Unaware: The Adventures of ViLuma

by L.C. Reid

Four teenagers with different pasts will share a common destiny.

What do an outspoken rich-kid, a Spanish overachiever, an outcast, and the black sheep of a family all have in common? Nothing, except Olivia, Brooks, Emilie, and Lucía find themselves locked in a foreign jail on another planet far from Earth.

None of them know how they got there or why they are now prisoners. Not knowing each other, their only connection is the city in which they all live.

When the foursome are unceremoniously freed from their cell and dumped in a destitute town on another planet, they must help each other find their way home. If they fail, they will be changed into aliens and join the inhabitant slaves to those in political power.

Unaware: The Adventures of ViLuma is a fantasy novel that explores the intersection of inequality, justice and forgiveness. Readers will discover what it means to have inner strength, and, most importantly, the fact that we all have something in common.

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2021

About the author

L.C. Reid is passionate about justice and how people are represented in society. Putting her education in gender and justice studies to work, her fantasy novel, Unaware, addresses how people are represented in culture. She hopes her story will elicit self-awareness for others about their place in communities and affect their actions positively. In her debut book, she has built themes around non-judgement and understanding the basis of one’s beliefs.

In her free time, Reid often listens to music, plays card games with her family, and reads while cuddling with her dog.

Reviews

[Justine Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author puts the issues of race and inequality (which are very real) in an alternate universe (not real) to show that these issues still persist no matter the environment. The only way to overcome these issues of race and inequality, and perhaps the misunderstanding and miscommunication of different cultures is through communication, unity and forgiveness. A wonderful read from a great ally who seeks to amplify the voices and struggles of people of color.

[Rachel Mumaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though Unaware takes place in a wonderfully built fantasy setting, the issues that the characters face are very much present in our reality. Through the lively and well-written characters we are forced to confront the realities of inequality and injustice in our world, and I believe we're better off for it.

[A.E. Hearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unaware: The Adventures of ViLuma seeks to shine light on the fact that no matter how different people may seem, we all have commonalities that can bring us together much more than our differences...if we allow them to. I loved the fantasy and action throughout this book interweaved with essential lessons that every reader will benefit from.

[Chuck Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first novel subtly champions diversity with a haunting tale that is a dystopian fantasy of young people sucked into a lake of dreams, danger and mystery. Unforgettable, this fresh new voice bears watching ... and reading!

[Cheryl V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting story that mixes a little sci-fi with a caste system of government. Very enjoyable. Loved the characters.

[Kelly Coons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exploring the intersection between classism and racism, Reid, in her debut novel, is unafraid of using fantasy to make difficult discussions about our world more palatable.