Title: The Knights of Galaria: The Crystals of Power
Author: O.S. Gill
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781470044459
Pages: 303, Paperback/Kindle
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
The Knights of Galaria: The Crystals of Power is a non-stop futuristic adventure. The debut novel by O.S. Gill is a delightful mix of Harry Potter’s magic and the intergalactic adventure of Star Wars. This sci-fi/fantasy novel combines action and heart in an entertaining way.Knights follows Kaz Silverwynd as he graduates from the Galarian Knights Academy when the event is shattered when there is assassination attempt on a head of the Confederation of Nations. Silverwynd has to find the culprit, but he soon finds himself entangled in a quest that sends him across galaxies and even to the moon to find crystals for a sword that can shift the balance of the world’s power. Along the way, he finds out a lot about his family history, fights to save his fellow friends and knights, and uses his strength and wit to overcome many powerful foes from apes to androids.
The novel should appeal to a young adult audience that loves adventure and sci-fi. The story is a strong mix of action and pathos, with flashbacks to when the knights met, and Kaz’s memories of following in his late father’s footsteps. The characters are well-developed and relatable even if they’re from other planets. The dreadlocked Kaz is a young man, but is thoughtful and strong. It’s also refreshing to see female characters play prominent roles in a sci-fi book as well. Kaz’s royal girlfriend, Kara, could be the most physically powerful female YA character since Katniss in The Hunger Games, and the Amazon-like tribe of the witches of Vabu are compelling warriors.
The knights should become favorites of YA readers or adult readers of YA fiction. Gill makes fictional lands like Galaria and underwater Aequoria come to life with vivid fight scenes and colorful descriptions. Gill grew up as a fan of action/adventure and it clearly shows from the heroics of Kaz to the dramatic dialogue of characters, like, “A petulant child such as you dare declare war?’’ and “You face a deadly foe on the morrow’’. The dialogue and action scenes are fast-paced and keep the reader engaged throughout the novel.
Knights is an engaging novel that should be the start of a long-running series. The book should make a great addition to any YA collection in a reader’s collection. The Knights of Galaria: The Crystals of Power takes readers on an unforgettable interstellar escapade.
