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"I would take Skelkra's power sooner or later, it didn't matter. I would take everything from him, like he had from me."

Unwilling to kill her child, Klawdia flees her home Vilseek, giving up her heirdom and family. Her Father, the leader of the Bears and chieftain of Ruxdor, will never stop hunting her now she has betrayed him. Alone in the depths of the snowtimes, she must find refuge for herself and her child.

The injuries attained through the fight with Skelkra, her ex-lover, have made her clumsy and slow. Trapped against the surrounding mountains, she is forced to climb the deadly western summit. Barely alive, she discovers a hidden tribe on the other side of the Dividing Mountains. They hold the key to her safety and knowledge about her country's terrible past.

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2014

8 people are currently reading
30 people want to read

About the author

K.J. Colt

20 books100 followers
U.S.A Today Bestselling author Kylie J. Colt writes fantasy with a psychological twist. By threading common psychological pathologies such as anxiety, depression and mood disorders, into her storytelling she creates deeper, more dynamic characters.

Located on the sunny Gold Coast of Australia, she has been writing for three years. Her favourite writers are Kristin Cashore, Robin Hobb, Trudi Canavan and Maria V. Snyder. She has an honours degree in psychology and counselling, enjoys road trips, gaming (Skyrim / Civilisation / Assassin's Creed / Bioshock / Banished), music festivals (electronica), playing pool, meditation, yoga, bushwalking, and gobbles up anything fantasy-related. Her favourite shows include Game of Thrones, Homeland, Dark Mirror, Downton Abbey, X-Files, House of Cards, Hannibal, Trueblood, IT Crowd and anything created by Hayao Miyazaki.

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Bill Thibadeau.
503 reviews13 followers
January 10, 2015
This book is a continuation of the first book in the Klawdia series. It is a bit on the short side. More of a novella - my whine is over. This installment seems to be more of a way to join two larger episodes than a separate episode worthy of its' own book. There is nothing bad about that though. This book is interesting. The thing that I really liked is that the next book has been set up to offer a very interesting storyline. I am looking forward to that one coming out.
13 reviews
May 30, 2017
Great read

Started reading this author after a recommendation from another author I really like. And now I make sure to check for any new works by her as I am never disappointed. Definitely recommend this and all her other books.
39 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2017
Too soon


.. really like klawdia... enjoyed all the colt books i have read. finally got curious enough to read up on the author.. not bad...
the only thing I wished for were more pages, just as i was really getting into the book.. it finished,, bit short... gud read tho
Author 39 books175 followers
January 5, 2014
Over the years, I've found myself losing interest with fantasy literature, which is quite strange because, as it's an offshoot of the oral tradition, which I very much enjoy, fantasy is the genre I'm most drawn to. Perhaps there are too many imitators out there, or I'm harder to please than I used to be, but I've found much of what I've read in recent years to be stale as the same tropes get rehashed over and over again. How many Dark Lords, little folk, or gritty, cast of thousands filled medieval-styled novels can one read without growing weary of them?

Fortunately, there are some wonderful new authors bringing a fresh voice to the genre. Refuge by KJ Colt, is the sequel to Bear Heart, which I had the pleasure of also reading. One of the things that drew me to the Klawdia series is the rich, descriptive narration and excellent world building. There aren't any clichéd little people to be found in this series, but rather a well-thought out world peopled by rustic tribes with an intriguing caste system. It's easy to lose yourself in a vibrant, rich world that is so convincingly revealed with the author's thoughtful, but very capable storytelling style. The lead character, Klawdia, as a female warrior, makes an interesting change of pace from similar novels in the genre. The fact that the story takes note of the fact that she's a female in a male-dominated warrior culture adds an extra punch to the story.

Refuge picks up right up from where Bear Heart left off. After disobeying her father, the chieftain of her tribe, for failing to destroy the life of her unborn child, Klawdia is on the run fighting to protect it from her father's wrath. Meanwhile, the political tide has changed in her village as her nemesis, Skelkra, who also happens to be her child's father, becomes the heir-apparent, whose plot to dominate the other tribes threatens war against her people.

Klawdia goes into hiding and discovers allies along the way. What follows is a gripping tale recounting her struggle to save her people from the evil machinations of Skelkra while keeping her child safe from harm.

As a sequel, I found this book to be even superior than the introductory tale. The stakes are higher for Klawdia in this one and you can see the fierce determination she has to put things right.

Some readers might find the first chapter a little-slow moving. For me it was just perfect as we are allowed to settle back into the world that Klwadia inhabits before the action speeds along. This tale is sure to reward readers who stick with it as well as fans of the first book.

Overall, this is an excellent novella that's well-told and written. There's just the right balance between action and drama to keep you flipping pages. I highly recommend this book to fantasy fans especially those looking for a tale with a strong female lead.

4.5 stars for a gripping tale packed with intrigue and action.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for Deborah.
1,320 reviews38 followers
January 8, 2014
This book is a great continuation from the first book. The characters are developed more and we get to know more of Klawdia's thoughts letting is see more than just the strong female leader that she is . The story though not long had many twists turns and is full of action there wasn't a time when i thought 'oh there is nothing happening here it would be a good place to stop' the action flowed from one thing to the next. A great read full of romance and the fight for surival. The book once again leaves us wanting more.
Profile Image for Sheena.
814 reviews13 followers
September 21, 2016
Second in the 'Klawdia' series, and again this is a novella. That's really my only gripe with it, that it's too short. I'm selfish, I want more Klawdia.

This time Klawdia is on the run and alone until she finds friends and a temporary home in Fin Town with Margan the Speaker and his family. Sadly there's no Happy Ever After here (yet, I hope!) and Klawdia is yet again tracked down by Skelkra and her father (seriously, does Skelkra have teleportation and telepathic powers to know where she'll be? ;) )

I loved it, I want more Klawdia, Margan and Jeykal. Bring on Savage.
Profile Image for Lita.
16 reviews
October 22, 2015
Take off on the Healers series

I enjoyed book one and two but book two was rather short. Klawdia's values and ideas are very much like the main character in the Healers series. Enjoyed it but book two seemed more like a serial than a novel. I will read the third one if and when it ever comes out. Characters are very engaging. It will be interesting to see how Keep J. Colt mergers the two series together. I would recommend this series.
Profile Image for Sasha.
400 reviews12 followers
January 6, 2014
I liked it.

Refuge was good progression of Klawdia's story. Refreshingly, she continues to be a strong female lead, even around equally strong-willed men. The challenges she faces are realistic to the story, instead of being filler. Overall, I would recommend the book and read the next.
254 reviews42 followers
April 2, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. I was an easy read with the perfect amount of action. I like all the fantasy in it and wish I could be friends with a whale and a bear cub too! Looking forward to the next book in the series.
19 reviews17 followers
September 19, 2016
I definitely enjoyed this book. It's a bit different from the first one but awesome all the same.I gotta say that I'm liking Margan better than Jeykal at the moment :) You all should read these books.
45 reviews
March 22, 2015
Refuge (Klawdi as series Book 2)

This book was well worth reading. In fact it's one of those series a person wants to go on forever.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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