Aivan: The One Truth by Kayla E. Green

 

 

About the Book

 

Book: Aivan: The One Truth

Author: Kayla E. Green

Genre: Young Adult Christian Fantasy

Release Date: July 23, 2022

Two young people from opposite sides of the Great Continent must make sense of their life.

Rune has grown up all of her life in the mountainous northern nation of Kansanai. As granddaughter of the Senior Elder, she has been a devout believer of the Vihishki gods her whole life. Yet, when a prophet challenges the Vihishki gods against his Aivan, the One Truth, everything she thought she knew is turned upside down. Will she be able to let go of the life she thought she deserved for something far greater than what she could have ever imagined?

Rolf goes through the motions of everyday life in the southern nation of Etalentin. Yet, his routine is disrupted when a voice claiming to be the one true God speaks to him. Listening to his heart, he follows Aivan, but he is thrown temptation after temptation on his journey. Will Rolf be able to resist the temptations in order to fulfill Aivan’s plan for him?

Aivan: The One Truth is a story about self-discovery, identity, and faith.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview 

1. Why did you want to become an author? 

​I have made up stories since childhood, and I entered my first writing contest when I was in 8th grade–the story was about two middle school students who opened Pandora’s Box and had to close it before the school was destroyed by the ghosts released! The following year I excitedly joined my high school newspaper. Being a part of journalism helped me grow tremendously as a writer in terms of grammar, audience focus, overall skill, and confidence. I took a step back from creative writing in college as academic writing took up a lot of my time; however, in my early twenties I began to mindfully write again while working through a lot of grief. The more I wrote, the more at peace I felt. I crafted stories and poems that God placed on my heart, and after much prayer pursued publication. I don’t think there was ever a moment I said, “I’m going to become an author.” I simply have always been an author–even before any of my work was published. I think, because of imposter syndrome and anxiety, it is often easy to minimize our own abilities. I urge everyone who writes to embrace their passion and openly declare that by crafting stories they are indeed authors!

 

2. What/Who inspired you to write on the main themes found in the book?

​The prophet Elijah and his experiences discussed in 1 Kings inspired an important scene in Aivan: The One Truth. In fact, several key instances in Rune and Rolf’s journeys pulled inspiration from the Old Testament. In doing so, I wanted to weave biblical truth within the fantasy narrative of two young people trying to make sense of the world around them and their role within said world. My prayer is that readers will see that just as Rune and Rolf have Aivan, we all have God, the one true constant and source of redeeming love, in our own world. 

 

3. Which character in your book do you relate to the most?

​In Aivan: The One Truth, I most relate to Rune. She has her life planned out and has a difficult time when everything falls apart. In her heart, she knows where her faith should be placed but still struggles with doubts and fears exacerbated by societal pressures. When I was young, I experienced similar internal battles as Rune. Writing books that reflect real-life situations for children and teens, even within a fantasy setting, is important to me. I strive to write books that I would have been drawn to as a young reader while sharing the truth about God’s redeeming love. 

 

4. Do you have a favorite drink or snack for when you’re writing? 

​When writing, I tend to hyper-focus and not snack while in “the zone.” However, I really like recharging with hummus, crackers, and cherry-flavored water. If I want something special, I’ll get a refresher with lemonade and a cake-pop from Starbucks—it’s one of my favorite ways I ‘treat’ myself! 

 

5. What message do you hope readers take away from your book? 

​It is my prayer that with reading Aivan: The One Truth, readers walk away comforted by the fact that we were made resilient and we can rebuild when our plans fall apart, empowered knowing that the one true God in our own world loves them, and filled with hope at the reminder that light will always prevail over darkness.

 

 

About the Author

Kayla E. Green is a school librarian, speculative fiction author, and poet who adores her husband and their furbabies. When she isn’t writing, reading, or taking photos for her bookstagram, she loves singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio, napping, and pretending she’s a unicorn. Her award-winning YA fantasy novella, Aivan: The One Truth, and her inspirational poetry collection, Metamorphosis, are now available through book retailers. Kayla also has stories and poems featured in various anthologies, contest-winning stories published with Clean Fiction Magazine, and several flash fiction stories available online through Havok Publishing.

 

 

More from Kayla

Working in education, it often is disheartening to see how much darkness bombards today’s youth. With Aivan: The One Truth, the forthcoming Chronicles of the One Truth series, and all my writing, my primary goal is to offer young readers a beacon of hope in this dark world. Alluding to many stories and lessons found in the Old Testament, Aivan is a fast-paced novella designed to capture young readers and pull them into the world of the Great Continent. It is my biggest prayer with this book that Rune and Rolf’s journey in this fantasy narrative will serve as a guiding light to lead readers of all ages to seek truth in our reality—the truth that can only be found through our one true God.

One of my current projects is developing a companion devotional for Aivan: The One Truth as well as the full-length novels that will be part of the complete Chronicles of the One Truth series (which will be released at a later date). The devotional would be a tool for parents, teachers, and pastors to use along with the book to help young readers understand the themes and biblical parallels.

Two major themes within the novella center around identity and purpose. Rune’s struggles with disappointment with shattered dreams and the heartache of feeling lost, alone, and unfulfilled are struggles that are arguably universal. In looking at Rune’s journey, young readers as well as adult readers can recognize the real-world challenges of identity: Who exactly are we? In today’s world, there is a constant battle between God and society. How can one embrace their identity as a child of God when the world demands us to rage and rebel against that title?

In Exodus 3:11 (NIV) Moses asks God, “Who am I?” after he is told to go to the Pharaoh to rescue the Israelites. God tells Moses, “I am with you,” (Exodus 3:12, NIV). Similar to Moses’ walk of faith, Rune, like us all, must learn to accept the truth. Like Aivan in the fantasy novella, our God, the one true God, is always with us. We may not immediately—or ever—understand His plan; however, through Him we are whole, redeemed, and loved. And in that, we have great purpose.

I pray that whoever reads Aivan: The One Truth finds parallels to our own world and finds solace knowing that we are because God is the great “I Am.”

In my upcoming companion devotional, I will explore the concepts of identity and purpose from a biblical perspective. Anyone who wants updates on this, should follow my blog and subscribe to my newsletter to be the first to know!

Blog Stops

Splashes of Joy, January 11 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 12

Blossoms and Blessings, January 13 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 13

Artistic Nobody, January 14 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, January 15 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 16

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 19 (Author Interview)

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, January 19

Pause for Tales, January 20

By The Book, January 21 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, January 22

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 23 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, January 24 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kayla is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback of Aivan: The One Truth, a paperback of Metamorphosis, an Aivan inspired booksleeve, Rune and Rolf character art cards, and a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2958a/aivan-the-one-truth-celebration-tour-giveaway