Cover image for The Talavara Prophecy, a literary YA fantasy series.

THE FIRST WHISPERS OF FATE

THE TALAVARA PROPHECY, BOOK 1

When you seek the truth, be sure you are prepared to find it.Aideen Bormia keeps her heritage a secret. She is ke’i gen de’san - one born of two bloods. The daughter of the wealthiest man in Sona, Aideen presents as human in high society, hiding her elven ears with elaborate hairstyles to avoid the scorn endured by her mother’s people. When Aideen finds her father dead, a growing madness fractures her very sense of self. She is one moment submerged in the cool waters of emotionless observation. The next, she sees through the molten eyes of a monster.

Aideen’s life of privilege is snatched away and she comes face to face with the darkness hiding beneath the glittering façade of Sona. Nothing is as she thought it was. No one is beyond suspicion. What does justice look like in an unjust world?

Hamfast is a cook aboard the Dragonfly, the famed first ship of the Bormia Trading Company. He is a Lindle – a race of small folk – and the ship’s kitchen has been his tidy domain for over thirty years. The Dragonfly has crossed the Misty Sea twice, a feat few have dared attempt. When the ship is commissioned to sail out into unknown waters in search of a mythical island, Hamfast finds himself lost for the first time.

Hamfast is thrust into an adventure beyond the depths of a simple cook. But is this journey the result of his own choices and chance, or are there greater forces at play?

The book cover titled "The Talvara Prophecy Book 1: The First Whispers of Fate" by C.J. Nolen features a dark background with an illustration of a ship with white sails on turbulent blue waves. A mysterious, expressionless mask with hollow eyes and nose is surrounded by orange flames at the bottom.

“Part Epic Fantasy, part Murder Mystery, dripping with Jane Austin vibes.”

“C.J. has a gift for creating rich worlds and dynamic characters with a writing style that’s sure to delight readers.”

“A delightful twist on the Cinderella story."

“Sometimes, writing simply serves as the delivery method for plot, characters, etc. (like a chip carries dip)... However, this prose style is a chip worth eating on its own.”

“Posing as a combination of fantasy, novel of manners, and detective story, this book examines conceptions of race and class and explores the nature of cognition—all in a really great read. Thoroughly unique and completely engrossing, The First Whisper of Fate needs to be on your to-be-read list!”

Coming in 2026

The Talavara Prophecy, Book 2

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