Matt Quann's Reviews > Untethered Sky

Thanks to Cam for the hook up on this ARC!

Fonda Lee is an author I hold in exceptionally high esteem. Her Green Bone Saga was nothing less than transformational in my understanding of modern fantasy. That trilogy didn't simply push the boundaries of what is expected of fantasy, it does a pirouette over the fence into uncharted territory. When I wrapped up Jade Legacy, the final book in the trilogy, I knew that Lee had scored me as a lifelong reader.

Enter Untethered Sky, which I received in exchange for an honest review. Ester is a girl who lives in a fantasy world that will be more familiar to readers of the genre that Lee's previous works. Great beasts roam the land and the only defence against these monsters are the Rocs: terrifyingly large birds of prey. When Ester's family falls victim to a manticore attack, she devotes her life to the training of her own Roc to prevent further loss of life, seek vengeance, and try and find some measure of peace.

While I've described this to some friends as adult Pokemon, that's more facetious than truthful. Indeed, Lee soars into the world of Roc training that was reminiscent of H is for Hawk's more harrowing passages of loss and hawking. These aren't mythical birds that speak or communicate in the typical sense; indeed, a mix of discipline and knowledge lead the trainers to failure or success against the beasts they hunt. Full points for world building!

Notwithstanding an interesting fantastical concept, the character work here is sharp too. Ester and her fellow Roc trainers share interpersonal drama that moves and elevates the story beyond mere monster stomping. Though there was no way in this short a format to build out characters as well as in The Green Bone Saga, I found all sections plausible and character centred. Towards the end of the novella I was worried that the story would be left unsatisfyingly open--generally, I prefer my novellas to be self contained--however, I needn't have worried since Lee lands the tale like a Roc on their chariot.