Jeff Knowles 
Telaria River 

Elesindra, an ordinary young pixen, stands nervously awaiting her
ceremonial First Flightunaware she is on the brink of more than her
own rite of passage. In hindsight, Talis historians would later regard this
as a pivotal time for the landfor it marked the beginning of the Chaos
incursion.
Th e Telaria is not even the largest river on the little continent of
Talis, but it is lifeblood to many of its sentient races. Pixenni, sylphaen,
faedren, even the powerful sylmanniall rely on the rivers water, and
the bounty of life it supports throughout its valleys. But a spreading sickness
threatens to rob the fl ying races of their fl ight magic, while strange beasts
and phenomena begin appearing throughout the region. Tiny Elesindra
must learn to draw upon her inner strength to fi ght for her loved ones
survival, while Queen Taliana struggles to investigate the source of the
chaos. While new alliances are forged, members of the four very diff erent
sylphaen tribes come together to launch their own desperate hunt. Th rough
frightful encounters and frustrating setbacks, they learn that a workable
coalition can only be built with trust and tolerance. But will their unique
combination of skills and Srin magic be enough to destroy the source of
the chaosor even fi nd it in time?
Telaria River is a faerie tale like no other. It is at once epic and subtle,
virtuous and imperfect, magical and practical. It is a story of ingenuity
and loyalty and perseverance, safe for most young readers without talking
down to sophisticated ones. Th e imagery, simultaneously exotic and
realistic, emphasizes storytelling and natural beauty to vividly bring this
story of courage to life.