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Gale: A Sci-fi Novella
Miranda doesn’t want to be different. On Gale, being different can get you killed. When her seizures began, Miranda tried to keep her abnormality secret. But then the visions started—ominous hallucinations of strange lights in the sky, an otherworldly monster with wings like a dragon, and a girl who appeared from the clouds like a bolt of lightning. Despite the ever-present threat of the Watch, Miranda is determined to find out what the visions mean. Little does she know that the answers might lead her to freedom... A Sci-fi Retelling of Shakespeare's The "If that doesn’t hook you in, I don’t know what will." - BookRiot
55 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2016
34 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Lyssa Chiavari
20 books86 followersLyssa Chiavari is an author of speculative fiction for young adults, including Fourth World, the first book in a sci-fi trilogy set on Mars, and Cheerleaders From Planet X, a tongue-in-cheek send-up of all things sci-fi. Her short fiction has appeared in Wings of Renewal: A Solarpunk Dragon Anthology, Brave New Girls: Tales of Heroines Who Hack, Magic at Midnight: A YA Fairytale Anthology and Perchance to Dream: Classic Tales from the Bard’s World in New Skins. Her first published story, “The Choice,” was named one of Ama-gi Magazine’s Best of 2014. Lyssa lives with her family and way too many animals in the woods of Northwest Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 19, 2019
4.5 stars
I thought that this was a really cool short story that did a great job of injecting some depth to the characters and building good conflict in the little time it had. The genre is sci-fi dystopian with paranormal and mystery thrown in. The story isn't a romance but Miranda does connect to another female character in a way that is open to an f/f relationship interpretation (which was my preference).
I picked this up for $0.99 and it was worth it.
Definitely recommend.
I thought that this was a really cool short story that did a great job of injecting some depth to the characters and building good conflict in the little time it had. The genre is sci-fi dystopian with paranormal and mystery thrown in. The story isn't a romance but Miranda does connect to another female character in a way that is open to an f/f relationship interpretation (which was my preference).
I picked this up for $0.99 and it was worth it.
Definitely recommend.
June 14, 2018
“And this time, when the “dragon” opened its jaws, I would run into the light with joy in my heart.”
* * *
Short but super-effective and memorable new queer-dystopian twist on an old story. I've read Lyssa's other series starting with Fourth World, and my favorite part there is the worldbuilding and how well the crafted settings instill a slow-building feeling of ominous wrongness. The same thing happens here, though it's a lot more fast-building given the short-story quickness. The intensity is the same, however, and it easily slips into one of those wonderful categories of "setting becoming character." Atmosphere is everything, and this has it in spades, particularly in its contradictions (dystopian and classic, suspenseful and defiant, desolate and hopeful).
Readers familiar with Shakespeare will be able to follow and predict, especially due to the character names, but in retellings that's half the fun. My favorite interpretation is Ari in general, particularly the whole... tree business. I was wondering how that would come about, and loved the execution. That and just the concepts at work here, the reality of what Gale is, and how ancient history... is often not nearly as ancient as it seems, or buried. Like the truth.
Also I just find f/f retellings delightful in general, and this is no exception. The dreamlike descriptions also help!
(Sadly, I can't find my copy on any of my devices, or I totally would have done my usual favorite quote up top! It had a lot of good lines! EDIT: NVM, FOUND ONE! :D)
* * *
Short but super-effective and memorable new queer-dystopian twist on an old story. I've read Lyssa's other series starting with Fourth World, and my favorite part there is the worldbuilding and how well the crafted settings instill a slow-building feeling of ominous wrongness. The same thing happens here, though it's a lot more fast-building given the short-story quickness. The intensity is the same, however, and it easily slips into one of those wonderful categories of "setting becoming character." Atmosphere is everything, and this has it in spades, particularly in its contradictions (dystopian and classic, suspenseful and defiant, desolate and hopeful).
Readers familiar with Shakespeare will be able to follow and predict, especially due to the character names, but in retellings that's half the fun. My favorite interpretation is Ari in general, particularly the whole... tree business. I was wondering how that would come about, and loved the execution. That and just the concepts at work here, the reality of what Gale is, and how ancient history... is often not nearly as ancient as it seems, or buried. Like the truth.
Also I just find f/f retellings delightful in general, and this is no exception. The dreamlike descriptions also help!
(Sadly, I can't find my copy on any of my devices, or I totally would have done my usual favorite quote up top! It had a lot of good lines! EDIT: NVM, FOUND ONE! :D)
April 8, 2021
Trigger warnings: denial of medical treatment, lying.
This is a tiny little book, and part of me wishes I'd reread The Tempest (or at least read the Wikipedia plot synopsis!) before reading this because all I picked up on as far as a retelling goes were the character names.
Despite not remembering the plot of The Tempest, this was a story that hooked me straight away (as you would hope with a novella!). It's sci-fi but also feels very much like fantasy as there are dragons throughout the story. There's also a strong dystopian element through the denial of medical care and the need to keep medical conditions and disabilities a secret. And I'm honestly impressed by how well it covered three different genres in so few pages.
Would I have liked this to be slightly longer than it was? Yes - there could have been some more character development etc before being thrown into the action. But it was a compelling story in its own right and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
This is a tiny little book, and part of me wishes I'd reread The Tempest (or at least read the Wikipedia plot synopsis!) before reading this because all I picked up on as far as a retelling goes were the character names.
Despite not remembering the plot of The Tempest, this was a story that hooked me straight away (as you would hope with a novella!). It's sci-fi but also feels very much like fantasy as there are dragons throughout the story. There's also a strong dystopian element through the denial of medical care and the need to keep medical conditions and disabilities a secret. And I'm honestly impressed by how well it covered three different genres in so few pages.
Would I have liked this to be slightly longer than it was? Yes - there could have been some more character development etc before being thrown into the action. But it was a compelling story in its own right and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
May 20, 2020
Original Review at Jaunts & Haunts
4.5/5
I gave this novella four and a half stars!
This was my first read by Lyssa Chiavari, and I was very impressed!
Gale: A Sci-fi Novella takes place on a planet called Gale, where the winds are ever blowing. Miranda has only ever known the harsh rule of the Brotherhood on Gale, where being different can get you killed. That's why when she starts having seizure fits and strange visions she and her parents worry for her life.
What do her visions mean? Can she figure it out while keeping her seizures subdued, or will she disappear like anyone else that stands out?
This novella was a great quick read.
The characters, while simple, were well executed. Miranda's response to what's happening to her seemed very believable and she has a great introverted head on her shoulders. Ferda was great too with lots of mystery surrounding her. I enjoyed their connection. I also liked her friend Ari, though
I would've liked to see him just a tad more fleshed out.
The plot was simple but done well. From the get go, I was on board for this brief adventure, and I wasn't disappointed. There were plenty of things to figure out that kept me intrigued: Miranda's visions, who the Brotherhood really are, what is this Orbe planet, etc etc.
If I had to pick at something, I would say that the ending felt a tad too abrupt and I would've liked just a bit more descriptive detail here and there, but overall I really blazed through this one and greatly enjoyed it.
Definitely worth a read!
4.5/5
I gave this novella four and a half stars!
This was my first read by Lyssa Chiavari, and I was very impressed!
Gale: A Sci-fi Novella takes place on a planet called Gale, where the winds are ever blowing. Miranda has only ever known the harsh rule of the Brotherhood on Gale, where being different can get you killed. That's why when she starts having seizure fits and strange visions she and her parents worry for her life.
What do her visions mean? Can she figure it out while keeping her seizures subdued, or will she disappear like anyone else that stands out?
This novella was a great quick read.
The characters, while simple, were well executed. Miranda's response to what's happening to her seemed very believable and she has a great introverted head on her shoulders. Ferda was great too with lots of mystery surrounding her. I enjoyed their connection. I also liked her friend Ari, though
I would've liked to see him just a tad more fleshed out.
The plot was simple but done well. From the get go, I was on board for this brief adventure, and I wasn't disappointed. There were plenty of things to figure out that kept me intrigued: Miranda's visions, who the Brotherhood really are, what is this Orbe planet, etc etc.
If I had to pick at something, I would say that the ending felt a tad too abrupt and I would've liked just a bit more descriptive detail here and there, but overall I really blazed through this one and greatly enjoyed it.
Definitely worth a read!
January 15, 2020
This was a quick, entertaining, somewhat intense read. Chivari did just enough world building to carry the story, focusing mostly on Miranda's thoughts and experiences in an engrossing first person narrative. I liked that she was allowed to have a powerful magical ability while still managing a chronic condition that wasn't magically cured. The romance is subtly suggested and further reading assures me that this is an asexual couple; I found it very satisfying.
I will try at least one of the full-length novels, which from me is high praise. I do not seek out SFF by white writers these days, unless they offer something different from what I'm used to, which is what happened here.
I will try at least one of the full-length novels, which from me is high praise. I do not seek out SFF by white writers these days, unless they offer something different from what I'm used to, which is what happened here.
January 31, 2019
What a great, atmospheric Sci-Fi novella!
I enjoyed reading Gale a lot and would have loved this as a full-length novel, though it works perfectly at the length it has too.
The plot is fast-paced, the mystery sets a time limit, the world-buidling is excellently done with an oppressive regime that eradicates every and all opposition radically, creating a heavy atmosphere with a hopeful ending.
Also, uh, apparently this a retelling of The Tempest. I know absolutely nothing about that, but the story reads obviously very well without knowing what inspired it.
I enjoyed reading Gale a lot and would have loved this as a full-length novel, though it works perfectly at the length it has too.
The plot is fast-paced, the mystery sets a time limit, the world-buidling is excellently done with an oppressive regime that eradicates every and all opposition radically, creating a heavy atmosphere with a hopeful ending.
Also, uh, apparently this a retelling of The Tempest. I know absolutely nothing about that, but the story reads obviously very well without knowing what inspired it.
September 13, 2023
I was intrigued by the idea of a science fiction/dystopian take on Shakespeare's The Tempest, but outside of the premise the plot is very basic.
January 11, 2018
This was a really atmospheric and interesting take on The Tempest. The world of Gale felt claustrophobic and the constant paranoid tension of life there came through strongly. An enjoyable quick read!
See the full review at Starship Library.
See the full review at Starship Library.
June 6, 2021
Nice little retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest, featuring a confirmed by Word of God aroace Miranda in a QPR with a gender-swapped Ferdinand. The story is rather ambiguous about the nature of their relationship though, so I'm not surprised that most reviewers interpreted it as romantic, especially because Ferdinand and Miranda are romantically involved and get married in The Tempest. That being said, the relationship between Miranda and Ferda still felt affirming to me as an ace aro-spec wlw.
We don't get to spend as much time with the characters (or with the world they live in) as I'd like to, but such is the curse of short stories. I read them because I want a quick read, but then I often wish there was more, oh well.
Also, side note, but I feel like if you're making a retelling of The Tempest, it seems like an obvious move to make the character based on Ariel nonbinary, given how he's an androgynous spirit in the source material and has been portrayed on stage by different genders since the 1930s. Clearly, he was written at a time when the language to talk about nonbinary people didn't exist yet in the Western world, but I always got the impression that if he was written today, Ariel would be nonbinary. But in Gale Ari is not. He's clearly stated to be a boy. I don't take serious issue with that, but I feel like it's a bit of a missed opportunity because Ariel is my favourite character in The Tempest and that is in part due to his interesting relationship with gender. I still enjoyed Ari in this short story though. Again, I wish we had gotten more time with him, but I like what's there.
This short story is available for free/pay what you want on the author's Gumroad if you want to check it out.
We don't get to spend as much time with the characters (or with the world they live in) as I'd like to, but such is the curse of short stories. I read them because I want a quick read, but then I often wish there was more, oh well.
Also, side note, but I feel like if you're making a retelling of The Tempest, it seems like an obvious move to make the character based on Ariel nonbinary, given how he's an androgynous spirit in the source material and has been portrayed on stage by different genders since the 1930s. Clearly, he was written at a time when the language to talk about nonbinary people didn't exist yet in the Western world, but I always got the impression that if he was written today, Ariel would be nonbinary. But in Gale Ari is not. He's clearly stated to be a boy. I don't take serious issue with that, but I feel like it's a bit of a missed opportunity because Ariel is my favourite character in The Tempest and that is in part due to his interesting relationship with gender. I still enjoyed Ari in this short story though. Again, I wish we had gotten more time with him, but I like what's there.
This short story is available for free/pay what you want on the author's Gumroad if you want to check it out.
February 21, 2019
Miranda's been having seizures. She lives on the planetoid Gale, a dystopian world where to need more than basic healthcare is a death-warrant: not because it's impossible to treat conditions but because it's state rationed. She has to keep her condition secret, along with the visions she's been having. They show her strange beings, other worlds... Maybe even glimpses of their sister-world, the great and deadly Orbe that hangs in the sky. And then one day she hears a voice...
I loved the imagination in this one, taking Shakespeare and throwing it into this dystopian science-fantasy world... But it's just too ambitious for a short story format. The world felt a little bit under-built, details missing until they absolutely had to be stated, important character backstories omitted (perhaps reliant on familiarity with the source material - not helpful for the less well-versed or just plain forgetful). Foreshadowing would definitely help thing out . Even just having it explain what Orbe was early on would have helped - when it's first mentioned I hadn't a clue it was an important planet/moon. I also just didn't get the dragons thing, so maybe I'm missing something... The writing's really good, but the lack of foreshadowing can be a bit off-putting.
I loved the imagination in this one, taking Shakespeare and throwing it into this dystopian science-fantasy world... But it's just too ambitious for a short story format. The world felt a little bit under-built, details missing until they absolutely had to be stated, important character backstories omitted (perhaps reliant on familiarity with the source material - not helpful for the less well-versed or just plain forgetful). Foreshadowing would definitely help thing out . Even just having it explain what Orbe was early on would have helped - when it's first mentioned I hadn't a clue it was an important planet/moon. I also just didn't get the dragons thing, so maybe I'm missing something... The writing's really good, but the lack of foreshadowing can be a bit off-putting.
August 5, 2021
My actual rating is closer to four stars but doesn't quite get there. First, my thoughts on this novella outside of the rep: it's pretty interesting. It being an adaptation of The Tempest was lost on me because I haven't read or seen that play, but the novella still made sense without it.
Okay, so I read this novella because it showed up on Amazon when I searched "queerplatonic" and was listed in various places as a book with a canon aromantic asexual character. That's......sort of true. The MC never shows overtly romantic or sexual interest in anyone. She's clearly interested in her new friend in some undefined way, and that's the thing. The author stated on her Tumblr that Miranda is meant to aroace and her relationship with Ferda queerplatonic. I'm extremely disappointed this is not actually made textual canon in the book. The vast majority of readers have never heard the aroace identity and certainly don't know what a queerplatonic relationship is. You can clearly see this just by scanning the reviews here on GR - most think it's an f/f romance, some assuming an asexual one but not knowing it's really a QPR. As someone in a queerplatonic relationship myself who does identify as aroace, it's really important to me to see these things actually represented, not just "word of god"ed. I can name about two books that actually textually include QPRs (not counting the ones I've written myself for exactly this reason), and it's extremely disheartening.
Okay, so I read this novella because it showed up on Amazon when I searched "queerplatonic" and was listed in various places as a book with a canon aromantic asexual character. That's......sort of true. The MC never shows overtly romantic or sexual interest in anyone. She's clearly interested in her new friend in some undefined way, and that's the thing. The author stated on her Tumblr that Miranda is meant to aroace and her relationship with Ferda queerplatonic. I'm extremely disappointed this is not actually made textual canon in the book. The vast majority of readers have never heard the aroace identity and certainly don't know what a queerplatonic relationship is. You can clearly see this just by scanning the reviews here on GR - most think it's an f/f romance, some assuming an asexual one but not knowing it's really a QPR. As someone in a queerplatonic relationship myself who does identify as aroace, it's really important to me to see these things actually represented, not just "word of god"ed. I can name about two books that actually textually include QPRs (not counting the ones I've written myself for exactly this reason), and it's extremely disheartening.
November 19, 2019
Miranda has no one to trust when she starts to change in a world where change is not allowed.
When Miranda starts having seizures and vivid dreams fear sets in. Gale does not allow people to be different. Being different can get you killed. Her father hopes it will go away. Her mother takes her to a secret friend for a potion. The voice, Ferda, in her head tells her to run. Miranda does not know who to trust. When her friend Ari tries to get her help, he disappears. What is real?
Lyssa Chiavari writes an intriguing science fiction novella in Gale (B01N0VDXKJ, 2016). It is a blend of sci-fi and the paranormal. It is a tale of rebellion and of finding oneself against the odds. The characters are well developed to include the side-characters. I actually want to know what happens next with Miranda, Ferda, and Ari. I do not see any notes on Goodreads that Chiavari continued these characters in her other books, but I hope she has or will. Miranda and I both know there is more to the world than just life on Orbe.
When Miranda starts having seizures and vivid dreams fear sets in. Gale does not allow people to be different. Being different can get you killed. Her father hopes it will go away. Her mother takes her to a secret friend for a potion. The voice, Ferda, in her head tells her to run. Miranda does not know who to trust. When her friend Ari tries to get her help, he disappears. What is real?
Lyssa Chiavari writes an intriguing science fiction novella in Gale (B01N0VDXKJ, 2016). It is a blend of sci-fi and the paranormal. It is a tale of rebellion and of finding oneself against the odds. The characters are well developed to include the side-characters. I actually want to know what happens next with Miranda, Ferda, and Ari. I do not see any notes on Goodreads that Chiavari continued these characters in her other books, but I hope she has or will. Miranda and I both know there is more to the world than just life on Orbe.
September 12, 2021
If this book were about 100 pages longer, I would have given it 5 stars. I was drawn in from the start, and interested in what was going to happen to this girl. The author didn't examine as much about her life as I would have liked, and the escape was entirely too quick with nowhere near enough detail. I very much wanted to see Miranda escape and live a happy life, but the entire ending of the book was one page, one scene, in which she said she was at home with Ferda. So basically, there wasn't really an ending, and even the climactic scene was barely two paragraphs long. This could have been so much more, and I would have liked it so much more.
January 14, 2018
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Sci-fi is usually not my thing but I picked up this book on an impulse and I am really surprised that I actually liked it.
The story starts with Miranda having bizarre and unexplainable fits, something she can't speak out loud about fearing that the Brotherhood, the strict governing body of the planet Gale, would take them away. The book is really intriguing and the writer has the ability to keep you hooked. I probably would have loved and rated more if this had been an actual novel.
Sci-fi is usually not my thing but I picked up this book on an impulse and I am really surprised that I actually liked it.
The story starts with Miranda having bizarre and unexplainable fits, something she can't speak out loud about fearing that the Brotherhood, the strict governing body of the planet Gale, would take them away. The book is really intriguing and the writer has the ability to keep you hooked. I probably would have loved and rated more if this had been an actual novel.
December 2, 2017
"Maybe home isn't just the place you live. Maybe it's more about the people you care about."
A beautiful retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest. If you like epic Scifi stories with a side of F/F romance this is perfect for you. It's a quick and engaging read with a nice plot. There is also the fact that the girls meet by talking to each other inside their minds and I love this kind of thing!
Gale is definitely a novella I'll be recommending to more readers.
A beautiful retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest. If you like epic Scifi stories with a side of F/F romance this is perfect for you. It's a quick and engaging read with a nice plot. There is also the fact that the girls meet by talking to each other inside their minds and I love this kind of thing!
Gale is definitely a novella I'll be recommending to more readers.
September 7, 2020
Tanks for this one!
It looks like I’m going back to my sci-fi craving is back. First time reading this author’s books. I have a huge library of books I haven’t read,,,yet. Off to my next adventure.
It looks like I’m going back to my sci-fi craving is back. First time reading this author’s books. I have a huge library of books I haven’t read,,,yet. Off to my next adventure.
November 9, 2024
A page-turner from beginning to end! The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the characters were richly developed. I loved the unexpected surprises that were sprinkled throughout. It’s rare to find something that keeps you hooked like this. Definitely one of the best reads this year!
July 26, 2018
An interesting story. I found it entertaining.
December 31, 2018
Great! Far too short! Would love to see more!
November 6, 2019
A great short story. I really enjoyed the style of writing, I enjoyed the story, didn’t want to put it down. I’ll look forward to reading more by this author.
January 26, 2021
This was ok. I feel like I started in the middle of a series rather than the beginning of a short novella.
July 6, 2023
An intriguing story with a great dystopian atmosphere and a lot of depth in the worldbuilding
April 13, 2022
This is probably a 3.5* read. The writing at some points was great, amazing, what a vibe. Other times it seemed a bit ameteurish and cringey. Fun, VERY short story.
August 18, 2019
Read my full review here: https://lifesanovelty.blogspot.com/20...
Opinions: Once again, I am impressed with Chiavari's writing abilities, but the story itself did not impress me. I wish the author lengthened Gale into a full novel or novella, because there was not enough time to 1) get to know the characters, therefore care whether they survive or not and 2) understand what is going on. We're thrown into the story with information being launched at us on all sides; I feel like Chiavari was given a maximum length and she tried to squeeze a full novel into it rather than her just writing a short story. The idea she came up with is, in my opinion, brilliant and deserves to be carried out in a bigger project. Gale just didn't work as a 55 page story.
Opinions: Once again, I am impressed with Chiavari's writing abilities, but the story itself did not impress me. I wish the author lengthened Gale into a full novel or novella, because there was not enough time to 1) get to know the characters, therefore care whether they survive or not and 2) understand what is going on. We're thrown into the story with information being launched at us on all sides; I feel like Chiavari was given a maximum length and she tried to squeeze a full novel into it rather than her just writing a short story. The idea she came up with is, in my opinion, brilliant and deserves to be carried out in a bigger project. Gale just didn't work as a 55 page story.
August 2, 2019
A solid sci-fi adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest with a f/f romance to boot! Though sometimes it felt like Chiavari was challenging herself to cram a novel's worth of world-building into a novella, the hopeful, lovely ending and DRAGONS DRAGONS DRAGONS IN SPAAAAACE joy boosted my rating up to four stars. I definitely recommend it to sci-fi wlw fans, whether you're familiar with The Tempest or not!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews