<i>Kelvoo’s Chronicles</i> <i>by Phil Bailey</i>
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Kelvoo’s Chronicles by Phil Bailey

Phil Bailey discusses his “Kelvoo’s Chronicles” trilogy

My debut novel, Kelvoo’s Testimonial grew out of my interest in the effects of colonization on indigenous people, resulting from my previous work for indigenous groups across Canada. I thought about writing a first-person account of colonization from a native North American perspective, but as a non-indigenous person, such a tale would not be my story to tell and would amount to cultural appropriation.

I realized I could write a science fiction story along the same lines, in which the indigenous beings were extraterrestrial, and the colonizers were human. That’s how Kelvoo’s Testimonial and my work as an independent sci-fi author began.

I had intended Kelvoo’s Testimonial to be a standalone novel. I submitted the manuscript to Kirkus Reviews and was delighted when they awarded it “starred review” status. I was beside myself a few months later when they named it in their list of the Best Indie Books of 2022! That prompted me to write the sequel, Kelvoo’s Terra, and then to wrap up the trilogy with Kelvoo’s Teachings.
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Kelvoo’s Testimonial

Kelvoo is overcome with wonder at the arrival of the humans. With flawless memories and innate curiosity, Kelvoo’s community embraces the benevolent humans and their knowledge of the boundless universe beyond the cloud-covered sky.

After the departure of the first contact mission, an unscrupulous human lands in Kelvoo’s village, inviting Kelvoo and eight others to join a “goodwill mission” to faraway worlds. Lured into a trap and enslaved by an outlaw gang, Kelvoo’s group is forced to participate in an interstellar crime spree and subjected to the worst of human nature.

Realizing that the mission is destined to end with their murder, Kelvoo’s team must use their limited insight into human nature to understand and escape the brutality of their captors. With Kelvoo’s world and species vulnerable to exploitation, failure would have devastating consequences far beyond Kelvoo’s own death.

Kelvoo’s Testimoninal is equal parts action, philosophy, and hard science fiction. Written as Kelvoo’s personal account, Kelvoo’s Testimonial provides an outsider’s view of humanity in all its beauty and savagery.
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Kelvoo’s Terra

Kelvoo is a survivor. Human first contact had a devastating effect on the kloormari species of Kelvoo’s home planet. No kloormar was impacted more profoundly than Kelvoo.

Now, Kelvoo is on a mission to protect two young humans, Brenna and May—orphaned, abandoned, and left in Kelvoo’s care. After a generous job offer, pressure from the girls, and the chance to immigrate to Terra, Kelvoo must choose between a life of security and the risks of the human homeworld.

Once on Terra, Kelvoo, Brenna, and May are welcomed with open arms. Terran life is full of wonders until a radical anti-immigrant movement unleashes a violent coup, plunging Terra into chaos and civil war. Will Kelvoo be able to protect Brenna and May, or will they all succumb to the hate and violence surrounding them?

As the highly anticipated sequel to Kelvoo’s Testimonial, Kelvoo’s Terra combines suspense, political intrigue, and personal redemption as it dramatically explores the impact of ignorance and hate, versus the power of family and love, in a futuristic science fiction setting.
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Kelvoo’s Teachings

Peace has returned to Kelvoo’s life and to the human homeworld. Ashamed of their violent history, the humans of Terra have isolated themselves for decades, and out of that isolation a Terran cult has emerged that worships Kelvoo as a legendary figure.

A long-anticipated planetary alignment affecting Kelvoo’s world is viewed by Terrans as a sign of Kelvoo’s return to save humanity from itself. To fulfill their “prophecy,” the cult leaders abduct Kelvoo, only to learn that their “savior” wants nothing to do with the madness of their religious fervor.

The Planetary Alliance demands Kelvoo’s release but is bogged down by its own regulations and bureaucracy. As unrest on Terra reaches a boiling point, Kelvoo’s life is in increasing danger. This prompts Kelvoo’s now elderly foster daughters, Brenna and May, to take matters into their own hands. Their perilous rescue mission leaves Kelvoo with a dire choice that may require the ultimate sacrifice.

As the final book in the Kelvoo’s Chronicles trilogy, Kelvoo’s Teachings explores the uniquely human madness of fanaticism.
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My debut novel, Kelvoo’s Testimonial grew out of my interest in the effects of colonization on indigenous people, resulting from my previous work for indigenous groups across Canada. I thought about writing a first-person account of colonization from a native North American perspective, but as a non-indigenous person, such a tale would not be my story to tell and would amount to cultural appropriation.

I realized I could write a science fiction story along the same lines, in which the indigenous beings were extraterrestrial, and the colonizers were human. That’s how Kelvoo’s Testimonial and my work as an independent sci-fi author began.

I had intended Kelvoo’s Testimonial to be a standalone novel. I submitted the manuscript to Kirkus Reviews and was delighted when they awarded it “starred review” status. I was beside myself a few months later when they named it in their list of the Best Indie Books of 2022! That prompted me to write the sequel, Kelvoo’s Terra, and then to wrap up the trilogy with Kelvoo’s Teachings.
For more details about books by Phil Bailey, visit kelvoo.com or follow him on Facebook, Threads, Bluesky or Instagram.
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