The Quelling by C.L. Lauder is the beginning of a dynamic dystopian fantasy series that will grip you from the beginning and keep you coming back for more.
The cover for The Quelling quickly captures your interest with its splashy cover of eye-catching colors and three figures. Who are the figures? How are they connected? The answers are between the pages if you're ready to dive in.
The Quelling is a real page-turner of a novel. The minute you start reading this book the author drops you into a tense situation. The main character, Kyjta, is in hiding. She's not alone though. There are many others with her, and being quiet and staying safe is the name of the game. They are being hunted by monsters that if given the opportunity will take them away. Why? One simple fact...the marks that they bear on their bodies. But wait for it...because chaos is about to ensue.
Settle in as you read this book, because it will captivate you with the dynamic characters you'll be introduced to. Before you know it...BAM! You're halfway through and wondering where the time went. It's okay. This book is one we want to read, devour, and then creepily stare at the author for the next book. LOL! Okay, so maybe the "creepy stare" is just us. LOL!
Kyjta is a complex character. You're absolutely going to have questions about her and her past. Wait for it. These little gems of information are scattered throughout the story. You'll come across them at random times, and they will definitely give you "A-ha!" moments. It's a nice touch really because the questions drive you forward, but the answers...the answers will leave you dumbstruck. The laws of these people are WILD!
The Quelling blends dystopian with fantasy and a nice touch of science fiction elements as well. You get strange and bizarre creatures and the science-fiction angle from the characters and their technology. When I say the characters I mean Kranik and his people. They are such interesting characters and beings. They are more "pleasing" to look upon, in comparison to the others who live there with Kyjta and her people. But they are still feared.
The Quelling is an engaging and truly fascinating story. There is a lot going on, and you can even expect some jaw-dropping moments and situations. The title of this story ties in rather quickly, which is something that we especially love. The dynamics between the characters is well done and feels believable if they were real. This book is one that you're not going to want to miss out on.
For readers who enjoy fantasy novels with galactic mix-ins, this book is one that you're going to want to grab. We can't wait for what comes next!
5 out of 5 stars
Thank you to the author, C.L. Lauder, and Literally PR for the opportunity to read and review this book. We look forward to what comes next!
About the book:
Befriend your enemy, save your friend...
When Kyjta accidentally brands herself with an alien fluid while plotting revenge, she knows her fate is sealed. As one of the Stained, her skin glistens star-bright, and the creatures sent by the Rhemans to scavenge for bodies will have no trouble finding her. One night, while sheltering during a raid, Kyjta forms an unexpected pact with a Rheman rebel to protect a young girl, Calipsie, who’s fallen into her care. Days later, when Calipsie is taken, Kyjta abandons precaution to go after her. Facing impossible odds and allied by a Rheman she’s not sure she can trust, Kyjta must not only rescue Calipsie, but also face the Rheman overlord who’s taken a disturbing interest in her.
Perfect for fans of Divergent and The Hunger Games! The Quelling is a captivating, dystopian fantasy about loss and love, oppression and rebellion, and delves into the power of the individual against a dominant evil.
Publication
date: 16th January
2024
ISBN:
9781632997654
About the author:
Carla Lauder grew up in South Africa before immigrating to the United Kingdom, where she attended the University of London to complete an MA in Creative Writing. She now lives at the foot of a lush mountain in Hong Kong with her husband and two rapidly lengthening sons, who enjoy their newfound proximity to nature, especially the sea.
https://twitter.com/c_l_lauder
https://www.instagram.com/c.l.lauder/
Want to know more about the author? Check out some of these interview questions she took the time to answer!
Interview Questions:
1. Tell a little about yourself. What do you do when you're not writing? What are your aspirations for the future?
One of my character quirks is that I’m happiest when achieving two objectives simultaneously. For example, I love listening to audiobooks when exercising, watching TV in the bathtub, and reading while writing. This last one might seem tricky, and I’ll grant you it’s not exactly simultaneous, but I find it’s a great way to mood-set a scene and conquer writer’s block. Some people listen to music; I read other people’s stories. There’s something about being in the flow of a narrative that keeps my writing moving.
2. Give us some backstory behind The Quelling. Where and when did you write it?
My best days are when I have enough time to run up my neighbourhood mountain and sit at a small table overlooking the sea to write. Most of the Quelling was written during COVID; I would be up the mountain before six am and back at my desk before nine.
3. What was your favourite part of writing The Quelling?
The Quelling wasn’t supposed to be part of the series initially. I wrote what are now Book Two and Book Three first, thinking they’d be Books One and Two. I was daunted to find that I needed to go back in time to understand the circumstances of my premise. The best part about writing The Quelling was having it all fall neatly into place. It’s like the story was already formed, just waiting to be told.
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