BIRTH OF THE ANIMA

ANCIENT LANGUAGE OF THE EARTH: BOOK ONE

Finalist for the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards in Fantasy

Over millennia, across the seven seterras of Aligaea, twelve women—the Anima—develop powers akin to apex predators. Along with their bestial strength and speed, they inherit the Task to restore ecological Order to the world. Yet fulfilling the Task seems improbable as the Imperium spreads a plague of ecocide and despotism across the land, ushering in the apocalypse with its infectious Disorder.

Stout and smart Freda Johansson leaves behind a promising career, love, and community to seek the red-capped mushroom capable of turning her into the final Anima. Whether it’s plant magic or free will guiding her from emerald forests to austere peaks, she doesn’t care. She only needs to find the mushroom before the Imperial Forces can seal the catastrophic fate of the planet.

The sacred balance of Life depends on the birth of the Anima—but even then, she must choose to own her powers as both woman and wild creature.

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What readers are saying…

“This book was truly one of a kind. As an environmental science major, I super appreciated the effort Sather put in this book to really address the human-animal interactions that govern our world. The book also explored what it means to be a woman in a really fascinating way and each of the many characters we were introduced to in the book were compelling and uniquely themselves. I loved that no two stories were the same and that I really got to explore what being an anima meant and revel in these women's hopes and dreams that didn't necessarily come to fruition. This book is an immensely important work of fantasy that I think touches on topics that are largely unaddressed in such a nuanced manner. I learned a lot in this book without ever feeling too bogged down. I really loved getting to be a part of this world and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.”

“An epic tale that takes us through the ages and through places that feel so real you would think they actually are. Vivid. Inspiring. A testament to the earth we live on, the physical and soulful power of the female body and the possibility that lives within each of us. Birth of the Anima is a book for always but especially for NOW, this time, this moment we are all living. I was captivated, couldn't put it down. Read it in the dark with a flashlight while humming my young children to sleep. Read it, read it, read it.”

“Kelsey Sather is a devotee to her craft, something I've witnessed over the last decade as a fellow writer. Having initially read her environmental nonfiction, I knew great things were to come from the fledgling author; we in the know of the "Anima" have been eagerly awaiting this release for years. Well, the first installment of this epic is now upon us and, no surprise, well worth the wait. The story is an extension of everything I love about Kelsey: clever, fierce, steadfast, compelling, honest. What's more, it appeals to my greater sensibilities as an amateur naturalist. In one paragraph I'm getting sweeping descriptions of aspen groves and in the next a playful incantation per mugwort. Now, to be honest, fantasy is not my genre, but what Kelsey has done here transcends such preferences; this is a book about the environment, social justice, and the empowerment of the downtrodden, whether they be the fantastical salvagers, mages, or shapeshifters. In short, if you enjoy getting lost in nature, you'll enjoy getting lost in this book.” 

“Kelsey K. Sather is a great new voice in fantasy - I can't wait to see what comes next! Birth of the Anima is beautifully written and feels as though you're hearing someone tell you a story (I generally hate audio books but this is one I wouldn't hesitate to buy in audio format).  What you won't find here are long paragraphs describing every section of the world's details and pulling you out of the story. Instead, you learn through your interactions with different characters and everything about it feels like the right way to learn this world. I loved her use of language - it felt very different from what I'm used to reading and yet a perfect fit for the story.”

”Birth of the Anima brings you through a huge timeline - frequently introducing you to new characters for their (many of them) sadly brief lives. There's a lot that's unique here but I was most impressed with her ability to keep the reader interested during frequent time jumps. It's rare to be able to make us invested in every timeline that comes about, right from page one of the chapter.”

”My only warning is that the very first (and short) time jump left me feeling confused and in the middle of things. Don't let that turn you off; it serves as a prologue and every jump after that was well done and didn't leave the reader lost - only excited to see what the new character was going to get up to.  Book two can't come fast enough - I can't wait to see what happens next. Highly recommended!”

“Birth of the Anima was a breath of fresh air to read. After a long hiatus from fiction, I opened this book and was immediately captivated. Birth of the Anima allows the reader to escape into a world of fantasy, while staying rooted in the truths humanity faces today. The female characters are empowering and inspiring in a raw and honest way. I cannot wait for Book #2. Highly recommend.”

“Using rich, lyrical prose, Sather creates an intricate world that holds the unique quality of the sublime, leaving readers feeling awestruck, terrified, and ultimately changed. Her skillful management of time, space, and multiple worlds is unparalleled. The narrative itself is a sort of ‘Anima,’ holding the potential to transform the way readers engage with issues related to women and nature. Now more than ever, one might consider reading this book an urgent matter.”

“In Birth of the Anima, Sather is the weaver and the reader her adoring admirer. Sather skillfully creates diverse threads of narratives which are truly thought-provoking, beautifully written and all of which leave a lasting impression.”

“A richly imagined and fully realized world that develops right from the start, Birth of the Anima grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go. Sather has created not just a new world, but one complete with a complex, raw history. The book tackles themes of belonging and otherness against a backdrop of a natural world in peril. The story is detailed and unflinching, and the connection to the characters and their interwoven stories is fluid and fast-paced. Anxiously awaiting the sequel.”

 “One of my favorite aspects of fantasy is the immersion in a new world and lore. Growing to understand the cultures, history, and ways in which the world works is extremely rewarding in Birth of the Anima. The reader and protagonists learn about the world in a manner that creates questions alongside its answers and drives you to keep reading. I like to binge read, and was very happy consume this beast over the course of a week. Strong plot, characters, and lore make Birth of the Anima an easy recommendation.”

“This was an incredible novel. I am so glad that I got the opportunity to read it before it was released! Birth of the Anima is beautifully written and the author very appropriately introduced this world. I didn't find myself getting confused. If anything, I was enthralled by the storyline. I was impressed with the author's ability to maintain the reader's interest when spanning a huge timeline. This doesn't happen very often with me. I wasn't able to put this book down until I had finished it, and it left me wanting to read the second book as soon as possible. I can't wait to read other installments in this series and Kelsey Sather's future work!”