Forever's End: An Asrian Skies Short Story

Shadows of War

by Anne Wheeler

Katryn Holt scarcely remembers what life at the research station on Iythea was like before the Haederans arrived—but she can’t forget what life is like now. Between the forced labor and nights spent dreaming of a home she’ll never see again, quick glimpses of her sometimes lover Kaz are the only bright spot.


But now Kaz is dying, and the thing he wants most is the one thing Katryn can’t give him…freedom.


"Forever's End" is an approximately 5000-word short story prequel to Asrian Skies.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

ebook

Published August 15, 2017

About the author

Anne Wheeler grew up with her nose in a book but earned two degrees in aviation before it occurred to her she was allowed to write her own. Fascinated with space travel from an early age, science fiction was a natural fit. When not working, moving, or writing her next novel, she can be found planning her next escape to the desert. She currently lives in Georgia with her husband, son, and herd of cats.

Reviews

[Queenly Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gobbled up every word of Wheeler's character driven sci-fi story.

Katryn was a scientist on a research station above an uninhabitable planet. Her world is turned upside down when Haederans take the station and the personnel as prisoner in some sort of galactic game for power. Kat's need for information lands her and her friend Kaz in hot water.

Kat and Kaz's relationship will pull on your heartstrings--fair warning! Wheeler is adept at rousing your emotions, and leading Kat and the reader down unexpected paths.

I raced to read on to find out what happens to them and was only disappointed that this was a short story and not a novel!

So I was happy to learn that Wheeler has a novel set in the same universe coming out in late 2017. Hopefully, there will be more short stories too.

[Shannon Hiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable look into Wheeler's Asrian Skies series. She whisks us away to a new planet this time, with a new protagonist.

For those who have already read Asrian Skies, we know what is going on on the planet of Iythea and why it is so important to the Haederan Empire. For those that haven't? They will likely be made so curious they have no choice but to pick up Asrian Skies and read right away.

Katryn is a likable character, easy to relate to, and root for. This short story ends in an open-ended type of way that is sure to make the reader hungry for what's next. Hopefully, she appears many more times in the series.

[Dan Frey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally good story. Looking forward to the sequel.

[The Bibliophagist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katryn and Kaz, hiding their relationship, struggle to make it through each day since Iythea was invaded by the Haederans. It is hard to remember what their lives were like before they became mere slaves. All of those on Iythea were supposed to be scanned, but someone must have gotten through…Kaz has a gene that makes him susceptible to the gas.
With her love now dying, Katryn is willing to do anything to give him his best chance to survive. He is the only thing, other than small memories in dreams, that bring her happiness in their now sad world. Can she overcome the odds stacked against her? Will Katryn be able to help Kaz?
The most important aspect of creating a successful short story is proper world building in a short amount of time. Anne Wheeler did an amazing job. I had not read the first book of this series and felt as if I was thrown into her world from the beginning. I felt the pain and loss Katryn experienced, it was so vivid. The story ends in a huge plot twist. I was unsure of what to expect from this story and I ended up loving it. I will be reading the other works by this author. I would love to learn more about the world before the Haederans arrived…and what happens to Katryn and her brother.
If you enjoy a short read that will grab you immediately and never let go…this is a great choice. With characters that have such great potential and events that play with your emotions, this is a book that makes you sad it ended to soon. It leaves you craving more.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story set in the Asrian Skies universe had an intriguing and fast paced plot about Katryn and Kaz, two researchers held hostage by the Haederans and forced into hard labor, but Kaz keeps Katryn’s hopes up—until he stops showing up. I liked Katryn as well as the idea of the twist and the idea of it being a lead in to the main series novels as well as the world it takes place in. However, I felt the pacing was a bit too fast and rushed and the prose felt choppy and muddled, especially in the second half and I was more confused about the events that transpired instead of shocked by the twist. The emotions felt lesser than it should have been, which really dampened the experience of reading this. It’s okay, but it could have been so much more gripping.

[Jenn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Wow!" That was the first word that came out of my mouth when I finished reading Forever's End. It was quickly followed by the thought that I just needed to sit with the story for a little bit.

This was my first introduction into Anne Wheeler's writing and world. It was certainly a pleasant one! From the very beginning, I was drawn into the story. Wheeler did a wonderful job developing her characters and setting, especially for a short story. I grasped the context of the story and felt what her characters were feeling - I was rooting for them right from the start!

I will definitely look for more of Anne's writing, and especially more from the Asrian Skies universe.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever's end was a quick, enjoyable read with a heart-wrenching ending. The worldbuilding was strong. Katryn was intriguing in her adaptation from scientist to hard-labor slave. Her affection for Kaz is clearly her strength for a while, but I'm interested to see her move past that eventually. I hope that Katryn will make an appearance in the next book, since we see her go from the frying pan into the fire at the end of the short story!

[L.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short read that immediately drew me into the world of Katryn and Kaz.
When Iythea is taken over by the Haederans, Katryn (a doctor) struggles to remain quiet and so is forced to endure the hard manual labour of the mines along with her best friend, Kaz.
But a quest for freedom separates them both, and now Katryn has become bait.
A short but thrilling read which left me wanting more ... much more.

[C. Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great short and a great intro the Asrian Skies universe. There’s a lot going on here and a lot of depth in such a short format. It leaves me feeling like I’m only getting a sliver of the story, like I’m getting to look in on a world in progress for a little while. A great immersive short read. I can’t wait for more of this world!

[Danae Mcburney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is good quality writing and an engaging story. Good characters, interesting events and setting.

I think this short story is meant to be a teaser for the author's upcoming novel, because there is a strong sense of "things to come" at the end.

[Will Nowak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this short story! Great plot and world building. I never lost interest and kept wanting more. I can't wait to read Asrian Skies!

[Sarah Green-Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was ready to get settled in on this story just as it came to an end! An exciting story from the Asrian Skies universe. I enjoyed it and its characters (gotta love having wonderful characters developed in such a short time!) and would have read a novel's-worth of it.

[C Moudry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great short story that leaves you wanting to know more. I loved it - and can't wait until the novel comes out to read more about these people - totally engrossing, and when I finished I was like what...what... more. Well written (and I don't usually read this genre). Don't know why anybody who likes to read would give less than a 5.

[Meowzabuth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read, mostly a character study, really - and has a great sting in the tail!