Your story is my story…
As the city’s eternal apprentice, Horace has never found a clan to belong to. E has joined Trenaze’s guards with hopes to finally earn eir place during eir trial day at the Great Market—that is, until the glowing shards haunting the world break through the city’s protective dome. Armed with a sword and too little training, Horace doubts in eir ability to defend the market-goers. But eir last stand is interrupted by a mysterious elven figure who can dissipate the shards with a single, strange sentence: your story is my story.
From the moment it is uttered, Horace knows the sentences holds true for em, too—and when the elf collapses in the middle of the market, e carries them to safety. After an afternoon of board games in their quiet, sharp-witted company, Horace is ready to follow this elf as they seek the forest that haunts their dreams, and answers to the confounding events at the Market. Their story is eir story, and e is willing to confront the dangers of the road to hear their laugh again and finally feel like e belongs.
Awakenings is the first of nine novellas in a fantasy adventure blending cozy fantasy vibes and D&D style side-questing, imbued with an aspec-focused queernormative world and strong platonic bonds.
Representation of note
Horace (e/em): aromantic, asexual, non-binary, ADHD
Aliyah (they/them): aromantic, asexual, non-binary
Rumi (he/him): aromantic,
asexual
This series experiments with societal structures that don’t center sexual-romantic pairs or binary genders, which impacts significantly how characters relate to their own queerness.
content notes
Descriptive violence (two brief instances), mention of memory loss, systemic ableism in the worldbuilding
TROPES
Found Family, Road Trip
Loudmouth/Quiet (platonic), Ride or Die (platonic)
Loyalty At First Sight (platonic)
Sentient Magical Item (Wagon)
PRAISE FOR AWAKENINGS
“Awakenings masterfully combines adventure, coziness, friendship, and board games–all the major food groups! If you’ve been pining for books that center friendship instead of romance, you’re going to want this on the
very top of your read list. An absolute delight from start to finish, and I’m stoked as hell that this series is only beginning.”
– Nicole Kornher-Stace, Author of Firebreak
“Come for the magical mysteries, stay for the sentient wagon. Awakenings
will delight readers of cozy fantasy with its charming characters and whimsical world. For lovers of found family and platonic bonds that transcend tradition, their sto
ry is our story.”
– Rosiee T
hor, Author of Fire Becomes Her
“One of the most heartfelt, engaging and fun series starters I’ve read in a while. Worldbuilding that’s instantly compelling, and a found family to fall in love with as they bond with each other. Count me in for wherever Horace, Aliyah and Rumi’s journey takes them next.”
– Brandon Crilly, IPPY Award-winning author of
Catalyst
“Nerezia has me hooked and wanting more. With a lively and well-realized world full of colorful and endearing characters, and several intriguing mysteries at its core, this queer friendship-focused traveling tale promises to be a fun and emotionally satisfying ride.”
– RoAnna Sylver, Author of
Chameleon Moon
OTHER INFORMATION
Genre/Age Category: Adult, Cozy Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Queer Fiction
Publisher: The Kraken Collective
Publication Date:
February 9, 2024
Cover Artist: Eva I.
ISBN-13 (paperback): 978-1-7389259-1-9
