“In a universe of pawns, knights, kings and queens,

With swords and crystals, threes and thirteens,

A web of mystery and magic joins the strong and the weak,

In this twisted tale of hide and seek.”

In Hiding We Seek is a fantasy mystery where intrigue and cryptic clues are beautifully interwoven into a thrilling adventure. The debut novel for Keko V and the first in the Gemini Warriors series, this book promises action, suspense and plot twists that you’re unlikely to suspect (I dare you to read and prove me wrong!).

The story follows Kim, an orphan, with an unusual ability in the expansive world of Crysterria, full of all manner of magical creatures and people. When Kim sets out from the orphanage, officially an adult, in search of employment, she does not expect to get swept away on the call to adventure, inevitably finding herself in the middle of a plot to save the world. A cast of other characters follow various viewpoints which helps the reader to delve deeper into Kim’s curious call to adventure and what that means for Kim herself.

“As far as Kim was concerned, Tenjini and adventure were as synonymous as bread and butter.”

Keko V writes with humour and wit, carefully composing a story full of secrets and intrigue from the first page. Sometimes I laughed, while some scenes nearly brought me to tears. Keko V has a gift for storytelling, especially when it comes to plot twists and mysteries. While I fancy myself good at predicting plot twists, there was definitely one twist I did not see coming.

Some of my favourite parts of the book were the character relationships, without giving any spoilers, watching some of the characters start as strangers and gradually become dear to each other was well-written, touching and fun to read. Some of my favourite scenes were those between Uskoa and Tenjini, as well as Kim and Nick.

The author is also an illustrator and the paperback version includes some beautiful handmade drawings to complement each chapter. This is not something I see everyday in books, and I loved the original spin and character Keko V has put on her work by choosing to illustrate the book herself.

“The ways of the past are not set in stone… you should not be made to fit your feet into a pair of boots laid out for you that are far too small.”

I read an early version of In Hiding We Seek as a beta reader. Now that I’ve read the final published novel and have been fortunate enough to watch it grow and develop, I have to say that I deeply love this series and cannot wait to see where it goes, and what adventures Kim, Nadia, Liz and Nick get up to next!

I highly recommend this novel (and series) to lovers of fantasy, anime and a reader who enjoys a lengthy, twisting mystery. Next stop, book 2!