Kimber book review written by the Ent on 7/17/2020
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Know Before You Read
Book: Kimber
Author: L.K Hingey
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian Sci-fi, YA adventure
Pages: 236
Published: June 5th, 2020
Age Suggestion: 13+
Themes: Meaning, purpose, social injustice, love, and power
Warnings: Illness of parent, intimacy (kissing, snuggling) but nothing sexual, death and decomposed bodies, child experimentation
Quick Summary:
A solar flare has destroyed the earth’s ozone layer causing humans to escape underground, but will the human race be able to survive there? Inanna, a cave city, holds the remaining 200 humans left, as well as the Auroras. The Auroras are a grafted species of human who can withstand the brutal environment that is now the surface of the earth. But what happens when one species decides they need to be in control?
Kimber Book Review:
(May Contain Minor Spoilers)
–Why Read It–
Kimber is a fun read that reminded of us of the worlds of Hunger Games and Dune. It is a post-apocalyptic world that has to learn to adapt to this shift in technology, process, and power. It deals with some big conversational topics such as systemic oppression, the desire to be heard by those in authority and to be seen by each other. Also, this is the first book in a trilogy and does a good job in wrapping up a story within itself. But it also leaves you with wanting to see where the world goes.
-Plot/Story-
Kimber builds a very intriguing world in just the first few chapters. It is a world filled with politics, ideals, and a secret history. Unraveling this secret mystery, and the ramifications afterwards, are what really drives the plot. It is paced decently well and is balanced between the highs of discovery and adventure. Also, the story does a good job making you care about the characters and their relationships with each other.
-Characters-
Each of the main characters you get introduced to in Kimber brings something interesting to the table. Kimber herself is one of 23 beings who can go up to the surface. But she is tethered to Inanna from friendships and her mother, Kimberly. Who also seems to have plenty of her own secrets. As is the case with most trilogies, there are some characters left hanging in the first book that I’ll be excited to learn more about in the rest of the series.
-Setting-
From underground cities to completely scorched environments, Kimber provides an interesting backdrop to the story while also providing some dangerous elements that directly affect the main characters. The first portion of the book was a bit dense with the world building. But it had a lot to build in a short amount of time (similar to the beginning of one of our favorites- Fellowship of the Ring).
Kimber Discussion Questions:
(Minor Spoilers Ahead)
- In the beginning of the book, the council announces that the Auroras and the humans can no longer be in relation “in order to preserve” the race of Aurora. Think from each groups perspective on why this law was either good or bad:
a. The council
b. Kimber and the other Auroras - Near the end of the book, a call for systemic change is made. How is this relatable to our own culture?
- If you were to lead a revolution, which role would you rather take and why? (Leader, organizer, or follower) Do you think that leaders choose their own roles or just choose to step into them?
–Interview with L.K Hingey—
Q: I see that you have several years of military experience. What led you to writing Kimber?
A: I was a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army for years, until I fractured my spine while flying and was forced to medically retire. I was obviously quite torn up, as I had plans to stay in the military until retirement. I had loved it, lived it, and breathed it. So, I took a five-month trip backpacking the Appalachian Trail with my dog, Colefax. Along the 1800+ miles of the trail, I had the freedom to sort out my thoughts and perceptions of the world around me. I have always been intrigued by social movements, governance issues, injustice, humanity’s constant fight against oppression, and how religion fits into both our own lives AND the macroscale of humanity.
I also had a rather complex childhood, which plays into my many interpretations about who we are and our place in this big, beautiful world. The storyline for KIMBER was born in the Appalachian Mountains, and in January of 2020 I began writing it down. It spilled out within three months and it quickly moved into editing and publishing.
Q: What were your inspirations in the creation of Kimber?
A: Everything I see inspires me. Separate from the many life experiences that have shaped me as an author, there are many literary and cinematic influences that have, and continue to, inspire me. The vivid characterization of Avatar (James Cameron 2009) and the surface world of Mad Max: Fury Road both have had an impact on my writing. Religion and our quest to understand it intrigues me, and so The Matrix, with its parallels in Christianity, was also a big source of inspiration. Lastly, Divergent is one of my favorite books and many themes from Veronica Roth’s storyline have worked their way into my post-military psyche. I wanted to write a story that was as beautiful and charming as it was serious and well-constructed. Romance, humor, suspense, and the prodding at very deep questions are intertwined into a stunning landscape that I pray captivates and stimulates readers!
Q: Kimber is in the Top 100 Teen & Young Adult Christian Fantasy on Amazon. How did you incorporate your Christianity into Kimber?
A: I am incredibly excited that KIMBER is in the top 100 Christian Fantasy books on Amazon. I feel very blessed that KIMBER has also done equally well in the categories of Christian mystery and Christian Science Fiction, especially because KIMBER is a dystopian sci-fi, derived from very real science and set in a post-apocalyptic world. I have always been intrigued by religion and how it plays into our many histories and how it will undoubtedly play into our future. Also, I am fascinated by hard science and how evolution/ genetic engineering fits into the big picture of Christianity.
To help me argue the existence of God, I designed Kimber’s refugee city as a government-mandated aesthetic society. I did this in order to explore religion through questions that the heroine, Kimber faces in her own life and in her own time. Strong parallels in KIMBER can be tied to Adam and Eve’s fall to sin, Moses’ ascent from oppression, and to Noah, as the entire underground survival city represents the last Ark of life on Earth. In KIMBER, I also pose difficult questions regarding what is right, what is wrong, and if grey area exists in-between. Murder, betrayal, love, sacrifice, and multiple prods at social movements such as abortion and the government’s function in religion, take on a subliminal role in KIMBER.
I want readers to feel connected, engaged, enlightened, intrigued, and possibly even angry at some of the undercurrents that KIMBER explores. I want readers to be able to identify the connection to the divine and form their own interpretations about the many messages in KIMBER.
Q: What can we look forward to in the Elyrian Chronicles?
A: I am excited to announce that I have the entire Elyrian Chronicles line-up outlined and the series is in the process of coming to life, to include completion of the main Elyrian trilogy and then publication of a series of prequels. I plan to publish two books a year, on a summer/ winter schedule, and am working on Book Two: CHEYENNE as we speak! The line-up is as follows:
The Elyrian Chronicles
KIMBER: Book one
CHEYENNE: Book Two
HOME: Book Three
The Elyrian Prequels
WAR: Prequel One
ELYRIA: Prequel Two
We’re so thankful for L.K. Hingey taking the time to answer our questions. We hope you enjoyed the interview as much as we did and that you enjoy the book!
Also Check Out:
Our reviews with discussion questions for
–The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
–Percy Jackson (book one) by Rick Riordan
–Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang (Color by Lark Pien)
–Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
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