Ashleigh Reads Books Reading is my first love, writing my second. Here I combine the two.

For some reason, seeing a chubby girl with too much fake tan on makes me crave chocolate.

Wonka Bar, anyone?

If you can’t be yourself around a friend, it is time you faced facts - they were never really your friend in the first place.

When I was a child I used to visit my grandparents every fortnight. They used to live on a big property in the mountains, with lots of trees to climb, and lots of fruit trees to scavenge.The other day I was telling my boyfriend about some of my adventures in the forest with my brothers (did I mention the property backed onto an un-touched forest?) and he was intrigued.

Every now and then my cousins would visit at the same time as us. They were big, loud and vulgar; very, very different from ourselves. Needless to say, we didn’t much like them. They were oafish (is that a word?), uneducated country bumpkins, and we had nothing in common. My petite brothers and I, on seeing their car arrive, used to stuff our pockets with whatever fruit was in season, sprint to the nearest climbable tree, and race up to the highest branches. My cousins, being large of both bone and cowardice, were too scared to climb up after us. They used to stand below the tree and bellow up to us to come down. Occasionally they would try to climb too, but would chicken out after the first couple of branches.

Sometimes, when we were feeling particularly vindictive, we would entice them up the tree with some juicy fruit. Despite being from the country they did not have our knack for picking the sweetest and juiciest fruits, so they would inevitably be induced to attempt the tree. Their terror once they had reached the dizzying heights caused us fits of laughter. We sobered up, however, when they couldn’t get down again – thus trapping us up the tree too.

As I related these memories to my boyfriend I found myself remembering more and more of our games, tricks and imaginary worlds. My boyfriend thought my stories were reminiscent of Enid Blyton/Roald Dahl/Paul Jennings. He has convinced me to try to write  a novel based around my childhood experiences. After all, very few people spent their childhoods trekking forests as I did.

Should I give it a go? I’m not sure if it would amuse the audience as much as it would amuse me. Maybe I’ll just see where the Muse takes me this time. I am feeling particularly inspired…

If healer sees a setting sun

and gold meets gold, two halves are one.

Then Westerner with silver tongue

will love and lose the golden one

but bind a friendship slow begun. I

f horses graze in forests deep

where trees their summer greening keep

then fire will be the flatsword’s bane

and bring the dead to life again.

The Treman are a peaceable peoples. In years long past they rejected the war-like tendencies of the North, journeyed South to the forests, and set up a community of healers.

A blood-thirsty, desperate peoples at the edge of the forests hear a prophesy - their doom will be in the hands of a gold-eyed healer. To their horror they spy one of the Tremen out foraging, and she has golden eyes. Too much to be borne, the Shargh set out to murder Kira, lest she see a setting sun and bring about their ruin.

On discovering it is she who is hunted, Tremen leader and best healer, Kira, makes the desperate journey to beg aid from her Northern kin. She is the first Treman to ever leave the trees, and it seems the prophesy is rapidly coming to life.

Does Kira have the courage and strength to save her people from certain death, and preserve their peaceful way of life?

‘The Kira Chronicles’, by K.S.Nikakis is a refreshingly different fantasy novel. Written by a fellow Melbournian, fellow teacher, and fellow Lord of the Rings fan, it is no wonder I loved it.

Nikakis provides the perspective from both the ‘good’ guys, and the ‘bad’ guys so that you can understand the desperation that has led to an unnecessary war. Additionally, Kira’s complex past means that events will never pass without a few hiccups, and she will never act in a rational manner. This provides a sense of unpredictability for both the characters and the reader.

I had absolutely no idea how the story would end until the very last page of the trilogy. It takes an immense amount of skill to provide such a sense of wonderment throughout an entire trilogy, whilst at the same time being careful not to frustrate the reader.

You do not have to be an Australian to fall in love with ‘The Kira Chronicles’, as Nikakis has painted such a unique and vibrant world. I believe that you do not even need to be a fantasy fiction fan to enjoy this series. Well, what are you waiting for? Get out and read it!

Here’s where you can find a sneak preview: http://www.kirachronicles.com.au/series.html

Standing hand in hand with my one true love,

Happy in this park, for once a land is ours and ours alone

Until a glance into the horizon spoils our hopes;

A tempest storm gushing frantically toward us both.

__________________________________________

Heads are bent – we are forced to flee

Separated as the ferocious wind reached a fever

pitch. Wouldst the gods to leave us be!

For one romantic day alone is all we ask. Forever

__________________________________________

We are being interrupted by this

and that, if not a storm some other disaster.

Hand in hand we long to stand alone

And yet together. Filled with a sudden laughter,

__________________________________________

Amused by the ridiculousness of the situation.

We are together, just rarely to be alone

For sure I am no fair Juliet nor is he my Romeo.

We jump in the car and head for home.

Written by Ash Oldfield