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Exploring a newly discovered system shouldn’t have taken Yaden and Ivan more than a few days. But suddenly, they find themselves stranded in a faraway galaxy, way outside the reach of even the strongest guild psions.
Their only chance of ever finding a way back home is to make allies among the truly alien locals, and find a way to deal with the powers-that-be: the brutally isolationist Calarni. Their crystalline technology is superior to anything the Empire has ever seen, and might just be the missing link to the original builders of the Mandalas…
Written by award-winning authors Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus, ‘Calarni’ is a riveting space opera adventure and the sixth book and mid-season-spectacular of the ‘Sir Yaden’ series.
Warnings: Angst, Non-Con, Side Character Death
Their only chance of ever finding a way back home is to make allies among the truly alien locals, and find a way to deal with the powers-that-be: the brutally isolationist Calarni. Their crystalline technology is superior to anything the Empire has ever seen, and might just be the missing link to the original builders of the Mandalas…
Written by award-winning authors Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus, ‘Calarni’ is a riveting space opera adventure and the sixth book and mid-season-spectacular of the ‘Sir Yaden’ series.
Warnings: Angst, Non-Con, Side Character Death
563 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 29, 2022
Review by Ulysses Dietz
Member of The Paranormal Guild Review Team
After I finished this, the latest and most spectacular of the Sir Yaden series, I wiped my eyes, and opened up my copy of the first of these books: The Demon of Hagermarsh. I wanted to remind myself of Sir Yaden Quetzal’s beginning—how Darios was a slave, given to him when he was twelve. I wanted to remind myself of the little boy with immense powers, who could tame volcanos and quell violent storms; who was loved enough by his Quetzal duke and duchess parents to make sure he was cared for. I wanted to re-read his first adventure as a Lotus Knight, his undercover trip to the grim and unfriendly planet Leichnam, where he would meet Colin, the gentle baker who would become the love of his life.
The Brackhauses have managed to build the gorgeous, complex, layered universe in which I got to know Yaden Quetzal so well. Whenever I open one of these books—any of the books set in the Virasana Empire—I can step into that world like putting on a cozy sweater, no matter how long I’ve waited between books in the series.
In this epic story, Yaden and Ivan are off on an interesting, but not especially dangerous mission to investigate a newly-discovered star system. Their role is both investigative and diplomatic. Using one of the vast,mysterious crystalline mandalas that allow interstellar space travel—but whose origin nobody understands—our Knight and his Squire fly the spaceship Pebble close to a planet no-one has ever seen before. And then something bizarre happens—which, we are told more than once, is what Lotus Knights expect when they’re on missions.
This adventure opens up a world as unimaginable to Ivan and Yaden as it is to the reader. Our young men encounter a touchstone to the ancient past of the universe that is both enthralling and terrifying. They discover things and creatures beyond their experience, and do exactly what they’re supposed to do: they adapt, they learn, they develop their skills, and they make friends.
I can’t spoil any of the fun in this book, and I can’t prepare you for the emotional twists and turns the narrative takes. This is the story in which Ivan becomes more than just Yaden’s sidekick and in which his loyalty and love for his Knight is tested in the extreme. As for Yaden, he becomes greater than he ever could have dreamed, but he also risks losing his humanity in the perfection of his psionic powers.
Of course, the entire narrative is laced with cozy slang and gentle humor, because we all like these people and care about them. They feel like friends. We see Yaden and Ivan from the perspective of various alien races, and begin to understand them beyond their familiar presence in our own imaginations.
Very deftly, the authors keep the reader rooted in the Virasana universe, keeping us in touch with Yaden’s family back on their home planet. Darios, still his faithful guardian; Colin, now a noble-by-marriage and Yaden’s beloved husband; and Meriam, burgeoning psion and cranky teenager, their adopted daughter. The Brackhauses never let us lose sight of the ultimate goal, and never let us forget that our boys are indeed superheroes, even if they don’t quite understand it themselves.
Throughout this long book, the visuals are gorgeously cinematic, and I can only imagine what this would look like as a film. The physical descriptions of everything are terribly important in bringing to life this vividly imagined universe, and making it both palpable and accessible.
Another triumph. Whatever will they do next?
Member of The Paranormal Guild Review Team
After I finished this, the latest and most spectacular of the Sir Yaden series, I wiped my eyes, and opened up my copy of the first of these books: The Demon of Hagermarsh. I wanted to remind myself of Sir Yaden Quetzal’s beginning—how Darios was a slave, given to him when he was twelve. I wanted to remind myself of the little boy with immense powers, who could tame volcanos and quell violent storms; who was loved enough by his Quetzal duke and duchess parents to make sure he was cared for. I wanted to re-read his first adventure as a Lotus Knight, his undercover trip to the grim and unfriendly planet Leichnam, where he would meet Colin, the gentle baker who would become the love of his life.
The Brackhauses have managed to build the gorgeous, complex, layered universe in which I got to know Yaden Quetzal so well. Whenever I open one of these books—any of the books set in the Virasana Empire—I can step into that world like putting on a cozy sweater, no matter how long I’ve waited between books in the series.
In this epic story, Yaden and Ivan are off on an interesting, but not especially dangerous mission to investigate a newly-discovered star system. Their role is both investigative and diplomatic. Using one of the vast,mysterious crystalline mandalas that allow interstellar space travel—but whose origin nobody understands—our Knight and his Squire fly the spaceship Pebble close to a planet no-one has ever seen before. And then something bizarre happens—which, we are told more than once, is what Lotus Knights expect when they’re on missions.
This adventure opens up a world as unimaginable to Ivan and Yaden as it is to the reader. Our young men encounter a touchstone to the ancient past of the universe that is both enthralling and terrifying. They discover things and creatures beyond their experience, and do exactly what they’re supposed to do: they adapt, they learn, they develop their skills, and they make friends.
I can’t spoil any of the fun in this book, and I can’t prepare you for the emotional twists and turns the narrative takes. This is the story in which Ivan becomes more than just Yaden’s sidekick and in which his loyalty and love for his Knight is tested in the extreme. As for Yaden, he becomes greater than he ever could have dreamed, but he also risks losing his humanity in the perfection of his psionic powers.
Of course, the entire narrative is laced with cozy slang and gentle humor, because we all like these people and care about them. They feel like friends. We see Yaden and Ivan from the perspective of various alien races, and begin to understand them beyond their familiar presence in our own imaginations.
Very deftly, the authors keep the reader rooted in the Virasana universe, keeping us in touch with Yaden’s family back on their home planet. Darios, still his faithful guardian; Colin, now a noble-by-marriage and Yaden’s beloved husband; and Meriam, burgeoning psion and cranky teenager, their adopted daughter. The Brackhauses never let us lose sight of the ultimate goal, and never let us forget that our boys are indeed superheroes, even if they don’t quite understand it themselves.
Throughout this long book, the visuals are gorgeously cinematic, and I can only imagine what this would look like as a film. The physical descriptions of everything are terribly important in bringing to life this vividly imagined universe, and making it both palpable and accessible.
Another triumph. Whatever will they do next?
November 11, 2022
My ratings for this book started at 2 stars but was progressively revised upwards as the pacing, action, drama and plot twists improved from around third-way mark. The author gave significant insight into MCs Yaden and Ivan as each confronted their own insecurities and prejudices, the impact of personal historical traumas and self-evaluation in light of their battle actions and betrayals from others. Some reader should be forewarned of being badly triggered with All that said, 4.5 stars would be my final rating.
August 13, 2022
Another excellent adventure
Wow! What a crazy journey this book was with a new world to explore as we go along for the ride with Yaden and Ivan. Some tough situations and strong emotions happening here. I really love this series.
Wow! What a crazy journey this book was with a new world to explore as we go along for the ride with Yaden and Ivan. Some tough situations and strong emotions happening here. I really love this series.
July 16, 2024
The scope and imagination of these authors is outstanding; with having read over 2200 m/m books, primarily SciFi/Fantasy, that is saying something. The details and development are way above average. I have repeatedly stated that I wish this series in particular would get more traction with U.S. Fantasy readers. It's one of 2 series that makes me regret not being a social media person. But for some reason, reading is a personal thing to me. I don't like discussing books outside of doing a review to help other readers. I am baffled by reviews that get likes for just stating a rating or one sentence on how they felt without saying why, so that it is useful to others. (But, I digress)
I have read a high majority of their books and enjoyed them all. I did have some mild issues with this one (more so than I remember having with any of the others). But even with those, it is still an above average read - due to not only the above things mentioned but the depth and obvious effort these authors put into their storytelling.
The proofing was an issue. I was thrown out several times due to typos that disrupted the flow. I am a laid back reader who gets absorbed into a story, so for me to notice and remember by the time I review - means that someone sensitive and easily thrown out should be warned. For me, it wasn't ideal but didn't hamper my enjoyment.
My next mild issue might be why I was a little more aware of the above. Though I was never bored or ancy; I was not as deeply drawn into the world at the start, but eventually pulled me into it fully. I struggled to remember some of the side characters, relationships, and background. I'm not sure how long it has been since I read #5, but it was long enough that a glossary of characters and places at the beginning would have been highly useful.
All types of governments have strengths and weaknesses. Unitary ones can be great for getting things done as long as you have a benevolent, knowledgeable leader and not one like Hitler. A Democratic government also has it strengths and weaknesses, but can definitely get bogged down and become less efficient and effective. The size and diversity of a population makes a difference too. So on that note, I was a little uncomfortable with the multiple pot shots taken repeatedly against democracies.
Anyone extra sensitive to cheating even with extremely dubious consent should tread carefully.
I would definitely recommend this series but only if starting from the beginning. I will continue on, in fact I'm moving immediately onto book #7 while things are still fresh in my brain. I often wait for 2 or more books to come out in a series. I typically like reading back to back.
I have read a high majority of their books and enjoyed them all. I did have some mild issues with this one (more so than I remember having with any of the others). But even with those, it is still an above average read - due to not only the above things mentioned but the depth and obvious effort these authors put into their storytelling.
The proofing was an issue. I was thrown out several times due to typos that disrupted the flow. I am a laid back reader who gets absorbed into a story, so for me to notice and remember by the time I review - means that someone sensitive and easily thrown out should be warned. For me, it wasn't ideal but didn't hamper my enjoyment.
My next mild issue might be why I was a little more aware of the above. Though I was never bored or ancy; I was not as deeply drawn into the world at the start, but eventually pulled me into it fully. I struggled to remember some of the side characters, relationships, and background. I'm not sure how long it has been since I read #5, but it was long enough that a glossary of characters and places at the beginning would have been highly useful.
All types of governments have strengths and weaknesses. Unitary ones can be great for getting things done as long as you have a benevolent, knowledgeable leader and not one like Hitler. A Democratic government also has it strengths and weaknesses, but can definitely get bogged down and become less efficient and effective. The size and diversity of a population makes a difference too. So on that note, I was a little uncomfortable with the multiple pot shots taken repeatedly against democracies.
Anyone extra sensitive to cheating even with extremely dubious consent should tread carefully.
I would definitely recommend this series but only if starting from the beginning. I will continue on, in fact I'm moving immediately onto book #7 while things are still fresh in my brain. I often wait for 2 or more books to come out in a series. I typically like reading back to back.
July 26, 2022
FR- Alors alors… alors déjà il faut savoir que ce roman là est un petit pavé. Si les tomes précédents font entre 220 et 280 pages, celui ci en fait 533. 533 pages que l’on ne voit vraiment pas passer. Comme toujours, j’étais très contente de retrouver les personnages de cet univers et j’avais hâte de voir ce que Beryll et Osiris Brackhaus avaient en réserve pour ce 6 eme tome qui est donc le tome de mi saison. Et oui, l’arc Sir Yaden comptera 12 tomes et on arrive doucement mais surement au milieu de cette série.
J’ai rapidement compris que dans ce tome nous ne verrions que principalement Yaden et Ivan. Mais je me suis très très vite remise de ma deception de ne pas voir plus les autres personnages et notamment Colin parce qu’il se passe tellement de chose dans ce tome qu’on ne peut que se laisser porter par les évènements.
Dans ce tome ce sont donc Yaden et Ivan qui se retrouve dans le roles des Aliens et j’ai vraiment aimé ce parti prit. Pour une fois, ce ne sont pas les autres qui sont différents mais les personnages principaux. C’était vraiment intéressant de voir comment les auteurs ont traités cet aspects, que ce soit au niveau de l’adaptation de Yaden et Ivan à ce nouveau monde, à la nouvelle langue mais également l’adaptation des autres espèces aux deux humains qui débarquent dans leur univers.
J’ai beaucoup aimé que les auteurs soient plutot précis dans la description des autres races tout en laissant de la place à l’imagination de chacun. D’ailleurs, ils franchissent un pas de plus dans le « mélange inter espèces » courant dans les spaces opera mais qui avait été assez timide jusque là, Virasana ne comptant qu’une autre espèces en plus des humains (et les N’Ptalini sont vraiment différents des humains, où des nouvelles espèces présentées ici)
Comme je vous le disais, il se passe énormément de choses dans ce tome. On en apprend énormément sur les mandalas, que l’on croise depuis plusieurs tomes déjà ainsi que sur les différentes espèces, assimilées à des Dieux dans l’univers de Yaden.
Ce que j’ai beaucoup aimé aussi c’est la relation entre Ivan et Yaden qui prend une autre tournurne. D’ailleurs Yaden et Ivan vont beaucoup changer dans ce tomes. Ils vont s’affirmer. Yaden perds un peu de son image lisse et placide et j’avoue que je suis à la fois excitée et inquiète de ce que ça pourrait donner dans le reste de la série.
Ivan s’affirme énormément, il grandit, on est loin du jeune homme effrayé du tome 2 mais je sens que la confrontation avec sa tarée de soeur n’en sera que plus intense.
Je ne peux pas vous en dire beaucoup plus sans vous spoiler mais on sent qu’on atteint un cap de part ce roman et que la suite de la série va prendre un virage pour le moins… interessant.
En tout cas j’ai toujours autant dévoré ce roman (malgré la chaleur de ces dernières semaines qui me donnait plus envie de faire la sieste que de lire) et j’en ai adoré chaque chapitre.
Les auteurs s’afinnent de tomes en tomes et nous livrent une saga épique et passionnante.
ENG – So well well well… well first, you should know that this novel is massive. If the previous volumes are between 220 and 280 pages, this one is 533. 533 pages that we really do not see pass. As always, I was very happy to find the characters of this universe and I was eager to see what Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus had in store for this 6th volume which is therefore the mid-season volume. And yes, the Sir Yaden arc will have 12 volumes and we are slowly but surely arriving in the middle of this series.
I quickly understood that in this volume we would mainly see Yaden and Ivan. But I very quickly recovered from my disappointment at not seeing more of the other characters, especially Colin, because so much is happening in this volume that we can only let ourselves be carried away by events.
In this volume it is therefore Yaden and Ivan who find themselves in the roles of the Aliens and I really liked this choice. For once, it’s not the others who are different but the main characters. It was really interesting to see how the authors dealt with this aspect, whether in terms of Yaden and Ivan’s adaptation to this new world, to the new language, but also the adaptation of other species to the two humans who land. in their world.
I really liked that the authors are rather precise in the description of the other races while leaving room for everyone’s imagination. Moreover, they take another step in the « inter-species mixture » common in space operas but which had been rather timid until then, Virasana only counting one other species in addition to humans (and the N’Ptalini are really different from humans, or new species presented here)
Like I said, there’s a lot going on in this book. We learn a lot about the mandalas, which we have come across for several volumes already, as well as about the different species, assimilated to Gods in the universe of Yaden.
What I also really liked is the relationship between Ivan and Yaden which takes another turn. Moreover Yaden and Ivan will change a lot in this volume. They will assert themselves. Yaden is losing some of his slick, placid image and I have to admit that I’m both excited and worried about what it might look like in the rest of the series.
Ivan asserts himself enormously, he grows up, we are far from the frightened young man of volume 2 but I feel that the confrontation with his crazy sister will only be more intense.
I can’t tell you much more without spoiling you, but we feel that we’ve reached a milestone with this novel and that the rest of the series will take a turn, to say the least… interesting.
In any case, I still devoured this novel so much (despite the heat of the past few weeks which made me want to take a nap more than read) and I loved every chapter.
The authors refine themselves from volume to volume and deliver an epic and exciting saga.
J’ai rapidement compris que dans ce tome nous ne verrions que principalement Yaden et Ivan. Mais je me suis très très vite remise de ma deception de ne pas voir plus les autres personnages et notamment Colin parce qu’il se passe tellement de chose dans ce tome qu’on ne peut que se laisser porter par les évènements.
Dans ce tome ce sont donc Yaden et Ivan qui se retrouve dans le roles des Aliens et j’ai vraiment aimé ce parti prit. Pour une fois, ce ne sont pas les autres qui sont différents mais les personnages principaux. C’était vraiment intéressant de voir comment les auteurs ont traités cet aspects, que ce soit au niveau de l’adaptation de Yaden et Ivan à ce nouveau monde, à la nouvelle langue mais également l’adaptation des autres espèces aux deux humains qui débarquent dans leur univers.
J’ai beaucoup aimé que les auteurs soient plutot précis dans la description des autres races tout en laissant de la place à l’imagination de chacun. D’ailleurs, ils franchissent un pas de plus dans le « mélange inter espèces » courant dans les spaces opera mais qui avait été assez timide jusque là, Virasana ne comptant qu’une autre espèces en plus des humains (et les N’Ptalini sont vraiment différents des humains, où des nouvelles espèces présentées ici)
Comme je vous le disais, il se passe énormément de choses dans ce tome. On en apprend énormément sur les mandalas, que l’on croise depuis plusieurs tomes déjà ainsi que sur les différentes espèces, assimilées à des Dieux dans l’univers de Yaden.
Ce que j’ai beaucoup aimé aussi c’est la relation entre Ivan et Yaden qui prend une autre tournurne. D’ailleurs Yaden et Ivan vont beaucoup changer dans ce tomes. Ils vont s’affirmer. Yaden perds un peu de son image lisse et placide et j’avoue que je suis à la fois excitée et inquiète de ce que ça pourrait donner dans le reste de la série.
Ivan s’affirme énormément, il grandit, on est loin du jeune homme effrayé du tome 2 mais je sens que la confrontation avec sa tarée de soeur n’en sera que plus intense.
Je ne peux pas vous en dire beaucoup plus sans vous spoiler mais on sent qu’on atteint un cap de part ce roman et que la suite de la série va prendre un virage pour le moins… interessant.
En tout cas j’ai toujours autant dévoré ce roman (malgré la chaleur de ces dernières semaines qui me donnait plus envie de faire la sieste que de lire) et j’en ai adoré chaque chapitre.
Les auteurs s’afinnent de tomes en tomes et nous livrent une saga épique et passionnante.
ENG – So well well well… well first, you should know that this novel is massive. If the previous volumes are between 220 and 280 pages, this one is 533. 533 pages that we really do not see pass. As always, I was very happy to find the characters of this universe and I was eager to see what Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus had in store for this 6th volume which is therefore the mid-season volume. And yes, the Sir Yaden arc will have 12 volumes and we are slowly but surely arriving in the middle of this series.
I quickly understood that in this volume we would mainly see Yaden and Ivan. But I very quickly recovered from my disappointment at not seeing more of the other characters, especially Colin, because so much is happening in this volume that we can only let ourselves be carried away by events.
In this volume it is therefore Yaden and Ivan who find themselves in the roles of the Aliens and I really liked this choice. For once, it’s not the others who are different but the main characters. It was really interesting to see how the authors dealt with this aspect, whether in terms of Yaden and Ivan’s adaptation to this new world, to the new language, but also the adaptation of other species to the two humans who land. in their world.
I really liked that the authors are rather precise in the description of the other races while leaving room for everyone’s imagination. Moreover, they take another step in the « inter-species mixture » common in space operas but which had been rather timid until then, Virasana only counting one other species in addition to humans (and the N’Ptalini are really different from humans, or new species presented here)
Like I said, there’s a lot going on in this book. We learn a lot about the mandalas, which we have come across for several volumes already, as well as about the different species, assimilated to Gods in the universe of Yaden.
What I also really liked is the relationship between Ivan and Yaden which takes another turn. Moreover Yaden and Ivan will change a lot in this volume. They will assert themselves. Yaden is losing some of his slick, placid image and I have to admit that I’m both excited and worried about what it might look like in the rest of the series.
Ivan asserts himself enormously, he grows up, we are far from the frightened young man of volume 2 but I feel that the confrontation with his crazy sister will only be more intense.
I can’t tell you much more without spoiling you, but we feel that we’ve reached a milestone with this novel and that the rest of the series will take a turn, to say the least… interesting.
In any case, I still devoured this novel so much (despite the heat of the past few weeks which made me want to take a nap more than read) and I loved every chapter.
The authors refine themselves from volume to volume and deliver an epic and exciting saga.
September 6, 2022
See my web site for a full review of the latest Sir Yaden book, “Calarni”.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews