Young Aina

The Story

Aina and her father are pursued deep into the ancient forest by a deadly enemy. To her father’s concern, the forest speaks to his daughter, awakening a natural magic within her. Will Aina’s magic awaken in time to save the lives of both her and her father?

Young Aina reached the finals of the 2019 Kobo Best Cover Contest.

About Young Aina

Young Aina is a novelette set in the ancient forest of the planet of Prometheus about seven years before the events of Blue Prometheus take place. 

In the trilogy, Aina serves a guide for Thomas and Lucy when they arrive on the planet. She possesses special abilities, including the ability to speak to animals and plants, and the ability to use natural magic. 

In Young Aina, you see how this magic is awakened, as well as seeing a formative experience in her young life, one that affects her forever. 

My father said that animals thought in images and emotions, so I tried to show her an image of my house. She looked up at me, and then she tried to reach leaves in the tree above. I pulled down a branch to help her. I became lost in my thoughts and somehow thought about my father’s story about the people wanting to take our land. The deer pushed her head against my chest, and I realised that I’d been angry. Had the deer known? Were emotions a stronger way to communicate?

It also introduces her connection to nature through her love of the ancient forest that served as a haven for her for so long, and that during the trilogy was where she could find allies in her fight against the empire. 

I wasn’t worried about animals; it was the humans who frightened me. Flowers lit as we approached and turned off as we walked past them. I think they were greeting us. But I was worried they’d give us away, and I asked them to turn off. Suddenly the forest went dark. 

Inspiration for the Ancient Forest

Sometimes people compare the forest world of the Blue Prometheus series with that of Avatar. And it’s true that they’re similar in some ways. 

Actually, I was disappointed when Avatar was released (I love the film) because I was just finishing my first novel at the time, and I immediately recognised the forest world of Pandora as similar to the ancient forest of Prometheus—of course, the story is different.

I think the reason is that the influences for the film and my stories were similar.

I was inspired by many old science fiction and fantasy worlds. Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth, with the incredible forests found deep within the planet was one of those influences.

Another influence the forests I’ve lived near or visited during my life, and the many botanical gardens I’ve visited around the world.

Where You Can Read Young Aina

I use Amazon (US) affiliate links on my website, and if you buy anything through these links I make a small commission (your price remains the same). 

Young Aina is available on most major online booksellers, including Amazon (US) (UK) (Canada) (Australia), Kobo, Apple, Google Play, and Barnes & Noble. It’s also available on Smashwords, Tolino, and many smaller booksellers. 

Books by Ned Marcus

Homepage