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The Rarkyn's Familiar (The Rarkyn Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Nikky Lee (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 43 ratings
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  1. Foreword INDIES Book of the Year AwardWinner, 2022
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An epic, dark fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas' THRONE OF GLASS.

SIR JULIUS VOGEL AWARD WINNER FOR BEST YOUTH NOVEL
FOREWARD INDIES BOOK OF THE YEAR BRONZE WINNER
AUREALIS AWARD FINALIST FOR BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL

An orphan bent on revenge. A monster searching for freedom. A forbidden pact that binds their fates.

Lyss had heard her father's screams, smelled the iron-tang of his blood. She witnessed his execution.

And plotted her revenge.

Then, a violent encounter traps Lyss in a blood-pact with a rarkyn from the otherworld, imbuing her with the monster's forbidden magic—a magic that will erode her sanity.

To break the pact, she and the rarkyn must journey to the heart of the Empire. All that stands in their way are the mountains, the Empire's soldiers, and Lyss' uneasy alliance with the rarkyn.

But horrors await them on the road—horrors even rarkyns fear.

The most terrifying monster isn't the one Lyss travels with.

It's the one that's awoken inside her.

Monsters of a feather flock together.
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 1
    The Rarkyn Trilogy
  2. Print length
    400 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Parliament House Press
  6. Publication date
    April 19, 2022
  7. Reading age
    16 years and up
  8. File size
    2567 KB
  9. Page Flip
    Enabled
  10. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  11. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Rarkyn's Familiar is one of those special books that takes a classic fantasy trope—that of a witch and her animal familiar—and spectacularly inverts it to deeply explore human nature and society. A stunning debut, and a promising opening act for the Rarkyn Trilogy." —Aurealis Magazine

"A magical tale that can't be put down." —Hooked On Books NZ

"It is truly astounding how well Lee weaves in all the creatures and magical abilities she created. It is almost effortless." —FanFiAddict

"A rip-snorting YA read." —Rachael Craw, author of the award-winning Spark series.

"This is the kind of book you have to own, a boon to any library." —Reader's Favourite Review

"A superbly written fantasy, slick and effortless to read. Lee weaves in snatches of the larger world, twists and teasers in the layers of plot that make you impatient for the next volume." —Australian Book Lovers Podcast

"This is one of those novels that is an unexpected thrill... it was breathtakingly refreshing to feel that sense of connection between the characters and the immersion in a world of the imagination." —NZ Book Lovers

"This face-paced young adult high fantasy novel is steeped in other-worldly magic and adventure." —Andromeda Spaceways Magazine

"The author explores what makes us monstrous with a sure keyboard and the story builds to a Wizard of Earthsea style denouement that satisfyingly ties up this book's story." —Kete Books

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08L6YK3NP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Parliament House Press (April 19, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 19, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2567 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

About the author

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Nikky Lee

Nikky Lee

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Nikky Lee is an award-winning author who grew up as a barefoot 90s kid in Perth, Western Australia on Whadjuk Noongar Country. She now lives in Aotearoa New Zealand with a husband, a dog, and a couch potato cat. In her free time, she writes speculative fiction, often burning the candle at both ends to explore fantastic worlds, mine asteroids and meet wizards. She's had over thirty stories published in magazines, anthologies and on the radio.

Her short fiction has been shortlisted eight times in the Aurealis Awards with her novelette Dingo & Sister winning the Best Young Adult Short Story and the Best Fantasy Novella categories in 2020. In 2021, she received a Ditmar Award for Best New Talent. Her debut novel, The Rarkyn's Familiar, won a Sir Julius Vogel Award, three Indie Ink Awards, Bronze in the 2022 Foreward INDIES Book of the Year Awards, and was a finalist in the 2022 Aurealis Awards.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
43 global ratings
A Worthwhile Read For Fans Of Mythical Monsters
4 Stars
A Worthwhile Read For Fans Of Mythical Monsters
When Lyss is accidentally bonded to a Rarkyn named Skarr, her plans to seek revenge for her Fa's death are put on hold as she travels to Illredus to seek help. Told she'll go mad being tethered to an Otherworld creature, Lyss is in a race against time. She's also running from the man who brought the Rarkyn to their world and wants it back to complete a casting that will go against the natural laws. Finding friends and foes on the road, Lyss also discovers that Skarr is not the terrible creature she'd been taught to fear. The friendship that evolves between Lyss and Skarr is a highlight of this well-written book, as is the world-building and action. The first book in a planned trilogy, Nikki Lee brilliantly sets up what is sure to be a worthwhile read for fans of mythical monsters, dark villains, and elemental magic.
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Top reviews from the United States

L. Beck
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome characters and cool magic system!
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024
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I was hooked right away with the unique and complex magic system and characters that make you love them. The world is complex and the plot fairly simple. There's great underlying tension, while giving lots of time for the two main chars' relationship to form, which was awesome. When things come to a head, it's all on. I was flipping pages as fast as I could to see what would happen. All the characters in the story have their own tale to tell, including the antagonist. It's such a cool world full of injustice, hope, and creatures misunderstood, terrifying, and wonderful. Highly recommend!
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Callie
5.0 out of 5 stars Is someone so different a monster?
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2023
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I’ve just finished my second read of Nikky Lee’s exciting epic, The Rarkyn’s Familiar. It’s the story of Lyss, an orphan girl bent on avenging her father’s death at the hands of the Empire’s merciless soldiers. By accident, she bonds with a monster—a Rarkyn from the Otherworld. Their only hope of freeing themselves from the bond—and for Lyss to prevent the madness it will bring—is to seek a cure in the heart of the Empire itself. They set off on this dangerous journey, pursued by the Empire’s relentless soldiers and a powerful mancer who has his own reasons for wanting to capture the Rarkyn.
The first time I read The Rarkyn’s Familiar, a month or so ago, I read it fast (if you can read a long book fast) because I was so eager to find out what happens next. This time, I read it slowly, because I wanted to savor and appreciate the amazing world this author has created for us. From the nomadic huts of the Wildners to the simple villages and dangerous Otherworld creatures our characters encounter on their epic journey, and finally to the complexity of the viciously authoritarian Empire--this is a world that invites us to listen and learn. I learned that not all valuable creatures in the world are human—there are other species, with their own lives and values and goals. In fact there may be more than one world (Is Terresmir Terra?) Perhaps some creatures can move between different worlds. And perhaps human magic is not the only kind of magic possible, or even the most powerful. Yet perhaps communication and relationships between the species are possible. And, as Lyss discovers, perhaps the greatest struggles are with the monsters within ourselves.
Nikky Lee creates an exciting, thrilling, absorbing world. It’s a wrench to put the book down and come back to your own life. I’m eagerly waiting for the next volume of the trilogy. Can’t wait to re-enter Terresmir.
3 people found this helpful
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Michael Botur
4.0 out of 5 stars I liked the core relationship between human and beast
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2022
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A nice story exploring the changing dynamics between a person and the beast they're trying to benefit from having a relationship with. The feathery Rarkyn made me think of the garuda in Perdido Street Station. Good but. Big respect for so much passionate marketing effort Nikky Lee put into this book.
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Katie
5.0 out of 5 stars Protect Skaar
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2022
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I had been seeing a lot of good things about this book and I think it lives up to the hype! This fantasy book had such a great cast of characters and a plot that was simple but moved quickly. Skaar was wonderful and the antagonist was great, especially when his full motives were unveiled. The ending has a cool moment that reminded me so much of Attack on Titan. This story held my attention pretty much throughout the whole book. I enjoyed Lyss' journey; I appreciated that she was a normal girl caught up in all this. I'm all here for a girl and her monster. The magic was very cool and the world building kept me intrigued. I do think the book could have done with a glossary (I'm a glossary girl) since there were terms and things that I did fully grasp until later.
2 people found this helpful
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Cindy
5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing new fantasy series!
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2022
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The Rarkyn’s Familiar is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Mass, and Miyazaki.

Intricate magic systems, dynamic characters, action packed scenes, and fascinating bonds will draw you in and leave you wanting more. The elegant prose and cinematic world are incredible and not to be missed! I can’t wait for the next book in the trilogy!
2 people found this helpful
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Mags Harper
5.0 out of 5 stars So Intriguing!
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2022
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I loved this book! This is my favorite genre and this story does not disappoint. The rich character development takes you inside this world and makes it hard to put down (the mark of a truly great book.) I can’t wait to read the next one!
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Top reviews from other countries

Elise Carlson
5.0 out of 5 stars A deeply immersive YA fantasy adventure
Reviewed in Australia on June 17, 2023
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The characters are well developed, their stories meaningfully intertwined and the writing let me feel as though I journeyed alongside them. This is a richly built fantasy world, touching seams with an Otherworld, from whence magic creatures can travel. Both worlds have their own magic system, and the human population disagree about who can wield magic and how, those repressive of magic holding the upper hand as the story begins.

The story has the familiar master and apprentice trope, but the twist is this master of magic is himself a magical creature, tutoring a human. And he's still learning to control his own magic. Meanwhile young Hane also has great promise with magic, though he falls in with an experienced magic wielder who seems to wish both Lyss and her tutor great ill.

This is a story of pursuits across the wilderness, allies, enemies and people whose motives and goals are less clear cut. Each character has their own clear goals and most are sympathetic —save the kind of baddie you love to hate. A very entertaining debut. I'll definitely want to read the whole trilogy.
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N. Brooke
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully crafted writing
Reviewed in Australia on May 21, 2022
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This book has such beautifully crafted writing. A few lines were just perfect, and it was a joy to read. It's an epic fantasy with excellent intricate worldbuilding and the classic hero's journey, which is always a great storyline. I loved the characters, although my favourite ended up being Hasek who was only a minor character, but he came across quite vividly even though he wasn't in many scenes.

I would have rated it 5 stars except that I think it could have moved a bit faster in the beginning or been condensed a bit. Also, I would have liked a bit more tension between Lyss and Rark, they seemed to accept their predicament and become allies a little too quickly. And I would have liked to see their friendship grow and have greater compassion for each other - they did have this, but it felt like it was only because of the bond instead of actually liking each other. I think a stronger friendship between them would have increased the stakes in the action scenes, making the reader more emotionally invested. But overall, it's still a very enjoyable book.
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Veronica Strachan
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly entertaining
Reviewed in Australia on May 22, 2022
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The Rarkyn's Familiar was written to remind us that no matter how many stories there are out there, a clever author can always find ways to bring us a new and unique tale. Lee has absolutely delivered in this first of an epic new series, The Rarkyn Trilogy.
It's a superbly written fantasy, slick and effortless to read. A thoroughly entertaining twist on the tale of a bonded familiar.
But this adventure of murder, kidnapping, revenge and magic has a slew of factors that push it above your everyday read. Before you realise it, you're following the well-written arc of Lyss and Skaar as they slowly unpack their changing understanding of themselves, their worlds, and their burgeoning interdependence. This was so well done. I really loved it. The plot shared amongst the multiple POVs compels you to turn another page. The magic/psychic system is brilliant and the rest of the world building complex and satisfying. Lee weaves in snatches of the larger world, twists and teasers in the layers of plot that make you impatient for the next volume.
A fabulous read. Bring on Book 2.
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PYates
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional writing and world-building
Reviewed in Australia on May 7, 2023
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A terrific debut epic fantasy from talented author, Nikki Lee. I’m not sure if I was supposed to fall in love with the rarkyn, but I did, and that made Lyss and Skaar’s journey so much more enjoyable. Exceptional writing and world-building complement a unique and well-crafted story. Fully rounded ending but loved the hint of more to come. Highly recommend.
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Susan Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning debut novel
Reviewed in Australia on January 8, 2023
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A stunning debut novel that keeps the reader wanting more. Well-developed characters lead you through an intriguing world of magic. I recommend reading it once just to enjoy the twists and turns of the plot and a second time to enjoy how well the novel is written and the world building crafted. I can’t wait for 2nd book in the trilogy.
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