On this episode of Everything is Canon, Steve talks to author Marieke Nijkamp all about her new adult novel, Critical Role: Vox Machina: Kith & Kin, which is described as, “Explore the past of Critical Role’s daring half-elf twins, Vex’ahlia and Vax’ildan in this original prequel to their adventures with Vox Machina. Kith & Kin follows a brand-new adventure that delves into the twin’s unexplored history and returns to some of the iconic moments that forged Vox Machina’s most unbreakable bond.”
Here’s the summary…
Vex and Vax have always been outsiders. A harsh childhood in the elite elven city of Syngorn quickly taught them not to rely on others. Now, freed from the expectations of their exacting father and the scornful eyes of Syngorn’s elves, the cunning ranger and the conning rogue have made their own way in the world of Exandria.
The twins have traveled far and experienced great hardship. But with the help of Vex’s quick wit and Vax’s quicker dagger, they’ve always kept ahead of trouble. Now, unknown perils await them in the bustling city of Westruun, where the twins become entangled in a web spun by the thieves’ guild known to many as the Clasp. Trapped by a hasty deal, Vex and Vax (along with Vex’s faithful bear companion, Trinket) set out into the wilds to fulfill their debt to the infamous crime syndicate.
As the situation grows more complicated than they ever could have imagined, for the first time Vex and Vax find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict that threatens the home they have carried with each other for years.
Whether you’re a newbie, casual, or hardcore fan or Critical Role, Vox Machina: Kith & Kin will appeal to just about anyone who’s craving a fun, no-nonsense bit of adventure. Marieke crafts a straightforward and very palatable story that is both mischievous and heartfelt. If you already love Vex and Vax, prepare to love them more, if you’re meeting them and this Critical Role world for the first time, welcome to your new obsession.
Steve and Marieke talk about her time with We Need Diverse Books, the importance of representation, the appeal of Critical Role, the book of course, and much, much more.
Vox Machina: Kith & Kin is out, click HERE to order a copy today!
Cover art by Nikki Dawes.
About the Author:
Marieke Nijkamp is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels, graphic novels, and comics, including This Is Where It Ends, At The End Of Everything, Critical Role: Vox Machina – Kith & Kin, and The Oracle Code. Her short stories can be found in several anthologies. She also edited the anthology Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens. Marieke is a storyteller, dreamer, globe-trotter, and geek. Before pursuing her lifelong passion for writing, she majored in philosophy and medieval history. She loves to go on adventures, roll dice, and daydream. She lives and writes in Small Town, The Netherlands. Marieke is the founder of DiversifYA and was a founding sr. VP of We Need Diverse Books.
