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A Setting of Skyes
A Setting of Skyes
At the edge of the world, peace awaits…
From the author of the Crossroads at Dawn Trilogy, Aled Thomas
High on K2, where the air is thin and the margin for error is razor-sharp, Delwyn Roberts keeps climbing.
On the surface, it’s a mountaineering expedition. A dangerous ascent against brutal weather, exhaustion, and altitude. But this is not a story about conquering a mountain. It’s a story about surviving grief, carrying love, and searching for peace after loss.
As Del pushes higher into the death zone, memories of home pull him back: quiet Sunday walks, a woman who hummed when she was happy, a little girl who believed clouds were made of dreams. In his pack, he carries what remains of that life - a wedding ring and a battered stuffed duck named Mr. Quack - fragile keepsakes in a place that offers no mercy.
Told through dual timelines of past and present, A Setting of Skyes is a literary fiction novel about love after loss, the weight of memory, and the thin line between endurance and escape. It explores mental health, grief, and resilience through a deeply human lens, asking whether peace is found at the summit — or somewhere far quieter.
Poetic, intimate, and emotionally raw, this novel blends survival drama with reflective, character-driven storytelling. For readers who love emotionally powerful fiction, stories set against extreme landscapes, and novels that linger long after the final page, A Setting of Skyes offers a moving meditation on what it means to keep going when everything has changed.
At the edge of the world, peace awaits…
From the author of the Crossroads at Dawn Trilogy, Aled Thomas
High on K2, where the air is thin and the margin for error is razor-sharp, Delwyn Roberts keeps climbing.
On the surface, it’s a mountaineering expedition. A dangerous ascent against brutal weather, exhaustion, and altitude. But this is not a story about conquering a mountain. It’s a story about surviving grief, carrying love, and searching for peace after loss.
As Del pushes higher into the death zone, memories of home pull him back: quiet Sunday walks, a woman who hummed when she was happy, a little girl who believed clouds were made of dreams. In his pack, he carries what remains of that life - a wedding ring and a battered stuffed duck named Mr. Quack - fragile keepsakes in a place that offers no mercy.
Told through dual timelines of past and present, A Setting of Skyes is a literary fiction novel about love after loss, the weight of memory, and the thin line between endurance and escape. It explores mental health, grief, and resilience through a deeply human lens, asking whether peace is found at the summit — or somewhere far quieter.
Poetic, intimate, and emotionally raw, this novel blends survival drama with reflective, character-driven storytelling. For readers who love emotionally powerful fiction, stories set against extreme landscapes, and novels that linger long after the final page, A Setting of Skyes offers a moving meditation on what it means to keep going when everything has changed.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2026
About the author
Aled Thomas
5 booksI’m Aled Thomas, a writer from Caerphilly who loves exploring the messy, beautiful parts of what makes us human. I write stories about people carrying grief, love, and hope through difficult landscapes - both emotional and physical. Much of my work is inspired by the mountains and valleys of Wales, where I grew up and still call home.
I have hiked every major mountain in Britain and completed a full OS-map checklist of the Brecon Beacons during lockdown, and the outdoors almost always finds its way into my fiction. I’m fascinated by the quiet moments of connection that shape us, the promises we make, and the things we hold on to long after someone is gone.
Before writing full-time, I served in the Royal Navy and now work as an ASD Senior Teaching Assistant in Cardiff. Supporting neurodiverse young people has changed the way I see the world, and it’s made its way into my writing in the form of compassion, patience, and small emotional truths.
If you enjoy emotionally rich, atmospheric stories with complex characters and a strong sense of place, I hope you’ll find something meaningful in my work. Feel free to reach out. I love connecting with readers.
I have hiked every major mountain in Britain and completed a full OS-map checklist of the Brecon Beacons during lockdown, and the outdoors almost always finds its way into my fiction. I’m fascinated by the quiet moments of connection that shape us, the promises we make, and the things we hold on to long after someone is gone.
Before writing full-time, I served in the Royal Navy and now work as an ASD Senior Teaching Assistant in Cardiff. Supporting neurodiverse young people has changed the way I see the world, and it’s made its way into my writing in the form of compassion, patience, and small emotional truths.
If you enjoy emotionally rich, atmospheric stories with complex characters and a strong sense of place, I hope you’ll find something meaningful in my work. Feel free to reach out. I love connecting with readers.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 22, 2026
This is one of those books that is so engaging and harrowing because it is so real. There’s no filler or overly dramatic moments. It’s just real life.
Packed full of heartbreak, humour, found family, community and grief, this book is a must-read, especially for those who may be struggling or feeling lost. There are so many lessons to be learned throughout this book, even though it is a work of fiction, and so many wise words that I feel will stay with me for a long while.
It is also packed with beautiful metaphors and a clear appreciation for how both humanity and nature can help with our mental health. There is something incredibly comforting in the way this book explores the connections we have with each other and the world around us.
An excellent read, but tissues are definitely needed, I’ve been crying since page. 2
Packed full of heartbreak, humour, found family, community and grief, this book is a must-read, especially for those who may be struggling or feeling lost. There are so many lessons to be learned throughout this book, even though it is a work of fiction, and so many wise words that I feel will stay with me for a long while.
It is also packed with beautiful metaphors and a clear appreciation for how both humanity and nature can help with our mental health. There is something incredibly comforting in the way this book explores the connections we have with each other and the world around us.
An excellent read, but tissues are definitely needed, I’ve been crying since page. 2
June 13, 2026
Oh my goodness, this book is beautifully written.
I was completely swept up in the grief of it from the very first chapter. I felt it right along with the characters because Thomas writes so emotionally and poetically.
It is a stunning work evoking a rollercoaster of feelings. Loss, grief, hope, memories, perseverance. I won’t lie, i cried at almost every chapter!
I was completely swept up in the grief of it from the very first chapter. I felt it right along with the characters because Thomas writes so emotionally and poetically.
It is a stunning work evoking a rollercoaster of feelings. Loss, grief, hope, memories, perseverance. I won’t lie, i cried at almost every chapter!
Review of advance copy received from Author
An emotional, beautifully written read
I absolutely loved 'A Setting of Skyes'. It’s one of those books that pulls you in quietly and then hits you right in the chest. The mix of the K2 climb and Delwyn’s memories is done so well, you really feel the weight he’s carrying, both physically and emotionally.
What stood out most to me was how human it all felt. The little details, the moments of love and loss, the things he holds onto… it’s written with so much heart. The writing is really lovely without ever feeling over the top.
I finished it feeling moved, proud, and honestly just really glad this story exists. It’s a powerful, memorable read that stays with you.
I absolutely loved 'A Setting of Skyes'. It’s one of those books that pulls you in quietly and then hits you right in the chest. The mix of the K2 climb and Delwyn’s memories is done so well, you really feel the weight he’s carrying, both physically and emotionally.
What stood out most to me was how human it all felt. The little details, the moments of love and loss, the things he holds onto… it’s written with so much heart. The writing is really lovely without ever feeling over the top.
I finished it feeling moved, proud, and honestly just really glad this story exists. It’s a powerful, memorable read that stays with you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thoughts:
I have no words... I started reading this at a restaurant around lunch with family, little did I know that I would start tearing up about 39 pages in TvT. Lowk had to lock in so fast before others would start questioning me. That aside, the way you portray grief here is so true... It isn't loud, it isn't seen that much especially portrayed in media, grief is quiet and it eats you up from the inside out. I'm glad you were able to show Del in a support group, it reminded me of a quote "The aim of therapy is not to correct the past, but to enable the patient to confront his own history, and to grieve over it." he needed that, he needed to know that he was SEEN. Actually, I needed that. As a person who volunteers to help kids, it pains me to find out that a child is gone not because they moved but because they just aren't there anymore... I watch the same parent pass by knowing he isn't there to pick up his kid but just to... Remember.
Some of these don't make sense right now, but it makes sense to me writing it at midnight do forgive me for that haha.
I have no words... I started reading this at a restaurant around lunch with family, little did I know that I would start tearing up about 39 pages in TvT. Lowk had to lock in so fast before others would start questioning me. That aside, the way you portray grief here is so true... It isn't loud, it isn't seen that much especially portrayed in media, grief is quiet and it eats you up from the inside out. I'm glad you were able to show Del in a support group, it reminded me of a quote "The aim of therapy is not to correct the past, but to enable the patient to confront his own history, and to grieve over it." he needed that, he needed to know that he was SEEN. Actually, I needed that. As a person who volunteers to help kids, it pains me to find out that a child is gone not because they moved but because they just aren't there anymore... I watch the same parent pass by knowing he isn't there to pick up his kid but just to... Remember.
Some of these don't make sense right now, but it makes sense to me writing it at midnight do forgive me for that haha.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you are looking for a cozy read this is not the one,In the best way possible.
It’s a raw journey through grief like i have never read before. This book was a rollercoaster, so many emotions so many hard topics and yet still beautiful.
It’s a raw journey through grief like i have never read before. This book was a rollercoaster, so many emotions so many hard topics and yet still beautiful.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read this book basically in one go, because I couldn't put it down. The characters feel lived in and real - as if you're chatting with an old friend.
Aled definitely knows his craft and makes sure his stories stick with you.
Quietly devastating and beautifully haunting with just the right dash of gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this story with us!
Aled definitely knows his craft and makes sure his stories stick with you.
Quietly devastating and beautifully haunting with just the right dash of gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this story with us!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews