Travelling for three months up the Amazon river, I searched for caiman crocodiles along its flooded banks in a tiny boat in the dark of the night, held a baby caiman in my hands, bailed water from the boat as we rowed frantically back to the distant shore through a lightning storm and torrential downpour, hoping to find our camp on the blacked out shoreline, while my local Indian guide shouted “There’s a crocodile chasing us”.
There was real fear in his voice.
Gliding silently over the water through the early morning mist in my canoe, I watched giant otters teaching their young how to build shelters using hollow logs and vegetation by the riverbank.
I’ve slept in a hammock deep in the Amazon jungle during thrashing rain storms, and watched a gigantic tarantula crawling towards me as I tended my fire; I’ve caught piranhas and eaten them for lunch; watched scarlet macaws flocking loudly and joyfully to orange-red cliffs rising vertically from the water, to feast on the clay essential for their diet.
I’ve travelled on chugging riverboats, sleeping on the top deck under a myriad of stars glistening in the black velvet sky.
My book, ‘The Power Within Her‘, will take you deep into this wondrous place – this stunningly beautiful, magical place called Amazonia
In this thrilling adventure of survival in a fight against evil, you will follow in the footsteps of my heroine, Caipora, a 13 year old Amazon Indian girl, as she forges her way through the jungle in her quest to save the rain forest and its inhabitants from destruction. You will shudder as the diabolical evil beings of Brazilian mythology come to life to pursue and capture her. And you will meet blood sucking bats, gigantic pirarucu fish; deadly Brazilian Wandering Spiders and caiman crocodiles.
In this story of courage, resilience and determination, of belief in ones self, you will fight with Caipora as she pits the power of her mind against the power of Fate; your heart will ache as hers does, for the loss of her soul mate, and you will empathise with her as she struggles with her guilt over the annihilation of her tribe.
If you thrive under a challenge, if you seek adventure, if you identify with courage and determination, you will find the thrills you’re looking for in this fight for survival.
Facts RE the Amazon Rain Forest:
The Amazon Rain forest is the largest rainforest in the world, covering an area of over 5.5 million square kilometres. It produces around 20% of the world’s oxygen and is known as the ‘lungs of the world.’ A treasure trove of biodiversity, it provides a home to millions of plant and animal species as well as medicinal plants and exotic fruits. It also provides valuable resources for nearby communities.
Tropical forests capture carbon emissions from the atmosphere. They are natural carbon sinks. Their deforestation releases tonnes of carbon dioxide and reduces the planet’s ability to absorb it from the atmosphere, so contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climatic instability.
The rate of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil is one of the most severe worldwide, causing one of the biggest ecological crises of our time. It significantly affects our planet’s health and the wellbeing of all living things, impacting air quality, climate, biodiversity loss, threatened species and Indigenous rights.
From the US Review of Books:
“Thoughts have real energy…. Visualise yourself achieving your goal and you will achieve it. Believe in yourself and the power of your mind. Never doubt your abilities.” Recommended by Joslyn Vann for the US Review of Books.
Recommended by Asher Syed for Reader’s Favourite:
Liene Burbeck’s The Power Within Her is a colourful tale that takes readers deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Burbeck’s writing shines in near-cinematic descriptions of both the beauty and dangers of the wild. I love that Burbeck has made Caipora a fierce and resourceful heroine who has the fortitude and courage to overcome raging rivers and terrifying supernatural creatures, and put her trust in a cornucopia of strangers to save what she holds dear, and what so many depend on for their own survival. The mix of myth and reality feels as organic as one would expect, and, although some of the action scenes are intense, they are never heavy-handed. Burbeck’s ability to balance a message with real entertainment value shines brightly. Very highly recommended.
Recommended by Doreen Chombu for Readers’ Favourite:
“The Power Within Her is a remarkable story that offers life changing lessons about resilience, visualization, and self-belief. Although Caipora is a young girl thrust into a vast jungle with daunting challenges, her spirit is that of a warrior. Each time she confronts her fears, she learns to harness her inner strength and embrace her true potential. Her struggle with fate and its role in her destiny is relatable and will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their purpose and ability to face adversity. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates survival stories that promote personal growth, environmental stewardship, and resilience.”
Recommended by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favourite:
This is a wildly imaginative and utterly delightful work of young adult fiction. Burbeck’s skillful, descriptive writing style vividly captures the lush scenery of the Amazon Rainforest. Painstakingly detailed character portrayals draw readers into a world that is a creative blend of nature, mystical creatures, and South American culture. The author weaves gender roles, arranged marriages, culinary traditions, cultural beliefs, and spiritual rituals into an engaging tapestry of female empowerment and strength. The character development is both skillful and compelling. Burbeck leaves young adult readers with the clear but powerful message that they are capable of so much more than they could ever imagine.
