The Age Of Akra
Vacen Taylor
Published by Odyssey Books
Book Tour arranged by Rachel's Random Resources
Rating: 3*
I would recommend Age of Akra (book 1 in the Starchild series) to fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender. My boyfriend recently encouraged me to watch this and I think Taylor's world has a similar vibe: a young girl with a special skill over one element meets the prophecised boy who has power over all elements and will bring peace. Together, with her brother, they go on an adventure. The main difference is that the journey in this book is Mai's, not the prophecised boy Akra.
I think the funniest part of the book was the comedy between her Brother Long and her pet Lizards. Long can shapeshift into small animals and bugs, creating a unique relationship between the two siblings and her pet. Both dangerous creatures are fought and new characters are introduced that are bound to show up again in the series.
The world is built in an introductory page that tells of the seven gifts (water, light and dark, fire, etc.) Beyond that, world building only really occurs when is necessary in the adventure, making the action a priority and the pacing fast. It definitely reminded me of the books I read as a child. While I don't tend to pick up books like this now (I prefer more detailed world building and fantasy), I still appreciated it and the nostalgia it held for me. Would definitely recommend as a children's book!
The foreshadowing of a dark future threatens the seven nations. Mai is selected to train with the mysterious elemental master Sah Dohba who will prepare her to become the protector of the desert lands. Her brother Long, steps forward to travel with her as her chaperone to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts.
A chance encounter brings them together with Akra, the Starchild. The trio travels on into a battle with the elements. Sandstorms. Deadly creatures. Starvation. Then a chance meeting with powerful earthfollower, sets them on a new path where they must each find the strength to face a terrifying foe from the Underworld.
Author Bio:
Vacen Taylor is a children’s author with a portfolio of screenwriting and stage play achievements. A selection of her poetry has been published in Art and Literature Journals. One of her plays was selected to be part of the Playwrights Program 2017 and then directed and performed as a performance reading at HOTA (previously the Gold Coast Arts Centre).
Her feature film script received a special commendation for Best Unproduced Screenplay titled Grandfathers at the British Independent Film Festival in 2018. The logline can be found under Special Commendations for Unproduced Screenplays here.
Her TV pilot for a series (teleplay) was selected as a semi-finalist in the Hollywood Just4Shorts Film and Screenplay Competition in Los Angeles, CA. This pilot was listed in the top 50 for the Cinequest Screenwriting Competition in 2018.
She presented the first mental health panel at OZ Comic-Con in 2017. This panel was a fantastic opportunity to discuss openly and honestly about artists and their mental health to help support wellbeing, foster connectivity and provide a culture of support.
In 2018 she presented the panel, ‘An artist’s guide to creative happiness: How to strengthen your creative performance’ at Oz Comic-Con in Brisbane. Her panels are extraordinary opportunities to explore ideas with people who are currently working in the industry. She aims to discuss subjects like individualism, the community, mental health, wellbeing, happiness, creativity, co-creating and self-awareness which often leads to interesting questions from the audience.
What else does she do? Vacen is also a creative workshop facilitator and proficient in teaching, speaking and concept creation. Guest Speaker. Workshop Presenter. Creative Panel Facilitator. Mentor. Support Worker. Counsellor. Social Welfare Advocate.