Amber Sky by Amy Braun

AMBER SKY is the first prequel novella preceding the adventurous steampunk horror tale, CRIMSON SKY, and tells the story of Nash before he joined the Dauntless Wanderer when his only means of survival was to fight to the death, and how he was forced to make a choice that would change his life forever…

FTC Notice: This book was provided free in exchange for an honest review. This is no way impacts my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Title: Amber Sky
Author: Amy Braun
Series: Dark Sky #.25
Publish Date: October 4, 2016
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Cover: Deranged Doctor Design
Source: Provided by author in return for an honest review

Publisher’s Description: Press-ganged into servitude by a ruthless band of marauders who survived the devastating Storm, Nash has grown tired of his career– the young, undefeated champion of the Stray Dog fighting pits. All he longs for is a place to live where his family is not his enemy.

When his captain gives him an assignment to embed him deeper into the crew, Nash attempts to refuse, until the life of his friend is threatened. Determined to save her, Nash embarks on the mission to subjugate and control a supplier. But the supplier has other clients, one of which could be the son of the most feared pirate captain in all of Westraven.

And if Nash plays his cards right, the key to his deeply desired freedom, if he can live with the consequences of his choice…

Set two years before the events of CRIMSON SKY, this prequel novella tells the story of how Nash and Sawyer crossed paths– and fists. While best enjoyed before reading CRIMSON SKY, this bonus story can be read at any time or enjoyed as a standalone.

Possible spoilers beyond this point.

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Nervous Nellie says…

This is an urban fantasy set in a post-apocalyptic world with humans and horrible Hellion creatures. There is death and violence, sadness and hope. There is no sex in this book and it could be a standalone; but, be aware that if you start reading one episode from the Dark Sky series, you’ll want to keep reading. 😉

I always wanted to know how Nash Worthington became part of Sawyer Kendric’s crew. Now I know. It was not an easy, “Hey, do you wanna work for me;” it was more of a save each other’s lives kind of proposition.

Nash is tough, and I never really realized how hard his life was before Sawyer. The Rabid Dogs marauder clan is as rough as they get—punishing, brutal, and feral. Nash didn’t belong with them, so I was really glad when Sawyer came along at the right time.

This is Nash’s story, and while it is brutal, it makes me respect Nash all the more as the man he really is.

Invested Ivana says…

In the Dark Sky primary books, Nash is a supporting character. The reader knows he’s devoted to Sawyer and exceptional in a fight. But he doesn’t get the spotlight.

Until Amber Sky. In this Dark Sky novella, we learn about Nash’s life post-Sawyer. Nash is a survivor, to a point; but, the ruthless world of Hellions and marauder bands is not one in which he thrives. Nash longs to be compassionate, to love, to be a good person. But as a Stray Dog, his life is one of fighting and dominance and brutality. Meeting up with a young Sawyer, however, gives him a chance to be more of who he really is and changes his life for the better.

Amber Sky really conveys the harshness of the Dark Sky world and fleshes out Nash’s character. It’s a great introduction to the Dark Sky series, or a great addition to the series if you’re already reading it.

Our reviews in this series…

• Amber Sky, Book 0.25
• Smoke Sky, Book 0.5
• Crimson Sky, Book 01
• Midnight Sky, Book 02
• Obsidian Sky, Book 03 — expected Feb 7, 2017

FTC Notice: This book was provided free in exchange for an honest review. This is no way impacts my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Q & A: Amy Braun and Amber Sky– MINOR SPOILERS BELOW

Q: What inspired you to write Amber Sky?

A: I’ve always been a fan of Nash, and wanted to tell the story of how he and Sawyer came to meet. They have a good relationship in Crimson Sky and Midnight Sky but it wasn’t always like that. They endured mistrust and battles the same as all sturdy friendships do, even trading blows a couple times. It was a lot of fun to not only tell their story, but to expand on an element of Midnight Sky that I enjoyed—the crew’s journey to the Barren.

Q: Why did you chose to tell the story from Nash’s perspective?

A: In the novels, Nash is a pretty quiet character. He’s often the voice of calm and reason, the one who knows how to relax Sawyer and Gemma. Ironic, since he’s heavily built and muscular. Readers who are familiar with him are likely used to his steady demeanor and know little of the violence he used to be capable of. He’s a lot more complex than you would realize reading Crimson Sky and Midnight Sky, and after I hinted at his past in Midnight Sky, I knew I had to tell his story through his eyes.

Q: Do you find it easier to write a shorter story? Do you prefer it to writing a full length novel?

A: Easier? Yes. Definitely. Amber Sky’s word count is just over 30,000, less than half of what a typical Dark Sky novel will run. I had a simple story line, a “simple problem” for the characters to solve, and no need to tie up a hundred different plot holes.

But, if we’re talking about preference, I actually enjoy writing full length novels more. As an independent author, I’m not hindered by word counts and will write until the story is done. This means that I can experiment and add new elements to a story that I don’t usually get to do in a novella. That definitely doesn’t mean I’ll stick to novels my entire career—every big series I write will likely have at least two or three novellas attached to them—but they are definitely my comfort and creative zone.

Q: There was a serious lack of Gemma in Amber Sky. Where is she?

A: Ah, yes. Gemma. Readers of the novels will know that she’s Nash’s other half, the moon to his stars, the heat to his fire. They will also know that she is most definitely not in Amber Sky. When I planned to write some novellas after Midnight Sky, I definitely had a plan about what those two stories would be about. Nash’s story comes first, because the second novella, Smoke Sky, is all about how Gemma entered the lives of the crew. Her story is one of my absolute favorites, and I knew that her romance with Nash would be a key element. So while she’s not in the picture for Amber Sky, she’ll be entering it soon.

Q: What can you tell us about the next novella and novel in the Dark Sky series?

A: Smoke Sky, which will be released December 2016, will be told from Gemma’s perspective and tell the tale of how she first met Sawyer and fell in love with Nash, and the wild adventures they had before she was accepted to the crew. There will also be a short story told from Sawyer’s perspective called Engineered Deceit, which will be featured in Ghosts, Gears, and Grimoires from Mocha Memoirs Press, as well as my collection for short stories called The Shadow Omnibus by the same publisher. Both will be released in the next few months, before Smoke Sky. The final novel in the series will be released in February 2017, and is titled Obsidian Sky. It’s perhaps my top favorite in the entire Dark Sky saga, as it’s full of action and told from both Claire and Sawyer’s perspectives. I went wild with the world in the third and final chapter of this series, and can’t wait for readers to experience the last adventures of the Dauntless Wanderer.

About the Author

Amy is a Canadian urban fantasy and horror author. Her work revolves around monsters, magic, mythology, and mayhem. She started writing in her early teens, and never stopped. She loves building unique worlds filled with fun characters and intense action. She is the recipient of April Moon Books Editor Award for “author voice, world-building and general bad-assery,” and the One Book Two Standout Award in 2015 for her Cursed trilogy. She has been featured on various author blogs and publishing websites, and is an active member of the Writing GIAM and Weekend Writing Warrior communities. When she isn’t writing, she’s reading, watching movies, taking photos, gaming, and struggling with chocoholism and ice cream addiction.

Her short stories published by independent houses like Mocha Memoirs Press and April Moon Books, and she has independently published a collection of standalone and series novels including Storm Born, Path of the Horseman, and the Cursed and Dark Sky series. Many of her short stories have been featured in anthologies such as Amok!, Avast, Ye Airships!, and That Hoodoo, Voodoo, That You Do, and Stomping Grounds.

More From Amy Braun

CURSED

DEMON’S DAUGHTER | DARK DIVINITY | DAMNATION’S DOOR

DARK SKY

CRIMSON SKY | MIDNIGHT SKY

STANDALONE NOVELS AND NOVELLAS

STORM BORN

PATH OF THE HORSEMAN

NEEDFIRE

THE SHADOW OMNIBUS

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