Scars: Alak's Story

by Amber D. Lewis

Alak's world fell apart when he was ten years old. Since then he's been alone. He was content with his life until that fateful day shortly after his fifteenth birthday when he met Isabella.

Embervein was supposed to be just another stop along the road, another hustle, another city with alleys to sleep in at night. But Fate intervened, putting him in the path of the prince and his friend and eventually Isabella Bramfield. Isabella was a bright light in the midst of Alak's dark life, and for the first time in a long time, he felt joy and hope. He had a future. He had worth. He had friends.

But nothing good lasts forever.

TW: Suicide/Abuse/Trauma
Please check Content Warnings on the author's website

106 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2022

About the author

Amber D. Lewis is a highly combustible combination of caffeine, mismatched coffee mugs, and shiny things. In her spare time (and, quite frankly, when she’s supposed to be doing other things) she writes fantasy and other stories.

Reviews

[Shanti (readingwithtay) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I beta read this book.
I loved that Isabelle threw Alak a birthday party. Loved the scene with the boys guessing what the clouds looked like. Because I already knew what was going to happen to a character I wasn’t as emotionally invested. Still great background information to get to know Alak more.

[Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC by the author.
Scars is a prequel novella for The Night the Stars Fell. I was ECSTATIC that my absolute favorite was getting more. I love Lewis' world building and characters (except for a certain guard member who won't be named). That being said...it still didn't feel like enough. I wanted MORE. More pages and maybe some more depth. Overall a quick and enjoyable read (that will also hit you with some feels).
Please note this novella does come with some suicide trigger warnings.

[Autumn Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved having a whole story from Alaks POV. I wish it could have been longer, but it's only because of my love for Alak. His back story is so heart-wrenching. I cannot wait for the next book to come out this year!

[Amber Lewis]

I wrote it and I love it. 🤣

Things you'll find in this novella:
~ Friendship
~ First love/young love
~ Overcoming hardship
~ Birthday celebrations
~ Shenanigans & Mischief
~ Broken hearts

TW: suicide, abuse, trauma from abuse

[Molly Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received and ARC from the author, and I am grateful for it.
Alek is one of my favorite Characters from The Fire and Starlight Saga. I am a big fan of knowing backstories of characters. It helps me appreciate them more.
This story takes place before the first book, so Astra isn’t part of this story. Alek and Prince Ehren are both 15 and Bram is 16. They’re teenagers! That makes the events of this book heartbreaking. The ending is my favorite part. Without spoiling anything, it made me excited for book two!
There is mention of suicide and abuse. I do appreciate that there is a content warning and a suicide hotline for multiple countries.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DEVOURED this! I finished in a day, staying up way too late because I thought I would just read a few pages before bed. This was a great addition to The Night the Stars Fell - if you haven't read that yet, GO READ IT! I fell in love with Alak in the first book and I loved learning more about his story in this novella.

I received the ARC to review, but I will also be buying the paper copy because I am loving this series so much!

[Daniëlle Faber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alak has been through a lot, at just 15 years old: Abuse, pain, feeling unwanted & being alone a large part of his life.

One day he has an unlikely meeting & starts to get to know what it means to have actual friends and people who care about him. Maybe even love?

But nothing good will last forever…

I loved reading some more about Bram & Ehren (in their younger years) and meeting new characters like Isabella and Alak.

Very nice & easy read, love the way the author makes you feel for the characters. I was definitely sad nearing the end, because she really makes you care!

Please check for TW.

[Melissa Plonis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished it. In one sitting.
I received an ARC, and have been so excited about this novella! Alak is my favorite character and I was stoked to have a glimpse into his past.
Having read TNtSF, I knew what was coming, but was still unprepared for the heartache that Lewis drags the reader through.
One of my personal necessities of a good book (and a good author) is that you get so wrapped up in the main character's view that you forget that you are you and not the character- and that's exactly what Lewis brings to her writing.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! It was as good as I had imagined. From the beginning I knew there was more to Alak and not only his life, but that horrible bet. My heart aches for him in this. There’s more to his story tho, it’s unfolding now. I can’t wait for the next book.

Amber D. Lewis is a wonderful writer, her words flow easy and she keeps you intrigued. She’s has great wit and in an instant have you in tears, happy and then sad and then happy again. I’m very invested in this saga and I can’t wait for the rest.

If you haven’t read this series yet, I recommend that you do. It’s worth it.

[Mandy Purvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought I couldn’t fall more hopelessly in love with Alak, here comes this ARC. Obsessed doesn’t cover it. I loved meeting Alak and Ehren when they were younger, and although I thought I would hate her, I also loved Isabella! I still hate Bram, but I’ll hate him til I die. Excellent storytelling as always, and it left me dying for more!!

[Sara Guza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber D. Lewis did it again! This little novella shouldn't have had the power to rip out my heart, but it did! I was so happy to learn I was going to get a peek into Alak's past and be able to feed my addiction to him a bit while waiting for book 2. I don't want to spoil anything but another amazing book by Amber. Must read!

[Mistie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella!!! I mean, I read it in less than a day so there is that. Even already knowing what happened in the end, being able to go through the whole story leading up to it through Alaks POV was heartbreaking. I did feel like the story was slightly rushed but it was a powerful story to pack into a novella so it had to be a little rushed. I definitely can not wait for the next book!!

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC by the author

This book is really good and really sad. Amber D. Lewis once again told an amazing story in this prequel novella to The Night The Stars Fell. My only complaint is that I wish is was slightly longer. I feel like it was just alittle rushed, though the story had me from the beginning. I just wish there was more to it.

[Tasha Stockstill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this book dove into Alak’s past with Ehren and Bram. It brought a lot of clarity their current relationships in the main storyline. It also broke my heart and made me love Alak’s character even more.

[Kailey Chavira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel/novella checked a lot of boxes for me. It answered some important questions about our beloved main characters. Highly recommend!

[James Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the beginning story of how Alak became who and what he is. It is a great novella bringing more life into the characters that I fell in love with while reading The night the stars fell.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

So let's start with I never buy novellas.
But this was a must have.
I enjoyed it so much and cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

[Megan Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Freaking. Book. Y'all. It's such a quick read, but like... it will ruin your whole world. Coming out of Book 1 in the Fire and Starlight Saga, Alak was my favorite character. So getting to see a novella about him, I was like.. yasssss! And then I started reading it and it's just so sad and I am emotionally damaged. But I love having more backstory on Alak in his younger years, and specifically what happened between him and a few of the other characters to cause the rift that was a huge deal in book one. This bridges the gap between the first two books and will definitely hold you over until the 2nd book in the series gets in your hands. But bring Kleenex. And prepare yourself to throw something across a room. Amber Lewis and these books legit have a chokehold on my life right now.

[Kim V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this novella, Alak was already my favorite character from the Fire and Starlight series. I knew he did something in his past that he regretted but I would also fight you if you held it against him. I’m glad to have the full background story of this incredibly deep character now. And if possible I may love Alak even more. I can’t wait for the next part of the series and to continue his story in the next book.

[Kostia D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking yet hopeful

I loved this book because it gave me a lot of perspective on Alak who seemed such a mysterious character, it was like a veil was lifted and I could see who he really is, all the parts of him, the good, the bad, the ugly… He had suffered so much and he wasn’t even acknowledging it. The layers of Alak seem never ending.