Inkarna [Kindle Edition]

Nerine Dorman (Author)

Book Description

Ashton Kennedy wasn't a nice guy. He cheated on his girlfriend, knocked up a powerful drug lord's sister, and abused vast quantities of illegal narcotic substances. Whoever ran him over with a big shiny SUV was doing the world a favour. His very male, tattooed body is the last place Elizabeth Rae Perry--a member of an ancient Egyptian cult--expected to reincarnate in, instead of the three-year-old girl she'd been promised. Not only must she now come to terms with her new existence in the body of a disagreeable man, and clean up the mess he made of his life, she also has to unravel the mystery of why House Adamastor's chapter house is standing empty and find a way to protect a dangerous secret she had no idea she was supposed to keep. As if fate couldn't deal her another blow, she has also attracted the attention of a malicious and potentially dangerous ghost. And to top it all off, she must deal with the consequences of finding love in a most unexpected place.

Product Details

• File Size: 445 KB
• Print Length: 294 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Dark Continents Publishing, Inc. (May 23, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0085R5OME
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #447,738 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Egyptian Magic and Reincarnation - What's Not To Like Here? May 11, 2012

By Amy Burgess

Format:Paperback

What if you belonged to a secret cult that knew how to transfer the soul from one body to another?

This is the fascinating premise upon which Nerine Dorman's Inkarna is based. Who hasn't wondered what happens after death and if it's possible to come back?

For Lizzie Perry, a member of House Adamastor of the Inkarna, eternal life in a succession of different bodies is all but assured. If her heart is pure enough and if she has attained the necessary power while an initiate on earth, she will cross over to Per Ankh where she shall await her time on earth again. She will be reunited with her husband, also a member of Inkarna, and others of her particular house.

The problem is - one day she opens her eyes and finds herself in the body of Ashton Kennedy, a young man who has been in a coma. This is wrong on many levels. For one thing, Inkarna come back in the bodies of children so as to grow into their powers and because it is easier to integrate. For another, Ash is very definitely a man and Lizzie has always envisioned herself as being eternally female.

The biggest problem is that she cannot remember why she was sent into Ash's body and it becomes very clear in no time that there was a reason. Places and people she needs are no longer there. She can't seem to control the powers she'd developed as Lizzie - they are erratic and scary in the Ash body. And why is there a plot to destroy her? Is it Inkarna-related or is it the fact that before the coma Ash Kennedy was a real jerk?

As if Lizzie hasn't got enough to do to figure out why she's been abruptly stuffed into Ash's body, she has to relearn the geography and culture of Cape Town - it's changed quite a bit in the fifty years she's spent in Per Ankh. There's also Ash's clingy girlfriend, Marlise. And Ash's ghost - who very much wants his body back. Yesterday.

I loved this story for many reasons. First and foremost, Ms. Dorman has written a novel based on Egyptian magic that is both credible and impeccably researched. Her love for the Red Land is very apparent. I have a passion for Egyptology too and found myself in awe of her grasp of both the metaphysical and mythological aspects.

The juxtaposition of a female soul in a male body was another of my favorite things. Lizzie as Ash is both humorous and moving. As she navigates deeper into the psyche of Ash and becomes more at ease, the reader is taken on a fascinating psychological ride.

For most of the book I thought of Lizzie trapped in Ash's body, but slowly, believably, I began to think of her as Ash. Lizzie become more male, but never lost her essential self.

The more Lizzie discovers about Ash Kennedy and his life before the accident that put him a coma, the more she despises him. The bar scene when Ash is confronted by an ex-lover is especially well done and memorable. I found myself sympathizing with Lizzie as more and more of Ash's despicable character was revealed. Could she take over and change the world's perceptions of this flawed man? Well, possibly, if she didn't get killed by the rival House Montu of the Inkarna or Ash's own enemies first.

Ms. Dorman has a wonderful hand with description. I felt as if I were familiar with Cape Town when, in actuality, I've never set foot there. Ms. Dorman's love of South Africa is evident on each page.

At just under 300 pages, this novel is rich and complex, dark and intriguing and well worth the time it takes to read it. It is not a fast read because attention must be paid to the details, the Egyptian terms and concepts and all the twists and turns of the never predictable plot.

I eagerly look forward to devouring each of Ms. Dorman's novels as they are bound to appear.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Supernaturally Amazing July 12, 2012

By Dwayne Brock

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Nerine Dorman has created an amazing book. Most supernatural stories are boring, tired, and lacking in quality. Not so with Inkarna. You really feel the weight of the character Lizzie as she is reborn into the world through the mess of a life left behind by Ashton.

Several things do strike me about this book. One is the way the switch of gender is described. Almost everyone wonders what it would be like to be the opposite gender. This book explores that in a way which the reader really can feel. Another interesting element is the use of ancient Egyptian concepts of the soul in a context other than Egypt. The author has done real research. And of course who can resist reading about a long-term conspiracy between two occult groups?

If you like supernatural stories, you should read this book. It is original and thoughtful, unlike the poorly written vampire and werewolf stories out now that haven't added anything new in decades.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very different kind of novel May 16, 2012

By C. Clever

Format:Paperback

Where do I start? The very concept of this book (woman reincarnating into a man) grabbed my attention right off. I'm sure as females we've all pondered what a day off might feel like. Nerine takes this little notion and builds a massive new universe, set in South Africa, for her readers to discover.

Ashton Kennedy was a jerk. In every sense of the word. Throughout the story, I feel that the eventual resolution is very realistically reached. The story offers a great deal of conflict and terror with crisp, vivid depictions of Ash's surroundings and often-heartbreaking rounds of emotion.

I FELT for this man. Beyond the sex-appeal of his external appearance, I became invested in his world and thoughts, feeling much like I'd emerged from underwater after a lovely and energetic swim when I finished the story.

INKARNA is truly a one-of-a-kind story and dismisses the now rather common concepts of vampires, werewolves, and even demons. It is indeed the "different" novel you've been looking for.

More About the Author

An editor and multi-published author, Nerine Dorman currently resides in Cape Town, South Africa, with her visual artist husband. Some of the publishers with whom she works include Dark Continents Publishing and eKhaya (an imprint of Random House Struik). She has been involved in the media industry for more than a decade, with a background in magazine and newspaper publishing, commercial fiction, and print production management within a below-the-line marketing environment. Her book reviews, as well as travel, entertainment and lifestyle editorial regularly appear in national newspapers. A few of her interests include music travel, history (with emphasis on Egypt), psychology, philosophy, magic and the natural world.