, become a master hunter, and show them how wrong they were."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
April 3, 2021This story has serious potential and I was very fond of the main character, which is one of the most important things in order to like the book. Anya is confident, hard-working, diligent and mostly has the soul of explorer, of fighter. I loved how she as a girl, as a woman fighted for her rights and equality, which is very modern and relatable issue nowadays. I loved how author was able to make her a bit cocky and confident and not arrogant and at the same time sensitive and caring. I also really liked the bond between her and her's brother, which reminded my a bit of main protagonists from Children of blood and bone by Tomi Adeyemi. ....more here: https://tinisworldofreads.wordpress.com/
November 27, 2020
This is a brilliant novel from Kristian Joseph. As a huge fan of fantasy, I thought I had seen all concepts played out before, and boy was I wrong. Kristian Joseph has come up with a completely fresh and unique new concept, that I immediately fell in love with. Add on top this a cast of strong, yet sometimes flawed, compelling characters, I highly recommend this book.
April 22, 2024
The idea was very interesting, but the execution was a little off. A bit rushed. Lots of grammar mistakes, though that may have been the editor? Lots of run on sentences. Giving it 3 stars because the idea was very intriguing.
October 26, 2020
This book had a good plot and the world building was good. And will definitely read book 2 when it comes out. But the narration could use some work.
November 6, 2020
I enjoying this book, I would definitely read book 2, I think the narrative need a bit of work but is a easy to read and interesting fiction book.
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