Far Enough

Chronicles of Alsea #8.5

by Fletcher DeLancey

Immediately after the uprising, Lhyn Rivers is called to account for her involvement in an event that shocked the world. Disturbed by her interview and missing her bondmate, she finds refuge at Hol-Opah.
Salomen Opah is at loose ends, trapped on her holding with nothing to do and no distractions from unwanted memories. Lhyn’s arrival is a welcome excuse to get out and return to an old, beloved pastime.
For five days, Salomen and Lhyn journey through landscapes both physical and emotional. Their quiet exploration brings more than just the peace they seek: it brings an unlooked-for gift that will change four lives.

This novella takes place between Books 8 and 9 (Uprising and Alsea Rising: Gathering Storm) in the Chronicles of Alsea.

Genres: Science Fiction, LGBT, Lesbian, Queer, Lesbian Romance, Romance

85 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2020

About the author

Fletcher DeLancey spent her early career as a science educator, which was the perfect combination of her two great loves: language and science. These days she combines them while writing science fiction.

She is an Oregon expatriate who left her beloved state when she met a Portuguese woman and had to choose between home and heart. She chose heart. Now she lives with her wife and son in the beautiful sunny Algarve, where she writes full-time, teaches Pilates, tries to learn the local birds and plants, and samples every regional Portuguese dish she can get her hands on. (There are many. It’s going to take a while.)

She is best known for her science fiction/fantasy series, Chronicles of Alsea, now comprised of four novels and a novella. Among them, the Alsea books have won an Independent Publisher's Award (2017 bronze medal), a Golden Crown Literary Society Award, a Rainbow Award, and been shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award.

Fletcher believes that women need far more representation in science fiction and fantasy, and takes great pleasure in writing complex stories with strong, believable women heading up the action. Her day is made every time another reader says, “I didn’t think I liked science fiction, but then I read yours.”

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful novella centered on Salomen and Lhyn following Uprising as their friendship deepens. It's pure comfort read, and if you are a fan of the series it's a joy to spend more time with these characters.

[MJSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella that fits in between books 8 and 9 of the Alsea series. My main criticism of the last two books was how they glossed over the relationship between Lhyn and Salomen and how they came to understand their bond. Fletcher stated that how this unfolded didn’t fit with the narrative, but having now read this novella, I disagree, I think including this would have made the stories stronger.

This does fill in some of the blanks and adds depth not just to the bond between Salomen and Lhyn but also provides greater insight into both characters as well. It also shows how the four of them agreed to move into the four way relationship. I would still have enjoyed some scenes in the last two books that built more on what is shown here, but am grateful for this glimpse into how this all unfolded.

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book that fills in some of the blanks between Uprising & Alsea Rising. Specifically the changing nature of Lhyn and Salomen; which in turn creates a change in Serrado & Tal's lives.

Right, so that's super vague. And might even sound not particularly interesting. Oddly enough, I really enjoyed the story that unfolds, watching Lhyn & Salomen interacting and changing before my eyes.

A fun story.

Rating: 5

February 24, 2021

[Elle Hyden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect little novella to fill in the blanks of when and how Salomen and Lhyn started their special relationship. As a fan of the series I really wanted to have more about these two characters and Fletcher delivered that. Beautifully written as usual.

[Em Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best fill in the blanks book…

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Talk about changing my perspective on characters. This just totally did that. Andira still is number 1 for me, but Salomon now holds number 2. Lhyn is 3 and Ekayta is still 4. I don't know what it is but Ekayta just does not pull at me, as the other 3 do

[Jill Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quiet moments. Seismic shifts. Essential.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the Alsea novels first, this story is a kind of appetizer

And you won't be able to really savor it if you have not met the characters in the more dramatic context of Alsean/human first contact. Delancey does an amazing job of imagining an empathic humanoid species and creating a vivid social and natural world for it. Interspecies love, interspecies conflict, interspecies diplomacy are mapped against life-and-death crises that reveal the best and the worst of human traits that have evolved under different far-flung planetary regimes. The major characters in the series are female, and the ones who drive the action are heroic warriors. Delancey explores the moral costs of having to weaponize the empathic gift, which Alseans better than most know to control, and handle with utmost caution. I have found every single volume in this saga completely absorbing, with a tremendous arc to the embedded narratives of love (chastely rendered, given that Alsean sexual physiology differs enough from ours to present rather opaquely) and friendship. The political, ethical, technological, economic, psychological quandaries and successes are brilliantly rendered.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally needed this. I loved the insight into Lhyn and Salomen’s thoughts and the recognition of their true feelings for each other. It was awesome learning more of Lhyn’s home planet, and of her and Salomen’s childhood. It was beautiful how Ekatya, Salomen, Andira, and Lhyn all sat together discussing what was happening between them and making sure everyone was at peace and in agreement with the want to move forward. I love these characters so much.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much ahdhjskf

[Sharon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curiosity answered

I have often been curious about how the four bond mates solidified their unique love, now Delancey has answered a bit of it.

This part has bridged some of the questions I had, by explaining how Solamen and Lhyn reached a shared place of deeper love.

Great bit. Wishing for more.

[Alealea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this snippet developps the love between Lynn and Salomen. It's sweet and light and deep and funny and... just read the thingy! For such a short story, there are so many things that vowed me! Some are unrelated to the polyamory arc and are worth the reading.

1/ For example, Salomen and her guards dealing with the treason in Uprising. As usual I'm amazed at how Fletcher keeps track of the multiple possible impacts of one event and pour time and thoughts on writing those ramifications. That's what I love in the Chronicles 😍
2/The first outing has a very specific vibe. The joy of Salomen, I shared it. Having spend months stuck at home because of Covid, the first hike this summer was pure bliss. So... has a similar experience inspired the theme of the novella or not at all ? 🤔Has anyone felt that ?
3/ I really cherish the part where Lynn focus on Alsean way to deal with emotions, acknowledging them and letting go instead of overthinking.... I am gonna ponder that piece of wisdom for a looong while. 🤗

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved getting a glimpse into how they decided to become more

[AV · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do wish more people would read this series (including of course straight people). Yes, I know, gay folks and all that, but there is a lot to think and talk about regarding the culture, the economy, the moral dilemmas etc. Even if I don't agree with the mains on some of them, I think they are questions worthy to consider in both science fiction, and the real world.
Alright, now for the review.
I am really grateful for this book. :)
As usual well written. With interesting discussions.

The book gave me a different perspective on Tyree bond, via Lhyn, and on Andira, via Salomen. I do think I like Andira better now, and I have kind of not liked her since Uprising. Unfairly, I think because I am now remembering all the good stuff she did.

It does leave a lot of gaps and many of my concerns from the last book intact but well, the author is boss, and if she does not want to write more or does not care to write a particular POV or aspect, that cannot be helped. It is what it is. :)

Spoilers for the entire series, including the next two books in the spoiler below. Thoughts on Andira, Salomen, Lhyn and Ekatya.


I still think that the series is Andira's with Salomen and Ekatya as co-lead.

Lhyn continues to feel like a tertiary character. In my opinion, the next two books would have been far better served by focusing at least partly on the Salomen-Lhyn relationship and what they felt for each other, them reassuring each other and enjoying each other than spending all their time reassuring and supporting Andira and Ekatya. If it was supposed to be an equitable foursome, it did not feel that way and still does not.

Even in this book, most of Salomen's point of view was taken up with Andira; so much so that I was not really convinced that Lhyn was of enough importance to her--there was not much show to buttress the tell. Salomen is, in general, immensely kind and I could not see any difference between her feelings for Rahel, Vellmar, and that for Lhyn. Except that of course, she was more willing to actually think of and worry about Rahel when she was with Rahel (or otherwise) and Fianna as well.

She does not worry much about Lhyn at all even in this novella, which was supposed to give an insight into their relationship. And from Lhyn's POV, when you see Salomen saying stuff (which happens twice, I think), it does not have the same heft.

The book gives more background on both Lhyn and Salomen; and insight into Salomen's fears and past as well. It shows Lhyn's brain at work too, and I liked that.

There wasn't much info on what Lhyn actually felt about her own loneliness and lack of people in her corner. The only time Salomen asks about it, Lhyn changes subject and then it is never touched.
In all other books, it has been just so. Lhyn is a nerd. She has anxiety about her kidnapping and torture. Lhyn escaped her homeland. And again, Lhyn is a nerd (like the whole warrior thing). Her emotions aren't touched. And Salomen, much as I love her, may care, but it is not shown on screen or in her POV. For all we know, she may only care as a friend.

On the other hand, I am convinced of Lhyn's love and attraction for Salomen. That is the gap that this small novella did fill beautifully.

Andira seems to be a very generous person. And true, when you can feel each other, (and no other relationship can top that), I guess, it is easy enough to be generous. Even so, I am remembering now all the things I liked about her. And, jealousy is a natural emotion under the circumstances discussed. She does owe Lhyn an apology though. And, Lhyn will never ask for it.

Again: I would have liked the power imbalances in their relationships to have been discussed and addressed: between Lancer and Bondlancer and Gaians who were on Alsea on the Lancer's suffrage (as Ranzine makes clear); between high empaths and people who can't sense others at all except through facial expressions, tone, and body language; between their natures, due to which both Andira and Salomen can easily and unconsciously exploit Ekatya and Lhyn, especially Lhyn, and not even know about it. (Like that last scene in Seventh Star). I don't blame Salomen for it, or Andira even, but there should have been discussions and reassurances.

At least, I would have liked them.

Yeah, so. Still feeling quite sorry for Lhyn. On the other hand: Feeling happy for whatever little love you get, from the people you love is actually a philosophy I understand.

And. One always has preferences, so it is likely my preference for Lhyn-Salomen. I can read another ten books on these two, if I do get a balanced account of their relationships, and mix and match the supporting cast, because I do like the other two too. And almost all of the rest.


So, still mixed feelings alas. On the other hand, if I set the romantic relationships aside, I do so much want to discuss a lot of aspects of Alsean culture, economy etc.. That itself in my mind is the hallmark of a good world building. It feels real enough that people are touched by it. I think will add my thoughts and questions on Alsean culture and so on in my review for other books.

[Anna Furtado · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about the direction this story took. The writing was as consistently good as other stories in the series, but I guess I'm too much of a monagamous creature to go where DeLancey is taking the four main chatacters. It won't stop me from reading #9, but, although I found the intimacy between Salomen and Lhyn touching and insightful, the relationship discussions and decisions in 8.5 were not a direction I was particularly happy to see them go.

[Sue Still · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Another excellent read in the Alsea series.

Adding extra depth and Lhyn's / Saloman's take on the events leading up to the divine Tyree's acknowledgement of their feelings for each other.

If you've read the Alsea series this is a must!

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Footsteps crossed the wood floor, the handle turned, and a chagrined Lhyn looked out at her. "I'm thinking too loud, aren't I?" / "I'm not a telepath," Salomen said. "I cannot hear what you're thinking. But I'm missing my bondmate, too."

[Michelle Nevarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to fill the void

It was too short, but this story between Salomen and Lhyn was a requirement. Fletcher did it again. Another great read

[wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

waterfall!

[Natalie Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun little novella that adds even greater depth to two of our most beloved characters in the series