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Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite
A Kota Short: The Woman of the Void by Sunshine Somerville is the story of Vedanleé, a witch woman raised in an isolated village, and given to a political leader to bear his child. His world is one of high technology. She is able to combine her magic with the technology, but at the cost of her freedom and life with her children. She develops the power of the void, which allows her to travel through time and dimension. It is through her magic that she is able to escape her prison and enter the next phase of her life.
The Woman of the Void by Sunshine Somerville is the first of the Kota Shorts. The short story gives the reader the background needed to appreciate both the way magic and technology can survive in the same world, as well as how a strong woman can influence the survival of her people. I particular liked how the main character balances her fate with her determination not to let her position govern her self-perception. She stays true to her heritage as a witch and looks for opportunities to improve her condition, and she is able to do so without coming across as some loud-mouth rebel.
In a few short pages, Somerville does a remarkable job of creating an entire world and introducing the reader to Vedanleé. Her use of vocabulary allows for succinct details without leaving the reader feeling shortchanged. I look forward to reading more of the series and finding out where Vedanleé's path takes her.
