The Sky-Child and Other Stories

The Wilderhark Tales #6.5

by Danielle E. Shipley

Born into a world his heart knows as beneath him, an extraordinary boy becomes a man of music, hopeful that someday he’ll find a way higher.

As the first day dawns, a world comes awake, order and disorder striking a dangerous balance.

Under the stars, a princess and tailor trade age-old lore, little dreaming of the future that could trap them in the past.

All of it in, around, and far above the timeless trees of Wilderhark, the forest whose secrets reveal themselves slowly, if ever at all.

Tales of beginnings. Tales of quests for belonging. Most of all, tales of true love.

Once upon a time, you knew something of Wilderhark’s tales. Now for the stories that fall in between.

230 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2015

About the author

Danielle E. Shipley – author of fairy tales retold, legends reimagined, and other expressions of wishful thinking. In the past, she’s worked as a librarian in a kindergarten, a Towne Crier in a Renaissance Faire, and a butler in Germany. In another universe, she’s a tenor on Broadway, a wandering minstrel, or at the very least a Dark Lord singing about world domination. Born, raised, and homeschooled in the Chicago area, she now resides primarily in realms of her own making, along with her crazy crew of character children. She hopes to ultimately retire to a private immortal forest. But first, there are stories to make.
*She also doesn't hang out on Goodreads very often. Find her on her blog, Twitter, and Facebook*

Reviews

[Jocelyn Cole]

The Sky-Child and Other Stories is the latest offering from Danielle Shipley, and serves as an entry into the world of the Wilderhark Tales. This is a land rich in music, deep forests, fairy tale overtones, and overlapping stories that weave together into a larger narrative. The focus of the title story is Jackillen Gant, a boy unsure of his parentage but very sure of his natural gifts. He receives a lute and becomes a wandering minstrel. Then — as all excellent wandering minstrels do — he falls in love with a princess, encounters powerful magics, and uncovers secrets kept closer than he imagines. The prose is filled with lilting phrases and many songs. But the characters are recognizably human: children act childish, teenagers are impatient. Emotions like pride, regret, and sorrow all play a role as the stories spin out.

Shipley does a fine job of interlocking each tale to the others while preserving the character of each. There are many nods to traditional stories, from Jack and the Beanstalk to Swan Lake. There are even touches of older mythologies, such as during the passage that describes the creation of the Four Winds. But these stories still feel original and fresh, just different enough to keep readers on their toes. They take bits and pieces of their fairy tale roots without becoming ensnared in them. Shipley blends happily-ever-afters with lingering sadness and hints of a deeper history, leaving the reader to wonder “yes, but what now…” And that’s a very pleasant place for a reader to be, especially when there are more books to read.

Recommended for those who like fantasy and fairy tales, especially together.

[Emerald Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sky-Child and Other Stories is a collection of stories based on the Wilderhark Tales. You see different sides to each of the characters and stories we know and love. I quite enjoyed getting a deeper look into Gant-o-the-Lute's life, as well as seeing how the Sun and Moon began their reign. Also, I enjoyed seeing different sides to each of the stories.

If you're already a fan of the series, you'll absolutely adore this! To new readers, this will make you want to read every story as soon as you can!

Don't miss out on these short stories. You'll fall deeper in love with them with each page!

[Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good behind-the-scenes story. <3 These are sweet and funny and clever and, sometimes, sad, filling in a few gaps to make the whole series that much richer. I don't want it to end, but it's that time -- on to the final book...

[Lee Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads

I'm not really sure what I think of this book. It is completely out of my comfort zone. It was beautifully written but really just wasn't my cup of tea. I'm sure that fantasy and fairy tale fans will love it though.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming collection of short stories! If you've ever longed for some more background on your favorite Wilderhark characters, this collection will delight and satisfy! -From a Dedicated Lute Fangirl

[Kendra Conine · Rating 5 out of 5]

^^^ Waves = feels

I'm just... Sniffling in a corner... It's all fine... It's okay... IT'S ALL OKAY........

*Waits impatiently for book seven*