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Sky and Dew
In the Hallows, words are magic, and words can kill.
Sky took a vow of silence and left the world above to keep her city's magic alive. Now, she wanders the Hallows as an acolyte of the Lost Emperor - an unseen legend from another world whose words fuel the magic above. But when her lover breaks their vow of silence and falls deathly ill, Sky must descend to the deepest depths of the Hallows to beg the Lost Emperor's help. What she finds, though, is a tragedy that spans centuries, and Sky will stop at nothing to make it right.
Part otherworldly epic and part nonbinary love story, Sky and Dew is a standalone short story.
Sky took a vow of silence and left the world above to keep her city's magic alive. Now, she wanders the Hallows as an acolyte of the Lost Emperor - an unseen legend from another world whose words fuel the magic above. But when her lover breaks their vow of silence and falls deathly ill, Sky must descend to the deepest depths of the Hallows to beg the Lost Emperor's help. What she finds, though, is a tragedy that spans centuries, and Sky will stop at nothing to make it right.
Part otherworldly epic and part nonbinary love story, Sky and Dew is a standalone short story.
19 pages, ebook
Published February 1, 2016
2 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Novae Caelum
45 books291 followersNovae Caelum (he/they/starself) loves royalty, cloak and dagger, and sparkly queer magic, and will unapologetically write things with all three.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 5, 2016
What a stunning story. I was engrossed in this unusual tale about love, duty, and friendship. I'd never read a storyline like this one before and it was intriguing to say the least. Sky was an amazing character and her heartfelt love for Dew resonates throughout the story. I felt for her. What she found in the depths of her home in the caverns was surprising. I found the story was full of twists and turns. I never could tell what would happen next, which was perfect. I loved the prose and attention to detail across each scene. The whole thing is painted out with words like a song that grips hold you and never lets go. Loved the voice in this one and I can't wait to read more by this author.
August 27, 2023
Pretty words, but the story got a bit lost in the prose for me. What is attacking the city? What are the colours?
March 16, 2016
Holly Heisey has given us a deeply atmospheric and dreamy tale of loss, sacrifice, and new beginnings. Here, sound and voice are as vital as air, and any interruption to longstanding traditions carries with it the threat of unspeakable devastation. The author's prose achieves a rare harmony in its storytelling: every sentence is beautifully poetic, the characters skillfully crafted, with a plot that keeps us emotionally invested from start to finish. One of the most original short stories I have read, Sky and Dew is pure, otherworldly magic.
March 22, 2016
Sad and sweet and it made me feeeeel things within a few pages. Interesting world building too - I'd happily read a whole series in this world!!! Please let there be a series. (Plus: NB romance, they/them pronouns)
September 11, 2021
A wonderfully strange science-fantasy-esque story of two gender-neutral characters where magic is created and perpetuated by sound alone.
Our main character, Sky, narrates a bizarre and nebulous tale of what happens after their lover Dew breaks their vow of silence to prevent a magical disaster, yet in doing so condemns them to eternal stasis. Sky journeys to the deepest of the catacombs their religious order inhabits to beg the aid of their god-like Lost Emperor whose words create the magic that sustains their entire world. But of course, not everything is as Sky had been told.
I loved the world, the ideas, the dream-like weirdness of it all. Sky's voice is compelling in an innocent idealist, naive sort of way, and I came to really feel for them as they uncovered the truth behind the magic. The way in which the story slowly twists had me gripped in it's meandering coils as a conspiracy unravels and our protagonist makes their choices. It is a really satisfying slow-paced read, but with plenty of understated emotion and danger to keep it exciting and fresh. I really liked the writing style, and the setting put me in mind of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere.
However, some of the vagueness could make the actual setting seem a little sparse; I'd have loved some more descriptions and context of how Sky's societies both above and below ground worked. Also the way magic works in general can feel a little odd. I re-read the first few sections twice before deciding I didn't quite get the whats and whys of the setup (like why did breaking a vow of silence lead to magical coma? Why did the order have to stop colors leaking through reality ?)
It does make me think that it would have been even better as a longer story to give the world around Sky some more character, and her side characters a chance to have a real presence. It can feel like it's missing that tiny spark that would make it even more satisfying a read. More fleshing out and it really would be like a YA Sanderson.
Even so, this is one of those strange short stories with a lilt of otherworldliness about it that really drew me in. An enjoyable quick read.
-I received a free copy of this e-book in a giveaway. This does not influence my review-
Our main character, Sky, narrates a bizarre and nebulous tale of what happens after their lover Dew breaks their vow of silence to prevent a magical disaster, yet in doing so condemns them to eternal stasis. Sky journeys to the deepest of the catacombs their religious order inhabits to beg the aid of their god-like Lost Emperor whose words create the magic that sustains their entire world. But of course, not everything is as Sky had been told.
I loved the world, the ideas, the dream-like weirdness of it all. Sky's voice is compelling in an innocent idealist, naive sort of way, and I came to really feel for them as they uncovered the truth behind the magic. The way in which the story slowly twists had me gripped in it's meandering coils as a conspiracy unravels and our protagonist makes their choices. It is a really satisfying slow-paced read, but with plenty of understated emotion and danger to keep it exciting and fresh. I really liked the writing style, and the setting put me in mind of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere.
However, some of the vagueness could make the actual setting seem a little sparse; I'd have loved some more descriptions and context of how Sky's societies both above and below ground worked. Also the way magic works in general can feel a little odd. I re-read the first few sections twice before deciding I didn't quite get the whats and whys of the setup (like why did breaking a vow of silence lead to magical coma? Why did the order have to stop colors leaking through reality ?)
It does make me think that it would have been even better as a longer story to give the world around Sky some more character, and her side characters a chance to have a real presence. It can feel like it's missing that tiny spark that would make it even more satisfying a read. More fleshing out and it really would be like a YA Sanderson.
Even so, this is one of those strange short stories with a lilt of otherworldliness about it that really drew me in. An enjoyable quick read.
-I received a free copy of this e-book in a giveaway. This does not influence my review-
August 26, 2021
A fantastic standalone short story, a story that will have transfixed from start to finish, the prose in this are just beautiful, the main character Sky has taken a vow of silence and left the world above to keep her city's magic alive, but when her lover Dew breaks their vow of silence and falls deathly ill, Sky must descend to the deepest depths of the Hallows to beg the Lost Emperor's help and try to heal her, what she finds though, is a tragedy that spans centuries, the Lost Emperor has been held hostage against his will by the priests, Sky will stop at nothing to make it right, she must try set him free with out the magic failing, a great little read of love and sacrifice, the setting and plot will have you lost in the magic, highly recommend...😁
January 2, 2021
A beautiful fairytale full of eloquent prose painting a picture of old legend passed down and breathed fresh life into, bursting into intensity within a short span of pages with all the brilliance of a spell flashing across an emotional and physical landscape, only to leave a shimmering residue in the air, sparkling as it falls in a bittersweet rain. If you’re looking for a fairytale beyond gender, yet with a whiff of the old magic within such tales, revitalized in an original setting, don’t miss this story.
June 13, 2017
More
I want more. This short story could be expanded to a whole novel or even a series and be just as good. Just did not understand why Dew was referred to as "they" instead of "he/she"
I want more. This short story could be expanded to a whole novel or even a series and be just as good. Just did not understand why Dew was referred to as "they" instead of "he/she"
April 27, 2025
To be super specific this was a 3.75*. It was a good short story which did a good job of introducing a fantasy concept, building up whole characters, and feeling satisfying by the end despite its short length. We also love non-binary rep in this house.
September 28, 2021
This book is written in a somber tone. It is an interesting read, one I’ve was hooked on from the beginning. Easy to feel the characters emotions. One of love and friendship that blooms
October 2, 2021
That was a surreal little fantasy short with a unique descriptive voice that was enchanting. Definitely have to read more from this author.
November 20, 2023
This was weirdly interesting.
Am I very confused about the world and how it works? Yeah
Do I still find it fascinating? Also yeah
Am I very confused about the world and how it works? Yeah
Do I still find it fascinating? Also yeah
May 22, 2024
I wonder if this is a side story from one of star's other novels? Interesting world, and interesting choice at the end. Okay, I want to give the rest of this author's work a go.
May 12, 2025
Authors use of GenAI to promote, write, voice act, and produce special edition art cards is despicable. Queer stories deserve so much more than this.
May 6, 2016
An enchanting short story about love and loss, Sky and Dew masterfully depicts a fantastical place with very human people facing horrific choices. I wanted it to be longer so I could spend more time rolling around in the beautiful writing.
The magic is fascinating, the setting vibrant, and the characters complex. As I read, I couldn't help but be reminded of the scene in 300 with the woman who was filmed dancing underwater to be the oracle. This story has nothing to do with that one, but it gave me the same sense of grace and wonder, mystery and horror.
I heartily recommend this story.
The magic is fascinating, the setting vibrant, and the characters complex. As I read, I couldn't help but be reminded of the scene in 300 with the woman who was filmed dancing underwater to be the oracle. This story has nothing to do with that one, but it gave me the same sense of grace and wonder, mystery and horror.
I heartily recommend this story.
March 20, 2016
I loved this story of the power of words and it sustaining an abundance of life. This story of love and loyalty and friendship could have only been made better by explaining what the Dew was. I loved the characters and the story but not understanding why the Dew was referenced in plural left a bitter taste for a stand-a-lone even if with it being a short story I wanted to know. Otherwise a great story!
July 25, 2016
Loved It
Short stories are great -- when they really tell a story. This one does. I really loved it and am glad I had the privilege to read it. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story and is able to temporarily join a different world.
Is there potential for more? Of course! That's what a good short does to you, leaves you wanting more. So make it up yourself and then hope Holly writes more to see how your story compares with hers. Magical.
Short stories are great -- when they really tell a story. This one does. I really loved it and am glad I had the privilege to read it. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story and is able to temporarily join a different world.
Is there potential for more? Of course! That's what a good short does to you, leaves you wanting more. So make it up yourself and then hope Holly writes more to see how your story compares with hers. Magical.
July 27, 2016
Incredibly Inventive
Sky and Dew is a well written, well edited, and incredibly inventive story. If you like magical realism, you'll enjoy this book. The author chooses to use "them" and "they" instead of "him/her" and "he/she." I prefer e, eir, but to each their own. It's not terribly distracting once you get used to it.
Sky and Dew is a well written, well edited, and incredibly inventive story. If you like magical realism, you'll enjoy this book. The author chooses to use "them" and "they" instead of "him/her" and "he/she." I prefer e, eir, but to each their own. It's not terribly distracting once you get used to it.
August 5, 2016
A well-drawn short story of a futuristic world where the walls between the realms are thin enough for travelers. Great a writing. Not predictable. Worth the read if you like paranormal or fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews