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The Legend Liminal
Stacey Kells never expected to fall out of reality when she packed her bags, got into a camper van with her two brothers and their best friend, and started travelling west. Sure, they might have said something like that—that’s kind of the point of going off the grid, isn’t it? But no one thought it would happen quite so literally. Then the world got real empty, and it stayed empty.
Now it’s just the four of them, and a map that doesn’t make sense, and miles upon miles of desert and sky and endless empty highway. They embarked on this road trip to figure out what to do with their lives—but their lives don’t seem to exist anymore, and there may not be a way back home.
The Legend Liminal is a story about grief and hope, and the way we find lifelines in each other when we can’t break free of the spiral of the past.
Now it’s just the four of them, and a map that doesn’t make sense, and miles upon miles of desert and sky and endless empty highway. They embarked on this road trip to figure out what to do with their lives—but their lives don’t seem to exist anymore, and there may not be a way back home.
The Legend Liminal is a story about grief and hope, and the way we find lifelines in each other when we can’t break free of the spiral of the past.
80 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2025
1 person is currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Ren Hutchings
5 books180 followersRen Hutchings is a speculative fiction writer, writing mentor, editor, and lifelong SFF fan. She loves pop science, unexplained mysteries, 90s music, collecting outdated electronics, and pondering about alternate universes. Ren is the author of twisty sci-fi books including Under Fortunate Stars and An Unbreakable World (Solaris Books) and The Legend Liminal (Stars and Sabers), as well as short fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 11, 2025
As the author's agent, I'm extremely biased. But I have no chill, and I can't wait for you all to read this incredible book. Add it to your want-to-read shelf RIGHT NOW!
October 4, 2025
I received a copy of this book from the author and am honored to share this completely honest review!
The Legend Liminal by Ren Hutchings is mind-boggling! The settings are vibrant, yet unsettling. I was immediately drawn in trying to figure out what was happening. I felt like I was reading an episode of Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone and I loved that!!! This is one road trip I will never forget! Go ahead and get in the van the Kells and Faye, you're in for a fun and fascinating ride!
The Legend Liminal by Ren Hutchings is mind-boggling! The settings are vibrant, yet unsettling. I was immediately drawn in trying to figure out what was happening. I felt like I was reading an episode of Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone and I loved that!!! This is one road trip I will never forget! Go ahead and get in the van the Kells and Faye, you're in for a fun and fascinating ride!
October 26, 2025
Mini blurb: Three siblings whose life froze after their mother's death leave for a camper journey with a close friend, only to discover the true meaning of going off the grid.
***
A time-bending, eerie, fascinating little story with a strong Twilight-Zone vibe, doubling as a meditation on grief and being stuck in life, and packed with messy family (and friend) dynamics. The setting is top-notch, and its only fault is that it makes you crave for more (I wish we could have explored the labyrinthine motel hallways and the seemingly endless arcade room, though of course that was not the point). I would have liked a little more meat when it comes to the characters, and in that respect, I believe the story would have packed a stronger punch if it had been a little longer, but it does get its message across nicely, so I'm not complaining. Bonus points for the bi/nonbinary rep.
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later; also, due to time commitments, I've decided not to write full-length reviews anymore for short stories, novellas and anthologies, except in special cases or unless they're part of a series).
***
A time-bending, eerie, fascinating little story with a strong Twilight-Zone vibe, doubling as a meditation on grief and being stuck in life, and packed with messy family (and friend) dynamics. The setting is top-notch, and its only fault is that it makes you crave for more (I wish we could have explored the labyrinthine motel hallways and the seemingly endless arcade room, though of course that was not the point). I would have liked a little more meat when it comes to the characters, and in that respect, I believe the story would have packed a stronger punch if it had been a little longer, but it does get its message across nicely, so I'm not complaining. Bonus points for the bi/nonbinary rep.
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later; also, due to time commitments, I've decided not to write full-length reviews anymore for short stories, novellas and anthologies, except in special cases or unless they're part of a series).
October 4, 2025
I did not know what to expect going into this one, but I absolutely LOVED IT!
Within a few pages, I was sucked in and perplexed. Absolutely incredible character development in such a short time! These characters go on an incredible journey of healing and mystery together. With every good mystery, we had a symbolic cat, which I loved.
This is a beautiful Sifi story that will leave you pondering after each page and wondering what is next. A beautiful story about grief, found/chosen family, sibling love, and strength in healing together.
This story was short and I found myself wanting more of this world, and more of these characters after I finished!
Found family is my favourite trope and this story has executed it expertly.
Thank you to the Author for my review copy in exchange for my honest review :) this was my first read of this Author, and I will definitely be picking up more of their work!
Within a few pages, I was sucked in and perplexed. Absolutely incredible character development in such a short time! These characters go on an incredible journey of healing and mystery together. With every good mystery, we had a symbolic cat, which I loved.
This is a beautiful Sifi story that will leave you pondering after each page and wondering what is next. A beautiful story about grief, found/chosen family, sibling love, and strength in healing together.
This story was short and I found myself wanting more of this world, and more of these characters after I finished!
Found family is my favourite trope and this story has executed it expertly.
Thank you to the Author for my review copy in exchange for my honest review :) this was my first read of this Author, and I will definitely be picking up more of their work!
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July 29, 2025A big thank you to the publisher for an ARC of the blurb for a blurb!
THE LEGEND LIMINAL traps its readers in time and space, where we, like the characters, are moving forward yet stuck in place—a melancholic meditation on grief and the inability to move on; of finding the purpose and meaning of existence; of travelling without knowing the destination.
THE LEGEND LIMINAL traps its readers in time and space, where we, like the characters, are moving forward yet stuck in place—a melancholic meditation on grief and the inability to move on; of finding the purpose and meaning of existence; of travelling without knowing the destination.
August 20, 2025
"Stacey M. Kells was here, Stacey M. Kells is alive, Stacey M. Kells exist."
.
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Reading The Legend Liminal by Ren Hutchings is like walking around in a liminal space.
Kinda eerie for its emptyness and timelessness, but also soothing because if forces you to just exist.
And that is what this book is about.
This story is short, engaging, has loveable characters that are siblings +1 that have to navigate a new and weird reality together, but also in their own way.
It deals with grief, messy family dynamic and existing as a human being, all while being on a roadtrip through a world that is not what it seems.
This awesome book comes out September 30th, and I recieved this arc in return for my honest opinion. Thank you Stars And Sabers for sending me this!
.
.
Reading The Legend Liminal by Ren Hutchings is like walking around in a liminal space.
Kinda eerie for its emptyness and timelessness, but also soothing because if forces you to just exist.
And that is what this book is about.
This story is short, engaging, has loveable characters that are siblings +1 that have to navigate a new and weird reality together, but also in their own way.
It deals with grief, messy family dynamic and existing as a human being, all while being on a roadtrip through a world that is not what it seems.
This awesome book comes out September 30th, and I recieved this arc in return for my honest opinion. Thank you Stars And Sabers for sending me this!
June 29, 2025
As imaginative and nostalgic as Stranger Things, mixed with the twisty conundrum of Groundhog Day, The Legend Liminal is a fresh, clever, and sometimes creepy roadtrip - don't miss hitching a ride! I ADORED this novella. This is for everyone who loves stories with messy family bonds and big hearts and twisty time/space hijinks.
October 19, 2025
I am obsessed with this little novella. It was everything I wanted and more.
September 16, 2025
Ren Hutchings is a liminal space lover and I am now a convert. Much like her debut novel, Under Fortunate Stars, The Legend Liminal is set in a claustrophobic temporal space only LL favours a highway and a campervan as its setting.
What LL offers in its 70 pages is a poignant look at grief. Its characters forced into a compact world devoid of people (and sell-by dates) offers time for reflection. The story feels like a floating sadness everybody has refused to fully acknowledge until now. It appears when you're trapped inside liminal space there's really no more hiding.
A great read.
What LL offers in its 70 pages is a poignant look at grief. Its characters forced into a compact world devoid of people (and sell-by dates) offers time for reflection. The story feels like a floating sadness everybody has refused to fully acknowledge until now. It appears when you're trapped inside liminal space there's really no more hiding.
A great read.
June 11, 2025
"The Legend Liminal is an ambitiously original novella about the strength of familial bonds in all the strangest, coldest corners of spacetime, and the subtle defiance of simply existing in an uncertain world. Hutchings' signature wit and twisty sci-fi concepts add kaleidoscopic depth to this standout story."
This novella is so much fun! If you love road-trip banter and weird liminal spaces, this novella packs it all into a bite-sized adventure with a lot of heart. Thanks to Ren and Stars & Sabers Publishing for the blurb copy!
This novella is so much fun! If you love road-trip banter and weird liminal spaces, this novella packs it all into a bite-sized adventure with a lot of heart. Thanks to Ren and Stars & Sabers Publishing for the blurb copy!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews