AKIN

Akin has been incredibly moving, thought provoking, and left me speechless at times. Delves deep into the nature of man but also the harsh realities of a grisly world.

The setting is well thought out and believable. Enough so that I attempted to do some light research thinking there must have been a real mythology inspiring this story, but it seems to be all a work of fiction, that had me fooled. Robin really crafted a believable world and it absolutely payed off.

Aydans thoughts were always at the forefront. Not only were you witnessing the madness of the world but also the internal struggles of a person facing unspeakable hardships. You feel as though you too share this journey with him, left with questions and curiosities as you try to understand and rationalize the experiences. The writing is very engaging and pace keeps you motivated to keep reading. It's been a fantastic piece of literature that I may have to go back and reread just to see if I missed any deeper meanings the author intended. Robin Murarka is a very promising author and I can't wait to read any future books he publishes.

This is an incredible book with so many psychological layers I couldn’t stop thinking about Aydan/Akin after I put it down. In a way, I could imagine this is what our ancestors would have been like before we had science to support and unpack uncertainty. Our imagination would have been used to explain and try and fix that which could not be understood.

Akin is a very raw and powerful tale. The author has done a brilliant job capturing Aydan’s journey the hardship he endures, and the people he meets and how Akin experiences and grows. This is definitely an adult book and some of the scenes were graphic in order for the author to demonstrate the darker side of humanity.

I really enjoyed this book, it’s beautifully chilling in parts which makes it so unique. In fact, I didn’t want it to end. I felt like Akin had established himself as my friend, the strong emotions he felt, I felt them too. When I did turn the last page—clicked the last page on my kindle—it was surreal moment. I came away wondering if everything we have today is just a façade, that deep down, we’re all a little like the characters in this book.

Fantastic. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book I want to read again!

I purchased Akin after I was recommended the book by a friend and, as it turned out, I wasn’t able to put it down until I finished every page. I absolutely loved the archaic setting chosen by Murarka as it’s not often something I read about, and it fit exceptionally well with the story. Furthermore, I enjoyed the darkness of the narrative which really complemented the setting of the story.

You can truly feel the emotion and despair of Aydan, the main character, as he makes his way in this unforgiving world Murarka has set out before us. The story touches on a number of important themes such as the reality of the human condition, coming of age, and the potential brutality of those you thought you knew.

Each page had me interested to see what would happen next. The writing is solid, and I was really satisfied with the character arc of Aydan. If you are looking for a book to stimulate your mind and provoke some sort of deep thought; then look no further as AKIN is just what the doctor ordered.

Robin Murarka has demonstrated his incredible writing talents again with the novel, Akin. This deeply intellectual and philosophical story examines the depravity and also humbling beauty of the human experience. Murarka creates a devastatingly harsh world that seems so uncharacteristic to the world we all live in today yet parallels common human experience that we still see today. The story follows Aydan who begins hearing voices and must deal with the wrath of his primitive village and they send him away to have the demons driven out of him. Aydan’s story is harrowing but hopeful. It is one of those books that will stay with you for a while. I didn’t want it to end and then I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Murarka’s writing is impeccable and almost magical. It is some of the most beautiful prose I’ve ever read and I find myself lost in his writing every time I pick one of his books up. After reading two of his novels and absolutely loving both of them, I’m pretty sure that I will read anything he produces from here on out. Akin will leave with such deep impressions that it will stay with you always. Beautiful, haunting, and intellectual!

Fantasy adventure is my favorite genre, and although AKIN does not actually have fantasy elements, it feels as if it does. With all the cultural history, religious stories and superstitions, and the huge desert which plays its own character, AKIN is skillfully written and goes beyond the boundaries of literature, weaving stories within stories to explore the human spirit.
The plot is captivating, keeping you glued to the disorienting narrative to the end. Characters are well developed, even if presented briefly, and we watch as Aydan adapts to the new settings he is constantly thrown into. This is the second book I have read by the author, and it is now evident that his style is unique and well thought out. It seems as if no word is out of place, which testifies to really careful editing. Whether a fan of literary fiction or fantasy, this will absolutely blow your mind!

I'll try to keep this spoiler free and not ruin anything for potential readers. I was truly mesmerized and engaged with this entire story. It's a real page turner: I sat on the edge of my seat and was taken on such an amazing adventure. The setting within Akin is steeped with rich lore and Aydan has been a fascinating character. It felt like I was along for the ride, experiencing something so foreign to my day to day life.

There were so many struggles that Aydan had traversed. I was touched and even though the situations were vastly different, it truly mirrors situations I've personally experienced. I've never felt so bonded to a character in such a visceral way. There's so many intense moments that are both important and impactful, that triggered intense emotional reactions as I read along. If you pick up this book, you won't put it down until you've read it all. One word perfectly describes it: POWERFUL!