The Way Between: A Young Orphan, An Old Warrior, A Great Adventure

The Way Between - Ari Ara series #1

by Rivera Sun

BOOK ONE OF THE AWARD-WINNING ARI ARA SERIES! In an exciting blend of action, adventure, and fantasy author Rivera Sun boldly takes the reader in a new direction . . . that of waging peace, active nonviolence, and nonviolent struggle. Challenging war cultures and military societies, The Way Between brings the skills of resolving conflict, anti-bullying, and ending violence into a coming of age story for a new generation of readers. Between flight and fight lies a mysterious third path called The Way Between , and young shepherdess and orphan Ari Ara must master it . . . before war destroys everything she loves! She begins training as the apprentice of the great warrior Shulen, and enters a world of warriors and secrets, swords and magic, friendship and mystery. She uncovers forbidden prophecies, searches for the lost heir to two thrones, and chases the elusive forest-dwelling Fanten to unravel their hidden knowledge. Full of twists and turns and surprises, The Way Between is bound to carve out a niche on bookshelves everywhere! "This novel should be read aloud to everyone, by everyone, from childhood onward. Rivera Sun writes in a style as magical as Tolkien and as authentic as Twain." - Tom Hastings, Director of PeaceVoice, Professor of Conflict Studies at Portland State University "The Way Between is a compelling and wise articulation of the human sojourn . . . a dispatch from a mythic dimension of archaic longing and potential that calls us to our truest selves." - Ken Butigan, Pace e Bene/Campaign Nonviolence "A beautiful story that expands the imagination into the possibilities of peace and active nonviolence . . . this book will prepare our children and ourselves for the real-life world we so desperately need." - David Hartsough, Founder Nonviolent Peaceforce, author of Waging Peace "Nonviolence is a treasure hidden right under our noses that can help solve--not just some-- all of the challenges the world is facing. Imagine the sheer wonder of making this great discovery. Rivera Sun skillfully shows us The Way." -Stephanie N. Van Hook, Director of the Metta Center for Nonviolence; author of Gandhi Searches for A Practical Biography for Children. "Rivera Sun has, once again, used her passion for nonviolence, and her talent for putting thoughts into powerful words on a page, to recreate life, to show us the possibilities that can be, if we dedicate ourselves to The Way Between ” . -Robin Wildman, Fifth Grade Teacher, Nonviolent Schools Movement, and Nonviolence Trainer "Generations of young adults will be helped to find this way in the adventures of Ari Ara; and we will all be so greatly in Rivera’s debt." - Michael Nagler, author of Search for a Nonviolent Future; founder of Metta Center for Nonviolence "A wonderful book! It is so rare to find exciting fiction for young people and adults that shows creative solutions to conflict and challenges violence with active nonviolence and peace. Ari Ara is a delightful character and this story is a gem." - Heart Phoenix, River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult

296 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2019

About the author

Author/Activist Rivera Sun has written numerous books and novels, including The Dandelion Insurrection and the award-winning Ari Ara Series. She is the editor of Nonviolence News and the Program Coordinator for Campaign Nonviolence. Her articles are syndicated by Peace Voice and published in hundreds of journals nationwide. Rivera Sun serves on the board of Backbone Campaign and the advisory board of World BEYOND War. She lives on her family's organic farm in Maine.

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Reviews

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every few years a book comes along that grabs you emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually… chews you up and spits you out. And believe it or not that’s a good feeling.

I’ve just been lucky enough to read such a book. The Way Between is Rivera Sun’s new novel, and it’s quite different from her previous work. I’ve enjoyed her other books too but this one finds a new path, just as its protagonist creates her own new direction and thereby changes her world.

Ari Ara is a delightful heroine and her supporting cast are all drawn with an eye to detail that makes them jump off the page. I love the premise of a third response to danger, something that is neither fight nor flight, but instead a way between that is stronger than either. We can learn from this novel, but it’s not dry book-learning. It’s a feeling of triumph and hope.

Don’t miss the chance to feel this good. Get your copy today.

DISCLOSURE: This review was written December 10, 2016 after I read a review copy of this wonderful book. I just posted the review to Amazon, wasn't able to post until the book was officially on sale. I thought I'd copy it over here.

[Beverly Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way Between grabbed my attention early and had me dropping everything to read it, I literally couldn't put it down. I sat on the edge of my seat, I laughed, cried and learned. The characters are well developed and unique, the heroine Ari Ara literally dances across the page as she grows and becomes what our world needs right now. This book has the power to change how we view our world and how our children interact with it. It has incredible entertainment value, is quick to read yet holds incredible insight. I highly recommend it for people of all ages and wish I had books like this to read with my child when he was young. Can't wait to read book 2.

[Deborah Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes you aware of how much of our culture's stories are about war and violence, and how much imagination it takes to envision a new narrative archetype. It's a fast, scrumptious read recommended for kids, young adults, and those of us who are a bit older and disillusioned.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way Between
By Rivera Sun

I am not a devoted fan of the fantasy genre so did not expect to care for this first in a series work by Rivera Sun. Instead I was captivated almost immediately.

The premise is a “lost heir” of a dead Queen turning out to be a pixie, fairy-like young girl; fairly common type set-up in fantasy, a genre that allows women to receive their kudos. However, the underlining universal theme is the pull between violence and peace—how do we choose who represents violence, who represents non-violence, and who stands away avoiding the choice altogether? Is a world with no war even possible? Why do we revere the warriors and only give pittance to the peace makers?

The protagonist, Ari Ara, [translates to “not this not that”] who thinks herself an orphan, found and reared by the Fanten, is not allowed to be a part of their culture by Fanten Grandmother, who is of course harboring a secret.

In this world there are two “ways” a person can be born into: Attar is the Way of Blazing Fire that encompasses the warriors and protectors of the royal families. Anar is the Way of Shadows and its people stand away from war, but do nothing to stop it. Then there is the third way, a choice, that very few in the history of the land have had the courage to follow—The Way Between, Azar, teaches peace and reconciliation.

This book begins with Ari Ara as an orphan and ends at the point that she learns her true story and fate. The characters are believable; even bullies, outsiders, and the physically impaired are represented. The story is well developed and, although easy to follow, certainly never becomes boring. There is a very helpful map at the beginning of Chapter One that I [visual person] referred to over and over to get a picture of the lay of the land, which is important to the development. The names of the physical features and places are not only delightful but plant a picture in your mind…Monk’s Hand Monastery, Forefinger Ridge, Monk’s Tears River…

I thoroughly enjoyed this opening story and look forward to the next in the series tackling more of humankind’s ancient yet still urgent questions regarding war and peace. I just Skyped with my 12-year-old grandson, total Harry Potter and series fan, who mentioned he was out of reading material, so sending this on to him. Thinking of it as Harry Potter with a contemporary message, and recommending it for twelve years, or precocious pre-teens, through adult. Five stars.

Gayle Morrow

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick, fun read. The author takes the principles of nonviolent action and wraps them in a timeless (and very timely) story. Looking forward to the sequels!

[Rob Thistleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A review

Beautiful simple story on one level, but so many levels. A story of radicalism but most of all about love.
A must read for all ages, with so much to teach us. Gentleness and strength combine to make us what we are.
A story of learning and development, from adolescence to maturity. One which is reflected in the real world. One of humanities present journey, bringing untold opportunities and eternal love to this planet and its life.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person who loves to read fantasy and who also is a firm believer in non-violence, I found this to be a wonderful book! It was well written, the characters were believable and likable, the plot engaging, and the world-building well done. I read this in a couple of days over the Christmas holidays and found it hard to put down. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Beth Swahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is predictable, but new all at the same time. It is a breath of fresh air. The characters are likable right way and the story teaches a wonderful lesson.

[Sally Ember · Rating 5 out of 5]

by Rivera Sun is both a great story and an excellent educational tool promoting nonviolence, intergroup alliances, social justice and peace. This story is suitable as a read-aloud or read-alone for ages 5 - elders and would make a great book with which to study mixed martial arts, meditation, nonviolence and peace themes in any educational setting or for personal growth.

Ari Ara (meaning, "Not this, not that") is an eleven-year-old orphan among many other orphans in a fantasy world that seems somewhat middle-ages/European in origins, but is not part of Earth's actual history. She was taken in first by the forest-dwelling, animal-tending and -herding mystics and story-tellers, the Fanten, a matriarchal society that lives near a mountain-people's monastery. Monasteries are used to mostly to train and house both boys and girls who are orphans and/or planning to be in the military. The third group mentioned but not depicted much in this first book of the series are the desert dwellers.

The desert dwellers and the mountain people have been at war with one another for various reasons for dozens of years with the Fanten's never taking sides but being direly affected. In this latest round of conflicts, which sparks the constant need for new soldiers and generates a steady flow of newly made orphans, wounded and dead soldiers, the mountain people's living generations have been seeking "the Lost Heir" for almost a dozen years. They are hoping to find the missing child of their dead queen and the living king of the desert people to finally end the wars and unite both groups, for all time.

Young people train and vie for a place in the hierarchy of trainees and eventually conscripted soldiers via their own home territories and this and other monasteries. After introducing the protagonist, Ari Ara, in her sheepherding role, this first book in the series about her begins with her viewing such a contest at the monastery. This particular competition is being judged by and has as its prize a mentorship with the nation's biggest hero, Shulen (the Stone One), now a middle-aged, never-defeated male soldier, master of all martial arts, and guardian to three queens and royal guard head trainer.

No spoilers, here, but the rest of the book is devoted to the growing relationship (mentee-mentor) between Ari Ara and Shulen, her friendships and competitors/bullies, and her connections to all three groups of people in this fantasy and what these connections could mean to everyone.

Sun has created two great protagonists and many interesting subplots, with an excellent "best friend" in Minli, "a one-legged orphan," who has lived at the monastery since he was left there as an infant and has been training to be a scribe. Her themes, of nonviolence, peace and social justice, permeate the story but are not managed in a heavy-handed way.

The emotions, thoughts, actions and story unfold organically and well, and would certainly keep the interest of children, adolescents and adults who like fantasy books and mysterious parentage/orphan tropes. There are moments of humor, but it is mostly serious, with a lot of the training sessions for Ari Ara included. These components may inspire a new generation of children and teens to go into martial arts, especially Aikido, which this seems to be largely based upon, and for adults, T'ai Chi as well.

Even though those of us older than 12 will probably be able to predict the twists fairly easily and the "surprise" ending, revealing Ari Ara's origins, too, it's still a fun read. Chapters are mostly fairly short and scenes move quickly but without short-changing the action or personal development that the story is based upon. And, Ari Ara is not the only character to go through substantial changes, either. Even adults can and do change in this story, which is a great lesson in itself.

Highly recommended.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister is reading this series to my niece and they were raving about it so I borrowed the first book in this series and I read it in 10 days. I didn't want to put it down. It has all the page-turning movement of a mythical adventure tale (think the Hobbit, Harry Potter, Robin Hood) but the hero is a heroine—my kind of book. Also, the ideals of the peace movement are woven through the plot, though not in an overbearing way. War and violence are not glorified--in fact, they are criticized. "The way between" is a third way of dealing with conflict--not physical violence, not evading conflict, but moving in a way that avoids blows while also dealing with the pain and suffering that's at the root of most violence.
I don't care that this is a YA novel. I want to read the remaining 3 books of the series! I can't wait to see what Ari Ara does as she turns 12, 13, --and becomes a wise young woman.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Author’s Note, “After four thousand years of war, violence, and conquest, it's time for some new stories. Our literature needs a 21st century update. If we look around the world today, the most exciting adventures of our times are unfolding in nonviolent movements for change...The Way Between is a story for our times. It offers the younger generations-and the older ones compassion, inclusion, and belonging. It challenges war, violence, discrimination, and prejudice. The story has all the beauty of the great stories of old: adventure, action, challenges, courage, secrets, and mysteries, surprises, friendship, and connection; but without the outdated glorification of war and violence.”

[MJ Mulcahey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, a different pick than my usually go to, but loved it. Emphasis is on non violence, social justice and “the way between”. So relevant today. Great quotes within the book:
1. Fight the problem not each other
2. You find your way between by refusing to allow harm (pick justice) and refusing to do harm (pick compassion).
3. A leader must do what’s right, not what is easy.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10-year-old said this book was "the best; 10 out of 10!"

It's an exciting, well-written, page-turner. Also, I know who the real heir is, and it's not who is 'revealed' at the end, imho--so there's a fun mystery to it!

Highly recommend!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 'young adult' book is great. It's extremely well written, and the ideas introduced through the plot, of a way between violence and submission, are introduced organically. So if you're into books about people working for peace or good fantasy adventure, this is a book for you.

[Karen Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tolkien of our time!

Loved absolutely loved this book. Starting off simply as almost a fairytale would with a powerful message embedded in it.

[Mary Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The magic spills out of the pages early and holds you spell bound throughout.

[Michelle Reetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud with the kids, they highly enjoyed it!

[Sarah Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love this book. Have read it twice, now.

[Laurie Vigne]

Wonderful change to peace/mediation from war Motiff. Professor Leslie Donovan helped publish

[Meira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow wow - practically inhaled this book, it was incredible!