Tag: kaaren sutcliffe

Kered's Crown, by Kaaren Sutcliffe

Alacer eyed Kered curiously, admiring how his friend could spare a moment for humour. After only a few paces the amused glint in Kered’s eyes vanished and he drew his sword. Hastily, Alacer followed suit. As soon as they emerged from the tree boughs, Kered pushed Nightstar into a trot. The bay surged forwards with a shrill whinny.

Having cheated death in the desert and been nursed back to health by his new love, Shouffa, Kered has travelled the ten realms seeking help for his battle with the invading Sarods. He is now ready to return to Tanaria and fight for his Kingdom, his people, and the safety of all the realms. But for victory to be his, he must defeat not just the human Sarrods, but their Demon Lord, Pletholax. How can he defeat an immortal?

This is the third book in the Prophecy of the Sharid trilogy, and a satisfying conclusion. We first met Kered in Kered’s Cry as an unlikely hero, riddled with guilt over the death of his parents and unwilling to believe he can avenge their deaths. Now Kered is a strong leader, respected by his allies and loved by Shouffa, the desert-dweller who saved his life. In a thrilling and action-packed volume, author Kaaren Sutcliffe brings together all the threads of the story and once again works her magic to have readers cheering Kered on throughout, even at times when he continues to question his own abilities.

With the publisher of the first two instalments now being defunct, Aust Speculative Fiction is to be commended for ensuring the publication of the final book.

Bravo.

Kered’s Crown, by Kaaren Sutcliffe
Aust Speculative Fiction, 2006

Kered's Call, by Kaaren Sutcliffe

Taking a deep breath, Kered thought ‘I’m safe!’ It was en eternity since he’d felt safe. Out of the window, the blue sky held the promise of a beautiful day. Far below him, verdant lawns twinkling with morning dew rolled away from the palace walls. The flowers coyly unfolded their petals, and hints of scents wafted past on the breeze.

Having witnessed the horrific deaths of his parents and the invasion of his land, Tanaria, Kered has been rescued by a magical chameleon and Shouffa, a desert dweller. Now, at last, he is safe in Ateppa, the home of his Uncle Gonov. Surely Gonov will know what to do to free Tanaria.

But he is not as safe as he thinks. Gonov sees an opportunity to take over the rule of Tanaria, and Gonov’s daughter, Mirayla, has her own designs on him. Kered and his friends flee once more. Now it is up to Kered to find the means to free his people and take the throne that is rightfully his.

Overshadowing all of his actions is an ancient prophecy which casts Kered in the role of saviour of all the realms from a terrible enemy. Kered, though, must accept his own strengths and limitations, if he is to fulfil his destiny.

This is the second book in the Prophecy of the Sharid trilogy. Like the first, it has plenty of action, a well-woven fantasy setting and many twists and turns. The character of Kered, damaged by his experiences in the first book, develops nicely in this instalment, as he explores issues of trust and friendship and learns to confront his fears.

Action, danger, fantastic settings, magic, wild and wonderful creatures – in fact all of the elements of a gripping fantasy are here for readers to soak up.

Superb.

Kered’s Call, by Kaaren Sutcliffe
Loranda Publishing, 2004

Kered's Cry, by Kaaren Sutcliffe

A great roar and clamour made his stomach turn over. Gripping his lower lip with his teeth, Kered looked back to the outer wall. He had to lean on the stone ledge to steady himself. The entire road and lands beyond the walls teemed with large barbarians in garish armour. Already, arrows whistled over the wall, randomly striking soldiers or fleeing peasants.

When his castle home is attacked, Kered loses everything – his father, his mother and the throne to which he should have been heir. His own life is spared, but only just. First he is tortured by his captors, the Sarods, then he is cast out into the desert. He is rescued from death by Chelosan, a chameleon with magical powers.

Taken in by a desert tribe far from his home in Tanaria, Kered recovers physically, but his emotional healing is more difficult. He doesn’t know who to trust or what he should do next. Does he have the strength to save his people and his land?

Kered’s Cry is the first title in a new trilogy from talented author Kaaren Sutcliffe, who weaves a complex and absorbing tale, centered on a reluctant and damaged hero. Kered appears to be the central player in the fulfillment of a prophecy guarded by the chameleon, Chelosan, but Kerod’s trauma at the hands of the Sarod’s has left him almost incapable of trust and of the courage he needs to undertake his quest.

As well as Chelosan, Kered is supported by a girl from the desert tribe. Shouffa is given the task of caring for Kered as he recovers and finds herself drawn to him. Both struggle with the complexities of their growing romance.

This is a well-drawn and richly levelled plot, which is equally suited to young adult and to adult readerships. All readers will look forward to the release of the second instalment of Kered’s tale.

Kered’s Cry, by Kaaren Sutcliife
Loranda Publishing, 2004