Lightning Hunter: A cozy and heartwarming medieval fantasy story with mythical creatures

by Cathryn deVries, Alice Sudlow (Editor)

Either way she would be uncomfortable—but just like one kind of betrayal was worse than the other, one kind of discomfort was worse too. She had to accept the full reality of who she was now—both the things that had changed and the things that hadn’t—discomfort and all.

Ever felt like you didn’t quite fit in? Like you were caught between worlds? Too much for one, not enough for the other?

When Tana comes home from a life-changing quest, everything seems rosy at first–until the glamour wears off. Now she just wants to feel like she belongs again, and fixes on winning the title of ‘Lightning Hunter’ to do just that. But when she finds an orphaned hargryph in amongst the motherlode of lightning cap mushrooms, she must decide what’s most important to her–fitting in with the other gnomes, or following her conscience.

Starring an endearing main character and filled with lush prose, Lightning Hunter is a heartwarming and inspirational short story about navigating change, perfect for fans of classic fantasy like The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit. It will immerse you in a new and beautiful fantasy world, and give you hope in your own struggle to live authentically while still accepting those around you. A subtle coming-of-age tale for teens and adults alike.

A non-spoiler 'epilogue' story for an upcoming romantic fantasy trilogy.

Click the BUY NOW button and enter the enchanting world of Êravis today!

33 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2025

About the author

Cathryn deVries is an award-winning fantasy and sci-fi author who explores themes of restorative justice, empowerment, connection with earth and spirit, and finding the true self in her work—all wrapped up in an epic package of immersive world-building and sweet romance. A former Air Force engineer and recovering perfectionist, she now home-schools her children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. She and her family live in the Gold Coast Hinterland of Australia, where she enjoys living in a rainforest and pretending she’s an elf.

Reviews

[Kathryn Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute masterpiece. Vivid, captivating, and heartfelt. Cathryn DeVries has created an enchanting story that pulled me in immediately, had me holding my breath, and plunged me into the main character’s world and emotions in a few deft strokes. This is more than a short story—it is a treasure.

[Mairi Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy heartwarming fantasy, then I encourage you to check out Lightning Hunter by Cathryn deVries! I usually prefer novels to short stories, since I am a very character-driven reader and I like to get to know the protagonist on a deeper level. This story delivers on that preference. The character development is expertly done within the short format. The hargryph is also an interesting creature, and I enjoyed painting a picture of what it might look like in my mind. The world is immersive and unique as well.

Although I love the very familiar fantasy creatures – dwarves, elves, dragons – it’s fun to see a less common one in this story. The main character, Tana, is a gnome. After the many adventures she’s had, she no longer feels as though she fits in with the others of her kind. She struggles with that lack of connection throughout the story, though by the end, she finds a true sense of belonging through an unexpected circumstance. As someone who has raised and cared for a lot of animals throughout the years, the connection Tana makes strikes a chord with me.

All in all, it’s a story that has plenty of depth and meaning while also being a light and easy read. I recommend enjoying it with a cup of coffee or tea on a cozy evening – particularly after a good lightning storm.

I’d like to get to know Tana more and I am intrigued to read the full-length novel in which she takes part!

[M.H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about a misfit gnomish princess dwells at the center of this lush high fantasy story set in a beautifully described forest. Though brief, it’s full of heart and warmth. Seeing a glimpse of a broader world (in the author’s forthcoming trilogy) was a charming perk. The writing is lovely and clear. The lead character, Tana, is quirky and lovable. I enjoyed every moment of Lightning Hunter by Cathryn deVries. Perfect for fans of classic fantasy!

[Abbey Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming little prelude with lovely, clear prose and a detailed world that sparks interest for the upcoming trilogy! Tana is a well-realised relatable character, and I’m a sucker for an animal companion, so this short story ticked a lot of boxes for me :)

[Ani Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathryn deVries' gnome mushroom hunting competition is the sweetest story. This petite novella is a perfect bedtime read to share with your lovely littles. There is nothing scary, only one small sad part that evolves into something great. I'm following her so I can keep an eye out for her next releases.

[J.M. Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lightning Hunter by Cathryn deVries is a great story. Though short, it leaves you with a good impression of the world and characters. Tana is an interesting character I’d love to read more about, and her lesson is one many of us need to learn. I look forward to reading more books by this author!

[K.M. Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written with an underlying message of helpfulness, hope, staying true to yourself, and accepting that change can be a good, brave thing, Lightning Hunter is an entertaining read that is suitable for all ages.

[Alicia Maskley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so charming. It sweeps you into a whimsical world that's both enchanting and heartfelt. It was the perfect fit for the cozy little fantasy I was looking for! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the author’s upcoming book.

[Julia Elkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing style, wonderful morals, and a relatable heroine. This book’s only problem was that it was far too short.

[Jackie Fernandez]

“I really enjoyed Lightning Hunter by Cathryn deVries. I love the dynamic and banter between Tana and her brother Dimbal. It was entertaining and funny to read. I loved the underlying messages in the story. How change is good at times, and how important it is to stay true to yourself, that at times you feel helpless, and to have hope when you want to give up. I love the adventure that Tana took and how she still belonged in the end as well. She changed, and understood that others did not change and that was fine. I also love how she took care of the orphaned hargryph. She had purpose, and she was happy to have someone to share her uniqueness."

[Jen Woodrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was magical!! I'm impressed by how the author managed to immerse me in a new fantasy world so quickly without me feeling lost or confused. Tana was very loveable, and her character had a sweet arc of change that I could root for. The ending was just perfect, even though I wished I could have more! But this made me really eager to read the upcoming book that takes place in this world when it comes out.

[Jonathan William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lightning Hunter was a cozy and magical read with a lot of heart. Tana’s journey felt emotional and relatable, and the story beautifully explores themes of belonging and staying true to yourself. The worldbuilding was rich, the writing was immersive, and the hargryph added so much charm to the story. A short but meaningful fantasy that leaves you wanting more.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lightning Hunter is a beautifully written story that blends cozy fantasy, mythical creatures, and a touching journey of self-discovery. I really connected with Tana as she struggled with belonging and the changes in her life after returning from her quest. Her encounter with the orphaned hargryph brought an especially meaningful emotional element to the story.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Fantastic Fantasy book that featured gnomes! The fun details and various descriptions of plant and animals made this book extremely enjoyable. I was able to read a complementary copy of this book via Overdrive, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.

[D.T. Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lightning Hunter" gives readers a touching moment of personal connection and shows us just how powerful seemingly small choices can be.

[Gemma Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really sweet and charming short story that I now know is a prequel so will be off to find the original series!