👨👩👧👦👨👩👦 Family Isn’t Always Blood Related 👨👨👧👦👩👩👧
When Destiny Brings Strangers Together as Family ✨
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐K.T. Pike’s “Catching Qat” is an incredible debut that grabbed me from the first page. This is Book 1 of The Drakkaen Nakkla series and I’m already hooked for the entire journey.
Twenty years ago, twins Qat and Qrodin were ripped apart when their mother was murdered and Qat was kidnapped. Qrodin never stopped searching while building his empire, and Qat woke up on a pirate ship at eleven with zero memories and eventually became a skilled assassin. When they finally reunite in a Riversmeet tavern (Qrodin catches Qat’s reflection in a mirror), it’s this explosive moment. Qat has no memory of any of it, and worse, ae just completed a hit so the city guards are hunting aer. Perfect timing for a reunion, right? 🏹
What really got me was how the found family comes together. After the job, Qat runs into Llani, this mysterious elf wearing a necklace with a gem the size of a chicken egg. When Bell (this tiny but fierce archer) throws a rock at Qat’s head to protect Llani, something shifts. Qat feels drawn to these people in a way ae hasn’t felt in years. They end up joining Qrodin’s group heading to Craguesport, along with Akin (a monk who communicates through sign language and has incredible martial arts skills) and a dwarf bladesmith with a battleaxe and serious attitude. They become the Solitary Comrades, and watching them go from strangers to family was everything. 🗡️
Qat’s identity crisis throughout the book really hit me. When you can’t remember who you were, how do you know who you are? The journey from being this bored, isolated assassin to someone who discovers that connection and belonging matter more than revenge or treasure felt genuine and earned. Qrodin balancing his grief over their mother with the overwhelming relief of finding his twin again broke my heart. He’s not just searching for answers about the murder anymore, he’s trying to rebuild a relationship with someone who doesn’t remember him.
Bell proves that courage has nothing to do with size, and that initial rock throw is the perfect introduction to aer character. Llani struggles with magic she can’t control and a past she literally cannot speak about, which creates this constant tension. Akin’s silence isn’t a limitation, it’s part of who he is, and his presence grounds the entire group. The dwarf starts out skeptical and grumpy but gradually becomes one of the family, and his journey toward trust feels real. 💜
Pike built an incredible world in Oram. There are all these different creatures (hablis, dagas, elves, dwarves, pirates, witches) and distinct cultures with their own languages and magic systems. The Solitary Comrades travel through the region of Zedana heading to Craguesport, and every place feels alive. I loved how Pike uses neopronouns (ae/aer/aers) for Qat and others from Karatolii naturally, weaving them into the cultural fabric in a way that enriches the themes about identity and belonging rather than feeling tacked on.
The Drakkaen Nakkla legacy is what ties everything together brilliantly. This ancient bloodline goes back nearly 15,000 years to an event called the World Burn War, and as the story unfolds you realize all these characters are marked by this legacy. They’re fated to find each other, bound by a shared destiny to unravel ancient mysteries and embrace a purpose that could either save their world or destroy it. The way Pike reveals this connection while keeping the personal stakes front and center shows real skill. You care about these people as individuals first, and then discovering their fates have been intertwined all along just makes it more powerful. 🐉
The pacing kept me up way too late reading. Action sequences flow smoothly, character moments land with emotional weight, and the mystery elements had me constantly guessing. Just when I thought I understood where things were headed, Pike would drop another revelation that changed everything. I kept telling myself one more chapter and suddenly it was 0400.
Fair warning, this ends on a cliffhanger. The immediate story of the twins reuniting resolves, and they’ve accepted their connection and formed their group. But the larger mysteries about the Drakkaen Nakkla legacy and the truth behind their mother’s murder stay open. The book ends right as their grand quest truly begins, which is perfect setup even though I’m dying to know what happens next. Each character’s deeper problems (Qat’s missing memories, Qrodin’s need for answers, Llani’s wild magic) are just starting to be addressed, and I’m here for all of it.
Pike brings impressive credentials that shine through without being obvious. Her background in Biological Anthropology informs how authentic the cultures and social dynamics feel. Her years as a Dungeon Master show in the party dynamics and quest structure, but it never feels like you’re reading someone’s campaign notes. This is a fully realized story with real emotional stakes. For TTRPG fans, you’ll recognize and love the ensemble dynamics, but you don’t need any gaming background to enjoy this book.
If you love ensemble casts where everyone matters, found families that feel earned, richly imagined fantasy worlds, mysteries that keep you hooked, and stories that balance adventure with genuine heart, this delivers. Pike created characters I genuinely care about and a world I want to spend more time exploring. I’m already impatiently waiting for book two because I need to know where the Solitary Comrades’ journey takes them next. 📚
Highly recommend starting this series now!
Thank you to K.T. Pike and Book Sirens for the gifted copy of this book. I was happy to leave my honest opinion.
Woo Hoo
October 30, 2025 on Goodreads
The Found Family Adventure Your Heart Needs 💜⚔️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Catching Qat” completely won me over! K.T. Pike’s debut has amazing characters, a killer mystery, and a found family that just WORKS.
Twin assassins separated as kids. Qrodin spent twenty years searching after their mom was murdered and Qat was kidnapped. Qat wakes up on a pirate ship at eleven with zero memories and becomes this badass thief. Fast forward, and they finally meet in a Riversmeet tavern when Qrodin sees Qat in a mirror. Explosive reunion, except Qat remembers nothing and also just killed a lawyer so the whole city is hunting aer. Great timing! 🎲
The real magic happens when Qat meets this traveling group. Bell (adorable tiny archer) literally throws a rock at Qat’s head to protect Llani (elf with crazy magic and a gorgeous necklace). Instead of running, Qat feels this pull to stay. They join up with Bell, Llani, Akin (monk who only speaks sign language), and a grumpy dwarf. The Solitary Comrades are born, and I love them all.
Qat’s journey from lone wolf to found family member had me so emotional. The whole “who am I if I can’t remember who I was?” thing hits different. Watching aer realize that connection beats revenge or treasure every time was beautiful.
Qrodin balances his grief with finally getting his twin back. He’s not just the searching brother; he’s got layers. The vulnerability killed me.
Bell is small but SO fierce. That rock throw is iconic. 🏹
Llani has uncontrollable magic and secrets she literally cannot tell. The tension is delicious.
Akin communicates through sign language, and his presence just grounds everyone. Plus, his fighting skills are incredible.
The dwarf gradually stops being grumpy and becomes family. His arc is sweet.
Oram is this vast world with different creatures (hablis, dagas, elves, dwarves, all of it) and cultures. Pike uses neopronouns (ae/aer/aers) for Qat and weaves them naturally into the Karatolii culture. It adds to the whole identity theme and feels organic.
The Drakkaen Nakkla legacy? Brilliant. Ancient bloodline from 15,000 years ago connecting all the characters. They’re fated to be together, and watching that unfold kept me up way too late reading. The reveals are perfectly timed. 🐉
Pacing is great. Action flows, character moments land hard, and I couldn’t predict where things were going. Pike knows exactly when to drop a bombshell.
Yes, it ends on a cliffhanger! The group forms and the twins reunite, but the bigger mysteries stay open. The book ends right as their quest really begins. I need book two NOW.
For TTRPG fans: Pike is a longtime DM, and you can feel it. The party dynamics are spot-on, but it never feels like reading someone’s campaign. It’s a real story with real stakes.
The found family is earned through danger, trust, and choosing each other repeatedly. That’s what makes it powerful. 🌈
If you love ensemble casts, fantasy worlds that breathe, mysteries that hook you, and genuine emotional depth, read this immediately. Pike created something special, and I’m already desperate for more.
Book two cannot come fast enough!
Thank you to K.T. Pike and Book Sirens for the gifted copy of this book. I was happy to leave my honest opinion.
Woo Hoo
K.T. Pike 