Ethan and Skye: A Fortune Falls Novella

by Lou Vane

Please be aware that this novella is not a standalone story and not a prequel. It should only be read after you have finished Fortune Falls as it contains story elements that could be considered spoilers. Ethan and Skye is a side story novella, and number 1.5 in the reading order for the series.

Ethan and Skye

In the wake of a devastating accident that gravely injures one of their students, Ethan and Skye are thrust into a race against time. But as they rush from their isolated mountain camp to hospital, they return to a world utterly transformed. Homes abandoned, towns deserted, and a state under military lockdown.

With a deadly virus spreading and the state under martial law, Ethan and Skye find themselves at a crossroads. Flee to the border in search of sanctuary, or sacrifice their only chance of refuge in order to warn their friends.

Stranded with only each other to rely on, Ethan and Skye must navigate a virus-ravaged land. A journey filled with peril, eluding military patrols and marauding bands of looters, as well as the greatest threat that faces them all. The infected.

Genres: Dystopia, Fiction

79 pages, Paperback

Published September 16, 2023

About the author

Lou Vane is a New Zealand–born, Adelaide-based author of young adult post-apocalyptic fiction. She is the author of the Fortune Falls series, a character-driven survival story that blends high-stakes adventure with found family, loyalty, and the resilience of young people forced to grow up far too quickly.

Inspired by rugged landscapes, mountains, and remote wilderness, Lou’s stories explore what remains when the world falls apart — not just survival, but humanity, connection, and hope. Her writing is known for immersive settings, emotionally grounded characters, and friendships that feel as real as the danger they face.

When she’s not writing (or obsessing over timelines, translations, and audiobooks), Lou can usually be found planning the next adventure, working with her incredible reader community, or daydreaming about hidden valleys and end-of-the-world scenarios.

The Fortune Falls series is available in multiple languages, with audiobooks currently in production.

Reviews

[Carly W.]

This was a straightforward little novella that gave us a different perspective to the outside world and all the chaos that was going on during Fortune Falls! I just love Ethan and Skye’s sibling banter! I definitely recommend reading this novella immediately after the first book!

[Reds Book Nook]

This novella is set during Fortune Falls, and gives us Ethan and Skye's story.

I loved this novella, usually I don't enjoy novellas as they reiterate the storyline just from someone else's pov. But Ethan and Skye was exactly what I needed after finishing Fortunes Falls book 1.

It did not go over anything that happened in book 1, it gives us the pieces of the story we were missing. While also giving us insight into who Ethan and Skye are on a deeper level.

I love this series, Lou Vane is an incredible author, her writing is captivating and realistic. Her characters are relatable and interesting. I can't to see where the rest of this series goes.

[Donna’s Escape]

I wish I read this Novella after book one, like I was supposed to, but I’m still glad I read it. This is what happened to Ethan and Skye when they took injured Holly to the hospital. They found out about the virus and the chaos. They work hard to make it back to the group in the mountains before they are captured and made to stay confined in a refugee center.

I love Skye and Ethan, although in the beginning I wasn’t crazy about Skye.

[BookdragonMarit]

Cute little book. It is just nice to see it from this other perspective

[Sumika]

At first I was like Skye? Clumsy? But then again worrying for a loved one really can make you lose focus!

Cute side quest read 😂

[Jason Marchingo]

Reading this novella and exploring the perspectives of two characters as they are forced to take a seemingly brief absence from the first novel, is something I wish I could explore everywhere.

The missing links have finally been joined together.

The ending of this novella up to the current point in time (in relevance to when the characters are reunited) left my heart absolutely wrenching for the character knowing what beholds her.

This is simply 5 stars which should come as no surprise.

I was tense arguably the entire time I read it, wondering, worrying and hoping that they made it okay, even knowing in the back of my mind that they’d be okay.

This is just as action packed, survival driven, edge of your seat in anticipation as much as the first book, and, I look forward to jumping in to the second novel shortly after leaving this review.

Lou, you should be incredibly proud to have created something so amazing. Thank you so much for the journey - I must say I’m very nervous going in to book 2 with no idea what to expect..

[Camelia]

I like that I see their backstories. It is cruel to go back home and find that all is changed. To run for your life, to become a prey in a world full of hunters. It is clear that the government chose aversion, fight, lies on purpose. They want more than to stop the plague, virus whatever is it called. In my opinion they want to get rid of people with a lie, a big lie. ok the virus exist but why this military intervention and crazy crazy deaths. It is so sad to see what chaos can create. A hole New worlds. A game of who survives and who don't.

[MrsRuralReads]

This is a novella in the Fortune Falls series that I didn’t know existed when I first read the series. It technically should be read between book one and two.

It’s a short story told from Ethan’s (my fave) and Skye’s point of view when they leave the rest of the crew for a short time to help an injured friend at the beginning of the virus outbreak.

It was just as epic as the rest of the series. I loved getting to read from other perspectives and spending more time with these characters.

My only fault? It wasn’t long enough.

[Natalynn]

I really enjoy reading this novella. It doesn’t go over anything that happens in Fortune Falls (other than the group that ran into the mountains), but it gives us more pieces to the story that we were missing before. It tells us about the virus and what Etahan and Skye went through while they were seperated from the group. I liked the dual POV because it went into more of what these two characters are like and how they think.

[Barbara Young]

Thankyou Lou Vane I am so glad to read "Ethan and Skye"

I now have the satisfaction that I have found the missing piece to a jigsaw puzzle. I now understand better what happened after Ethan and Skye we're separated and how they dealt with the devastation and shock of what happened next. A great Novella, now to continue my book journey with the Fortune Falls wonderful series with Book 2 "Novas"

[Courtney Perry]

Literally nothing happened in this book. I just kept thinking about how bored I was while reading it. I was excited to see what happened to Ethan and Skye when they were gone. Instead we got some rambling on about the logistics of how they would get from one place to another. At least I feel good now about not reading the sequel.

[Lisa Johnston]

It was so great to catch up with what these two characters were doing in their time away from the main story line in the Fortune Falls series. Vane's writing is always enticing and she has a gift in developing characters who readers want to root for. I am looking forward to her next release!

[Alexis Mercanti]

I loved this quick little view into what happened with them. Like some others have said, I grew extremely curious what happened during that span of time, and am so thankful that I was able to find out!

[Elisa Kay]

This novella helped to fill in gaps in the storyline of Ethan and Skye after they left the group at the lodge.

It should be read directly after Fortune Falls, for the best effect.

I saved it and read it after all of the other books.

[Patricia Poulsen]

Awesome book, really enjoyed the insight into their backstories. As well as the knowledge of what happened when they were away

[Nicole]

2.5⭐️

It wasn’t bad but also nothing really happened?

[Bookgirl]

How did I not know about this novella? I so wish I had read this after book 1 or even 2. Excellent adventure with a different perspective. This is such an amazing series.

[Jennifer]

It wasn't bad, but it also didn't actually add anything to the story 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Kat]

I loved getting Ethan’s pov and learning a bit more about what happened

[Ellani]

Gave a bit more information on the virus than the 1st book

[Brea's_Books]

This was such a sweet view into the siblings ❤️

[Lee]

I missed this book in the first read through of this series! This was super fun. Fast paced, charming, and overall good fun. An excellent compliment to the overall series.

[JuLia Smith]

This novella was as action packed and survival oriented as the rest of the series so far. I would have been nice if we got to see a little more backstory from the two main characters in the book. It was a little slow through the middle.

[KatharinaSabine_]

A fun extra while waiting for the next book

⭐ 4 Stars

I loved reading it while waiting for the next main book of the series to come. It's an easy additional read, not neccessary for the series.