Untethered Sky

by Fonda Lee

Jaime Jones (Artist)

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 join 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.

• ISBN10: 1250842468
• ISBN13: 9781250842466
• Publish Date: 22 May 2023 (first published 11 April 2023)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Tor Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 160
• Language: English
• URL: http://melia.co.uk/page/detail/?k=9781250842466

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Untethered Sky is a beautifully lyrical and well written adventure fantasy novella by veteran fantasist Fonda Lee. Released 11th April 2023 by Macmillan on their Tor/Forge imprint, it's 160 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats. 

The pacing in this very pared-down story was odd and it wasn't always satisfyingly filled out. That being said, it's a short very well written story about a roc handler and her charge, Zahra. It's a traditional fantasy setting, and the characters are well rendered and believable (in context). I don't think the author has ever produced a bad piece of writing, and this is no exception. She's outstanding at character and setting and this short novel is enjoyable. 

Four stars. Odd pacing, short in stature, and spare, it's nonetheless worthwhile to seek out. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

Ester was born to be part of the King's Royal Mews; she knows it. These are the brave people who work with rocs (think extremely large falcons) to hunt a dangerous animal known as manticores.

Admittedly, Ester has a personal connection to this hunt. She lost her mother and brother to a manticore and barely survived the monster herself. Since then, it has become a personal obsession to help the hunt. Then she was given her own roc. Never could she have dreamed of being so connected to another creature.

My Review:

Oh wow. Untethered Sky has got to be one of the most emotional books I've had the luxury of reading. It is powerful and has so much of everything. There are layers to this novella that take it to new heights (pun not intended, but appreciated). It's certainly going to warrant another read-through (or two).

There is something so profoundly human about Esther's obsession. That's what gets me. Yes, the monster-hunting elements are fun (and dangerous), but it's the main protagonist of this story that makes it so compelling.

It would have been nice if we had more time to explore these concepts. Likewise, I would have loved a chance to get to know some of the secondary characters better. It would have added to the impact of the conclusion, for better or worse. I understand that, as a novella, that wasn't possible to do. Still, I would love to see this world turned into a series. It has the potential!

Untethered Sky is a high-fantasy novel with depth, grace, and so much to offer. It'll pull readers in, forge an emotional connection, and then take them along on a fantastical journey. What I wouldn't give to go back and time to read it for the first time again.

Highlights:
High Fantasy
Extreme Falconry
Monster Hunting

Trigger Warnings:
Animal Death
Severe Injuries
Familial Death

Thanks to Tor.com for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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