Rhuna – Keeper of Wisdom
A Quest For Ancient Wisdom Book 1
by Barbara Underwood
Genre:
YA Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
YA Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
In the ancient, mystical past when an idyllic Atlantis-like civilization
flourished, its people with exceptional powers could build giant
stone structures like the Pyramids, and transform elements such as
sand to stone and metal to gold with concentrated energy of the mind.
flourished, its people with exceptional powers could build giant
stone structures like the Pyramids, and transform elements such as
sand to stone and metal to gold with concentrated energy of the mind.
This utopian Atlan Empire is rocked when one of its most preeminent
Masters rebels and seeks to subvert the ideals of Atlan society.
Roaming the countryside in a black robe, misusing his powers on
innocent people, he becomes known as the dreaded Dark Master.
Masters rebels and seeks to subvert the ideals of Atlan society.
Roaming the countryside in a black robe, misusing his powers on
innocent people, he becomes known as the dreaded Dark Master.
On a distant and isolated island on the fringes of the Atlan Empire, a
young girl named Rhuna comes of age when she meets a man from Atlán
and learns that her father was an Atlan Master who was killed in his
attempt to destroy the Dark Master.
young girl named Rhuna comes of age when she meets a man from Atlán
and learns that her father was an Atlan Master who was killed in his
attempt to destroy the Dark Master.
Journeying across oceans and ancient worlds, Rhuna learns to master her inherent
mental powers, transforming elements and summoning visions by means
of the Gazing of the Waters. Unlike her peers, however, Rhuna
discovers she has an extra power, namely the ability to summon
visions mentally, without incantations or powders.
mental powers, transforming elements and summoning visions by means
of the Gazing of the Waters. Unlike her peers, however, Rhuna
discovers she has an extra power, namely the ability to summon
visions mentally, without incantations or powders.
When the Dark Master’s activities become a threat to the peaceful Atlan
Empire, the Atlan Masters come to realize that they cannot defeat him
without Rhuna’s special visionary powers to observe the Dark
Master’s activity and whereabouts.
Empire, the Atlan Masters come to realize that they cannot defeat him
without Rhuna’s special visionary powers to observe the Dark
Master’s activity and whereabouts.
The first book in this extraordinary Urban Fantasy series lays the
foundations of the Atlan Empire and Rhuna’s world, and even when
the Dark Master appears to have been defeated, secret and sinister
powers continue to threaten the ancient Utopia.
foundations of the Atlan Empire and Rhuna’s world, and even when
the Dark Master appears to have been defeated, secret and sinister
powers continue to threaten the ancient Utopia.
Amazon
* B&N
* Kobo
* Smashwords
Rhuna- Crossroads
A Quest For Ancient Wisdom Book 2
This exciting second book in the Rhuna YA Urban Fantasy Series can also be read as a standalone novel.
Some years have passed since Rhuna helped to defeat the Dark Master in her
new home of Atlán, and now Rhuna has a teenage daughter who
accompanies her on an assignment in Ancient Egypt to investigate some
disturbing reports.
new home of Atlán, and now Rhuna has a teenage daughter who
accompanies her on an assignment in Ancient Egypt to investigate some
disturbing reports.
She soon discovers an astonishing underground network of the Dark
Master's followers, along with the secret group of Atlans dedicated
to stopping them. In the process of trying to carry out her
assignment, Rhuna is confronted with enormous challenges that could
drastically change her entire life and everything she has ever believed in!
Master's followers, along with the secret group of Atlans dedicated
to stopping them. In the process of trying to carry out her
assignment, Rhuna is confronted with enormous challenges that could
drastically change her entire life and everything she has ever believed in!
Rhuna – The Star Child
A Quest For Ancient Wisdom Book 3
This thrilling sequel to Rhuna: Crossroads is set in mystical Ancient
Egypt where Black Magic was developed by the followers of the
legendary villain, The Dark Master. As strange and frightening curses
plague the population, Rhuna discovers the underground organization
that performs this uncanny new magic, but she can only combat it with
the help of her long-lost father. Having learned from her father
amazing new skills to empower her on the Astral Plane, Rhuna once
again strives to preserve peace and harmony in the idyllic Atlan civilization.
Egypt where Black Magic was developed by the followers of the
legendary villain, The Dark Master. As strange and frightening curses
plague the population, Rhuna discovers the underground organization
that performs this uncanny new magic, but she can only combat it with
the help of her long-lost father. Having learned from her father
amazing new skills to empower her on the Astral Plane, Rhuna once
again strives to preserve peace and harmony in the idyllic Atlan civilization.
Far more challenging than fighting powerful Dark Forces, however, is
Rhuna’s personal anguish when her daughter becomes involved with
the leader of the Black Magic movement, and the once-perfect Atlan
society based on utopian principles begins to crumble all around her.
Shocking events escalate Rhuna’s world to a breathless climax as
she and her family undergo a momentous upheaval, and she is forced to
make great personal sacrifices for her loved ones.
Rhuna’s personal anguish when her daughter becomes involved with
the leader of the Black Magic movement, and the once-perfect Atlan
society based on utopian principles begins to crumble all around her.
Shocking events escalate Rhuna’s world to a breathless climax as
she and her family undergo a momentous upheaval, and she is forced to
make great personal sacrifices for her loved ones.
Amazon
* B&N
* Kobo
* Smashwords
* B&N
* Kobo
* Smashwords
A rustle of
fabric alerted Rhuna of a presence behind her, and she turned to look at the
open doorway where an attendant ushered in the prominent guest.
Rhuna watched in awe as a tall woman with
intensely dark skin strode elegantly towards them, her bare arms boasting gold
bracelets and other glittering jewels.
She remembered Shandi’s words, black
woman, and let her gaze quickly take in the impressive stature and
colourful textiles.
“I greet you,” she said, startling Rhuna with
her deep and resonating voice. “I am
Uxbana of Zambalu, The Queen of the Land of Ubanti and of the Ubanti People,”
she said proudly.
Rhuna stepped forward to greet her in the traditional
Atlan way, and a black hand with long, slender fingers reached to firmly grasp
Rhuna’s hand. The tall woman’s arm
jewellery jingled briefly, and Rhuna sensed both the woman’s outer and inner
strength of character.
“You?
You are the one they call The Star Child?” Uxbana said with arched eyebrows. “You are so…small.”
“The people of the Land of Ubanti are among
the tallest I have encountered,” stated The Reigning One in his usual monotone,
and then quickly motioned for Uxbana to be seated opposite Rhuna in a richly
decorated chair. Rhuna remembered what
she was told about chairs at her arrival in Safu, and still found it amusing
that The Reigning One’s forefathers liked to sit higher off the ground than
others in order to emphasize their status and superiority over others sitting
on the floor.
“Physical
attributes are superficial,” Uxbana said as she slowly lowered herself onto one
of The Reigning One’s chairs, and Rhuna noticed that she still towered over her
even in a seated position.
The Reigning One
lifted a finger, and two attendants appeared at once to offer a large platter
of food and a choice of beverages. Rhuna
watched as Uxbana chose a sample of each food group, and then requested a large
drinking vessel of the popular brewed and fermented barley beverage.
“My emissaries
have reported to me about the grand stone buildings in this land,” Uxbana said
with a mouthful of sweet honey cake. “It
is always astute, is it not, to cultivate good relations with one’s neighbours,
especially when there is much to be learned and gained, such as the Knowledge
of Safu that is becoming famous in the entire world,” she said, and then took
several large gulps of her beverage.
“However, our attempts to learn more about
Safu have been strangely undermined in various ways,” she added as she took
another mouthful of food.
Rhuna felt her
skin prickle as she realized that Uxbana was referring to the acts of the Dark
Ones.
“Several of my
emissaries fell violently ill before reaching Safu, and several others, travelling
together on a barge down the Great River, were attacked by both crocodiles and
hippopotamuses,” Uxbana continued.
“How
extraordinary,” The Reigning One interjected in a slightly elevated pitch,
telling Rhuna that the rigid, disciplined man was in fact very surprised.
“Perhaps the
lack of rain in recent lunar cycles has made the river animals agitated,”
Uxbana suggested, but Rhuna saw from the hint of a frown on The Reigning One’s
brow that he dismissed this idea.
“My emissaries
have reported to me about curses,” Uxbana continued in a loud and firm tone,
looking directly at Rhuna. “But let us
not argue about the verity of curses,” Uxbana added with a quick dismissive
wave of her hand.
“I have come to
acquire the knowledge and ability to make our land of Ubanti like Safu, namely
to build pyramids, stone roads, stone block houses, irrigation walls and metal
tools,” she stated.
“These things were made with the power only
Atlans possess,” explained Rhuna, and the black woman’s eyebrows arched
questioningly.
“Transforming sand into stone blocks, or
water in the case of the First Atlans in Safu, are exclusively the works of
very skilled Atlan Masters,” Rhuna explained.
“My emissaries have reported to me of your
grand deeds on behalf of the people of Benshu,” Uxbana said. “You made a city for the common people, all
by yourself…”
“I transformed sand and dirt into stone
building blocks so that the people could make better homes for themselves,”
Rhuna confirmed.
“What else can you do?” she asked sharply,
her obsidian eyes gleaming.
“I can transform metals for tools, plating on
doors or walls, make glass from sand, soften stone so it can be shaped or
cut…and I can also break down big rocks, or cause cracks in walls,” Rhuna said,
remembering the unintentional damage she caused during her first lunar cycle in
Safu.
“Why should only Atlans have this power?”
shot Uxbana with an angry frown and flaring nostrils. “You are not even a pure Atlan!” she spat,
as her gleaming black eyes bore into Rhuna.
“I have heard about your great feats on behalf of the Benshi people, but
you are not how I imagined you,” she challenged.
Rhuna – New Horizons
A Quest For Ancient Wisdom Book 4
The fourth book in the series, Rhuna: New Horizons can also be read as a standalone novel.
After sacrificing a life of comfort and security for her daughter’s sake,
Rhuna and her family go into exile and start a new life in the former
Atlan colony of Varappa. This faraway land is a frontier of new
technology such as air travel, loops in time and a society apparently
flourishing without a governing body of any kind.
Rhuna and her family go into exile and start a new life in the former
Atlan colony of Varappa. This faraway land is a frontier of new
technology such as air travel, loops in time and a society apparently
flourishing without a governing body of any kind.
On the surface, everyone appears to thrive in this liberated society,
but this kind of free thinking is fertile ground for the Dark Master
and his followers. Just when Rhuna and her family settle into their
beautiful new lakeside home, strange things begin to happen. Powerful
conjurers cause upheaval with their sinister magic, driving people
from their homes.
but this kind of free thinking is fertile ground for the Dark Master
and his followers. Just when Rhuna and her family settle into their
beautiful new lakeside home, strange things begin to happen. Powerful
conjurers cause upheaval with their sinister magic, driving people
from their homes.
An isolated society claiming to adhere to the ways of the First Atlans,
appear to be fighting a losing battle against these followers of the
Dark Master. While attempting to find a diplomatic solution to the
escalating conflict, Rhuna faces great challenges in her personal
life. Aradin’s love for her has cooled off inexplicably, and
Lozira’s emotional wellbeing teeters on a precarious threshold. In
desperation, Rhuna combines her magical powers and Varappan
technology to do the unthinkable. What she does, however, is
forbidden, and brings about a rift between her and her own father.
Rhuna may have headed down a path from which there is no turning back…
appear to be fighting a losing battle against these followers of the
Dark Master. While attempting to find a diplomatic solution to the
escalating conflict, Rhuna faces great challenges in her personal
life. Aradin’s love for her has cooled off inexplicably, and
Lozira’s emotional wellbeing teeters on a precarious threshold. In
desperation, Rhuna combines her magical powers and Varappan
technology to do the unthinkable. What she does, however, is
forbidden, and brings about a rift between her and her own father.
Rhuna may have headed down a path from which there is no turning back…
Barbara Underwood was born and raised in Sydney, Australia; the only child of
German migrants who provided a rich and diverse childhood
environment. Already in third grade she wrote a short children's book
for a class project and realized that she was deeply satisfied with
creating stories. In sixth grade, for another class project, her
teacher was so impressed by the lengthy story she submitted, that he
commented at the end "I see we are going to have another author".
German migrants who provided a rich and diverse childhood
environment. Already in third grade she wrote a short children's book
for a class project and realized that she was deeply satisfied with
creating stories. In sixth grade, for another class project, her
teacher was so impressed by the lengthy story she submitted, that he
commented at the end "I see we are going to have another author".
Over the years Barbara kept writing one thing or another, but only as a
hobby while she pursued other interests and goals. In the 1990s, she
completed a correspondence course in professional writing, doing it
in her spare time after work. This led to having a few short stories
published, but what she really wanted to do was write a proper novel.
hobby while she pursued other interests and goals. In the 1990s, she
completed a correspondence course in professional writing, doing it
in her spare time after work. This led to having a few short stories
published, but what she really wanted to do was write a proper novel.
At this time, Barbara had travelled extensively and gained a wealth of
knowledge and experience in subjects that held special appeal for
her, namely ancient history, myths and legends (such as Atlantis, the
builders of megaliths around the world), folklore (the belief that a
god-like race gave mankind its technology), human psychology and the
culture of other countries. What better subject for her first novel
than to combine all these elements into one big adventure!
knowledge and experience in subjects that held special appeal for
her, namely ancient history, myths and legends (such as Atlantis, the
builders of megaliths around the world), folklore (the belief that a
god-like race gave mankind its technology), human psychology and the
culture of other countries. What better subject for her first novel
than to combine all these elements into one big adventure!
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.