His mountain solitude shattered.
Her lab prison escaped.
Together they’ll find refuge or die trying.
Shadowed Skies
by Haley Cavanagh
Genre: YA Clean Dystopian SciFi Fantasy Romance
Hunted for their blood. Fighting for their future.
River
He’s the last of his kind, a winged warrior hidden in the mountains. River Shaw has lost everything: his sanctuary, the only shield from a world that fears and hunts him. When Delene, another of his kind, crash-lands into his life, wounded and on the run, his solitude is shattered.
Delene
She’s a fugitive with a secret, escaping the clutches of dark forces that took everything from her. Delene Fairborne’s flight to freedom leads her to River and the spark of a bond neither can deny.
In a landscape scarred by betrayal and danger, River and Delene must navigate their growing feelings and the sinister scientist who will stop at nothing to harness their power. Shadowed Skies is where love takes wing, hope soars, and destiny entwines. Dive into a world where every heartbeat is a rebellion, every glance a promise, and every flight a taste of freedom.
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I wake to a muscular, silent figure looming over me, his wings casting unnerving shadows. Intelligent dark eyes scrutinize me from his smooth, brown face framed by cropped black hair
and raven quills. He’s been around the block.
My guard shoots up. I’d stand, but my body’s too weak from the climb. “Your nest, huh? Sorry, I didn’t see your name on it.”
“It’s carved right over there.” He points past me to the rockface. My eyes travel over the stone, where he’d etched River in craggy letters. The carved name is so tiny I didn’t notice.
“Now you’re supposed to tell me your name. That’s how this goes.”
I blink. “Delene Fairborne. Listen, would you mind if I–– ow,” I scrape against the wall and suck air through my teeth. I clamp my eyes shut.
“Are you okay?”
I shrug the blanket off, and my injured wing flops lamely near my shoulder. River’s eyebrows lower, and he comes closer.
“Let me look.”
He stows his serrated hunting knife, presents empty hands, and crouches to examine my injury. “Relax. I won’t hurt you. Let’s see the damage.” He’s gentle, avoiding the wound and handling my feathers softly. He lightly touches the bandage.
“Dr. Lytle runs the Stockade, the underground bunker and lab where the humans imprison and experiment on our kind. His men hunted me down and shot me with a crossbow as I tried
to escape. The wound is still healing––I changed the bandage earlier, but without a spare set of clothes, I had to tear strips off my pants to re-dress it.”
“Hmm.” He examines the back with a frown. “There’s an exit wound.”
“Yeah, I pulled it out.”
“Well, that was stupid of you. You could have died if those goons pierced a blood feather.”
My temper flares. “Oh, as opposed to leaving it in. I’d rather take my chances, thanks.” My voice is hostile, though I’m grateful for his help. I still don’t know who he is or what he wants, and my mother warned me to be on my guard.
River sits back on his haunches, sighs, and meets my eyes.
“Doesn’t look good. How long have you been here, kid? A day or so?”
“I’m no kid. I’m seventeen.”
“Well, I’m eighteen. So, you’re a kid.”
“By what, a few whole months?” I snicker. “Okay. If a kid free-climbed in the pitch-black up a hundred-foot cliff to get here, I guess I’m a kid.”
After examining the wound, he says, “The damage looks fixable. Let’s clean this well to prevent infection.”
“I’ve cleaned the wound.”
“Clean deeper,” he admonishes. “I don’t have antibiotics, but I’ll try to get some. Or at least honey. Honey heals.”
He hesitates before retrieving water, then takes a rag from his pouch and soaks the cloth. With the knife still in hand, he comes closer.
“Look … You seem all right, but I’m a lone wolf. I operate solo. You have a target with a big ‘X’ on your back. I feel bad for you. I do. But you know how it is with our kind.” He gives me a blatant look, so here’s your cue to leave.
“Gee, I’d kindly vacate the premises, but I can’t fly.”
He rubs the back of his neck, agitated. “The valley’s full of drones. And they’ve got at least a dozen soldiers combing the forest.”
“I’m sorry.” I shift my eyes down. “You never asked for any of this.”
“None of us did,” he waves me off. “The soldiers are here.
I’m screwed either way.” He pauses and assesses me. “Stay the night. Then after that, I’m sorry, but you need to find somewhere else to hide.”
The night might be all I need. “Thank you.”
Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She was awarded the League of Utah Writers 2020 Silver Quill Award for Retaliation, the second novel in her Oceanstone Initiative series. Haley is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path. Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when she’s not writing. She loves to hear from her readers and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.
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Dynamic Characters and Unexpected Twists:
Unveiling the Intricacies of River and Delene in “Shadowed Skies”
As the architect of “Shadowed Skies,” I am thrilled to invite readers into the captivating world where dynamic characters and unexpected twists converge to create an immersive narrative. At the heart of this tale are two characters, River and Delene, whose journeys through survival, love, and resilience challenge conventional storytelling norms.
River: The Lone Survivor with a Complex Past:
I took great pleasure in creating the character of River, a lone survivor whose escape into the mountains sets the stage for a profound exploration of his past and present. River’s memories of his grandfather Pops and twin brother Porter are poignant anchors, influencing his decisions and interactions throughout the narrative. Through my writing, I aimed to breathe life into River, presenting a character whose complexity mirrors the unpredictable landscapes he navigates.
River’s evolution from a solitary figure to a reluctant companion in the mountains is marked by unexpected twists that showcase the resilience of the human spirit. Through River’s eyes, I sought to create a protagonist whose journey resonates emotionally, offering readers a chance to connect with a character grappling with the weight of his history while forging an uncertain future.
Delene: A Woman of Extraordinary Abilities and Unyielding Spirit:
Delene, introduced as a captive in a lab run by the sinister Dr. Lytle, is a character I enjoyed shaping within the narrative. Tortured for her abilities and fueled by a vow to escape after the death of her sister Lily, Delene emerges as a young woman marked by strength and determination. Her psychic abilities and unyielding spirit add layers to her persona, creating a character that defies traditional archetypes.
In crafting Delene’s journey, from escaping the lab to finding refuge in River’s mountain nest, I aimed to portray a character who goes beyond the stereotypical damsel in distress. Delene’s resilience and unwavering spirit become central themes, showcasing her internal and external battles as she navigates a world filled with threats. When River and Delene meet, they’re both two extraordinary people who are incidentally suffering from severe loneliness and personal trauma while the world hunts them.
Unexpected Twists that Defy Conventions:
In “Shadowed Skies,” I set out to subvert conventions and challenge readers’ expectations through unforeseen twists and turns. Each plot development adds layers to the narrative, keeping readers engaged until the final page.
Through River and Delene, readers are invited to join me in exploring the complexities of love, loss, and the indomitable will to survive in a world where the unexpected becomes the norm.
Conclusion:
As the author of “Shadowed Skies,” I am excited for readers to embark on this journey with River and Delene. These characters, with their unexpected twists and turns, represent more than fictional personas; they embody the resilience of the human spirit. I hope their stories’ complexities and nuances resonate with readers, making “Shadowed Skies” a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.
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Sounds like a really interesting story. Thanks for sharing.
I love a good dystopian novel and this one sounds incredible! I cannot wait to read it!
Looks a good read
Looks like a good read
A nice looking story
Sounds like a intriguing read; I hope to get a chance to read it :)
I enjoyed reading this well done excerpt!
Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you, everyone! I hope you all enjoy the book. Fun fact, this was the first book I ever wrote by dictating on my phone… in the car pool lane… during NaNoWriMo 2019! Crazy how we can do the seemingly impossible during crazy moments, eh? Shadowed Skies is a tale of survival, sacrifice, and soaring hope. This YA dystopian fantasy will sweep you into a world on the brink, where two souls must fight against fate to save what remains. Enjoy! I’m available if anyone has any questions about the book or writing/life in general. Post ’em if you’ve got ’em. :)
this sounds like a wonderful book to read
I look forward to reading
Thanks for the great blurb/excerpt. The book sounds fascinating.
Attractive cover. Love Dystopian reads
I like the cover and excerpt. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like an exciting read.
Apparently he wasn’t the last of his kind after all!
Great excerpt, thank you.
I would love to read this one this spring season it sounds super interesting and I love the cover too.
I love the cover! And it sounds so good! Thank you for the excerpt & your guest post! :)
Thank you so much, all! Fun fact, my husband actually did the initial cover art concept and work for the cover. This is my tenth book in total, but the first ever collaborating with the hubster on a project, so it was pretty dang cool that Our Street Books wanted it for the cover design! Thank you for all your comments about the book. I hope you’ll check it out and share your thoughts with others on blogs and reviews. I really enjoyed writing this one.
Best,
Haley
Sounds like a great book!
The movie Mutents X had almost the same plot, if I’m not mistaken. Why is it that humans wish to destroy what they don’t understand?
Hi Cindy, I’ve never seen that movie, but it’s certainly a common theme in dystopian literature and arts to explore what-if scenarios. I think humans tend to fear what they don’t understand, and with the Evol-Humans in Shadowed Skies, they run into a lot of this from the humans they encounter in the middle of a post apocalyptic world. It sure makes you think, doesn’t it? Thanks so much for your comment. 👍🙂
The movie Mutants X had almost the same plot, if I’m not mistaken. Why is it that humans wish to destroy what they don’t understand?
Not quite my genre, but it does sound interesting for those that like this type of story
Great cover
This looks like a great read. The plot is intriguing.
I really like the excerpt and the cover.
Looks exciting Do you write in a daily journal?
Do you have any advice for new writers?
Sounds like great read just like the other’s.
This is an interesting combination of genres and I love the cover!
nice cover
Hi All,
Thank you for your comments. To answer a few questions, I used to write in a daily journal from the time I was a teenager to my late thirties. Nowadays I tend to practise gratitude and write down one hundred things I’m genuinely thankful for every day. It’s a great reset and helps turn a hard day around. And yes, I have some advice for new writers. Don’t let anything stop you. Self-doubt and real life can hit hard, and it’s so easy to walk away or want to walk away from a project if you wrestle with the goblins of self-doubt. Believe in yourself and your work, and write your head off. Don’t worry about it being perfect. Most rough drafts tend to be pretty crappy – the honing and refining will come after the book is written. Just sit down, carve out time for yourself, and write. Thank you for all these questions. Please let me know if you have any others.
All the best,
HC
I like how she describes the book with twists and turns. Good luck on your book!
What advice do you have for new authors?
Great cover!
I love the story line and the cover is stunning! My kind of book.
I love reading books with unexpected twists so I’m excited to read about River and Delene. Also the cover is stunning.
Thank you so much, everyone. I love the cover too, and I have been blown away by the reception this book is getting. If you haven’t checked out the reviews yet on Goodreads, I encourage you all to do so and get the book. River and Delene are very special characters, and I greatly enjoyed writing them. Thanks for all your support!🥰
Love the cover – thanks for the chance
This book sounds like a great read
Hey all, I’m getting closer to clinchinging the “Cover of the Month” contest on AllAuthor! I’d appreciate some support from you guys. Please take a short moment to vote for my book cover here: https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/19331/
Thank you!
looks like a fun one.
Thank you, Daniel!
River must be lonely being the last of his kind. I am curious to see what happens with River and Delene.