The Forgotten Gemstone — Kit Daven

True nature is impossible to forget. Ule is Xiinisi, a race of trans-dimensional world builders. Shunned by her peers and spurned by a love interest, she retreats into one of her creations, a model 24-60-60 planet remembered for being joyful. There, she discovers an ancient friend has died, the inhabitants of the world have forgotten her, and lush groves have eroded into desolate desert. Dismayed by the ill turn in the world's evolution, she decides to return to her realm only to find the path blocked. In her search for a way home, Ule discovers a darkness has settled into the world. Bisi Nomads, a man-hating tribe who roam the desert as a form of sanctuary, force her to flee into the desert where she encounters Istok, a cactus demon determined to spread his brand of fear. Bound by his magic, she becomes wracked with pain until she is pulled into a dream state. Upon awaking, she is thrust into a world which has changed yet again. Merchants and farmers struggle to rebuild after a one hundred year war and even worse... Ule cannot remember who or what she is. Surrounded by folk who encourage her to forget through hard work, food, alcohol and sex, she looks inward for clues to her identity. There, she begins to understand and nurture who and what she has always been. In her debut novel, Kit Daven combines a childhood passion for rock collecting with her ongoing fascination with demons and mysticism to create a blend of fantasy, science fiction, and some elements of horror, which explores the importance of recognizing and honoring core identity.