“Look, there,” Bren said, pointing up through a break in the clouds. “Karda.” Joy swelled in her chest, and she forgot to breathe. Two enormous flying figures floated high in the sky, wings outstretched as they circled up a thermal. Sun glinted from bronze and gold wingtips. Their forelegs were tucked under, hind ones stretched behind. Golden manes and tails streamed and caught the light. “Did you ever see anything more beautiful?” Marta watched the creatures rise ever higher into the sky, their wings spread wide, and disappear into the clouds. And something inside her shifted. Her whole body prickled with the need to see them again. –From Chapter One The powerful hawk-headed flying horses have been the protectors of Adalta for millennia. Now they are called to do battle again to save their planet from an ancient enemy. On Adalta for her first solo undercover mission, Marta Rowan is awed by the sight of these beautiful, fierce creatures. When she is chosen to ride one, she must decide: Join the fight to save Adalta, or keep her dark secret hidden.Her choice gets hard when she meets the too-handsome Altan. Her spaceship has iron-clad rules for its clandestine agents—no relationships, no friends, no lovers. She must resist her feelings for Altan, the love she feels for this magical planet on the brink of war, and the majestic flying Karda she bonds with. Because she knows she must leave when her mission is over.From award-winning author Sherrill Nilson, Karda is the first in the Adalta series – a fantasy adventure for anyone who ever wanted to fly away to a new world filled with magic and romance. Reader Reviews for Karda, Adalta Vol I:“Not since the Dragonriders of Pern have I come across such a well done blend of fantasy and science fiction.” “I read all three books in this series, brilliant storyline, very strong characters, one of those books you can’t put down, but don’t want it to end.” “…the illustrations are intricate and detailed and caught the essence of the characters. …I highly recommend this book.” Read more