Ka Kite

by Lillah Lawson

One year ago, Miranda Robbins carefully extracted herself from a life of terror in which she had no future. Back home in Birmingham, Alabama, surrounded by family and friends, and embarking on both a new relationship and a new career, she should be moving on with her life, safe from the clutches of the man who hurt her. But the vacant lot next door holds more than a few memories, and the terrifying nightmares are a regular reminder of what she hasn't fully left behind: the country she called home and the men she'd loved: one whom she fled in terror, the other whom she still loves, but can't bring herself to contact. More than an ocean lies between them now.

Then one day an unexpected visitor shows up on her doorstep, and her world is thrown into a tailspin. Miranda is compelled to help this stranger, a mysterious woman whose story is every bit as harrowing and sad as Miranda's own. As the two enter into an unlikely friendship, Miranda finds that nothing is what it seems, and nobody can be trusted - not in Birmingham, or in Auckland, New Zealand, the home she left behind. Betrayed, alone, and sinking fast, she's faced with a choice between the life she thought was behind her and the future she is trying to build. She must choose between letting her past claim her for good, or saving herself once and for all. Spanning two countries an ocean apart, Ka Kite is a story of lost loves, confrontation, sacrifice, and most importantly, the ability of unconditional love to heal.

350 pages, Paperback

Published June 22, 2016

About the author

Lillah Lawson has been writing since she was 8 years old, when she won a short story contest at her elementary school. The story was about a Princess who gets tired of waiting for the Prince to show up and saves herself. Once she saw her words printed in the local newspaper, she knew she wanted to be a writer.

Lawson's debut novel, a work of historical fiction titled Monarchs Under the Sassafras Tree, was released by Regal House Publishing in 2019, and was nominated for Georgia Author of the Year in the literary fiction category in 2020. The first in her horroromance trilogy, Dead Rockstar, was published via Parliament House Press in 2020, with sequels The Wolfden (2/2022) and Driftwood Dreary (8/2023) to follow. Her next work of historical fiction, So Long, Bobby, is set to release via Sword & Silk Press in the Fall of 2023.

In addition to novels, Lillah's short story "The Lady and the Tall Man" appeared in the horror anthology "Shiver", edited by Nico Bell, in 2021. Her short story "Burn the Witch (Red)" will appear in the horror anthology "Chromophobia", published by Red Rooster Press and edited by Sara Tantlinger, in Fall 2022.

In 2020, Lillah was awarded the UGA Arts/Flagpole Magazine's micro-fellowship, and her short story "Shoofly", featuring characters from her debut novel, appeared as part of the digital exhibit.

Lillah, who enjoys straddling literary genres, is currently working on a southern historical thriller set in the 1980s. In addition to writing, Lillah enjoys working as an amateur genealogist and is currently pursuing her BA in History.

Reviews

[Alice Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Aroha so much that I couldn't wait to read its sequel. I pestered Lawson enough that she kindly let me read Ka Kite before its official release date (side note: don't be like me).
When we left Miranda at the end of Aroha, she had left New Zealand and returned to the US. Ka Kite picks up a year on from there, as we see her struggle to adjust to a life that feels new and unfamiliar, even though it shouldn't. Lawson has perfectly captured the feeling of not fitting in in the place you called home, and missing another (I know this from experience). Miranda has tried to put as much distance between herself and Nick as possible, but the past will not leave her behind. Understandably, she remains shaken by all that he put her through, exhibiting some almost PTSD-like behaviours and symptoms, and things are further complicated when a stranger with a connection to Nick comes looking for her. Throughout Ka Kite, I felt like Miranda was dangling from a precipice, and we were waiting to see whether she would let go or fight to regain her grip. My heart broke for her and I cheered for her in equal measure.
She makes a significant decision that I don't want to spoil. Lawson has carefully hinted at it and foreshadowed it throughout the book, but it doesn't feel predictable. It feels natural and logical, and you'll be happy for Miranda. But once she makes that decision, things take a sinister turn. Again, I don't want to spoil what that is, but it is gripping, terrifying, and will have you unable to put the book down.
I loved Ka Kite from start to finish, and I highly recommend it.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love a happy ending and this sequel delivered. Lawson did a good job of giving us that ending without making it easy if that makes sense. Miranda gets her man but not without having to shift through a lot of emotional shit as well as tie up the loose ends of her past.

This novel is about redemption, about healing, and the whole mess process that one has to go through in order to reach a place of relative peace. It's not an easy road, and Lawson unflinchingly delivers a look into the life of someone nearly broken by domestic abuse.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.