“Wayne Gerard Trotman fuses elements of science fiction, magical realism, myth, and folklore to comment on environmental, cultural, and economic changes in the author’s native Trinidad and Tobago.

The work’s central mythical characters, Papa Bois and the soucouyant, are both monstrous figures drawn from the folklore of Trinidad and Tobago whose transformative abilities are integral not only to the text’s plot but also to the development of its themes.” ~ Sean Hutchison, Supernatural Literature, 1st Edition, Volume 3: Monsters and Beasts.

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"After his epic Veterans of the Psychic Wars, Trotman does an excellent job of writing to a younger audience in Kaya Abaniah. He expertly blends science fiction with the local folklore and pressing environmental issues of his native Trinidad. In an age where youngsters seem to be losing the magic of the written word, Kaya Abaniah has strong appeal for teenage readers.

Its pages come alive with suspense, intrigue, local history, teenage romance, and above all - vivid and realistic depictions of alien life - leaving the reader eagerly anticipating the next instalment in Trotman's trilogy. As a Trinidadian, I feel very strongly that Kaya Abaniah should be included in the local Secondary School English Literature curriculum, not least because Trotman provides powerful inspiration for the budding authors and artists of Trinidad and Tobago." ~ Nandini
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"New Statesman: What was the last book that changed your thinking?

Benjamin Zephaniah: Wayne Gerard Trotman’s The Kairi Chronicles. I would never have thought you could set science fiction in the Caribbean." ~ Benjamin Zephaniah Q&A by New Statesman

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"Trotman, a native of Trinidad, brings his personal knowledge of Trinidadian culture to the book. The novel explores the animals, food, and religion of the island in great detail. Trotman relies on his experiences to create likeable characters who grow as the plot progresses. The reader learns a great deal about Trinidad, its animals, and food and culture in great detail.

The ideas and themes of the story are very focused and well-developed. The organization is easy to follow. Trotman’s real talent is in descriptive word choice. The story navigates between Standard English and Trinidad Creole. The dialogue moves the plot forward.

The novel is intended for young adults; I recommend high school as there is violence and some suggestion of typical high school flirtations and sexual innuendoes. The Creole dialect and slang do require close reading to understand the characters. I read the book in about five hours. My verdict? Fans of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter will love this original story steeped in tradition and culture." ~ Melissa Reese Etheridge

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"Only Wayne Trotman can take you back to those good old school days, a teenage crush, lure you into a conservationist dream through the wonderful tropical forest of a Caribbean island and then engage you in an intergalactic battle, all in the same chapter.

To top it off, this wonderfully written novel unfolds against the backdrop of some of the Caribbean's favorite folklore characters. It's a well-spun tale with colorful and mouthwatering descriptiveness that has you tasting Aunt Josephine's delicious local dishes. I honestly could not put this book down. And even if you are not a science fiction buff, anyone who appreciates a good story will enjoy this novel. Wayne has done a superb job. A truly enjoyable read." ~ Sean Mungal