Let Birds Fly

by Rhea Thomas

Literary magical realism short story collection.

The main characters in these fifteen stories find their true selves in the face of adversity and with a dash of magic. They work at or are connected in different ways to the same company, Ripple Media, and experience unusual situations.

232 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2025

Reviews

[Nicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let Birds Fly is a collection of short stories that looks at how people interact with otherworldly forces (like coffee, green goo, or lost siblings) and how this helps them to reflect on or change the lives they have. Each story explores the goals, dreams, or awareness of a character, and each leaves you wondering how transformation will happen. Some stories interconnect, but each has its own focus and its own journey for the person taking part. This book is incredibly well written, with a rhythm that takes the reader into other worlds, and each of the stories is believable and alive with possibility.
Short story collections can be hard to get into, but this one is different and fully engaging. Each story is thought-provoking, with characters exploring what they really want. Do they want calm children if it means subduing them with substances? Do they want another packet of ego-busting coffee, or are they more interested in acquiring the tools to carry out their dreams? And how do you learn to survive after losing a sibling? Are dating sites as harmless as they seem? And how do we make sense of influencers when the products they punt have a deeper and more significant meaning to the people who create them?
Let Birds Fly is a brilliantly written satire that would suit fans of series like Black Mirror or people who question how to live life in a seemingly crazy world, where the push of a button enables us to delete people, and where we’re increasingly sold solutions to struggles we can’t work through. It’s superbly written, and the stories will leave you thinking for a long time afterwards. With few books like this on the market, Let Birds Fly is an absolute winner, subtle, intriguing, and different with each reading. This is one to gift, to hoard, and to come back to. I highly recommend it.

[Joyffree · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The avocado, coffee, bubbles, sparkles, so close to understanding it was confusing"

About sums it up!
This went far beyond what I expected from a collection of short stories
I was thinking regular short stories, but this was so much more fun.
Think more a collection of interconnected tales that delve into the human psyche using prose and humor, and at times a little angst

We start at Ripple Media, each story a tale involving one of its employees or someone associated with the people and/or company
From the workaholic to the shafted, all the way down to the dreamers and the didnt do'ers

Each story is a fantastical tale that takes a paradoxical look at everyday life for that character
The grind. The greed. The desire. The dreams.
Some stories are humorous, some touching, others were more...
In your face?
All, however, left a mark

I truly can't do this book justice. Probably why I'm not a writer
I can tell you if you are looking for something different - fun, yet introspective - that will give you pause, stay with you long after you close its pages, then you will want to one-click this one

I can promise it will be well-read in any home

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let Birds Fly
By Rhea Thomas
Publisher: Rhea Thomas
Published Date: August 15, 2025
ASIN: 1964277493
Page Count: 232
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


What Did I Just Walk Into?
A literary magical realism cocktail, shaken—not—stirred—with notes of Kafka, a splash of Black Mirror, and a twist of mythology. Set in and around Ripple Media, where apparently HR doesn’t blink at people growing third eyes or unzipping their skin to reveal new selves. (No dress code, I assume.)

Each short story is a standalone surreal journey where characters wrestle with identity, purpose, grief, and self-awareness, often sparked by the weirdest catalysts imaginable. Think golden apples that summon Greek goddesses to your dorm room. Or coffee that humbles your ego (get thee behind me, Starbucks).


Here’s What Slapped:
The writing is lyrical without being pretentious, grounded even in the weird.

The magical realism is just the right amount of strange: enough to disorient, but not so much that you need a spiritual guide and a glossary.

Each story feels like peeling back a layer of reality, and sometimes the skin metaphor is disturbingly literal.

It somehow skewers influencer culture, corporate burnout, sibling grief, and dating apps… all while making you reflect on your own life choices.

The satire is intelligent, subtle, and doesn’t club you over the head. You’ll feel it days later, like a delayed psychic slap.


What Could’ve Been Better:

You may need a notebook to keep track of recurring motifs or just embrace the chaos and trust the ripple effect. (Pun very much intended.)


Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Black Mirror but make it poetic

Kelly Link, Aimee Bender, or Carmen Maria Machado vibes

Books that make you whisper “WTF” in delight every 10 pages

Magical realism that doesn’t feel like a fever dream… just a lucid one

Literary fiction that actually has something to say


Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review

P.S. If you don’t walk away from Let Birds Fly questioning your life, your coffee, and possibly your skin suit, did you even read it?

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was a unique and surreal collection of short stories. While each story could stand on its own, the overlaying connective factor of the Office setting of Ripple Media playing a role in each of these stories and the characters’ lives was a great twist, allowing readers to channel their own workplace environments into the narratives. The vivid imagery in these stories and the strong character development that the author can achieve in such short stories is incredible, especially in one of my personal favorites, The Third Eye.

The satirical and magical nature of these stories, as well as the wise and almost lyrical style of writing, made this story shine brightly. The practically metaphysical nature of this collection speaks to a hidden layer of reality as we know it, with each tale striking at topics like corporate struggles for workers and the grief we feel losing a family member in a way that feels relatable and engaging.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, satirical, and engaging, author Rhea Thomas’s “Let Birds Fly” is a must-read collection of short stories. The twists and turns each story takes, the unique nature of the self-contained stories within a larger umbrella tale, and the powerful imagery that these stories conjure up will stay with readers long after the book ends.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling related short stories that will make you gasp with surprise and delight!

Let Birds Fly is a collection of surreal short stories, a delightful display of magical realism done right, and all related to one another through their shared setting at a present-day Austin, Texas, marketing firm called Ripple Media. The stories are satisfying, easy to read, and ingenious, and each brushes up against the others much like a ripple from a stone dropped in a pond affects things in its vicinity.

Ripple Media creates social media marketing content and promotions for emerging small businesses that need help navigating and managing their online presence. The stories feature an employee or associate of the firm as they go about their routine workday; however, today their experiences will be far from usual or mundane: think a modern-day Twilight Zone, with each tale landing slightly left and right of center. The results are fun, eye-opening, or gasp-inducing as the main characters discover something about themselves and their true desires, which often diverge from their day-to-day existence or company role. Each story is a gem.

I recommend LET BIRDS FLY to readers of short stories of fantasy and magical realism.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.

[Cassie Journigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Rhea Thomas has just released an endearing book of speculative fiction. “Let Birds Fly” is a collection of 15 short stories that questions the nature of reality. Her book captures and holds her reader to the end. Her stories delve into metaphysics: they portray individuals grappling with living in an ordinary world while dealing with extraordinary powers, including the ability to see chakras, being gifted with a third eye, hallucinating, and being granted wishes that come true in unexpected ways. Her stories leave you with an itch satisfied only by reading one more tale, then another, and just one more, please. 


Thomas's speculative fiction asks what is good, what is normal, and what, for that matter, does one do with a gift unsought for and maybe even unwelcome. 


“Let Birds Fly” is available online from the publisher's website, the Main Street Rag Bookstore. It was published in August of 2025. Visit mainstreetragbookstore.com to order your copy, and then prepare to spend a few enchanted hours reading Thomas's thoroughly entertaining book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let Birds Fly is a fun collection of short stories with some sass and magical realism. These characters are connected by either their workplace or a client of the media company, but each story is standalone - which makes it so much easier to pick up and just read one whenever. This would make a fun coffee table book to just flip to and read a short story. Or, a read on the throne - anyone remember those "John" books, or am I dating myself?

Some stories are silly, some more serious. All have to do with a character finding their true passion, overcoming an obstacle, or finding some kind of inner strength. The girl power Business Woman Deluxe story was one of my favorites, for obvious reasons. These characters are dealing with normal, real life issues, and encounter a bit of magic to make their lives a little brighter. But seriously, I need some of that nail polish powder.

If you enjoy a magical realism whimsical journey through empowering stories, you might want to grab this book.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

These days, anything which is warm and cozy and feel good makes me happy. There is enough stress and 'crazy' out there in the world these days. So this book was a great escape.

The stories center around a central cast of characters who work at the same company for the most part. What is delightful is the magical realism thrown in. While I really don't want my avocado to talk to me, it would be cute to have it running around on my kitchen counter.

Another thing I really enjoyed about the book is that it is a series of short stories. It is easy to read one story, have a quick giggle and a moment of reflection on the story and then put it down to savor another story the next day. Or you can binge read while curled up on the couch with a mug of hot tea or coffee.

My recommendation is to have this book handy for a feel-good read when needed. Even a repeat read would bring a smile to your face.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit, I've never really been into short story collections, but this was a fun read. What made it enjoyable was how all the stories intertwined with one another that it almost felt like a complete novel about this magical world built around a digital marketing agency, reminding us to always look for the magic in the mundane. It's a quick easy read, highly recommended.

[Alice Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart, charming, and a delight to read. I loved this book! The stories are captivating with engaging plots and fascinating characters. I highly recommend.