Kita can meld song into stone. In a world with no written word, storytelling–the ability to meld (or magically impress) song into stone–is greatly honored. The village honors her master as their medicine man, but Kita knows he’s secretly a sorcerer who practices black magic using drops of her blood. She fears he’ll use her beautiful gift for a killing spell, so she conceals it from him. Each day, his magic tightens around her neck like a rope. His spells blind the villagers, so they can’t see him for what he really is.
Not that anyone would want to help her. She was found in the forest as a baby and would have died if a village girl hadn’t brought her home. But the villagers saw Kita’s unusual coloring and decided she belonged to the mysterious tribe who lives in the forests of the volcano, a people feared for their mystical powers. So they fear her too. Now seventeen, she can barely admit her deepest longing: to know who she really is and where she belongs.
Then Pono, a young journeyman, arrives from the other side of the island. He’s come to fulfill a pact between their villages: to escort a storyteller back to his village–a storyteller who’ll be chosen at the great assembly. Finally, in Pono, Kita sees her one slim chance at freedom and she’ll risk her life to take it.
A dark, twisty tale of sorcery, tummy-tingling romance, and adventure, inspired by the folklore of New Zealand’s Māori people.
Suitable for teens 12+ and young adults (YA) who enjoy romantic fantasy books with elements of mystery, escape, and suspense. This historical high fantasy is rich in myths and legends, a coming-of-age story set on a fictional remote Pacific island, exploring issues of adoption and identity.
Targeted Age Group:
Teens
Writing fantasy allows me to explore issues that might be too painful for me or too close-to-home to explore in a contemporary realistic setting. For instance, the island-set world of Songstone is far removed from my real life, which, as an adoptive mom, was a way for me to more freely explore some of the more painful issues associated with adoption.
What Advice Would You Give Aspiring Writers?
Write a lot. Finish things. Be open to revision.
Everyone needs to find their own path, wherever it leads. Work at it. Don’t give up. Treat it like a job. Treat it like your passion. Love it. Stick with it even when you feel discouraged. Develop a mental toughness when it comes to rejections (or negative reviews). Above all, maintain a pliable heart, because you’ll need that the most to write from an authentic emotional place.
Author Bio:
LENA GOLDFINCH is the Kindle Bestselling author of teen fantasy — stories with heart and a healthy dose of “sigh-worthy” romance. Her current titles include SONGSTONE, AIRE, and THE LANGUAGE OF SOULS. She lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. In her creative heart, she travels far and wide to all sorts of exciting places, past and present, which is a perk of making things up for a living. Visit her online at lenagoldfinch.com.
“SONGSTONE sings with characters who come to life, a story full of magic, heart and adventure, and a world that lets you smell the sea air and feel the tropical sun on your back.” — Lisa Gail Green, author of The Binding Stone
“Danger, magic, romance, and royal intrigue, AIRE is a must read!” –NYT Bestselling Author JESSICA ANDERSEN
“Looking for something fresh and new to read? Try Lena Goldfinch’s AIRE.” –SERENA CHASE, USA Today HEA
Songstone — YA Fantasy Romance — New Release!
Aire — YA Fantasy Romance — Now Available
The Language of Souls — YA Fantasy Romance — Now Available
The image of a girl on a dangerous quest was the first thing that came to me. Her physical characteristics were later inspired by the legends of the patupaiarehe: her red hair, very white skin, and green eyes (the patupaiarehe were said to have blue or light colored eyes, and green suited Kita). I also imagined she’d go through a life-altering transformation on her journey.
Website(s)
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