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Gemini Warriors #1
In Hiding we Seek
In a universe of pawns, knights, kings and queens,
With swords and crystals, threes and thirteens,
A web of mystery and magic joins the strong and the weak,
In this twisted tale of hide and seek.
Lucid dreams, job opportunities, and the latest installment of CatGirl were only some of the things that greeted seventeen-year-old Kim on her birthday. Most of those things were relatively normal, just like her magical crystal and the masked man in her mirror. The assassination attempt was new, though.
Fresh-faced and equipped with a mysterious unopenable letter after a night battling skeletons in an otherworldly graveyard, Kim leaves her village in search of employment. She soon discovers Crysterria's secret magical underbelly and its penchant for preventing her from earning a single gilded penny.
As a blue-haired orphan with so many unique qualities, Kim inevitably finds herself entwined with a plot to save the world. Blue swords and runaway royals become a staple of her quest, as well as triplets, monsters, the look, and a whole bunch of unexpected adventure.
If you enjoy:
- Childhood sweethearts
- Pancakes with a side of impending doom
- A mystery involving things that aren't jellybeans
- Unique magical races facing (or running from) their first world problems
- A mystical blue sword that everyone seems to want
- A backpack full of baked goods, and a tent that unfolds to be the size of a bedroom – choking hazard label attached
- Sarcastic banter
- Found family
- Monsters with feelings
- Morally grey areas
- Silent reflection ghosts with attitude problems
... then In Hiding we Seek is for you! Take a chance on a debut book from an Australian indie author. With full-page illustrations, smaller drawings for scene breaks and chapter headers, as well as a world map, the paperback option is sure to make for an immersive and unique reading experience for young adults and adults alike. Alternatively, the Kindle ebook experience offers a streamlined, illustration-free option.
With swords and crystals, threes and thirteens,
A web of mystery and magic joins the strong and the weak,
In this twisted tale of hide and seek.
Lucid dreams, job opportunities, and the latest installment of CatGirl were only some of the things that greeted seventeen-year-old Kim on her birthday. Most of those things were relatively normal, just like her magical crystal and the masked man in her mirror. The assassination attempt was new, though.
Fresh-faced and equipped with a mysterious unopenable letter after a night battling skeletons in an otherworldly graveyard, Kim leaves her village in search of employment. She soon discovers Crysterria's secret magical underbelly and its penchant for preventing her from earning a single gilded penny.
As a blue-haired orphan with so many unique qualities, Kim inevitably finds herself entwined with a plot to save the world. Blue swords and runaway royals become a staple of her quest, as well as triplets, monsters, the look, and a whole bunch of unexpected adventure.
If you enjoy:
- Childhood sweethearts
- Pancakes with a side of impending doom
- A mystery involving things that aren't jellybeans
- Unique magical races facing (or running from) their first world problems
- A mystical blue sword that everyone seems to want
- A backpack full of baked goods, and a tent that unfolds to be the size of a bedroom – choking hazard label attached
- Sarcastic banter
- Found family
- Monsters with feelings
- Morally grey areas
- Silent reflection ghosts with attitude problems
... then In Hiding we Seek is for you! Take a chance on a debut book from an Australian indie author. With full-page illustrations, smaller drawings for scene breaks and chapter headers, as well as a world map, the paperback option is sure to make for an immersive and unique reading experience for young adults and adults alike. Alternatively, the Kindle ebook experience offers a streamlined, illustration-free option.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
688 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2022
7 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 3, 2022
This book unravels a gorgeous web of magic, relationships, and mystery as a group of unique characters hide, and ultimately find, bits of themselves as life spins them down unexpected paths. The characters themselves are beautifully developed, and it's impossible not to love and want to get to know them better, even if some of them are morally dubious!
The story is told in such a way that even though the places, people, and species are new, it is easy to follow. This is a testament to the author's ability to pace this intriguing and complex universe, and keeps the reader wanting more. With strong elements of fantasy, adventure, and found family, I think the stand out for me was the mystery. Every time you think you've figured something out, another question is raised, and it draws you in to this irresistible tale.
It is hard to believe this is a debut novel - the character development is strong, the writing engaging and the finished product as professional as any I've ever seen. The author has clearly done a thorough job world-building and the clarity comes across to the reader. It was a genuine joy to read and I can't wait to see more from Keko V!
The story is told in such a way that even though the places, people, and species are new, it is easy to follow. This is a testament to the author's ability to pace this intriguing and complex universe, and keeps the reader wanting more. With strong elements of fantasy, adventure, and found family, I think the stand out for me was the mystery. Every time you think you've figured something out, another question is raised, and it draws you in to this irresistible tale.
It is hard to believe this is a debut novel - the character development is strong, the writing engaging and the finished product as professional as any I've ever seen. The author has clearly done a thorough job world-building and the clarity comes across to the reader. It was a genuine joy to read and I can't wait to see more from Keko V!
February 13, 2022
I've honestly never read anything quite like this book! While it is in essence a YA fantasy, it contains elements of mystery, adventure, and almost an anime-like vibe. It kept getting better and better as the story went on, with so many twists and turns that I was left speechless by the end.
In Hiding We Seek is jam-packed with action, questions that well outnumber answers, and characters that really tug at your heartstrings. If any of the below appeal to you, I highly recommend you pick this book up and give it a shot!!
- An orphan who is more than she seems
- A wilful runaway princess
- A blue-haired boy with a magical sword
- A set of dubiously trustworthy triplets
- Mysterious spirits and masked men in mirrors
- Monsters...monsters everywhere...
- What is quite possibly the end of two worlds
*I was provided a free digital copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
In Hiding We Seek is jam-packed with action, questions that well outnumber answers, and characters that really tug at your heartstrings. If any of the below appeal to you, I highly recommend you pick this book up and give it a shot!!
- An orphan who is more than she seems
- A wilful runaway princess
- A blue-haired boy with a magical sword
- A set of dubiously trustworthy triplets
- Mysterious spirits and masked men in mirrors
- Monsters...monsters everywhere...
- What is quite possibly the end of two worlds
*I was provided a free digital copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2022
I know this book is considered YA, but it is SO much fun for adults. We all need a good escape and this delivers exactly that. You are moving from the first page to the last—a true fantasy action adventure of epic proportion.
You meet Kim as she tries to find a job in a world with wonderfully relatable characters, beautiful magic, dreams that seem entirely too real, hijinks around every corner, spirits, CatGirl comics and monsters of all shapes and sizes. One misunderstanding over a loaf of bread and you are jumping head first into the unknown world of Crysterria.
Read carefully my friends, the bread crumbs will make you want to reread immediately after you finish. (Mostly to distract yourself from the fact that now you have to wait for Book 2.)
Keko V’s debut novel is a must read for fantasy lovers ages 13 to 113!
You meet Kim as she tries to find a job in a world with wonderfully relatable characters, beautiful magic, dreams that seem entirely too real, hijinks around every corner, spirits, CatGirl comics and monsters of all shapes and sizes. One misunderstanding over a loaf of bread and you are jumping head first into the unknown world of Crysterria.
Read carefully my friends, the bread crumbs will make you want to reread immediately after you finish. (Mostly to distract yourself from the fact that now you have to wait for Book 2.)
Keko V’s debut novel is a must read for fantasy lovers ages 13 to 113!
February 7, 2022
This book is pure magic! An exciting, unpredictable ride from chapter one. The characters are multidimensional and endearing and quickly get you on side.
There are monsters and mysterious artefacts, and nobody is really who they seem. I fell deep down this rabbit hole and got lost with Kim - who just wants to get a job as she comes of age, and instead ends up on a quest of epic proportions with far reaching consequences.
What an incredible debut - I can’t wait for the next one!
There are monsters and mysterious artefacts, and nobody is really who they seem. I fell deep down this rabbit hole and got lost with Kim - who just wants to get a job as she comes of age, and instead ends up on a quest of epic proportions with far reaching consequences.
What an incredible debut - I can’t wait for the next one!
January 17, 2023
Beautiful story! Do yourself a favor and buy a physical copy. The author illustrates this book and until you have it in your hands you can’t appreciate it. The story takes you on a quest with the characters. I found the writing witty and well done. One of my fave indie books.
August 10, 2025
For more reviews, head to my blog Chantel Speaks
“In a universe of pawns, knights, kings and queens,
With swords and crystals, threes and thirteens,
A web of mystery and magic joins the strong and the weak,
In this twisted tale of hide and seek.”
In Hiding We Seek is a fantasy mystery where intrigue and cryptic clues are beautifully interwoven into a thrilling adventure. The debut novel for Keko V and the first in the Gemini Warriors series, this book promises action, suspense and plot twists that you’re unlikely to suspect (I dare you to read and prove me wrong!).
The story follows Kim, an orphan, with an unusual ability in the expansive world of Crysterria, full of all manner of magical creatures and people. When Kim sets out from the orphanage, officially an adult, in search of employment, she does not expect to get swept away on the call to adventure, inevitably finding herself in the middle of a plot to save the world. A cast of other characters follow various viewpoints which helps the reader to delve deeper into Kim’s curious call to adventure and what that means for Kim herself.
“As far as Kim was concerned, Tenjini and adventure were as synonmyous as bread and butter.”
Keko V writes with humour and wit, carefully composing a story full of secrets and intrigue from the first page. Sometimes I laughed, while some scenes nearly brought me to tears. Keko V has a gift for storytelling, especially when it comes to plot twists and mysteries. While I fancy myself good at predicting plot twists, there was definitely one twist I did not see coming.
Some of my favourite parts of the book were the character relationships, without giving any spoilers, watching some of the characters start as strangers and gradually become dear to each other was well-written, touching and fun to read. Some of my favourite scenes were those between Uskoa and Tenjini, as well as Kim and Nick.
The author is also an illustrator and the paperback version includes some beautiful handmade drawings to complement each chapter. This is not something I see everyday in books, and I loved the original spin and character Keko V has put on her work by choosing to illustrate the book herself.
“The ways of the past are not set in stone… you should not be made to fit your feet into a pair of boots laid out for you that are far too small.”
I read an early version of In Hiding We Seek as a beta reader. Now that I’ve read the final published novel and have been fortunate enough to watch it grow and develop, I have to say that I deeply love this series and cannot wait to see where it goes, and what adventures Kim, Nadia, Liz and Nick get up to next!
I highly recommend this novel (and series) to lovers of fantasy, anime and a reader who enjoys a lengthy, twisting mystery. Next stop, book 2!
“In a universe of pawns, knights, kings and queens,
With swords and crystals, threes and thirteens,
A web of mystery and magic joins the strong and the weak,
In this twisted tale of hide and seek.”
In Hiding We Seek is a fantasy mystery where intrigue and cryptic clues are beautifully interwoven into a thrilling adventure. The debut novel for Keko V and the first in the Gemini Warriors series, this book promises action, suspense and plot twists that you’re unlikely to suspect (I dare you to read and prove me wrong!).
The story follows Kim, an orphan, with an unusual ability in the expansive world of Crysterria, full of all manner of magical creatures and people. When Kim sets out from the orphanage, officially an adult, in search of employment, she does not expect to get swept away on the call to adventure, inevitably finding herself in the middle of a plot to save the world. A cast of other characters follow various viewpoints which helps the reader to delve deeper into Kim’s curious call to adventure and what that means for Kim herself.
“As far as Kim was concerned, Tenjini and adventure were as synonmyous as bread and butter.”
Keko V writes with humour and wit, carefully composing a story full of secrets and intrigue from the first page. Sometimes I laughed, while some scenes nearly brought me to tears. Keko V has a gift for storytelling, especially when it comes to plot twists and mysteries. While I fancy myself good at predicting plot twists, there was definitely one twist I did not see coming.
Some of my favourite parts of the book were the character relationships, without giving any spoilers, watching some of the characters start as strangers and gradually become dear to each other was well-written, touching and fun to read. Some of my favourite scenes were those between Uskoa and Tenjini, as well as Kim and Nick.
The author is also an illustrator and the paperback version includes some beautiful handmade drawings to complement each chapter. This is not something I see everyday in books, and I loved the original spin and character Keko V has put on her work by choosing to illustrate the book herself.
“The ways of the past are not set in stone… you should not be made to fit your feet into a pair of boots laid out for you that are far too small.”
I read an early version of In Hiding We Seek as a beta reader. Now that I’ve read the final published novel and have been fortunate enough to watch it grow and develop, I have to say that I deeply love this series and cannot wait to see where it goes, and what adventures Kim, Nadia, Liz and Nick get up to next!
I highly recommend this novel (and series) to lovers of fantasy, anime and a reader who enjoys a lengthy, twisting mystery. Next stop, book 2!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews