Legends From Turand

Song of Turand

Readers have described Song of Turand as “inspirational” and “unique”.

On another world, much like earth, the nation of Turand suffers tragic occupation by the army of the Sifiq Kingdom. The Sifiq are cruel and bloodthirsty, inflicting violence and subjugation upon the people of Turand.

Alexa, the sole, remaining member of the sacred Order of Val, is a young priestess who has dedicated herself to the service of her god and her people when she was very young. Betrothed to Victor, a dynamic nobleman from the south of Turand, she travels alone to the exotic, capital city of Toravalia, in hope of securing his release from Zenox Prison. Having survived the Sifiq persecution of her mystic order, she arrives at the royal palace to begin a series of events that begins with a heart breaking trial of her own faith.

Can faith alone inspire Alexa to maintain her path? What is her god’s true intent for the last member of his servant priestesses? With war imminent, can Alexa persevere as more than a symbolic leader to her people?

Song of Turand is the result of many, many years worth of writing. The story, which bears its own life, began nearly fifteen years ago as a series of vivid dreams.
I have seen the faces of Gregor, Alexa and Victor. Their lives… their hearts…their souls…all were presented to me in ways I cannot begin to describe. Their experiences in Song of Turand are an introduction to a different world… one which in many ways mirrors the difficulties we encounter here on Earth.

The threads running through this story weave patterns with which we all can relate…patterns which reach into many who dare to dig deeper. Courage takes on many faces in many colors. The greatest show of courage that exists is when we ask ourselves if we can hold ourselves faithful to what is right and answer: “Yes, I will follow this path wherever it leads. ”

Read Selected Poems From Song of Turand!

More than an ordinary love story. Mystical. Spiritual. Thought provoking.

reader reviews

Maincrest Media Review
Book Review of Song of Turand: Opening Aria: Legends from Turand by Sandra Valencia
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Song of Turand: Opening Aria: Legends from Turand by Sandra Valencia tells the compelling story of a beautiful land that has been overcome by darkness and oppression; readers will undoubtedly find something to connect with in this harrowing narrative. Song of Turand is, at once, a tale of romance, fantasy, and much more. Turand is a country that was once a pillar of beauty, excellence and spiritual prosperity. Years after the nation is occupied by the Sifiq Kingdom, its king, Gregor, has seemingly betrayed his people and all but leaves them to suffer and starve under the tyrannical rule of their oppressors, as he otherwise enjoys their mercy at the Turandan palace. Gregor’s loyalties and courage are tested, however, with the mysterious arrival of Alexa, a young priestess who shows up at the palace to request amnesty for her fiance, Lord Victor Garogan. As the book develops, we begin to learn the truth about Alexa and the extent of her mysterious heroism. What follows is a complex and profound story of forgiveness, unity, and what happens when people find the determination to stand up in the face of evil. Song of Turand hits close to home, appealing to modern audiences with themes of oppression and liberation with poise and imagination. Valencia clearly draws striking parallels between her world and ours that beg readers to look both deep within themselves and thoughtfully at the world around them. Although she strongly emphasizes a need for spiritual connection and reconnection, the book gracefully dodges the trap of coming off as pedantic or evangelist. For a book that falls primarily into the genre of fantasy, its world feels jarringly real, and its characters, remarkably human. While each of these characters display their own nuanced and conflicted ethos, the book’s standout feature is, by far, the depth of humanity demonstrated by its strong female lead, Alexa. She embodies the power of love in such a way that moves the other characters of the book into action and challenges the reader to think bigger about what love looks like. The redemptive character arc of King Gregor follows closely behind as one of the book’s most compelling attributes. Valencia’s approach to plot is both unexpected and intriguing. Readers who are expecting a level of action that is somewhat teased by the book’s premise may walk away disappointed unless they are able to, instead, invest themselves into the book’s otherwise rich world building. Although the book has its exhilarating moments, Valencia opts to foreground the drama and relationships of the story and the textured history of its people. This emphasis on world building is further illustrated by the use of poems or songs that more deeply explore the universe’s mythos to separate the book's two-part structure and create the sense of place that makes the story so unique. Song of Turand: Opening Aria: Legends from Turand addresses today’s problems in a way that is accessible and enjoyable; it leaves you asking difficult questions and yearning to connect with something bigger.
READERS’ FAVORITE
REVIEWED BY STEPHANIE CHAPMAN
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5 Stars Sandra Valencia opens Song of Turand: Opening Aria (Legends from Turand) with a brief history of the Turandans and their sacred god, Val. The last high priestess perished, and the Sifiq invaded the country (and) eradicate the followers of Val… Despite the threat of death for being a Valiria, Alexa travels to Toraval to rescue her betrothed, Victor, from King Gregor’s prison. Alexa offers to take Victor’s place, but Gregor will only release Victor if Alexa will marry him. Alexa is married two days later and Gregor consummates the wedding. Sandra Valencia’s mastery of vivid detail is exceptional. The emotional turmoil I went through rivals Alexa’s. It shocked me she agreed to imprison herself by marrying the king. Victor may be free, but they are not in a better position than before. I kept hoping Victor would save Alexa. I found the interaction between Alexa and Sifiq was one of genuine compassion and showed how you can only judge each person instead of a collective group. The brief history of Turand and Val helped me understand the motivation for each of the characters. The end of the book made me sad, but that was only because it ended Song of Turand will appeal to readers who enjoy series with a solid foundation.