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The Hatchling
How far would you fall to find where you truly belong?
After losing his grandmother, the only family he ever had. Damian spends two years travelling the world, helping strangers but never staying long enough to matter. During a mountain hike, the ground beneath him collapse. Damian awakens to find himself in an impossible forest under an impossible sky.
There, he meets a young woman with bronze-feathered wings, raising her little brother in a world untouched by Earth. As Damian searches for a way home, he learns of a mythical creature whose egg can cross worlds. But the more he stays in this impossible place, the more he begins to question what home truly means.
Perfect for reads who
A story with no cliffhangers, and no fluff. Just one complete, emotionally resonant story.A story that explores grief, belonging, and the fragile meaning of home.A surreal, world-bending tale that blurs the line between life and death.A tender, aching connection that asks what it truly means to live.A vivid, introspective, and immersive story.
For fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Midnight Library, and The Alchemist. The Hatchling is a heartfelt psychological fantasy about love, loss, and the courage it takes to break free from the shells that keeps us from truly experiencing life.
After losing his grandmother, the only family he ever had. Damian spends two years travelling the world, helping strangers but never staying long enough to matter. During a mountain hike, the ground beneath him collapse. Damian awakens to find himself in an impossible forest under an impossible sky.
There, he meets a young woman with bronze-feathered wings, raising her little brother in a world untouched by Earth. As Damian searches for a way home, he learns of a mythical creature whose egg can cross worlds. But the more he stays in this impossible place, the more he begins to question what home truly means.
Perfect for reads who
A story with no cliffhangers, and no fluff. Just one complete, emotionally resonant story.A story that explores grief, belonging, and the fragile meaning of home.A surreal, world-bending tale that blurs the line between life and death.A tender, aching connection that asks what it truly means to live.A vivid, introspective, and immersive story.
For fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Midnight Library, and The Alchemist. The Hatchling is a heartfelt psychological fantasy about love, loss, and the courage it takes to break free from the shells that keeps us from truly experiencing life.
86 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2025
2 people want to read
About the author
Nazo
7 books23 followersAll Hell, Drops Out just hit #25 in 3 categories! 🎉
GRAB NOW FOR FREE! —> https://a.co/d/iylhZnd
Nazo is an up and coming, emerging voice in the Contemporary Fiction genre. He is known for creating compelling, emotionally-driven, and psychologically impactful stories that dives into the complexities and hardships of life. Nazo is a Filipino native who grew up in Manila, the capital of the Pearl of the Orient. With a background in content creation, Nazo got into writing back in July of 2024, and is aiming to make a name for himself in the writing world.
With a full mask on, Nazo is not comfortable showing his face. Not just to make himself look mysterious, but also because he isn’t confident enough to show himself to the public. Nazo is a big anime and gaming fan. Before getting into writing, Nazo was focused on two things that he really wanted to achieve. One is to become a pro eSport player, and second is being a successful content creator. While he wasn’t able to fulfill both, Nazo never lost hope and instead kept on living until he found his new purpose in life.
In his latest series, Dices of Life. Nazo invites readers in a world where emotions are strong. In a world where feelings matter, and a world where you can experience the effects of both the light and darkness of life. Nazo currently resides in the same place he grew up in, and is aiming to fulfill his third and new dream; to become a known writer/author.
GRAB NOW FOR FREE! —> https://a.co/d/iylhZnd
Nazo is an up and coming, emerging voice in the Contemporary Fiction genre. He is known for creating compelling, emotionally-driven, and psychologically impactful stories that dives into the complexities and hardships of life. Nazo is a Filipino native who grew up in Manila, the capital of the Pearl of the Orient. With a background in content creation, Nazo got into writing back in July of 2024, and is aiming to make a name for himself in the writing world.
With a full mask on, Nazo is not comfortable showing his face. Not just to make himself look mysterious, but also because he isn’t confident enough to show himself to the public. Nazo is a big anime and gaming fan. Before getting into writing, Nazo was focused on two things that he really wanted to achieve. One is to become a pro eSport player, and second is being a successful content creator. While he wasn’t able to fulfill both, Nazo never lost hope and instead kept on living until he found his new purpose in life.
In his latest series, Dices of Life. Nazo invites readers in a world where emotions are strong. In a world where feelings matter, and a world where you can experience the effects of both the light and darkness of life. Nazo currently resides in the same place he grew up in, and is aiming to fulfill his third and new dream; to become a known writer/author.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 20, 2025
I was eager to read what Nazo would write next. In fact, I took a break from the book I was reading when I received this, as I wanted to get started straight away.
I read this book so quickly. The imagery was beautiful. I could picture the village and the people and the nature around them.
The story itself was heartfelt and emotional with a strong, important message about how home is where your heart lies.
A beautiful and romantic short fantasy novella.
I read this book so quickly. The imagery was beautiful. I could picture the village and the people and the nature around them.
The story itself was heartfelt and emotional with a strong, important message about how home is where your heart lies.
A beautiful and romantic short fantasy novella.
October 22, 2025
I quickly felt a connection with Damian as he is thinking about his grandmother. She taught him to read using old fairy tale books, I learned to read from old Peanuts (Snoopy) books. Oh my, his grandma telling him he has a good heart, and to use it to help others, that's brought tears to my eyes.
It's heartbreaking that Damian doesn't feel like he belongs or matters to anyone, even though he's helping so many people. I wonder if losing his parents so young has left him adrift when his grandma dies. I understand those feelings not from losing my parents but from never having them be there for me. My grandma meant so much to me, but lived far away. I kept in touch with her mainly through letters. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for Damian to lose his parents, grow up being close with his grandma, then to lose her. Traveling after she passed, helping others but having no real connection to anyone. It feels like a very lonely existence.
Damian, hiking on his own, feeling disconnected, falls from high up on a mountain and wakes up in Terah, another world, where he’s different because he doesn’t have wings, but ends up feeling more welcomed and at home than back on Earth.
As he awakens and Talia is there. He’s surprised by her wings, she is surprised by his not having wings.
Talia's story is sad too. Also having lost her parents and looking after her brother all on her own. It's so interesting how Damian opens up to Talia. Somehow he trusts her, even though they just met. They connect through loss. "My mother used to say that home isn't a place. It's a feeling. It's where you feel like you belong, where you feel like yourself. " Talia said softly. That makes so much sense.
I can picture Terah and the forest world Nazo has painted so well. Children with wings playing in the trees "creating a dance of feathers and joy." The village with homes made of living branches, vines, leaves, and plant fibers sounds beautiful.
Damian telling Talia about what it's like living on Earth really hits it right. Fast-paced, being surrounded by people yet not feeling connected, feeling completely alone, that feels so real.
Village elder Urnatu says “Every person is born inside a shell...a shell of fear, doubt, and limitations we place on ourselves. To truly live, and to truly become who you are meant to be, you must break through that shell. You must hatch.” Ain’t that the truth! The shell is like the walls we surround ourselves with, for protection or out of fear.
It's nice seeing Damian and Talia slowly getting to know each other, learning to work together, becoming a team naturally as they continue to make trips in search of Damian's path back to earth. Damian feels more connected to Terah and the village, making the thought of returning to his lonely life on earth harder to go back to.
Damian feeling like he matters, wow, it's lovely and heartbreaking.
Searching and finding his home in this strange new world.
I don’t want to give the rest away, but it’s such a unique story. Nazo knows how to deliver emotional stories that make you care about the characters, and hope that they can make the choice that is best for them and their loved ones. This story has heartbreak, fantasy, dilemma and an important choice. I really enjoyed reading it.
It's heartbreaking that Damian doesn't feel like he belongs or matters to anyone, even though he's helping so many people. I wonder if losing his parents so young has left him adrift when his grandma dies. I understand those feelings not from losing my parents but from never having them be there for me. My grandma meant so much to me, but lived far away. I kept in touch with her mainly through letters. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for Damian to lose his parents, grow up being close with his grandma, then to lose her. Traveling after she passed, helping others but having no real connection to anyone. It feels like a very lonely existence.
Damian, hiking on his own, feeling disconnected, falls from high up on a mountain and wakes up in Terah, another world, where he’s different because he doesn’t have wings, but ends up feeling more welcomed and at home than back on Earth.
As he awakens and Talia is there. He’s surprised by her wings, she is surprised by his not having wings.
Talia's story is sad too. Also having lost her parents and looking after her brother all on her own. It's so interesting how Damian opens up to Talia. Somehow he trusts her, even though they just met. They connect through loss. "My mother used to say that home isn't a place. It's a feeling. It's where you feel like you belong, where you feel like yourself. " Talia said softly. That makes so much sense.
I can picture Terah and the forest world Nazo has painted so well. Children with wings playing in the trees "creating a dance of feathers and joy." The village with homes made of living branches, vines, leaves, and plant fibers sounds beautiful.
Damian telling Talia about what it's like living on Earth really hits it right. Fast-paced, being surrounded by people yet not feeling connected, feeling completely alone, that feels so real.
Village elder Urnatu says “Every person is born inside a shell...a shell of fear, doubt, and limitations we place on ourselves. To truly live, and to truly become who you are meant to be, you must break through that shell. You must hatch.” Ain’t that the truth! The shell is like the walls we surround ourselves with, for protection or out of fear.
It's nice seeing Damian and Talia slowly getting to know each other, learning to work together, becoming a team naturally as they continue to make trips in search of Damian's path back to earth. Damian feels more connected to Terah and the village, making the thought of returning to his lonely life on earth harder to go back to.
Damian feeling like he matters, wow, it's lovely and heartbreaking.
Searching and finding his home in this strange new world.
I don’t want to give the rest away, but it’s such a unique story. Nazo knows how to deliver emotional stories that make you care about the characters, and hope that they can make the choice that is best for them and their loved ones. This story has heartbreak, fantasy, dilemma and an important choice. I really enjoyed reading it.
October 25, 2025
The Hatchling is a young adult blend of thriller and fantasy in which the protagonist is a young school boy named Vin. His friendship with Tim drives the whole momentum of the storyline. This story explores the grief of loss and how quickly life can take a swift turn. The converse and exchange of emotions has been well replicated into a short story by the author. The writing is well articulated and smooth, which drew me to the next chapter. The themes of loss, love and grief are beautifully captured allowing me to feel all of the emotions. I am looking forward to reading many more books by the author.
October 23, 2025
This is another short story and as with all of Nazo’s other instalments of the Dices Of Dilemma series, there’s a powerful message behind it.
After losing his grandmother, the only family he had, Damien spends his time travelling the world helping strangers but never truly finding his purpose. Feeling lost he embarks on a mountain hike where the ground collapses and he falls into a surreal world where he meets a beautiful winged woman and goes on a journey of rediscovery and belonging.
Nazo’s writing style is simple yet effective and I’m always engaged and read in one sitting. I really enjoyed the fantasy element to this story, and although short, he builds imagery and characters beautifully.
Short…emotional…deeply moving.
🖤 ‘How far would you fall to find where you truly belong?’ 🖤
After losing his grandmother, the only family he had, Damien spends his time travelling the world helping strangers but never truly finding his purpose. Feeling lost he embarks on a mountain hike where the ground collapses and he falls into a surreal world where he meets a beautiful winged woman and goes on a journey of rediscovery and belonging.
Nazo’s writing style is simple yet effective and I’m always engaged and read in one sitting. I really enjoyed the fantasy element to this story, and although short, he builds imagery and characters beautifully.
Short…emotional…deeply moving.
🖤 ‘How far would you fall to find where you truly belong?’ 🖤
October 16, 2025
So I just loved this author's books so much, the moment I received this one I dropped everything to read it.
As with his other short stories, there's a lot of drama, grief and parts to make you think about all important issues.
This one is a fantasy story, that'd make you question what's really important and what's home really means.
The writing is phenomenal as always, making the story really engaging and imposible to put down. No kidding I read it in one sitting.
One thing I truly love about this author is that even in the shortest story he makes me care about the characters and I always end up thinking about the true meaning of the stories.
This one, I found it very reflective and inspiring. If you like moving stories that'd make you think about life, and will grab you from the very start this is for you.
Thank you so much to Nazo for sending me this book in exchanged for an honest review.
As with his other short stories, there's a lot of drama, grief and parts to make you think about all important issues.
This one is a fantasy story, that'd make you question what's really important and what's home really means.
The writing is phenomenal as always, making the story really engaging and imposible to put down. No kidding I read it in one sitting.
One thing I truly love about this author is that even in the shortest story he makes me care about the characters and I always end up thinking about the true meaning of the stories.
This one, I found it very reflective and inspiring. If you like moving stories that'd make you think about life, and will grab you from the very start this is for you.
Thank you so much to Nazo for sending me this book in exchanged for an honest review.
October 30, 2025
This is another short story in Nazo’s Dices of Dilemma series and like the others, it can be read as a standalone, but each one connects through deep, thought-provoking themes that linger long after you’ve finished.
After losing his grandmother, the only family he had, Damian drifts through life helping others but never truly finding himself. When a mountain hike turns into something surreal, he’s pulled into a dreamlike world that blurs the line between life and death and maybe, just maybe, helps him rediscover what it means to belong.
Nazo’s writing is simple yet powerful every line carries weight, and the emotional depth sneaks up on you. There’s a quiet beauty to the way he builds meaning and reflection into such a short story. I loved the introspective tone and the touch of fantasy woven through grief and hope.
Short, emotional, and deeply moving The Hatchling reminds you that sometimes you have to lose yourself to truly find where you belong.
After losing his grandmother, the only family he had, Damian drifts through life helping others but never truly finding himself. When a mountain hike turns into something surreal, he’s pulled into a dreamlike world that blurs the line between life and death and maybe, just maybe, helps him rediscover what it means to belong.
Nazo’s writing is simple yet powerful every line carries weight, and the emotional depth sneaks up on you. There’s a quiet beauty to the way he builds meaning and reflection into such a short story. I loved the introspective tone and the touch of fantasy woven through grief and hope.
Short, emotional, and deeply moving The Hatchling reminds you that sometimes you have to lose yourself to truly find where you belong.
November 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(3.75/5)
Format: Digital ARC
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Dices of Dilemma, book 5
——
Damian decides to on a hike to clear his mind. After his grandmother passed away, life has been hard for Damian, trying to find a new purpose in life. As he’s hiking up on this mountain, Damian misses a step and trips, falling down the mountain and losing consciousness. When he wakes up, he’s no longer in Earth, but rather in a new place where people have…wings. Now, Damian will need to find his way back to Earth, but does he actually want to go back?
I really enjoyed the topic of this one, it was a new approach from Nazo and I always appreciate authors that venture into new genres. The story was thorough, interesting and very engaging. I also love a romance subplot and this story delivered that.
I do think the story needed some help from an editor, as I found it very repetitive in some parts, as well as the use of the same word multiple times on one same page.
I have learned to appreciate Nazo a lot, and I love being able to see his growth as an author, which he has immensely. Thanks again, Nazo, for sending me your work in exchange for an honest review.
Format: Digital ARC
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Dices of Dilemma, book 5
——
Damian decides to on a hike to clear his mind. After his grandmother passed away, life has been hard for Damian, trying to find a new purpose in life. As he’s hiking up on this mountain, Damian misses a step and trips, falling down the mountain and losing consciousness. When he wakes up, he’s no longer in Earth, but rather in a new place where people have…wings. Now, Damian will need to find his way back to Earth, but does he actually want to go back?
I really enjoyed the topic of this one, it was a new approach from Nazo and I always appreciate authors that venture into new genres. The story was thorough, interesting and very engaging. I also love a romance subplot and this story delivered that.
I do think the story needed some help from an editor, as I found it very repetitive in some parts, as well as the use of the same word multiple times on one same page.
I have learned to appreciate Nazo a lot, and I love being able to see his growth as an author, which he has immensely. Thanks again, Nazo, for sending me your work in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2025
✮✮✮✮/☆
How far would you fall to find where you truly belong?
The fifth instalment in the Dices of Dilemma series of short psychological stories, this one being a from the heart fantasy!
The hatchling is a heartfelt journey of genuine loss entwined with grief. Taking new paths in finding belonging while exploring the courage to break free.. full of surreal sincere emotions.
I devoured this tender yet moving short story. I enjoy Nazos' simple but effective writing style. It's fully engaging. The hatchling is thought pondering story..
Thank you, Nazo, for an ARC in return for my honest thoughts ♥︎
How far would you fall to find where you truly belong?
The fifth instalment in the Dices of Dilemma series of short psychological stories, this one being a from the heart fantasy!
The hatchling is a heartfelt journey of genuine loss entwined with grief. Taking new paths in finding belonging while exploring the courage to break free.. full of surreal sincere emotions.
I devoured this tender yet moving short story. I enjoy Nazos' simple but effective writing style. It's fully engaging. The hatchling is thought pondering story..
Thank you, Nazo, for an ARC in return for my honest thoughts ♥︎
October 18, 2025
PHENOMENAL!!! Omg! I was all out sobbing by the end of this short impactful story. Home is where the heart is and finds comfort in being there, imo.
Both beings, Damian and Talia were so mired in their own baggage, that helping others didn't lift their hearts light. It was a task to be done to fill up the endless empty time voids. The breaking of their bandage from old baggage was stunning a d resonated deeply with me. What an emotional cathartic journey. Thanks Nazo.
Both beings, Damian and Talia were so mired in their own baggage, that helping others didn't lift their hearts light. It was a task to be done to fill up the endless empty time voids. The breaking of their bandage from old baggage was stunning a d resonated deeply with me. What an emotional cathartic journey. Thanks Nazo.
November 7, 2025
What an amazing novella about finding where you belong and how "home" is more of a feeling than anything else. I love Nazo's writing, and here we are given yet another great read about human complexities.
This one was a bit different than their other works (due to the otherness of the characters) but I truly loved how welcoming and open everyone in the community was.
This one was a bit different than their other works (due to the otherness of the characters) but I truly loved how welcoming and open everyone in the community was.
October 20, 2025
Delightful romantic fairytale, this is Author Nazo's best yet. As with all fairytale/fables, it is deceptively simple, straight-forward, but under the surface there is deeper existential connotation; indeed this seems to be Nazo's thematic choice in writing: meaning within meanings, synchronicity, serendipity, choices made and consequences earned, fate and destiny. Our MC Damian, uncertain and adrift since the death of his Grandmother (his only family) has traveled the world as an impromptu social worker, helping others he encounters, teaching, supporting and then moving on, never finding the peace and comfort he seeks, never landing long enough to put down roots. Climbing a mountain trail, false-footing has him falling into another world, an impossible world of wondrous colors and scents, where the flowers glow and the forests sing in the breeze. Is he dreaming, has he lost his faculties and his senses, or is that truly a winged being, a girl as surprised as he is, an impossible denizen of an impossible world. Where is he, is he alive, is he aware, is he ok?
- Soothed and befriended by the girl, he is led to Talia's village, greeted by the people and the headman, accepted as a wonder by all, a wingless man, something never seen before. He is the odd one, they are as mystified by him as he is with them; he is nurtured and cared for as a new friend.
Urnatu, leader and spiritual center of village life, keeper of tradition and ancient knowledge, gives him a new goal, a fabulous creature of the forest that can help him get home, Damian only has to find it, harvest an egg and he will be able to return to Earth. The village will help supply him, give him maps and direction, and Talia will guide him. Of course, this is a Romance, so the ending can be foreseen in the journey; Damian and Talia risk danger, survive hardship and form a bond that becomes more important than his rootless life on Earth.
- The villagers worship the wisdom of birds (they are winged beings, after all) to live freely, to soar in the world. Urnato explains their theory of being: everyone is born within a protective 'egg', not physical but a 'shell of fear, doubt, and limitations we place on ourselves. To truly live, and to truly become who you are meant to be, you must break through that shell. You must hatch.' Damian's listlessness, doubt, grief must be overcome, he must find his inner strength to grow beyond his 'shell'; he achieves this in a classic hero's journey, finds himself, his meaning, love and home. Themes of sacrifice, grief, self-reliance and inherent growth; universal truths common in fable appeal to the spirit in all of us; recognition of commonality is comforting, though a tissue may be needed. As Dorothy Gale said to Glinda the Good Witch, 'there's no place like home' though it might not be in your own backyard. What's that other saying? Home is where the heart is.
- Soothed and befriended by the girl, he is led to Talia's village, greeted by the people and the headman, accepted as a wonder by all, a wingless man, something never seen before. He is the odd one, they are as mystified by him as he is with them; he is nurtured and cared for as a new friend.
Urnatu, leader and spiritual center of village life, keeper of tradition and ancient knowledge, gives him a new goal, a fabulous creature of the forest that can help him get home, Damian only has to find it, harvest an egg and he will be able to return to Earth. The village will help supply him, give him maps and direction, and Talia will guide him. Of course, this is a Romance, so the ending can be foreseen in the journey; Damian and Talia risk danger, survive hardship and form a bond that becomes more important than his rootless life on Earth.
- The villagers worship the wisdom of birds (they are winged beings, after all) to live freely, to soar in the world. Urnato explains their theory of being: everyone is born within a protective 'egg', not physical but a 'shell of fear, doubt, and limitations we place on ourselves. To truly live, and to truly become who you are meant to be, you must break through that shell. You must hatch.' Damian's listlessness, doubt, grief must be overcome, he must find his inner strength to grow beyond his 'shell'; he achieves this in a classic hero's journey, finds himself, his meaning, love and home. Themes of sacrifice, grief, self-reliance and inherent growth; universal truths common in fable appeal to the spirit in all of us; recognition of commonality is comforting, though a tissue may be needed. As Dorothy Gale said to Glinda the Good Witch, 'there's no place like home' though it might not be in your own backyard. What's that other saying? Home is where the heart is.
October 18, 2025
This is Nazo's 5th book in his "Dices of Dilemma" series. All books can be read independently. The story starts with exploring grief. Damian had been raised by his grandmother and upon her passing he realised he was lost. Though he went on to fulfill "good works" he was still not satisfied. He finishes up in a fantasy world - a surreal, mind-blowing place - which blurred the lines between life and death. The tale takes one through twists and turns in this new fantasy place. Overall it's a vivid, introspective and truly immersive story. A truly imaginative world which resonates with the reader.
I received an ARC copy (thank you Nazo) and am pleased to provide this review.
I received an ARC copy (thank you Nazo) and am pleased to provide this review.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews