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Shiva XIV #1
Shiva XIV
A dying kingdom. A galaxy in peril. And only the reincarnation of an ancient god can save them.
Prophesied to become the messiah of his kingdom, Ayn is charged with saving his people from disease and war. But when an unknown enemy threatens everyone he loves, the destiny he thought was his spins out of control.
His sheltered existence torn asunder, Ayn finds himself on an epic journey where he meets new friends, foes, and a mysterious cat creature that no one but Ayn can see.
Is the supposed reincarnation of "The Great Adin" losing his sanity? Or is everything guided by Fate? Ayn must decide before the entire galaxy is destroyed!
*Adult themes, intended for mature teens and up.
Other books in the series:
The Veil of Truth: Book 2
The Riddle of the Gods: Book 3
The River of Time: Book 4
Prophesied to become the messiah of his kingdom, Ayn is charged with saving his people from disease and war. But when an unknown enemy threatens everyone he loves, the destiny he thought was his spins out of control.
His sheltered existence torn asunder, Ayn finds himself on an epic journey where he meets new friends, foes, and a mysterious cat creature that no one but Ayn can see.
Is the supposed reincarnation of "The Great Adin" losing his sanity? Or is everything guided by Fate? Ayn must decide before the entire galaxy is destroyed!
*Adult themes, intended for mature teens and up.
Other books in the series:
The Veil of Truth: Book 2
The Riddle of the Gods: Book 3
The River of Time: Book 4
313 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2014
12 people are currently reading
667 people want to read
About the author
Lyra Shanti
16 books170 followersLyra Shanti, also known as Aryl Shanti, is a novelist, editor, poet, playwright, and songwriter who currently lives in Florida with partner and spouse, Timothyne, and their two insane cats. A lover of nature, animals, anime, music, theatre, movies, myths, and of course, great books, Lyra seeks inspiration from everywhere possible!
Author of the award-winning sci-fi series, Shiva XIV, Lyra is a dreamer of worlds far away. Further information about Lyra's stories, music, and more can be found at www.lyrashanti.com.
Author of the award-winning sci-fi series, Shiva XIV, Lyra is a dreamer of worlds far away. Further information about Lyra's stories, music, and more can be found at www.lyrashanti.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 25, 2017
I have to say, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. It's a sci-fi, but there's a lot that pulls from earthly religions and mysticism, plus a flirtatious friendship that is too adorable for words. And somehow, it all works.
Ayn is a fantastic protagonist. He's led to believe he's the reincarnation of a former god-king and as such, grows up living a very sheltered life amongst the priests of his home world's religious rule. But on the day he is supposed to be crowned, tragedy strikes and chaos takes over. Ayn finds out the extent to which he was sheltered.
The dynamic between Ayn and Zin is fun and I absolutely enjoyed their adventure. I foresee a lot of growth for these characters. But Ayn's story is only half of it. There is also Pei, a priest who Ayn's teacher and soul brother. I will admit, as the story went on, I wanted to shake Pei a few times. I'll be curious to see what becomes of his training.
Overall, there is a lot of story going on. If you're looking for a genre bending adventure, this is a great place to start.
Ayn is a fantastic protagonist. He's led to believe he's the reincarnation of a former god-king and as such, grows up living a very sheltered life amongst the priests of his home world's religious rule. But on the day he is supposed to be crowned, tragedy strikes and chaos takes over. Ayn finds out the extent to which he was sheltered.
The dynamic between Ayn and Zin is fun and I absolutely enjoyed their adventure. I foresee a lot of growth for these characters. But Ayn's story is only half of it. There is also Pei, a priest who Ayn's teacher and soul brother. I will admit, as the story went on, I wanted to shake Pei a few times. I'll be curious to see what becomes of his training.
Overall, there is a lot of story going on. If you're looking for a genre bending adventure, this is a great place to start.
June 12, 2019
My rating 4.5
The book "Shiva XIV (Shiva XIV # 1)" by Lyra Shanti is a solid beginning of the hybrid series between science fiction and fantasy. The book makes you read and that is what is most important because you slowly discover the complexity of the world created by the writer. The main character in the book is Ayn who was born as the incarnation of Shiva Bodanya or Adina on the planet Deius. Amun-Lan is a priest-teacher who is raising its tradition until it becomes the ruler of the planet Deius based beliefs and the study of the past without compromising science. The universe in which Ayn lives is divided into two beliefs science and natural because the knowledge of plasma that has changed the lives of all people. This separation led to many wars in the past until appeared first Adin. As Adin's reincarnation, Ayn should bring the universe into balance as otherwise the universe will break down and new wars will begin. Ayn sincerely is not convinced that he is a new Adin, but the events at his inauguration for the ruler will take him to a second full time. The road on which will Ayn need to find who and what he is. I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to fans of SF and Fantasy.
The book "Shiva XIV (Shiva XIV # 1)" by Lyra Shanti is a solid beginning of the hybrid series between science fiction and fantasy. The book makes you read and that is what is most important because you slowly discover the complexity of the world created by the writer. The main character in the book is Ayn who was born as the incarnation of Shiva Bodanya or Adina on the planet Deius. Amun-Lan is a priest-teacher who is raising its tradition until it becomes the ruler of the planet Deius based beliefs and the study of the past without compromising science. The universe in which Ayn lives is divided into two beliefs science and natural because the knowledge of plasma that has changed the lives of all people. This separation led to many wars in the past until appeared first Adin. As Adin's reincarnation, Ayn should bring the universe into balance as otherwise the universe will break down and new wars will begin. Ayn sincerely is not convinced that he is a new Adin, but the events at his inauguration for the ruler will take him to a second full time. The road on which will Ayn need to find who and what he is. I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to fans of SF and Fantasy.
December 10, 2017
Shiva XIV by Lyra Shanti is an interesting mix of science fiction and fantasy that blends both genres without an overly complicated plot. This unique tale begins with the birth of Queen Amya’s son (Ayn) who is proclaimed by the High Priest of Deius as the Neya Bodanya. This is a messiah, of sorts, and the second coming of The Great Adin.
Immediate conflict arises from not only within the holy order ruling Deius, but also the factions against the religious aspects and implications of such a proclamation. Whereas Deius has been ruled by The Council of The Holy Dei, many of its denizens reject the council and prefer science to that of religion and prophecy.
Regardless of this opposition, Ayn is groomed as the Neya Bodanya, and sheltered within the confines of the temple. During this time, his interaction with his mother is minimal, while the High Priest, Meddhi-Lan, raises him as more of a son than a student.
The Uh-Ahm galaxy was in turmoil due to the draining of plasmic energy, which is their power supply. After the decimation of one world (Hun), many people turned to their spiritual leaders for guidance as others sought a scientific explanation, thusly fracturing the already brittle filament in which peace and cooperation had been tethered throughout the galaxy.
Ayn is extremely conflicted and apprehensive regarding his importance to the Un as a whole, and his ability to shoulder the responsibilities of his position. His dubiety and confusion is amplified by his inability to accept an abnormality from his birth.
After reaching his fourteenth year, a devastating event separates Ayn from not merely his home, but also his planet. The way this event takes place, had me re-reading a few sections to see if I’d missed anything. I hadn’t. The subsequent events introduce Ayn and his new companion, Zin, to a new world and the struggles that come with it.
Although this is science fantasy, most of the elements appear more a futuristic version of Earth. This is especially so once we experience Xen. With the pawnshops, trains, vending machines, lounges, hotels, etc, it’s like two teens escaping to New York in hopes of becoming stars. However, there are a few species mentioned, hover cars, and the like that keep you in the sci fi element.
Shiva XIV was an enjoyable read with a few interesting characters. Many questions and hints are woven into the plot to cause the reader to wonder what might happen next, and what some characters true relation might be.
Although I love male characters that can also be sensitive, there was quite a bit of crying and pouting. Some of it is understandable, given Ayn’s age, naivety, and inner struggles. However, it started losing its effectiveness when the tears were so prevalent. In addition, the overuse of exclamation points was a bit jarring. It took a bit of getting used to, but didn’t take away from my reading experience. I’d like to see how Ayn’s story unfolds and where some of the treacheries, alliances, and instant love romances lead.
Immediate conflict arises from not only within the holy order ruling Deius, but also the factions against the religious aspects and implications of such a proclamation. Whereas Deius has been ruled by The Council of The Holy Dei, many of its denizens reject the council and prefer science to that of religion and prophecy.
Regardless of this opposition, Ayn is groomed as the Neya Bodanya, and sheltered within the confines of the temple. During this time, his interaction with his mother is minimal, while the High Priest, Meddhi-Lan, raises him as more of a son than a student.
The Uh-Ahm galaxy was in turmoil due to the draining of plasmic energy, which is their power supply. After the decimation of one world (Hun), many people turned to their spiritual leaders for guidance as others sought a scientific explanation, thusly fracturing the already brittle filament in which peace and cooperation had been tethered throughout the galaxy.
Ayn is extremely conflicted and apprehensive regarding his importance to the Un as a whole, and his ability to shoulder the responsibilities of his position. His dubiety and confusion is amplified by his inability to accept an abnormality from his birth.
After reaching his fourteenth year, a devastating event separates Ayn from not merely his home, but also his planet. The way this event takes place, had me re-reading a few sections to see if I’d missed anything. I hadn’t. The subsequent events introduce Ayn and his new companion, Zin, to a new world and the struggles that come with it.
Although this is science fantasy, most of the elements appear more a futuristic version of Earth. This is especially so once we experience Xen. With the pawnshops, trains, vending machines, lounges, hotels, etc, it’s like two teens escaping to New York in hopes of becoming stars. However, there are a few species mentioned, hover cars, and the like that keep you in the sci fi element.
Shiva XIV was an enjoyable read with a few interesting characters. Many questions and hints are woven into the plot to cause the reader to wonder what might happen next, and what some characters true relation might be.
Although I love male characters that can also be sensitive, there was quite a bit of crying and pouting. Some of it is understandable, given Ayn’s age, naivety, and inner struggles. However, it started losing its effectiveness when the tears were so prevalent. In addition, the overuse of exclamation points was a bit jarring. It took a bit of getting used to, but didn’t take away from my reading experience. I’d like to see how Ayn’s story unfolds and where some of the treacheries, alliances, and instant love romances lead.
August 21, 2016
Shiva XIV is a lovely, thought-provoking coming of age story set on the Un-Ahm galaxy, a solar system beautifully envisioned and described by the author. Though the cast is quite large, the teenagers Ayn and Zin are the main characters and their journey drives this story. Ayn is the reincarnation of the Bodanya, whose role in his society closely mirrors that of a reincarnated Tibetan lama. Though Ayn is resigned to accept his pre-determined path, he also has doubts about his abilities to heal and unify his world, as is prophesized. Zin is a prince who defiantly rejects all connections to his royal family, choosing music over power and prestige.
These young men’s struggles against what is expected of them kept me turning the page. While backpacking through Nepal and Thailand, I became fascinated with Buddhism and Hinduism, two religions in which reincarnation plays a central role. I was always intrigued by what it must be like for a mortal child to be treated as a God from birth. What would that do to his or her psyche? What if the child rebelled by rejecting their predestined position; how would religious leaders deal with that? The same questions can be asked of modern-day princes and princesses who flagrantly reject the expectations inherent to their position within their royal families. These questions play a central role in Shiva XIV and the author does a fantastic job of illustrating the problems these children face as they age and mature within these confined restraints.
My experience with fantasy/sci-fi genre is quite limited and I will admit I had some pretty misconceived conceptions about the genre in general before reading Shiva XIV. I picked it up in the first place because I wanted to broaden my reading horizons and liked the cover. However, I don’t enjoying having to consult a glossary of made up words every few pages or be forced to consult an imaginary map in order to understand the story. Luckily, from the first page of Shiva XIV, I was completely immersed in the author’s universe and had no trouble understanding the characters or place, making a glossary or map completely unnecessary to follow and enjoy the story.
I would recommend Shiva XIV to any readers looking for an intriguing, well thought out, coming of age story, whether they are fans of space operas or not!
These young men’s struggles against what is expected of them kept me turning the page. While backpacking through Nepal and Thailand, I became fascinated with Buddhism and Hinduism, two religions in which reincarnation plays a central role. I was always intrigued by what it must be like for a mortal child to be treated as a God from birth. What would that do to his or her psyche? What if the child rebelled by rejecting their predestined position; how would religious leaders deal with that? The same questions can be asked of modern-day princes and princesses who flagrantly reject the expectations inherent to their position within their royal families. These questions play a central role in Shiva XIV and the author does a fantastic job of illustrating the problems these children face as they age and mature within these confined restraints.
My experience with fantasy/sci-fi genre is quite limited and I will admit I had some pretty misconceived conceptions about the genre in general before reading Shiva XIV. I picked it up in the first place because I wanted to broaden my reading horizons and liked the cover. However, I don’t enjoying having to consult a glossary of made up words every few pages or be forced to consult an imaginary map in order to understand the story. Luckily, from the first page of Shiva XIV, I was completely immersed in the author’s universe and had no trouble understanding the characters or place, making a glossary or map completely unnecessary to follow and enjoy the story.
I would recommend Shiva XIV to any readers looking for an intriguing, well thought out, coming of age story, whether they are fans of space operas or not!
January 19, 2018
Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman
From the moment of Ayn’s Royal birth his future was predestined. Ayn was the reincarnation of the great Adin and would save his world from turmoil, disease and war. In Shiva XIV: (The Shiva XIV Series Book 1), by Lyra Shanti, we meet the young boy who will grow up to be King. Not everything is as it should be though and Ayn is torn by doubt and uncertainty as to whether he is indeed a God. Born with an unusual sexual orientation, the boy is constantly torn between his devotion to his teachers and mentors, his duty to his country and his desire to be simply a boy. On Ayn’s fourteenth birthday he is due to be crowned and recognised, by his people, as a King and a God, but on that day, all hell breaks loose at the castle and Ayn, along with his new friend Zin make an escape from the certain death that was awaiting him, to begin an adventure through the galaxy.
This is the first in a series of books focusing on Shiva XIV by Lyra Shanti and she gives us ample opportunity to meet, understand and invest ourselves in the young characters, especially Ayn and Zin. As Science Fiction, this story appealed because it made no pretentions of being overtly technical, it just happened that the coming-of-age story was set on another planet among different species. This made it extremely readable for those of us who like Sci Fi, but sometimes get lost in the author’s overactive imagination. There are a couple of aspects that I particularly liked about the story. The backstory of Ayn’s sexuality was only briefly touched on in passing in this book, but I am sure future stories will focus more on whether indeed, he is male or female, or both. This aspect of the story is particularly relevant in today’s confusing sexual world, for young people. The second thing I loved about Shanti’s writing in Shiva XIV was the deep emotions she evoked in her characters. They were not afraid to show their emotions and “wore them on their sleeve”, so to speak. The character of Pei is fascinating and I’m sure will be explored even more in future episodes. As the start of a series, I would have to say this looks fantastic and well worth getting into.
From the moment of Ayn’s Royal birth his future was predestined. Ayn was the reincarnation of the great Adin and would save his world from turmoil, disease and war. In Shiva XIV: (The Shiva XIV Series Book 1), by Lyra Shanti, we meet the young boy who will grow up to be King. Not everything is as it should be though and Ayn is torn by doubt and uncertainty as to whether he is indeed a God. Born with an unusual sexual orientation, the boy is constantly torn between his devotion to his teachers and mentors, his duty to his country and his desire to be simply a boy. On Ayn’s fourteenth birthday he is due to be crowned and recognised, by his people, as a King and a God, but on that day, all hell breaks loose at the castle and Ayn, along with his new friend Zin make an escape from the certain death that was awaiting him, to begin an adventure through the galaxy.
This is the first in a series of books focusing on Shiva XIV by Lyra Shanti and she gives us ample opportunity to meet, understand and invest ourselves in the young characters, especially Ayn and Zin. As Science Fiction, this story appealed because it made no pretentions of being overtly technical, it just happened that the coming-of-age story was set on another planet among different species. This made it extremely readable for those of us who like Sci Fi, but sometimes get lost in the author’s overactive imagination. There are a couple of aspects that I particularly liked about the story. The backstory of Ayn’s sexuality was only briefly touched on in passing in this book, but I am sure future stories will focus more on whether indeed, he is male or female, or both. This aspect of the story is particularly relevant in today’s confusing sexual world, for young people. The second thing I loved about Shanti’s writing in Shiva XIV was the deep emotions she evoked in her characters. They were not afraid to show their emotions and “wore them on their sleeve”, so to speak. The character of Pei is fascinating and I’m sure will be explored even more in future episodes. As the start of a series, I would have to say this looks fantastic and well worth getting into.
February 10, 2017
Shiva XIV is a well thought out coming of age story of a young prince who is chosen to be the God of his people, his destiny is being their savior. Interesting characters, great world building, Lyra Shanti creates a credible religious doctrine. Her universe is fraught with issues, much like any other, from politics, to religion, to the dwindling resources that supply the population. All that aside, the young prince has a unique problem of his own, and it weighs down his confidence to rule. Brilliantly told, this is a rich tapestry of a place that becomes as believable as any civilization that could have existed anywhere in time.
October 29, 2016
A fascinating science fantasy tale about Ayn, a young intersex person (this book follows him from birth to adolescence) who is believed to be the second incarnation of his society's great leader, and has been raised accordingly. His sheltered life is thrown into chaos by a terrorist attack, and Ayn has to flee for his life to another planet, where he struggles with his new situation and his growing powers.
Science fantasy isn't my absolute favorite subgenre, but the societies in this book are interesting, particularly because of their obvious Hindu/Buddhist influence, rather than the more typical Western European societies much spec fic employs. Making Ayn intersex is also a bold choice, and makes this book stand out from the crowd. Overall, an engaging beginning to a science fantasy series with a unique society and main character.
Science fantasy isn't my absolute favorite subgenre, but the societies in this book are interesting, particularly because of their obvious Hindu/Buddhist influence, rather than the more typical Western European societies much spec fic employs. Making Ayn intersex is also a bold choice, and makes this book stand out from the crowd. Overall, an engaging beginning to a science fantasy series with a unique society and main character.
February 27, 2017
Yo Dis Jay, Epic Battle Rap Review,
Here to tell you, what he think true.
Shiva XIV be a space opera/Scifi Fantasy
Coming of age story/God King to be
By the author Lyra Shanti
Wide galaxy filled with science and religion
Strife and tension causing tides like perigean
Love, loss and adventure, more than a smidgeon
Tis the second coming/Ayn Becoming
Past lives/ souls humming
But story be a builder, more forthcoming
Slow to start, not cranking from the outset
Ending cliffhanging, more story more sweat
All so far, your appetite to whet
So, time to listen carefully
There are great things in this story
Characters varied worlds of clarity
But story let down by editing for me
Inciting event, late start you see
Polish needed turn good to must read
It’s time for the score/bring the jive
Shiva XIV/ a solid 3.75
July 21, 2016
Shiva XIV by Lyra Shanti.
This book is an intriguing and challenging read. The conflict between science and religion is highlighted by the opposition of the societies which espouse the different approaches. I expected a fairly black and white distinction between them but the author has not fallen for the easy rout and instead has woven cultures with links to past and future. She has brought out both the good and bad aspects of unswerving belief and adherence to unfettered advance. There are a lot of characters and social factors to cope with and life deals unfairly with them so it reflects the confusion of coming of age. I am looking forward to the next instalment and the chance to get to know these worlds and people better.
This book is an intriguing and challenging read. The conflict between science and religion is highlighted by the opposition of the societies which espouse the different approaches. I expected a fairly black and white distinction between them but the author has not fallen for the easy rout and instead has woven cultures with links to past and future. She has brought out both the good and bad aspects of unswerving belief and adherence to unfettered advance. There are a lot of characters and social factors to cope with and life deals unfairly with them so it reflects the confusion of coming of age. I am looking forward to the next instalment and the chance to get to know these worlds and people better.
April 5, 2017
Ayn is different. He is different in every way - the supposed re-incarnation of the Great Adin, the next Bodanya, he has been brought up in isolation and kept from his mother, the Queen. Adored and cosseted he is groomed for the crown. Without peers, Ayn is lonely, with only his beloved Medhi-Lan to turn to. He is unsure of his future, his potential and even his sex.
A horrific terror attack causes him to flee (with the aid of an unusual soul-mate) and he loses everything that he held dear. Alone and heartbroken, Ayn must overcome his self doubt and fear to save his planet from war.
Superb world building, Lyra Shanti creates a fascinating universe filled with believable characters and conflicts.
Looking forward to Book 2.
A horrific terror attack causes him to flee (with the aid of an unusual soul-mate) and he loses everything that he held dear. Alone and heartbroken, Ayn must overcome his self doubt and fear to save his planet from war.
Superb world building, Lyra Shanti creates a fascinating universe filled with believable characters and conflicts.
Looking forward to Book 2.
February 16, 2017
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5 out of 5 stars
Amazing world-building? Check! Intricate religions and mythologies? Check! Political intrigue, assassinations, and threat of war? Check check check!
Shiva XIV sets the stage for a very promising fantasy saga. Author Lyra Shanti weaves a complex story, interspersed with close to a dozen major characters, each with their own worries, fears and motivations. This is no small feat! I didn't feel like any of the characters were left 'unfinished,' either.
There is just so much to this story! The history and mythology was introduced in a way so as to not overwhelm the reader. The various cultures and planets were intriguing. And, as I said before, the large number of important characters felt real. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite character! But if you're going to force me, I might pick Reese. She's tough, pragmatic, determined, and indispensable to her King.
I appreciated that the ending of book one was not a crazy, nail-biting cliffhanger. There is definitely unfinished business, important wheels left spinning, but the sense of hope I felt reading the final sentences was refreshing.
This is high fantasy mixed with sci-fi and a dash of YA just for good measure and I absolutely loved it!
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing world-building? Check! Intricate religions and mythologies? Check! Political intrigue, assassinations, and threat of war? Check check check!
Shiva XIV sets the stage for a very promising fantasy saga. Author Lyra Shanti weaves a complex story, interspersed with close to a dozen major characters, each with their own worries, fears and motivations. This is no small feat! I didn't feel like any of the characters were left 'unfinished,' either.
There is just so much to this story! The history and mythology was introduced in a way so as to not overwhelm the reader. The various cultures and planets were intriguing. And, as I said before, the large number of important characters felt real. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite character! But if you're going to force me, I might pick Reese. She's tough, pragmatic, determined, and indispensable to her King.
I appreciated that the ending of book one was not a crazy, nail-biting cliffhanger. There is definitely unfinished business, important wheels left spinning, but the sense of hope I felt reading the final sentences was refreshing.
This is high fantasy mixed with sci-fi and a dash of YA just for good measure and I absolutely loved it!
February 5, 2016
This is a wonderful science fiction book that somehow managed to transport me into both the past and the future at the same time.
I love the differences between the worlds in this universe and how they mirror our own cultures and histories in so many ways.
The story is complex and exciting, leaving enough intrigue to pull you into the next book whilst still leaving you with the feeling of a compelte book.
The POV was strange for me at first, with it constantly shifting from one to the other at the drop of a hat, but Lyra somehow managed to do it without losing me or confusing me; it worked!
Overall, I love the worlds and their cultures, the characters and their individual stories, and I will be looking to read the rest of the series.
The reason this book didn't get a full five stars is twofold.
(1) The introduction was a bit too heavy for me. I know that it is a new universe and there is a lot that I need to know to understand what is happening, but I think it could have been spread out a little more through the book. I recommend this book, and I stress that if you do feel a bit overwhelmed with chapter 1, then please push on! It is so worth it!
(2) The second reason is that there is a lot of passion and emotion in this book, which is a good thing, but sometimes the passion came so hard and fast, between characters that had barely met, that I felt a little whiplash.
I love the differences between the worlds in this universe and how they mirror our own cultures and histories in so many ways.
The story is complex and exciting, leaving enough intrigue to pull you into the next book whilst still leaving you with the feeling of a compelte book.
The POV was strange for me at first, with it constantly shifting from one to the other at the drop of a hat, but Lyra somehow managed to do it without losing me or confusing me; it worked!
Overall, I love the worlds and their cultures, the characters and their individual stories, and I will be looking to read the rest of the series.
The reason this book didn't get a full five stars is twofold.
(1) The introduction was a bit too heavy for me. I know that it is a new universe and there is a lot that I need to know to understand what is happening, but I think it could have been spread out a little more through the book. I recommend this book, and I stress that if you do feel a bit overwhelmed with chapter 1, then please push on! It is so worth it!
(2) The second reason is that there is a lot of passion and emotion in this book, which is a good thing, but sometimes the passion came so hard and fast, between characters that had barely met, that I felt a little whiplash.
August 6, 2019
A story fit amongst Mahabharata and Ramayana, but then in another galaxy.
Take the ancient Hindu epics; in space, mixed with dune and a pinch of a song of ice and fire, and you will end up somewhere in the ballpark of Shiva XIV.
It is an interesting story about people set in their ways, forced to venture into the unfamiliar and question everything they were taught to believe; both physically and emotionally.
It is a story about discovering their purpose, their crossing into an adult life and their feelings for each other.
Shiva XIV keeps shifting between being more fantasy and more science fiction, and it is a good balanced mix between the two.
The book was perhaps on the slower side of my taste, especially in the beginning. But the story and characters are intriguing and keeps me wanting more.
I just finished the first book in the series, and I am looking forward to reading the rest.
Take the ancient Hindu epics; in space, mixed with dune and a pinch of a song of ice and fire, and you will end up somewhere in the ballpark of Shiva XIV.
It is an interesting story about people set in their ways, forced to venture into the unfamiliar and question everything they were taught to believe; both physically and emotionally.
It is a story about discovering their purpose, their crossing into an adult life and their feelings for each other.
Shiva XIV keeps shifting between being more fantasy and more science fiction, and it is a good balanced mix between the two.
The book was perhaps on the slower side of my taste, especially in the beginning. But the story and characters are intriguing and keeps me wanting more.
I just finished the first book in the series, and I am looking forward to reading the rest.
July 30, 2018
Check out Shanti's elegant writing style and unique writing voice, which are great accomplishments for a debut novel. The world she built for this series is accessible, while being totally foreign to the world we live in.
The hero, Ayn, has serious tasks laid on his fourteen-year-old shoulders, like saving his people from extinction. That's not a spoiler, there's plenty I won't tell you. This book is rich in originality, plot, characters, and adventure. If you can predict what happens in this book you should play lottery numbers because you are gifted.
At the end of book 1 I was anxious to read book 2.
The hero, Ayn, has serious tasks laid on his fourteen-year-old shoulders, like saving his people from extinction. That's not a spoiler, there's plenty I won't tell you. This book is rich in originality, plot, characters, and adventure. If you can predict what happens in this book you should play lottery numbers because you are gifted.
At the end of book 1 I was anxious to read book 2.
October 19, 2016
Great unique characters and setting
April 19, 2017
. The series is set in what seems to be a distant future, where humans have established civilizations on several different planets throughout the universe.
The protagonist of the novel is Ayn, the son of the queen of the planet Deius. All of the people on Deius follow a strict religious doctrine, and Ayn is declared at birth to be the fourteenth incarnation of Shiva (a god from real-world Hinduism, although I wasn’t sure if he is meant to be the same god in this novel) and the second incarnation of the spacefaring historical figure The Great Adin, and is consequently given the messianic title Bodanya. As the Bodanya, Ayn is expected to fulfill an ancient prophecy and lead his people into a new age by solving the Great Paradox, a sort of theological issue for the people of Deius. Ayn also happens to be born intersex, with both male and female genitalia. The story follows him from his time as an infant to his early adolescence.
In this future universe, there are ideological divisions among the planets between those who follow religious doctrines and those who strictly follow science. The planets Kri and Ohr are two planets whose people follow science, and as such they are sometime rivals and sometime allies of Deius. The novel’s plot gets going when a meeting of the leaders of these three planets meet, and anti-religious Deiusian extremists attempt to murder Ayn. Ayn escapes with the help of the Ohrian prince, Zin, and adventures and conflict ensue.
The novel’s premise is dynamite. When I started reading it, I immediately began comparing it with Frank Herbert’s Dune for its concept of how religion and cultural divides could continue to shape society even when humanity expands beyond the constraints of our solar system. The beginning of the novel, in my opinion, was its strongest point. Later on though, I thought the novel weakened in some ways. One of Ayn’s mentors is a priest named Pei, and after Ayn and Zin leave Deius he has both a romantic arc and a warrior-training arc, and neither story arc seemed very believable to me based on what the character is like. The friendship between Ayn and Zin also stretched credibility for me. Some aspects of the prose irked as well, specifically use of exclamation points from a third-person omniscient narrator.
But, the novel had its strengths as well. The various settings and otherworldly cultural aspects were described quite well, and with its twists and intrigues and surprises, I wasn’t ever bored with the story. There’s a lot of potential here, not all of which was realized in the first book (which, if I’m not mistaken, was the author’s debut novel), and that gives me hope that the others in the series may expand the novel’s universe and achieve more of its potential while avoiding some of the pitfalls that this novel fell into. With that in mind, I think I will most likely continue with the series and read its second book, The Veil of Truth.
The protagonist of the novel is Ayn, the son of the queen of the planet Deius. All of the people on Deius follow a strict religious doctrine, and Ayn is declared at birth to be the fourteenth incarnation of Shiva (a god from real-world Hinduism, although I wasn’t sure if he is meant to be the same god in this novel) and the second incarnation of the spacefaring historical figure The Great Adin, and is consequently given the messianic title Bodanya. As the Bodanya, Ayn is expected to fulfill an ancient prophecy and lead his people into a new age by solving the Great Paradox, a sort of theological issue for the people of Deius. Ayn also happens to be born intersex, with both male and female genitalia. The story follows him from his time as an infant to his early adolescence.
In this future universe, there are ideological divisions among the planets between those who follow religious doctrines and those who strictly follow science. The planets Kri and Ohr are two planets whose people follow science, and as such they are sometime rivals and sometime allies of Deius. The novel’s plot gets going when a meeting of the leaders of these three planets meet, and anti-religious Deiusian extremists attempt to murder Ayn. Ayn escapes with the help of the Ohrian prince, Zin, and adventures and conflict ensue.
The novel’s premise is dynamite. When I started reading it, I immediately began comparing it with Frank Herbert’s Dune for its concept of how religion and cultural divides could continue to shape society even when humanity expands beyond the constraints of our solar system. The beginning of the novel, in my opinion, was its strongest point. Later on though, I thought the novel weakened in some ways. One of Ayn’s mentors is a priest named Pei, and after Ayn and Zin leave Deius he has both a romantic arc and a warrior-training arc, and neither story arc seemed very believable to me based on what the character is like. The friendship between Ayn and Zin also stretched credibility for me. Some aspects of the prose irked as well, specifically use of exclamation points from a third-person omniscient narrator.
But, the novel had its strengths as well. The various settings and otherworldly cultural aspects were described quite well, and with its twists and intrigues and surprises, I wasn’t ever bored with the story. There’s a lot of potential here, not all of which was realized in the first book (which, if I’m not mistaken, was the author’s debut novel), and that gives me hope that the others in the series may expand the novel’s universe and achieve more of its potential while avoiding some of the pitfalls that this novel fell into. With that in mind, I think I will most likely continue with the series and read its second book, The Veil of Truth.
November 15, 2017
Book Review – Alan Vandervoort
Shiva XIV – Book One
Lyra Shanti
Messiahs, warriors, scoundrels, vixens, royalty, mentors, and oracles light up the pages of Shiva XIV - Book One. Author, Lyra Shanti, brings all the colorful characters and wonders of new worlds to life in a brilliantly crafted opening to introduce an unknown planetary system in this classic sci-fi/fantasy series. The reader is led by the hand through a labyrinth of imagination - never feeling lost in understanding – but experiencing the pleasure of being lost in wonder.
The young man, Ayn, is a reluctant savior for a society run by priests obsessed by ancient traditions and questionable mythology. His sheltered upbringing creates difficult situations in dealing with a world outside the temple. There are factions determined to derail his rise to power.
A dramatic change in location and situation turns the narrative from a peaceful, spiritual celebration to survival on the brink of war. It leads to inter-planetary intrigue with page-turning maneuvers, betrayals, and daring escapes. Ayn’s scholarly priest as mentor is replaced with a free-spirit prince turned musician. His perspective of the universe and his own destiny takes a wild ride as the adventure evolves.
Understanding another universe brings insights into our own world. Our struggles are illuminated by the story of conflicts involving spiritual life, biological diversity, political power, reliance on science, and uncompromising cultures in Shiva XIV. Ms. Shanti dares to explore areas of controversy such as gender identity, complex sexuality, military aggression, and religious zealots. Lurking behind the story is the universal question - can the beauty of spiritual life exist without the brutality of physical power to protect it? The ability to relate these concepts to the reader comes from a deep understanding of world religions and spiritual matters.
After completing the reading of Shiva XIV, there will be an overwhelming desire for more – such as Book Two, Three, and Four. A sufficient cliff-hanger entices us to continue getting lost in the saga.
Shiva XIV – Book One
Lyra Shanti
Messiahs, warriors, scoundrels, vixens, royalty, mentors, and oracles light up the pages of Shiva XIV - Book One. Author, Lyra Shanti, brings all the colorful characters and wonders of new worlds to life in a brilliantly crafted opening to introduce an unknown planetary system in this classic sci-fi/fantasy series. The reader is led by the hand through a labyrinth of imagination - never feeling lost in understanding – but experiencing the pleasure of being lost in wonder.
The young man, Ayn, is a reluctant savior for a society run by priests obsessed by ancient traditions and questionable mythology. His sheltered upbringing creates difficult situations in dealing with a world outside the temple. There are factions determined to derail his rise to power.
A dramatic change in location and situation turns the narrative from a peaceful, spiritual celebration to survival on the brink of war. It leads to inter-planetary intrigue with page-turning maneuvers, betrayals, and daring escapes. Ayn’s scholarly priest as mentor is replaced with a free-spirit prince turned musician. His perspective of the universe and his own destiny takes a wild ride as the adventure evolves.
Understanding another universe brings insights into our own world. Our struggles are illuminated by the story of conflicts involving spiritual life, biological diversity, political power, reliance on science, and uncompromising cultures in Shiva XIV. Ms. Shanti dares to explore areas of controversy such as gender identity, complex sexuality, military aggression, and religious zealots. Lurking behind the story is the universal question - can the beauty of spiritual life exist without the brutality of physical power to protect it? The ability to relate these concepts to the reader comes from a deep understanding of world religions and spiritual matters.
After completing the reading of Shiva XIV, there will be an overwhelming desire for more – such as Book Two, Three, and Four. A sufficient cliff-hanger entices us to continue getting lost in the saga.
July 3, 2017
Otherworldly Sci-Fi!
Transported to the Galaxy of Un by the author’s lyrical storytelling, her words plucked at my heartstrings, conjuring Zin playing the elenon to accompany Lady Raven’s singing at Luc’s Lounge.
While Ayn steals the show—the male protagonist groomed by Deiusian priests to become the “Bodanya” or messiah of his dying galaxy, he is loath to accept this burdensome responsibility due to naivety and lack of self-confidence. From my perspective Book 1 is also a Coming-of-Age/Coming-of-Rage story, whereby a despicable act taps into Ayn’s power source so he can defend himself and diffuse a violent situation.
There are intriguing plot twists. Each well-defined character is complex, complicated, and entangled in relationships. Their backstories provide just enough raison d’etre, while whetting the reader’s appetite for standalone character shorts.
Book 1 delves into “The Great Paradox” or “Polarity Syndrome” which refers to the dire straits Ayn’s home planet Deius finds itself due to planet rivalry for control of “plasma,” and also religious differences.
Henceforth, separate and apart from the settings of Planets Deius, Kri, Ohr, or Xen—I find this epic Sci-Fi series otherworldly for its controversial, paradoxical themes interwoven throughout the story:
Conformity vs. Self-Expression
Exploitation vs. Conservation
Religion vs. Science
Then there’s Ayn’s intersexuality and the same-sex attraction between him and Zin.
I highly recommend ‘Shiva XIV’ (Book 1) which soars high above the clouds in its otherworldly flight.
Transported to the Galaxy of Un by the author’s lyrical storytelling, her words plucked at my heartstrings, conjuring Zin playing the elenon to accompany Lady Raven’s singing at Luc’s Lounge.
While Ayn steals the show—the male protagonist groomed by Deiusian priests to become the “Bodanya” or messiah of his dying galaxy, he is loath to accept this burdensome responsibility due to naivety and lack of self-confidence. From my perspective Book 1 is also a Coming-of-Age/Coming-of-Rage story, whereby a despicable act taps into Ayn’s power source so he can defend himself and diffuse a violent situation.
There are intriguing plot twists. Each well-defined character is complex, complicated, and entangled in relationships. Their backstories provide just enough raison d’etre, while whetting the reader’s appetite for standalone character shorts.
Book 1 delves into “The Great Paradox” or “Polarity Syndrome” which refers to the dire straits Ayn’s home planet Deius finds itself due to planet rivalry for control of “plasma,” and also religious differences.
Henceforth, separate and apart from the settings of Planets Deius, Kri, Ohr, or Xen—I find this epic Sci-Fi series otherworldly for its controversial, paradoxical themes interwoven throughout the story:
Conformity vs. Self-Expression
Exploitation vs. Conservation
Religion vs. Science
Then there’s Ayn’s intersexuality and the same-sex attraction between him and Zin.
I highly recommend ‘Shiva XIV’ (Book 1) which soars high above the clouds in its otherworldly flight.
April 14, 2018
When Prince Ayn is born and baptised Shiva XIV, he is also declared the new Bodanya, a reincarnation of Adin, the great god of planet Deius in a faraway galaxy; all the people’s hopes are based on the boy to grow into a saviour and find a way of healing the sick planets. He is placed into the care of priests who educate him with love and wisdom in order to prepare him for his great day: his enthronement at the age of fourteen. But on exactly that day, things go horribly wrong, a terror attack kills his beloved teacher-priest, and he just about escapes being killed as well when another young boy, heir to a throne himself but a rebel at heart, takes him away to a hidden planet of exiles, criminals and artists. His new friend Zin is happy there, becoming the musician he always wanted to be – but Ayn can’t forget about his calling: he has got to prevent a war and save the galaxy…
A beautifully poetic coming-of-age story, about taking on responsibility, about awakening sexuality, about friendship and loyalty, “Shiva XIV” takes us to a faraway galaxy, which is clearly filled, though, with exactly the same issues and problems our own world is. The two endearing young runaways could be boys next door – or rebellious children of important people designed for higher tasks in life they are afraid of. Their adventures are breathtakingly thrilling, but just when the big climax seems to be ahead, Book I ends rather abruptly – leaving us, of course, with no other choice but to continue with Book II, “The Veil of Truth”! I personally can’t wait to read it…
A beautifully poetic coming-of-age story, about taking on responsibility, about awakening sexuality, about friendship and loyalty, “Shiva XIV” takes us to a faraway galaxy, which is clearly filled, though, with exactly the same issues and problems our own world is. The two endearing young runaways could be boys next door – or rebellious children of important people designed for higher tasks in life they are afraid of. Their adventures are breathtakingly thrilling, but just when the big climax seems to be ahead, Book I ends rather abruptly – leaving us, of course, with no other choice but to continue with Book II, “The Veil of Truth”! I personally can’t wait to read it…
May 10, 2020
Shiva XIV (Shiva XIV #1) by Lyra Shanti is a science fiction coming of age story that wrestles with the relationship between science and religion. From the moment of his birth, Ayn (or Shiva XIV) is prophesied to be the reincarnation of the Great Adin destined to bring balance the Un and to save the universe. To complicate matters Ayn is a hermaphrodite which causes him uncertainty and confusion despite the wise guidance of his mentor, Meddhi-Lan. An act of great violence sets Ayn’s world into turmoil and he finds himself adrift on another planet, alone except for the company of a new found friend, a rebellious young prince.
I enjoyed the interplay between the characters, Ayn, Meddhi-Lan, Pei, and others and loved the cat-bird (with hints of a trans-temporal being). I'm pleasantly reminded of Avatar- the Last Airbender (though this is a different story) and there are intimations of Hindu, Buddhist, Christian another religious narratives intertwined. I particularly like the interplay and debate between science and religion interwoven throughout the story. One rape scene towards the end, I found disturbing and the book ends with a difficult situation unresolved that obviously leads to the next book. Overall though, this was an enthralling story of conflict, loss and discovery.
I enjoyed the interplay between the characters, Ayn, Meddhi-Lan, Pei, and others and loved the cat-bird (with hints of a trans-temporal being). I'm pleasantly reminded of Avatar- the Last Airbender (though this is a different story) and there are intimations of Hindu, Buddhist, Christian another religious narratives intertwined. I particularly like the interplay and debate between science and religion interwoven throughout the story. One rape scene towards the end, I found disturbing and the book ends with a difficult situation unresolved that obviously leads to the next book. Overall though, this was an enthralling story of conflict, loss and discovery.
September 12, 2016
Ayn is very much like any adolescent. He is inquisitive, stubborn, and filled with a multitude of emotions. There’s just one small detail that makes him a bit different than your average kid. For one, he has the form of both male and female. Secondly, he’s supposedly a god reincarnated in the body of a boy to the people of Deius. This story follows Ayn in a series of adventures through and between new worlds.
There are definitely a lot of various characters in this story and all of them unique in their own way. One of these characters being Zin, who is an Orhian prince with certain body qualities of a fish. He is from a planet that favors logic over emotion, but he himself often acts in ways completely void of logic. He is prideful of his emotion and his artistic nature in a way that his parents just don’t seem to understand or know how to deal with. He came across as exceptionally rude, arrogant, and insensitive to anyone else’s feelings which I found ironic.
I have to say that from the very beginning I did not like Meddhi-Lan, Ayn’s teacher and “father figure”. I know I was probably supposed to like him, but he irked me. For a bit there I even suspected him of being the one who set off the events which threw Ayn’s world upside down. One of the main things that triggered my dislike of him was that he seemed to baby Ayn much more than necessary. There were several times where Ayn would act too young for his age and I think it had a lot to do with how Meddhi-Lan coddled him every time he cried. It irritates me when adults underestimate kids and what they are capable of handling. After this I immediately distrusted him because he didn’t seem to trust Ayn with the truth. It always seemed like Meddhi-Lan knew what was going to happen to him, but kept it to himself.
On the other hand, Pei, a Deusian priest who is thrown into adventures of his own throughout the book, is a character that slowly came to grow on me. His character seemed to develop far more than any other character. He goes from being impatient to a brave soul who is able to channel wasted energy towards something productive. Though the story of his love interest was, at times, a frustrating one to endure, it has become my favorite and I’m very interested to see what happens next for him!
I definitely enjoyed how the author built this intriguing world, giving the reader a clear picture of the environment, and while technically there were minor issues in the story that didn’t seem authentic or otherwise didn’t fit, this didn’t get in the way of me enjoying the overall story. This book was definitely unpredictable and left me with a lot of questions. If you are into coming of age tales that take you far beyond your wildest imagination, pick up this book now!
Star Rating Report Card:
4.29 Stars out of 5
1) Were the characters believable?
★★★★ - 4 stars
2) Did you like the characters?
★★★ - 3 stars
3) Does the story move at a good pace?
★★★★ - 4 stars
4) Are there holes in the plot?
★★★★ - 4 stars
5) Is there conflict?
★★★★★ - 5 stars
6) Is the point-of-view consistent?
★★★★★ - 5 stars
7) Did you enjoy the story overall?
★★★★★ - 5 stars
There are definitely a lot of various characters in this story and all of them unique in their own way. One of these characters being Zin, who is an Orhian prince with certain body qualities of a fish. He is from a planet that favors logic over emotion, but he himself often acts in ways completely void of logic. He is prideful of his emotion and his artistic nature in a way that his parents just don’t seem to understand or know how to deal with. He came across as exceptionally rude, arrogant, and insensitive to anyone else’s feelings which I found ironic.
I have to say that from the very beginning I did not like Meddhi-Lan, Ayn’s teacher and “father figure”. I know I was probably supposed to like him, but he irked me. For a bit there I even suspected him of being the one who set off the events which threw Ayn’s world upside down. One of the main things that triggered my dislike of him was that he seemed to baby Ayn much more than necessary. There were several times where Ayn would act too young for his age and I think it had a lot to do with how Meddhi-Lan coddled him every time he cried. It irritates me when adults underestimate kids and what they are capable of handling. After this I immediately distrusted him because he didn’t seem to trust Ayn with the truth. It always seemed like Meddhi-Lan knew what was going to happen to him, but kept it to himself.
On the other hand, Pei, a Deusian priest who is thrown into adventures of his own throughout the book, is a character that slowly came to grow on me. His character seemed to develop far more than any other character. He goes from being impatient to a brave soul who is able to channel wasted energy towards something productive. Though the story of his love interest was, at times, a frustrating one to endure, it has become my favorite and I’m very interested to see what happens next for him!
I definitely enjoyed how the author built this intriguing world, giving the reader a clear picture of the environment, and while technically there were minor issues in the story that didn’t seem authentic or otherwise didn’t fit, this didn’t get in the way of me enjoying the overall story. This book was definitely unpredictable and left me with a lot of questions. If you are into coming of age tales that take you far beyond your wildest imagination, pick up this book now!
Star Rating Report Card:
4.29 Stars out of 5
1) Were the characters believable?
★★★★ - 4 stars
2) Did you like the characters?
★★★ - 3 stars
3) Does the story move at a good pace?
★★★★ - 4 stars
4) Are there holes in the plot?
★★★★ - 4 stars
5) Is there conflict?
★★★★★ - 5 stars
6) Is the point-of-view consistent?
★★★★★ - 5 stars
7) Did you enjoy the story overall?
★★★★★ - 5 stars
February 8, 2017
'Shiva XIV' Book 1 is a wonderful sci-fi/fantasy blend with some beautifully crafted magical elements. Or a blend of fantasy and magical realism with sci-fi elements. Or... never mind. Suffice to say, it's fantastic.
There is so much that is original in this story. Shanti has really proven herself a master of world-building in the variety and the incredible richness of the settings and unique planets she has created in 'Shiva XIV'.
Ancient philosophies and vastly different world views characterise the different planets and their populations. These, in turn, infuse the lead characters with the qualities and complexities that drive them and keep the reader engaged in the story as it unfolds. Not only are there the universal themes of love vs hate and good vs evil, we see the characters struggling with the same opposing forces in their own loyalties and ideologies.
The first book of three already published in what promises to be an absolutely brilliant series, it's no exaggeration to say that 'Shiva XIV' could easily become the next space epic series. It would easily fill the void that Star Wars fans will experience after the final episode is released, given that it deals with many similar themes in new and entirely original ways.
Shanti's narrative flows easily, carrying the reader on Ayn's journey of discovery and destiny. This book ends on a cliffhanger, but the reader is satisfied enough by the partial resolutions and revelations given in the final chapters of 'Shiva XIV' to not feel cheated or short-changed, yet Shanti successfully piques their curiosity enough to leave them wanting more. There's so much more that Is yet to be revealed!
'Shiva XIV' gets five well-deserved stars from me. I will be moving on to the next Shiva XIV book, 'The Veil of Truth' very soon!
Shiva XIV
There is so much that is original in this story. Shanti has really proven herself a master of world-building in the variety and the incredible richness of the settings and unique planets she has created in 'Shiva XIV'.
Ancient philosophies and vastly different world views characterise the different planets and their populations. These, in turn, infuse the lead characters with the qualities and complexities that drive them and keep the reader engaged in the story as it unfolds. Not only are there the universal themes of love vs hate and good vs evil, we see the characters struggling with the same opposing forces in their own loyalties and ideologies.
The first book of three already published in what promises to be an absolutely brilliant series, it's no exaggeration to say that 'Shiva XIV' could easily become the next space epic series. It would easily fill the void that Star Wars fans will experience after the final episode is released, given that it deals with many similar themes in new and entirely original ways.
Shanti's narrative flows easily, carrying the reader on Ayn's journey of discovery and destiny. This book ends on a cliffhanger, but the reader is satisfied enough by the partial resolutions and revelations given in the final chapters of 'Shiva XIV' to not feel cheated or short-changed, yet Shanti successfully piques their curiosity enough to leave them wanting more. There's so much more that Is yet to be revealed!
'Shiva XIV' gets five well-deserved stars from me. I will be moving on to the next Shiva XIV book, 'The Veil of Truth' very soon!
Shiva XIV
January 22, 2017
Lyra Shanti’s Shiva XIV is the beginning of an epic story that spans three books. Before writing this review, I read all three books because the story flows in such a way that once you start, it’s nearly impossible not to move from one adventure to the next.
Shiva XIV (Book 1) is the story of a child raised to be both a king and a god who will bring balance to the Un. Set in a a universe where plasma is the source of energy but also kills many, there is an insurmountable division between science and religion. Raised in seclusion by priests, Ayn, the future god-king, wants nothing more than to be normal. In fact, he spends his life denying he’s the Bodanya.
Shiva XIV takes Ayn and his friends from the destruction of the temple that was his home and drops them on a planet where religion and the priests are hated. Together Ayn, Zin, and Axis must learn to live away from the worlds they grew up in.
Ms. Shanti does a wonderful job of making you feel at home with both her universe and her characters. I recommend Shiva XIV to anyone who loves Science Fiction with a touch of fantasy for good measure.
Shiva XIV (Book 1) is the story of a child raised to be both a king and a god who will bring balance to the Un. Set in a a universe where plasma is the source of energy but also kills many, there is an insurmountable division between science and religion. Raised in seclusion by priests, Ayn, the future god-king, wants nothing more than to be normal. In fact, he spends his life denying he’s the Bodanya.
Shiva XIV takes Ayn and his friends from the destruction of the temple that was his home and drops them on a planet where religion and the priests are hated. Together Ayn, Zin, and Axis must learn to live away from the worlds they grew up in.
Ms. Shanti does a wonderful job of making you feel at home with both her universe and her characters. I recommend Shiva XIV to anyone who loves Science Fiction with a touch of fantasy for good measure.
January 14, 2015
Being a fan of both the fantasy, Science Fiction and regular fiction genres, I have read a lot of very original stories in my time. Of all of these stories, Shiva XIV by Lyra Shanti stands far and above all others as the most unique, heartfelt and deeply moving novel I have read in a very very long time. Lyra not only creates a world that is exotic and exciting, she does it in such a way that it is both different from yet mirroring the world as we know it on Earth. In this way she confronts issues such as religion, race, love, spirituality, gender, etc with subtlety and brilliance. Shiva XIV is an example of a master storyteller taking you inside the world they have been building in their imagination all their lives. Not only does Lyra create a world that feels so real one can truly step into, she creates characters that feel like long lost friends to me. Do yourself a favor and give yourself the present of this brilliant work of literature! You'll not be sorry!
April 28, 2015
Let me start by stating that I don't believe that I have ever read a sci-fi/fantasy novel in my life. I have watched movies but not read a sci-fi novel. I was introduced to the Shiva XIV novel by an associate at work who highly recommended it so I figured that I would buy it and give it a read. I have to say that Miss Shanti's novel immediately had me in a trance. The characters are well developed. I found myself going through the emotions of the characters with each turn of the page. Shiva XIV was a hard book for me to put down. Because of my particular schedule it took me three sessions to complete the book. In fact, the one thing which disappointed me is the fact that this is Book 1 of a series! As of this date, Book 2 is not yet completed. Needless to say, after I finished reading Shiva XIV I was ready to continue the "journey". If you enjoy a rich story with characters that jump off of the page I would definitely suggest Shiva XIV and I am definitely on the look out for Book 2!
May 29, 2016
In this first book of the Shiva XIV series, Ayn, a young hermaphrodite was deemed at birth to be the next true Bodanya, the second coming of The Great Adin. On the planet Deius, the Bodanya is the holiest of all the Gods and, as such, Ayn is raised sequestered inside the palace walls. But the Deiusian monks have enemies and their attack forces Ayn out on his own before his training is complete. Lucky for him an ally takes him under his wing and, together, they embark on their new life paths.
This complex coming of age story has deeper undertones of religion vs science and seems to parallel tenets of Eastern religions. My favorite books are the ones that allow me to get emotionally involved with the characters and this one did not disappoint. It is extremely well written with a glossary for the more difficult terms and descriptions. I’m sure book two will be equally as satisfying.
This complex coming of age story has deeper undertones of religion vs science and seems to parallel tenets of Eastern religions. My favorite books are the ones that allow me to get emotionally involved with the characters and this one did not disappoint. It is extremely well written with a glossary for the more difficult terms and descriptions. I’m sure book two will be equally as satisfying.
February 11, 2017
Shiva XIV is a beautifully crafted tale mixing the best parts of science fiction and fantasy to create an alien world full of magic and intrigue, beauty and betrayal. The characters are well developed and believable, and while the main character is struggling with his identity, he shows glimpses of the Bodanya, the Great Adin reincarnate, he is promised to be. And when the action starts, you will find yourself turning page after page, eager to discover what each chapter reveals. Fast paced and entertaining, Shiva XIV ends with a cliffhanger that will leave you begging for more.
April 24, 2015
Lyra Shanti is a brilliant writer who has the epic scope of Frank Herbert or J. R. R. Tolkien and the instantly likable characters of J. K. Rowling. There's so much well-thought out intrigue, mythological magic, and deep emotion to
Shiva XIV.
I sincerely enjoyed this book. I can't wait until the next book comes out!
March 31, 2020
This review includes mild spoilers.
First things first – I’ve been intimidated by this book for a long time. Its cover features a stark gold symbol against a dark background. It’s the first of MANY books in a series. It’s by a serious writer. And it has a quasi-religious title. I thought, for sure, that I’d be in over my head.
No, it turns out, not at all. While everything I mentioned is true, none of my fears were justified.
This is a lively book. The prose has a quick, light touch, and is instantly accessible. The characters get put through some tough situations, at least in the case of the incident that gets the story rolling (and the ending), but this is not a heavy book at all. In fact, to me, it seemed like the opening movement in an Anime coming of age epic, one geared at a generation interested in more than the strictly male/female paradigm (a generation also, that has probably retired the word “paradigm”).
The story begins with a young person named Ayn, who is being geared to become a religious leader. Ayn is sequestered in a palace type environment, and cut off from the rest of his society. He seems to be near the age of puberty, perhaps a bit older, and he is personally troubled, first, by his doubts of his abilities to be a religious leader, and second, by his body. Ayn has both male and female genitalia, and views this as an affliction.
So, the book gives the reader a question right off the bat: why shouldn’t a religious leader be both male and female? Don’t both sexes make up the religion? That question is never presented out right, but it occurs to the reader as you progress through the opening, wondering what the story will be about.
The book kicks into true gear when a bomber attacks an event Ayn and his mentor are attending. Ayn’s mentor is killed, and everyone Ayn is close to has their lives upturned by the event. Ayn himself escapes with a person only a little older than he is, and when the smoke clears, the world thinks Ayn is dead.
The rest of the book is about Ayn and his new friend Zin as they go about finding a way to survive in a strange city (another world) while they regroup and consider their next moves. They don’t have any money. They don’t have any connections -- but they have wit and they have energy, and suddenly life is interesting, dangerous, and new.
Things are different back home too. Ayn’s friend Pei, who was a priest, is now training to be a warrior, and is falling in love with a princess. Her father is putting pieces in play as a reaction to the attack. Is he putting pieces in play because he is a hero? Or because he is a villain? We don’t know yet.
This book doesn’t conclude anything – it is the opening movement in a much larger work, but it certainly provides lots of groundwork for a great Anime-style epic. Ayn is in line to become the Bodanya, the spiritual leader of his world, and the idea may have real merit – at the end of this first book, when Ayn and Zin are in a battle for their lives, Zin demonstrates fighting abilities, and Ayn demonstrates something… well, I won’t say too much about it, but hats off to Aryl Shanti, the author, for describing a small super-power in a completely fascinating way.
So these are the anime touches – street fighting ability, long hair and gorgeous clothes, mild super-powers, the spiritual world interacting with the flesh-and-blood world, political intrigue, Monarchies, warriors, urban landscapes, and my personal favorite elements from the book – a sultry night club singer with raven wings, and a crazy, spirit, cat-bird familiar/helper that Ayn wins the affection of. To me, this was like an Anime mash up of Oliver Twist and Dune (and I’ll bet there are better choices than Oliver Twist, (?????????) it’s just the piece that comes to my mind – what’s a better choice? Two runaways have to survive in a strange city. One is more street wise than the other – what’s the book?).
This is a much brighter book than the cover suggests. It’s even a much brighter book than the opening scenes suggest. There is so much material available following this book that I can’t posit an IDEA where the rest of the story goes. Certainly, all the arrows launched will land – but that could have happened in this book. There are three sequels ALREADY WRITTEN – those arrows are going to land and set off new complications. You could easily spend a whole summer going on this adventure – and who knows WHAT you would find! Undoubtedly a banquet of imaginative concepts and flourishes!
It will take me longer than a summer to read this, but I will, and I will enjoy finding out. In the meantime, do you know a young person who would benefit from this series? Someone who is questioning their place in the world? Get them a copy. There is escapism here, but there is also acceptance here, and plenty of young people need both.
Bravo Shanti !!! (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!+++!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
First things first – I’ve been intimidated by this book for a long time. Its cover features a stark gold symbol against a dark background. It’s the first of MANY books in a series. It’s by a serious writer. And it has a quasi-religious title. I thought, for sure, that I’d be in over my head.
No, it turns out, not at all. While everything I mentioned is true, none of my fears were justified.
This is a lively book. The prose has a quick, light touch, and is instantly accessible. The characters get put through some tough situations, at least in the case of the incident that gets the story rolling (and the ending), but this is not a heavy book at all. In fact, to me, it seemed like the opening movement in an Anime coming of age epic, one geared at a generation interested in more than the strictly male/female paradigm (a generation also, that has probably retired the word “paradigm”).
The story begins with a young person named Ayn, who is being geared to become a religious leader. Ayn is sequestered in a palace type environment, and cut off from the rest of his society. He seems to be near the age of puberty, perhaps a bit older, and he is personally troubled, first, by his doubts of his abilities to be a religious leader, and second, by his body. Ayn has both male and female genitalia, and views this as an affliction.
So, the book gives the reader a question right off the bat: why shouldn’t a religious leader be both male and female? Don’t both sexes make up the religion? That question is never presented out right, but it occurs to the reader as you progress through the opening, wondering what the story will be about.
The book kicks into true gear when a bomber attacks an event Ayn and his mentor are attending. Ayn’s mentor is killed, and everyone Ayn is close to has their lives upturned by the event. Ayn himself escapes with a person only a little older than he is, and when the smoke clears, the world thinks Ayn is dead.
The rest of the book is about Ayn and his new friend Zin as they go about finding a way to survive in a strange city (another world) while they regroup and consider their next moves. They don’t have any money. They don’t have any connections -- but they have wit and they have energy, and suddenly life is interesting, dangerous, and new.
Things are different back home too. Ayn’s friend Pei, who was a priest, is now training to be a warrior, and is falling in love with a princess. Her father is putting pieces in play as a reaction to the attack. Is he putting pieces in play because he is a hero? Or because he is a villain? We don’t know yet.
This book doesn’t conclude anything – it is the opening movement in a much larger work, but it certainly provides lots of groundwork for a great Anime-style epic. Ayn is in line to become the Bodanya, the spiritual leader of his world, and the idea may have real merit – at the end of this first book, when Ayn and Zin are in a battle for their lives, Zin demonstrates fighting abilities, and Ayn demonstrates something… well, I won’t say too much about it, but hats off to Aryl Shanti, the author, for describing a small super-power in a completely fascinating way.
So these are the anime touches – street fighting ability, long hair and gorgeous clothes, mild super-powers, the spiritual world interacting with the flesh-and-blood world, political intrigue, Monarchies, warriors, urban landscapes, and my personal favorite elements from the book – a sultry night club singer with raven wings, and a crazy, spirit, cat-bird familiar/helper that Ayn wins the affection of. To me, this was like an Anime mash up of Oliver Twist and Dune (and I’ll bet there are better choices than Oliver Twist, (?????????) it’s just the piece that comes to my mind – what’s a better choice? Two runaways have to survive in a strange city. One is more street wise than the other – what’s the book?).
This is a much brighter book than the cover suggests. It’s even a much brighter book than the opening scenes suggest. There is so much material available following this book that I can’t posit an IDEA where the rest of the story goes. Certainly, all the arrows launched will land – but that could have happened in this book. There are three sequels ALREADY WRITTEN – those arrows are going to land and set off new complications. You could easily spend a whole summer going on this adventure – and who knows WHAT you would find! Undoubtedly a banquet of imaginative concepts and flourishes!
It will take me longer than a summer to read this, but I will, and I will enjoy finding out. In the meantime, do you know a young person who would benefit from this series? Someone who is questioning their place in the world? Get them a copy. There is escapism here, but there is also acceptance here, and plenty of young people need both.
Bravo Shanti !!! (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!+++!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
August 7, 2017
First of all, I absolutely love the cover of this book. Second, I have to give this book five stars on world-building alone.
Wow, the author doesn’t just create a whole new world, but an entire galaxy. If you’re ever in doubt of the names of any of the places, people, or religious rituals, there’s a handy dictionary supplied at the end of the book. How the author kept everything in order while moving the text along smoothly – I’m just in awe.
One thing I will note – it was hard for me to determine if this was futuristic or happened a long time ago, in a galaxy far away… I say this with a smile but this world was drowning in religious beliefs and rituals that might seem ancient to the people of Earth. There was technology (plasma guns), but yet at one point the characters rode in a horse-drawn buggy.
This book follows young Ayn as he grows from a baby. The beginning is filled with an extensive account of his early years including why he’s a revered up-and-coming leader/savior to his people. But again, the movement through his childhood is a story that must be told and seems to keep going at a decent pace. In some ways, this epic story reminds me of Dune. There’s also plenty of drama in this book including love and bloodshed.
There is one inner struggle for Ayn I didn’t expect – that is within this rigid society of religious beliefs, he’s been born with both male and female anatomy. He’s supposed to be their savior, and yet he feels he must hide the truth from everyone. I don’t recall ever reading of this in any book, but it seems to add another level of complexity to this coming-of-age story. The author handles Ayn's inner struggle with compassion and a curiosity to understand why he feels different.
Overall, this was an unusual read for me. Near the end, the drama was almost too sudden and I wasn't quite ready to go where it led. Because of the complexity of the world-building, violence, and gender-identity theme, it seems the target audience of this book would be adult.
Wow, the author doesn’t just create a whole new world, but an entire galaxy. If you’re ever in doubt of the names of any of the places, people, or religious rituals, there’s a handy dictionary supplied at the end of the book. How the author kept everything in order while moving the text along smoothly – I’m just in awe.
One thing I will note – it was hard for me to determine if this was futuristic or happened a long time ago, in a galaxy far away… I say this with a smile but this world was drowning in religious beliefs and rituals that might seem ancient to the people of Earth. There was technology (plasma guns), but yet at one point the characters rode in a horse-drawn buggy.
This book follows young Ayn as he grows from a baby. The beginning is filled with an extensive account of his early years including why he’s a revered up-and-coming leader/savior to his people. But again, the movement through his childhood is a story that must be told and seems to keep going at a decent pace. In some ways, this epic story reminds me of Dune. There’s also plenty of drama in this book including love and bloodshed.
There is one inner struggle for Ayn I didn’t expect – that is within this rigid society of religious beliefs, he’s been born with both male and female anatomy. He’s supposed to be their savior, and yet he feels he must hide the truth from everyone. I don’t recall ever reading of this in any book, but it seems to add another level of complexity to this coming-of-age story. The author handles Ayn's inner struggle with compassion and a curiosity to understand why he feels different.
Overall, this was an unusual read for me. Near the end, the drama was almost too sudden and I wasn't quite ready to go where it led. Because of the complexity of the world-building, violence, and gender-identity theme, it seems the target audience of this book would be adult.
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