Cattra's Legacy by New Zealand-resident author Anna Mackenzie (
ISFDB) is the 1st in her Cattra/Risha series of YA medieval-esque high fantasy quest adventures with romantic elements starring a girl seeking to uncover her family and probably ending up changing her country as these quest-going teens tend to do, free courtesy of publisher Random House New Zealand's Longacre imprint.
Mackenzie has been a winner of the 2008 Vogel Award in the YA category for a previous fantasy novel, according to ISFDB, and has also garnered nominations for other works as well.
Currently free @
Amazon UK &
AU. May possibly also become free later @
Kobo (linked for your pricedrop-check convenience).
NB: do NOT look up the blurb for the next book in the series,
Donnel's Promise, unless you really want to be spoilered for what seems like a major (possibly meant to be a surprise) outcome of the main character's quest.
This may or may not cross the pond, since it's apparently the same edition in North America.
And this has been the selected (somewhat by default, since my actual pick for today which was still free late last night unexpectedly expired, oops) 3rd (non-repeat) free ebook thread of the day.
Because we could use some more of The Heroine's Journey variant on the Campbellian
monomyth, especially if they're decent enough to keep getting award noms.
Enjoy!
Description
Richly detailed fantasy adventure set in a compelling and beautifully-drawn medieval world. CLF Notable Book, finalist in the LIANZA YA Book Awards.
Cast from the only home she remembers, Risha embarks on a journey to discover her father's past. Instead she finds her future.
Her quest leads her the length of the kingdom and reveals both allies and enemies - though recognising the difference proves far from easy. Barc the trader, war-weary Cantrel, enigmatic Muir: all prove adept at playing more than one game, at nudging Risha's steps while keeping a tight hold on their secrets. Caught up in the turbulent politics of a fractured kingdom, Risha forms unlikely allegiances - with river-runner Fenn, mute Clik and the swamp-dwelling nan-Irem. But who - or what - is Nonno, who speaks in riddles in her mind?
In her search for belonging, Risha loses one parent and gains another, risks all for the sake of a girl she's never met, and learns the hard way how to trust, when to run, when to stand and fight. Magnificent fantasy adventure story, with a romance at its heart, this book is a page-turner.
This is a richly imagined fantasy adventure story, beautifully written by NZ Post Award-winning Anna Mackenzie.