Hesha Vira's Challenge

by Lyn McGinnis

Sinkin, a youth of the powerful quadruped Suvuka, prepares for his brutal rite of passage: a long, dangerous run that will determine his place in a once dominant species now confined to a fraction of their homeland.

Across the sea, Seti a wandering Tolku boy who claims he can speak with invisible spirits and interpret dreams is taken aboard a merchant ship. Extraordinary yet fragile, he becomes a bridge between faith, fear, and the old beliefs that still haunt his people.

And within the ruling citadel of the Tatchlan System, Shuna-Shapta trains as a devoted Invocate, learning to navigate the vast, living infrastructure woven across Anu. As rebellion rises within Tatchlan itself and one of the Twelve Principal Faces begins acting unpredictably, her world stands on the brink of unraveling.

Drawn together by fate, these three young figures travel across a richly imagined planet where technology meets mysticism, ancient powers awaken, and the balance between cultures threatens to collapse.

A sweeping epic of worldbuilding, alien civilizations, spiritual conflict, and coming-of-age transformation.
Perfect for readers who love Dune, The Left Hand of Darkness, and deeply immersive fantasy worlds.

656 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2021

About the author

I am a Canadian author whose first seventy years have been shaped by extensive exploration, lifelong learning, and travel across the globe. Early inspirations arose from immersing myself in the great fantasy and science-fiction classics, Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Herbert’s Dune series, and Asimov’s Foundation series, which helped ignite the imaginative foundation for my Utopia Epic Fantasy series.

My writing is also informed by my lived experience as a member of the LGBTQ community, allowing subtle elements of that identity to enrich the worlds and characters I create.

Reviews

[Jim Parrott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am accustomed to reading fantasy novels in which the struggles are largely similar to those in human cultures. “Hesha Vira’s Challenge” takes the reader somewhere entirely different. On the surface, it is a story of three cultures - two of them involving the human-like Tolku and the third involving the Suvuka (which might be described as gigantic bear-like sentient beings who place a strong emphasis on strength and conflict).

What sets this story apart is that, over a very long period of time, one of its cultures has achieved many advancements through the creation of the Living System of Tatchlan – an immense infrastructure laid over the physical world, and accessible to trained adepts who maintain self-discipline by following practices similar to those in Buddhism. A critical aspect to this system is a set of major and minor symbols called Faces. These icons lend something like a religious feel to the entire system.

The author’s detailed descriptions of Tatchlan give the reader some idea of how what we call science and technology might have developed quite differently on another world. There could not, of course, be a major ideology like this without opposition – and this forms the basis for conflict between the two major groups within the Tolku. Tatchlan also touches the other resident species, the Suvuka in a deeply problematic manner.

The book is told from the point of view of three characters each of whom assumes a role central to their respective cultures: Shuna-Shapta (of the Tatchlan Tolku culture), Seti (of the non-Tatchlan Tolku culture) and Sinkin (of the Suvuka). As we learn about the conflicts between the cultures, the paths of the three protagonists begin to converge. At the same time, matters start to spin out of control when one of the Twelve Principal Faces begins to behave in a manner not anticipated by the Tatchlan Masters.

The opening chapters provide the back story through very detailed visual descriptions and narratives. The beginning felt slow to me, but after the scene had been set and the main characters introduced, the pace picked up and the plot developed in ways that were anything but predictable. And a set of truly amazing adventures began. When I reached the end of this first volume, I was already waiting for more – wanting to see the next development in this epic story. My one disappointment was that my Kobo e-reader rendered the numerous colour illustrations in black and white. Many of them are available, however, at the associated website.

For transparency: I am acquainted with the author. I confess that I bought a copy of this book mainly to support her as a newly published writer, not expecting to become drawn completely into this world. What a pleasant surprise I had!

[Scott Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGinnis has crafted a complex and intriguing world. I would say it requires a reader’s undivided attention and I would recommend readers spend time exploring the appendices and artwork at anuawakesseries.com to get a complete understanding. The amount of thought and creativity that has gone into the development of this world is staggering. I look forward to the second book.

[Simona CZene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a person of many words, but this book is a spectacle. The creativity of the writer is mind-blowing, and the writing talent so beautiful and unique. Highly recommended! Steph

[FRANK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amarel Mountain is a haunting meditation on loss, futility, and the slow decay of meaning. Set on the dying world of Anu, its beauty is shadowed by despair civilizations crumble, faith fractures, and the young inherit only the ruins of their elders’ mistakes. Sinkin’s rite of passage feels less like growth and more like surrender. Seti’s visions blur madness and revelation, while Shuna Shapta’s struggle within Tatchlan mirrors a system devouring itself. The novel is brilliant, but heavy an aching reflection on how even in triumph, sentient beings remain haunted by the ghosts of what they’ve destroyed.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set on the distant world of Anu, this richly imagined sci-fi epic weaves three intersecting narratives of conflict, belief, and transformation. Sinkin, a young Suvuka from a defeated quadruped species, undertakes a perilous rite of passage amid the ruins of his people’s former glory. Meanwhile, Seti, a Tolku youth haunted by visions and voices, seeks meaning in a fractured spiritual landscape, while Shuna Shapta, an aspiring Invocate, struggles to master her powers as rebellion brews within the mysterious Tatchlan System.

[Josh Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book transports readers to the alien world of Anu with exceptional depth and imagination. The author skillfully weaves together three storylines each distinct yet connected by the planet’s mysterious living system and the echoes of an ancient war. Sinkin’s quiet strength, Seti’s haunting spirituality, and Shuna Shapta’s disciplined intellect create a tapestry of perspectives on faith, power, and destiny. It’s a thoughtful, slow burning narrative that rewards patient readers with moments of revelation and awe.

[BOBBY · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting and imaginative tale set on the distant world of Anu, Hesha Vira’s Challenge follows three young beings Sinkin, Seti, and Shuna Shapta whose separate paths intertwine amid conflict, faith, and transformation. McGinnis blends myth and science with lyrical precision, crafting a world both alien and deeply human. Profound, atmospheric, and full of wonder, this is a striking exploration of destiny and renewal.

[FLORIDA GIRL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amarel Mountain transports readers to the hauntingly beautiful world of Anu, where destiny, faith, and survival intertwine. Through the journeys of Sinkin, Seti, and Shuna Shapta, Lyn McGinnis crafts a breathtaking saga of transformation and cosmic mystery. The novel’s worldbuilding is vast and immersive, its characters deeply human despite their alien forms. Every page shimmers with philosophical depth and emotional power a stunning work of imagination that lingers long after the final word.

[James Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyn McGinnis crafts a challenging but rewarding narrative in Hesha Vira’s Challenge. The alien cultures and spiritual systems are deeply developed, though the density of the world building may test some readers’ patience. Still, its lyrical prose and thematic depth make it an engrossing read for those drawn to philosophical science fiction.

[Peggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hesha Vira’s Challenge is a deeply imaginative exploration of a world in flux. The planet Anu feels alive, filled with layered societies, ancient conflicts, and spiritual mysteries. Sinkin, Seti, and Shuna Shapta each bring unique perspectives that converge beautifully by the end. A rich and reflective read for lovers of thoughtful science fiction.

[Paul Vecheet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anu is a richly imagined sci-fi story about three young beings from opposing cultures whose paths shape their planet’s fate. Through Sinkin the outcast, Seti the dreamer, and Shuna-Shapta the apprentice Invocate, the book explores conflict, faith, and transformation. Its detailed worldbuilding and lyrical style create a deep, though provoking read about the cost and hope of change.

[Chris Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anu: The Weaving of Worlds is a stunning blend of imagination and depth. Through the journeys of Sinkin, Seti, and Shuna-Shapta, it explores faith, identity, and destiny on a richly realized alien world. With its powerful themes and masterful storytelling, this book deserves high praise and recognition for Outstanding World Building and Best Speculative Fiction Narrative.

[Kimijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anu is a richly imagined fantasy set on a distant planet in transition. Through the stories of Sinkin, Seti, and Shuna Shapta, it explores power, faith, and destiny across divided species and mystical realms. The world feels both fantastical and believable, blending deep lore with human emotion to create a compelling, thought provoking tale.

[Band Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anu is a beautifully crafted sci-fi tale set on a distant planet in turmoil. Through the intertwined journeys of Sinkin, Seti, and Shuna-Shapta, it explores identity, faith, and transformation across divided species. The worldbuilding is rich, the prose lyrical, and the story deeply emotional. Though complex, it rewards patient readers with a powerful, thought provoking experience.

[CHRISTOPHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the planet Anu, three lives Sinkin, a fallen warrior; Seti, a haunted dream reader; and Shuna Shapta, a seeker of higher powers intertwine in a tale of faith, survival, and destiny. Stunningly original and emotionally resonant, this story captures both the wonder of alien worlds and the timeless struggle for redemption.

[T B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterwork of imagination and empathy, this story of Sinkin, Seti, and Shuna-Shapta captures the aching beauty of a world on the brink of transformation. The planet Anu feels alive its spiritual pulse woven through every page. A meditation on identity, faith, and reconciliation, this novel reminds us that even in alien worlds, the struggle to find meaning is deeply human.

[Cythla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anu: The Three Paths is a stunning tale of transformation and destiny. Through Sinkin the outcast, Seti the dream peaker, and Shuna Shapta the apprentice Invocate, the story weaves a rich tapestry of myth, conflict, and hope on a vividly imagined alien world. Lyrical, strange, and deeply moving a cosmic coming of age unlike any other.

[ALEEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amarel Mountain transports readers to the alien world of Anu, where myth, science, and destiny entwine. Through Sinkin, Seti, and Shuna Shapta, Lyn McGinnis weaves a spellbinding tapestry of rebirth and rebellion. The novel’s worldbuilding is rich, its themes profound, and its emotional resonance unforgettable a masterwork of imagination and intellect.

[Suzie Dive · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweeping, imaginative triumph. This story threads three lives Suvuka, Tolku, and the mystical Invocates into a breathtaking tapestry of destiny. Rich, poetic world-building and emotionally charged journeys make this an extraordinary odyssey across Anu. A must read for lovers of deep, thoughtful sci-fi.

[Sigridn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A richly imagined epic that blends alien cultures, spiritual mysticism, and political tension into a sweeping coming-of-age story. With intricate worldbuilding and emotionally grounded characters, this novel feels both vast and intimate perfect for readers who crave immersive, thought-provoking science fantasy.

[Calendia]

This book unfolds like a living myth. Each character’s journey is deeply personal yet inseparable from the fate of their world, where ancient belief and living technology collide. Thoughtful, atmospheric, and beautifully strange, it rewards readers who love slow-burning, intelligent speculative fiction.

[Brown Valencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hesha Vira’s Challenge is a melancholy and mesmerizing journey across a dying world. McGinnis writes with quiet beauty, weaving loss, faith, and transformation into something both tragic and wondrous. It leaves you awed, a little heartbroken, and deeply moved.

[Peggie Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyn McGinnis crafts a breathtaking saga of alien civilizations in flux. The intertwined journeys of Sinkin, Seti, and Shuna Shapta reveal a world both strange and hauntingly familiar. Amarel Mountain reads like ancient myth reborn in the stars lyrical, thought provoking, and utterly immersive.

[WILLAMS ANTHONY · Rating 5 out of 5]

With poetic depth and visionary scope, Amarel Mountain explores faith, identity, and evolution across species and epochs. McGinnis’s prose is luminous, her ideas daring. Few novels reach this blend of cosmic wonder and spiritual insight. A stunning achievement.

[Austin James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ambitious and absorbing science-fantasy epic. The interwoven journeys of Sinkin, Seti, and Shuna Shapta create a powerful exploration of identity, belief, and cultural survival. Fans of Dune and The Left Hand of Darkness will feel right at home in this layered, unforgettable world

[BLICKILY · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning blend of myth, science, and spirit “Anu” is a visionary tale of war, faith, and transformation across a living world.

[Suziedivebbc · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Amarel Mountain, Lyn McGinnis reshapes the boundaries of imagination, delivering a tale that’s as emotionally powerful as it is intellectually bold.

[ENLERY · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting and visionary tale of faith, identity, and destiny. On Anu, every soul beast or being runs its own course toward truth. A deeply layered story that lingers long after the final page.

[JORDAN DANIEL · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic journey across species and souls. ‘Anu’ is not just another world it’s a mirror held up to ours, asking who we become when our gods and systems begin to fail