Untethered Sky

Fonda Lee

Epic Fantasy Novella

From World Fantasy Award-winning author Fonda Lee comes Untethered Sky, an epic fantasy fable about the pursuit of obsession at all costs.

A Most Anticipated in 2023 Pick for Polygon | Book Riot | Paste Magazine

Ester’s family was torn apart when a manticore killed her mother and baby brother, leaving her with nothing but her father’s painful silence and a single, overwhelming need to kill the monsters that took her family.

Ester’s path leads her to the King’s Royal Mews, where the giant rocs of legend are flown to hunt manticores by their brave and dedicated ruhkers. Paired with a fledgling roc named Zahra, Ester finds purpose and acclaim by devoting herself to a calling that demands absolute sacrifice and a creature that will never return her love. The terrifying partnership between woman and roc leads Ester not only on the empire’s most dangerous manticore hunt, but on a journey of perseverance and acceptance.

-Excerpt taken from Goodreads.

Check Goodreads to see the book’s ratings.

My Opinion

(5 / 5) After Ester’s family is killed by a manticore, she vows to kill these monsters. She makes her way to becoming a ruhker who trains rocs that are large birds used to hunt and kill.

Lee wrote a favorite series of mine earning a solid 5 stars from me. I could not wait to get my hands on this one!

I’m stunned that such a short book can embody such an incredible story. There is background, character building and a stunning world with creatures I fell in love with. I knew Lee was an incredible storyteller, but I was still amazed. The creatures and characters found a way into my heart. Oh and that end! Brilliant and grievous, I just wanted more.

I would read an entire series based on this story and love every minute.

General content summary: little to no language, a mother blames her multiple miscarriages on the birth of her first child, a roc (large bird) was found eating a person, a large creature killed 2 family members in front of one member then proceeded in killing and eating the entire household of people, hunting animals (details of the hunt and kills, multiple), evidence of a creature killing people (blood, bits of clothes, some body parts, few details, multiple), alcohol, m/f kiss, someone attacked by a beast, chariot accident (injuries).

Thank you to TorDotCom for the gifted copy!

The book releases April 11, 2023.

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