Askar
-
Bronwyn Calder sets her romantic fantasy adventure Askar in an imaginary world rich with allegorical comment on politics, nationalism, war, religion and values.
The female hero, Jena, would find leadership and decisions a lot easier if her enemies were totally evil but she struggles with the discovery that this is not the case. She learns to wield great spiritual and political power but that comes at a great personal cost. Her successes come from peacemaking rather than conflict.
On her journey Jena discovers friends and foes where she doesn't expect them, experiences love and betrayal, and develops from suspicion to understanding of other cultures.