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Borealis
Borealis, by Andri E. Elia, is an engaging tale of Queen Asimia and her family’s quest for a new home amidst the devastation of war. Set in the kingdom of Yandar, the novel deftly intertwines themes of war, romance, and hope as the royal family faces defeat at the hands of the K’tuls. Key characters include Willie, Princess Hyrsa, and a young orphan named Sunny, who manage to escape the conflict. Sunny, adopted by the royal family, soon reveals extraordinary abilities that hint at a royal lineage and his potential to save the kingdom.
The novel stands out for its detailed and thorough narrative. The character development is particularly noteworthy, as each individual’s past and struggles are meticulously unveiled, allowing readers to witness their growth and transformation.
The world-building is exceptional, with vivid descriptions of planets, animals, and characters that create an immersive and fully realized universe. Elia’s attention to detail and thoughtful construction of this world is impressive. The story is enriched by various smaller narratives and side plots that seamlessly weave into the main storyline, making for a cohesive and entertaining read. The inclusion of time travel and space exploration adds layers of complexity, masterfully handled by the author. While the story may initially seem complex, especially given its place within a larger book series, it quickly becomes more engaging as the chapters progress. The narrative clarifies, and the plot’s intricacies unfold smoothly, making it easier to grasp and enjoy. The appendix at the end of the book serves as a helpful resource for understanding the broader context and specific details.
While the book contains mature themes that may not be suitable for younger readers, it offers a compelling read for young adults and beyond. The mature themes are handled with sensitivity and add depth to the narrative, making it resonate with many readers.
Borealis is a must-read for fans of science fiction and adventure stories. Its rich world-building, intricate plot and well-developed characters make it a standout in its genre. Andri E. Elia has crafted a novel that is both thought-provoking and entertaining, appealing to a broad audience of readers.
Pages: 310 | ASIN : B0CWDGMBS4
Creating a Sense of Normalcy Amid the Chaos
Borealis follows a man with the ability to transport himself through time who discovers secrets about himself and works to save the people of Yand. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Ah, it’s not a man. It’s a young boy. It’s a coming-of-age story of an inadvertent blinker boy who finds himself in the middle of active warfare. It is a story of survival under extreme adversity, of danger, bravery, and resilience, and the ingenuity of creating a sense of normalcy amid the chaos. Many undertones of my childhood, growing up in a war zone. But like always, I infuse a light touch and humor where allowed. Meet and fall in love with Sunny, and see how he saves the world(!). He’s one of my favorite characters, way up there with Wolfpack and Snowfox.
All your characters have unique and original names; how do you come up with character names for your stories?
I draw my characters’ names from their backgrounds, environments, personalities. For example, I began the WorldmakerTM Saga in the star system of Yildun, which is a real star in the Ursa Minor constellation. Yildun means star, and I derived all primary names from it. The planet is Yand. The inhabited moon is Yenda. The worldmakers who manifest their power from this star are Yanara, Yira, Yileen, Yolinda. Yanara’s brother is Yildiz, which also starts with Y and means star.
All the goldenbloods (the bright Yandar race) have names that signify brightness, light, shine, luminance. Hence, Lucent, Flash, Blaze, Stardust.
Yanara’s children have names that reflect their personalities and abilities and also link them to their companions: Dragonlord is a dragoon (strongest mage) and is bonded to a dragon. Wolfpack, who is pathfinder, is like the alpha wolf, the leader. Sunny, well, I don’t want to spill the beans. You’ll see after reading Borealis. If not, please ask me again.
What author in your genre do you most admire, and why?
Tolkien for Fantasy. Do I need to elaborate? He’s the Master.
Anne McCaffrey, also fantasy, for her vivid world-building and characters.
Steven Brust for the first-person narration. Absolutely brilliant.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for the people of Yand and the direction of the second book?
Ah, Borealis IS the second book in the Chronicles of Phe’lak.
Queen of Highwings is the first book.
The third book will be coming in 2025. It is titled The Beast of Phe’lak. You hear it first right here. I’m very excited about it. It features Dragonlord, whom I have been dying to write about, his dragon, Lavender, and his Yendal partner, Squirrel.
If I may add, in addition to the E-Book on Amazon, the printed book formats offer spectacular 2-page illustrated openings of every chapter, and more full-page illustrations throughout. They can be found here:
Paperback with Standard Paper and Inks: (most economical) https://tinyurl.com/jd363xh4
Paperback with Premium Paper and Inks: (most recommended) https://tinyurl.com/nhc3wm42
Hardbound Premium Edition: (spectacular!) https://tinyurl.com/4s7y6ecm
Author links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Borealis
Borealis, by Andri E. Elia, is a captivating fantasy novel that delves into the intriguing story of Sunny (Sunstorm) and his unique abilities as a Pathfinder. The narrative masterfully weaves together two timelines—one set in the past and the other in the future—culminating in a resolution that connects these points seamlessly. Continuing from the journey in Book 1, this installment takes readers on a thrilling time jump and space odyssey across the universe.
The tale centers around Asimia, her husbands, Lucent and Snowfox, and their pathfinder, Wolfpack, as they persist in their quest to save the world of Yands from the malevolent K’tuls. Concurrently, Sunstorm transports himself to a future world using his power of ‘blink,’ unraveling secrets about himself with his Da, Dr. Pietro (Pete). The narrative is filled with multiple time jumps and a diverse cast of characters, each playing a crucial role in shaping their future.
Elia’s writing style is fast-paced and exhilarating, with twists and turns that keep readers hooked. The smooth flow of the story during war scenes and action sequences adds to its appeal. These thrilling portions are well-crafted and highly engaging. The diverse character dynamics add complexity to the narrative. Asimia’s affection for Pete and her submission to Snowfox, Sunny’s actions in the first half, Willie’s loyalty to Sunny, Lucent’s evolving role in their marriage, and Asimia’s decision to pass her positions and powers to Snowfox create intriguing and multifaceted relationships. The author’s focus on highlighting specific traits provides depth to the main characters, adding a unique dimension to the story.
Borealis, by Andri E. Elia, is a thrilling and imaginative fantasy novel that takes readers on a fascinating journey through time and space. Fans of fantasy with a penchant for adventure and twists will find much to enjoy in this captivating tale.
Pages: 397 | ASIN : B0CWDGMBS4
LITERARY TITAN 