The Quelling

Befriend Your Enemy, Save Your Friend

By: C.L. Lauder

Narrated by: Rebecca Cesa

When Kyjta accidentally brands herself with an alien fluid while plotting revenge, she knows her fate is sealed. As one of the Stained, her skin glistens star-bright, and the creatures sent by the Rhemans to scavenge for bodies will have no trouble finding her.

One night, while sheltering during a raid, Kyjta forms an unexpected pact with a Rheman rebel to protect a young girl, Calipsie, who’s fallen into her care. Days later, when Calipsie is taken, Kyjta abandons precaution to go after her. Facing impossible odds and allied by a Rheman she’s not sure she can trust, Kyjta must not only rescue Calipsie, but also face the Rheman overlord who’s taken a disturbing interest in her.

©2024 C. L. Lauder (P)2025 C. L. Lauder

Concept interesting, delivery confusing

I spent the first half of the book confused, there were so many concepts and ideas and new terminology, I kept hoping for a bit of explanation. I liked the world that was eventually built but why was it so hard to get someone to describe the limitations? I read fiction for pleasure rather than with the intention of writing a thesis about it. I feel a bit like the author was punishing me for not having studied hard enough. The threads were there but they weren’t always clear and with audio, you can’t flip back and read that chapter at the start all over again to clarify.

Having said that, the narration was good and the storyline was interesting, the world building concepts intriguing. I’d recommend reading this book instead of listening - and taking notes so you don’t get lost along the way.