A short spoiler-filled review of the beginning of ‘Volucris Emergence’ by Nina Burman

Book cover Nina Burman

Nina Burman is a first time novelist and blogger from the North of England. She has only written one book so far, called “Volucris Emergence,” but a potential sequel is on its way. Starting on Dec. 4, Burman decided to begin posting her novel chapter by chapter onto her blog for comments and critiques. The prologue and first chapter may now be viewed on her site.

“Volucris” is a YA urban fantasy novel set in a somewhat futuristic world where humans must live through a bit of an apocalypse. The world suffers from a deadly pandemic, antibiotics no longer work, the glaciers have melted and there is a food shortage everywhere. It’s a dire situation, cereal doesn’t seem to exist anymore.

The book begins with a prologue that takes readers straight into the action and a trio of characters are immediately introduced. It seems that one of the characters, named Iliana, will be bearing a child very soon. All of her companions express worry over getting discovered and the reader receives hints that Iliana might identify as non-human, though her exact species remains unclear.

A lot of chaos presents itself in the beginning scene, though once the official first chapter begins, said chaos disappears. Moria, presumably Iliana’s daughter, chats with her friend Lizzie about the current issues of the world. Everyone must keep socially distanced in order to reduce chances of acquiring the virus and masks must stay on their faces whenever outside. The situation is very similar to our current one.

Eventually, Moria goes home and the chapter ends. The prologue does a great job of hooking readers into the story, though the transition into the first chapter feels a bit like a slam on the brakes. No further information is given on the initial trio, leaving readers with a myriad of questions as to what happened to them.

Not much is known about what kind of monster Iliana and her daughter might be, though based on the two itchy bumps on Moria’s back, readers can assume she will grow wings. Perhaps, an angel of some sort or a harpy? Hopefully, the answers will come in further chapters.

An overall good start, “Volucris” already proves that it will make a good addition to any bookshelf.