I received a copy of “Once We Flew” as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Competition (SFINCS).

We follow the story from the point of view of Marsa, a third-generation human stranded on an inhospitable planet with a desertic landscape and dangerous creatures. Marsa is afflicted by a mysterious illness that creates physical limitations but also gives people strange powers.

Upon the death of her friend, Marsa sets out to try and find a way to save the members of her dwindling human community.

I don’t usually read sci-fi, but I truly enjoyed Marsa and Koby’s characterisation and the way Lee described their world. The story quickly drew me in as clues began to emerge but I also enjoyed very much the theme of connection/reconnection explored between the characters. I would love to learn more of Marsa’s background story and why humans travelled to that planet.

Highly recommended for sci-fi fans!