What do you think?
Rate this book
The Song of Kamaria #2
On the Winds of Quasars
The thrilling sequel to In the Orbit of Sirens
THE WORLD OF KAMARIA WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
In the aftermath of the brutal slaying of a sacred auk’nai deity, Cade and Nella Castus are taken from their home and brought deep into the wilderness. They must make their way back to civilization, traversing dangerous landscapes as they are pursued relentlessly by their captor—a winged abomination.
As Denton and Eliana search for their missing children, they uncover something that will change all life on Kamaria forever.
THE WORLD OF KAMARIA WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
In the aftermath of the brutal slaying of a sacred auk’nai deity, Cade and Nella Castus are taken from their home and brought deep into the wilderness. They must make their way back to civilization, traversing dangerous landscapes as they are pursued relentlessly by their captor—a winged abomination.
As Denton and Eliana search for their missing children, they uncover something that will change all life on Kamaria forever.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2021
3 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
T.A. Bruno
5 books101 followersT. A. Bruno grew up in a suburb south of Chicago and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film industry. Since then, he has brought stories to life for over a decade as a previsualization artist. At home, he is the proud father of two boys and a husband to a wonderful wife.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 7, 2022
Diving into The Winds of Quasars is like visiting an old friend. If you have loved In the Orbit of Sirens, then this sequel will welcome you with open arms to another exciting adventure on Kamaria you don’t want to miss out on.
It’s been two decades since the Apusticus auk’nai and the human Odysseus Colony have battled the Nhymn and the obliteration it caused. While Denton Castus’s parents are getting older, he and Eliana have been married and raised two children, Cade and Nella. The Castus machine shop is still in the family and a lot of exciting AI technology is being developed while the brothers still take their parts in it.
There is excitement in the air as Cade, who has been stationed in space for a few years is due to return home…with a promotion! Everyone is preparing and looking forward to spending time with him when things happen at once. News of the murder of the great Daunoren, the mythical bird that is honored in rituals and lends powers to the auk’nai, is taking everyone for a detour in their day. The scouts, Eliana and Denton meet to create a plan and an investigation, but things turn even worse when Cade and Nella are being kidnapped shortly after by a monster.
Through the expedition of both parties, the investigative team, and the path that Cade and Nella take, an imaginative and highly varied world opens to the reader, wonderfully immersive and interesting with plenty of wild flora and fauna. As the plot spikes excitingly at different moments and little cliffhangers engage to keep on turning those pages, there are plenty of moments to learn more of the lore and history in retrospect and some unresolved moments from In the Orbit of Sirens. Many of the old characters find their way back into the novel as well as some new ones too.
What I really enjoyed about this story is something that stood out to me already in the first book. Bruno’s voice is warm and inviting as he brings characters to life and focuses strongly on family bonds. It is always nice to meet down-to-earth characters as well as those with physical disabilities and in this book we have them both. Bruno’s way of writing exciting passages of action is not to be dismissed either, they read as if watching a movie. If there is someone’s storytelling I want to fall into with popcorn, it would be his among some other favorites.
I also want to mention something because it completes the entirety of the story-telling and plot, that the art pieces throughout, in small and whole page formats, chapter headings, and the map are amazing! Again, this whole endeavor is nothing short of excellent.
There are some OUTSTANDING reviews posted for this novel and I didn’t want to spoil too much of this book for other readers by going into great detail, but this series is fantastic and deserves to be read. If you are curious about book one, check out my review and interview on my site with a glimpse of all the great artwork.
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
The Fantasy Hive
It’s been two decades since the Apusticus auk’nai and the human Odysseus Colony have battled the Nhymn and the obliteration it caused. While Denton Castus’s parents are getting older, he and Eliana have been married and raised two children, Cade and Nella. The Castus machine shop is still in the family and a lot of exciting AI technology is being developed while the brothers still take their parts in it.
There is excitement in the air as Cade, who has been stationed in space for a few years is due to return home…with a promotion! Everyone is preparing and looking forward to spending time with him when things happen at once. News of the murder of the great Daunoren, the mythical bird that is honored in rituals and lends powers to the auk’nai, is taking everyone for a detour in their day. The scouts, Eliana and Denton meet to create a plan and an investigation, but things turn even worse when Cade and Nella are being kidnapped shortly after by a monster.
Through the expedition of both parties, the investigative team, and the path that Cade and Nella take, an imaginative and highly varied world opens to the reader, wonderfully immersive and interesting with plenty of wild flora and fauna. As the plot spikes excitingly at different moments and little cliffhangers engage to keep on turning those pages, there are plenty of moments to learn more of the lore and history in retrospect and some unresolved moments from In the Orbit of Sirens. Many of the old characters find their way back into the novel as well as some new ones too.
What I really enjoyed about this story is something that stood out to me already in the first book. Bruno’s voice is warm and inviting as he brings characters to life and focuses strongly on family bonds. It is always nice to meet down-to-earth characters as well as those with physical disabilities and in this book we have them both. Bruno’s way of writing exciting passages of action is not to be dismissed either, they read as if watching a movie. If there is someone’s storytelling I want to fall into with popcorn, it would be his among some other favorites.
I also want to mention something because it completes the entirety of the story-telling and plot, that the art pieces throughout, in small and whole page formats, chapter headings, and the map are amazing! Again, this whole endeavor is nothing short of excellent.
There are some OUTSTANDING reviews posted for this novel and I didn’t want to spoil too much of this book for other readers by going into great detail, but this series is fantastic and deserves to be read. If you are curious about book one, check out my review and interview on my site with a glimpse of all the great artwork.
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
The Fantasy Hive
June 12, 2022
I keep finding new reasons to fall in love with this series!!! Action, story progression, great characters all check!!!
The climax of this book had me on the edge of me seat!!! Ai has never been more terrifying. The stakes treachery an all time high in this sophomore outing. Usually I’m wary of a time jump but when done well they can be some of my favorite stories!
TA Bruno has created a space opera packed with life and hard sci fi elements. With a dash of the fantastical. A perfect sequel that serves as a perfect transition into the final book of the trilogy.
I cannot recommend this series enough!
The climax of this book had me on the edge of me seat!!! Ai has never been more terrifying. The stakes treachery an all time high in this sophomore outing. Usually I’m wary of a time jump but when done well they can be some of my favorite stories!
TA Bruno has created a space opera packed with life and hard sci fi elements. With a dash of the fantastical. A perfect sequel that serves as a perfect transition into the final book of the trilogy.
I cannot recommend this series enough!
September 23, 2021
I was sent a digital version of this book and also a signed paperback, in exchange for an honest review – thank you very much to Justine, Timy and T. A. Bruno!
On the Winds of Quasars is the sequel to In the Orbit of Sirens which I thoroughly enjoyed reading earlier this year. I greatly appreciated the recap included at the beginning of the book – it has been a while since I read the first book and I had forgotten some of the details which the recap mentions. There are also recaps peppered throughout the early chapters which was a good idea in such a richly different world, with a complex story.
The majority of this sequel takes place twenty-six years after the original book, but many of our old friends are happily back again. Denton and Eliana are now married and Denton’s parents are in their 80s. Faye Raike; Marie Viray and Jess Combs the Tvashtar marine are still part of the scout team. Talulo the wingless auk’nai is their pilot and George Tanaka is now stationed at the Telemachus outpost, at the location where the main antagonist, Nhymn the siren, was brought down in the previous book. The Telemachus space ship which was crashed into Nhymn in order to defeat her is still standing at the site and vines and other more sinister wildlife have adopted it as their home.
The once pristine domed settlement of Odysseus City is now more run down with crime and poverty rearing their ugly heads. Auk’nai and humans are living in a combined society and many younger Auk’nai have given up their societal traditions. It’s clear that Bruno has given a lot of thought to how the city would have changed over the intervening timeframe.
As with In the Orbit of Sirens we are treated to plenty of interesting flora and fauna found on the planet of Kamaria and once again the world-building is cinematic and easy to visualise. The colours are vivid and the animals are imaginatively described:
“They passed a lemurbat nest. The small bidpedal creatures had slick purple skin, large ears, and four orange eyes. Among the six curious lemurbats in the nest, the glint of their eyes made them look like a much larger crowd. When Homer’s robotic body moved past the nest, the lemurbats scurried deeper into their hole.”
The story of On the Winds of Quasars begins with a gripping murder mystery – the massive Daunoren bird, revered by Kamaria’s native Auk’nai species as the god of the mountain, has been killed. This is a terrible tragedy and puts an end to their ability to see the past. Old fashioned detective work will therefore be needed to find the murderer.
Denton and Eliana have two grown up children, Cade and Nella Castus. Cade works in space as an engineer, but returns at the beginning of the book for a well-earned break with his parents after being “Up” (in space) for a six year stint; and Nella, who is deaf and works as a botanist with Marie Viray. The importance of family is a strong theme in this series and we see a great example of that at Cade’s ‘welcome home’ get-together, with his grandparents visiting, as well as his uncles, and everyone playing backyard sports together. Nella and Cade are close and their strong bond is heart-warming and helps them survive as the story progresses.
The mystery continues and Cade and Nella are kidnapped by a monster with three yellow eyes. Through flashbacks we learn more about this monster and at about the half way point in the story the veil is lifted for both the reader and the monster! It is a clever and thrilling plot point, without giving anything away here, and the tension continues to intensify as Denton and Eliana search for their children, making increasingly horrifying discoveries about the planet, the more they search. Their search takes them from one side of Kamaria to the other and the map included with the book was a useful resource which I often referred to.
My favourite section of the thrilling chase was a sequence where Cade and Nella are trying to escape the monster and return home, and come across the colossal timbermen parade, climbing up onto one of these walking trees enables them to cross a large lake:
“Hundreds of timbermen paraded through the lake. Their enormous legs moved through the water, soaking up as much as they could hold in their bodies for their long migration. The lake rested in the basin of a circle of mountains, emptying on the opposite side through some canyons. Waterfalls spilled from high ledges on the surrounding cliffs, making the entire basin look like an enormous fountain. Birds circled overhead, some diving into the water to gobble up fish, others resting on the branches of the timbermen.”
In this book we finally learn the backstory of the fearsome Undriel race who drove humanity away from the Sol System in Book 1 of the Song of Kamaria and of course it can all be traced back to greedy humans who wanted to be able to act like gods. The horror of being used as a puppet by a terrifying enemy while also being aware that you cannot do anything to stop your body from committing atrocities, is really disturbing. Bruno cleverly uses this device to raise the stakes for our heroes and raise the tension for his readers.
The inclusion of a deaf main character was fantastic and done very seamlessly. Nella’s friends and family use Sol-Sign (similar to ASL) to communicate with her. Her inability to hear what is going on when running from the monster raises the tension level substantially. I would imagine a lot of deaf people would like to get their hands on one of the fantastic soothreader devices which Nella also has access to, and which can translate her sign language into spoken word for anyone who doesn’t know how to sign. Nella was my favourite character in the story – she seemed a very warm compassionate and genuine human being.
While I am on the subject of characters I will say that I had trouble figuring out the point of Zephyr, Cade’s love interest. She joined the search for Cade and Nella but didn’t seem to bring an awful lot to it, or to the story as a whole. I am wondering if she was introduced in this book because she has a larger part to play in the finale.
On the Winds of Quasars is a thrilling story with many edge-of-the-seat moments and which ends with quite a few loose ends waiting to be tied up by the final book in the series. I found it difficult to put down and can’t wait to find out what direction the story will go in next!
On the Winds of Quasars is the sequel to In the Orbit of Sirens which I thoroughly enjoyed reading earlier this year. I greatly appreciated the recap included at the beginning of the book – it has been a while since I read the first book and I had forgotten some of the details which the recap mentions. There are also recaps peppered throughout the early chapters which was a good idea in such a richly different world, with a complex story.
The majority of this sequel takes place twenty-six years after the original book, but many of our old friends are happily back again. Denton and Eliana are now married and Denton’s parents are in their 80s. Faye Raike; Marie Viray and Jess Combs the Tvashtar marine are still part of the scout team. Talulo the wingless auk’nai is their pilot and George Tanaka is now stationed at the Telemachus outpost, at the location where the main antagonist, Nhymn the siren, was brought down in the previous book. The Telemachus space ship which was crashed into Nhymn in order to defeat her is still standing at the site and vines and other more sinister wildlife have adopted it as their home.
The once pristine domed settlement of Odysseus City is now more run down with crime and poverty rearing their ugly heads. Auk’nai and humans are living in a combined society and many younger Auk’nai have given up their societal traditions. It’s clear that Bruno has given a lot of thought to how the city would have changed over the intervening timeframe.
As with In the Orbit of Sirens we are treated to plenty of interesting flora and fauna found on the planet of Kamaria and once again the world-building is cinematic and easy to visualise. The colours are vivid and the animals are imaginatively described:
“They passed a lemurbat nest. The small bidpedal creatures had slick purple skin, large ears, and four orange eyes. Among the six curious lemurbats in the nest, the glint of their eyes made them look like a much larger crowd. When Homer’s robotic body moved past the nest, the lemurbats scurried deeper into their hole.”
The story of On the Winds of Quasars begins with a gripping murder mystery – the massive Daunoren bird, revered by Kamaria’s native Auk’nai species as the god of the mountain, has been killed. This is a terrible tragedy and puts an end to their ability to see the past. Old fashioned detective work will therefore be needed to find the murderer.
Denton and Eliana have two grown up children, Cade and Nella Castus. Cade works in space as an engineer, but returns at the beginning of the book for a well-earned break with his parents after being “Up” (in space) for a six year stint; and Nella, who is deaf and works as a botanist with Marie Viray. The importance of family is a strong theme in this series and we see a great example of that at Cade’s ‘welcome home’ get-together, with his grandparents visiting, as well as his uncles, and everyone playing backyard sports together. Nella and Cade are close and their strong bond is heart-warming and helps them survive as the story progresses.
The mystery continues and Cade and Nella are kidnapped by a monster with three yellow eyes. Through flashbacks we learn more about this monster and at about the half way point in the story the veil is lifted for both the reader and the monster! It is a clever and thrilling plot point, without giving anything away here, and the tension continues to intensify as Denton and Eliana search for their children, making increasingly horrifying discoveries about the planet, the more they search. Their search takes them from one side of Kamaria to the other and the map included with the book was a useful resource which I often referred to.
My favourite section of the thrilling chase was a sequence where Cade and Nella are trying to escape the monster and return home, and come across the colossal timbermen parade, climbing up onto one of these walking trees enables them to cross a large lake:
“Hundreds of timbermen paraded through the lake. Their enormous legs moved through the water, soaking up as much as they could hold in their bodies for their long migration. The lake rested in the basin of a circle of mountains, emptying on the opposite side through some canyons. Waterfalls spilled from high ledges on the surrounding cliffs, making the entire basin look like an enormous fountain. Birds circled overhead, some diving into the water to gobble up fish, others resting on the branches of the timbermen.”
In this book we finally learn the backstory of the fearsome Undriel race who drove humanity away from the Sol System in Book 1 of the Song of Kamaria and of course it can all be traced back to greedy humans who wanted to be able to act like gods. The horror of being used as a puppet by a terrifying enemy while also being aware that you cannot do anything to stop your body from committing atrocities, is really disturbing. Bruno cleverly uses this device to raise the stakes for our heroes and raise the tension for his readers.
The inclusion of a deaf main character was fantastic and done very seamlessly. Nella’s friends and family use Sol-Sign (similar to ASL) to communicate with her. Her inability to hear what is going on when running from the monster raises the tension level substantially. I would imagine a lot of deaf people would like to get their hands on one of the fantastic soothreader devices which Nella also has access to, and which can translate her sign language into spoken word for anyone who doesn’t know how to sign. Nella was my favourite character in the story – she seemed a very warm compassionate and genuine human being.
While I am on the subject of characters I will say that I had trouble figuring out the point of Zephyr, Cade’s love interest. She joined the search for Cade and Nella but didn’t seem to bring an awful lot to it, or to the story as a whole. I am wondering if she was introduced in this book because she has a larger part to play in the finale.
On the Winds of Quasars is a thrilling story with many edge-of-the-seat moments and which ends with quite a few loose ends waiting to be tied up by the final book in the series. I found it difficult to put down and can’t wait to find out what direction the story will go in next!
February 19, 2023
This book spellbound me. One of the best sequels i have ever read. Whilst i do still have a few minor points to be made, this was a sequel full of wonder, life, and soul.
Full review soon
Full review soon
December 2, 2022
The second book in the Song of Kamaria series was really good. It continues to be a captivating story and breath-taking world-building. really amazing nature and atmosphere.
This book is set more than 20 years in the future from The Orbit of Sirens and we are following the children of Denton and Eliana, Cade and Nella. two new and unique characters. The time-jump did not bother me and made sense. I love the relationship the humans have with the Auk’nai and was happy to get a bit more from them.
Humans tend to destroy everything they don't know but here the co-habitat the planet with the native creatures.
Also we were introduced to some new creatures living on the planet of Kamaria.
Overall a really enjoyable read and most of all a fantastic listen!
This book is set more than 20 years in the future from The Orbit of Sirens and we are following the children of Denton and Eliana, Cade and Nella. two new and unique characters. The time-jump did not bother me and made sense. I love the relationship the humans have with the Auk’nai and was happy to get a bit more from them.
Humans tend to destroy everything they don't know but here the co-habitat the planet with the native creatures.
Also we were introduced to some new creatures living on the planet of Kamaria.
Overall a really enjoyable read and most of all a fantastic listen!
September 21, 2021
This Review and many more can be found on my Blog Into The Heartwyld
A story full of heartbreak, fear, unknown secrets and world that is brimming full of fascinating and enchanting life. On the Wings of Quasars is fast paced, action packed and will leave you stunned and dying for the next book.
Bruno has done it yet again. While On the Wings of Quasars is shorter than In the Orbit of Sirens, Bruno does not falter in keeping one entertained and completely engrossed in his story. First I’d like to mention that Bruno included a “story so far” opening, which I have to admit is super awesome (not that I needed it since I read book 1 last month but it will definitely come in handy for those with longer breaks between reading series).
The story starts out with a bang, diving into one of last events of the first book from a new character’s perspective. After that our story jumps 26 years into the future where Denton and Eliana are now parents of 2 adult children. Just like last time, the story is split into 4 parts and involves multiple time lines, and again Bruno pulls this off magnificently. We also get to see and discover so much more of Kamaria, and hot damn if I could live on this planet I would. It’s still as beautiful and mesmerizing as before, only this time we got to travel the world with Cade and Nella, even if their reasons for traveling across the planet wasn’t the best, at least they got to enjoy some beautiful scenery and met a new friend before Bruno ripped my heart out and left me a crying mess at the end of Part 2. You know what you did sir.
I will admit part 1 was the slowest for me but it does introduce Cade and Nella, Denton and Eliana’s kids as well as Zephyr, Cade’s friend, and of course L’Arn another Auk’nai (yes I still love them). We are reunited with some old friends and we get the opportunity to see what life is like after the events of Nhymn. Auk’nai and humans are now cohabiting, and i found it really fascinating that Bruno made the choice to have human society fall right back into what one would call “normal”. There is a wealth divide and Bruno shows this when he dives deeper into the results of the cure for Lung-Lock. Its also shown more when learning about Zephyr and the part of town she is from, and the Auk’nai are even being effected by the way human society functions. As we know I love the Auk’nai so seeing how the merging of the two societies was unraveling and effecting them was rough for me. Once all of that is established Bruno ends it on a high note that just sucks you in and the next thing you know your in for the ride of your life.
Parts 2,3,and 4, are so unbelievably action packed and thrilling. They are also absolutely heartbreaking and left me in tears so many times. The action again is well planned out and easy to follow and envision in your mind. There is also a ton of action, and while its not on as large a scale as the first book the action in this is deeper and at times more frightening due to the characters situation. There is also turmoil on Denton and Eliana’s part as they struggle to find their children and Bruno did amazing showing how the situation effected them both personally and together. The end has some really great moments with Denton in high action situations involving his kids and how he responds to the overall moment. As the story is unfolding you slowly start to see what is happening, and at times I was like “omg its__” and then a few chapters later found out I was right. l was blown away by how Bruno was connecting all the mysteries together, its actively engaging and makes you want to figure out what is going on.
Cade and Nella stole the show in this book, I absolutely love these two and seeing them work together through their frightening and rough ordeal was enthralling. Aside from L’Arn, who is my favorite and who I will talk about later, Nella, oh my god, I love this girl. Now Nella is deaf, and before you start the book Bruno leaves a note stating that he worked very closely with members of the Deaf Community to ensure she was properly portrayed. Now I am not deaf, so I do not speak for the community but from my perspective I feel Bruno achieved this beautifully. You can see the work and effort that he put in when writing her character, he doesn’t give her a magical futuristic cure, he shows how different her life is while also showing how she views the world, what scares her most, what frustrates her, but he doesn’t forget to show us the happier side of her, as well as the smart side. She is a ball of warm beautiful energy and I adored her so very much. What he also included was how others interacted with her, her family learns Sol-Sign, but she also has devices that help her to interact with others who do not know Sol-Sign. I loved the realism with Cade when he was in a moment of frantic frenzy and yells for her, while simultaneously reminding himself that won’t work, it was a true portrayal of someone is a dire situation not thinking right and just acting and it really shows the level of depth Bruno went into when creating these two and how they interact with one another. Cade was the protector and power house but also had his moments where he showed his softer side and his love for his sister is beautiful. My favorite moment with them was when he helped Nella communicate with Hrun’dah and not once did he complain, you could tell it was something he enjoyed doing.
Aside from allowing us to explore more parts of Kamaria, we also learn more about the Auk’gnell, another type of Auk’nai that are more wild and are connected to Kamaria on a much deeper level. Bruno establishes small ways that helps one distinguish an Auk’nai from an Auk’gnell, the easiest and quickest difference is their speech pattern. Hrun’dah is an Auk’gnell we get to met and she is brilliant and baddass but also so sweet and gentle. We learn more about the Song of Kamaria itself and how its viewed differently to the Auk’gnell, we learn about the Auk’nai gods. We get the opportunity to learn more about the Undriel and how the war started but we also learn that the humans still don’t know much either. Also please keep giving me more ways Auk’nai and Auk’gnell babies are born we learned how the babies in the North are born and once again I loved it.
Bruno also has a way with writing his villains and bad guys, I love how he creates a villain who isn’t actually bad, while also giving you a villain who is actually terrible and needs to be stopped. He gives you this bad guy who over the course of the story you realize isn’t actually bad, they are being used, manipulated, tricked, and forced to do these horrible crimes. You end up feeling for them and it crushes you, because you want them to overcome it, but Bruno doesn’t pull back, and he goes full force with them and you don’t know what the outcome will be and when it finally happens your left shocked, hurt, angry and sad all rolled into one, and then you direct your anger at the true villain.
Also and I can’t say this enough DO NOT GET ATTACHED TO ANYONE! Bruno gives you these absolutely stunning and amazing characters, he makes you fall in love with them and then he rips them from you. One particular death left me very distraught because it was one of those moments where I knew it was going to happen, I saw it happening, I felt it coming, and I realized, I couldn’t stop it, it was going to happen and it was going to be bloody and horrible and absolutely agonizing to take in. I had to put the book down, I cry easily but not many make me put a book down to really take in what happens. I loved this character she was beautiful and her song was amazing and her relationship with Nella was so touching, I wish we got to have her longer.
Once again Bruno has given us an amazing cast of new characters who each have their own voice and standout from one another. I will say though that Zephyr was a character that didn’t work for me, her importance to the plot is really only tied to Cade which ends up making her feel less developed in comparison to the other characters, her moments always felt convenient for the plot and then she was not seen again until another similar moment was needed. For a while I figured she wouldn’t have any other connection to the story outside of part 1 because she was gone for so long, Hopefully she will have more parts in the next book to help flesh her out and make her, her own character. L’Arn, just like Roelin from the first book, was an instant favorite I just knew I was going to love this character the minute I met him. His entire story arc grabbed me and held on. I had to know what would happen next I wanted more of his chapters. Each revelation that happened I fell deeper for him and as I connected the pieces, I realized it was Roelin all over again, agonizing, yet so enthralling.
The conclusion this time around is a complete and utter huge cliffhanger that has me in all sorts of emotions, Its bittersweet, tragic and shocking. Like I need answers now. I will be (im)patiently waiting the next installment.
Once again you’re probably sitting there going “why the 4.75” well this time it’s not because of the romance, which yes there is and again I am not the target audience for quick paced romance. I will say I do give credit to Bruno for giving the two characters some history, it just wasn’t enough for me to really be all for it, I have to admit I actually enjoyed Denton and Eliana’s romance more. But as I said it was not the romance this time. It was actually all the constant recaps of events, people, and locations from book one. If this is read as a standalone these reminders work, but since I’m reading this as a series it started to really frustrate me. I loved when the recaps where used to explain how the land around a previous event changed, but sometimes we got these overly long reminders of the events from book one that really didn’t feel like they served a purpose, and it started to weigh down on the excitement that was going on, because you were constantly being pulled into these recaps. They aren’t a terrible thing but I do wish there had been less of them, it was the only thing that bothered me from start to finish in this installment.
One the Winds of Quasars is beautiful and heartbreaking while also being action packed and riveting, you wont want to put this down.
One last bit the illustrations by Jason Michael Hall are once again absolutely fantastic.
“His targets were close, and his hunt was almost over. He focused only on following the humans and catching them. It didn’t bother him that the walls began to twitch and slither. The sound of crackling bones didn’t deter his hunt.“
A story full of heartbreak, fear, unknown secrets and world that is brimming full of fascinating and enchanting life. On the Wings of Quasars is fast paced, action packed and will leave you stunned and dying for the next book.
Bruno has done it yet again. While On the Wings of Quasars is shorter than In the Orbit of Sirens, Bruno does not falter in keeping one entertained and completely engrossed in his story. First I’d like to mention that Bruno included a “story so far” opening, which I have to admit is super awesome (not that I needed it since I read book 1 last month but it will definitely come in handy for those with longer breaks between reading series).
The story starts out with a bang, diving into one of last events of the first book from a new character’s perspective. After that our story jumps 26 years into the future where Denton and Eliana are now parents of 2 adult children. Just like last time, the story is split into 4 parts and involves multiple time lines, and again Bruno pulls this off magnificently. We also get to see and discover so much more of Kamaria, and hot damn if I could live on this planet I would. It’s still as beautiful and mesmerizing as before, only this time we got to travel the world with Cade and Nella, even if their reasons for traveling across the planet wasn’t the best, at least they got to enjoy some beautiful scenery and met a new friend before Bruno ripped my heart out and left me a crying mess at the end of Part 2. You know what you did sir.
I will admit part 1 was the slowest for me but it does introduce Cade and Nella, Denton and Eliana’s kids as well as Zephyr, Cade’s friend, and of course L’Arn another Auk’nai (yes I still love them). We are reunited with some old friends and we get the opportunity to see what life is like after the events of Nhymn. Auk’nai and humans are now cohabiting, and i found it really fascinating that Bruno made the choice to have human society fall right back into what one would call “normal”. There is a wealth divide and Bruno shows this when he dives deeper into the results of the cure for Lung-Lock. Its also shown more when learning about Zephyr and the part of town she is from, and the Auk’nai are even being effected by the way human society functions. As we know I love the Auk’nai so seeing how the merging of the two societies was unraveling and effecting them was rough for me. Once all of that is established Bruno ends it on a high note that just sucks you in and the next thing you know your in for the ride of your life.
‘The monster pushed Cade inside the pod with a rough shove, then turned its attention on Nella. The three yellow eyes burned into her eye sockets. She tried to scream.
There was a flash of white light followed by darkness.‘
Parts 2,3,and 4, are so unbelievably action packed and thrilling. They are also absolutely heartbreaking and left me in tears so many times. The action again is well planned out and easy to follow and envision in your mind. There is also a ton of action, and while its not on as large a scale as the first book the action in this is deeper and at times more frightening due to the characters situation. There is also turmoil on Denton and Eliana’s part as they struggle to find their children and Bruno did amazing showing how the situation effected them both personally and together. The end has some really great moments with Denton in high action situations involving his kids and how he responds to the overall moment. As the story is unfolding you slowly start to see what is happening, and at times I was like “omg its__” and then a few chapters later found out I was right. l was blown away by how Bruno was connecting all the mysteries together, its actively engaging and makes you want to figure out what is going on.
Cade and Nella stole the show in this book, I absolutely love these two and seeing them work together through their frightening and rough ordeal was enthralling. Aside from L’Arn, who is my favorite and who I will talk about later, Nella, oh my god, I love this girl. Now Nella is deaf, and before you start the book Bruno leaves a note stating that he worked very closely with members of the Deaf Community to ensure she was properly portrayed. Now I am not deaf, so I do not speak for the community but from my perspective I feel Bruno achieved this beautifully. You can see the work and effort that he put in when writing her character, he doesn’t give her a magical futuristic cure, he shows how different her life is while also showing how she views the world, what scares her most, what frustrates her, but he doesn’t forget to show us the happier side of her, as well as the smart side. She is a ball of warm beautiful energy and I adored her so very much. What he also included was how others interacted with her, her family learns Sol-Sign, but she also has devices that help her to interact with others who do not know Sol-Sign. I loved the realism with Cade when he was in a moment of frantic frenzy and yells for her, while simultaneously reminding himself that won’t work, it was a true portrayal of someone is a dire situation not thinking right and just acting and it really shows the level of depth Bruno went into when creating these two and how they interact with one another. Cade was the protector and power house but also had his moments where he showed his softer side and his love for his sister is beautiful. My favorite moment with them was when he helped Nella communicate with Hrun’dah and not once did he complain, you could tell it was something he enjoyed doing.
“I am from the North, a place of ice and snow. The Auk’nai and auk’gnell who live there can sense the heartbeat of a ruemowse from a plain away. We are people of deep listeners. The Song of Kamaria loves to play for us.” Hrun’dah took in a deep breath, and her eyes closed as she cooed.
Aside from allowing us to explore more parts of Kamaria, we also learn more about the Auk’gnell, another type of Auk’nai that are more wild and are connected to Kamaria on a much deeper level. Bruno establishes small ways that helps one distinguish an Auk’nai from an Auk’gnell, the easiest and quickest difference is their speech pattern. Hrun’dah is an Auk’gnell we get to met and she is brilliant and baddass but also so sweet and gentle. We learn more about the Song of Kamaria itself and how its viewed differently to the Auk’gnell, we learn about the Auk’nai gods. We get the opportunity to learn more about the Undriel and how the war started but we also learn that the humans still don’t know much either. Also please keep giving me more ways Auk’nai and Auk’gnell babies are born we learned how the babies in the North are born and once again I loved it.
Bruno also has a way with writing his villains and bad guys, I love how he creates a villain who isn’t actually bad, while also giving you a villain who is actually terrible and needs to be stopped. He gives you this bad guy who over the course of the story you realize isn’t actually bad, they are being used, manipulated, tricked, and forced to do these horrible crimes. You end up feeling for them and it crushes you, because you want them to overcome it, but Bruno doesn’t pull back, and he goes full force with them and you don’t know what the outcome will be and when it finally happens your left shocked, hurt, angry and sad all rolled into one, and then you direct your anger at the true villain.
Also and I can’t say this enough DO NOT GET ATTACHED TO ANYONE! Bruno gives you these absolutely stunning and amazing characters, he makes you fall in love with them and then he rips them from you. One particular death left me very distraught because it was one of those moments where I knew it was going to happen, I saw it happening, I felt it coming, and I realized, I couldn’t stop it, it was going to happen and it was going to be bloody and horrible and absolutely agonizing to take in. I had to put the book down, I cry easily but not many make me put a book down to really take in what happens. I loved this character she was beautiful and her song was amazing and her relationship with Nella was so touching, I wish we got to have her longer.
Once again Bruno has given us an amazing cast of new characters who each have their own voice and standout from one another. I will say though that Zephyr was a character that didn’t work for me, her importance to the plot is really only tied to Cade which ends up making her feel less developed in comparison to the other characters, her moments always felt convenient for the plot and then she was not seen again until another similar moment was needed. For a while I figured she wouldn’t have any other connection to the story outside of part 1 because she was gone for so long, Hopefully she will have more parts in the next book to help flesh her out and make her, her own character. L’Arn, just like Roelin from the first book, was an instant favorite I just knew I was going to love this character the minute I met him. His entire story arc grabbed me and held on. I had to know what would happen next I wanted more of his chapters. Each revelation that happened I fell deeper for him and as I connected the pieces, I realized it was Roelin all over again, agonizing, yet so enthralling.
‘The Song of Kamaria played the tune of new life, and the Song of the Dead hummed along with it‘
The conclusion this time around is a complete and utter huge cliffhanger that has me in all sorts of emotions, Its bittersweet, tragic and shocking. Like I need answers now. I will be (im)patiently waiting the next installment.
Once again you’re probably sitting there going “why the 4.75” well this time it’s not because of the romance, which yes there is and again I am not the target audience for quick paced romance. I will say I do give credit to Bruno for giving the two characters some history, it just wasn’t enough for me to really be all for it, I have to admit I actually enjoyed Denton and Eliana’s romance more. But as I said it was not the romance this time. It was actually all the constant recaps of events, people, and locations from book one. If this is read as a standalone these reminders work, but since I’m reading this as a series it started to really frustrate me. I loved when the recaps where used to explain how the land around a previous event changed, but sometimes we got these overly long reminders of the events from book one that really didn’t feel like they served a purpose, and it started to weigh down on the excitement that was going on, because you were constantly being pulled into these recaps. They aren’t a terrible thing but I do wish there had been less of them, it was the only thing that bothered me from start to finish in this installment.
One the Winds of Quasars is beautiful and heartbreaking while also being action packed and riveting, you wont want to put this down.
One last bit the illustrations by Jason Michael Hall are once again absolutely fantastic.
May 19, 2023
Absolutely wonderful! It gets immediate bonus points for the inclusion of the map but returning to this world has been wonderful and experiencing the lives, the struggles and the adventures is amazing! Hats off to Bruno for creating that incredibly wonderful monstrosity...with Wings!!! Really looking forward to book three!
January 31, 2024
Deep dive review here:
https://youtu.be/f6dhuF5TFm4?si=-vzRW...
I delved into "On The Winds Of Quasars" by Tom Bruno for Space Opera September, and boy, was it a delightful ride.
The fact that I already had the Kindle edition made it a no-brainer, considering my previous enjoyment of the first book in the Song of Kamaria Trilogy.
Tom Bruno, in his usual candid style, shared insights into how this sequel was going to be a departure from the first book. He emphasized a more focused and hard-hitting narrative, and let me tell you, he nailed it. The book indeed deviates from the first by ditching the dual timelines for a more straightforward, self-contained storytelling approach.
What really stood out was the detective-story vibe. Early on, an inciting incident sets the tone, and you find yourself entangled in a murder mystery, exploring different perspectives. What's clever here is the reduced number of viewpoints compared to the first book. This shift results in better-defined characters, making it easier for readers to connect with the story.
The various perspectives gradually weave together, leading to a finale that's nothing short of mind-blowing. It not only wraps up the murder mystery arc seamlessly but also sheds light on the events of Book One, laying the groundwork for an intriguing setup in Book Three.
If you're a space opera enthusiast looking for a solid plot, well-developed characters, and a touch of mystery, "On The Winds Of Quasars" is a must-read. Tom Bruno's storytelling prowess shines through, and the smooth transition between books in the trilogy adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
https://youtu.be/f6dhuF5TFm4?si=-vzRW...
I delved into "On The Winds Of Quasars" by Tom Bruno for Space Opera September, and boy, was it a delightful ride.
The fact that I already had the Kindle edition made it a no-brainer, considering my previous enjoyment of the first book in the Song of Kamaria Trilogy.
Tom Bruno, in his usual candid style, shared insights into how this sequel was going to be a departure from the first book. He emphasized a more focused and hard-hitting narrative, and let me tell you, he nailed it. The book indeed deviates from the first by ditching the dual timelines for a more straightforward, self-contained storytelling approach.
What really stood out was the detective-story vibe. Early on, an inciting incident sets the tone, and you find yourself entangled in a murder mystery, exploring different perspectives. What's clever here is the reduced number of viewpoints compared to the first book. This shift results in better-defined characters, making it easier for readers to connect with the story.
The various perspectives gradually weave together, leading to a finale that's nothing short of mind-blowing. It not only wraps up the murder mystery arc seamlessly but also sheds light on the events of Book One, laying the groundwork for an intriguing setup in Book Three.
If you're a space opera enthusiast looking for a solid plot, well-developed characters, and a touch of mystery, "On The Winds Of Quasars" is a must-read. Tom Bruno's storytelling prowess shines through, and the smooth transition between books in the trilogy adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
January 6, 2022
On the Winds of Quasars, the second book in T.A. Bruno’s Song of Kamaria series is an exciting, entertaining, and imaginative science fiction adventure. Bruno brings readers back into the world of Book 1, In the Orbit of Sirens, and adds new depth and complexity that drew me right in – the focus on the Castus family once again takes center stage and this time the generational lines deepen. Nella Castus is wonderfully written and the inclusion of “Sol sign” communication is done so well it flows and adds a layer to her character and the interactions she has with humans and other species alike. Bruno can relay casual day-to-day family dynamics and sibling love in a way not often seen in these kinds of sci-fi adventures and it makes his books stand out from the crowd.
This is Kamaria - so there are inventive monsters/creatures, and the uniquely created auk’nai, as well as a fascinating ecosystem. Bruno has a real talent for details in world building, whether natural, technological, or otherwise, and this (along with family dynamics) is my favorite aspect of his writing. Quasars is a fast-paced, imaginative, and entertaining sci-fi adventure with a classic feel – thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to the next book in the series!
This is Kamaria - so there are inventive monsters/creatures, and the uniquely created auk’nai, as well as a fascinating ecosystem. Bruno has a real talent for details in world building, whether natural, technological, or otherwise, and this (along with family dynamics) is my favorite aspect of his writing. Quasars is a fast-paced, imaginative, and entertaining sci-fi adventure with a classic feel – thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to the next book in the series!
March 10, 2023
T.A. Bruno’s On the Winds of Quasars takes the fun characters and beautiful world-building of In The Orbit Of Sirens, throws them into the frying pan, cranks the heat up to HI and rips the burner knob off.
Taking place over two decades after the events of the first book, Quasars follows the children of Denton and Eliana Castus who are kidnapped by a monster who is half auk’nai birdman and half something altogether more sinister. As they try to escape, their parents follow in hot pursuit, all of them unwittingly rushing toward an infinitely dangerous foe from their past.
Quasars is a much tighter book than Sirens mostly due to the fact that the lush world of Kamaria has already been well established and fleshed out. Now that the heavy lifting is done, the narrative is free to focus on more exciting things. So whileSirens felt like an old-school hard sci-fi epic with a wide scope, the sequel switches to a more narrow, fast-paced, adventurous thrill-ride. Bruno’s writing in Quasars is sharp, quick, and keeps things moving for the immediate kidnapping/survival plot, while also uncovering mysteries that tie back into the overarching epic that was teased at the beginning of Sirens . It was a really brilliant choice that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. As usual, Bruno’s characters remain compelling, and I found myself caring for the new characters just as much (if not more so), than the old. Furthermore, the themes of bodily autonomy and control remain just as interesting and chilling as in the first.
If I were to have any criticisms of Quasars it’s just that it made Sirens feel a lot more distantly related. Quasars follows the ~20 year old children of the original book’s protagonists (although Denton and Eliana are still present, but… older), with the third and final installment picking up immediately afterward. While I still enjoyed it, Sirens now feels like a prequel book that existed more to set up the world and concepts of Kamaria as a stage for the final two acts, rather than a first act that flows directly into the next. But maybe that’s just me being neurotic.
Regardless of my weird hang-ups, T.A. Bruno’s delivered another captivating sci-fi novel in a series that deserves all the praise it’s getting. Look out for my review on the third book At The Threshold Of The Universe coming as soon as I can finish it.
Taking place over two decades after the events of the first book, Quasars follows the children of Denton and Eliana Castus who are kidnapped by a monster who is half auk’nai birdman and half something altogether more sinister. As they try to escape, their parents follow in hot pursuit, all of them unwittingly rushing toward an infinitely dangerous foe from their past.
Quasars is a much tighter book than Sirens mostly due to the fact that the lush world of Kamaria has already been well established and fleshed out. Now that the heavy lifting is done, the narrative is free to focus on more exciting things. So whileSirens felt like an old-school hard sci-fi epic with a wide scope, the sequel switches to a more narrow, fast-paced, adventurous thrill-ride. Bruno’s writing in Quasars is sharp, quick, and keeps things moving for the immediate kidnapping/survival plot, while also uncovering mysteries that tie back into the overarching epic that was teased at the beginning of Sirens . It was a really brilliant choice that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. As usual, Bruno’s characters remain compelling, and I found myself caring for the new characters just as much (if not more so), than the old. Furthermore, the themes of bodily autonomy and control remain just as interesting and chilling as in the first.
If I were to have any criticisms of Quasars it’s just that it made Sirens feel a lot more distantly related. Quasars follows the ~20 year old children of the original book’s protagonists (although Denton and Eliana are still present, but… older), with the third and final installment picking up immediately afterward. While I still enjoyed it, Sirens now feels like a prequel book that existed more to set up the world and concepts of Kamaria as a stage for the final two acts, rather than a first act that flows directly into the next. But maybe that’s just me being neurotic.
Regardless of my weird hang-ups, T.A. Bruno’s delivered another captivating sci-fi novel in a series that deserves all the praise it’s getting. Look out for my review on the third book At The Threshold Of The Universe coming as soon as I can finish it.
December 31, 2022
This second book in the series was a bit strange for me. I felt like I didn’t really get much from it, and it also didn’t really feel very much of a sci-fi – and certainly not a far-future sci-fi. There are some aliens and monsters, and the advanced technology, but if you take those elements out it just felt like it was set on modern-day Earth.
That was a bit off-putting for me, especially after coming off the back of the first book in the series. It wasn’t a great experience for me, and although I intend to continue with the series and finish it up with book three, I think I’ll wait a while and let this one fade from my memory a bit before I do.
That was a bit off-putting for me, especially after coming off the back of the first book in the series. It wasn’t a great experience for me, and although I intend to continue with the series and finish it up with book three, I think I’ll wait a while and let this one fade from my memory a bit before I do.
October 2, 2021
On the Wind of Quasars immediately gets bonus points for the fact that it includes a map, but what also stood out for me and which was greatly appreciated was that there is a fantastic recap of the story so far at the beginning of the book. I’d read In the Orbit of Sirens earlier this year, but quite a lot occurs in that first book so it was incredibly helpful to have it summarised.
There is a time jump with this one, with the majority of the book occurring twenty-six years after the events of the first book (again why the recap was so useful), and I loved how this difference in time was handled. There are points of familiarity, both in the setting and with the return of familiar faces from the first book – complete with changes wrought by that time, with shifting jobs and locations, changing relationships. But, what I really enjoyed was the differences around those familiar aspects, both physical differences like Odysseus City losing its previously pristine state, and showing the wear and tear of a city over time, and the resulting knock-on effect to those living there, with crime and poverty adding new – less welcome – layers to the city. But, also the societal shifts that have occurred with the bringing together of the humans and Auk’nai, not just the adjustments, but also how that affects customs and traditions particularly with Auk’nai as they try to assimilate. It just adds a fantastic level of detail and does such a good job of not only establishing that this is a different time, but that events have continued to happen while we were away, and it’s great to see that built into the world.
This is further heightened by the fact that as with In the Orbit of Sirens, the worldbuilding and descriptions of the setting are so vivid and easy to visualise. Bruno has a real talent for painting his world in cinematic detail, and for populating it with fascinating flora and fauna – so that you just want to go exploring, and live and breath in Kamaria.
The characters were a driving force in the first book, and I was expecting the same here and I wasn’t disappointed, and I would even say that this is where we really see Bruno turn the dial to full throttle. As with the first book we have multiple POVs, and timelines, and familiar faces and new ones. Two of the new additions Cade and Nella, the grown-up children of Denton and Eliana stole the show for me from the moment that we met them, especially Nella. The theme of family and everything that entails was strong in this book, and Bruno captures the bonds between the two of them, as well as between them and the rest of their extended family beautifully, and it is great to see how it plays into their story.
Nella was fantastic on so many levels, and I admire how seamlessly Bruno introduced her deafness – and the use of Sol-Sign (sign language) and tech to assist, without ‘fixing’ anything that didn’t need to fix, and that she was such a rich, well-developed character beyond that. It also added an extra dimension of tension and threat, when she and Cade are in danger – and as much as I love the other characters and storylines, I would have loved just following them. The only new addition I wasn’t too sure about was Zephyr, but I think that was because we didn’t get to know her quite as well and it will be interesting to see what role she plays within the next book in the series.
As a whole though, I found the characters and their various storylines even more compelling in this book, which brought with it its own perils, as there are twists and turns, and gut-wrenching moments in this book, and because we’re so invested it hits hard. There was more than one moment in this book where I had to pause, just to process what was happening – but it was so good, and I love that emotional intensity. That Bruno also extends this to the ‘villains’ is even better, especially for those who are not willingly the bad guy – and there were some pretty raw points because of this, and some disturbing moments as you realise just how badly they are being used (I had shivers at one point) – and you’re so invested that it becomes a rollercoaster until you’re pointed at the true source of the problem.
On the Wind of Quasars sees more of Kamaria unfolding, and we get answers to some of the mysteries from the first book, while new ones open up, and there are plenty of threads unresolved to leave me champing at the bit for the next book. From the murder mystery that this book opens on, to familial ties, and the search for Cade and Nella when they are taken and the emotional fallout from that (honestly, as emotional as the moments with Denton and Eliana were during this time, they were some of my favourites), to learning more about the Auk’nai, this book is action-packed and that ending!
On the Wind of Quasars is a fantastic new instalment in The Song of Kamaria series. It maintained the cinematic nature of the first book, and the same compelling world-building and action, but it turned the dial up. Where this book really took off though was with the characters, they were a driving force in the first book, but I found them even more compelling this time around – from the characters we already knew to the new ones, and following their stories made it hard to put this one down, and has left me heavily invested for the next book in the series. This was a great read, and I would highly recommend On the Wind of Quasars and the series as a whole to anyone who loves character-driven stories, vivid world-building and stories that pull you in completely.
There is a time jump with this one, with the majority of the book occurring twenty-six years after the events of the first book (again why the recap was so useful), and I loved how this difference in time was handled. There are points of familiarity, both in the setting and with the return of familiar faces from the first book – complete with changes wrought by that time, with shifting jobs and locations, changing relationships. But, what I really enjoyed was the differences around those familiar aspects, both physical differences like Odysseus City losing its previously pristine state, and showing the wear and tear of a city over time, and the resulting knock-on effect to those living there, with crime and poverty adding new – less welcome – layers to the city. But, also the societal shifts that have occurred with the bringing together of the humans and Auk’nai, not just the adjustments, but also how that affects customs and traditions particularly with Auk’nai as they try to assimilate. It just adds a fantastic level of detail and does such a good job of not only establishing that this is a different time, but that events have continued to happen while we were away, and it’s great to see that built into the world.
This is further heightened by the fact that as with In the Orbit of Sirens, the worldbuilding and descriptions of the setting are so vivid and easy to visualise. Bruno has a real talent for painting his world in cinematic detail, and for populating it with fascinating flora and fauna – so that you just want to go exploring, and live and breath in Kamaria.
The characters were a driving force in the first book, and I was expecting the same here and I wasn’t disappointed, and I would even say that this is where we really see Bruno turn the dial to full throttle. As with the first book we have multiple POVs, and timelines, and familiar faces and new ones. Two of the new additions Cade and Nella, the grown-up children of Denton and Eliana stole the show for me from the moment that we met them, especially Nella. The theme of family and everything that entails was strong in this book, and Bruno captures the bonds between the two of them, as well as between them and the rest of their extended family beautifully, and it is great to see how it plays into their story.
Nella was fantastic on so many levels, and I admire how seamlessly Bruno introduced her deafness – and the use of Sol-Sign (sign language) and tech to assist, without ‘fixing’ anything that didn’t need to fix, and that she was such a rich, well-developed character beyond that. It also added an extra dimension of tension and threat, when she and Cade are in danger – and as much as I love the other characters and storylines, I would have loved just following them. The only new addition I wasn’t too sure about was Zephyr, but I think that was because we didn’t get to know her quite as well and it will be interesting to see what role she plays within the next book in the series.
As a whole though, I found the characters and their various storylines even more compelling in this book, which brought with it its own perils, as there are twists and turns, and gut-wrenching moments in this book, and because we’re so invested it hits hard. There was more than one moment in this book where I had to pause, just to process what was happening – but it was so good, and I love that emotional intensity. That Bruno also extends this to the ‘villains’ is even better, especially for those who are not willingly the bad guy – and there were some pretty raw points because of this, and some disturbing moments as you realise just how badly they are being used (I had shivers at one point) – and you’re so invested that it becomes a rollercoaster until you’re pointed at the true source of the problem.
On the Wind of Quasars sees more of Kamaria unfolding, and we get answers to some of the mysteries from the first book, while new ones open up, and there are plenty of threads unresolved to leave me champing at the bit for the next book. From the murder mystery that this book opens on, to familial ties, and the search for Cade and Nella when they are taken and the emotional fallout from that (honestly, as emotional as the moments with Denton and Eliana were during this time, they were some of my favourites), to learning more about the Auk’nai, this book is action-packed and that ending!
On the Wind of Quasars is a fantastic new instalment in The Song of Kamaria series. It maintained the cinematic nature of the first book, and the same compelling world-building and action, but it turned the dial up. Where this book really took off though was with the characters, they were a driving force in the first book, but I found them even more compelling this time around – from the characters we already knew to the new ones, and following their stories made it hard to put this one down, and has left me heavily invested for the next book in the series. This was a great read, and I would highly recommend On the Wind of Quasars and the series as a whole to anyone who loves character-driven stories, vivid world-building and stories that pull you in completely.
July 21, 2022
This book is amazing! Set 26 years after the events of In the Orbit of Sirens, we get a very good recap at the start of the story.
What Bruno does so brilliantly, is the fantastic world building. The city, its communities, and cultures, really do come alive.
We are introduced to two new main characters in this book, Cade and Nella, the children of Denton and Eliana, who were the main characters in the first book.
Coming into this sequel, I wasn't sure how the passage of time, and the shift to a new generation would work for me, but it is seemlessly done, and is just so perfect for the development of the overall story, and where we end up by the end of the book.
Bruno writes family dynamics so well, and the bond between Cade and Nella is nicely done. Also, the way Nella's disability is written and described was not something I have seen done in many books, or at least done this well. It added another layer to an already diverse book and intricate plot.
The pacing of the book is as close to perfection as you could ask for. The mystery, danger and suspense builds consistently throughout. Character development is not ignored either, and everything comes together in an absolutely mind blowing last quarter of the book, which links to events in book 1 and sets us up for what will hopefully be an epic conclusion in book 3.
This is a fantastic science fiction series, and I can't wait to continue with the final book in the series as soon as I can.
On the Winds of Quasars gets the easiest 5 stars I've given in a long time.
What Bruno does so brilliantly, is the fantastic world building. The city, its communities, and cultures, really do come alive.
We are introduced to two new main characters in this book, Cade and Nella, the children of Denton and Eliana, who were the main characters in the first book.
Coming into this sequel, I wasn't sure how the passage of time, and the shift to a new generation would work for me, but it is seemlessly done, and is just so perfect for the development of the overall story, and where we end up by the end of the book.
Bruno writes family dynamics so well, and the bond between Cade and Nella is nicely done. Also, the way Nella's disability is written and described was not something I have seen done in many books, or at least done this well. It added another layer to an already diverse book and intricate plot.
The pacing of the book is as close to perfection as you could ask for. The mystery, danger and suspense builds consistently throughout. Character development is not ignored either, and everything comes together in an absolutely mind blowing last quarter of the book, which links to events in book 1 and sets us up for what will hopefully be an epic conclusion in book 3.
This is a fantastic science fiction series, and I can't wait to continue with the final book in the series as soon as I can.
On the Winds of Quasars gets the easiest 5 stars I've given in a long time.
August 20, 2022
This book is so good. I was dubious going into the sequel as I did not enjoy the first book as much as I wanted to. However, I had no reason to fear. This sequel is so good. The characters from the first book have now grown up and have a family of their own and the story focuses on them. There is a smattering of romance but, it is not following another love story which is the best thing for me. The story builds on the foundations that were laid in the first book but, develops them even further. I cannot wait to get to the third book now and see what the finale has in store!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2022
This is probably one of the greatest sequels I have read this year!!!
The new addition of characters further enhances the experience of this trilogy, especially Nella.
The introduction of Sol-sign is probably one of my favourite parts of the book as being a CODA it really made me proud of the introduction of ASL in the series.
5/5 onto book 3 immediately!
The new addition of characters further enhances the experience of this trilogy, especially Nella.
The introduction of Sol-sign is probably one of my favourite parts of the book as being a CODA it really made me proud of the introduction of ASL in the series.
5/5 onto book 3 immediately!
November 30, 2021
This book completely satiated my thirst for a good sci-fi fantasy! If you’re looking for the same thing give this a try but, not before you read the first book in the series, ‘In the Orbit of Sirens.’ Fall in love with the world of Kamaria.
September 24, 2021
Once again Mr. Bruno has written a brilliant novel that goes beyond science fiction with Book 2 of The Song of Kamaria, On the Winds of Quasars. While at its core, it is an incredible science fiction story, it also delves into the complexities of family interrelationships, ecosystem building, and our relationship with nature. Having read In the Orbit of Sirens, I had eagerly awaited this second book in the series, and Mr. Bruno does not disappoint. The story takes place 26 years after In the Orbit of Sirens. There are a few important points to note. The auk’nai are now living in harmony with the human settlers on Kamaria in Odysseus City. Denton Castus and Eliana Veston married and had 2 children. Their children, Cade and Nella, are grown, the former working as an EVA specialist, meaning he fixes anything mechanical, on space vessels that mine asteroids, and Nella is a botanist. The diversity and representation in this book are a joy to see. Denton’s brother Jason is gay and has been with his partner for 15 years. Nella is deaf, communicating through Sol Sign, a form of sign language. Mr. Bruno, in his opening note, consulted sign language experts to construct Sol sign. One should not overlook the importance of this detail. Sign language is how the deaf and hard of hearing communities communicate, and rather than just create any kind of signing, Mr. Bruno pays respect to the real communities.
On the Winds of Quasars focuses on the entire Castus family. Two important events happen that drive the story. The first major event is the killing of the auk’nai deity, the Daunoren, and many auk’nai blame the humans. Not long after, Cade and Nella are kidnapped from their home by an unknown flying entity. They manage to escape, and what ensues is a wild ride across the continent as Cade and Nella try to make their way home. They are pursued the entire time by what they only describe as the “monster” that took them. They find help along the way, and we, as the reader, are taken through Mr. Bruno’s incredibly imaginative creation of Kamaria. As with the first book, the environment plays a crucial role to the story. As Cade and Nella attempt to make it home, they traverse the various environments found on the continent. Along the way, they are helped by an auk’gnell named Hrun’Dah. Hrun’Dah was a wonderful character addition to the story. She is brave and decides to help Cade and Nella, as she knows the Song of Kamaria. While all humans have no song, she hears a strong song from Cade and Nella. Why do they have a song? No spoilers, so you will have to read it to see.
The action was well paced throughout, interspersed with character development. The attacks as the monster finds them are gripping and exciting. The land presents its own dangers as well, and it’s just as exciting as we watch as Cade and Nella try to make their way home. Of course, Denton and Eliana are looking for them. We see the toll it takes on them as they retreat into themselves. The relationships are real and we can relate to the emotions they experience. The fear that Cade and Nella experience is worsened because Nella is deaf and cannot hear if danger is coming. Denton and Eliana are distraught, but don’t turn to each other. They seem to drift apart emotionally. Having “known” them for the series, I felt for them. When I read a book and it elicits a strong emotional response from me, I know I am reading an excellent piece of literature.
From work in space, to the human-auk’nai settlement of Odysseus City with its tall buildings and flying platforms, to the forests, mountains and lakes of Kamaria, On the Wind of Quasars is excellent science fiction. Even more, it’s a story about family, relationships, and nature. It takes the reader on both an action-filled and emotional ride. I highly recommend both In the Orbit of Sirens and On the Winds of Quasars. This is a brilliant series; one of the best science fiction series I have read.
Kamaria
Kamaria was always a special creation for me. As I mentioned in my first review, the creation of an ecosystem is particularly difficult and because it is my specialty, I tend to look at it critically. If you create a city in science fiction, I think there is more in the way of “free reign,” so to speak. Odysseus City is wonderful. It has buildings, homes, poorer areas, and floating platforms for the auk’nai. It is a normal city with advanced technology as one would find in science fiction.
Creating ecosystems is entirely different. As an environmental scientist, with a particular interest in ecosystems and species interaction, Kamaria is nothing short of genius. Kamaria has a song. The auk’nai hear the Song of Kamaria in all the organisms that inhabit the planet. All that is, except for one. Humans. Humans have no song. As with every ecosystem, all the species on Kamaria are interconnected, even the auk’nai. That interconnectedness is heard by them as a song, and each is unique. I see parallels with our own relationship to nature. The further we remove ourselves from being part of a greater whole, the more we lose touch with being part of nature. We lose our song.
The song is essential to all things in Kamaria. For the auk’gnell, who live solitary lives, they call their niche their “song” and it is beautifully described here:
“I suppose humans would not understand. It is not even common among the auk’gnell,” Hrun’Dah said…she spoke with a tone of a whispering lover. “I am from the North. A place of ice and snow. The auk’nai and auk’gnell who live there can sense a heartbeat of a ruemowse from a plain away. We are people of deep listeners. The Song of Kamaria loves to play for us.” Hrun’Dah took a deep breath, and her eyes closed as she cooed.” T. A. Bruno, On the Winds of Quasars
The difficulty in creating a world this beautiful is that all species need evolve to where they live; they need to feel organic, like they belong there. When there is a forested area, there are species adapted to the forest. When they are in a watery environment, the organisms there are different and adapted to that system. It is very detailed, and even more, it makes sense. I felt as if I went to Kamaria and was able to walk through the forests and fields, the species would look like they should live there. There are species that are harmless and those that are dangerous, and that applies to the flora and the fauna. It’s not a forest of horror where everything can kill. That’s what I mean by organic and the difficulty in creating a believable ecosystem. This is the brilliance of the creation of Kamaria. It is one of my favorite worlds that have I ever read.
Main Protagonists
There are many important characters in this book. There is a wonderful diversity of characters as well, which is important to me in books that I read. Many are the same as the first book, but there are new additions.
Eliana Veston and Denton Castus: Their jobs are the same as in the first book; she is doctor and he is in the Scout Program. When Cade and Nella are kidnapped, they are solely focused on their return, as any parent would be. However, we still see Eliana’s vulnerability. We know she witnessed the brutal murder of her father, and it seems as if she has still not faced the reality of the trauma. The vulnerability surfaces as she appears to retreat into herself when the search for their children goes on, rather than opening up to Denton. I could feel thier pain as a parent, but I also felt sorry that they appeared to be distant from each other. Denton seems lost and also withdrawing into himself. They work together to find their children, but I felt the distance and pain between them. It is very clear that they love each other, but this has opened up old wounds.
“…She dug her fingernails into her palms. Denton gently reached over and took her hand in his, giving her a reassuring squeeze. She looked into Denton’s eyes, and at once, he recognized this version of his wife. He had seen her like this over 20 years ago when she was lost in a sea of questions about her father’s murder. This new fear was more profound, somehow more alive than the previous shadows that haunted Eliana. The answers dictated the fate of their children.” T.A. Bruno, On the Winds of Quasars
Cade Castus: The older child of Eliana and Denton works as an EVA specialist on space stations, often staying there for months. When he comes home for leave and is reunited with his family, we see the importance of the family connectedness. The small normal things, like having breakfast together, become special moments. He is very close to his sister, Nella. Cade is smart and does have ambitions to move upwards in his career. When he and Nella are kidnapped, he is able to improvise and help them survive. Cade is a quick thinker, and his protectiveness of Nella is quite touching. I think we will see more character growth from Cade in the next book in the series.
Nella Castus: The inclusion of a deaf character was truly refreshing. Nella is a brilliant botanist and a kind and gentle soul. However, when her family or friends are in danger, she will fiercely protect them. When they are kidnapped and escape, she does not panic. She works with her brother as they try and make their way home. Nella does know her limitations in the wild as far as hearing danger, and for that she relies on her brother. Her skills in botany prove to be a great asset for finding things to eat as she knows which plant species would be poisonous, and those that are safe. Nella was a wonderful character and, as with Cade, I know we will see more character growth for her.
Hrun’Dah: I always loved the idea of these sentient bird “people.” They are in tune with Kamaria and understand and protect all that lives there. Hrun’Dah is no different. She is however, an auk’gnell. Auk’nai always refer to themselves in the third person and live socially. Those like Hrun’Dah, that seek solitude, are auk’gnell and refer to themselves in the first person. She helps guide Cade and Nella, navigating through some dangerous terrain and keeping and eye out for the “monster” hunting them. Hrun’Dah is brave and a skilled hunter, which makes her perfect for the journey. As they spend more time together, a trust and bond develop between the three charcters.
Zephyr Gale: Zephyr is also a new character. She works with Cade and is his best friend. Zephyr is as tough as they come. She cares deeply for Cade and is, of course, naturally distressed when he and Nella are kidnapped. While Denton and Eliana conduct their own search, Zephyr tries a different approach. She is trying to piece together the puzzle much like a detective would do. I loved her addition to the cast of characters, and I think we will see more of her in the future.
Overall Thoughts
On the Winds of Quasars was a sequel that did not disappoint. It was a perfect continuation of the story of the Castus family. I have had a chance to read more science fiction, and this series is certainly one of my very favorites. The story at its core is the science fiction part of technology and how the humans and auk’nai are making Odysseus City better for its inhabitants. A great story has more layers to it, and On the Winds of Quasars is multi-faceted. Going beyond science fiction is a story of family and relationships, how nature affects humans, how we react to it, and what we can learn from those who live in harmony with it. It is science fiction literature at its finest. Mr. Bruno’s characters and the world of Kamaria are a must read if you love science fiction. His creation of Kamaria continues to evolve and is nothing short of genius and well thought out. We learn more about Kamaria’s song, and it is simply beautiful. The creation of ecosystems is even more complex in this book, and once again we have beauty and brutality-just as all ecosystems are. The characters are very well-developed and we see the importance of diversity and inclusiveness in the story. I like diversity in characters as I feel it adds more to the genre. I am once again looking forward to the next installment of The Song of Kamaria. It is easily among the best science fiction I have read. I highly recommend this series.
My thanks to Mr. Bruno for a beautifully signed copy of On the Winds of Quasars
Review on my blog: https://bookandnatureprofessor.com/20...
On the Winds of Quasars focuses on the entire Castus family. Two important events happen that drive the story. The first major event is the killing of the auk’nai deity, the Daunoren, and many auk’nai blame the humans. Not long after, Cade and Nella are kidnapped from their home by an unknown flying entity. They manage to escape, and what ensues is a wild ride across the continent as Cade and Nella try to make their way home. They are pursued the entire time by what they only describe as the “monster” that took them. They find help along the way, and we, as the reader, are taken through Mr. Bruno’s incredibly imaginative creation of Kamaria. As with the first book, the environment plays a crucial role to the story. As Cade and Nella attempt to make it home, they traverse the various environments found on the continent. Along the way, they are helped by an auk’gnell named Hrun’Dah. Hrun’Dah was a wonderful character addition to the story. She is brave and decides to help Cade and Nella, as she knows the Song of Kamaria. While all humans have no song, she hears a strong song from Cade and Nella. Why do they have a song? No spoilers, so you will have to read it to see.
The action was well paced throughout, interspersed with character development. The attacks as the monster finds them are gripping and exciting. The land presents its own dangers as well, and it’s just as exciting as we watch as Cade and Nella try to make their way home. Of course, Denton and Eliana are looking for them. We see the toll it takes on them as they retreat into themselves. The relationships are real and we can relate to the emotions they experience. The fear that Cade and Nella experience is worsened because Nella is deaf and cannot hear if danger is coming. Denton and Eliana are distraught, but don’t turn to each other. They seem to drift apart emotionally. Having “known” them for the series, I felt for them. When I read a book and it elicits a strong emotional response from me, I know I am reading an excellent piece of literature.
From work in space, to the human-auk’nai settlement of Odysseus City with its tall buildings and flying platforms, to the forests, mountains and lakes of Kamaria, On the Wind of Quasars is excellent science fiction. Even more, it’s a story about family, relationships, and nature. It takes the reader on both an action-filled and emotional ride. I highly recommend both In the Orbit of Sirens and On the Winds of Quasars. This is a brilliant series; one of the best science fiction series I have read.
Kamaria
Kamaria was always a special creation for me. As I mentioned in my first review, the creation of an ecosystem is particularly difficult and because it is my specialty, I tend to look at it critically. If you create a city in science fiction, I think there is more in the way of “free reign,” so to speak. Odysseus City is wonderful. It has buildings, homes, poorer areas, and floating platforms for the auk’nai. It is a normal city with advanced technology as one would find in science fiction.
Creating ecosystems is entirely different. As an environmental scientist, with a particular interest in ecosystems and species interaction, Kamaria is nothing short of genius. Kamaria has a song. The auk’nai hear the Song of Kamaria in all the organisms that inhabit the planet. All that is, except for one. Humans. Humans have no song. As with every ecosystem, all the species on Kamaria are interconnected, even the auk’nai. That interconnectedness is heard by them as a song, and each is unique. I see parallels with our own relationship to nature. The further we remove ourselves from being part of a greater whole, the more we lose touch with being part of nature. We lose our song.
The song is essential to all things in Kamaria. For the auk’gnell, who live solitary lives, they call their niche their “song” and it is beautifully described here:
“I suppose humans would not understand. It is not even common among the auk’gnell,” Hrun’Dah said…she spoke with a tone of a whispering lover. “I am from the North. A place of ice and snow. The auk’nai and auk’gnell who live there can sense a heartbeat of a ruemowse from a plain away. We are people of deep listeners. The Song of Kamaria loves to play for us.” Hrun’Dah took a deep breath, and her eyes closed as she cooed.” T. A. Bruno, On the Winds of Quasars
The difficulty in creating a world this beautiful is that all species need evolve to where they live; they need to feel organic, like they belong there. When there is a forested area, there are species adapted to the forest. When they are in a watery environment, the organisms there are different and adapted to that system. It is very detailed, and even more, it makes sense. I felt as if I went to Kamaria and was able to walk through the forests and fields, the species would look like they should live there. There are species that are harmless and those that are dangerous, and that applies to the flora and the fauna. It’s not a forest of horror where everything can kill. That’s what I mean by organic and the difficulty in creating a believable ecosystem. This is the brilliance of the creation of Kamaria. It is one of my favorite worlds that have I ever read.
Main Protagonists
There are many important characters in this book. There is a wonderful diversity of characters as well, which is important to me in books that I read. Many are the same as the first book, but there are new additions.
Eliana Veston and Denton Castus: Their jobs are the same as in the first book; she is doctor and he is in the Scout Program. When Cade and Nella are kidnapped, they are solely focused on their return, as any parent would be. However, we still see Eliana’s vulnerability. We know she witnessed the brutal murder of her father, and it seems as if she has still not faced the reality of the trauma. The vulnerability surfaces as she appears to retreat into herself when the search for their children goes on, rather than opening up to Denton. I could feel thier pain as a parent, but I also felt sorry that they appeared to be distant from each other. Denton seems lost and also withdrawing into himself. They work together to find their children, but I felt the distance and pain between them. It is very clear that they love each other, but this has opened up old wounds.
“…She dug her fingernails into her palms. Denton gently reached over and took her hand in his, giving her a reassuring squeeze. She looked into Denton’s eyes, and at once, he recognized this version of his wife. He had seen her like this over 20 years ago when she was lost in a sea of questions about her father’s murder. This new fear was more profound, somehow more alive than the previous shadows that haunted Eliana. The answers dictated the fate of their children.” T.A. Bruno, On the Winds of Quasars
Cade Castus: The older child of Eliana and Denton works as an EVA specialist on space stations, often staying there for months. When he comes home for leave and is reunited with his family, we see the importance of the family connectedness. The small normal things, like having breakfast together, become special moments. He is very close to his sister, Nella. Cade is smart and does have ambitions to move upwards in his career. When he and Nella are kidnapped, he is able to improvise and help them survive. Cade is a quick thinker, and his protectiveness of Nella is quite touching. I think we will see more character growth from Cade in the next book in the series.
Nella Castus: The inclusion of a deaf character was truly refreshing. Nella is a brilliant botanist and a kind and gentle soul. However, when her family or friends are in danger, she will fiercely protect them. When they are kidnapped and escape, she does not panic. She works with her brother as they try and make their way home. Nella does know her limitations in the wild as far as hearing danger, and for that she relies on her brother. Her skills in botany prove to be a great asset for finding things to eat as she knows which plant species would be poisonous, and those that are safe. Nella was a wonderful character and, as with Cade, I know we will see more character growth for her.
Hrun’Dah: I always loved the idea of these sentient bird “people.” They are in tune with Kamaria and understand and protect all that lives there. Hrun’Dah is no different. She is however, an auk’gnell. Auk’nai always refer to themselves in the third person and live socially. Those like Hrun’Dah, that seek solitude, are auk’gnell and refer to themselves in the first person. She helps guide Cade and Nella, navigating through some dangerous terrain and keeping and eye out for the “monster” hunting them. Hrun’Dah is brave and a skilled hunter, which makes her perfect for the journey. As they spend more time together, a trust and bond develop between the three charcters.
Zephyr Gale: Zephyr is also a new character. She works with Cade and is his best friend. Zephyr is as tough as they come. She cares deeply for Cade and is, of course, naturally distressed when he and Nella are kidnapped. While Denton and Eliana conduct their own search, Zephyr tries a different approach. She is trying to piece together the puzzle much like a detective would do. I loved her addition to the cast of characters, and I think we will see more of her in the future.
Overall Thoughts
On the Winds of Quasars was a sequel that did not disappoint. It was a perfect continuation of the story of the Castus family. I have had a chance to read more science fiction, and this series is certainly one of my very favorites. The story at its core is the science fiction part of technology and how the humans and auk’nai are making Odysseus City better for its inhabitants. A great story has more layers to it, and On the Winds of Quasars is multi-faceted. Going beyond science fiction is a story of family and relationships, how nature affects humans, how we react to it, and what we can learn from those who live in harmony with it. It is science fiction literature at its finest. Mr. Bruno’s characters and the world of Kamaria are a must read if you love science fiction. His creation of Kamaria continues to evolve and is nothing short of genius and well thought out. We learn more about Kamaria’s song, and it is simply beautiful. The creation of ecosystems is even more complex in this book, and once again we have beauty and brutality-just as all ecosystems are. The characters are very well-developed and we see the importance of diversity and inclusiveness in the story. I like diversity in characters as I feel it adds more to the genre. I am once again looking forward to the next installment of The Song of Kamaria. It is easily among the best science fiction I have read. I highly recommend this series.
My thanks to Mr. Bruno for a beautifully signed copy of On the Winds of Quasars
Review on my blog: https://bookandnatureprofessor.com/20...
May 8, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
Book two in The Song of Kamaria starts with a time jump. 26 years after the end of book one, Denton and Elliana’s kids are all grown up. Unfortunately they also get kidnapped by an unknown entity.
Denton and Elliana race against the clock and an ancient evil uprising to bring their kids home once again.
That’s really all I can say regarding the plot without going into spoiler territory!
I’ll admit, I felt fairly like warm on the first 60/70% of the book. It was still enjoyable and I liked it but it wasn’t adding anything new to the world or plot IMO. We followed a similar formula, getting to see the lives of the children (now adults), the catalyst event happens and it’s a fight against time. Then … the last 30% happened.
One thing I can say with confidence is that Bruno can bring the heat in his books! I could not put the last 30% of this book down, to the point I started immersion reading just so I could finish it and see what happens next. Once again I was gripped to the last page of the high stakes, high action goodness and it absolutely delivered.
Bruno, you got me. I’m keen to see how this all concludes in the final installment.
Full review to be posted on Epicindie.net and my YT channel in the coming weeks!
Book two in The Song of Kamaria starts with a time jump. 26 years after the end of book one, Denton and Elliana’s kids are all grown up. Unfortunately they also get kidnapped by an unknown entity.
Denton and Elliana race against the clock and an ancient evil uprising to bring their kids home once again.
That’s really all I can say regarding the plot without going into spoiler territory!
I’ll admit, I felt fairly like warm on the first 60/70% of the book. It was still enjoyable and I liked it but it wasn’t adding anything new to the world or plot IMO. We followed a similar formula, getting to see the lives of the children (now adults), the catalyst event happens and it’s a fight against time. Then … the last 30% happened.
One thing I can say with confidence is that Bruno can bring the heat in his books! I could not put the last 30% of this book down, to the point I started immersion reading just so I could finish it and see what happens next. Once again I was gripped to the last page of the high stakes, high action goodness and it absolutely delivered.
Bruno, you got me. I’m keen to see how this all concludes in the final installment.
Full review to be posted on Epicindie.net and my YT channel in the coming weeks!
July 5, 2022
The second installment of The Song of Kamaria is a breakneck ride! Taking place 26 years after the original book, this one follows the children of our original MCs. Everything I loved about the first book is elevated in this second one, however, this book could use a little bit of editing. Phrases and certain "events" became a bit repetitive. Nothing that put me off the the book at all but it is why this book comes in a four star and not a five.
I love the way the world is opened up in this book. Love how the song is explored in many different ways. I also really enjoyed following the children. It was really great to see how the world had changed in the years that passed and how much stayed the same.
The ending is explosive, making me want to pick up the third book right away.
I love the way the world is opened up in this book. Love how the song is explored in many different ways. I also really enjoyed following the children. It was really great to see how the world had changed in the years that passed and how much stayed the same.
The ending is explosive, making me want to pick up the third book right away.
December 18, 2021
Hot damn, this was fantastic. So much action, emotions, and out loud gasping. Great job!!!
May 12, 2024
On the Winds of Quasars by T.A. Bruno - Second book in The Song of Kamaria trilogy
Adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional,
hopeful, lighthearted, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25 Stars
I liked the sequel slightly more than the previous story, but in some ways, suffered similar problems, too.
I was worried...when I read that we were going to have a time jump. I grew to love Denton and Emelia...and was worried that they'd be relagated to background characters (which was NOT the case).
I really loved the new protagonists, which at first thought were going to be Cade and Zephyr, but actually it was Cade and Nella (his deaf sister), which BTW, was done really well.
When the first book ended, I knew that one of the things that they thought was NEVER going to happen, was DEFINITELY going to happen. Now, I was wrong on how it was going to happen, that reveal blew me away. Huh.
I sure hope that there's a way to help our two leads in this story, with the finale book. Oh, please allow that to happen, some how, some way.
Well, I'll be picking up At The Threshold of the Universe. Oh, yeah...have to say, I'm really digging the titles and the cover art, and the art within the book. Bangers, each and every one of them. Thank you.
Adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional,
hopeful, lighthearted, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25 Stars
I liked the sequel slightly more than the previous story, but in some ways, suffered similar problems, too.
I was worried...when I read that we were going to have a time jump. I grew to love Denton and Emelia...and was worried that they'd be relagated to background characters (which was NOT the case).
I really loved the new protagonists, which at first thought were going to be Cade and Zephyr, but actually it was Cade and Nella (his deaf sister), which BTW, was done really well.
When the first book ended, I knew that one of the things that they thought was NEVER going to happen, was DEFINITELY going to happen. Now, I was wrong on how it was going to happen, that reveal blew me away. Huh.
I sure hope that there's a way to help our two leads in this story, with the finale book. Oh, please allow that to happen, some how, some way.
Well, I'll be picking up At The Threshold of the Universe. Oh, yeah...have to say, I'm really digging the titles and the cover art, and the art within the book. Bangers, each and every one of them. Thank you.
April 27, 2022
We are proud to announce that ON THE WINDS OF QUASARS by T.A. Bruno has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
August 9, 2022
Total page turner and a really good read, but also seemed more focused on setting up book 3. Really enjoy his writing style.
September 29, 2021
I am a huge fan of the first book in the series, which led to plenty of anticipation towards book two. Although there was some completeness, the writer had lain a groundwork to let his imagination go in any direction he wanted for book two. I guess that’s probably how it always is when creating a novel, but the foundation was as solid as it could be, and I felt bigger things on the horizon.
I have not been let down. My appreciation for this series has steadily risen since the cover of ITOOS* first grabbed me. I originally purchased it before the awards (yep, award winner in the house!).
T.A. Bruno must be a natural storyteller and I am glad his writing is full of all the scifi elements which my imagination craves, as he could probably write a romance, or courtroom thriller that would of course, be great, but I’d probably never come close to reading it.
I know, I can be so close minded for someone who reads about things weird, conceptually dangerous, and a faith in a technical age beyond imagining, yet fun, future I just might live to see. My heavily veiled and camouflaged point is that T.A. makes the scifi fit the story…no, wait, he makes the story fit the scifi….urg.
Let’s move past my ranting for now. I love this series, and hope you get the chance to read it as well. In fact, if you have kindle, OTWOQ is free right now!
After completing ITOOS* I found myself, many times, going back to Kamaria. Not only had the characters grown on me, but the images I had of the planet, cities, events were an easy place for me to think about.
This scifi series follows the human colony efforts and expansion, resulting from humanitys narrow escape from this, our home solar system. Once the 300 year voyage from a lost system arrives at a new, strange, and oh, by the way, already populated by equally intelligent, bipedal, and wing endowed, birdlike humanoids. The real story of this series begins, as the humans build relationships, homes, and families on this alien world.
The audiobook for this (book 1) is very highly recommended!!
Not only does the story take unexpected turns, including a few ne-, okay, a lot of new characters, leading to previously unknown locations, exciting connections, i.e. Easter eggs from the 1st book(could there have been book three Easter eggs in there as well?), and a highly imaginitive story arc, but the focus on the family, was the cinnamon sugar on my churro. The family bonds really kept me feeling like I was getting more from the book than just the satisfaction of my imagination craving. I can say that this book was written with some heart. I needed some heart with my scifi, and didn’t even realize it.
Get this book if you’ve already read the first, if you haven’t, no prob, there’s even an awesome “story up til now” to catch you up. Let’s get ready for the next go round!
Thank you for actually reading this, it’s beyond my ability to express how thankful I feel, doing this. Thanks Mr. BRUNO: WELL DONE!!
I have not been let down. My appreciation for this series has steadily risen since the cover of ITOOS* first grabbed me. I originally purchased it before the awards (yep, award winner in the house!).
T.A. Bruno must be a natural storyteller and I am glad his writing is full of all the scifi elements which my imagination craves, as he could probably write a romance, or courtroom thriller that would of course, be great, but I’d probably never come close to reading it.
I know, I can be so close minded for someone who reads about things weird, conceptually dangerous, and a faith in a technical age beyond imagining, yet fun, future I just might live to see. My heavily veiled and camouflaged point is that T.A. makes the scifi fit the story…no, wait, he makes the story fit the scifi….urg.
Let’s move past my ranting for now. I love this series, and hope you get the chance to read it as well. In fact, if you have kindle, OTWOQ is free right now!
After completing ITOOS* I found myself, many times, going back to Kamaria. Not only had the characters grown on me, but the images I had of the planet, cities, events were an easy place for me to think about.
This scifi series follows the human colony efforts and expansion, resulting from humanitys narrow escape from this, our home solar system. Once the 300 year voyage from a lost system arrives at a new, strange, and oh, by the way, already populated by equally intelligent, bipedal, and wing endowed, birdlike humanoids. The real story of this series begins, as the humans build relationships, homes, and families on this alien world.
The audiobook for this (book 1) is very highly recommended!!
Not only does the story take unexpected turns, including a few ne-, okay, a lot of new characters, leading to previously unknown locations, exciting connections, i.e. Easter eggs from the 1st book(could there have been book three Easter eggs in there as well?), and a highly imaginitive story arc, but the focus on the family, was the cinnamon sugar on my churro. The family bonds really kept me feeling like I was getting more from the book than just the satisfaction of my imagination craving. I can say that this book was written with some heart. I needed some heart with my scifi, and didn’t even realize it.
Get this book if you’ve already read the first, if you haven’t, no prob, there’s even an awesome “story up til now” to catch you up. Let’s get ready for the next go round!
Thank you for actually reading this, it’s beyond my ability to express how thankful I feel, doing this. Thanks Mr. BRUNO: WELL DONE!!
September 22, 2021
𝑶𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑸𝒖𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒔 is an explosive sequel to In the Orbit of Sirens. Action-packed, heartbreaking, and unputdownable.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆:
- top-tier world-building. I can get lost in this world 4evs! It's vividly imagined and creative. This book took us across the planet and we get to explore more of Kamaria and treated to amazing landscapes.
- new characters!! This is set 26 years after In the Orbit of Siren, Denton and Eliana are now parents to Cade and Nella who are interesting and likable. Nella is deaf and T.A. Bruno stated on his author's note that he worked with members of the Deaf Community to ensure that it's as realistic as it can be.
- interesting setup of the society and their social division. Two races learned to co-exist, humans and the Auk’nai (anthropomorphic birds). We also get to know the Auk'nell, another kind of the Auk'nai but deemed as uncivilized.
- I love how the story unfold, the pacing started slow and sped up in part 2. Action, adventure, plot twists, "omg why?", and an ending that makes me want to throttle someone 'coz I need answersss 😂
Thanks so much, Storytellers on Tour and T.A. Bruno for my copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆:
- top-tier world-building. I can get lost in this world 4evs! It's vividly imagined and creative. This book took us across the planet and we get to explore more of Kamaria and treated to amazing landscapes.
- new characters!! This is set 26 years after In the Orbit of Siren, Denton and Eliana are now parents to Cade and Nella who are interesting and likable. Nella is deaf and T.A. Bruno stated on his author's note that he worked with members of the Deaf Community to ensure that it's as realistic as it can be.
- interesting setup of the society and their social division. Two races learned to co-exist, humans and the Auk’nai (anthropomorphic birds). We also get to know the Auk'nell, another kind of the Auk'nai but deemed as uncivilized.
- I love how the story unfold, the pacing started slow and sped up in part 2. Action, adventure, plot twists, "omg why?", and an ending that makes me want to throttle someone 'coz I need answersss 😂
Thanks so much, Storytellers on Tour and T.A. Bruno for my copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
December 10, 2022
This story is about Cade and Nella Castus, children of Dean and Nella. Twenty six years have passed since In the Orbit of Sirens and Odysseus City has grown and changed. During this time, a gradual but distinct division and separation between humans and Auk’ni has occurred causing an imbalance and a subtle environment of discontent, distrust and fear through out the city. There is a fragile coexistence for survival within the city with separation of living areas, extensive poverty and a crumbling of traditions and mores among the Auk’ni rather than a thriving and cohesive city for all. An air of discontent is brewing, nurturing the perfect conditions for the seeds of evil, distrust and hate to grow. One such seed left me with a sense of foreboding early on.
The Winds of Quasars is a story of hope, cooperation and acceptance. It portrays a society that is seen as far from perfect and at the same time hopefull. The travels of Cade and Nella through unknown parts of Kamaria brought its own magic and sense of adventure to the story. Kamaria came alive with all of its beauty and dangers. Nella is portrayed as deaf from birth. I was both surprised and pleased. Then the use of “sol sign” language took the story to a whole new level adding another layer to the story! Kudos to Bruno, for it was obvious that he aced his research to make this portrayal of deafness realistic.
What impacted me most and stayed with me long after I closed the book was page 139… it crystalized the “song”for me. I’ll definitely be reading the conclusion of this Kamaria series.
The Winds of Quasars is a story of hope, cooperation and acceptance. It portrays a society that is seen as far from perfect and at the same time hopefull. The travels of Cade and Nella through unknown parts of Kamaria brought its own magic and sense of adventure to the story. Kamaria came alive with all of its beauty and dangers. Nella is portrayed as deaf from birth. I was both surprised and pleased. Then the use of “sol sign” language took the story to a whole new level adding another layer to the story! Kudos to Bruno, for it was obvious that he aced his research to make this portrayal of deafness realistic.
What impacted me most and stayed with me long after I closed the book was page 139… it crystalized the “song”for me. I’ll definitely be reading the conclusion of this Kamaria series.
January 8, 2022
You can find my full review here: https://100acrewoodlibrary.weebly.com...-
Thank you so much Mr. Bruno for gifting me a physical ARC and NetGalley for approving me for the e-arc!
On the Winds of Quasars is one of the best sci-fi books I have ever read. Bruno's world of Kamaria is immersive and magnificent. With an amazing landscapes, interesting aliens, and loveable characters, Bruno's Song of Kamaria will be a winner for any sci-fi fan. I loved the stunning internal designs by Jason Michael Hall.
Thank you so much Mr. Bruno for gifting me a physical ARC and NetGalley for approving me for the e-arc!
On the Winds of Quasars is one of the best sci-fi books I have ever read. Bruno's world of Kamaria is immersive and magnificent. With an amazing landscapes, interesting aliens, and loveable characters, Bruno's Song of Kamaria will be a winner for any sci-fi fan. I loved the stunning internal designs by Jason Michael Hall.
October 22, 2021
Song of Kamaria
Excellent read for those who enjoy sci-fi and fantasy. Felt like I could "see" every character due to great descriptions.
Excellent read for those who enjoy sci-fi and fantasy. Felt like I could "see" every character due to great descriptions.
September 23, 2022
A good book, but a step down from In the Orbit of Sirens. It suffers very noticeably from "middle book syndrome" - there's a lot of set up for the finale, but very little payoff. I wish we'd gotten to learn more about this world, and especially the Sirens, but we didn't. There's plenty of groundwork laid down for, what I assume will be, revelations in the last installment of the trilogy, but nothing substantial in this tome. At the end of the book, I was left wanting and frustrated because I felt like I'd just finished an hors d'oeuvres instead of a full meal.
The twists are such in name only, because, at least to me, they were very predictable.
But, Kamaria is a fascinating place, and the characters are very likable. Disability representation is always a welcome inclusion, especially when it's done well. Nella is a well-crafted character that does not feel defined by her deafness. The descriptions of the alien flora and fauna are vivid and immersive. The antagonists are appropriately menacing and mysterious. And while there is not much in terms of pay off in On the Winds of Quasars, the set up is very, very good and left me wanting to know how the story will conclude.
Overall, I liked the book and will be finishing the trilogy.
The twists are such in name only, because, at least to me, they were very predictable.
But, Kamaria is a fascinating place, and the characters are very likable. Disability representation is always a welcome inclusion, especially when it's done well. Nella is a well-crafted character that does not feel defined by her deafness. The descriptions of the alien flora and fauna are vivid and immersive. The antagonists are appropriately menacing and mysterious. And while there is not much in terms of pay off in On the Winds of Quasars, the set up is very, very good and left me wanting to know how the story will conclude.
Overall, I liked the book and will be finishing the trilogy.
April 4, 2025
Initially, I had a hard time wrapping my head around how much time had passed since book 1's events. I quite liked the inclusion of deaf characters in this book, especially with one of them as a main character.
I will always be annoyed when terms like cyclopean are used by characters who—as far as we know—don't know what a Cyclops is. It throws me out of the narrative.
I will always be annoyed when terms like cyclopean are used by characters who—as far as we know—don't know what a Cyclops is. It throws me out of the narrative.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews