Today I have a great review for Innovera Yakov: The Journey of A Thousand Eyes. But first, a quick sneak peek, which includes synopsis and book excerpt.
Book Blurb:
Innovera Yakov is a beautiful world of crystals that
turns under five moons and two brilliant suns that never set. Flitters take
care of domestic chores while Starbirds and Starflies soar through the
never-ending sunlight of this crystalline world. The Circle of Knowing decides
their fate; the forbidden forests of the Dimmer Zone swallow trespassers. And
at the very edges of Innovera Yakov there is the terrifying watery darkness of
Verheer.
We meet Ayana, the healer and lonely outcast with
her scarred face; Vinton, her protector (or is he her imaginary friend?); Gamma
and Blu Tara, the beautiful, fiery twins who can kill with one look. These
twins are important characters in the book. They could hardly be more different
from each other. Krave, beloved by Gamma, hated by Blu Tara, ‘tall and upright
as a polished spear with a beautiful crop of golden hair that cascaded down his
back in waves’; his ‘brother’ Skylar, pure trouble with ‘muscles on his arms
and legs that stood out in lumps’; Ryder with his crystal spear, forever
seeking Ayana’s approval although she, refusing to believe she's worth it, can
only wonder, ‘What does he see in me?’ And Ice, mysterious, dangerous,
murderous with eyes like bright furnaces who feeds on Innoverans. These young
Innoverans are often haunted by a forgotten past recalled only in strange
dreams. They form friendships, make enemies and face constant physical and
emotional challenges that test them to their limits. They have amazing powers;
they can fly, they can communicate through 'thought-words', their minds can
travel to other worlds. They harbour secrets.
But life is not easy on Innovera Yakov and the young
Beings must live in constant fear of Blu Tara; ‘What I want, I have. What I
can’t have, I destroy.’ They find that the great powers they are gifted with
are nothing compared to the dangers they face. They must shelter from
Solar-storms. To fall in love is dangerous. Lovers long to combine to become
stronger, better Beings but it can go terribly wrong and when that happens they
perish. Their survival is further threatened by Ice, who consumes Innoverans
and holds both Blu Tara and Ayana in his control.
Everyone seeks a partner with whom they can ‘merge.’
This desire to ease the passage through life by joining forces with a true
companion, is one of the main themes of the story. Love for Blu Tara, is a
terrible thing. She tells her sister, ‘It is a curse. You will scoop out your
core and abandon it just to have the Being that you love... You will steal
another person’s life force if it makes it easier to get it. You will kill or
die for it. And you’ll hate yourself for the weakness that it brings on you.'
They are told that they must embark on 'The
Journey', this journey will be more terrifying than any of them could imagine
and a strong leader must be elected from their midst. They are shocked to
discover who that leader is, none more so than the chosen one herself. Many of
them will perish as they make their way through the watery darkness of Verheer
while battling the army of underworld warriors bent on destroying and consuming
them.
Finally, diminished in strength and numbers, they
reach their journey’s end only to learn the final brutal truth.
Book Excerpt:
Blu Tara stared her sister in the face. ‘Let me tell
you what you don't know about love, Gamma. It is a curse. You will scoop out
your core and abandon it just to have the Being that you love. You will steal
another person's life force if it makes it easier to get it. You will abandon
the world you have been cradled in, betray everything and everyone you care
for. You’ll give up your name for it.’
Blu Tara's voice went soft and dreamy. ‘You will
gladly close your eyes and embrace the world of darkness. You will kill or die
for it. And you will hate yourself for the weakness that it brings on you. So
don’t talk to me about love.’
Gamma shook her head. ‘You're not making sense,’ Blu
Tara. ‘You talk as if... I’m the one who should be upset about all this.’
Blu Tara lifted her hand dismissively. She pointed a
hot finger at Gamma. ‘Anyway don’t forget what we are.’
'And what are we?’ Gamma glared at her..
'Different. Strange. Something to be frightened of.
Two Beings that can fuse and burn everything to ashes. That's the way they all
see us down there. That's what the Stardog wants from you - the powers you
possess.
‘I hate them all. With their suspicious, shiny faces
and their empty games. I hate that Voice which drones on and on at us in the
Learning Dome as soon as we've finished resting.
Innoverans! All those perfect, pretty Beings; they
remember nothing — it’s the curse of this shallow, shining world. Tell me,
Gamma - what do you remember of the world we come from before your Odors Apeno
dumped us here?’
Gamma swung around to face her sister fully. ‘Blu
Tara! What's got into you? Where’s all that coming from? I've never heard you
speak like that before. This is about Krave and I- not you!’
Krave and you - don't make me laugh. And, oh! Here’s
a big difference — between you and I this time, Twin Sister. It’s the answer to
your question that you brought me up here to ask.’ Blu Tara mimicked Gamma's
soft and musical voice, Why do you want to kill Krave?
Here's the answer, Gamma. I will do whatever I have
to do to save myself. I'm the half of you that's not like you. I don't have a
weeping heart. Now I'm out of here. I need my Rest.
My Review:
This book definitely did its job when it came to
taking the reader to a fantasy world filled with wonders and great adventures.
The plot is unique and very different from any I’ve
read before. When you read certain parts, it almost feels as if you’re watching
a movie instead of reading a story. However, I did feel as if there were parts
of the story I would have liked for the author to develop more since I found
myself a little confused at times. And I would have liked for more backstory on
some of the characters as well.
But the originality of the characters and the story
itself. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
Audio Link to listen to the first
chapter of the book:
https://soundcloud.com/kia-garriques/innovera-yakov-the-journey-of
Read the first chapter of the book here:
http://www.wattpad.com/story/2326911-innovera-yakov-and-the-journey-of-a-thousand-eyes
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