An Heir of Water: A Wintery Sapphic Novella

Amefyre #0.5

by R.A. Sandpiper

TRUE POWER CAN BE AS SOFT AS PETALS, AND ARDENT LOVE AS FRAGILE.


Viantha Waterborne wants to die.

Her abusive brother flaunts his upcoming naming as heir, and she wants no part in it. She hides in the corners of their aching manor, avoiding the worst of his torment and cultivating fantasies of escaping her life forever.

Then a grounded gardener offers her a kind word, and her existence blooms with fresh colour. But hope is a dangerous thing.


An enthralling, vividly intimate, and devastating novella set several years before the events of the Amefyre series.

Genres: Fantasy

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2024

About the author

R A Sandpiper (she/her) is a twenty-something romantic fantasy author living in the UK. She has a law degree she's never used despite spending five years in government-adjacent roles, loves games of all kinds (the nerdier the better), and will always dance at weddings.

Reviews

[shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know a novella could provoke so much emotion, especially for a series I finished so long ago. Loved the insight into Viantha and her relationship with her brother, especially how he got his scar.

[AB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful read - emotional and empowering.
Viantha intrigued me from book 1, so it was interesting to read more about her and her backstory. Hopefully we learn even more about her / see her more in book 2. Honestly can’t wait to see how her story continues!

TW for physical and emotional abuse (author states this at the start of the book).

[Mia Cobell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet novella that provides the backstory of The Waterborne family. We see how Rasel’s cruelty towards Viantha prompted her to become the Heir of the water guild. It is also a touching and heart breaking love story that provides insight into Viantha as a woman who learns through loss of her own internal strength.

[Taryn Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this instalment to the amefyre world! Fantastic deep dive into another character’s world which I absolutely loved. Can’t wait for book 3 🌟

[Chloe Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

i have developed an unhealthy obsession with this world.

i knew, from the moment i read the first sentence, this novella was going to break me. lo and behold here i am on the first of january, sitting in a puddle of my own tears.

i was unsure what to make of viantha while reading the other books however this has solidified her as one of my favourite characters in this series & i really hope we get to see her character continue to grow (and gain a sense of belonging) in the next instalment.

[Miryam Drakon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about diving into Viantha's story since she came across as a mean girl in the other books. But now that I've read it, I cried—it's been so long since a book made me cry. I finally understand why Viantha became who she is. I can't believe I ever liked Rasel. My heart aches for Viantha and Florence, for the love they shared, even if it was fleeting. Rachel has done it again—torn my heart to shreds. I can't wait for book 3!

[Elisa Lanzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect novella detailing the early lives of two supporting characters (Rasel and Viantha) who appear in the Amefyre Series by R. A. Sandpiper. It is beautifully written like the main novels in the series. The novella adds some extra background to two characters and helps build character depth, that would have been hard to incorporate into the main novels, and really helps in understanding why they are in the situations they find themselves in.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella of Viantha's story. Even though it's only short, it still shows so much growth of Viantha's character to who she becomes in the main series. The extent of control that her brother had over her and how she overcame it. The story between Florence and Viantha was so sweet. Definitely a worthwhile read! Especially while we wait for the next book in the Amefyre series!

[Kerie Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous novella. This has really filled a hole in waiting for book 3 in the series.

Viantha’s story is heartbreaking but somehow, filled with hope. I felt proud of her, which is hard to do for a character in only 141 pages but I definitely feel like I appreciate this character a lot more now.

Beautiful story, really recommend.

[Brina.readz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and heartbreaking addition to the Amefyre trilogy that can very well be read without having read the other books. It might even be an interesting way to start the trilogy off.
Viantha is such a fascinating character and I loved getting to know her and the sibling dynamic with Rasel more and it fit into the bigger picture perfectly.

[Lauren Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mental that such a short little Novella can inspire such sadness 😭

One of my favourite characters is Rasel (obv he’s the bad guy, but getting some backstory about him I enjoyed thoroughly, he’s very interesting to read about!)

[Effy Pittway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually novellas don’t do it for me - they never cover everything I want… but this one did.

I also thought nothing could make me like Viantha but now I’m a Viantha lover. I need the next book in the series like now

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so lovely to have a little more of Viantha’s story. This book has utterly broken my heart and I need book 3 ASAP. I am obsessed with this series and I don’t know if my heart will ever recover.

[Stacey Markle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes there are no redeeming qualities of a villain and Rasel embodies the very worst of the definition of the word.
This is a dark but compellingly novella of Viantha Waterborne's back story. Gripping writing!

[Katieeatsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot wait to read this!

[Tasha Doughty · Rating 5 out of 5]

R. A. Sandpiper has done it again! Short but sweet, the author deftly creates characters that draw you into the story. Utterly heartbreaking but with hope for the future. More novellas please!!!

[Bam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5
I'm sad. :(

[Annette Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing background to some of the characters in the Amefyre trilogy, ending where "A Pocket of Lies" begins. I love how you just want to egg Viantha on to get revenge on her brother.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Amber Westwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful book that made you fall in love with Viantha, il so glad we got a back story for her after meeting her in book one, a must read in this series

[river · Rating 5 out of 5]

i inhaled this. it was so sad though!

[Jade Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this novella. Unsure where the author recommends for the reading order but I’m so glad I read it after the series.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Viantha throughout the series but I’m glad to get an insight into her past in this novella, and why she came across so cold.

I loved the insights into the sentimental necklace over the ring from book 1, the in-depth reason why Rasel wore the cravat, the cruelty and coldness from their mother despite knowing what Rasel was putting Viantha through.

I loved that in-spite of Vianthas loss, she prevailed to do the right thing for herself, her town and the memory of Florence even though it could have cost her dearly.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone said wintery dark fantasy novella? 👀✨

I’m obsessed with this series, truly. The characters are 👌, the plot is 👌, the world building is 👌, the magic system is 👌, …

This novella follows one of the character of the main Amefyre books and it’s best to either read it in between books 1 and 2, or after book 2 (like I did). And if you haven’t picked up any of those yet, what are you even doing? 👀

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a heartbreaking and emotional novella. After meeting Viantha through Suri’s eyes, this novella provides a first-hand glimpse into Viantha’s struggles and trauma. This short installment helps frame her motives and explain her caution. While you might be able to guess why Ressa makes the choices she does about the future of the Waterborne family, this story answers questions you didn’t even know you had about the Waterborne family and their individual drives.

Having read A Claiming of Souls (the final installment of the Amefyre Trilogy), this novella provides a lot more depth for characters we only really meet in passing with Suri. Even though the author stated that this novella isn’t essential reading for the Amefyre Series, I highly recommend reading this between A Promise of Blood (Book 2) and A Claiming of Souls (Book 3).

***Please be aware that there are some heavy topics touched on in this novella. The author provides a content warning at the beginning of the book.

[Joanna Trevelyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In some ways I enjoyed this novella even more than the trilogy it is linked to. There is a sadness to it that suits its main character perfectly. A character I was curious about from the Amefyre trilogy. It was also good to read this story before A Claiming of souls because I felt more connected to Viantha as a result. A well written and poignant tale.

[Izzy of Unapologetic Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Heir of Water is a prequel novella set in the Amefyre world, focusing on Viantha Waterborne. It’s an intriguing addition to the series, offering valuable backstory and hints that enhance the main storyline. While it stands alone as a self-contained tale, fans of the series will appreciate its connections to the larger narrative.
The novella is set in winter, but don’t expect a cosy, festive vibe—this is no heartwarming Christmas story. It leans heavily into romance, which makes it more predictable than the main novels, but it’s still an enjoyable read.
Viantha, a somewhat minor character in the main series, is fleshed out here, giving her depth, and explaining a lot of her actions. This development leads me to believe she’ll play a larger role in the next book. Her brother also makes an appearance...
While the novella is well-crafted, I feel R.A. Sandpiper’s writing shines brighter in full-length novels, where the expansive world-building and intricate plots have more room to unfold. That’s why I’m giving this novella 4.5 stars. It’s good, but it doesn’t quite reach the same level as the novels. Still, it’s a must-read for fans eager to explore more of the Amefyre world.

[Sara Fratoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I’ve cried my eyes out. Viantha’s story had to be sad but this was heart wrenching 🥹
Never devoured 100 pages so quickly ❤️
Cannot wait to see where Millie ended up.