Title: Winds of Eruna
Author: Kathy Hyatt Moore
Publisher: Author’s Tranquility Press
ISBN: 1960675354
Pages: 356
Genre: Fantasy
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel
Hollywood Book Reviews
Enter the world of Eruna where incredible creatures with wings and those without reside. Fantasy comes to life in this incredible world where every winged child has a destiny which begins with the Cliffside School. This special school is the first step in their journey that will prepare them for the Wind Trials where they have a chance to learn magic. Explore the world through the perspectives of various characters such as a young winglet who has a unique ability which allows her to see a vision that sets her on a path to Cliffside while two students there have made a decision which will change their destinies. One of the students is the daughter of a powerful Matriarch corrupted by dark magic. Meanwhile, a young man loses an opportunity and the only way to achieve what he wants most is to embark on a journey to get it back.
This world creates a vast landscape bringing this fantastical setting to life through a vivid culture and well-rounded characters. The story weaves between different perspectives providing a different aspect of the world and successfully draws you deeper into each of these journeys. One of the primary characters is Ooloo who has a gift of “sight” that serves as a catalyst which sends her on a destined path. She’s a genuine character whose journey is akin to a hero’s quest, complete with dangerous landscapes and creatures which include a dragon. Despite being young, she looks out for those traveling with her and carries this responsibility throughout her journey. The descriptions of her are wholesome and add a lightness to the story with her precocious behavior which is tolerated thanks to her gift even if it involves painting eyebrows on people. The relationship with her grandfather is sweet with him desiring to teach her about her ancestors and carrying on the memory of lost loved ones as a way to guide her.
Each character’s journey carries the theme of self-discovery drawn from their experiences such as the firstborn son of Treen Renwold and a man that is de-winged. T’Algren Lynettelle’s story is one where she discovers what she wants by rebelling against what is expected of her and by choosing to embrace love. The Cliffside School is the primary location where her story unfolds. However, it is her familial rebellion that serves as a catalyst which takes her from the school and heading North. Her story reflects yet contrasts with that of Ooloo’s, though maintains the same level of danger, specifically through Mattern whose darkness is a primary threat within the story. Her journey also provides romance within the story through the determination that Lynette and Joran have to be together. Their story has elements of star-crossed lovers as her status creates an obstacle they must fight to overcome.
The extensive world feels inspired by mythology with the vast attention to detail such as the Great Trees in the Eight Realms, the Kahak which are predators with razor-sharp claws, and the Oarao which are six-legged wing creatures. The entire culture is built around these winged and wingless groups with precise details that make their world thorough and drive the story. From phrases such as “may the winds watch over them” to unique creatures and foliage such as water-hoppers and choke-vines, each element brings the world more to life by giving it its own reality. The tone of the world has an aesthetic that is reminiscent of legends which is seen in the various quests that even put the characters against dragons.
Winds of Eruna is an epic fantasy adventure with a well-rounded ensemble of characters, dangerous quests, and a vast fantastical world full of unique creatures, beings, and settings.