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The Fisher of Bones
The Prophet is dead.
The eyes of the Gods have turned to his daughter. But she isn't ready. Not for the whispers in her ear, for the divinations... for the blood. Her people's history and their future, carved by ancients into the bones of long dead behemoths, are now her burden. Only she can read them, interpret the instructions, and guide them to the Promised Land.
Their journey is almost at an end, but now, without the Prophet, she must find a way to guide them to the place they will call Home. Through blood and through sand, against the will of her own flock, against the horrors that haunt the darkness, only she can bring her people Home.
The Prophet is dead. Long live the Prophetess.
The eyes of the Gods have turned to his daughter. But she isn't ready. Not for the whispers in her ear, for the divinations... for the blood. Her people's history and their future, carved by ancients into the bones of long dead behemoths, are now her burden. Only she can read them, interpret the instructions, and guide them to the Promised Land.
Their journey is almost at an end, but now, without the Prophet, she must find a way to guide them to the place they will call Home. Through blood and through sand, against the will of her own flock, against the horrors that haunt the darkness, only she can bring her people Home.
The Prophet is dead. Long live the Prophetess.
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First published October 24, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 20, 2017
The nitty-gritty: A short but thought-provoking and dark retelling of the story of Moses.
Many of you are familiar with Serial Box, the company that has put serial storytelling back on the map, with recent stories like Bookburners , Tremontaine and The Witch Who Came in from the Cold . They offer short weekly “episodes” written by groups of writers, which are akin to episodic television. One of their latest launches is a collaboration with Fireside Fiction Company, a tale by Sarah Gailey called The Fisher of Bones , and unlike Serial Box’s other series, this one appears to be completely free. I was offered a PDF of the entire season to try, and I’m happy to report that it’s not only cemented my appreciation of Sarah Gailey’s talents as a writer, but it’s made me eager to learn more about Fisher the Prophetess and her journey to the Land of Plenty.
The first season is very short, in fact the entire thing can be read in less than two hours (and that’s if you’re a slow reader like me!). Ducky is the daughter of the Prophet, but he’s dying, and just before his life winks out forever, he passes his gift to his daughter. Thus, Ducky is now named Fisher, and she is the Prophetess. She hears the whispers of the Gods in her head and she can read the mysterious words on the tablet. For many years, her people have heeded the instructions that the Gods have written and they’ve been journeying to the place where the Gods have promised them fertile land and food aplenty. Now Fisher takes up the last leg of the journey, for the Land of Plenty is very near. But that journey is fraught with danger, and food and water are scarce.
This is a hard review to write, simply because the story is so short. I’ve struggled with serialized stories in the past, but even the ones I’ve read have been long enough to get a sense of the characters and where the story is going. The Fisher of Bones feels more like the opening chapter in a much longer tale, but it’s one that I’m very interested in continuing.
The publisher describes this as a “revisionist take on the Moses quest,” and as you might imagine, there are lots of religious overtones to the story. (Although I’m quite sure I missed a lot of them, not being religious myself.) This is a very dark story. Fisher and her people are near starving, their animals are dying, and they have only their faith driving them toward the Promised Land. Gailey asks the question, what if, at the end of your journey, you found something completely different from what you were expecting?
The best part of this story, for me, was the ending. Gailey throws a curve ball with her very last sentence, which made me gasp, but it was the very last sentence , and so I feel a bit cheated in a way. I suppose this accomplishes what serials are supposed to accomplish, which is to leave the reader wanting more. I can only hope that there will be a Season 2, because that ending opens the door to so many possibilities.
You can read Season 1 for free on the Serial Box website here (there are currently three episodes available, and the fourth comes out this Wednesday), or you can purchase the entire season on Amazon or iBooks. The Fisher of Bones is short but powerful, and completely different from Gailey’s River of Teeth series. My only complaint is that it's just too short, and the idea of waiting for a resolution to that ending just doesn't appeal to me. This is one serial that I'd love to read after the story is complete.
Big thanks to Serial Box for supplying a review copy.This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy
Many of you are familiar with Serial Box, the company that has put serial storytelling back on the map, with recent stories like Bookburners , Tremontaine and The Witch Who Came in from the Cold . They offer short weekly “episodes” written by groups of writers, which are akin to episodic television. One of their latest launches is a collaboration with Fireside Fiction Company, a tale by Sarah Gailey called The Fisher of Bones , and unlike Serial Box’s other series, this one appears to be completely free. I was offered a PDF of the entire season to try, and I’m happy to report that it’s not only cemented my appreciation of Sarah Gailey’s talents as a writer, but it’s made me eager to learn more about Fisher the Prophetess and her journey to the Land of Plenty.
The first season is very short, in fact the entire thing can be read in less than two hours (and that’s if you’re a slow reader like me!). Ducky is the daughter of the Prophet, but he’s dying, and just before his life winks out forever, he passes his gift to his daughter. Thus, Ducky is now named Fisher, and she is the Prophetess. She hears the whispers of the Gods in her head and she can read the mysterious words on the tablet. For many years, her people have heeded the instructions that the Gods have written and they’ve been journeying to the place where the Gods have promised them fertile land and food aplenty. Now Fisher takes up the last leg of the journey, for the Land of Plenty is very near. But that journey is fraught with danger, and food and water are scarce.
This is a hard review to write, simply because the story is so short. I’ve struggled with serialized stories in the past, but even the ones I’ve read have been long enough to get a sense of the characters and where the story is going. The Fisher of Bones feels more like the opening chapter in a much longer tale, but it’s one that I’m very interested in continuing.
The publisher describes this as a “revisionist take on the Moses quest,” and as you might imagine, there are lots of religious overtones to the story. (Although I’m quite sure I missed a lot of them, not being religious myself.) This is a very dark story. Fisher and her people are near starving, their animals are dying, and they have only their faith driving them toward the Promised Land. Gailey asks the question, what if, at the end of your journey, you found something completely different from what you were expecting?
The best part of this story, for me, was the ending. Gailey throws a curve ball with her very last sentence, which made me gasp, but it was the very last sentence , and so I feel a bit cheated in a way. I suppose this accomplishes what serials are supposed to accomplish, which is to leave the reader wanting more. I can only hope that there will be a Season 2, because that ending opens the door to so many possibilities.
You can read Season 1 for free on the Serial Box website here (there are currently three episodes available, and the fourth comes out this Wednesday), or you can purchase the entire season on Amazon or iBooks. The Fisher of Bones is short but powerful, and completely different from Gailey’s River of Teeth series. My only complaint is that it's just too short, and the idea of waiting for a resolution to that ending just doesn't appeal to me. This is one serial that I'd love to read after the story is complete.
Big thanks to Serial Box for supplying a review copy.This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy
September 3, 2018
This was an interesting little high fantasy / horror retelling of the story of Moses with a female protagonist. It was a bit short for my tastes but definitely a cool concept and the ending had a bit of a twist on it.
August 13, 2022
Achingly beautiful.
I think it's no secret by now that I'm a bit of a fanpiggy when it comes to Sarah Gailey ever since reading their American Hippo books. I've gotten hold of most of their books by now, and The Fisher of Bones was the last I still needed to get my trotters on. (next: getting hold of all the short stories)
And this is such an achingly beautiful read.
The Fisher of Bones drew me in, made me fall in love, and then stomped on my heart and feasted on my tears!
The atmosphere and mood in this story are beautiful. I was totally rooting for Fisher (the Prophetess) to succeed in leading her people to the Promised Land foretold in the bones only she can read. She has to deal with the doubters, the fanatics, the greedy, and with her own doubts and insecurities. I read this story in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down (Ok, it's a short read, but I'd have done the same had it been longer).
All in all this is an amazing read, and I'll be rereading it for sure!
I think it's no secret by now that I'm a bit of a fanpiggy when it comes to Sarah Gailey ever since reading their American Hippo books. I've gotten hold of most of their books by now, and The Fisher of Bones was the last I still needed to get my trotters on. (next: getting hold of all the short stories)
And this is such an achingly beautiful read.
The Fisher of Bones drew me in, made me fall in love, and then stomped on my heart and feasted on my tears!
The atmosphere and mood in this story are beautiful. I was totally rooting for Fisher (the Prophetess) to succeed in leading her people to the Promised Land foretold in the bones only she can read. She has to deal with the doubters, the fanatics, the greedy, and with her own doubts and insecurities. I read this story in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down (Ok, it's a short read, but I'd have done the same had it been longer).
All in all this is an amazing read, and I'll be rereading it for sure!
December 16, 2017
This is so much heartache and anguish in such a small package. As is typical for Gailey, she's presented a well-wrought and emotionally wrenching tale that packs far more story than its length suggests. Haunting, desperate, and highly recommended.
January 26, 2018
NOTE -- You can read this story here for free: https://firesidefiction.com/book/the-...
I read this yesterday, and can't stop thinking about it. "Fisher of Bones" tells the story of a small group of people who are looking for their Promised Land. The viewpoint character is their Prophetess, recently appointed by the previous Prophet (her father) right before he dies. She has to keep the fractious group united until they reach the Promised Land, and the job proves difficult.
I loved this story for several reasons. The first was the format. It's a novelette written as a series of short vignettes that are packed with character detail and emotional tension. They draw you through each chapter all the way to the ending. Because it's so short, the world building is dense. There are very few superfluous words.
A lot of reviews I've seen has asked for more details. But I don't think more is necessary. After all, the Gods are not the driving force of the story. The act of living in the tension of community is the true focus. The Gods are, in a horrid sense, a Macguffin.
Faith in the Gods and their Promised Land drives and cements the community. The tribe wants to believe, but they have doubts. Since the Prophetess is the voice of the Gods, she receives the brunt of the angst her people are feeling. As is often in life, faith in this story leads to a place that's dark and scary and mysterious. If the Gods were revealed in more detail, the mystery would be destroyed.
Also, I loved that the Prophetess struggled so much with faith. Often, religious leaders have to put on a brave front for the rest of their group. Many of them have the most doubt, though. I thought this was a great aspect to the Prophetess, and loved seeing how it affected her relationships with her closest family and friends.
All-in-all, a remarkable piece of fiction that speaks a truth that is both real and memorable.
I read this yesterday, and can't stop thinking about it. "Fisher of Bones" tells the story of a small group of people who are looking for their Promised Land. The viewpoint character is their Prophetess, recently appointed by the previous Prophet (her father) right before he dies. She has to keep the fractious group united until they reach the Promised Land, and the job proves difficult.
I loved this story for several reasons. The first was the format. It's a novelette written as a series of short vignettes that are packed with character detail and emotional tension. They draw you through each chapter all the way to the ending. Because it's so short, the world building is dense. There are very few superfluous words.
A lot of reviews I've seen has asked for more details. But I don't think more is necessary. After all, the Gods are not the driving force of the story. The act of living in the tension of community is the true focus. The Gods are, in a horrid sense, a Macguffin.
Faith in the Gods and their Promised Land drives and cements the community. The tribe wants to believe, but they have doubts. Since the Prophetess is the voice of the Gods, she receives the brunt of the angst her people are feeling. As is often in life, faith in this story leads to a place that's dark and scary and mysterious. If the Gods were revealed in more detail, the mystery would be destroyed.
Also, I loved that the Prophetess struggled so much with faith. Often, religious leaders have to put on a brave front for the rest of their group. Many of them have the most doubt, though. I thought this was a great aspect to the Prophetess, and loved seeing how it affected her relationships with her closest family and friends.
All-in-all, a remarkable piece of fiction that speaks a truth that is both real and memorable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2018
The writer did a great job in telling a complex story in a compact and simple manner. It's hard to portray evolving emotions, clashes of faith, inner war between duty & self and a whole cast of people. Gailey did a really wonderful job in making all of that clear without giving away the whole.
This is a story that will draw you in from the start or you will not be interested at all.
It is a rich story but only as vivid, stark, warm and horrifying as you make it to be. Most of the details, extra nuances, emotions and debates will be what the reader brings into the equation.
I found the story to be wonderfully complex in many layers of thought and emotions. Definitely looking forward to the next installment.
This is a story that will draw you in from the start or you will not be interested at all.
It is a rich story but only as vivid, stark, warm and horrifying as you make it to be. Most of the details, extra nuances, emotions and debates will be what the reader brings into the equation.
I found the story to be wonderfully complex in many layers of thought and emotions. Definitely looking forward to the next installment.
November 4, 2017
What?
This novella was beautifully written, but I was deeply confused by it. What were the gods? What was the time period and setting? I'd be interested to know those things.
This novella was beautifully written, but I was deeply confused by it. What were the gods? What was the time period and setting? I'd be interested to know those things.
February 8, 2018
HOLY FORKING SHIRTBALLS
This book is terrifying and creepy and so well done?? And I need More right now!!!!!!!!
This book is terrifying and creepy and so well done?? And I need More right now!!!!!!!!
July 22, 2019
You can listen to this for free on Serial Box !
August 16, 2018
Wow, where to start with this. My thoughts are still all scattered! I wasn’t very wowed while reading it: that’s not what has me conflicted. It was an interesting enough story and setting, though at times it felt as if Fisher was just lurching from crisis to crisis, with no real indication of what happened in between. I wanted more characterisation, more meat on the bones of the ongoing tragedy, to make me really feel it and feel the strain of the characters’ journey, their isolation.
There are some really raw feelings here — hurt and betrayal and displacement and fear… but it was blunted by not knowing enough about the people it was happening to. I would’ve also enjoyed more background and depth to the world: it didn’t feel two-dimensional, but it felt like a sketch map rather than a painting, if that makes sense. The detail might’ve been there, but I couldn’t see it at this resolution.
Anyway, before I delve any further into mixed metaphors (ack! there I go again), I’ll just have to conclude that I found this tantalising and intriguing, but I wanted more from it, and I wanted a bit more foreshadowing of the conclusion, which was like a bolt from the blue for me as well as for the characters. It should fit in with all the other pieces, in hindsight, but it didn’t quite.
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
There are some really raw feelings here — hurt and betrayal and displacement and fear… but it was blunted by not knowing enough about the people it was happening to. I would’ve also enjoyed more background and depth to the world: it didn’t feel two-dimensional, but it felt like a sketch map rather than a painting, if that makes sense. The detail might’ve been there, but I couldn’t see it at this resolution.
Anyway, before I delve any further into mixed metaphors (ack! there I go again), I’ll just have to conclude that I found this tantalising and intriguing, but I wanted more from it, and I wanted a bit more foreshadowing of the conclusion, which was like a bolt from the blue for me as well as for the characters. It should fit in with all the other pieces, in hindsight, but it didn’t quite.
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
October 28, 2017
The Fisher of Bones is a very quick read, but there is a lot of substance within it. At times I wished that there was more development of the story, but as I think back on it, there was always enough to get my mind invested. If you are open to it, the novella touches on themes of religion and destiny in profound ways. The ending was abrupt but powerful in its simplicity.
May 17, 2021
Sarah Gailey has a way to create a whole world in a few pages only.
January 28, 2018
Competently written, but not heartily
“Fisher of Bones” is a practical and functional novel, but lacks depth of character or heart. When I realized that we weren’t going to see character development or conflict, I continued reading hoping the conclusion was worth the read. It was an interesting twist (that I should have seen coming), but not worth the ride. Not my cup of tea or preferred style.
“Fisher of Bones” is a practical and functional novel, but lacks depth of character or heart. When I realized that we weren’t going to see character development or conflict, I continued reading hoping the conclusion was worth the read. It was an interesting twist (that I should have seen coming), but not worth the ride. Not my cup of tea or preferred style.
November 24, 2020
This was SO much better than I was expecting. Beautifully written and evocative for such a short story. I can't wait to read more of this author's fantasy book.
2020 Popsugar A book by a trans or nonbinary author
2020 Popsugar A book by a trans or nonbinary author
February 8, 2022
A retelling of the story of Moses with a female main character. I probably would've gotten a bit more out of it if I knew anything about Moses before reading this. I was also confused about the very end and don't totally understand it.
July 4, 2018
Wow was that a gut punch of a story.
April 9, 2023
So well written and fascinating, but confusing ending
August 23, 2019
This was good, but so short! I really wanted more. I was getting fun Battlestar Galactica vibes. Always more Sarah Gailey!
July 23, 2018
Such a beautiful book, absolutely loved it.
January 18, 2018
This is an easy read (in terms of time, but not in terms of content). Gailey's writing is very accessible and she creates a compelling world. Hell of an ending too...
January 7, 2018
Sarah Gailey's talent level is such that I am sure she will be writing something truly Great (note the capital 'G') within the next ten years. For now she's working at the level of "WOW that is REALLY GOOD", and this novella is definitely that. It's something of a gender-flipped retelling of the Exodus, although the tone is not so much Biblical as post-apocalyptic. Gailey doesn't really tell us a whole lot about who the people in the book are and why they are traveling to a "promised land", but we really don't need to know. All we need to know about is the emotional struggle faced by the Prophet as she tries to lead her people despite their lack of trust in her, a distrust that manifests in numerous ways (and which, I suspect, is at least partly rooted in sexism when the new Prophet is revealed to be a woman).
There are a number of unexpected twists in the story, with the biggest coming late when the tribe depicted in the story is closest to its goal. Gailey has a lot to say about gender roles and the nature of religious faith and how we deal with the certainty that comes of belief that God has spoken to us. Highly recommended (and since it's a novella, the entire story can be consumed in a single evening).
There are a number of unexpected twists in the story, with the biggest coming late when the tribe depicted in the story is closest to its goal. Gailey has a lot to say about gender roles and the nature of religious faith and how we deal with the certainty that comes of belief that God has spoken to us. Highly recommended (and since it's a novella, the entire story can be consumed in a single evening).
January 16, 2018
This was a riveting novella with a shocking ending, albeit one that left you hanging, quite a bit. I wanted to just keep reading, really!
December 31, 2017
I bought this book mostly because Gailey wrote it, though I did find the plot interesting. We're given a glimpse of a world where I assume things have gone pretty bad, if a group of people have been willing to travel for 30-something years to reach a Promised Land. There's not a ton of world-building, but I filled in the gaps on my own (bleak, barren, other people are dangerous) and I'm ok with that. Because this thing is less than 100 pages, there's not a lot of detail anywhere, honestly, but Gailey got the point across.
Well, I didn't pick up on all the religious symbolism until I read other people's reviews, but that's ok. I didn't really need to pick up on it!
My only issue with this book was the end. It was incredibly abrupt and confusing and the one part where I wish there'd been a little more detail. I read the last chapter several times and I'm still scratching my head. I think I'm -supposed- to scratch my head, but I was so beyond confused that it was very unsatisfying. If you have some ideas about the ending, please fill me in!
Despite my confusion, I'd still recommend this.
Well, I didn't pick up on all the religious symbolism until I read other people's reviews, but that's ok. I didn't really need to pick up on it!
My only issue with this book was the end. It was incredibly abrupt and confusing and the one part where I wish there'd been a little more detail. I read the last chapter several times and I'm still scratching my head. I think I'm -supposed- to scratch my head, but I was so beyond confused that it was very unsatisfying. If you have some ideas about the ending, please fill me in!
Despite my confusion, I'd still recommend this.
January 9, 2018
A total gut punch in just over 100 pages.
December 31, 2017
Marvelous and terrifying short story. Need to reread to digest more.
November 29, 2017
4.25 stars
I’m still not sure how I feel about The Fisher of Bones. All I know is that Sarah Gailey is one heck of a writer. I felt the same way after finishing River of Teeth. I mean, what the heck is this? Feral hippos?? The Fisher of Bones, sadly, is missing the feral hippos, but it does have weird bits of bones and Gods Whispers to harry the protagonist instead.
When the Prophet dies, his powers are passed on to his daughter, Fisher. Fisher doesn’t feel that she’s ready to lead her people, who have been wandering for decades, searching for the Promised Land, but when she hears the Gods Whispers, she gathers her determination and tries to become the leader her people need. Pregnant, overwhelmed by her duties, she discovers that not all of her flock are as loyal and faithful to her as they were to the Prophet. Even with her father’s last gift, the Gods Sight, some of her people still doubt her leadership.
When small disasters, as well as large ones, trouble their journey to the Promised Land, Fisher has to work even harder to hold her group together. The frantic words of the Gods, written on bits of dinosaur bones, spell out a prophecy, but she’s not sure she understands it. Can she convince her people to follow her, and that she truly hears the Gods Whispers?
I didn’t feel that I ever got to know Fisher, but since this is such a short story, that’s not really surprising. Told in serial format, the chapters are short slices of Fisher’s ordeals, mostly self-contained. I didn’t feel that I got a good handle on the larger world outside of Fisher’s clan, and I’m not sure I understand why her father strode out into the barren wilderness in the first place. What are the gods, and why can only Fisher hear them? The ending left me feeling out of sorts. “That’s it?” I thought. And do I really understand what just happened?? I’m not sure, but this was a compelling read despite my lack of complete comprehension.
I’m still not sure how I feel about The Fisher of Bones. All I know is that Sarah Gailey is one heck of a writer. I felt the same way after finishing River of Teeth. I mean, what the heck is this? Feral hippos?? The Fisher of Bones, sadly, is missing the feral hippos, but it does have weird bits of bones and Gods Whispers to harry the protagonist instead.
When the Prophet dies, his powers are passed on to his daughter, Fisher. Fisher doesn’t feel that she’s ready to lead her people, who have been wandering for decades, searching for the Promised Land, but when she hears the Gods Whispers, she gathers her determination and tries to become the leader her people need. Pregnant, overwhelmed by her duties, she discovers that not all of her flock are as loyal and faithful to her as they were to the Prophet. Even with her father’s last gift, the Gods Sight, some of her people still doubt her leadership.
When small disasters, as well as large ones, trouble their journey to the Promised Land, Fisher has to work even harder to hold her group together. The frantic words of the Gods, written on bits of dinosaur bones, spell out a prophecy, but she’s not sure she understands it. Can she convince her people to follow her, and that she truly hears the Gods Whispers?
I didn’t feel that I ever got to know Fisher, but since this is such a short story, that’s not really surprising. Told in serial format, the chapters are short slices of Fisher’s ordeals, mostly self-contained. I didn’t feel that I got a good handle on the larger world outside of Fisher’s clan, and I’m not sure I understand why her father strode out into the barren wilderness in the first place. What are the gods, and why can only Fisher hear them? The ending left me feeling out of sorts. “That’s it?” I thought. And do I really understand what just happened?? I’m not sure, but this was a compelling read despite my lack of complete comprehension.
December 19, 2017
The best kind of stories boil your brain. If this is a truism, then Sarah Gailey's FISHER OF BONES is all the best kinds of angry, rolling water because when I finished it tonight I gasped as if burned. It trudged and scraped towards a conclusion that was heavy with journey and purpose. And that ending. Wow. I've picked it up and put it down, re-reading the end three additional times because, well, what a story.
As a serialized short, I understand the limits of the space to play in, but I would have liked to see more in this world, and more characterization. We want what we can't have. Additionally, I had the print edition, which I think could have had a slightly larger font size, but this didn't change my score.
As a serialized short, I understand the limits of the space to play in, but I would have liked to see more in this world, and more characterization. We want what we can't have. Additionally, I had the print edition, which I think could have had a slightly larger font size, but this didn't change my score.
December 21, 2017
I'm still working through this story. I've read the last chapter twice now, and the more I think about it, the more I really enjoy this.
I think I need to read this a few more times to get all the pieces connected.
A short read that you will spend hours thinking about.
I think I need to read this a few more times to get all the pieces connected.
A short read that you will spend hours thinking about.
December 3, 2017
A compelling read from beginning to end. Gailey is one of those talented writers who can convey great imagery and depth in a few words, and that really worked for such a short series. The conclusion felt somewhat abrupt, but the more I've thought about those final lines, the more I like their haunting implications. The story left me with a lot of questions, but I don't view that as being a bad thing. While I would enjoy a follow-up, I'd be equally satisfied if this was the end.
June 24, 2019
“The Gods Whispers nearly drowned him out. Look, they said to me. Look at what you have done.”
The Fisher of Bones first came to my attention through the cover artist. By Sarah Gailey, it is an incredibly engaging novella that re-imagines the story of the biblical Exodus. It is a creative interpretation of faith and leadership.
The Fisher of Bones first came to my attention through the cover artist. By Sarah Gailey, it is an incredibly engaging novella that re-imagines the story of the biblical Exodus. It is a creative interpretation of faith and leadership.
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