Once We Flew

by Nikky Lee, Anna Maste (Narrator)

Four generations ago a generation ship crashed into the sands of Savene. Since then, its survivors have eked out an existence in the planet’s hostile desert. Yet, the tech is failing, the sands are encroaching, and people are dying.

Rescue is still generations away—if it comes at all.

But Marsa is a survivor.

And an outcast.

Infected with the Chrysalis—a disease that grants its carriers uncanny abilities—she keeps her distance from her dwindling community.

Until an old friend’s dying wish sends her and a young boy across Savene’s inhospitable sands in search of something Marsa had thought she’d long forgotten.

Hope.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Novella, Mystery

Audiobook

Published May 24, 2024

About the author

Nikky Lee is an award-winning author who grew up as a barefoot 90s kid in Perth, Western Australia on Whadjuk Noongar Country. She now lives in Aotearoa New Zealand with a husband, a dog, and a couch potato cat. In her free time, she writes speculative fiction, often burning the candle at both ends to explore fantastic worlds, mine asteroids and meet wizards. She's had over two dozen stories published in magazines, anthologies and on the radio.

Her fantasy, sci-fi and horror fiction has won three Australian Aurealis Awards, two New Zealand Sir Julius Vogel Awards, Bronze at the Foreward INDIES Book of the Year, three Indie Ink Awards, and a Ditmar Award for Best New Talent.

Reviews

[Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read!

This is an absolute must read.

I wish this wasn't a novella and could have gone on much longer.

Will definitely be reading more of Ms. Lee's books.

[Chloe Frizzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is something special. It carefully guides you into a world of deadly crystals and dangerous deserts. I loved every minute of this, and highly recommend it.

[Nikky Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I don't rate my individually authored books, but since this rating started as a phone fumble while Goodreads was open (*visualise a frantic butterfingers juggle*) that ended in me accidentially 1-staring my own book (🫠) I might as well make the most of it...

[Jamedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once We Flew is an interesting science fantasy novella, written by Nikky Lee. A gripping story featuring an older MC, Marsa, and Koby, her best friend's son, in the search of a way to survive as species on a desert planet, where humanity crashed four generations ago, in a really intense plot about grief and hope.

The human colony on this planet has been fading over the years, without the hope of a rescue soon; the fight for survival is getting harder. Marsa has lived isolated since she got affected by the Chrysalis' illness; but when the son of her best friend comes to her home, she goes to have a last moment with her friend. However, this will only mark the start of the adventure, as in the visions she experiences, there's space for hope, starting a travel together with Koby towards where it seems there might be answers for their prays.

Lee has achieved a sweet balance between characters and worldbuilding in this piece. Not only we have such a relatable main character as Marsa, a woman that chose isolation after contracting the disease, but the relationship with Koby is adorable, even with their own highs and lows. The relatively short cast of characters plays in favour of the novella.

The worldbuilding has some reminiscent of Star Wars, and I was quite intrigued by the tech and how the Chrysalis' illness is getting over the colony. Despite being a short piece, there's so much packed inside it, without affecting the pacing.

An excellent novella, perfect if you are looking to read a science-fantasy story with heart; an intense book that won't let you stay indifferent.

Disclaimer: This review represents my personal opinion. Score and review from the whole team might vary.

[Serena ♡]

I mean… it’s Nikky Lee. It’ll be good if not great. Also, older woman main character in scifi??? Hello??? Sounds like fucking fun to me

[Tabitha Tomala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was read as part of SFINCS2!

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Once We Flew

Chrysalis is an inevitable disease, a price everyone must pay to live on Savene. And while it will give a person powers, it will ultimately be their end. Marsa has exiled herself because of an uncontrollable ability to gain a person's memories through touch. But when she is summoned to the bedside of her dying friend, she will take on their final memories. Memories that dare to show Marsa a way to end the suffering of them all. If only Marsa can maintain the memories long enough.

Marsa's story will begin with a tragic loss. One written to show the raw grief exposed when a loved one dies. Regret from distancing herself hangs heavy in Marsa’s heart as she begins her journey. Guilt and doubt are steadfast partners in this novella. If Marsa were alone, this could have been a very different tale. However, she is accompanied by Koby, the grandson of her departed friend. And it is through Koby’s youthful determination Marsa is able to find the will to continue.

The dynamics between Marsa and Koby were a delight to read. And the memories Marsa cycles through seeing her friend in Koby’s actions are heartwarming. Koby’s ability to utilize dying technology to ease their journey also grants the reader glimpses of what the world could have once been. Before it was a near wasteland of sand and dead tech.

Once We Flew is an emotion packed journey. The characters are wonderful, the world-building is spot on and the blend of sci-fi and fantasy is so well done. Not to mention I never could have predicted the ending. I would eagerly recommend this to fans of both fantasy and sci-fi.

[Trudie Skies · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second sci-fi book in my semi-finalist batch, this one immediately gave me Star Wars vibes, as the story is set on a desert planet featuring a colony of humans who are stranded there and doing their best to make it work after leaving earth. Life hasn’t been easy, and some of the colonists have been infected by an odd disease that leaves crystal-like tumorous growths while also granting magical powers. The story is told from the POV of Marsa, and older woman with a crystal growth in her foot. She’s witnessed the colony fade over the years, as well as the ill health of her best friend to a similar crystal growth. All of this misery has left Marsa hardened and living a life of seclusion, until her best friend’s son comes to collect Marsa to pass on her dying wishes.

This final moment, and a magical vision, pushes Marsa into making a treacherous journey across the desert in search of promised hope for the colonists – either a way off the planet, or a better way to live. I’m a big fan of adventurous journeys in fiction, especially where there is a element of mystery around the world. Once We Flew definitely hit all those right notes for me with a character I instantly connected with and found endearing and a story that had some genuinely touching moments. I especially appreciated having an older woman as the protagonist. It’s not often they get to be a hero of an adventure or have their own heroic journey, and I also liked how she navigated her world with the aches and pains of age, as well as the chronic illness related to her foot.

Once We Flew is a wonderful standalone sci-fi story that gave me everything I wanted from a novella. I look forward to reading more from the author.

[Dave Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for SFINCS. RTC

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been meaning to read this one ever since hosting the cover reveal for it. Receiving an audio review copy was the perfect way to squeeze this in today. This reminded me a lot of one of my favorite novellas (The First Omega by Megan E. O’Keefe), not because of its themes but because of the things I liked about it. It felt very purposeful with its plot, the world building was so easy to picture, and the ending was surprising and satisfying. There were some really cool details that I enjoyed. It had trauma, stress, and emotional impact. The narrator felt like a good fit for the older fMC. I enjoyed their general narration and the voices for the various characters. This is the second novella I’ve now read by this author and I’m looking forward to reading a full novel next!

[Tom Bookbeard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little crystalpunk novella had a lot of heart. Nikky Lee writes a curious tale of a savanna wasteland planet that a colony of humans has crash landed on. The survivors struggle for water while affected by chrysalis - a cystaline disease. When all hope for humanity seems lost, a lady's dying wish sees Marsa and Koby traversing the desert for salvation.

I have always enjoyed desert themed SFF stories, which meant soaring over sand dunes in Once We Flew was a pleasure from the very first page. The crystal-encrusted planet had plenty of surprises along the way before a truly speculative final act gave a satisfying ending.

It's short, it's sweet and it's sandy. A great read!

[Jae Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for giving me an ARC!

This novella has an impressive amount of world-building packed into a quick read. Love the concept of the crystals, especially that ‘ooooh’ moment as I figured out what was happening. Definitely has a ‘science fantasy’ feel with spaceships, a futuristic setting, and a tech/magic blend that’s accessible to fantasy fans like myself.

Bonus points for disability rep and an older female protagonist.

[Colby Kincaid · Rating 3 out of 5]

short, confusing, but meaningful

[Clare Rhoden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once We Flew is an intriguing sci-fi/future-fantasy novella that ponders how we, as humans, survive beyond our coping strategies. On the sand-ridden planet Savene, survivors of a colony-destined space mission struggle to cope in a world not completely suited to human life, and without the support of their failed technology.

Our protagonists are not the first to investigate Savene as a home world. An alien race, visiting the planet long before the crash-landing of the humans, did what they could to life-form the place for future residents even as their own chance at survival disappeared. 

The only problem is that their well-meaning alien safety methodology isn't particularly suited to human life.

Marsa, one of the elders, is called from her chosen hermit-style life by Koby, the son of her old friend. A dying vision, gifted by the crystal 'curse' that affected both women, offers hope in the face of futility.

Marsa and Koby race across the sands to find a possible way forward for the entire space-ship-wrecked community.

With a rare gift for narrative, Lee delivers a great deal in this slim, elegant novella. Her characters are instantly likeable, and the reader quickly gets onside with the older, disabled woman (Marsa) who leads the way for young, confused but brave teen Koby. It's rather nice not to be looking to the east for a hero or a wizard on a white horse. These characters are much more relateable.

For me, this little gem is up there with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (and the others in the Wayfinders series.) In fact, I'd love Lee to craft some companion novellas to flesh out this world! Please?!

Just released, perfect for Christmas

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Before We Go Blog for SFINCS: https://beforewegoblog.com/sfincs-rev...


Somehow, when I picked up Once We Flew, I wasn't expecting a sci-fi, but sci-fi it is and I was thoroughly enchanted by author Nicky Lee's rich and thoughtful worldbuilding, as well as the desert setting of Savene. With a clear voice right from the jump and a fascinating late-game reveal, it's clear why Once We Flew is a finalist. Although I did have some quibbles, I have no hesitation recommending this one to sci-fi and fantasy fans alike (though it is absolutely firmly in the sci-fi camp, aspects of the world and narrative put me in mind of the work of R. B. Lemberg, and it will likely find some fans from amongst Lemberg's readership).

The world in Once We Flew is a harsh and desolate one. Marsa, our protagonist, ekes out a meagre existence alongside fellow colonists on a desert planet that's cursed her (and some of her people) with a devastating progressive illness. Although Marsa is gifted with psychic powers that allow her to hear the memories of those she touches (granting her the ability to absorb the knowledge of doctors from generations past), the cost is a painful crystalline growth making its way up her leg and to her hip. These cancerous crystals aren't just a threat to Marsa, but to the whole community of survivors, despite that those cursed with them are graced with special abilities. When Marsa's dying friend tasks her with a
mission to travel the sands, Marsa doesn't know what to think. Nonetheless, she can't ignore her friend Zahra's final wish, and pilots a sand-sail with Zahra's son Koby in search of a truth she can't see the shape of. With Koby now also suffering from the illness, the clock is ticking on both Marsa's civilization, and her strongest emotional bond to her people.

Although early on there were some grammatical/tense issues and a few typos (easily ignored), I generally found the prose lovely. At times it felt LeGuinian, as did the sense of place and the thoughtfulness surrounding things like the culture of the world of Savene. It was easy for me to picture many of the more romantic features of the setting, such as Savene's three moons and the seemingly endless dunes. Small details, like that Marsa's people had once lived in or near the Sahara and that they maintained a dislike for cremation (cremation is haram in Islam) made the world feel grounded and its characters part of something larger than themselves. If it seems like I'm slipping between talking about the prose and the worldbuilding, I think that in itself should underscore that in OWF the two are very happily married. Everything Lee does here is in service to the greater story, yet doesn't sacrifice style or beauty. Often for me, the sign of a truly excellent writer is when no individual part of a work can be excised from any other, and that's very much the case here. There's a sense that Lee's understanding of the world, story, and writing are one and the same and that it was envisioned as a complete whole (rather than any particular aspect being treated as an afterthought). There was, all in all, an elegance to the writing, and Lee is undeniably a talented writer.

Character-wise, Marsa and Koby were both easily likeable protagonists. It's a tight cast, and while it's really Marsa's book, I want to highlight how impressed I was by Lee's ability to make me care about several off-page characters who we see only through Marsa's visions. Although sometimes there could have been more clarity in the vision passages to really emphasize that what we're witnessing is a collapse of Marsa's sense of self into the memories of the dead (rather than pronoun confusion), when a few late-book characters are introduced at the very end they were incredibly vivid and immediately hooked me emotionally. Throughout OWF, I felt for both Marsa (whose chronic, progressive illness was superbly handled) and for Koby (loveable and intelligent, though with a youthful naivety and earnestness). As previously mentioned, Marsa's voice is very strong, helped by the competent first-person narration. Although I'm always excited to see an "older" protagonist, I wasn't entirely convinced by this aspect of Marsa, who read as fairly young to me (outside what we're told by the text), and this is one area where the voice perhaps didn't quite match the intention (but might equally speak to the strength of Marsa as a character, in that she seemed very eager to be who she was, no matter whether it fit the expectations of author or audience).

One thing that's worth noting about OWF is that it's a fairly dense novella, and felt a little structurally and developmentally unbalanced. Although there was a texture to the first three quarters, I found myself mentally drifting with some frequency, with the cool worldbuilding not quite enough on its own to pull me back. What did jolt me out of this sensation was the aforementioned reveal late in the story, which added an exciting new narrative element and increased both the stakes and the sense of pathos I felt for the characters (and world) writ large. Although some aspects of the reveal remained a little too murky for me, it presented a fascinating puzzle that had its own emotional pull. After this discovery on Marsa's part, however, the rest of the plot resolved itself a little too quickly. I would have liked to have seen some judicious trimming in those first three quarters, where the vagueness of Zahra's dying wish wasn't quite enough to sustain or justify the density of the text. Had the reveal come a little sooner, the aftermath of the new information Marsa, Koby, and the reader learned would have had more room to breathe.

If it seems as though my review is a little harsh, it's actually because OWF is so close to a perfect novella, and so the issues I had stick out to me as I reflect on it. There's so very much that Lee does exceptionally well, and with some quite simple tweaks I think I would have flown through it and rated it an easy five stars (ten in the context of SFINCS). The worldbuilding, the concept, and the characters are all ideal for a novella-length work, and there's so much cleverness to what Lee sets up. Nicky Lee is an author to watch, and OWF is a novella I can recommend to sci-fans (particularly of desert, sci-fi settings) the post-apocalyptic but living world of the Horizon videogames, and R. B. Lemberg.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author managed to balance the plot and characters in this sci-fi novella. The world felt unique and imaginative. It also made me want to know more about the Chyrsalis, like what other abilities exist and how those people are coping in this world.

You don't usually follow older and disabled MCs, so it was a unique perspective and I appreciated the representation.

My one critique is that the visions our MC sees in this story are slightly confusing. I would have loved it if she elaborated a little more.

Overall, this was a sweet story. This novella truly shows that hope can be found even in the most dire situations.

[Bill Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I read this novella as part the judging group The Secret Scribes for the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS) finals phase. The following review is strictly my personal thoughts as each novella will be reviewed by multiple judges to be as objective as possible.*

Once We Flew was an interesting science fiction novella that had a bit of fantasy baked into it. One that grounded the reader in an uninhabitable planet but still gave us hope for the future.

On a desert-like planet, the last remnants of a failed space mission that crashed landed generations prior are struggling to survive. Their technology has either broken or in dire straits. The people are dwindling, mostly due to a crystal-like disease that ravages them, body and mind (while also giving some interesting magic-esque powers). A hermit, Marsa, gets a knock on her door by her old friend’s son, Koby. There at her friend’s deathbed, Marsa gets a premonition for their future, so she and Koby take off to find it.

Marsa is our protagonist and point-of-view character (told via first person) and she is being consumed by the chrysalis (the disease), her leg basically a giant crystal. She’s older, so that something you don’t always see. But she’s also stayed away from the community of people due to her ability the chrysalis has granted her (which is connected to controlling storms, specifically sandstorms). She’s kinda grumpy, but also determined. A very fun protagonist for sure. The other character of any note is Koby, and he is great. Young, brash, brave, intelligent. He was a great foil to Marsa. I also really liked how he deferred to Marsa but pushed back when necessary. His wind-powered ride was also very neat.

I will say the plot was very interesting. I quite like sci-fi where colonizers/missions failed and people need to survive. It’s a tale as old as time but a personal fave of mine. This was right up my alley. I thought the addition of the chrysalis brought a fun level of time (aka countdown) as Marsa’s limitations drove the tension, but especially after she uses her gift to fend off some beasties (and what awesome beasties these were! Vicious and dangerous, loved them!). There was so much tension, so much danger in such a little novella. And then the relationship between Marsa and Koby really lifted up the plot. They grew to trust each other in their own ways, so there was plenty of growth to go along with the engaging plot.

The prose of the novella was excellent. The pace was very steady and didn’t take long to read at only 106ish pages. The dialogue was spot on for the ages of the characters, and the worldbuilding was solid, not info dumpy at all.

For me, Once We Flew was a great sci-fi novella, one I enjoyed quite a bit. The ending was slightly open-ended but that was a perfect ending for what this tale intended. Highly recommend.

[S. Bavey]

I am reviewing Once We Flew by Nikki Lee on behalf of Team Behind the Musings for the SFINCS2 novella contest. My rating has been withheld until the round is over. I received a complimentary copy, but my review is honest and my opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this gripping science fantasy story featuring an older woman named Marsa and Koby, her late best friend’s son. They are desperately seeking a way for their species to survive on a hostile planet. They crashed onto Savene, a sand covered planet, a few generations ago and things have got worse for them over the years as they fought to survive there. Their story was an emotional, exciting read. Marsa’s friend died from the Chrysalis illness soon after Marsa arrived to try and help cure her, after being estranged from this family for many years. There was a strong sense of the despair felt by these settlers for their seemingly helpless, deteriorating situation, and horror at the Chrysalis illness which was gradually encrusting Marsa’s foot and leg with crystals in addition to awarding her the status of ‘Maga’ and giving her some very useful powers:

“While Chrysalis’s ‘gifts’ helped us survive, allowed Magas to read the sands, predict the storms, see, hear and dream things we couldn’t possibly know, our uncanniness was unnerving. We were respected but rarely welcomed.“

There was also hope and determination in Marsa and Koby’s tale, as they set off on a seemingly impossible quest, encountering a terrifying sandstorm and frightening creatures along the way.

I really connected with the character of Marsa, a childless older lady who had separated herself from her society and the friend she loved when the illness began to manifest itself. She was brave and fiercely protective of Koby, yet accepted his stubborn nature and determination to accompany her and did not force him to go back to his grieving father. Their relationship was heartwarming and believable and one of the things I loved most about this story.

The worldbuilding in this novella was strong, the ingrained fear of sandstorms and the creatures living in burrows among the sand was bound to remind me a little of Dune. The horror and fear of the seemingly inescapable Chrysalis illness was palpable:

“grimacing as I forced my hardened foot back into its boot. I caught Koby staring at it, eyes locked on the crystal growths that clumped over every inch of toe, arch and heel.”

The ending of this story was unexpected, and it felt somewhat hurried compared to the rest of the story. I did find it a satisfying ending, I just wish some more time had been spent fleshing it out. I highly recommend this novella.

[Nils Ödlund]

I read this books as part of Team Booked Solid, judging the SFINCS novella competition. This review reflects only my own thoughts and does not represent the team’s final score.. I received a free copy of the book for the purpose of judging.
Also take note that this novella cleared two qualifying rounds and is one out of ten books that made it to the finals.


---

This science fiction novella tells the story of an aging woman, Marsa, trying to fulfil her best friend’s dying wish. Only, it’s not so much a wish as a vision, or maybe a prophecy. If Marsa can find what she saw in her friend’s memories before she passed, it may save her small village from extinction.

A generation ago, a space ship full of settlers crashed on an inhospitable desert planet. Thousands died, but some survived and started eking out a living in the harsh climate. The village lives on, but time is running out, and strange afflictions affect the villagers.

It’s that affliction which allowed Marsa to see her friend’s memories, and it’s what allowed the friend to see visions of the future, and possible salvation.

What I didn’t Like
The scope of the story is just slightly too big, and I feel like it might have worked better as a full length novella. There’s a little too much going on, and while the situation is definitely serious, I didn’t quite feel the gravity of it.

What I Liked
The ideas. The setting is built around a number of interesting ideas, that I won’t go into detail about. It’s another reason I think this ought to have been a novel. There’s just that much to explore.

I also liked that we get a story told from an older woman’s perspective. The exact age isn’t clear, but from the way she’s treated by other characters, and herself, she’s probably at least upper middle-age. Not a common perspective, but it felt fitting.

Final Words
Once We Flew is a well written Sci-Fi novella with a lot of interesting ideas, but it could have filled a lot more pages without issue.

[Alex Scheuermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this novella as part of the Secret Scribes judging group for the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). This review is my personal opinion and does not solely determine if this story will win the competition.

Stranded on a desert planet for generations, the descendants are just trying to survive the harsh environment but a strange crystalline disease grants its carriers unusual abilities while slowly consuming their bodies. Marsa has isolated herself from the others to keep them safe from her own Chrysalis disease, but when the son of an old friend knocks on her door, asking her for a final audience with her friend before she passes, Marsa is sent on a quest to find a way home.

The beating heart of Once We Flew is Marsa's relationship with Koby, the son of an old friend. The young enthusiasm of Koby shines against the worn-down gloom of Marsa.

The magic system is interesting with dire consequences for anyone infected. As the crystals slowly eat away peoples' bodies until they are consumed completely as we see with Zahra. It lends to the atmosphere of hopelessness that accentuates the feeling from survivors of the spaceship crash. I adored Koby's resilience and ingenuity as he tries to assist with his mother's dying wish.

Marsa's character arc could've been a bit stronger. She grows a bit in opening herself up to Koby but in the end it was her powers that saved the day, which wasn't as satisfying as I would've liked for this focused story.

I recommend Once We Flew to anyone who likes a blend of fantasy and sci-fi with a tight cast and focus on the relationship between two characters while at the same time has elements of mystery for the reader to puzzle over.

[L.M. Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this novella as part of the Secret Scribes judging group for the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS) Finals.

And I can absolutely see why it made it this far in the competition! The story is the perfect length, with well-developed characters and clear, compelling stakes.

Generations of survivors have eked out a living on this barren planet since crash-landing there long ago.

At the heart of the story is Marsa, an older woman whose disability was caused by the planet itself. The Chrysalis—crystals that have fused with her body—grant her overwhelming gifts, so much so that she chose to live in isolation, away from the settlement. But when her oldest friend is dying and calls for her, she must return one last time to receive a vital message—one that could change everything and offer their people a chance to survive.

Alongside her friend’s son, Koby—a clever, strong-willed boy—she must navigate deadly storms, evade the skitters that see them as prey, and push through their own injuries to uncover the key to survival on this unforgiving world. Their interactions felt authentic and layered, adding depth to the story and making their bond all the more compelling.

This novella is well worth a read—it feels unique in many ways. Though fantasy is my go-to genre, I was completely absorbed in the characters' struggles, drawn in by Lee's vivid descriptions and compelling prose. Lee is a top-notch storyteller, and now that I’ve discovered her work, I’ll definitely be reading more. If you're looking for a gripping, character-driven sci-fi read, this one is not to be missed!

[Zachary Forbes]

Read for SFINCS2 competition

Once We Flew follows Marsa, a survivor from a crashed generation ship on the hostile desert world of Savene. Marsa is infected with something called the Chrysalis--which grants its hosts certain abilities, but also sets them as an outcast amongst the other survivors. A dying friend leaves Marsa with one last wish, and so begins our characters' journey.

For me, the strongest aspect of this story was its concept. It is a brilliantly thought-up setting, with the lights fading on a forgotten community, long since separated from their original home. This world carries on its back the weight of failure. Yet (some of) our characters still persist.

The prose was nice, and the editing was sharp. I took no real issues with its grammar or style. It is a long-winded story, however, with mostly cuts instead of definitive chapters. The story igniting from the loss of a friend packs a sufficient emotional punch towards the beginning, though at times it did seem a tad bit slow to get moving.

Still, this is a uniquely interesting SFF story, well-deserving of its place amongst the finalists.

[Patricia Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this novella!! This is the first book by Nikky Lee that I've read, and it certainly won't be the last. This is the kind of science fiction that I love the most: character driven, thought-provoking and deeply human. While the story doesn't have hard-to-understand science, it does have fascinating, beautiful alien science... and I'm here for it!!!

I love the two main characters, Marsa and Koby!!! Except for Zahra, the other characters stay in the background, and that works fine with the story. The relationship that develops between middle aged Marsa and Koby, the teenage son of Zahra, is heartwarming. To get through the challenge/adventure that Zahra sends them on, they will need to rely on each other, and protect each other; a friendship of mutual respect, and having each other's back in the harsh world they are barely surviving in.

It is only 90 pages, but the world building and character development is excellent. Nikky Lee fits so much excitement and heartache and hope into these 90 pages... I'm truly impressed, and look forward to reading more by this author.

[Reads_Must · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once We Flew
Sci-Fi
Nikki Lee
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

• ᴀʟɪᴇɴ ᴛᴇᴄʜɴᴏʟᴏɢʏ • ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ • ɢʀɪᴇꜰ •

The world building was good but I wish there was a lot more. I found it so interesting, especially when Marsa and Koby discovered what was hidden in the mountains.

I was curious about "the Chrysalis", what it was and the powers/curses it left people with.

I liked Marsa. It was obvious that she still struggled with her self-imposed exile, even after many years had passed. Koby was sweet. He had a lot to deal with and still chose to help Marsa when she needed it in order to fulfill his mother's last wish.

The memories that Marsa experienced when she touched people (and sometimes objects) did confuse me a little but the were always important to the plot.

The pacing was a little bit slow for me and I was a bit disappointed with the ending. It was sweet and I was glad that they had found a cure for "the Chrysalis", but I wanted to know what happened afterwards.

[Bella Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of "Once We Flew" as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Competition (SFINCS).
We follow the story from the point of view of Marsa, a third-generation human stranded on an inhospitable planet with a desertic landscape and dangerous creatures. Marsa is afflicted by a mysterious illness that creates physical limitations but also gives people strange powers.
Upon the death of her friend, Marsa sets out to try and find a way to save the members of her dwindling human community.
I don’t usually read sci-fi, but I truly enjoyed Marsa and Koby’s characterisation and the way Lee described their world. The story quickly drew me in as clues began to emerge but I also enjoyed very much the theme of connection/reconnection explored between the characters. I would love to learn more of Marsa’s background story and why humans travelled to that planet.
Highly recommended for sci-fi fans!

[Armanis Ar-Feinial · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was mostly well written except for the annoying trope that is damn near impossible to get right: effectively time travel. It is hard to put it into words, but this is a book, though short, you're going to want to take your time with.

This story was a unique take on the alternate reality trope. You have these soldiers, or some of them which can transcend history. There is some periodic time jumps which, imo, aren't explained well. The alternate history itself was absolutely fine and intriguing as the MC tries to go about fixing things the way they know how.

But there is another trope which the narrator tries, and it is one that is rarely done well. Not because writers simply can't get around to it, but the paradoxical nature of time travel and the effects it would have on the future. Since these exist, it makes it difficult to land, especially if the story doesn't give enough space to set up what is happening.

The character interactions were done well, and there is a hint of romance, and some, not all of the plot is spent developing the relationship. In part it felt like the Butterfly effect.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The worst part about novellas, is that sometimes you read one that's so perfectly up your alley that you weep for the full length novel it could have been. I want so much more out of this world! Once We Flew managed to pack such a captivating little story into so few pages that it's almost criminal. I didn't mean to finish this all in one sitting, but I just couldn't put it down. If you like the idea of a hopeful sci/fantasy adventure story set on a barren planet where the remnants of a failed human colony cling to survival - pick a cozy afternoon to sit down and give this a shot.

This has barely any reviews, but it deserves a lot more recognition. I'd love to read more from this author in the future.

[eiei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikky Lee brought us an enthralling journey into a richly imagined world. Lee's prose soars as she weaves a tale of adventure, self-discovery, and the power of dreams. The characters are vividly drawn, each with their own motivations and flaws that make them relatable and compelling.

Lee's world-building is impressive, creating a unique setting that feels both familiar and fantastical. The themes of resilience and the strength of the human spirit are expertly woven throughout the story. While the pacing occasionally falters, particularly in the middle sections, the overall narrative arc remains strong.

Despite minor shortcomings, this book is a captivating read that lingers in the mind long after the final page

[Jacqui Greaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm delighted to have been given the opportunity to read this fabulous novella before it's official launch. I particularly welcomed discovering the main character, Marsa, is an older woman who has both physical and emotional challenges. It is a rare thing to find capable, older women at the centre of stories. At her side is Koby, a boy on the threshold of becoming a man. They embark on a quest to save their dying people. What they discover changes everything.

Nikky Lee is a master in the art of crafting complex, believable worlds. Her characters are rich and complete. I highly recommend Once We Flew to anyone who enjoys science fiction, particularly dystopia with hope.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: This was my first experience with Nikky Lee's work, and I enjoyed it a lot. Four generations ago, a spaceship crashed on the planet Savene. The survivors were dying as the technology was failing. Once the audiobook started, I had to listen until the end as I was so captured by the story. I enjoyed the characters of Marsa and her young charge. I liked their independence, strength, and perseverance. Anna Maste's narration was great, and her performance kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review which included my opinions.

[Psyckers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic story that could easily be lengthy to an epic novel, yet as a novella, it is easily digestible with a great premise. Marooned on an alien desert planet, a community for generations have eked out an existence. Infected by a strange crystalline virus, the protagonist is a survivor, isolated from the community for their health. That is until they get given a dying wish to search for something that is now considered as myth.
Great world building, awesome characters and it is quite a joyride to read.
There is everything good about sci-fi in this story.