Kuvera Chetty has a unique gift: the ability to spark a love for reading in children while they play games. This local writer’s imaginative fantasy world, Lumina, is transforming literacy lessons and capturing the hearts of young pupils.

In a primary school classroom in Durban, pupils sit on the edge of their seats, eyes wide with excitement, as their teacher reads aloud from the Chronicles of Lumina. These stories, rich with adventure and creativity, have been woven into the classroom to enhance literacy, making learning both fun and engaging.

The tales of Lumina are brought to life through the card game, Guardians of Gaia Island (GOGI) produced by Mind Blown League, which combines storytelling with strategy. Players can explore Lumina’s world not just through the game but also online via the Mind Blown League website. And soon, the magic will expand even further - Chronicles of Lumina, the storybook, is set to be released next year.

At the heart of this exciting storytelling is 22-year-old Durban narrative designer, Ms Chetty, known by her author pseudonym, K.C. Comet. Ms Chetty is no stranger to creative worlds, having spent her early years sketching characters and dreaming up stories.

After finishing high school in 2020, she decided to forgo university and dive head-first into freelancing in illustration. Eventually she landed a role at Mind Blown League, an educational game company. Now, she is the brains behind the richly developed world of Lumina, which has found its way into both a strategic card game and the imaginations of local school pupils.

“The teacher reads these stories to his Grade 4 pupils during story time, and they love it,” said Ms Chetty. “It’s amazing to see how my work can make such a difference in their learning experience. They even disrupted a lesson just to get him to read the next chapter.”

The teacher’s choice to use Lumina stories as part of literacy lessons speaks volumes about the impact Ms Chetty’s work is having. It’s more than just a game - it’s fostering a love for reading among children who might otherwise find it challenging to pick up a book.

“The goal is to get pupils interested in the world beyond the card game,” Ms Chetty said. “I want them to expand their imagination and get excited about reading. Lumina is made up of hundreds of islands, each representing different magical abilities. It’s a blend of futuristic technology and ancient magic, with guilds like the Warriors Guild and the Innovators Guild shaping life on the planet.”

Characters in Lumina include young warriors, mythical creatures, and even formidable villains like Blight Beasts. It represents the ravages of climate change and the BlackJack Order - all elements that captivate both players and readers.

“It was challenging at first to bring all the elements of the game into a cohesive world. However, it has been the most fun and rewarding project I’ve worked on,” Ms Chetty said.

The game’s website features character back stories, island histories, and short adventures, all designed to draw learners into the narrative. Ms Chetty’s storytelling approach draws inspiration from popular franchises like Star Wars, as well as middle-grade book series like Harry Potter and Warrior Cats, which allows her to explore different story genres and formats.

She has written horror mysteries, high-seas adventures, and humorous tales - each focusing on a different character or mission within the Lumina universe. This episodic storytelling means that young readers can pick and choose which stories they want to follow, without feeling overwhelmed by a linear plot.

Ms Chetty said the ultimate reward is hearing how her characters resonate with readers, especially young pupils who are now more interested in reading and even inspired to write their own stories.

“A fan-favourite is Reese Riley, a Mystic apprentice who wishes she could be an assassin. The pupils relate to her struggles and frustrations,” Ms Chetty said.

By giving priority to characters that pupils love, she ensures that the stories continue to excite and inspire them. As Mind Blown League prepares to release a compilation of these stories next year - complete with illustrations and activities - there is hope that more children will discover the magic of Lumina, one story at a time.

Ms Chetty is also working on two new comics Vaara, a fantasy comic, and My House Of Boys, a story about children in a foster home. She said she hopes these stories will further inspire young readers.