Altaica (The Chronicles of Altaica #1)
‘Look at her – she’s Hill Clan. Even the Matyrani don’t like them …’
Isaura – little is known about her race, but much is whispered. Born to refugees, she grows up enduring racism and superstition within a community that fears her. She has few friends, and those she treasures. Trapped, she longs for escape to a different life.
Escape is only the beginning of her troubles. Having fled an invading army with her friends, Isaura is faced with heinous choices in order to survive. Secrets from her past emerge to torment her and threaten to destroy all she holds dear. Her struggles forge a bond with an ancient power – a power which may transform or consume her. Old hatreds and superstitions are renewed and at her most vulnerable she learns the true nature of those around her.
Her only hope lies in a foreign land – a land rich in tradition; ruled by three powerful clans. A land with a history marked by warfare; where magic as we know it does not exist. Instead what is here, in abundance, is a more primal power.
Survival carries a high price.
Welcome to Altaica.
Sorry, this title is now out of print.
Book Details
| Dimensions | 216 × 140 mm |
|---|---|
| Extent | 300 pages |
| Format | Paperback |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Release date | 3 August 2014 |
| ISBN | 9781922200310 |
| Imprint | Odyssey Books |
About The Author
Tracy M Joyce
Tracy M Joyce is an Australian author of speculative fiction. Tracy has long been a fan of the fantasy genre, but particularly likes novels that deal with deep characterisations and that don’t flinch from the gritty realities of life. This and her fascination with the notions of “moral greyness”, that “good people can do bad things” and that we cannot escape our past provide the inspiration for her writing. Combine that with her love of history, horses and archery, and you have Altaica.
She grew up on a farm in rural Victoria, in a picturesque dot on the map known as Glenburn. She spent half of her childhood riding horses and the other half trying to stay out of trouble – the only way she did that was by reading books and writing stories. She now lives in Melbourne with her husband, two cats and two (very) lazy greyhounds.
Clare Rhoden –
The first in a high-stakes fantasy series, Altaica introduces Isaura, the child of refugees who have joined the outskirts of a community now under threat of invasion.
Danger, conflicting loyalties, young people needing to take charge, magic’s promise, the wisdom of the elders, and spirit wolves: all my happy reading boxes are full of ticks.
Fleeing the advancing army, Isaura and her friends organise the villagers to sail to safety.
It’s unfortunate then that their boat is helplessly lost far out at sea, and that the villagers don’t trust young Isaura.
With perceptive insights into characters and culture, Altaica (which is the name of the land the survivors eventually reach) is a book that demands attention and investment. A particular strength of this novel is the foregrounding of human issues that resonate today: refugees, racism, selfishness, power-struggles, weak leadership, jealousy of ‘the other’, and in fact ‘othering’ of those we don’t like or who exceed our own abilities.
I strongly engaged with Isaura, no mean feat when for a lengthy period of the novel, she has lost consciousness in a magical trance. The spiritual wolf-creatures promised on the cover (the Asena) don’t make an appearance for quite a while, but the wait is very well worth it.
I raced through this wonderful novel as I couldn’t put it down.
For lovers of engaging, intelligent YA with strong female characters and hope for a better future.