The Oaql Seed: Book One of the Treeboat Series

by Z.A. Ispharazi

Swept off by a sentient treeboat to the vast Cyan sea, twelve-year-old Arionella's predicament is a terrible one. Curiously, the fierce currents and storms of the open ocean do not present a danger to her, treeboats can easily sense and avoid perils such as these. It is the Oaql tree itself that is a danger to the child onboard, seeking to assimilate her human consciousness into its biology.

Taola Lonwë, the captain of the Oaql boat, knows that the treeboats are not inherently evil. In fact, treeboats are valuable bioremediators cultivated by the Reteti Islanders, who have long been stewards of the Earth and have worked diligently to purify "sick waters" that are the legacies of ancient devastations.

Arionella's unexpected departure rapidly ties in with a more encompassing and sinister series of events that her missing grandparents, Maya and Jöshi, have long been investigating.

A man familiar with ancient shamanic arts, Revalo Otrebor uses his abilities to lead the Cult of Knoa, a legion of followers whom he claims to rescue from troubled, medicated lives, in cityforts. Even the wise were fooled in the early days of his ascendancy but having amassed his strength over the course of decades, he now moves with purpose and open aggression, collecting objects and beings of power for himself, including hunting down the set of a dozen treeboats.

Can Taola lead Arionella's adoptive family across the ocean and across lawless lands before Revalo finds the Oaql boat first, and before Arionella loses her sense of self to the Oaql tree?

364 pages, Paperback

Published November 26, 2021

About the author

Z.A. Ispharazi's writings spring from a heart deeply moved by indigenous wisdom while doing rogue anthropology in South America. Inspired by the mystique of the Amazonian Rainforest, where late-night lore by candlelight is still common, the Treeboat world began to unfold from the pages of his journals. He currently lives in New York with his wife, where he finds great joy in tending to his garden, trail running, and facilitating the integration of indigenous wisdom into the globalized community.

Find him @weavingthevine on instagram

Reviews

[Tim Peterson]

This book had so many good elements in it, yet I found myself having a hard time getting interested in it. The best part of this novel was the setting and the world in which it was taking place. I love the idea of magical boats that are one with natures and have a tree controlling them. There is so much potential for where an author could go with a world like that. Sadly the author decided to not spend very much time in this part of the world, and spend a significant portion of time on land and on normal boats. I wish more of the story would have been spend on a tree boat and allowed the reader to get to know and understand that world better than we did.
I would definitely be interested in more books in this series, but would want to see more from the tree boat and less from the settings in this book.

[Asud]

The Oaql Seed was truly a pleasure to read. It was so easy to fall into the expansive world laid out between sprawling forests and mysterious seas. But particularly, the characters have left their mark on me, and I find myself missing their sweet attentive company especially after finishing the story.

I think this first book plants the seed of a very complex and evolving plot. We are introduced to so many interesting characters and ideas that I am really excited to see how these are brought together in the next books!

More than anything though, the author managed to weave the critical issues of our time into a fun fantasy tale. There were a few times when I actually had to set the Oaql Seed down and reflect on the connections I found with my life and the world around me.

Looking forward to reuniting with Arionella and the crew soon!

[Beatrice L]

I enjoyed immersing myself in this book with its artfully unfolding story. One of the highlights for me is the surprising and beautiful way the narratives intertwine. The book takes readers on a captivating journey filled with emotion and imagination. I especially appreciate how the author weaves in the wisdom and teachings of the elderly, imparting valuable life lessons on patience, love, courage, and kindness. I could elaborate further, but I don't want to reveal too much.