Katari Valentine

by Taki Drake, Diane Velasquez (Editor), Dorene Johnson (Editor)

For most children, everyday life is an adventure. There are always new discoveries to be made, and unique experiences to be savored or sometimes feared. For Jeffrey Hendam, those experiences were part of living on Earth in a big metropolis with his mother and interacting with school, friends, and extended family. He occasionally dreamed of doing wild and crazy things, but he was not very big or strong for his age, so his options were limited. The youngster had found himself a comfortable niche with friends he adored and looked forward to the adventures that only young children could experience. All of that changed the day he came home and found out that his mother had made arrangements to send him to his father. It was only then that the young boy realized that the coolness he had felt from his mother had many sources. Jeffrey was immediately swept up by forces of legal and bureaucratic processes. Torn out of the only home he had known to be abruptly dumped without warning in the care of a man he had never met before and had assumed was dead. His living, breathing father. The timing could not have been worse. It was the eve of the man’s departure for a multiyear world exploration study. So the son who had never known his father and a man who did not know his child were caught in the whirlwind of an alien planet and building interaction with the first sentient race humans had encountered. The challenges of learning to parent and relating to people with an open heart and mind were daunting. But, a child’s innocence and openness can be a powerful force in the universe, and Jeffrey was determined to take this chance at having a real family. Put that together with alien races and carnivorous vegetation, and you get a truly epic adventure.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2021

About the author

The mixture of technology and magic is where my mind and heart live. In today's world, it mixes engineering and creativity. In the worlds of my mind, technology and magic live intertwined. I hope that you will find my stories interesting enough to be frequent visitors to where my heart beats.

Reviews

[defenbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected delight

I wasn't sure where this was going with a MC so much younger than usual, but the sample hooked me and I went along for the ride. The author portrays the feelings and relationships from a 9 year old prospective so well. I love first encounter and developing alien relations in sci-fi so much and this was one filled with hope and promise. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Stacy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written

Like another reviewer, I too was a little hesitant about the main character being a 9 year old boy. Do t let that bother you at all. This book was so well written that you do t even notice. This was an amazing book with insights on human behaviour and humans willingness to learn. I can not wait for the next book!!

[Marsha Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

an arresting read

Unlike any book I’ve read before, Taki Drake explores how emotion communicates and can cross barriers. Touching briefly on many aspects in such a way as to make the reader think of implications but not overwhelmed. A touching story of an unloved child who blossoms when offered a true gift of friendship. I hope there will be many more books!

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pick this one

This tale crosses genres with ease. Want a little magical realism with your space opera? It's here. Want adventure fantasy and idealism. It's here. Definitely Utopian. It also is good literature in an unassuming KU format. I loved it

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasantly Surprised

Really enjoyed this story. Want more and new experiences on Katar. Looking forward to more about Jeffery and all his friends.

[Te Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally worth it

The most enjoyable book I have had in a long time. Can not wait for the next book in the series. Loved the characters. Thank you😺

[Marilyn Casto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait

I am eagerly awaiting the next book of the series. Taki please hurry! Time will slow down until I have the next one in my hands.

[Kathy Brann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming of age story

Finding happiness with grandparents and cousins as mother is cold,strict and regimented. Then even having that thrown away when arriving home one day to find mother gone with note that you are being shipped to unknown father on another planet in a month and no known relative can help. What is a lone empath to do? Read to find out. A must buy and read over and over again. I hope there is more of this world. Thanks to the author for this story.