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Fog & Fireflies: Fog & Fireflies, Book 1
On March 27, 2025—this narration-only edition of Fog & Fireflies will be automatically upgraded to a graphic-audio edition, with fully soundscaped music and effects!
Hundreds of seasons ago, a wizard's war scarred the earth, leaving a malevolent fog blanketing the land, and carrying the settlements within it like ships adrift at sea. The phantoms the fog creates are deadly to adults, so children must guard the walls, and care for each other.
Ogma watches the fog from the walls of her windmill town, until it is attacked—inhuman caravaners have come to take the children, and Ogma is lost. She must find hope, find courage in herself, and find her friends.
Hundreds of seasons ago, a wizard's war scarred the earth, leaving a malevolent fog blanketing the land, and carrying the settlements within it like ships adrift at sea. The phantoms the fog creates are deadly to adults, so children must guard the walls, and care for each other.
Ogma watches the fog from the walls of her windmill town, until it is attacked—inhuman caravaners have come to take the children, and Ogma is lost. She must find hope, find courage in herself, and find her friends.
- GenresAudiobook
Audible Audio
Published February 20, 2025
6 people want to read
About the author
T.H. Lehnen
5 books60 followersT.H. Lehnen is an author who believes that young adult and children’s literature is simply more honest about the magic in the world. Under Aspen & Thorn Press, he writes young adult fantasy for children who are old souls, and old souls who are children at heart.
He lives with his family in Portland, OR, and studied creative writing, philosophy, and English literature at Reed College. When he is not writing, he is tinkering with machines mechanical and digital (though he has yet to figure out how to fit a sports car through a wardrobe).
He lives with his family in Portland, OR, and studied creative writing, philosophy, and English literature at Reed College. When he is not writing, he is tinkering with machines mechanical and digital (though he has yet to figure out how to fit a sports car through a wardrobe).
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 16, 2025
It took an insanely long time for me to feel like I had an idea of how this world worked. I may have been better served reading this with my eyeballs. I’ll have a more in depth review posted here after it goes live on my blog.
May 19, 2025
This was a unique read, it’s been a while since I’ve read a good new YA with creative world building and interesting plot, the lovable characters kept me entertained, and the whole vibe just left me needing more of it, I can’t wait for book 2!
May 9, 2025
Fog and Fireflies offers a unique, imaginative world where children guard their towns from a deadly fog, a concept that’s both eerie and compelling. Ogma’s journey through this strange, drifting land is filled with promise and echoes of classic fantasy.
However, the story often felt confusing. Key elements like the gods, wizards, and time travel were introduced with little explanation, making it hard to stay grounded. While the children’s immunity to the fog was an intriguing idea, the worldbuilding overall needed more depth.
Still, there’s heart in the themes of courage, growing up, and found family. A good read with great potential, but it left me wanting more clarity and development.
However, the story often felt confusing. Key elements like the gods, wizards, and time travel were introduced with little explanation, making it hard to stay grounded. While the children’s immunity to the fog was an intriguing idea, the worldbuilding overall needed more depth.
Still, there’s heart in the themes of courage, growing up, and found family. A good read with great potential, but it left me wanting more clarity and development.
May 8, 2025
🌫️✨Fog and Fireflies is touted as a mix of Pan’s Labyrinth, The Neverending Story, and Studio Ghibli style fantasies (think Spirited Away), in line with Ursula LeGuin, and it’s all spot on! It is dark yet full of hope and light, emotional and captivating, filled with beautiful and immersive world building.
The story is based on a group of children, whom you just can’t help but love all of them. It focuses on one of the older girls, Ogma, and their own village of windmills that is surrounded by a wall. Due to a wizard’s war in the past, children cannot be harmed by the fog, so they are the ones who must guard the wall and keep the adults safe when the fog comes in. The children have built within themselves a loving family and community as they work together, but one day, strangers appear and begin to kidnap them. Ogma rushes out into the fog to save them, and gets lost and in doing so, learns more about the fog and the legends and mysteries they grew up hearing.
The fog itself is so much more than a thick condensation of water vapor - it houses mysteries, phantoms, voices and more, and I really was captivated by all the layers of the fog itself, and what Ogma learns and chooses to do with that knowledge.
The book is marketed as YA, but I felt like it would be more appropriately marked as an older middle grade fantasy. Despite that, as an adult, I still enjoyed it very much, because the writing, world building and character development was absolutely magnificent. I did make some good guesses on the ending, but it didn’t matter because the reveals were done so well and just pulled at all the right heartstrings! 🥹❤️
The audiobook was read by the author himself, which was a nice touch! And there’s a second book in the works! 🤩
(I was given the audiobook to listen to in exchange for an honest review. 🎧🩶)
The story is based on a group of children, whom you just can’t help but love all of them. It focuses on one of the older girls, Ogma, and their own village of windmills that is surrounded by a wall. Due to a wizard’s war in the past, children cannot be harmed by the fog, so they are the ones who must guard the wall and keep the adults safe when the fog comes in. The children have built within themselves a loving family and community as they work together, but one day, strangers appear and begin to kidnap them. Ogma rushes out into the fog to save them, and gets lost and in doing so, learns more about the fog and the legends and mysteries they grew up hearing.
The fog itself is so much more than a thick condensation of water vapor - it houses mysteries, phantoms, voices and more, and I really was captivated by all the layers of the fog itself, and what Ogma learns and chooses to do with that knowledge.
The book is marketed as YA, but I felt like it would be more appropriately marked as an older middle grade fantasy. Despite that, as an adult, I still enjoyed it very much, because the writing, world building and character development was absolutely magnificent. I did make some good guesses on the ending, but it didn’t matter because the reveals were done so well and just pulled at all the right heartstrings! 🥹❤️
The audiobook was read by the author himself, which was a nice touch! And there’s a second book in the works! 🤩
(I was given the audiobook to listen to in exchange for an honest review. 🎧🩶)
April 30, 2025
I was granted a copy of the audio version of fog and fireflies. By TH Lehnen through net gallery full review I received new compensation for this review in any way whatsoever. All thoughts and opinions written here are my own.
I just finished listening to an audio copy of fog and fireflies by written and narrated by T.H.Lehnen. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. In fact, I even slowed down listening to it simply to prolong the experience. This story is a unique blend of childlike fantasy and innocence mixed with the darkness and fears of becoming older as older people are trapped by a mysterious fog, which I wonder if it wasn't metaphorical for something, but yet the adults of the town are all very fearful people. A little bit of the opposite of what you'd find in our reality today mixed with a whole other cast of unique characters. The caravaners who traveled the fog and don't seem to be phased by it at all though you never know where the f*** might drop you or even what time . Past, present or future. I really sincerely hope that T.H Lehnen Will choose to continue this story with a sequel so that we can continue to find out what happens to this band of unconventional friends also, I love the fact that the author himself narrated this book. I always find that is best when an author can narrate their own books when they go to audio format. They know just where to put the emphasis. Or just how they want names pronounced etc
Thank you so much for this experience for allowing me to review this book. Please let me know if you decide to write a sequel. I eagerly await it
I just finished listening to an audio copy of fog and fireflies by written and narrated by T.H.Lehnen. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. In fact, I even slowed down listening to it simply to prolong the experience. This story is a unique blend of childlike fantasy and innocence mixed with the darkness and fears of becoming older as older people are trapped by a mysterious fog, which I wonder if it wasn't metaphorical for something, but yet the adults of the town are all very fearful people. A little bit of the opposite of what you'd find in our reality today mixed with a whole other cast of unique characters. The caravaners who traveled the fog and don't seem to be phased by it at all though you never know where the f*** might drop you or even what time . Past, present or future. I really sincerely hope that T.H Lehnen Will choose to continue this story with a sequel so that we can continue to find out what happens to this band of unconventional friends also, I love the fact that the author himself narrated this book. I always find that is best when an author can narrate their own books when they go to audio format. They know just where to put the emphasis. Or just how they want names pronounced etc
Thank you so much for this experience for allowing me to review this book. Please let me know if you decide to write a sequel. I eagerly await it
April 9, 2025
This was available for me through NetGalley as an audiobook, thank you for giving me the opportunity to listen.
I really enjoyed Fog & Fireflies. The author is also the narrator of this audiobook so it was nice to hear the story as it was intended to be told. That being said I did have to speed it up to gain a sense of urgency in the story. The author has a lovely voice but little inflection that left me having difficulty focussing on the story.
It takes place in a medieval fantasy setting within a wall-perimetered town, on which the town’s children keep watch to keep The Fog at bay. We later find out that The Fog moves towns around and that our town is harder to come across because of its windmills.
Our main character is one of the children of the watch who ultimately ends up getting lost out in The Fog.
There are so many clever ideas and elements of time displacement, magic, creation, destruction, and corruption.
I absolutely loved where the author took an idea of travellers (with the Caravaners), and painted such a lush and creative take on them. It’s so easy for fantasy writers to fall into stereotypes and cliches, but I was pleasantly surprised.
3.5 out of 5 because it was a little confusing at times where I had to stop and re-listen to chapters. Ultimately, I’d love to see/read more of this world!
Additionally, there seemed to be some technical issues with the audiobook as there was a single instance of background sound to support the narration, and then during chapter 5 and onwards the audio would randomly increase in volume startling me.
I really enjoyed Fog & Fireflies. The author is also the narrator of this audiobook so it was nice to hear the story as it was intended to be told. That being said I did have to speed it up to gain a sense of urgency in the story. The author has a lovely voice but little inflection that left me having difficulty focussing on the story.
It takes place in a medieval fantasy setting within a wall-perimetered town, on which the town’s children keep watch to keep The Fog at bay. We later find out that The Fog moves towns around and that our town is harder to come across because of its windmills.
Our main character is one of the children of the watch who ultimately ends up getting lost out in The Fog.
There are so many clever ideas and elements of time displacement, magic, creation, destruction, and corruption.
I absolutely loved where the author took an idea of travellers (with the Caravaners), and painted such a lush and creative take on them. It’s so easy for fantasy writers to fall into stereotypes and cliches, but I was pleasantly surprised.
3.5 out of 5 because it was a little confusing at times where I had to stop and re-listen to chapters. Ultimately, I’d love to see/read more of this world!
Additionally, there seemed to be some technical issues with the audiobook as there was a single instance of background sound to support the narration, and then during chapter 5 and onwards the audio would randomly increase in volume startling me.
July 21, 2025
This was an audio ARC that was a debut novel. It was also narrated by the author - T.H. Lehnen. I have learned in the past that it is always a hit or miss kind of thing to have the author read their own story. Sometimes it is just awful and can ruin the entire thing, while other times it seems to be just what the story needed since the author knows the story so intimately and can correctly guide the story in the way it was written.
In this case, I think he did a great job. The story itself is told from a young or children's POV and the story was narrated with a very soft and smooth voice that felt calming and soothing. One thing I will say is that if I did not know it was the author, I would have thought it was a professional narrator so that is the best compliment I could give it.
The story itself is a haunting story dealing with a world where the children are the protectors. It took a while for me to settle into the world and there were several times when I was confused with exactly what was going on. This happens to me sometimes in the fantasy genre when I am listening to a book versus reading it. For whatever reason, it can sometimes be harder to build the world in my mind when I am listening - but that's a me thing.
I did enjoy this book, but I think that this story is better suited for a younger audience. It is a very lyrical story with a magical and haunting setting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aspen & Thorn Press for the opportunity to listen to and review this Audio ARC. This book was out for publication on February 15, 2025.
In this case, I think he did a great job. The story itself is told from a young or children's POV and the story was narrated with a very soft and smooth voice that felt calming and soothing. One thing I will say is that if I did not know it was the author, I would have thought it was a professional narrator so that is the best compliment I could give it.
The story itself is a haunting story dealing with a world where the children are the protectors. It took a while for me to settle into the world and there were several times when I was confused with exactly what was going on. This happens to me sometimes in the fantasy genre when I am listening to a book versus reading it. For whatever reason, it can sometimes be harder to build the world in my mind when I am listening - but that's a me thing.
I did enjoy this book, but I think that this story is better suited for a younger audience. It is a very lyrical story with a magical and haunting setting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aspen & Thorn Press for the opportunity to listen to and review this Audio ARC. This book was out for publication on February 15, 2025.
June 2, 2025
This book was ok, but definitely would have been something I would have enjoyed more as a middle schooler. I found that the story was hard to follow in the format I was given (it was an audiobook), and the voice actor did not differentiate between stories and what was real for the story and it got hard to keep track sometimes.
The plot was interesting, but the reveal at the end seemed really fast and overall I was disappointed by it. That there was time warping could have worked really well, but I felt that it was played up a bit at the end but nothing real came of it.
I did not like the idea of the puppets, it was something that creeps me out, but that is a me problem and not a problem with the book.
I find that the concept of the fog and the children being the only ones immune to it a fascinating concept, but it needed explored more and the background of how it came about to be explained. This would have helped a lot at the beginning because I thought there were no adults at all for a long time, and the society was just confusing for the first section.
This audiobook would have been well served by having a cast as well as some music/background to help differentiate stories/real life. This could have removed some of the confusion I had.
Overall a cute story for Middle Grades-High School.
I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC and am leaving a review freely.
The plot was interesting, but the reveal at the end seemed really fast and overall I was disappointed by it. That there was time warping could have worked really well, but I felt that it was played up a bit at the end but nothing real came of it.
I did not like the idea of the puppets, it was something that creeps me out, but that is a me problem and not a problem with the book.
I find that the concept of the fog and the children being the only ones immune to it a fascinating concept, but it needed explored more and the background of how it came about to be explained. This would have helped a lot at the beginning because I thought there were no adults at all for a long time, and the society was just confusing for the first section.
This audiobook would have been well served by having a cast as well as some music/background to help differentiate stories/real life. This could have removed some of the confusion I had.
Overall a cute story for Middle Grades-High School.
I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC and am leaving a review freely.
April 21, 2025
This is a fantasy tale where communities are isolated by a dangerous magical fog. Only children and teens are safe (ish) from it. Author Lehnen spins his yarn with that as the premise. Our protagonist is an interesting character and the sidekick (?) is too.
I love stories where the characters are interesting, and this book has them. I also like a plot that can be followed, which this one has as well. What it doesn’t have is a cohesive, logical magic system. There are a couple of irritating “must-haves” for YA books it also contains, so minus points for them. ~ Authors, young adults are more intelligent and compassionate than you give them credit for, so stop preaching. ~
Overall a 3.5 star book for me. I found the story interesting but it didn’t drive me. The author did a decent job narrating. A good debut novel; I would read book two, if ever there is one. My thanks to Aspen and Thorn Press.
I love stories where the characters are interesting, and this book has them. I also like a plot that can be followed, which this one has as well. What it doesn’t have is a cohesive, logical magic system. There are a couple of irritating “must-haves” for YA books it also contains, so minus points for them. ~ Authors, young adults are more intelligent and compassionate than you give them credit for, so stop preaching. ~
Overall a 3.5 star book for me. I found the story interesting but it didn’t drive me. The author did a decent job narrating. A good debut novel; I would read book two, if ever there is one. My thanks to Aspen and Thorn Press.
April 21, 2025
This is a debut novel, and has some struggles. It struggles quite a bit around the halfway mark. It was an interesting beginning, but there is a huge drop in pacing at the halfway mark. The magic and the world expand at an exponential rate which does not give the reader the time to adapt and it truly didn't feel like the author gave me enough information. He knows his world, but I didn't.
For me, there was an issue with the sound, it would suddenly jump in volume randomly. There was also background sound that did not support the narration.
All in all it was an interesting read, but a tad younger than young adult.
For me, there was an issue with the sound, it would suddenly jump in volume randomly. There was also background sound that did not support the narration.
All in all it was an interesting read, but a tad younger than young adult.
May 29, 2025
If I could give this a half-rating, it would be a 3.5 for me.
I would've loved this book as a teen. I do still enjoy YA, and I enjoyed this audiobook, but I think that the idea of a world where Children are used as protection just didn't quite sit well with me as an older adult.
This book is written more as a high fantasy; world-building is key. The main character is key (but again, is a child, so personality isn't as established). The author also narrates in a pleasant, soothing voice. It is read as any story would be read to a classroom full of children, so narration with little acting. I just happened to LOVE storytime as a child, so no issues on that from me!
I would've loved this book as a teen. I do still enjoy YA, and I enjoyed this audiobook, but I think that the idea of a world where Children are used as protection just didn't quite sit well with me as an older adult.
This book is written more as a high fantasy; world-building is key. The main character is key (but again, is a child, so personality isn't as established). The author also narrates in a pleasant, soothing voice. It is read as any story would be read to a classroom full of children, so narration with little acting. I just happened to LOVE storytime as a child, so no issues on that from me!
June 2, 2025
I was kindly given a copy from the author via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
the premise is what drew me in of the bleak post apocalyptic work. what happened? How did the fog come to be? Why is there only children? the atmospheric setting is exceptional with the description drawing me in.
unfortunately the prose is what made me score the book slightly lower with it's long descriptive sections I found I was somewhat lost at times.
the characters are well fleshed out and likeable in a sad growing up too soon kind of way.
the books picks up greatly towards the end and I enjoyed how it went along. Bleak in places and uplifting in others.
the premise is what drew me in of the bleak post apocalyptic work. what happened? How did the fog come to be? Why is there only children? the atmospheric setting is exceptional with the description drawing me in.
unfortunately the prose is what made me score the book slightly lower with it's long descriptive sections I found I was somewhat lost at times.
the characters are well fleshed out and likeable in a sad growing up too soon kind of way.
the books picks up greatly towards the end and I enjoyed how it went along. Bleak in places and uplifting in others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2025
A fantastic fantasy/dystopian YA.
The fog and its monsters take the adults, so it’s up to the children to guard the wall and keep the fog away.
The plot twist, why only adults, who is Dunkirk, you’ll have to read.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening and reading along to this book. The author did an awesome job at narrating, I was captivated and really enjoyed being continuously bested by the plot!
The fog and its monsters take the adults, so it’s up to the children to guard the wall and keep the fog away.
The plot twist, why only adults, who is Dunkirk, you’ll have to read.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening and reading along to this book. The author did an awesome job at narrating, I was captivated and really enjoyed being continuously bested by the plot!
May 24, 2025
This was an interesting story and there are parts of the book that moved quickly and parts that didn't. I am hopeful that book #2 will keep a consistent pace now that the world building has taken place.
T.H. Lehnen did a good job narrating the story and knowing that the author narrated the audiobook guarantees that the names were pronounced correctly.
T.H. Lehnen did a good job narrating the story and knowing that the author narrated the audiobook guarantees that the names were pronounced correctly.
May 6, 2025
The audio was so good that I had to pause at the start and see if the narrator was also someone who does CreepyPasta because the cadencing was so similar. The world and characters were unique and keep you guessing right along with our main character! Loved being an ARC reader.
July 12, 2025
While the thought for the story line was really interesting, the story line was not very well thought out. To me, the book was boring and hard to follow along. The thought behind it, where the children had to save the adults was intriguing and I had high hopes for the book.
October 21, 2025
I admire the storyline and Ogmas bravery throughout everything she suffered. I just feel like....there's something missing. But maybe thats just the fog again.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews