Deep Austin: Case of the Weird Carnivorous Sky

by Nicky Drayden, Matthew Bey

What if the sun doesn't come back?

Sarah, a single mom and avid grifter, can’t afford to take time off to save the world when the 2024 total solar eclipse goes horribly wrong and plunges Austin into eternal dimness. But as the city continues to get weirder and more dangerous under the blackened sun, she’s forced into action, recruiting pragmatic pedicabber Nook to track down the mysterious forces that have pushed Austin’s weirdness past the point of no return. Carnivorous clouds infest the sky as creatures from deep below emerge to cause mischief, and worse, Austinites are a little too quick to shrug it off as the new normal.

Sarah with her experience reading people, and Nook with her deep knowledge of the city streets, set their sights on bringing the old Austin back. They’re eager to get to the root of this evil until they realize the lengths and heights they’ll have to navigate to finally bring the sun back.

Genres: Fiction

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2024

About the author

Nicky Drayden is a Systems Analyst who dabbles in prose when she’s not buried in code. She resides in Austin, Texas where being weird is highly encouraged, if not required.

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Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book that was easy to follow and read. Having lived in Austin I could appreciate the local references. It is not a far stretch to imagine hundreds or thousands of grackles descending upon the HEB and pooping everything white as I saw it happen often at the HEB by my home.
I wondered about the cover art but after reading the book, it makes perfect sense. Worth the read.

[Sofi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicky Drayden's "Deep Austin: Case of the Weird Carnivorous Sky" is a dazzling spectacle of imagination and quirky brilliance. Set against a vividly rendered Austin backdrop, Drayden blends science fiction, humor, and mystery into a seamless narrative that keeps you hooked from the first page. The plot is as outlandish as it is captivating, featuring a sky that suddenly turns carnivorous, posing a peculiar threat to the city. Drayden's characters are charmingly oddball and immensely relatable, each bringing a unique flavor to the story. The writing is crisp and punchy, filled with unexpected twists and delightful absurdity. "Deep Austin" is an inventive, fast-paced romp that will leave you laughing and gasping in equal measure, proving once again that Drayden is a master of the bizarre. If you're looking for a book that's as wildly entertaining as it is thought-provoking, this is it. A must-read for fans of imaginative storytelling!

[Nicky Drayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I know I wrote half of this book, but I still think it's 5 stars! Or maybe 4.5, but I'll round up. The other half of this novella is authored by long-time friend, Matthew Bey, whose wit and weirdness exceed my own, so you're certainly in for a treat if you're looking for a spunky and homorous apocalyptic story, with a side order of humanity and topped with three scoops of absurdity.

If you'd like to know more about the Deep Austin series, check us out at: deepaustin.org where you can also claim your pair of FREE ECLIPSE GLASSES with proof of your book order! While supplies last! US Only.

[Shonna Mantle Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this e-book on GoodReads. Thank goodness the solar eclipse in April let the sun come back and we didn't have to deal with this craziness! This is a sci-fi apocalyptic quick read. You need to be able to have some imagination to read this story. I did feel like it had a political lean to it, which some people will not like. I wasn't crazy about the back and forth from 1st person to 3rd person writing, but it was consistent with each character. Overall, an interesting read. Thank you for the giveaway!

[George Auckland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked reading this book as an austin resident. I thoroughly recommend it for any Texan. It was really creative. The idea that the pedicabbers were the super heros and they all lived in a coop. The elements of history local history and the ghost moon towers were cool. I read that part of the book in the city pool right below where the ghost moontower would have been. So fun. Also a very easy read. Quick. No big words.

[Kristen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story and that was surprising to me because I was very not into the cover. I know, I know, you aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover. I think something highlighting the eclipse would draw in a wider variety or readers.

Back to the story, I enjoyed the mother daughter aspects, and especially the strong black women taking on the responsibility to save the day.

[TKD · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up from "Blind Date with a Book". It was a fun little read with an apt cover. Being from Austin, I appreciated the local references, such as the savage grackles at HEB. And I did laugh out loud at the image of Matthew McConaughey hitting a giant demon with a pair of bongos.

I just wasn't a huge fan of Sarah and found her slimy.

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read in time for the April eclipse. Thrilling and creepy. Austinites, keep your eyes on the sky!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

What in the ever loving mad libs inspired nonsense did I just read?

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway.

It was okay.

[Frankie Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Definitely a fun read. If you like sci-fi, you should read this book!