Official Review: Herai by Aaron D Key

[Shas F]

Herai by Aaron D. Key is about an imagined world full of very real human conflicts arising from desires to be free, to be loved, to be secure and saved, to be powerful, among others. What makes it intriguing is the author's use of alternate realities as a plot device, which heightens the mystery of what could happen next in the story. Jaime Lync's review guides us on the kind of fiction Herai is and its plot. Lync says the premise is not original but the story is enlivened by its twists and turns. I think the element of alternate realities makes the story unique because the outcome could go either way. Why does the author Key use alternate realities to tell his story? I think it's part of his overall message for writing the story. In the first chapters, we see protagonists Monta, Koa and Adrij plot against Adrij's father, Glant, the ruler of the underground city that is supposed to protect its dwellers from the savage Outsiders. They appear to desire freedom and agree to use Adrij's half-sister and Glant's youngest and favorite daughter, Herai, in their plot. Koa is to seduce Herai but secretly, Koa cares for Herai, signalling the first complication in the story. After meeting with Koa at the Cavern, Herai is brutally attacked with knives and consequently, Glant's guards are also injured. From there, the story flows. But there is this mysterious being who knows the alternate realities and has the power to choose which one comes to fruition...? So is this a story within a story? While the characters fight for freedom, power, their interests and goals, there is a force that can shape their destinies. I have to say I'm intrigued by all of this and will put Herai in my "To Read" list.

[Haute_Coffee]

I really enjoy stories that are character driven. An interesting character makes all the difference. Thanks for your review.

[Miercoles]

Thanks for an encouraging review. The story's premise does not immediately capture my interest, but it may well be worth a read.

[Karencantley1]

This book sounds intriguing, with its diverse cast of characters, but I always struggle to get my head around alternate realities and timelines, as I find myself distracted trying to figure it all out. Because of that this book probably isn’t for me.

[sharkyjen998]

Thank you for this review. Initially, this book didn't look like something I would be interested in. When you started mentioning the character's development, I became interested. I'm captivated by realistic, flawed, and complex characters, so i may give this a read!

[tzazr]

Based on the review of Herai, the story is told from multiple viewpoints. That method is not my favorite and can be very confusing to follow. The premise is interesting but between the multiple viewpoints and the slow start, this would not be at the top of my reading pile.

[Miss_BeckyG]

Rated as, "a thought-provoking tale of crime, romance, betrayal, war, family ties and a yearning for freedom." I didn't understand the alternate realities but it adds an interesting dimension to story.

[tarafarah7]

Today's BOTD is not one that really grabs my interest, unfortunately. Your review was very well written and helpful, though! Thank you so much and best of luck to the author!

[Zain A Blade]

thanks for the thorough and honest review. I'm interested to know how the same characters existing in two alternate realities will fair at the end of the day.

[FictionLover]

The premise of the novel may not seem very original. Fortunately, Key integrates a myriad of plot twist and mysteries into the story. A mysterious being is watching two alternative realities. He claims that ‘one of the old ones’ is dead in one of the worlds but still alive in the other world, ‘the better place’. In both of these worlds Herai, the youngest daughter of the leader of the underground city in which most of the story transpires, has just reached adulthood. According to legends, the underground city protects the residents from the savage outsiders.

Thanks for your review. I'm glad you cleared this up for me. The concept of alternate realities was not clear in the sample I read. In fact, I wasn't sure what was going on in those sections with the man in the cabin.

This book is not for me. But, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Seraphia Bunny Sparks]

Thank you for the fascinating review of this book. As I read the blurb for a brief moment I thought that this book was going to diverge and be about religion, but I see that this is not the case. I like that the characters are so human! I feel that this will be what pulls me into the story. While I'm disappointed that this book probably won't hook me from the beginning (which I prefer) I'm willing to give it a chance and see where things go!

[Chelsy Scherba]

I’m not sure this book is for me, but I do like the theme of the two worlds.

[J+Jenkins63]

After reading the sample chapter I was intrigued. I found the characters interesting and realistic. I would certainly be willing to read more of this story.

[Mabel6]

I am not a fan of crime or war so I added this book to my not interested in reading shelf. Bravo to the author for writing something that you mentioned was thought provoking for you.

[Callistus Ibenye]

Great review. I like the alternate reality story because it's quite unique. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll like to read the story and let you know what I think about it. Thanks for sharing.