Thoroughly Fogged

The Cloudfarers #1

by H.C. Mills

Living on an island in the vast cloudsea, the only escape from indentured servitude is to unlock a Skill. But there’s a big difference between getting what you want, and getting what you asked for...

Some people are born into a loving family. Rylan, as a baby, was sold into debt.

Sick of toiling his life away on the Thistlethorn estate, Rylan tries everything he can think of to unlock his first Skill—from juggling, to sewing, to singing—until one day, he unexpectedly succeeds.

However, instead of celebrating Rylan's achievement, the Thistlethorns attempt to trap him in a Spirit Contract. Seeing no other choice, Rylan flees into the cloudsea, carrying only what supplies he manages to grab on the way out and a mysterious note bearing a cryptic warning...

His quest to find the sender and unravel the mystery of his birth will have to wait, however, for both friend and foe have followed him into the fog, and none of them know the way out.

To make matters worse, the dense mist harbours hidden monstrosities and long-buried secrets. It’s not what they might find—but what might find them...

What readers have to
“One of the best fictions I've seen out there.” ★★★★★

“Seriously fantastic work.” ★★★★★

“This is one of my favorite books. Great, well-developed characters you care about, intriguing and exciting conflicts, and the most original worldbuilding I have ever read.” ★★★★★

“Incredibly made characters that actually feel alive and real.” ★★★★★

“This story is worth your time.” ★★★★★

“Definitely worth a read anytime you need a... happy adventure to relax to.” ★★★★★

Genres: Litrpg, Fantasy

540 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2026

About the author

H.C. Mills is a Dutch author, who dabbles in acting and singing in musicals, and even (play)writing them. He used to teach physics and chemistry, and once represented his country in the 2008 International Biology Olympiad, but please don't hold that against him.

As a physics-nerd, H.C. Mills naturally gravitates to hard magic systems, but he also enjoys writing comedy and romance.

Like most authors worth their salt, he is a true sadist who takes pleasure in the mental anguish of his imaginary friends/brainchildren--or better yet, in making them cause their own suffering. He refuses to give them anything for free, but will usually leave a window cracked open for them somewhere, to escape whatever peril he plunges them in.

He's also a big fan of Tabletop RPG's, and can even be watched every Sunday, playing on the Pathfinder Livestream 'Rules as Fun' here: twitch.tv/rulesasfun

(Pathfinder is like D&D but with more choices and flavour)

Check out the first episode of the campaign here: youtu.be/watch?v=a5Vo5AVA4IA

Or sign up for his mailing list on his website: hcmillsofficial.com

Reviews

[Will Knight]

Note to self: didn't do it for me.

[Adam Roberts]

A fun and entertaining coming of age story.

Feels much like a classic coming of age! Our intrepid young man yearns for freedom and then hijinks ensue. Lots of misadventures follow as he builds his friendships with his friends and then develops into more of the person he's becoming. Good fun and a promising start to the series!

[Wander]

While it took me a while to get into the book, same as when I started the Whispering Crystals serie, when it took hold it took hold.
I'm wondering what is going to happen in the next installment and will reread this one when that release gets closer.

[Lunchbox]

Airship Adventures

I was just recently thinking that I needed more airship in my life. Then boom, this book shows up out of nowhere. Interesting magic system and great characters. Looking forward to the next book!

[Tiuri]

Exquisite world building and interesting and smart characters. This has quickly become one of my favourite series.

[George Anderson]

Fun book, excellent foreshadowing. LitRPG, slow rise, don’t expect a quick journey to the peak. Action with a heavy dose of slice of life.

[Eric]

Really fun world building and interesting characters. If you like LitRPG, I would recommend it.

[Ali Carter]

Very creative setting, characters are charming and given a good amount of depth to inform their disagreements and goals.
A lot of fun

[Starr]

Wow this was terrible I fell asleep several times it took forever for him to get a skill and then leave dnf

[Suzanne Verbakel]

Omg, such a good book, I absolutely loved it. It really is a page turner. 10/10 can recommend.