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Untethered Sky
From World Fantasy Award-winning author Fonda Lee comes Untethered Sky, an epic fantasy fable about the pursuit of obsession at all costs.
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.
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.
150 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2023
276 people are currently reading
36446 people want to read
About the author
Fonda Lee
36 books7,241 followersFonda Lee is the World Fantasy Award-winning author of the epic Green Bone Saga, beginning with Jade City and continuing in Jade War and Jade Legacy. Her most recent work is the fantasy novella, Untethered Sky. She is also the author of the acclaimed science fiction novels Zeroboxer, Exo and Cross Fire.
Fonda is a winner of the Locus Award, a six-time winner of the Aurora Award (Canada’s national science fiction and fantasy award), and a multiple finalist for the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award. Her novels have garnered multiple starred reviews, been included on numerous state reading lists, named Junior Library Guild selections, and appeared on Best of Year lists from NPR, Barnes & Noble, Syfy Wire, and others. Jade City was named among the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time by Time Magazine and has been optioned for television development.
Fonda is a former corporate strategist and black belt martial artist who loves action movies and Eggs Benedict. Born and raised in Canada, she currently resides in Boston.
Fonda is a winner of the Locus Award, a six-time winner of the Aurora Award (Canada’s national science fiction and fantasy award), and a multiple finalist for the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award. Her novels have garnered multiple starred reviews, been included on numerous state reading lists, named Junior Library Guild selections, and appeared on Best of Year lists from NPR, Barnes & Noble, Syfy Wire, and others. Jade City was named among the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time by Time Magazine and has been optioned for television development.
Fonda is a former corporate strategist and black belt martial artist who loves action movies and Eggs Benedict. Born and raised in Canada, she currently resides in Boston.
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May 11, 2024My first read from Fonda Lee, this novella offers stunning world-building and a deeply human story. We find ourselves in a kingdom at war -- not just against its foreign enemies, but against monstrous animals called manticores, which some believe are supernatural curses sent by the Deceiver. With their insatiable appetite for human flesh, their impossibly thick hides and venomous bites, manticore cannot be killed by any means known to man . . . except one: the massive raptors called rocs. These huge birds are hunting machines, and while they are just as dangerous as manticores in their own way, rocs can be trained to hunt with human companions, ruhkers, in the service of the king. The ruhkers are charged with finding and killing manticores and keeping the people safe. Ester joins the royal ruhkers as a young girl, after a terrible family tragedy, and is paired with a young roc named Zahra. We follow their adventures from early training through apprenticeship, through their journeyman hunts and finally into a great climactic encounter that will test their bond and their mettle like never before. Lee makes us care about all her characters, human and roc, and builds a world so rich and real it could serve as the basis for many adventures. I enjoyed my time with the ruhkers greatly, and hope to see them again in future books!
March 16, 2023
ARC provided by the publisher—Tordotcom—in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars
Judging this by my novella standards, Untethered Sky is one of the best standalone novellas I’ve read.
Fonda Lee is one of my favorite authors of all time; if you have followed my reviews and channel for a while, you will know about that. The Green Bone Saga is a refreshing and monumental achievement in the fantasy genre, and ever since I finished it, I promised myself to read every new publication by Fonda Lee. Eventually, I know I will read her books published before The Green Bone Saga, too. When I saw the cover art to Untethered Sky, a standalone novella with a cover art by Jaime Jones, I was immediately intrigued and excited. The cover art to The Green Bone Saga doesn’t do the content of the books justice, and I am so pleased Fonda Lee is finally getting the glorious cover art treatment she deserves with her books. And although novellas usually don’t capture me, and I certainly would STILL prefer this book to be a standalone novel, it is sufficient to say Untethered Sky met my high expectation.
The official blurb says the synopsis nicely. 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. Beyond this, I believe it is better for you to experience the story yourself. Untethered Sky is about 160 pages long, and it took me more or less two hours to start and finish. It is a great novella about the bond between humans and animals, vengeance, and loyalty. And if you are searching for a novella with an emotionally impactful ending, this is for you.
Due to the relatively shorter length of the book, it is not a surprise there wasn't enough time to explore many of the characters in the standalone novella beyond the main characters. Ester's relationship with Darius and Zahra was certainly one of the two main focuses of the novella. The other is vengeance against the manticore stated in the blurb. As expected from Fonda Lee, she managed to make me care about Ester and Zahra in such a short amount of time. And, of course, because I loved this standalone novella, I wish it was written as a novel instead of a novella. This is not a fault against the book. It is my pet peeve with practically all novellas. When I end up loving them, and it is already comparatively rare for that to happen, I always want more out of the story. And in my opinion,Untethered Sky would be superior if it received more pages and word count.
Untethered Sky marked the first time I read a book by Fonda Lee that doesn't take place in The Green Bone Saga series. And as a diehard fan of The Green Bone Saga, I will let you know now that Untethered Sky is a different kind of book compared to The Green Bone Saga. First, the novella is told through the first-person perspective of Ester, unlike The Green Bone Saga which uses multiple third-person POV chapters. Untethered Sky is also more high-fantasy in its nature than The Green Bone Saga's urban epic fantasy. And I liked the change in direction here.
But the superb strengths of The Green Bone Saga's storytelling are retained here, even if they were delivered in a different and smaller format. The dynamic between Ester and Zahra was engaging to read, and the terrific action scenes you can expect from Lee's writing are evident in the text. The last chapter was a breathtaking hunt sequence filled with emotions and tension. Plus, it was refreshing to see the implementation of popular creatures in Middle-Eastern mythologies like Roc and Manticore. Whether by Fonda Lee or other authors, Roc and Manticore rarely appear in fantasy books, especially when compared to dragons and other famous DnD creatures.
I loved Untethered Sky. As I said, I do wish the novella was longer, but that's only because I can't get enough of Lee's writing and storytelling quality. Fonda Lee hasn't let me down yet with her books. And I believe this trend will only ceaselessly continue, especially with Jade Shards upcoming publication later this year and more.
You can pre-order this book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Anastasia, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Michael, Michael, Miracle, Nicholas, Radiah, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Teri, Tracy, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
4.5/5 stars
Judging this by my novella standards, Untethered Sky is one of the best standalone novellas I’ve read.
“We cannot know the price others pay for their good fortune.”
Fonda Lee is one of my favorite authors of all time; if you have followed my reviews and channel for a while, you will know about that. The Green Bone Saga is a refreshing and monumental achievement in the fantasy genre, and ever since I finished it, I promised myself to read every new publication by Fonda Lee. Eventually, I know I will read her books published before The Green Bone Saga, too. When I saw the cover art to Untethered Sky, a standalone novella with a cover art by Jaime Jones, I was immediately intrigued and excited. The cover art to The Green Bone Saga doesn’t do the content of the books justice, and I am so pleased Fonda Lee is finally getting the glorious cover art treatment she deserves with her books. And although novellas usually don’t capture me, and I certainly would STILL prefer this book to be a standalone novel, it is sufficient to say Untethered Sky met my high expectation.
“When I was thirteen years old, I learned that when disaster arrives, it does so without omen or portent. The truly terrible moments strike us the way a roc strikes its prey— without warning, out of the clear blue sky.”
The official blurb says the synopsis nicely. 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. Beyond this, I believe it is better for you to experience the story yourself. Untethered Sky is about 160 pages long, and it took me more or less two hours to start and finish. It is a great novella about the bond between humans and animals, vengeance, and loyalty. And if you are searching for a novella with an emotionally impactful ending, this is for you.
“People have admired rocs for centuries. Artists paint them, sculpt them, tell stories about them. I wanted to be one. I wanted to be the monster that kills other monsters.”
Due to the relatively shorter length of the book, it is not a surprise there wasn't enough time to explore many of the characters in the standalone novella beyond the main characters. Ester's relationship with Darius and Zahra was certainly one of the two main focuses of the novella. The other is vengeance against the manticore stated in the blurb. As expected from Fonda Lee, she managed to make me care about Ester and Zahra in such a short amount of time. And, of course, because I loved this standalone novella, I wish it was written as a novel instead of a novella. This is not a fault against the book. It is my pet peeve with practically all novellas. When I end up loving them, and it is already comparatively rare for that to happen, I always want more out of the story. And in my opinion,Untethered Sky would be superior if it received more pages and word count.
“My love was entirely possessive. When you love a person, you are expected to give them their freedom, but when you love a monster, you keep it caged. A monster can’t love you back, so there’s none of the guilt of a reciprocal relationship. You’re already subjugated. You’re already holding yourself captive in a cruel way, so you justify whatever unusual bonds you level in return.”
Untethered Sky marked the first time I read a book by Fonda Lee that doesn't take place in The Green Bone Saga series. And as a diehard fan of The Green Bone Saga, I will let you know now that Untethered Sky is a different kind of book compared to The Green Bone Saga. First, the novella is told through the first-person perspective of Ester, unlike The Green Bone Saga which uses multiple third-person POV chapters. Untethered Sky is also more high-fantasy in its nature than The Green Bone Saga's urban epic fantasy. And I liked the change in direction here.
“A person might pass a tree on the path every day and not notice it until it springs fruit at a time they’re hungry.”
But the superb strengths of The Green Bone Saga's storytelling are retained here, even if they were delivered in a different and smaller format. The dynamic between Ester and Zahra was engaging to read, and the terrific action scenes you can expect from Lee's writing are evident in the text. The last chapter was a breathtaking hunt sequence filled with emotions and tension. Plus, it was refreshing to see the implementation of popular creatures in Middle-Eastern mythologies like Roc and Manticore. Whether by Fonda Lee or other authors, Roc and Manticore rarely appear in fantasy books, especially when compared to dragons and other famous DnD creatures.
I loved Untethered Sky. As I said, I do wish the novella was longer, but that's only because I can't get enough of Lee's writing and storytelling quality. Fonda Lee hasn't let me down yet with her books. And I believe this trend will only ceaselessly continue, especially with Jade Shards upcoming publication later this year and more.
“And then she was aloft. It seems impossible, when you think about it. How something so huge can conquer gravity. But we’ve always known that rocs are more than mere birds. There’s a reason they’re the subject of myths, why they adorn royal crests and are carved into the sides of temples.”
You can pre-order this book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Anastasia, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Michael, Michael, Miracle, Nicholas, Radiah, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Teri, Tracy, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
July 29, 2023
Check out my recent interview with Fonda Lee at Grimdark Magazine.
My complete review of Untethered Sky is published at Grimdark Magazine.
Untethered Sky is Fonda Lee’s delicate coming-of-age novella inspired by Persian and Arabian folklore, featuring two beasts from Middle Eastern mythology: manticores and rocs. The manticore, which derives its name from the Persian word for “man-eater,” is a fearsome beast with a human-like head, the body of a lion, and a scorpion-like tail. It delights in feeding on humans, with the screams of its victims only fueling its thirst for carnage. In Untethered Sky, the manticore has only one natural predator: the giant bird known as the roc. The roc, which appears in both Arabian and Persian mythology, is essentially a supersized falcon that can be trained to hunt a variety of beasts, including the manticore.
Untethered Sky is told from the first-person perspective of Ester, a girl who lost both her mother and brother to a rampaging manticore. With the manticore’s sinister, heterochromic eyes emblazoned in her memory, Ester makes it her life’s mission to hunt and kill manticores by training as a ruhker, i.e., a professional roc trainer. The job of a ruhker is highly dangerous, since any miscommunication with the roc could lead it to attack its handler. Only about one in five apprentices are able to complete their training and become a successful ruhker.
The first part of Untethered Sky focuses on Ester’s apprenticeship. The most important aspect of her training is to build a trusting relationship with her adolescent roc, Zahra. I was especially touched by the respect and thoughtful care exhibited by Ester in all her interactions with Zahra.
As in her Green Bone Saga, Fonda Lee excels at nuanced characterization of complex interpersonal relationships. In Untethered Sky, these relationships include those between ruhkers and rocs and amongst the ruhkers themselves. All these relationships are built on mutual respect and collegiality but with an unspoken barrier preventing deeper connections. The cautiously affectionate interactions between Ester and her fellow ruhker Darius are especially poignant.
Another major theme in Untethered Sky is the relationship between humankind and the natural world. The ruhkers cultivate a respectful, personal relationship with their rocs, never considering themselves to have any ownership over the giant birds. This attitude contrasts with that of the local government officials who seek to leverage the rocs in a more organized, militaristic fashion to exterminate the manticores. Whereas the ruhkers give all the credit for manticore-hunting to their beloved rocs, the officials are quick to attribute their success to human skill and ingenuity.
With Untethered Sky, Fonda Lee shows her maturity and versatility as an author. Her writing is precise and poetic, with every word skillfully chosen. Combined with its gentle didacticism, Untethered Sky has the feeling of a classic folktale. Whereas the Green Bone Saga showcased Fonda Lee’s ability to write pulse-pounding action in the world of organized crime, in Untethered Sky she demonstrates quiet restraint. Her more minimalistic approach in this novella works every bit as effectively as the grander scale she employed in Jade City and its sequels.
Untethered Sky is a beautifully crafted gem of a novella, which reinforces Fonda Lee’s standing as one of the most talented authors in fantasy today. The Middle Eastern-inspired setting is an ideal backdrop for Lee’s tale, which gently interweaves fantastical elements in this graceful story about the nature of humanity, our relationships with each other, and humankind’s place in the natural world. Fonda Lee’s understated approach is the perfect vehicle for this moving novella about rising from tragedy to find one’s true calling.
My complete review of Untethered Sky is published at Grimdark Magazine.
Untethered Sky is Fonda Lee’s delicate coming-of-age novella inspired by Persian and Arabian folklore, featuring two beasts from Middle Eastern mythology: manticores and rocs. The manticore, which derives its name from the Persian word for “man-eater,” is a fearsome beast with a human-like head, the body of a lion, and a scorpion-like tail. It delights in feeding on humans, with the screams of its victims only fueling its thirst for carnage. In Untethered Sky, the manticore has only one natural predator: the giant bird known as the roc. The roc, which appears in both Arabian and Persian mythology, is essentially a supersized falcon that can be trained to hunt a variety of beasts, including the manticore.
Untethered Sky is told from the first-person perspective of Ester, a girl who lost both her mother and brother to a rampaging manticore. With the manticore’s sinister, heterochromic eyes emblazoned in her memory, Ester makes it her life’s mission to hunt and kill manticores by training as a ruhker, i.e., a professional roc trainer. The job of a ruhker is highly dangerous, since any miscommunication with the roc could lead it to attack its handler. Only about one in five apprentices are able to complete their training and become a successful ruhker.
The first part of Untethered Sky focuses on Ester’s apprenticeship. The most important aspect of her training is to build a trusting relationship with her adolescent roc, Zahra. I was especially touched by the respect and thoughtful care exhibited by Ester in all her interactions with Zahra.
As in her Green Bone Saga, Fonda Lee excels at nuanced characterization of complex interpersonal relationships. In Untethered Sky, these relationships include those between ruhkers and rocs and amongst the ruhkers themselves. All these relationships are built on mutual respect and collegiality but with an unspoken barrier preventing deeper connections. The cautiously affectionate interactions between Ester and her fellow ruhker Darius are especially poignant.
Another major theme in Untethered Sky is the relationship between humankind and the natural world. The ruhkers cultivate a respectful, personal relationship with their rocs, never considering themselves to have any ownership over the giant birds. This attitude contrasts with that of the local government officials who seek to leverage the rocs in a more organized, militaristic fashion to exterminate the manticores. Whereas the ruhkers give all the credit for manticore-hunting to their beloved rocs, the officials are quick to attribute their success to human skill and ingenuity.
With Untethered Sky, Fonda Lee shows her maturity and versatility as an author. Her writing is precise and poetic, with every word skillfully chosen. Combined with its gentle didacticism, Untethered Sky has the feeling of a classic folktale. Whereas the Green Bone Saga showcased Fonda Lee’s ability to write pulse-pounding action in the world of organized crime, in Untethered Sky she demonstrates quiet restraint. Her more minimalistic approach in this novella works every bit as effectively as the grander scale she employed in Jade City and its sequels.
Untethered Sky is a beautifully crafted gem of a novella, which reinforces Fonda Lee’s standing as one of the most talented authors in fantasy today. The Middle Eastern-inspired setting is an ideal backdrop for Lee’s tale, which gently interweaves fantastical elements in this graceful story about the nature of humanity, our relationships with each other, and humankind’s place in the natural world. Fonda Lee’s understated approach is the perfect vehicle for this moving novella about rising from tragedy to find one’s true calling.
January 30, 2024
This was a fantastic novella! I wish it would've been fleshed out into a novella series, because I grew so fond of all the characters throughout the story (DARUS YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FAMOUS) & I would love to continue to follow them on all their adventures.
May 24, 2023
A decent enough book, but way, way too short.
Watch my video review by clicking here.
Watch my video review by clicking here.
April 11, 2023
When you love a person, you are expected to give them their freedom, but when you love a monster, you keep it caged.
Untethered Sky follows Ester, a rukher, the keeper and partner of her roc, Zahra. Zahra is a deadly bird of immense proportions, trained to hunt the terrifying manticore: a beast attracted to the screams of its prey. What struck me the most about this beautiful story was Ester’s helpless wonder in the face of her roc, and her bittersweet knowledge that she needs Zahra so much more than Zahra will ever need her. This is the futility of being utterly in love with a beast that could never love her back, because wild things are not meant to be loved.
The characters are written superbly. Even though the writing was understated, I could tell exactly what kind of people (or rocs) they were from the brief time I was with them. Every part of the book was crafted with this same care. I love stories like this: Untethered Sky doesn’t stay longer than it needs to, but it left an indelible impression on my heart nevertheless.
I’m astonished at how Fonda Lee managed to evoke specific, piercing emotions in me in such a short book. The ending left me in tears. This is a story I’ve been waiting for: spare, gracefully told, filled with feelings of overwhelming awe and quiet aching. It feels like a folktale, complete with the incoming dread of a fable, yet balanced with the same comfort and warmth. I will treasure Untethered Sky for years to come.
5 stars
May 18, 2025
“monster-hunting nature memoir”
FOR A BOOK SO SHORT (150~ PAGES) I CAN’T BELIEVE IT RUINED ME THIS MUCH.
I place this in the same category as The Sword of Kaigen and Attack on Titan with it’s ethereal and rustic tone. A standalone novella that’s captivating and heart wrenchingly brutal wrapped up in a nice little falcon-shaped bow.Getting sucked in felt like I’m in a cabin in the woods with the sound of birds softly chirping at the background or in an open field with trees running as far as the eye can see.
Whether you are new to Fonda Lee or coming from Green Bone Saga/her other works, I recommend this either way! If you didn’t like the setting of GBS, the environment of this novella is incredibly different so you can taste her writing in another world. But if you are already hooked to Fonda Lee’s writing, this carries her signature style that balances incredible heart and harsh realities.
Getting sucked in felt like I was in a cabin in the woods with the sound of birds softly chirping as I flip a page or in an open field with trees running for miles.
Fonda Lee went hard with the world-building and the groundwork was set up perfectly, that by the time the story fully launched, I was attached to everything that I was supposed to be and left in a heaping mess. It reads like an episode for a whole completed series with the buildup set up in the background of the narrating voice. I love how the progression in Fonda Lee’s stories are so subtle that you barely notice it happening until it’s right in front of your face and have no other choice than to face your denials. The subtle transitions of the plot and the character development over time was written seamlessly, as like her signature style in Jade Legacy.The characters are written in a way that I found soooo investing, and they still somehow made me feel like they were my own fledgelings to keep safe but with whom I know I have no real power over. The dynamics are achingly tangible, and I do love myself subtle and nuanced characterizations.
She writes like she’s carving my heart out. This is a perfect intro to FL’s writing if you haven’t read Jade City yet or if her series are too much of a commitment for you right now. I would also recommend this if Jade City wasn’t to your taste because this is set in an entirely different environment, it doesn’t have an ounce of urban fantasy but the progression in the details is still in her signature style.
The inspirations of this novel translated incredibly well from the chariots, falcons, and set up of the kingdom. Fonda Lee said that part of the inspiration was from when she went to see falcons with her family and I could feel it in every step that Ester took in the mews and in every flap of Zahra’s wings. FL went from a wide arching multi-POV urban fantasy to this bite-sized standalone high fantasy but I can still tell it’s her writing through and through.
I received the ARC of this when I was in the midst of my reading slump after Jade Legacy and perhaps it was a good thing that I didn’t read this right away because I might not have recovered lol
— This is an Adult SFF novella that is adventurous, emotional, and brutal with ethereal rustic tones that is perfectly paced and makes me genuinely wish it was longer (i rarely say that but i’m saying it for this one). Wherever you stand on the spectrum of knowing who Fonda Lee is as a writer, I offer you this book while kneeling on a chariot with a falcon hovering above me. —
i wrote this review while simultaneously mopping up my tears
*ARC was sent by the publisher @Tor before release date (thank you!) but I only got to reading it now. Quotes included are from my ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
4.5
——
update: I GOT AN ARC?!?!?!!?!
forever thankful that i live in the same era as Fonda Lee
FOR A BOOK SO SHORT (150~ PAGES) I CAN’T BELIEVE IT RUINED ME THIS MUCH.
I place this in the same category as The Sword of Kaigen and Attack on Titan with it’s ethereal and rustic tone. A standalone novella that’s captivating and heart wrenchingly brutal wrapped up in a nice little falcon-shaped bow.Getting sucked in felt like I’m in a cabin in the woods with the sound of birds softly chirping at the background or in an open field with trees running as far as the eye can see.
Whether you are new to Fonda Lee or coming from Green Bone Saga/her other works, I recommend this either way! If you didn’t like the setting of GBS, the environment of this novella is incredibly different so you can taste her writing in another world. But if you are already hooked to Fonda Lee’s writing, this carries her signature style that balances incredible heart and harsh realities.
Getting sucked in felt like I was in a cabin in the woods with the sound of birds softly chirping as I flip a page or in an open field with trees running for miles.
“We didn’t bring up either topic again. Not because we avoided them, but because there was simply no need. Our pasts didn’t matter when we were with each other.”
Fonda Lee went hard with the world-building and the groundwork was set up perfectly, that by the time the story fully launched, I was attached to everything that I was supposed to be and left in a heaping mess. It reads like an episode for a whole completed series with the buildup set up in the background of the narrating voice. I love how the progression in Fonda Lee’s stories are so subtle that you barely notice it happening until it’s right in front of your face and have no other choice than to face your denials. The subtle transitions of the plot and the character development over time was written seamlessly, as like her signature style in Jade Legacy.The characters are written in a way that I found soooo investing, and they still somehow made me feel like they were my own fledgelings to keep safe but with whom I know I have no real power over. The dynamics are achingly tangible, and I do love myself subtle and nuanced characterizations.
”When you love a person, you are expected to give them their freedom, but when you love a monster, you keep it caged.“
She writes like she’s carving my heart out. This is a perfect intro to FL’s writing if you haven’t read Jade City yet or if her series are too much of a commitment for you right now. I would also recommend this if Jade City wasn’t to your taste because this is set in an entirely different environment, it doesn’t have an ounce of urban fantasy but the progression in the details is still in her signature style.
“People have short memories, but nature is patient and implacable.”
The inspirations of this novel translated incredibly well from the chariots, falcons, and set up of the kingdom. Fonda Lee said that part of the inspiration was from when she went to see falcons with her family and I could feel it in every step that Ester took in the mews and in every flap of Zahra’s wings. FL went from a wide arching multi-POV urban fantasy to this bite-sized standalone high fantasy but I can still tell it’s her writing through and through.
I received the ARC of this when I was in the midst of my reading slump after Jade Legacy and perhaps it was a good thing that I didn’t read this right away because I might not have recovered lol
“I could barely stand to look at a creature as dazzling as she was, and at the same time I couldn’t look away.” He stopped and turned toward me, but though he leaned slightly forward, he didn’t continue.”
— This is an Adult SFF novella that is adventurous, emotional, and brutal with ethereal rustic tones that is perfectly paced and makes me genuinely wish it was longer (i rarely say that but i’m saying it for this one). Wherever you stand on the spectrum of knowing who Fonda Lee is as a writer, I offer you this book while kneeling on a chariot with a falcon hovering above me. —
i wrote this review while simultaneously mopping up my tears
*ARC was sent by the publisher @Tor before release date (thank you!) but I only got to reading it now. Quotes included are from my ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
4.5
——
update: I GOT AN ARC?!?!?!!?!
forever thankful that i live in the same era as Fonda Lee
January 25, 2023
I’m a sucker for books about birds – so when a favorite author of mine pens a novella about giant hunting birds – I jump on board. In Untethered Sky, Fonda Lee’s words bring life to the majesty and power of the rocs, legendary birds of prey who keep the countryside clear of the monstrous manticores.
Because of its short length, the story doesn’t have room to be overly complex, but Lee has managed to make a simple story poignant and affecting. She made me care deeply for these beautiful winged beasts and the bond they share with their keepers. I’d absolutely sign up for more stories set in this world.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
See this review and others on The Speculative Shelf or follow @specshelf on Twitter.
Because of its short length, the story doesn’t have room to be overly complex, but Lee has managed to make a simple story poignant and affecting. She made me care deeply for these beautiful winged beasts and the bond they share with their keepers. I’d absolutely sign up for more stories set in this world.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
See this review and others on The Speculative Shelf or follow @specshelf on Twitter.
December 1, 2022
Check out my Booktube channel at: The Obsessive Bookseller
[4.5/5 stars] Untethered Sky is one of the best books I’ve read this year – I loved it!!
Granted, I’ve a particular fondness for these types of stories. The ones where we get the nitty gritty details of trainers taking care of their dangerous animals. I usually get my kicks from dragon books (see other books you might like section), and loved seeing Lee’s version of that framework with Rocs (giant birds).
The book had a lot of slow moments where we really got to appreciate the bond between the main character and her bird. Everything from its initial acclimation to hunting drills – it was superb. I love it when authors take their time to highlight the selling points of a story. That may seem like a “duh” comment, but I can’t tell you how many books I’ve picked up on a good premise that never quite delivered on its promises. Untethered Sky definitely didn’t feel like an opportunity wasted.
The MC was my favorite part of the book. She had such a poignant connection to the overall conflict of the story that I couldn’t help but be drawn in. She really believed in her cause, and that personal connection and motive behind becoming a roc trainer added a lot of meaningful depth to the story. I also loved her awkward navigations when dealing with other humans – she was incredibly endearing.
The x-factor in books for me tipping them over from just good to freaking amazing seems to be a combination of pacing and momentum. This story had the perfect balance of both, leaving me reeling at the end of the book in the best way possible. I haven’t finished Green Bone yet, but if this novella and the wild popularity of that series are any indication, I’m in for quite the ride.
Recommendations: pick this up for a fun story filled with interesting characters, awe-inspiring creatures, and excellent pacing. I loved it.
Thank you to my Patrons: Filipe, Dave, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Katrin, and Melissa! <3
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
I’d like to thank TOR, Fonda Lee, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of Untethered Sky!
Other books you might like:
[4.5/5 stars] Untethered Sky is one of the best books I’ve read this year – I loved it!!
Granted, I’ve a particular fondness for these types of stories. The ones where we get the nitty gritty details of trainers taking care of their dangerous animals. I usually get my kicks from dragon books (see other books you might like section), and loved seeing Lee’s version of that framework with Rocs (giant birds).
The book had a lot of slow moments where we really got to appreciate the bond between the main character and her bird. Everything from its initial acclimation to hunting drills – it was superb. I love it when authors take their time to highlight the selling points of a story. That may seem like a “duh” comment, but I can’t tell you how many books I’ve picked up on a good premise that never quite delivered on its promises. Untethered Sky definitely didn’t feel like an opportunity wasted.
The MC was my favorite part of the book. She had such a poignant connection to the overall conflict of the story that I couldn’t help but be drawn in. She really believed in her cause, and that personal connection and motive behind becoming a roc trainer added a lot of meaningful depth to the story. I also loved her awkward navigations when dealing with other humans – she was incredibly endearing.
The x-factor in books for me tipping them over from just good to freaking amazing seems to be a combination of pacing and momentum. This story had the perfect balance of both, leaving me reeling at the end of the book in the best way possible. I haven’t finished Green Bone yet, but if this novella and the wild popularity of that series are any indication, I’m in for quite the ride.
Recommendations: pick this up for a fun story filled with interesting characters, awe-inspiring creatures, and excellent pacing. I loved it.
Thank you to my Patrons: Filipe, Dave, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Katrin, and Melissa! <3
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
I’d like to thank TOR, Fonda Lee, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of Untethered Sky!
Other books you might like:
January 15, 2023
I wasn't expecting an animal based fantasy story, but that is exactly what this is- I was expecting more of a revenge type plot, but this really was about the bonding between people and ye fantasy creatures. This does such a wonderful job describing the rocs (I am picturing these as griffins but I may be off there :)) and particularly our MC's connection to her roc. For a novella, this covers a lot of ground very elegantly, starting with Ester as a rookie and following her as she and her fellow ruhkars hunt down manticores. The ending made me cry so... gotta be a pretty solid tale!
April 13, 2023
3.5 Stars
Video Review: https://youtu.be/3N44yuQV08k
Like many readers, I adore the Green Bone Saga so I was interested to see what Fonda Lee would write next. Obviously I knew this fantasy novella was unrelated but I certainly hoped to still love this one.
I loved the uniqueness of Jade City so I was slightly disappointed by how traditional this fantasy narrative felt. Likewise I found the narrative voice to be rather passive, which was very different from the gripping writing in her trilogy. Yet, for a traditional fantasy story, it was a solid one. The writing, character work and worldbuilding are all generally good. I think this one will especially appeal to those who love pets and animal companions.
I would recommend this one to fantasy readers as long as they don't expect something similar to the author's previous masterpiece.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/3N44yuQV08k
Like many readers, I adore the Green Bone Saga so I was interested to see what Fonda Lee would write next. Obviously I knew this fantasy novella was unrelated but I certainly hoped to still love this one.
I loved the uniqueness of Jade City so I was slightly disappointed by how traditional this fantasy narrative felt. Likewise I found the narrative voice to be rather passive, which was very different from the gripping writing in her trilogy. Yet, for a traditional fantasy story, it was a solid one. The writing, character work and worldbuilding are all generally good. I think this one will especially appeal to those who love pets and animal companions.
I would recommend this one to fantasy readers as long as they don't expect something similar to the author's previous masterpiece.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
April 11, 2023
I NEED MORE
This novella was so good, but it was just too short! I am a massive fan of Fonda Lee, so this is definitely not an unbiased review, but I am pretty amazed at how much I enjoyed this short book. So what did I love?
Firstly, this novella had such an interesting take on the "animal companion" trope. I loved the exploration of the bond between humans and these wild animals, and it was beautiful and heartbreaking to explore how humans got attached to these wild and unloving creatures. Secondly, the characters are great and compelling. Lee is an absolute master of writing characters, and while I would love to spend more time with them, I did get surprisingly attached to them in the span of only 150 pages.
My only real complaint is that this world has so much more to offer, and it feels like a missed opportunity to have limited this story to a novella. Hopefully, we will see more stories in this fascinating universe!
4 / 5 stars
This novella was so good, but it was just too short! I am a massive fan of Fonda Lee, so this is definitely not an unbiased review, but I am pretty amazed at how much I enjoyed this short book. So what did I love?
Firstly, this novella had such an interesting take on the "animal companion" trope. I loved the exploration of the bond between humans and these wild animals, and it was beautiful and heartbreaking to explore how humans got attached to these wild and unloving creatures. Secondly, the characters are great and compelling. Lee is an absolute master of writing characters, and while I would love to spend more time with them, I did get surprisingly attached to them in the span of only 150 pages.
My only real complaint is that this world has so much more to offer, and it feels like a missed opportunity to have limited this story to a novella. Hopefully, we will see more stories in this fascinating universe!
4 / 5 stars
January 6, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for the ARC. It hasn't affected the content of my review.
I feel bad about this, but Untethered Sky was just all right for me. I never warmed to it, not for any particular reason. The book is well-written (though nothing about the writing did much for me personally), the character arcs make sense, the world-building is (theoretically) interesting, and the presence of the manticores is genuinely frightening (this is one of the few things that 100% worked for me). Maybe this needed to be a full novel for it to work for me? Regardless, not the best first experience to have with an author, a resounding 'meh'.
Our main character is Ester, whose family was devastated by a manticore when she was very young. She grew up wanting to hunt monsters, and this led her to want to become a ruhker, the people who train and fly rocs (very large birds of prey, though not as large as most myths would have them) which are the only known predator that can kill a manticore. We follow as Ester trains, and is finally given a roc, a juvenile female named Zahra.
For such a small book, this covers a pretty long period of time, taking us all the way through until Ester is an adult and full ruhker, when she and all the other ruhkers are involved in a nationwide effort to kill as many manticores as possible.
The thing is, this is a book I should have loved. I love animals in books, especially ones that develop special bonds with humans; I love training sequences; I love when we get to watch characters grow from childhood; I hate manticores bc they are scary. But none of this made any sort of dent on my emotions. I just felt really emotionally removed from all of it while reading. Chalk it up to the writing style just not being for me, I guess. I hope many people have better experiences with this book than I did, but the results here aren't making me want to jump up and go check out any of Fonda Lee's other books any time soon.
I feel bad about this, but Untethered Sky was just all right for me. I never warmed to it, not for any particular reason. The book is well-written (though nothing about the writing did much for me personally), the character arcs make sense, the world-building is (theoretically) interesting, and the presence of the manticores is genuinely frightening (this is one of the few things that 100% worked for me). Maybe this needed to be a full novel for it to work for me? Regardless, not the best first experience to have with an author, a resounding 'meh'.
Our main character is Ester, whose family was devastated by a manticore when she was very young. She grew up wanting to hunt monsters, and this led her to want to become a ruhker, the people who train and fly rocs (very large birds of prey, though not as large as most myths would have them) which are the only known predator that can kill a manticore. We follow as Ester trains, and is finally given a roc, a juvenile female named Zahra.
For such a small book, this covers a pretty long period of time, taking us all the way through until Ester is an adult and full ruhker, when she and all the other ruhkers are involved in a nationwide effort to kill as many manticores as possible.
The thing is, this is a book I should have loved. I love animals in books, especially ones that develop special bonds with humans; I love training sequences; I love when we get to watch characters grow from childhood; I hate manticores bc they are scary. But none of this made any sort of dent on my emotions. I just felt really emotionally removed from all of it while reading. Chalk it up to the writing style just not being for me, I guess. I hope many people have better experiences with this book than I did, but the results here aren't making me want to jump up and go check out any of Fonda Lee's other books any time soon.
May 9, 2023
Middle-eastern based fantasy world (Persian mostly I think, with -polis named city) with extreme power falconry: big rocs are trained to hunt big animals particularly vicious human eating manticores by dedicated trainers. And this is about our fmc (I think she is female, she is so bland I hardly remember and I only read it last night) training her roc, them hunting and more stuff having to do with rocs and our trainer and her roc. The End.
I have seen this compared to dragonriders of Pern, and not so, IMO; the roc training here is pretty clearly falconry like. No riding, no telepathy, just plain old falconry but with extra big and mean birds and prey.
If you like reading about falconry, and animal training hunting scenes, this book will be a treat for you because that is basically what this is about. Me, I was bored and bored.
I think I have a problem with Fonda Lee's books in general - perfectly nice writing, vivid scenes and descriptions, nothing objectionable, we are told (told...) about characters and their history, but in her storytelling I just do not connect to the characters or the world and the main plots are not interesting to me. This was again my reaction. This book is 90% rocs hunting stuff and manticores hunting humans, and the implied romance or relationship stuff or deeper worldbuilding (what about manticore hunting as a tool of imperialism? And those manticores, what about their species, is this species extinction on going? What is the larger politics ongoingf the pro-roc-breeding faction?) which would be more interesting to me, but are just unquestioned and foundations on which the main story (hunting stuff with big birds) happens. 2.5 stars not sure if I will round up (writing is nice! It is very competent overall) or down (because seriously, so empty of anything interesting). Not my thing but I think many others will love it. Specially if they are into long scenes about birds hunting stuff.
I have seen this compared to dragonriders of Pern, and not so, IMO; the roc training here is pretty clearly falconry like. No riding, no telepathy, just plain old falconry but with extra big and mean birds and prey.
If you like reading about falconry, and animal training hunting scenes, this book will be a treat for you because that is basically what this is about. Me, I was bored and bored.
I think I have a problem with Fonda Lee's books in general - perfectly nice writing, vivid scenes and descriptions, nothing objectionable, we are told (told...) about characters and their history, but in her storytelling I just do not connect to the characters or the world and the main plots are not interesting to me. This was again my reaction. This book is 90% rocs hunting stuff and manticores hunting humans, and the implied romance or relationship stuff or deeper worldbuilding (what about manticore hunting as a tool of imperialism? And those manticores, what about their species, is this species extinction on going? What is the larger politics ongoingf the pro-roc-breeding faction?) which would be more interesting to me, but are just unquestioned and foundations on which the main story (hunting stuff with big birds) happens. 2.5 stars not sure if I will round up (writing is nice! It is very competent overall) or down (because seriously, so empty of anything interesting). Not my thing but I think many others will love it. Specially if they are into long scenes about birds hunting stuff.
November 11, 2022
okay ive known not to doubt fonda lee but this was incredible!
RTC
RTC
November 17, 2023
⊹ 𓏲࣪ 3 stars ★ 𓄹 ࣪ .
⤿ spoilers in this review
⤷ “ zahra and i were complete; we were the sun and the wind, the sky and the earth, life and death, above the world and untouchable. ”
this was a lil novella i read right after coming out of a mini reading slump and it definitely delivered what i expected, but this could have easily been a 4 stars if it was a full length book. fonda lee we were robbed 😤
⇢ the plot. the story follows ester, a young girl whose life is shattered when her family is brutally attacked by a manticore. driven by her overwhelming need for revenge, she joins the king's royal mews, where she learns to fly the legendary roc birds in order to hunt down manticores. the plot and world-building was spectacular !! at first, when i went into the story i was fighting for my life trying to grasp and understand some of the terms, but it got much better as the story progressed. the plot was so angsty, i was fearing for my life because i just knew that the author would stab me in the back with the endingi was right
⇢ the writing. ugh fonda lee and her writing gets. me. every. time. 😩 you can't not just read this “ when you love a person, you are expected to give them their freedom, but when you love a monster, you keep it caged. ” and tell me that line did not hit all the deepest corners and crevices of your heart and soul.
“ i wanted to be the monster that kills other monsters. ”
⇢ ester. i love how well ester's grief and internal struggles were written. her obsession was written perfectly, and when zahra left ester, tears were shed 😭 ester's story shows the importance about learning to accept the things you cannot change and finding the strength to move forward. my heart aches for her <33
“ darius lifted me carefully in his arms and set me on his horse, then got on behind me and held me steady against his chest, the gentle pressure like that of a ruhker’s hands on a fledgling during their dark days, promising over and over—you are with me now. together, we rode back toward the mews where, come spring, there would be new monsters to tame. ”
⇢ darius. darius and ester's relationship actually made me hurt sm. they. could. have. had. it all. 😭 they may not make grand gestures or profess their love loudly from the rooftops. but their love is real, and it's deeper than any words or actions could ever express. sometimes, the most powerful love stories are the ones that unfold quietly, in the spaces between words and actions. and in those quiet moments, their love speaks volumes ❤🩹 i actually cried myself numb when darius watched ester leave and he stood there stupidly without following her. but that ending healed me and gave me hope, that they got the chance to be happy and together someplace safe. the real star of the book was ester and zahra though <3
pre-review:
because ingrid told me to <33 this one is for u my bff
⤿ spoilers in this review
⤷ “ zahra and i were complete; we were the sun and the wind, the sky and the earth, life and death, above the world and untouchable. ”
this was a lil novella i read right after coming out of a mini reading slump and it definitely delivered what i expected, but this could have easily been a 4 stars if it was a full length book. fonda lee we were robbed 😤
⇢ the plot. the story follows ester, a young girl whose life is shattered when her family is brutally attacked by a manticore. driven by her overwhelming need for revenge, she joins the king's royal mews, where she learns to fly the legendary roc birds in order to hunt down manticores. the plot and world-building was spectacular !! at first, when i went into the story i was fighting for my life trying to grasp and understand some of the terms, but it got much better as the story progressed. the plot was so angsty, i was fearing for my life because i just knew that the author would stab me in the back with the ending
⇢ the writing. ugh fonda lee and her writing gets. me. every. time. 😩 you can't not just read this “ when you love a person, you are expected to give them their freedom, but when you love a monster, you keep it caged. ” and tell me that line did not hit all the deepest corners and crevices of your heart and soul.
“ i wanted to be the monster that kills other monsters. ”
➼ “ thank you, i whispered, as she disappeared from my straining sight for the last time. for allowing me to hunt with you. for letting me borrow your strength. for lending me your wings. ”
➼ “ zahra was not yet in my life, but she would be. she answered the question in my soul and made me worthwhile. and you were not yet in my life either, but then you came into it. you’re part of the answer and even without your roc, you’re worth more to me than you could ever know. ”
➼ “ as long as your heart beats, you’ll be a ruhker. i know this as much as god knows every creature, because i once thought there was no reason for me to be alive, no logic to survival, no meaning to be found past endurance of loss, yet there was. ”
➼ “ my love was entirely possessive. when you love a person, you are expected to give them their freedom, but when you love a monster, you keep it caged. a monster can’t love you back, so there’s none of the guilt of a reciprocal relationship. you’re already subjugated. you’re already holding yourself captive in a cruel way, so you justify whatever unusual bonds you level in return. ”
⇢ ester. i love how well ester's grief and internal struggles were written. her obsession was written perfectly, and when zahra left ester, tears were shed 😭 ester's story shows the importance about learning to accept the things you cannot change and finding the strength to move forward. my heart aches for her <33
“ darius lifted me carefully in his arms and set me on his horse, then got on behind me and held me steady against his chest, the gentle pressure like that of a ruhker’s hands on a fledgling during their dark days, promising over and over—you are with me now. together, we rode back toward the mews where, come spring, there would be new monsters to tame. ”
➼ “ follow me. he did not follow. ”
➼ “ i should’ve let you kiss me that one time in the field, but i was scared, and if you ever feel the urge to do it again, i would want you to. ”
⇢ darius. darius and ester's relationship actually made me hurt sm. they. could. have. had. it all. 😭 they may not make grand gestures or profess their love loudly from the rooftops. but their love is real, and it's deeper than any words or actions could ever express. sometimes, the most powerful love stories are the ones that unfold quietly, in the spaces between words and actions. and in those quiet moments, their love speaks volumes ❤🩹 i actually cried myself numb when darius watched ester leave and he stood there stupidly without following her. but that ending healed me and gave me hope, that they got the chance to be happy and together someplace safe. the real star of the book was ester and zahra though <3
pre-review:
because ingrid told me to <33 this one is for u my bff
May 16, 2025
This was surprisingly good for how short it was and made me emotional about the human-giant bird bonds. 3.5 stars
June 9, 2023
Thanks to Cam for the hook up on this ARC!
Fonda Lee is an author I hold in exceptionally high esteem. Her Green Bone Saga was nothing less than transformational in my understanding of modern fantasy. That trilogy didn't simply push the boundaries of what is expected of fantasy, it does a pirouette over the fence into uncharted territory. When I wrapped up Jade Legacy, the final book in the trilogy, I knew that Lee had scored me as a lifelong reader.
Enter Untethered Sky, which I received in exchange for an honest review. Ester is a girl who lives in a fantasy world that will be more familiar to readers of the genre that Lee's previous works. Great beasts roam the land and the only defence against these monsters are the Rocs: terrifyingly large birds of prey. When Ester's family falls victim to a manticore attack, she devotes her life to the training of her own Roc to prevent further loss of life, seek vengeance, and try and find some measure of peace.
While I've described this to some friends as adult Pokemon, that's more facetious than truthful. Indeed, Lee soars into the world of Roc training that was reminiscent of H is for Hawk's more harrowing passages of loss and hawking. These aren't mythical birds that speak or communicate in the typical sense; indeed, a mix of discipline and knowledge lead the trainers to failure or success against the beasts they hunt. Full points for world building!
Notwithstanding an interesting fantastical concept, the character work here is sharp too. Ester and her fellow Roc trainers share interpersonal drama that moves and elevates the story beyond mere monster stomping. Though there was no way in this short a format to build out characters as well as in The Green Bone Saga, I found all sections plausible and character centred. Towards the end of the novella I was worried that the story would be left unsatisfyingly open--generally, I prefer my novellas to be self contained--however, I needn't have worried since Lee lands the tale like a Roc on their chariot.
Fonda Lee is an author I hold in exceptionally high esteem. Her Green Bone Saga was nothing less than transformational in my understanding of modern fantasy. That trilogy didn't simply push the boundaries of what is expected of fantasy, it does a pirouette over the fence into uncharted territory. When I wrapped up Jade Legacy, the final book in the trilogy, I knew that Lee had scored me as a lifelong reader.
Enter Untethered Sky, which I received in exchange for an honest review. Ester is a girl who lives in a fantasy world that will be more familiar to readers of the genre that Lee's previous works. Great beasts roam the land and the only defence against these monsters are the Rocs: terrifyingly large birds of prey. When Ester's family falls victim to a manticore attack, she devotes her life to the training of her own Roc to prevent further loss of life, seek vengeance, and try and find some measure of peace.
While I've described this to some friends as adult Pokemon, that's more facetious than truthful. Indeed, Lee soars into the world of Roc training that was reminiscent of H is for Hawk's more harrowing passages of loss and hawking. These aren't mythical birds that speak or communicate in the typical sense; indeed, a mix of discipline and knowledge lead the trainers to failure or success against the beasts they hunt. Full points for world building!
Notwithstanding an interesting fantastical concept, the character work here is sharp too. Ester and her fellow Roc trainers share interpersonal drama that moves and elevates the story beyond mere monster stomping. Though there was no way in this short a format to build out characters as well as in The Green Bone Saga, I found all sections plausible and character centred. Towards the end of the novella I was worried that the story would be left unsatisfyingly open--generally, I prefer my novellas to be self contained--however, I needn't have worried since Lee lands the tale like a Roc on their chariot.
July 22, 2023
Untethered Sky is a fairly engaging novella that doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the ‘fantasy’ table but it is written with such seeming self-assurance that it kind of makes up for its relatively predictable storyline. The world-building too, while not necessarily unique, is immersive enough, although I did find the whole roc-terminology kind of silly (ruhkers? i mean…). Like any good ol’ fantasy story, the novella features a main character with a tragic past which leads them to embark on their hero’s journey. I guess, if you are in the mood for a solid fantasy novella that doesn’t require your 'whole' attention or presents you with thought-provoking questions, Untethered Sky may be the read for you.
April 28, 2023
4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/04/28/...
I tend to approach novellas with a healthy dose of wariness, since too often I find them lacking in character or story development (or both). My preference for rich and immersive fantasy books and spending lots of time reading about the people and places in them means that the novella format rarely gives me what I’m looking for, though from time to time, I find myself surprised. Every once in a blue moon, a novella will come along that is just right, and Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee is one of them.
The book takes us to a world where monsters of myth are real, and rukhers like our protagonist Ester hunt with rocs to keep the kingdom’s countryside safe from deadly manticore attacks. It’s a difficult and dangerous job, but Ester has never doubted that this was her calling. Rocs have fascinated her ever since she was a little girl, and later on, becoming a victim and survivor of a manticore attack only made her even more determined to work with these giant birds of prey.
The story begins with Ester recounting the early days when she had just been accepted into the Royal Mews, where rukhers are stationed and trained. But first, every new apprentice must prove they have what it takes to handle a roc. Ester is presented with her very own fledgling, Zahra, with whom she will need to bond and raise to be a fearsome hunter. Gradually, we follow Ester and Zahra as they rise through the ranks, meeting other rukhers and learning about their ways. But as the king’s armies continue to expand his territory, more areas are becoming prone to manticore attacks, humans being their preferred prey. Only a roc can take out these vicious beasts, but rukhers are relatively few and can’t be everywhere at once. The enormous birds too can be unpredictable and fickle in their attentions, complicating matters at times, for at the end of the day, rocs are wild animals themselves.
Unlike the author’s Green Bone Saga, which is a sprawling epic trilogy, Untethered Sky feels almost barebones in its simplicity and tight focus, no doubt because Lee recognizes the limiting constraints of a novella and wisely chose to keep the scale modest. Despite the smallness of its scope though, the story packs no less a punch. Ester is our focal point, leaving little attention to spare for anyone else, but that’s okay, for it means readers are immediately able to form an emotional connection to this headstrong young woman and to better understand her commitment to her work. To achieve this, the plot relies on a handful of standard tropes—family killed by a manticore leading to a lifelong hatred for them and a hunger for vengeance, for instance—but that also gets us quicker to the meat of the story, which is the unique partnership between Ester and her roc, Zahra.
Sacrifices also had to be made to world-building, often leaving it up to readers to infer certain details about the wider world rather than spelling it all out, but here is where a narrower scope is advantageous to the story. The author can spend more time developing the culture and customs of rukhers when they’re socializing in the Royal Mews or when they’re on the hunt, going into fascinating detail into everything from training methods to the proper care of rocs.
Lest you get the wrong idea though, this is far from your cutesy How to Train Your Dragon type story with a heartwarming ending where everyone gets to go home happy. Ester is ever aware that the love she has for Zahra can never be returned, for no matter how well they are trained, rocs are nature’s creatures bound by instinct. And yet, I found this situation bittersweet and touching in its own way, watching the protagonist give her whole heart to Zahra even knowing full well the roc may break it one day.
The length of this novella was also just right, which is not something I get to say often. But just as Lee knew to keep the story simple, she also knew exactly how to pace it and when to end it. The plot flowed smoothly, moving naturally from scenes of thrilling action and adventure to softer, more sorrowful moments without feeling rushed or experiencing any lulls. Perhaps the only exception to this was the ending, but I can’t decide if it was actually too abrupt or if I’m just letting my emotions get the better of me! Admittedly, it wasn’t the most satisfying conclusion, but I can also accept that it was appropriate given the overall themes and tone of the book.
If you’re a fan of Fonda Lee, this is a must-read. I was amazed how much she was able to pack into this slim volume, and even though I finished the book wanting more, it was in the best way possible. Overall, Untethered Sky was a gripping and all-consuming read, a rare novella that I was able to devour in a single evening and yet did not feel too sparse. But if the author ever decides to expand the world with more stories in the future, I do not think I would mind at all.
I tend to approach novellas with a healthy dose of wariness, since too often I find them lacking in character or story development (or both). My preference for rich and immersive fantasy books and spending lots of time reading about the people and places in them means that the novella format rarely gives me what I’m looking for, though from time to time, I find myself surprised. Every once in a blue moon, a novella will come along that is just right, and Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee is one of them.
The book takes us to a world where monsters of myth are real, and rukhers like our protagonist Ester hunt with rocs to keep the kingdom’s countryside safe from deadly manticore attacks. It’s a difficult and dangerous job, but Ester has never doubted that this was her calling. Rocs have fascinated her ever since she was a little girl, and later on, becoming a victim and survivor of a manticore attack only made her even more determined to work with these giant birds of prey.
The story begins with Ester recounting the early days when she had just been accepted into the Royal Mews, where rukhers are stationed and trained. But first, every new apprentice must prove they have what it takes to handle a roc. Ester is presented with her very own fledgling, Zahra, with whom she will need to bond and raise to be a fearsome hunter. Gradually, we follow Ester and Zahra as they rise through the ranks, meeting other rukhers and learning about their ways. But as the king’s armies continue to expand his territory, more areas are becoming prone to manticore attacks, humans being their preferred prey. Only a roc can take out these vicious beasts, but rukhers are relatively few and can’t be everywhere at once. The enormous birds too can be unpredictable and fickle in their attentions, complicating matters at times, for at the end of the day, rocs are wild animals themselves.
Unlike the author’s Green Bone Saga, which is a sprawling epic trilogy, Untethered Sky feels almost barebones in its simplicity and tight focus, no doubt because Lee recognizes the limiting constraints of a novella and wisely chose to keep the scale modest. Despite the smallness of its scope though, the story packs no less a punch. Ester is our focal point, leaving little attention to spare for anyone else, but that’s okay, for it means readers are immediately able to form an emotional connection to this headstrong young woman and to better understand her commitment to her work. To achieve this, the plot relies on a handful of standard tropes—family killed by a manticore leading to a lifelong hatred for them and a hunger for vengeance, for instance—but that also gets us quicker to the meat of the story, which is the unique partnership between Ester and her roc, Zahra.
Sacrifices also had to be made to world-building, often leaving it up to readers to infer certain details about the wider world rather than spelling it all out, but here is where a narrower scope is advantageous to the story. The author can spend more time developing the culture and customs of rukhers when they’re socializing in the Royal Mews or when they’re on the hunt, going into fascinating detail into everything from training methods to the proper care of rocs.
Lest you get the wrong idea though, this is far from your cutesy How to Train Your Dragon type story with a heartwarming ending where everyone gets to go home happy. Ester is ever aware that the love she has for Zahra can never be returned, for no matter how well they are trained, rocs are nature’s creatures bound by instinct. And yet, I found this situation bittersweet and touching in its own way, watching the protagonist give her whole heart to Zahra even knowing full well the roc may break it one day.
The length of this novella was also just right, which is not something I get to say often. But just as Lee knew to keep the story simple, she also knew exactly how to pace it and when to end it. The plot flowed smoothly, moving naturally from scenes of thrilling action and adventure to softer, more sorrowful moments without feeling rushed or experiencing any lulls. Perhaps the only exception to this was the ending, but I can’t decide if it was actually too abrupt or if I’m just letting my emotions get the better of me! Admittedly, it wasn’t the most satisfying conclusion, but I can also accept that it was appropriate given the overall themes and tone of the book.
If you’re a fan of Fonda Lee, this is a must-read. I was amazed how much she was able to pack into this slim volume, and even though I finished the book wanting more, it was in the best way possible. Overall, Untethered Sky was a gripping and all-consuming read, a rare novella that I was able to devour in a single evening and yet did not feel too sparse. But if the author ever decides to expand the world with more stories in the future, I do not think I would mind at all.
April 18, 2023
Why her? Why did she have to be the one who lived?
I don't suppose my father ever guessed that I asked it as endlessly as he did. Some say ruhking is a calling. For me it was an answer to a question that had bored clear through my soul. I had a hole worn through my center, like one of Arnan's interesting blue river stones. People have admired rocs for centuries. Artists paint them, sculpt them, tell stories about them. I wanted to be one. I wanted to be the monster that kills other monsters.
This isn't a story about literal transformation, though, only the metaphorical transformation that occurs when the central dream of your life is won - and then something goes wrong. Beautifully told by Fonda Lee (my brain keeps trying to correct her name to Jane Fonda, aging is a curse), Untethered Sky tells the story of a rukher on a mission and the roc that brings all her closest-held dreams into being.
I'm always astounded when authors can pack an entire new world into a novella (let alone a short story), but Fonda Lee has done it just the way I like it here. There's enough real-world analogue, but it melds beautifully with the fantasy elements, and the characters feel natural and well-developed.
I had such a great time with this novel, and though it's my first Fonda Lee I'm pretty sure it won't be my last.
I don't suppose my father ever guessed that I asked it as endlessly as he did. Some say ruhking is a calling. For me it was an answer to a question that had bored clear through my soul. I had a hole worn through my center, like one of Arnan's interesting blue river stones. People have admired rocs for centuries. Artists paint them, sculpt them, tell stories about them. I wanted to be one. I wanted to be the monster that kills other monsters.
This isn't a story about literal transformation, though, only the metaphorical transformation that occurs when the central dream of your life is won - and then something goes wrong. Beautifully told by Fonda Lee (my brain keeps trying to correct her name to Jane Fonda, aging is a curse), Untethered Sky tells the story of a rukher on a mission and the roc that brings all her closest-held dreams into being.
I'm always astounded when authors can pack an entire new world into a novella (let alone a short story), but Fonda Lee has done it just the way I like it here. There's enough real-world analogue, but it melds beautifully with the fantasy elements, and the characters feel natural and well-developed.
I had such a great time with this novel, and though it's my first Fonda Lee I'm pretty sure it won't be my last.
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February 28, 2023
This absolutely gutted me.
“I wanted to be the monster that kills other monsters.”
🦅
Ester has sought purpose ever since a manticore murdered her mother and baby brother. Her path leads her to the Royal Mews and the rocs, the giant birds who are the only things capable of killing a manticore…but the bond between roc and ruhker is as dangerous as it is strong.
Ughhhhhhhhhh Untethered Sky GUTTED me. The world-building. The emotion. The precarious bond between roc and ruhker. The STAKES. THE TRAGEDY. THE HOPE.
This novella is packed with emotion and gorgeous world building and characters you want to pledge your allegiance too…which is kinda totally exactly the same feelings that I got from Lee’s fantastic Green Bones saga.
But aside from the feels, the two works are very different, which just showcases Fonda Lee’s incredible range.
Anywho, if you want to fall in love with a giant bird and read about a complicated and fierce animal-human bond that will crush your soul and leave you heaving with tears streaming down your face, read this.
I received an ARC from the publisher
“I wanted to be the monster that kills other monsters.”
🦅
Ester has sought purpose ever since a manticore murdered her mother and baby brother. Her path leads her to the Royal Mews and the rocs, the giant birds who are the only things capable of killing a manticore…but the bond between roc and ruhker is as dangerous as it is strong.
Ughhhhhhhhhh Untethered Sky GUTTED me. The world-building. The emotion. The precarious bond between roc and ruhker. The STAKES. THE TRAGEDY. THE HOPE.
This novella is packed with emotion and gorgeous world building and characters you want to pledge your allegiance too…which is kinda totally exactly the same feelings that I got from Lee’s fantastic Green Bones saga.
But aside from the feels, the two works are very different, which just showcases Fonda Lee’s incredible range.
Anywho, if you want to fall in love with a giant bird and read about a complicated and fierce animal-human bond that will crush your soul and leave you heaving with tears streaming down your face, read this.
I received an ARC from the publisher
May 15, 2024
I am not gonna lie, I hardly remember this novella while I remember The Green Bone Saga very well.
They are very different stories so there is no need to compare them, all I remember about this is that it was enjoyable but nothing too special.
They are very different stories so there is no need to compare them, all I remember about this is that it was enjoyable but nothing too special.
June 7, 2024
Ever tried to train a big-ass bird that could eat you for lunch without breaking a sweat? Me neither. The falconry explored in this fantasy novella is on steroids, and there are monsters aplenty to hunt in such an untamed world.
🦅
The story is short and bittersweet. It yanks you into the gritty life of ruhkers (think falconers), brave men and women who team up with giant rocs (big-ass birds) that hunt monsters such as manticores. The story focuses on Ester's life as a ruhker with nothing but her wits, her roc, Zahra, and a hefty dose of raw courage. 💪
Ester is knee-deep in the muck, and she wrestles with what everyone expects her to be, her own deep fears, and the very real chance of being gobbled up by manticores. Yet, she's driven by this unstoppable urge to make a difference. Watching Ester face down both battlefield terror and personal doubts with such guts and grit is what makes the story interesting. She mixes vulnerability with a badass vibe in a way that makes her feel genuinely fantastic. ⚔️
However, the story just felt too short! Some parts dragged on a bit too much, while others were super intense and had me on the edge. Fonda Lee did a solid job with this novella, but it could've used more depth in character development and emotional punch. That's kinda tough to pull off in just 152 pages, especially in a fantasy setting. Still, if you're looking for a quick read to break up your usual book lineup, this one might just hit the spot. ✌️
The story is short and bittersweet. It yanks you into the gritty life of ruhkers (think falconers), brave men and women who team up with giant rocs (big-ass birds) that hunt monsters such as manticores. The story focuses on Ester's life as a ruhker with nothing but her wits, her roc, Zahra, and a hefty dose of raw courage. 💪
"People have admired rocs for centuries. Artists paint them, sculpt them, tell stories about them. I wanted to be one. I wanted to be the monster that kills other monsters."
Ester is knee-deep in the muck, and she wrestles with what everyone expects her to be, her own deep fears, and the very real chance of being gobbled up by manticores. Yet, she's driven by this unstoppable urge to make a difference. Watching Ester face down both battlefield terror and personal doubts with such guts and grit is what makes the story interesting. She mixes vulnerability with a badass vibe in a way that makes her feel genuinely fantastic. ⚔️
"When you love a person, you are expected to give them their freedom, but when you love a monster, you keep it caged."
However, the story just felt too short! Some parts dragged on a bit too much, while others were super intense and had me on the edge. Fonda Lee did a solid job with this novella, but it could've used more depth in character development and emotional punch. That's kinda tough to pull off in just 152 pages, especially in a fantasy setting. Still, if you're looking for a quick read to break up your usual book lineup, this one might just hit the spot. ✌️
"Any defiance of the wild leads at best to a fragile, temporary victory. Nature and fate are their own capricious monsters, ones that cannot be tamed any more than a roc ever truly belongs to her ruhker."
October 16, 2024
When you love a person, you are expected to give them their freedom, but when you love a monster, you keep it caged.
Fonda Lee is constantly cementing herself as one of my favorite authors.
Untethered Sky follows Ester, a girl half-orphaned by a deadly manticore who becomes a rukher, a hunter of her own killers. In the course of her relationship with Zahra, her massive, deadly roc, as well as her fellow rukhers Yasmine and Darius, she finds a pathway towards her own recovery.
A thousand things could be said about Fonda Lee's fantastic writing, and brilliant, smart character writing. Untethered Sky engages itself with two beasts from Persian and Arabian folklore: manticores, man-eating beasts with human heads and lion bodies, and rocs, giant birds able to hunt them. Ester's narration is compelling strong.
But what truly struck me about this novella is the building of relationships between the rocs and the rukhers. The rukhers grow to truly love their rocs, wishing for their presence. The rocs survive. When one bird dies, there is always another roc to train. Yet the rukhers mourn their birds. By the time we reach the wonderful, emotional ending, I was near tears and thinking about my cat.
SPOILER:
“You’re part of the answer. And even without your roc, you’re worth more to me than you can ever know.”
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July 16, 2022
well, this was A Book. i don't think i ever would've picked it up on my own, especially if i'd read the synopsis beforehand. the only reason why i did was because i've been practically obsessed with anything fonda lee writes, for over a year, and i wanted to see how her writing translates outside of the greenbone saga.
and my god, she did not disappoint! even with a plot line and characters that wouldn't normally interest me, she created a world so immersive and real, submerged me in it, made me feel like i was along the ride, the training, the first day out to hunt. i fell into the story like i'd fallen in jade city, except even better; because this novella proved to me, at least, that fonda can master a composition, even if it's as short as 160 pages, and even if it spans more than seven hundred. the writing was flawless, a brilliantly executed story, and if at a point i felt like everything came together a bit too conveniently, i think i can easily put that down to the word length constriction.
thank you to tordotcom for the arc. it was unbelievably rewarding returning to fonda lee once again. (4.5/5)
and my god, she did not disappoint! even with a plot line and characters that wouldn't normally interest me, she created a world so immersive and real, submerged me in it, made me feel like i was along the ride, the training, the first day out to hunt. i fell into the story like i'd fallen in jade city, except even better; because this novella proved to me, at least, that fonda can master a composition, even if it's as short as 160 pages, and even if it spans more than seven hundred. the writing was flawless, a brilliantly executed story, and if at a point i felt like everything came together a bit too conveniently, i think i can easily put that down to the word length constriction.
thank you to tordotcom for the arc. it was unbelievably rewarding returning to fonda lee once again. (4.5/5)
April 27, 2024
Untethered Sky truly standalone as a fantasy novella. There was something special about it. It flowed so naturally like a breeze. The writing style, the characters, the story, everything felt just right.
It can be easily finished in one sitting. The premise was interesting and Lee certainly delivered. By the last page, I found myself wanting more of the characters. The ending was bittersweet and again, very suitable for the story line.
I highly enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to all fantasy fans. It's not the most complex. The characters don't necessarily stand out. However, it gives these magical vibes that transport you to another place at another time.
It can be easily finished in one sitting. The premise was interesting and Lee certainly delivered. By the last page, I found myself wanting more of the characters. The ending was bittersweet and again, very suitable for the story line.
I highly enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to all fantasy fans. It's not the most complex. The characters don't necessarily stand out. However, it gives these magical vibes that transport you to another place at another time.
August 2, 2022
“People have admired rocs for centuries. Artists paint them, sculpt them, tell stories about them. I wanted to be one. I wanted to be the monster that kills other monsters.”
Untethered Sky is a story about loyalty, friendship, vengeance, and unrequited love. It examines the ties that form between human and nature, and the potential strength those ties bring. It’s also a testament to the power of dedicating your life to a craft, and the sacrifices you make in becoming an expert in your field.
When Ester was young, her family fell victim to a manticore attack. As the lone survivor and with nowhere left to turn, she is recruited by the royal league of ruhkers (think falconers, but with rocs). Ester is assigned a fledgling roc to raise, with the goal of teaching it how to hunt the manticores that are terrorizing the kingdom. It’s a lonely life, but something Ester becomes very good at.
“When you love a person, you are expected to give them their freedom, but when you love a monster, you keep it caged.”
The hunt scenes are breathtaking. Using a combination of chariots, horses, and lures, Lee writes beautiful and lifelike scenes of launching rocs above the spacious grasslands around the kingdom. It’s easy to become attached to the majestic Zahra, Ester’s roc. And when Ester begins a bond with a fellow ruhker named Darius, the shared love of their chosen paths is endearing.
The story has a powerful ending with substantial growth for each of the major characters. Anyone who has ‘owned’ a pet can draw some parallels from this story. Untethered Sky is a rich and rewarding journey that soars.
4.5/5 stars
Untethered Sky is a story about loyalty, friendship, vengeance, and unrequited love. It examines the ties that form between human and nature, and the potential strength those ties bring. It’s also a testament to the power of dedicating your life to a craft, and the sacrifices you make in becoming an expert in your field.
When Ester was young, her family fell victim to a manticore attack. As the lone survivor and with nowhere left to turn, she is recruited by the royal league of ruhkers (think falconers, but with rocs). Ester is assigned a fledgling roc to raise, with the goal of teaching it how to hunt the manticores that are terrorizing the kingdom. It’s a lonely life, but something Ester becomes very good at.
“When you love a person, you are expected to give them their freedom, but when you love a monster, you keep it caged.”
The hunt scenes are breathtaking. Using a combination of chariots, horses, and lures, Lee writes beautiful and lifelike scenes of launching rocs above the spacious grasslands around the kingdom. It’s easy to become attached to the majestic Zahra, Ester’s roc. And when Ester begins a bond with a fellow ruhker named Darius, the shared love of their chosen paths is endearing.
The story has a powerful ending with substantial growth for each of the major characters. Anyone who has ‘owned’ a pet can draw some parallels from this story. Untethered Sky is a rich and rewarding journey that soars.
4.5/5 stars
April 16, 2023
"we are partners in our captivity, each perfectly monstrous in our own way."
beautifully immersive writing and natural worldbuilding - fonda lee proved she's just as good at writing traditional adventure fantasy as she is at gritty urban fantasy.
while i enjoyed this story, i will say that if you don't love the concept of animal companions and if you're not absolutely sold by the premise, you won't like this book because that's pretty much all there is to it. it's a simple, straightforward narrative with not many surprises and a fairly predictable ending - i think the execution is good but if this wasn't a novella, i would've eventually gotten bored.
i liked the unique approach the story took with animal companions - the giant predator birds don't actually care about their human partners and are only with them out of necessity, while the humans love the birds with everything in them. i loved the obsessive ambition of our protagonist ester and how she saw her relentless drive mirrored in the carnivorous nature of the roc. however, the ending was a bit too abrupt and left me wanting. also, this is entirely personal, but how can you write a story about giant birds and not have people flying on them???
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