{"id":5684,"date":"2025-03-24T10:00:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T14:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/?p=5684"},"modified":"2025-03-24T10:00:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T14:00:14","slug":"antunas-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/24\/antunas-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Antuna’s Story"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AThe Antunite Chronicles, Book 1
\nBy Terry Birdgenaw
\n\u00a9 May 16, 2022, Cyborg Insect Books
\n190 pages
\nASIN: B0B1KWFF24<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This story was\u2026unique. While it did remind me at times of Adrian Tchaikovsky\u2019s Children of Time<\/em> series, Antuna\u2019s Story<\/em> was written more simply, without the deeper sophistication of Tchaikovsky\u2019s storytelling style. That\u2019s not to say Birdgenaw\u2019s story isn\u2019t deep. It is. But it\u2019s almost as if Birdgenaw intended the story for young readers, mid-grade maybe\u2014except there are some exceptionally dark threads to this tale (no spoilers) that I wouldn\u2019t expect to see in a mid-grade story. The book is listed as a Teen & Young Adult book, which would be a better fit for those challenging elements, yet the simplistic writing style seems at odds with that audience. In truth, it was that mid-grade style that makes me say this story was not for me only because I had a hard time connecting to the narrative style.<\/p>\n

That said, I will agree that this story has a lot to offer. It starts off light, hopeful. Its characters struck me as akin to middle school kids from very different backgrounds that, through extenuating circumstances, become friends. Over the course of the story, as the characters age and take on more responsible roles in their society, it morphs into a darker, more dramatic tale wherein I found reflections of what is currently happening in our world. I daresay this was not an accident; Antuna, the main character, is clearly a believer in inter-species cooperation and that working together in unity makes their world better for everyone. Unfortunately, there are other groups of characters who don\u2019t agree, and they hold more power than Antuna. (Sound familiar?)<\/p>\n

The author clearly states (on the copyright page) that this is a book of political satire or parody. While the disclaimer also says that the opinions and views of the insectoid characters \u201care their own, and should not be attributed to the author,\u201d the book\u2019s dedication is given to those victimized by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and to \u201ccasualties in all wars throughout human history.\u201d It felt clear to me that Antuna\u2019s actions would reflect those of the author, which is commendable in my opinion. I, too, would have followed Antuna in her efforts toward peace.<\/p>\n

I can see how this would be a cautionary tale and a lesson in compassion for younger readers but would advise parents or guardians to read the book themselves first, to be sure the book is suitable, due to those darker elements I mentioned earlier. Keep in mind that the prologue in the book makes it clear that the ending of Antuna\u2019s Story<\/em> is not the ending of the tale, so there is more to come, a hopeful future that helps the reader to believe Antuna\u2019s efforts bore fruit despite all her challenges. If you enjoy political parody or satire told in simplistic ways, or if your young reader is suited to dark tales of that type, I recommend Antuna\u2019s Story<\/em>, and possibly its sequels, for your reading list.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Antunite Chronicles, Book 1 By Terry Birdgenaw \u00a9 May 16, 2022, Cyborg Insect Books 190 pages ASIN: B0B1KWFF24   This story was\u2026unique. While it did remind me at times of Adrian Tchaikovsky\u2019s Children of Time series, Antuna\u2019s Story was written more simply, without the deeper sophistication of Tchaikovsky\u2019s storytelling style. That\u2019s not to say…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5684","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8n0kX-1tG","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4241,"url":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/12\/children-of-time\/","url_meta":{"origin":5684,"position":0},"title":"Children of Time","author":"DremaDeoraich","date":"May 12, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"By Adrian Tchaikovsky Tor (\u00a92015); Pan Books (\u00a92016); Orbit (\u00a92018) ISBN-13: 978-0316452502 ASIN: B07DN8BQMD Kindle Version, file size 2632 KB; Paperback 640 pages Let me just get right to the point. I loved this book. I cannot say enough good things about it. From the explosive opening chapter to the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ChildrenOfTime-201x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2929,"url":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/2022\/10\/23\/cage-of-souls\/","url_meta":{"origin":5684,"position":1},"title":"Cage of Souls","author":"DremaDeoraich","date":"October 23, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"By Adrian Tchaikovsky \u00a9 2019, Ebook format ASIN: B07DPRW17S File size 1865 KB It's easy to see why this book was shortlisted for the 2020 Arthur C. Clarke Award. This is an intricate story, part fictional memoir, part dark dystopian ecofiction with touches of horror. 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Lois Lowry.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/TheGiver-198x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3825,"url":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/23\/dogs-of-war-duology\/","url_meta":{"origin":5684,"position":3},"title":"Dogs of War Duology","author":"DremaDeoraich","date":"February 23, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Dogs of War: Dogs of War, Book 1 By Adrian Tchaikovsky Head of Zeus Publishing ASIN: B06XXJ4P9H Kindle version; file size 7308 KB; \u00a9 2017 Paperback, 352 pages; \u00a9 2022 Bear Head: Dogs of War, Book 2 By Adrian Tchaikovsky Head of Zeus Publishing ASIN: B08DJJBQ1M8 Kindle version; file size\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/DogsOfWar-196x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5345,"url":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/19\/all-the-birds-in-the-sky\/","url_meta":{"origin":5684,"position":4},"title":"All the Birds In the Sky","author":"DremaDeoraich","date":"March 19, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Charlie Jane Anders Reprint Edition \u00a9 April 11, 2017, Tor Books 320 pages ISBN-13: 978-0765379955 Wow. 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The very short list of novels that dare to traffic as freely in the uncanny and wondrous as in big ideas--I think of masterpieces like The Lathe of Heaven, Cloud Atlas, Little, Big--has just been extended by one.--Michael Chabon.\" Winding in between the lines of text, in front of and behind and around the letters, is a whole flock of birds against a dark grey background with stars.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AllTheBirds-200x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3232,"url":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/09\/wecu-inc-we-see-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":5684,"position":5},"title":"WECU Inc. (We See You)","author":"DremaDeoraich","date":"April 9, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Rick Stevens Kindle Vella Project (Active) Foster kid Kieran spends most of his time alone, exploring the basement of the old apartment building where his family lives. His only friend is Charles, the maintenance man. But when he meets Malaya, another kid his age in the same building, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/080-WECUInc.jpg?fit=563%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/080-WECUInc.jpg?fit=563%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/080-WECUInc.jpg?fit=563%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5684","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5684"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5684\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5687,"href":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5684\/revisions\/5687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5684"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5684"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dremadeoraich.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5684"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}