Children of Morwena is a futuristic epic with elements of a fairy tale. It tells the story of Leila Kieva, Andre, and their young sister, Bonnie, whose lives are shattered when their family is destroyed in a single strike against the city of Morwena.
The children, along with their peers who have been evacuated, are suddenly flung into a life brushed with death-defying forces - the deadly Grim, an organization thriving in chaos, Alrica, the wolf woman, and Rattus, who all have their own dark agendas.
It is a tough story. Not everyone makes it, but the will to create a common life and to seek love, joy, and continuity is strong. Above all, Children of Morwena is a story about love and belonging. This is more than a book about survival.
A gripping tale of three siblings who strive to create a home and a family in the aftermath of war. Leila has seeds from her mother, her precious hat and an iron will. She wants to find sweet water and make a garden but is driven to find Bonnie, her little sister no matter the cost. Will this quest destroy her? Must she forgo her friendship with Emily and Jake - her soulmate? Must she turn away from the handsome Stephen whose intellect and passion for life attract her? And what of the ferl who, in misplaced hatred, will dog her footsteps when her search for Bonny leads her into the wilderness?
Andre lights the darkness with his music and creativity, but what is the future without family and the drummer girl who has deserted him to follow a charismatic youth worker? One who has promised to save them all? When your belly is empty do you accept the meal on offer? Will Andre find a way to win friends for the children of Morwena amidst chaos and corruption?
Bonnie has her feather quilt but no words to say her name. She has the memory of her mother's song and of loving arms around her. But will it be enough in the hard-pressed refugee camp? Will her friendship with the Insect Collector light the flame that might give her the will to live? Read this book and meet a large cast of fairy-tale-like characters that are as old as time and as young as the future.
Smith, Helene: - "After a short nursing career, Helene married a school teacher and raised a large family, whilst all the time writing 'covertly' as a young mother - short fiction, private journal writing and poetry, honing her craft through TAFE correspondence courses. After studying Education and English and obtaining a degree as a mature student at Edith Cowan University in Bunbury, Western Australia, she wrote her first book; Operation Clancy (1994) was inspired by a wish to produce an 'easy to read' thriller for reluctant older readers. Since then, the sheer joy of invention and a fascination with the writing process has kept Helene in there. An experienced presenter and writer/facilitator in schools, community centres and institutions for adult learners she delights in sharing the writing process with others."
