Akasha – A Series Introduction by Terra Harmony

I am so excited to be writing a detailed introduction to The Akasha Series!  I could write several pages explaining the series, but as you know – each reader interprets a story differently.  Instead, I’d like to convey the story using bits and pieces of reviews by readers themselves.  Every sentence below is taken directly from a book blogger’s review. I’ve made sure to give the reviewers their due props; see below for links to their full reviews.  As I side note – I am looking forward to the review from Ritesh to post tomorrow!

‘Water’ focuses on an ancient organization, the Seven, devoted to extraordinary beings that manipulate elemental magic. The Seven helps in resolving Earth’s environmental issues. The main character, Kaitlyn, is kidnapped and brought to the Seven headquarters where she learned the truth of her role as a Gaia.  Throughout the book, there are clear roots of Paganism and Witchcraft, nature-worship, and modern-day environmentalism.

The action starts from the first chapter as Kaitlyn finds herself in the middle of an avalanche, then waking up in an unknown place with unknown people. Little does she know that she has been watched for a very long time, as she has powers that are strong and powerful. As she comes to grip with this knowledge and begins her training to be a Gaia, a whirlwind romance is thrown into the mix. Soon Kaitlyn finds herself headed out to her first assignment with the other members of the Seven. Things won’t go as planned and Kaitlyn must delve into her inner strength to survive.

Water really shines when it comes to characters. They’re highly developed, with good backstories and clear motivations, and they act like real people do.  The main character, Kaitlyn, is a strong female protagonist.  She is a kick-ass, sarcastic and witty chick. She rocks my face off! She has this amazing way about her – stands her ground and fights for what she believes in, even when the odds are against her. Her spirit is unbreakable.

The plot is terrific, not just in creativity or in the “twist”, but also in the pacing. Water is balanced between giant, crashing catastrophes and quiet, tense moments, yet it rarely lags or feels stale or repetitive. It starts to really open up about ten percent out of the gate and just really picks up from there. I was shocked at the turn of events about half way in, never in a million years seeing it coming. Same goes for the ending! I was kept on the edge of my seat through the whole book, not being able to read fast enough to find out what happened in the next chapter.

The Elemental powers in the Akasha series existed for a reason.  Not for self-defense nor for ritualistic purposes, but simply for balancing nature! The story raised environmental awareness with style. I also caught myself thinking about these things and I believe this is a very good and wonderful fact which lets me wish that many others will read this book as well.

So, there you have it – the readers’ take on ‘Water’.  The next book in the series, ‘Air’, releases one month from now.  Advanced Read Copies of ‘Air’ are being sent to these book review bloggers so be sure to check out and follow their blogs!  In ‘Air’, we meet The Seven’s air elemental, Vayu.  He is quite the diva but there is way more to him than meets the eye.  Kaitlyn learns more about the Air element, first hand.  Not but a few chapters in and she has to battle one of the largest manmade fires Australia has ever seen.  She also delves further into the magic of the spoken word, a very powerful element in itself.  Micah, the male protagonist, has to work hard to prove himself worthy of Kaitlyn and her ‘secret’, and Shawn, the antagonist, is busy building on his human depopulation theories.  I’ll let it slip; we lose a very important character at the end of the book.  Any guesses who?  You’ll have to wait until February to find out for sure!  ‘Air: Book Two of the Akasha Series’ will be available as an e-book via Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords.

As for the remaining two books of the series, there are more surprises in store.  In ‘Fire’, the antagonist puts his depopulation theories into action when he launches his campaign called One Less. The final book, ‘Earth’, ends with a twist no one sees coming – not even the characters themselves!

Reviewers:

Click on the blog names to read the full reviews.

By Natasha at Dreamland: A Teenage Fantasy Book Reviews 

“This book captured my very interest, and I can’t wait to read Air. The excerpt for the next book had certainly pumped up my adrenaline and make me ache for the next one!  One of the best books of the year!” 

By Maria Violante, Author of Hunting the Five

“Well-developed characters and a balanced plot that make for an enjoyable, almost guilty read – sort of like a YA novel for grownups.”

By Jennifer at Can’t Put it Down Reviews 

“I LOVED this book, plain and simple. I am EXCITED about this book and the books to follow. This new author has completely amazed me, sucking me into this world she has created that I didn’t want to step away from.”

By Alexia at Alexia’s Chronicles

“Now I have to comment on the cliff hanger ending… wtf?! I NEED to know what’s going to happen!  At the end of the book there is a little sneak preview of the second book in the series, Air – that just made me want to read the second book immediately! I can’t wait for the second installment. This is definitely a series and author I’ll be following closely!”

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Books in the series:

Water (Book 1 in the Akasha Series)

All of the elemental powers are in the palm of her hand…and it won’t be enough to save her. When Kaitlyn Alder is involuntarily introduced to a life of magic, she becomes part of an organization hell-bent on saving the Earth. Just as her new-found life holds promises of purpose, romance, and friendship, the organization divides and a rogue member holds Kaitlyn hostage. Now one of the most terrifying men the human race has to offer stands between her and Earth’s survival.

Purchase Water as an e-book for only $4.99 through on Amazon,
B&N, and Smashwords.

Air (BOOK 2 IN THE AKASHA SERIES)

Releasing on February 18th, 2012

She carries more than just elemental powers. In ‘Air’, the sequel to ‘Water’, Kaitlyn has a secret. One she won’t be able to hide much longer.  As the strongest Gaia the planet has ever seen, she must face mankind’s greatest enemy as he campaigns for ‘One Less: Depopulation’. Everything depends on Kaitlyn fully embracing her role as Gaia. Her family. The Seven. The Earth. Something has to give, and it won’t be Kaitlyn.

Fire (BOOK 3 IN THE AKASHA SERIES)

Releasing October – ish this year

Earth (BOOK 4 IN THE AKASHA SERIES)

Releasing in 2013

About Terra Harmony

Terra Harmony is an author of contemporary eco-fantasy novels.  The first book, ‘Water’, of the Akasha Series is currently available as an e-book on Amazon,  B&N, and Smashwords.  The second novel to the series, Air, will be available as an e-book at the end of February 2012.  Terra also has several vampire short stories published as part of the Kindred Curse Anthology. The first short story, ’Gleaming White’, is available as a free e-book on Smashwords.

Terra was born and raised in Colorado but has since lived in California, Texas, Utah, North Carolina, and Virginia. She has served a 5½ year enlistment in the Marine Corp, has a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and master’s degree in Linguistics. Terra lives in a suburb of Washington, DC with her husband of 13 years and three children.

You can connect with Terra on her Facebook page, her blog, or on Twitter.

And, if you’d really like to get to know her, you can go here, where Terra talks about her life, her books and the awesome powers that are part of her books!