THE QUELLING

A potion master’s daughter battles an alien species who’ve taken a girl captive in Lauder’s fantasy novel.

Kyjta lives on Aurora Saura with her stepfather in a society that has fallen under the control of the Rhemans, an invading species of parasites. This fantasy narrative is told from Kyjta’s perspective and, in alternating chapters, that of Kranik, a Rheman rebel. The Rhemans can temporarily inhabit the bodies and minds of the Aurora Saura residents for a fee. The arrangement is overseen by the Tarrohar, a ruling species in this land who now live in luxury thanks to this body-snatching scheme (called the Body Trust). Aurora Saurins endure their quelling, as it is called, once a month. (“The price of peace is one day per moon cycle, and every citizen is expected to pay.”) Winged beasts called ghoragalls circle overhead, ready to take anyone who has been marked with the Stain, a substance that enables the blind ghoragalls to locate them. Kyjta is hiding in a cellar with others as ghoragalls circle overhead, wanting more bodies for the Rhemans. With her is Calipsie, a young girl who needs protection, and Merrick, a farmhand who has been inhabited/quelled by Kranik. When Calipsie is taken, Kyjta sets out on a mission to rescue her. The rebel Kranik, whose allegiance to the Rhemans may be wavering, comes along. Kyjta has been stained, so she’s in a terrible amount of danger, and the battles she faces along the way to rescue Calipsie are potentially deadly. Lauder’s fantasy/adventure successfully creates an entirely unique world whose complexity drives the plot as Kyjta struggles to complete her quest and unravel a family mystery. The intricate worldbuilding unfolds lucidly through the many battle sequences and ever-changing landscapes. One quibble: Kranik’s chapters lack the clarity and flow of Kyjta’s, and the frenzied pace of the novel can exacerbate the confusion. But intelligent writing, exciting action scenes, and rare moments of beauty make up for the occasional turbidity.

An intriguing fantasy, written at a breakneck pace, about a mythical world and a hero’s iron will.