Knolan Cycle, Book II
Science Fiction
Date Published 11-01-2021
Publisher: PhoenixPhyre Publishing
After returning from a successful mission with the Knolan Shock Forces, Hāthar needs a break. With Arra his mate pregnant and he still recovering from his last mission, Hāthar has compelling reasons for sticking close to home. But newly developed stealth technology has enabled Knola’s enemies the Valdrōsians to ambush one of Knola’s Deep Space Fleets, inflicting heavy losses.
Intelligence has identified the facility from which the new technology originated. Developing countermeasures, however, will require a raid to steal the technology and abduct the stealth project managers. Having recently defeated just such a raid, Hāthar is asked to evaluate the feasability of the Knolan plan.
The plan is insanely risky, but Hāthar senses he is the best choice to lead it. With the fate of his adoptive home hinging on the success of the mission, he sets aside his personal preferences in favor of duty. Eryinath-5, The Dancer Nebula continues the chronicle of Knola’s thousand-year war with the Valdrōsians—and the coming climactic clash that will determine the fate of Earth and our corner of the galaxy.
Interview with D.B. Sayers
For those interested in exploring the subject or theme of your book, where should they start?
I’d start with this thought experiment. If you were an alien race, why might you be interested in Earth? Why might you want to make contact, and (if you decided you did), how would you go about doing it? These questions arose in Tier Zero, Vol I of the Knolan Cycle, but were only partially unanswered. In Eryinath-5, The Dancer Nebula, those questions come into clearer focus as Hāthar, the protagonist & Earth-born expatriate becomes entangled in Knola’s war with their Valdrōsian enemy.
How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?
I’ve always been fascinated by how different cultures relate to each other and (ideally) coexist. As my reading interests expanded into science fiction, it occurred to me that two cultures growing up on different worlds is about as “different” as you can get. The first volume of the Knolan Cycle, Tier Zero explores those differences up close and personal. It follows the emergence of Marty Tellus who becomes a Knolan citizen and a member of Knola’s elite Kurálli, the extended family of the Guardian of Knola. It became clear as I was about half-way through the first draft of Tier Zero that this was a series, not a stand-alone volume. As a result, Eryinath-5, The Dancer Nebula continues the Knolan Cycle, developing the relationship between the Knolan Concordant, their enemy the Valdrōsians and Earth.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
As the second volume in the series, Eryinath-5 continues the story begun by Tier Zero. It further develops the collision between Knolans and Valdrōsians, as well as how that collision involves and affects Earth. Both cultures are at once eerily familiar and wildly outside our experience or expectations. Gradually, why the Valdrōsians and the Knolans are interested in us becomes obvious—as does our own vested interest in who emerges victorious.
Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?
For readers and fans present and future, I’m offerering a complimentary copy of some of my short stories, entitled Through the Windshield, Drive-by Lives. It’s a great way to get acquainted with the fuller range of my writing style and thematic interests, whether you’re already familiar with some of my work, or you’re a future reader. A link appears at the end of this interview.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
As perverse as this sounds, I most enjoy the editing and refinement part of writing. In common with most authors, I love the process of writing a new story that hopefully entertains while contributing to readers’ broader understanding of this peculiar species we call homo sapiens. But the deepest understanding of the characters who inhabit the stories I dream up comes during the refinement process. That’s where the subtle nuances come out. Nuances that aren’t obvious to me on the first pass.
Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the future?
The Year of Maybe, Act II of Nyra’s Journey. It’s the second volume in the Nyra Westensee series and picks up where Best-Case Scenario, Act I of Nyra’s Journey left off. At the same time, I’m plotting and outlining Vol III of the Knolan Cycle, title to be determined.
How long have you been writing?
Most of my adult life. I took every creative writing course available at the university I attended, and wrote a couple of novellas while still in college. During my first career as a Marine officer, I continued writing but made no effort to publish. In my subsequent career as a corporate trainer, I began work on my first novel, West of Tomorrow, finally published in 2015.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Eryinath-5, The Dancer Nebula?
Sure. It’s a large cast, so I’ll focus on just three. I’ll start with Hāthar, (pronounced Hāy ́ thär), the protagonist, formerly Marty Tellus of Earth.
Hāthar, the half-Knolan, half-Earth-human discovers the truth of his parentage in Tier Zero, the first volume in the series. For his own safety, the Knolan Seeker who discovers Marty persuades him to mentor under the supervision of Knola’s Oracle. Mentoring in the Tower of the Waykeepers, Marty’s growth proves exponential. He is given a Knolan name, (Hāthar) and becomes a member of the Kurálli, the Guardian’s extended family. When the reader catches up with him at the beginning of Eryinath-5, he’s just returned from his first successful combat mission on one of Knola’s allied worlds. Hāthar has now earned the trust of both the Guardian and Oracle of Knola. But courage and competence are often rewarded with even tougher missions, and so it is with Hāthar. If his new mission is successful, he will help save the Knolan Concordant from Knola’s implacable enemy, the Valdrōsians. Those high stakes aside, Arra his companion is pregnant, and Hāthar is undestandably reluctant to leave her. But duty—or Sa ́ang Kurinth as the Knolans call it—is strong in Hāthar, and he assumes leadership of an insanely perilous mission.
Strius, (pronounced Strēē ́ ŭs) is only the second half-Knolan, half Earth-human to be mentored on Knola. Though of somewhat less promising potential than Hāthar over the long term, Strius is a natural warrior and is chosen to be Hathar’s executive officer for their upcoming mission. Once a Marine officer back on Earth, Strius already has extensive combat experience. When Hāthar and Strius meet, a bond forms almost immediately and it is clear an enduring friendship transcending duty will develop—if they survive their new mission.
Lysia, (pronounced Lĭs ́ ēē yäh), is arguably the most interesting character in the story. The Knolan Seeker who first discovers Hāthar’s potential, Lysia is a brilliant, courageous woman with high empathy. A deep love grew between Hāthar and Lysia while she mentored him, prior to his departure for Knola to continue his training. Not unlike Hāthar, Lysia is a victim of her own competence. She has remained on Earth (or Kurrithäal, as the Knolans call it), to continue the work she does so well—at the expense of her desire to be with Hāthar. She still struggles with longing for him. A struggle made worse by knowing he shares her longing. But (also like Hāthar), Sa ́ang Kurinth), the Knolan call to duty runs strong in her.
If you could spend the day with one of the characters from Eryinath-5 who would it be? Please tell us why you chose this particular character, where you would go and what you would do.
It would probably be either Hāthar or Lysia, each for different reasons. Hāthar is a bit of an adrenalin junkie. During his time on Earth, he was an accomplished surfer and snow skier. Quick witted and adventurous, it’s not hard to imagine an epic day at big, lined-up Sunset Beach on Oahu, or skiing Dragon’s Back at Mammoth Mountain, after a heavy dump. But Lysia would be an equally interesting day. Her empathetic and deeply philosophical nature would make for a day rich with discovery. I can imagine at art crawl in Laguna Beach or through the Getty museum, followed by a leisurely dinner at the Orange Hill restaurant overlooking the Los Angeles basin.
An anthology of Dirk’s short stories is available as a gift. Just click the link. Through The Windshield, Drive-by Lives
About the Author
Since then, Dirk has published West of Tomorrow, Best-Case Scenario, Act I of Nyra’s Journey, a collection of short fiction entitled, Through the Windshield and Tier Zero, Vol I of the Knolan Cycle. All are available from Amazon in paperback and Kindle. His latest work in progress is The Year of Maybe, Act II of Nyra’s Journey, due out in 2022.
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1 comments:
Great interview, Dirk and your book sounds like a thrilling read and I am looking forward to reading it! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a wonderful holiday season!
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