Falling from the Sky

by Joshua Scribner, Brian Downs (Narrator)

Toby and Dad live alone in the countryside. For all they know, they live alone on the planet. They carefully watch the skies for the beasts that nearly wiped out humanity. They’ve managed to safely hide for years, but things are starting to change. There are fires on the ground and birds falling from the sky.

Audible Audio

Published June 9, 2025

About the author

Joshua Scribner is the author of the novels Mantis Nights, The Coma Lights and Nescata. His fiction won both second and fifth place in the 2008 Whispering Spirits Flash Fiction contest. Up to date information on his work can be found at joshuascribner.com. Joshua currently lives in Michigan with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting concept by Joshua Scribner. It starts out with a father and son living in a deserted country land, living off whatever they hunted. And did I mention that the world has been ravaged by dragons? So as Toby and his dad hunt in secrecy, all while trying to avoid these supposed mythical creatures, the situation goes from bad to worse. Now I really enjoyed this premise and questioned right away if these dragons were actually that or something else. No spoilers, but the eventual explanation was decent. I would have liked a lot more than the brief theory given, as well as some additional time with Toby and his father. Good characters that just needed some additional development. The ending also could have used some more finesse, but it was fine for the most part. A few more chapters to bring everything together would have done wonders here. This is my first read from the author but I’m certainly intrigued to see his other offerings.

[Ricardo Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dystopian fantasy novella with a surprising end

I borrowed this book thanks to my Kindle Unlimited subscription and read it on my tablet and phone using the Kindle app.

This is a short novella of about one hundred pages, set in a dystopian future where the human race has been almost extinguished by dragon attacks. One day, the dragons appeared and, with their fire, they started attacking all humans—or at least that’s what Toby, the young protagonist, learns from his father. Toby has never lived in the past and only knows what his dad tells him about the way of life before the dragons. Now, survival means catching fish and avoiding the dragons that still prowl around.

The story takes a turn at the very end with a surprising twist that makes perfect sense, though I won’t reveal it so you can enjoy it as much as I did.

If you are looking for a cozy, quick dystopian fantasy read, this is a perfect choice.

[David’s Best Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review of:
Falling From the Sky
by Joshua Scribner
**4.3/5.0**

Joshua Scribner has a talent for writing exceptionally captivating characters.

While the setting, along with the mystery of what was actually happening in the world around them, was what first drew me into this story, I soon came to learn that I was starting to develop a strong emotional attachment to Toby and his dad. The character building is the aspect of this story that shines brightest, and left me wanting to read more even after I had reached the story's conclusion.

I started off this new year the same way as I did the last; by reading a self published book by an author that I was not familiar with. Since this has paid off for the second year in a row, I may make it a tradition moving forward. I will also be looking into Joshua's other writing, because I am interested to see if he has applied this same level of character building in other stories with different settings.

It's a definite recommendation from me! This is available on Kindle Unlimited, but I was also able to purchase a paperback copy for less than $4 on Amazon. Being that is is around 100 pages long, the novella won't take up a lot of your time, but I have a feeling it will be one that I still reflect back on throughout the year.

I will also point out that there are a few sentences that have grammatical errors, but it was never to the point where it became frustrating. It's very rare that I allow something like that throw me off anyway, especially when I am heavily invested in the story.

[Penelope Bristol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads like a Twilight Zone episode

Very cool short novel or long, short story. I enjoyed it like a black and white episode of Twilight Zone or a chapter from Ray Bradbury’s The Illustrated Man. Interesting story, recommend!

[Brandon Skanes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story! It really makes readers realize how life could be if we go without the things we take for granted every single day.

[Carmel Audsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

All anyone can do is act upon the information they have to hand. This applies to both the characters in this story, and the reader. The story starts with Dad and Toby hunting for food but ‘most of the land animals are gone’. There used to be cars on the road, there used to be the sound of oil pumps which were distractions for people so they wouldn’t hear the dragons coming up on them. It becomes clear that Toby has not experienced much of the ‘real world’ and relies on information given to him by his father about how things used to be. His father is nervous being out in the open. They were clearly hiding from something or someone. Birds start falling out of the sky and if it wasn’t a dragon, something else was killing them. The monotony of their every-day existence, as they set out to find food, became a bit monotonous, but this was offset by the ever-present tension as they fear for their lives. Are there really dragons? Had the world ended and Toby and Dad are the only human survivors? At the end of this short story we find out why Dad often has fits of rage, and while the reader has some empathy for him, it is Toby who has suffered the real tragedy of being denied a broader life experience. The storyline dragged on, with little plot and not a very satisfying ending. While the suspension was held, it really needs fleshing out.

[James Wallgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story gem!

Sci-fi short that will keep you turning the page. Toby and his father on a discover journey to learn more about the world they find themselves in. Terrific ending. Great job!

[Novel Diva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 12-year-old boy, Toby, and his father lead a solitary existence, fishing and growing veggies in the garden, in a world that has been decimated by dragons for some unknown reason. The cars are gone, the shops are gone, as well as most of the people and food.
The author builds a real sense of drama with the unnamed Dad character constantly on the lookout for danger from above. He’s got extremely good hearing and can hear the ‘dragons’ coming. He’s also the family bloodhound when it comes to sniffing out semi-dead birds to eat.
One of my favorite passages is when the father and son are trying to stay away from the dragon hunting them: “The dragon was there all day. Its sound was constant. What changed was the direction. This was how it hunted, Dad said. It moved in a circle because it knew they were there. They were its prey, and it was stalking them. It wanted them to come outside in the open, where it could cook them.”
Initially, I wanted more details about the dragons' appearance and abilities, not just their aftermath. However, when Toby finally 'sees' a 'dragon,' I realized his father's perception of danger was influenced by autism, not deception. It was an intriguing sci-fi story.

[François G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want a haunting post-apocalyptic story?

This is it. But this one has its originality since it's seen through the eyes of a 12-year old boy named Toby. He's raised in a world where dragons have decimated human civilization. You got it all. Almost...

Early chapters capture a sense of survivalism. Keywords: rifles, rationing, fear of "open sky", you name it.

Then you see Toby gradually but surely opening up to chapter 15 where the impossible happens: safety, community, and even barbecues are back on the table (pun intended). The one changes, the world expands.

The writing is very contrasted:
- past sarcity Versus present abundance.
- Paranoia Vs Hope
- Routine Vs Discovery.

I was about to forget him... but you get to know Toby's father. A hard survivalist who tends to gradually soften while allowing small pleasures. You get the idea. You've probably seen those tropes before, but they are handled with sincerity.

Overall, the book main message sounds like a critique of human rigidity. It celebrates adaptation, not just like the animal way, but also in the emotional way in a broken world. It's about letting go, letting in, and learning how to live again. Nothing could be simpler. Quite moving. And filled with hope and emotional realism. A thoughtful read.

[Jules MacLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting futuristic and post-apocalyptic survival short story. Toby and his Dad live in fear and isolation, staying alive by relying on hunting, fishing and their garden, when not being hunted themselves by fire breathing dragons. A twist unfolds revealing the actual reality of their situation. Overall an enjoyable read.

[Rich Meyrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story alone in ‘Falling from the Sky’ had me hooked immediately, filling me with questions such as: What had happened to the world? What are the dragons? Were they living creatures or some kind of weapon?

In addition to the main storyline, I found the relationship between Toby and his Dad fascinating. It was clearly a tale of someone coping with a relative dealing with mental issues brought on by stress, a subject relevant in any version of the world, even one not terrorised by dragons! I won’t say more for fear of spoiling the ending.

I really enjoy Joshua Scribner’s style of storytelling. This is the second novella of his I’ve read, and it certainly won’t be the last.

[Madison Barclay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Had me hooked the whole time!

"Falling from the Sky" by Joshua Scribner delivers a tense & atmospheric survival tale set in a desolate world where humanity teeters on the edge of extinction.

The relationship between Toby and his father is deeply compelling, highlighting their resilience and the stark loneliness of their existence.

As mysterious and ominous changes begin to unfold around them, the sense of impending doom escalates, making this a gripping read for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction.

Scribner’s storytelling keeps the reader on edge, blending suspense with a hauntingly bleak setting.

[Julie Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joshua Scribner masterfully crafts a world of quiet, post-apocalyptic dread in “Falling From the Sky,” where the most terrifying monster is the gnawing uncertainty of being the last people on Earth. We follow twelve-year-old Toby and his resourceful Dad, whose daily routine of survival is a tense and tedious dance under a dangerous sky.
Just when you think you've settled into their grim normalcy, the author expertly tightens the screws, leading to revelations that are both shocking and deeply satisfying. At just 100 pages, it's a single-sitting read that packs a heavier punch than books three times its length. A truly gripping and thought-provoking gem!

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A focused look at a future world

This book gave a quite novel take on a future world and human experience of it. The big questions of world conflict and politics are not the focus - it deals with the world as it is experienced by primarily two people. I found it interesting how those people used language of dragons to explain as best they could, what they could otherwise not explain. It made me wonder about how often in history humans have done just that.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Major Page-Turner

I couldn't put this book down.

I was seriously curious the entire time about what had caused the world to be the way it was in the book.

If you're looking for a fun adventure book, then pick this one up. It's a quick read that is both well written and interesting.

[Era Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Longer Form

While still considered a short, this longer form from Scribner really allows him to flesh out his characters. The YA version of The Road, is sweet, tender, and thought provoking, but it's his character development between a father and his son that will resonate with readers. Fantastic story.

[Craig Stucko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Falling from the Sky. I always love sci-fi, but my interest was piqued right away. Curiosity kept me reading. I knew I was missing something but couldn’t figure it out. What was the deal? Well written, fast paced and quite interesting, even with so few characters. The best is the surprise ending. I can’t say anything as it might give something away. Worth the read to find out!

[carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inventive

I appreciate the author’s imagination and his take on a “apocalyptic” world post alien invasion. I was waiting for some twisted revelation in end but I must have missed it.

[Mickey White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

I'm a huge fan of short reads. This one was really good. It was my first sci-fi one, but it wasn't strictly sci-fi. There were definite moments of fantasy mixed in too. The dragon, for example. Definitely give it a try.

[John Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twist relevant to current times

Falling from the Sky is an enjoyable short read that provides a familiar feel within mystery and suspense. The twist not only is unique but is thought provoking.

[Carol Nkambule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

The book has an amazing foundation. The storyline was amazing and it kept me on my edge. I wanted to read more with each page I finished. Overall. The book is a10/10 in my eyes.

[Patricia Kassis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice calm story

The story is interesting and calm, and it’s easy to read. The ending was surprising and gave the book a nice twist. I didn’t expect it to turn out that way. If you’re looking for something light and engaging, I recommend it.

[Tanya Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good quick read

This was a good read. Exciting, suspenseful, and surprising! Good build up of tension and well rounded in a short amount of time.

[Tom Kranz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like a children's story

Simple, no frills writing style might be more suitable for younger readers. Sci Fi fans will probably find it a bit ho-hum. Some editing issues.

[Kevin Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a theory I once heard (probably at 2 a.m. on a message board about ‘80s horror movies and early Metallica bootlegs) that goes something like this: You don’t really remember how a story made you feel—you remember the pace at which it delivered those feelings. If that theory holds up—and let’s pretend it does—then Falling from the Sky by Joshua Scribner operates like an anxiety dream you sort of want to stay in.
It’s 70 pages. And yet in that space, Scribner does something that’s actually kind of audacious in its simplicity: he tells a stripped-down, grimly lyrical father-son survival tale in a dragon-infested, end-times America—and manages to keep the whole thing emotionally resonant and fun. And yes, I used the word "fun" in a review about dragons falling from the sky in a post-apocalyptic hellscape.
The first few pages flirt with The Road cosplay. You’ve got the grayscale misery, the vague hunger, the trudging. It’s familiar—but not derivative. That’s the thing. It’s like deep dish pizza: people argue it’s not “real” pizza because it’s too thick, too heavy, too casserole-y. But also: who cares? Casserole is awesome. So is deep dish. And so is the McCarthy-esque opening of Falling from the Sky, because it sets up expectations that Scribner happily ignores by the time the dragons start falling. (Yes, literal dragons. And somehow it works.)
Tonally, the story walks that George Saunders tightrope—humane but bleak, intimate but weird. Scribner doesn’t spoon-feed exposition, which makes everything feel more lived-in, more earned. He drops in details—small, character-driven things—that make you pause mid-paragraph and go, “Okay, that’s kind of brilliant.” Like the best horror fiction, it’s not really about the monsters; it’s about the interiority of people who’ve run out of good options and still try anyway.
There's also a Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time energy here, not in the plot but in the POV logic—the slightly askew, emotionally-specific lens through which you’re observing a world that doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. Scribner nails that. And if you're a sucker for tight storytelling with genre elements that aren't just thrown in like toppings at a froyo bar, this is your thing.
Bottom line: Falling from the Sky is a fast, confident read. It's horror for people who like character arcs more than body counts, and drama for people who still want to be surprised by narrative left turns involving skyborne dragons. I don’t know if Scribner listens to Joy Division or watches late-‘90s anime, but this book feels like he might. That’s a compliment, in case that wasn’t clear.
Five stars. And probably five more when I pick it up again in six months and notice all the stuff I missed the first time.

[Samuel Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hauntingly Beautiful Tale of Survival and Hope

From the moment I picked up "Falling from the Sky," I was completely engrossed. This isn't just another post-apocalyptic story; it's a deeply human look at what it means to survive when all seems lost, and the terrifying beauty of the bond between a father and son. Toby and Dad's isolated existence in the countryside is painted with such vivid detail, you can almost feel the quiet tension of their lives, always scanning the skies for the "beasts" that drove humanity to the brink.

The author masterfully builds the suspense. For years, their routine has kept them safe, but as the description hints, things are definitely shifting. The creeping unease of fires on the ground and, more ominously, birds falling from the sky, creates a palpable sense of dread that kept me turning pages long into the night. What are these new threats? Are Toby and Dad truly alone? And what new horrors await them as their fragile peace unravels?

What truly sets this book apart is the emotional core. The quiet strength of Toby and Dad's relationship, their reliance on each other, and the unspoken fears that bind them, resonate deeply. It's a story that makes you ponder what you'd do in their shoes, and the sheer resilience of the human spirit. "Falling from the Sky" is a gripping, atmospheric, and surprisingly tender read that will stay with you long after you've finished the last page. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good survival story with a strong emotional current.

[David Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fishing for the truth.

Falling from the Sky is a quietly gripping post-apocalyptic tale that narrows its focus to something far more intimate than ruined worlds and roaming “dragons.” At its heart is the relationship between a father and his twelve-year-old son, Toby. The two live in seeming isolation, surviving through fishing, hunting and – most importantly – vigilance. The author turns a microscope on their bond, revealing how love, fear and inherited beliefs shape the world a child thinks he inhabits.

On a personal level, having spent many formative years fishing with my own father, I found the early scenes especially resonant. The simple acts of gathering food and sharing small rituals become opportunities for connection and wisdom – and, in this story, for doubt and questioning. The prose is deliberately spare, allowing small events to carry surprising weight. I was kept constantly on edge, waiting for the clue that would unlock what’s really happening beyond Toby’s limited understanding.

And when the reveal arrives, it’s both clever and poignant. No spoilers, but the story shifts in unexpected directions – part coming-of-age, part Twilight Zone-esque mystery – yet remains anchored in Toby’s emotional journey as he begins to challenge the world his father has taught him to fear.

A short, inventive read that lingers. Well recommended.

[Ray Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Nice Little Dystopian Tale

Falling from the Sky (by Joshua Scribner) starts out as a brooding and building psychodrama novella or stand-alone short story (at 70 pages), but with a delightfully hopeful ending. A father and young son face a persistent harrowing menace that’s slowly destroying everything around them. As the father becomes more and more entrenched in cloudy thinking and fear, the young son has to become bolder in his efforts to save them. Then the boy finds out, with the help of a kindly stranger he runs into, that the threat isn’t what he and his father had imagined.

The on-going pessimism of the tale’s first half seems repetitive and somewhat tedious. Things could possibly be better told in the form of a much shorter in length short story. But about three-quarters through, there’s a surprising and satisfying twist when the boy finds out that the threat isn’t what he and his father had thought it was.

The simple, straightforward writing flows well, despite the several small errors that have escaped editing. Because the story is told in the first-person voice of the young son, but also because of its rather simplified explanations of things, it’s main audience might best be younger readers.

[R.H. Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Falling From the Sky presents a post-apocalyptic scenario centered on a young boy, named Toby, and his dad (nicknamed the Old Man). Some years prior to the events of the story, fire-breathing dragons appeared, driving humanity to the brink. Toby knows little about the world and his whole existence revolves around following his paranoid and edgy father's rules for survival. Although Toby has never seen a dragon, he can hear them screaming through the air and sees their fires on the horizon. The first half or so of the book is an interesting set-up; the mystery regarding the nature of the dragons kept me engages.

There is an oscillating power dynamic between the father and the son. Although Toby is only 12, he is more level-headed and adaptable than his father. I thought this first part of the story was great and a 4/5 star read. The second half struck me as too neat, too tidy, and too convenient. There are certain revelations regarding the father, in particular, that I didn't think were necessary or that might have bigger implications than the story dealt with. Overall, a solid short story that is a breeze to get through.

[Ann Birdgenaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Post-apocalyptic short story about a father & son.

"Falling from the Sky" by Joshua Scribner is a short story about a father and son who are living in a post-apocalyptic time. Told from the perspective of Toby, the twelve-year-old-son, who has never known anything different, it is very simplistic and straight forward. Toby follows his father’s instructions as he has been taught, and the two live a very minimalistic and regimented existence. Toby fears the “Dragons” as his father calls them, that fly over their land and burn any living thing, seemingly to feast on them. Their lives revolve around Toby’s father’s ability to hear these monsters before they arrive, fleeing to the safety of their house. When things start to change Toby’s father refuses to leave the safety of their home and go farther afield to seek help. Toby knows this is the only way they are going to survive. Intense and atmospheric in its own way as Toby’s father’s mental health problems reveal themselves. I would have liked this story to be longer and more fully fleshed out, but enjoyable as a quick read.