Altaica by Tracy M. Joyce

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.

I received this book from NetGalley for review.

I'm not entirely sure where to start. This book had a large cast of characters, most of which are fairly forgettable, all of them I am confused about their importance.

The summary is a little misleading as to what the story is really about, Isaura is in no way the sole focus of this book. In fact, in my opinion, there are far too many characters. With the characters on the barge, there are roughly 9 or 10 named characters, and then when they get to the village there are another 6 or 7. All of them get there own little focus storylines in this book, and it makes the plot hard to figure out, as well as who really is important. The writing was a little hit or miss for me. Since I was a little confused as to who the main character really is, the writing focus shifts and with so many characters that have similar personalities I got lost with who was who sometimes.

The magic in this book also wasn't explained very well either, and neither was the invading army. Who are they and what do they want are things that weren't clearly given. Well, it's mentioned that they want to make slaves and soldiers out of them, but for what purpose, who is their leader? There were just things set up in this book that were never addressed.

Then there was the shift in focus of characters from those on the barge to those in the village was done in a sloppy way, it would have been a much better idea to introduce both groups of people near the beginning of the book rather than halfway through.

I hope the next book culls out some of the less important characters and gets the focus group down to around 5. 19 is too many characters when less than half are important.