“Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.”
Jane Austin - Pride & Prejudice
The Kira Chronicles, by K.S.Nikakis
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
