Review: Fun introduction to a new series!!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 22, 2013
3.5 StarsI really enjoyed reading this book. It was different to the other books I have read lately, so it was nice to have something new to read. I think it has a more sci-fi element to it, as there are no actual humans in the story, the characters all appear to be aliens, some with gills, others bald all with out of this world technology. It was a bit intense as the young characters have to take on so much responsibility at a young age, but it was definitely fun!Qeya is an Orona, and her brother will be the future King, and it is in her bloodline and in the histories that she will take on that role as the healer. Their whole lives have been mapped out for most of their kind, even coupled with their future mates at a young age. Qeya's role is to also guide the younger children and ensure that they are getting their education.They have been travelling on the spaceship for 7 years with another race which they call the Miners. The Miners have control of the forth level, and drive the ship. Qeya and her people live on the first and second levels, adults on first and children on second. They do not mingle with the miners as they believe that the miners are lower class people.After Qeya ventures to the first level to report to her father, the King, she over hears a conversation between the royals and the miners that has her questioning her Fathers beliefs. She decides to visit the lower level of the ship to get answers for herself and ends up confronting Ohre, one of the miners who she saw speaking to her father. While she is speaking to Ohre, the ship is attacked and Qeya has to make some swift decisions to save herself and the children on second level. Together with Ohre, they make it back to the second level and prepare as best as they can for a crash landing onto the planet close by. This is where their adventure begins and Qeya and her brother Avwen need to take on their roles that they have been destined for. They guide what is left of their race as best as they can with the help of Ohre the miner, who has sworn to protect Qeya.I enjoyed the build up of this story where the author filled us in on why these two races were stuck trolling the universe in the first place. We learnt the background of Qeya's people and how they exist and how they remember their earliest memories. Qeya is a smart girl, and with everything that has happened in her lifetime, she is starting to question her beliefs, but is willing to stand up for the rest of her people. She forms a close relationship with the miner, although she is determined to find Tamn, her best friend and promised partner.Qeya is only a short story, but it is action packed!! Not only do they crash land onto a strange planet, they try to track down other survivors and are hunted by evil creatures themselves. They are continually watched by something unseen and need to fend for themselves. It was a great beginning to the series and at the conclusion of the book I was left thinking about what will happen next!I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.