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ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN VORAKA
Article Published on 05 February 2025 by Meghan Prentiss | www.vorakamag.com Like her parents, Antosha Scarlett is an archaeologist. She travels the world, seeking out forgotten pasts and retrieving lost artifacts. On returning home to Avíola Viete from one such exhibition, Antosha is attacked by an assassin, only just managing to escape.
After Antosha receives an invitation to work on the site of The Lost City by renowned archaeologist, Tombask Wilshire, she is torn. It is every archaeologist's dream but many years ago, it was Tombask who invited Antosha's parents to The Lost City when she was a child - and where a terrible tragedy took place.
Setting out towards The Lost City, Antosha is hunted across the seas. She finds friendship and safety with Nathious Swanson only to discover that he has his own secrets, and soon, everything Antosha knows becomes threatened.
With the past racing to catch up with Antosha, everyone has their own agenda and the magical powers and abilities that she and those around her have might not be enough to protect her. Will she make it out alive, or will the magical secrets of The Lost City destroy everything Antosha has worked for, and everyone she loves?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matrika Hay is an actor, singer, and trained stage combat performer with expertise in various types of weaponry. Born in India, she was adopted and flown to Kauai, Hawaii, at just four months old. She lived there for three years before moving to Tucson, Arizona, with her mother and older brother.
As a child, Matrika was always active, participating in softball, gymnastics, cheerleading, and taekwondo. Her introduction to theater came at the age of thirteen when her mother encouraged her to audition for a community theater play. She discovered her love for singing during her high school years, and with inspiration from Renaissance Festivals, she truly found her place in the arts.
With over a decade of experience bringing other distinguished works to life on stage and in film, Matrika has now turned to storytelling in a new way. Her debut novel, Not What Meets the Eye, is a historical fantasy that combines action and mystery, showcasing the knowledge she’s gained from her professional theater and film career.
A lifelong storyteller, Matrika had her first poem published in the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans, Volume CLV, in 2001. She recently wrote and produced The Foley Chronicles, a theatrical radio drama podcast series. Despite her busy schedule, she works full-time in New York City, balances theater gigs, and finds joy in hobbies such as playing video games, rock climbing, and kayaking.
Whenever possible, she travels to Renaissance Faires across the country and loves cooking delicious meals, often for others rather than just herself. Matrika’s multifaceted talents and passion for storytelling continue to captivate audiences, whether on stage, in print, or through her creative projects.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR MATRIKA HAY.
Can you share your journey from being adopted in India to growing up in Hawaii and later moving to Arizona?
Being adopted at such a young age, I don’t know much of my time in India. I do remember times in Hawaii, not your typical vacation. We moved from the military base after she retired. It was strange to grow up with my classmates instead of learning a new group of people.
What inspired your transition from acting to singing during high school?
To continue reading the full interview, click here to download our Literature special issue.
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