In a world where women are submissive and blood feuds abound, a child is born into the Royal House of Gnaeus. Though when a mysterious mark appears on her face, the child is banished to the wilderness—forever.Ajeya should have been born into a life of ease. But fate is fickle. Her father’s decision leaves her future uncertain and stained by the prophecy that she will avenge those who plotted … avenge those who plotted against her.
‘You will feel my vengeance, father.’
Escaping to one of the last strongholds of the ancient clans, Ajeya becomes an adept in arcane warcraft. The clans spent years grooming her to become the woman she needed to be … far more than any court of nobles could.
‘I wear the scar of a warrior on my face and the mark of a hare on my arm. I am a survivor.’
Now the clans and courts are at war, Ajeya will have her revenge … and yet, there is something even more important she must do…
GO FORTH AND SEEK THE TRUTH!
Excerpt:
The horizon was grey on this morning, and overhead an obscured sun peeked out timidly through low scuttling clouds and tried desperately to brighten an otherwise forlorn day. The wind blew cold and Ajeya could hear the gushing rush of water and the creak of the mill’s great wooden waterwheel. There was a smell of rain in the dawn air, but no drops were falling yet. Smoke was rising from the chimneys, indicating another chilly November. Children’s shrill voices could be heard coming from the homes, and as a wagon disappeared out of view, there came the roar of horses hooves followed by a loud thud. An army of soldiers had thundered into the village, overturned the wagon and set fire to it. There were cries and cheers as they upturned more. Then came further devastation as flaming arrows shivered through the morning mists, trailing pale ribbons of fire, and splintered into the wooden huts. A few smashed through shuttered windows, followed by thin tendrils of smoke rising between the broken shutters. Ajeya ran forward, and without a second thought, shouldered her bow and snatched her quiver of arrows leaning against the door. Suddenly a clap of thunder tore across the sky with such a force the vibration splintered the earth; the clouds opened and a wall of rain swept in battering down the last few remaining flames. Lightning struck in such ferocity that it lit up the true horror, and through the mists of rampage and the stench of fear, a tall, stately man appeared on a charger, and brought hell with him.
*****************************************************************************************************************************
Pivotal ★★★★★
This first book in the series introduces a cast of characters that are pivotal in all nine books. Perfect for fans of Robin Hobb and George R.R. Martin this promises to be an immersive experience.
more
A story of an exiled princess who had to live a life full of tough challenges and grew up to be a remarkable and fierce young woman. The type of story I love to read. It was a great action-packed story even without any magic in it. I’m not sure if the totem can be considered as magic, I don’t see it as one but the totem sure gave a lot of strength and confidence to the characters and it also helps in boosting up their skills. What I find unique is that each character received a different totem, and their totem give them a similar ability and strength as the symbol of their totem. The story was intense, that’s what you get when you have an exiled princess and an exiled empress on the run from being hunted down by an evil emperor. The first chapter can be a bit confusing, because the prologue was very different compared to what happened in the first chapter. But once I finally had the idea of what was happening, I finally understood it.
The writing was pretty good, but the pacing of the story can be slow at some point. The whole thing that happened in the story are basically flashbacks, and only two chapters are from the present time. So I wasn’t sure if I’m gonna see Ajeya in the present time again. I had no problem with the story being told from all the flashbacks, because those flashbacks also help me see what Ajeya had to go through her whole life, and her journey from when she was a little kid until she become a 22-year-old remarkable young woman, and also it told the story of other characters too. But what I had a problem with is the fact that we saw little Ajeya for majority of the book, and the teenage and adult Ajeya only started to make an appearance like in the final 10 chapters. For the story to get to the time jump point took so long. I was eager to see Ajeya all grown-up, but when the story still focusing on little Ajeya, I was feeling a bit disappointed.
Overall, I think it was great to witnessed Ajeya’s life from when she was little until she become a woman. Her life journey was very sad, especially the first 10 chapters, I was crying knowing her own father and this one particular clan couldn’t accept her because she was born with a disfigured face on one side. That’s what breaks my heart the most, people called her mean things and doesn’t want to go anywhere near her due to her face. She was just a child at that time and already had to experience such things. I feel like I want to protect her at all costs. But later on when a group of people accepted her to their tribe and treated her with love and kindness, that really warms my heart knowing there are people with good hearts who doesn’t judge her. The author managed to make me cry reading the main character’s journey. I felt really emotional finishing this book.
The world-building was truly epic and the settings are beautiful. I loved that it gave me a strong medieval vibe from the beginning to the end. There are some places mentioned in the story and also it was shown what kind of tradition and culture do the people who lived in those places follows. The Giant’s Claw clan has different culture and tradition than the Mountain Lion’s clan and the Hill Fort Tribe’s people. I loved seeing the differences in cultures and traditions from these different clans. What I loved the most is the tradition that the people in Hill Fort Tribe has. I loved seeing how they celebrate some celebrations, how they do a wedding celebration for a newlywed couple, and so on. I loved witnessing those moments, making it feel like I was actually there. Out of all the places mentioned in the book, I prefer the Hill Fort Tribe, not only because the main characters lived there, but also because it was the only peaceful place and the people are so happy and content with their lives and the people aren’t weak, they’re strong, hardworking and very motivated. Also, they have a strong belief when it comes to trusting good spirits for protecting them. Personally for me, the Hill Fort Tribe is truly a beautiful, peaceful and magical place.
The whole story was enjoyable, and the plot was incredibly amazing. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it yet in the beginning, but the moment the story picks up in the middle, that was the exact moment I was truly invested in the story. I just keep on going without stopping and it was the best feeling ever. The beginning was slow and the middle was a bit fine a little bit but it does have interesting things happening, and the final 12-10 chapters are so intense and so impressive making the story more delightful to read. The action-packed parts are so epic, it was truly a well-crafted action scenes for this type of fantasy story. The battle doesn’t took so long, it wasn’t so short but still short (if you know what I mean), and I wish it could’ve been a bit longer. There are some exciting training scenes too where the main character Ajeya trained with her brother, Keao and her lover, Dainn. The training scenes are so important, because it shows how Ajeya grew up to be someone so skilled and where did she get all those skills from. Her training scenes also helps a lot when it comes to her character development, which is why I didn’t mind seeing her training all the time from when she was still a kid until she grew up to be a teenager and finally seeing her become a formidable warrior in her adulthood.
All of the characters in the story are so unforgettable. They are amazing and likable characters that has been through a lot in their lives and their backstory help the readers see where they came from, what kind of challenges they had to go through, and what their lives was like. One of the good thing about this book is that, each characters had their own backstory, and each of them got their own time to shine. Their backstory also tells the readers all the important things about them which I find truly enjoyable to read. It helps me get to know the characters more and understand the situation they’re in. All of the characters had great developments, and all of them become a memorable warriors in their own way.
Ajeya is the main protagonist of the story. She is an amazing and a remarkable young woman. Her character is the best. I felt truly bad for what happened to her when she was a child, but I was glad that her mother possessed a great survival skill. This is the story of her life journey from her childhood to adulthood, and everything she went through in the story felt real. All those years of suffering and living out in the wilderness shaped her into the person she is today, which is a formidable warrior. Being an exiled princess and had to changed home a couple of times until permanently settling down in a new home in a new tribe was tough. All the movings must’ve been hard but I was happy that she and her brother along with their parents found a permanent home in a land where everyone is accepting of new people and give them a warm welcome to their land and treated them with kindness. Ajeya also finally found a large group of people who accepted her with open arms and doesn’t cast her out just because she wan’t born normal like the others. She is a great warrior, she has a great leadership skill, and also an excellent fighting skills that help her survived. I was grateful for her brother Keao, and her lover, Dainn, for training her since she was little. I was amazed by her character, she has been consistent throughout the whole story, and I find that out of all characters, she has the best story arc.
Dainn is a great hero in the story, his backstory mirrored Ajeya’s, and that made him and Ajeya similar in many ways. He is like a male version of Ajeya. I loved his character just like I loved Ajeya’s character. He grew up to be a great man and it was all thanks to his parents for raising him right. He possessed a lot of great skills; fighting skills, hunting skills, and also a leadership skill. He may look like a character who is all-perfect, but actually he had flaws too, and that’s why I liked him. Dainn is a very down-to-earth person, he’s nice and treat others equally. He was also a fierce and brave warrior, he never show any weaknesses in front of his enemies. He doesn’t make an appearance until the middle of the book, and the first time he appeared I can already feel that he is a very likable character. He just had a lot of charms, and he was always up for a challenge. I find him to be so unique and so consistent throughout the whole story, and he also got the best arc just like Ajeya. There isn’t a single thing about him that I find unlikable, he truly is the best and I was glad the author picked his character to be the main hero.
There are side characters that are just as likable as both Ajeya and Dainn. The side characters also had their own story to tell, only for a little bit. These characters are the ones who supported Ajeya and Dainn throughout the whole story and always helped them when they needed it. Ajeya and Dainn along with the side characters are a one big team, they always stay together through thick and thin, and their bonds are unbreakable. That’s what make them stronger, because they never fail to be there for one another and they always showered everyone with love. I loved seeing them together.
This coming of age story has a lot of great hidden messages in it, and I truly enjoyed it even though it was a bit slow in the beginning. I had an expectation that this book will be epic, which didn’t disappoint me at all. It was a very well-written story with a well-crafted plot and also featuring lots of memorable characters that can inspire a lot of people. There are times when I cried because of how sad and deep this book can get, but that was one of the reason why I loved it. The characters journey in this story are so tough and very challenging and how they overcome those struggles truly inspired me. This book surprised me in a very big way because I didn’t know it will be so good, and so enjoyable.
I always appreciate a great story that teaches powerful lessons about human nature or about how we respond to the things that challenge us. ‘A Hare In The Wilderness’ is one such book: on one level, it is a powerful story of overcoming, of strength, and of love that will not let go. On a deeper level, it is one that reminds the reader that whatever flaw or weakness we may possess, there is far more to a person than that. When we build on our strengths rather than allowing our weakness direct our future, and choose to see the good in others rather than their flaws, we improve not only our own lives, but those of others, too. When we refuse to tolerate or accept prejudice and hatred, we empower those around us to do likewise.
‘A Hare In The Wilderness’ is a compelling and original fantasy tale, set in the fictional kingdoms of Ataxarta and Durundal. The settings focus more on the clan communities than on events at court, which makes the complications and challenges the people face highly relatable and involving for the reader, especially as they get to know the characters and communities better as the story progresses.
The characters form a wide and varied cast with Ajeya at centre-stage. A strong female role-model, she is a woman of both strength and conviction, committed to facing challenges head-on and overcoming the obstacles with which life presents her.
This was quite the enjoyable read. I liked the way the author set about creating this world, pushing the story by focusing on events within each of the separate communities. As we go through the story, we see just how life shapes and challenges the characters and it’s an easy reflection of the way that life shapes us all.
In the story, the main character, Ajeya, is the daughter of a King banished by her father for her facial deformity. Before her and her mother are executed, Ajeya’s mother takes her to the wilderness where they learn to survive against impossible odds. As she ages and adapts to her environment, she becomes strong and righteous. The character development was done in such a way that every character felt like real people by the end of the story.
While this is a harrowing tale, it is guaranteed to grab and hold your attention.
I read A Wolf in the Dark first, which is the second book in this series, and absolutely loved it. So when I saw this one, A Hare in the Wilderness, the first in the Kingdom of Durundal series, I had to get it. S.E. Turner has such a beautiful writing style, so poetic and flowing. That, along with powerfully developed characters with strength, heart, and a true sense of what is right, makes for a wonderful fantasy adventure. This could easily be the next fantasy television series. Fantasy lovers, don’t miss this one. I highly recommend.
Wow, S.E. Turner I loved, loved, loved this novel. I laughed and I cried, to the point my husband got concerned and asked me what was wrong.
I was taken away to another time, a time where small clans were normal, living in hand made wooden huts, sewing with sinew and bone needles, belief in spirit animal totems as life guides and disfigurement was a sign of the devil, so children born with any sort of physical disfigurement was left abandoned to die. This was the way of the world.
This is where our story starts with Ajeya being born to an Emperor, being disfigured on one side of her face and her being cast out along with her mother. Her mother was accused of sleeping with the devil causing the disfigurement.
There were a couple of strong female characters in this book, Ajeya and her mother Eujena (Jena) faced some very difficult life trials and survived even though they were banished from the castle. They faced harsh wilderness, learning as they went, developing great relationships and overcoming adversity, and some of those adversities were life threatening.
The writing was easy to read, descriptive enough for me to get lost in the book, once I started I did not want to put it down. The writer, S. E. Turner captured the emotions of the characters and was able to portray them well enough for me to become well and truly invested. The characters are not perfect, they all have character flaws which is endearing and made me love them all the more.
Ajeya overcame her flaws and became a great warrior, and changed the hearts of the clans, teaching them that beauty is not skin deep, it comes from within. A great story about change and our ability to adapt to our surroundings, adapt to a life we may not have chosen, and that life is an adventure.
This book is a great start to a series of 9 books. The next in line is the Wolf In The Dark, I am looking forward to starting this one, and anyone who is a fan of fantasy, will love this book also.
This book was gifted to me by the Author Sharon E. Turner through Voracious Readers Only. Thank you, I have enjoyed this book tremendously.
What a great story. I love fantasy, especially ones that seem to pull customs and traditions from past “real” cultures. So many of the rituals that transpire in this book reminded me of ones I have researched, although with variations. The “tree of life” ceremonies, the weddings, they are all so detailed that they add a bit of “authenticity” to the story. I loved that. And I loved the wonderful descriptions of the setting and people that made this story come alive. The story itself is one worth reading, too. All around, an enjoyable experience.
Although fantasy isn’t one of the genres I normally read, I decided to give this one a chance, and now I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
This book could easily become a television series- along the same lines as Game of Thrones.
The characters are believable, and it’s easy to follow them along their journey in good times and bad.
Ajeya will melt your heart, but don’t think she’s a weakling- she is every girl, with an inner strength that most people never realize they have.
I’d recommend this book to readers that enjoy fantasy with family saga involved. Suitable for most any age because the author was careful with the language used, and created a vivid ‘other world’ that is totally captivating.
Moving,AND entertaining…..
I loved the world of this story. It definitely was a place I enjoyed living in while reading, and the descriptions of the landscape were beautiful and allowed me to imagine everything quite clearly.
Sometimes instances of more modern language and phrasing pulled me out of the story, and one section was notably copied from earlier in the book, making me do a bit of a double take. I do wish we had spent more time with either Ajeya or her mother and getting to know them even more deeply, as I loved the wilderness survival aspect of the opening chapters.
Overall, a charming novel that was never boring reading.
Excellent Read – Loved this Book!
A Hare in the Wilderness is one of my new favorite books in all the world. The characters of Eujena (Jena), Ajeya, Hagen, Keao, and Dainn are just imperfect enough to be loveable and so unique and endearing that I was pulled into the story immediately, while the intricate interweavings of the storyline kept me there. The story is set against the backdrop of a beautifully described country where dwell tightly woven, gentle clans. When the caring secondary characters’ lives are interrupted and torn apart by the despicable Emperor and his General, it is truly heartbreaking. The delicate balance of happily ever after and tragedy kept me on the edge of my seat. I am a firm admirer of Turner’s work and the resiliency of spirit that she has ingrained in her characters. This was the first of her books that I’ve read and I can’t wait to read the others.