Skyfold

The Archon Saga

De: Tim McKay, T. J. McKay

Narrado por: T. J. McKay

Rain is the tyranny of gods.

Cabbott and Riven Soh’vail have a plan — to steal the Skyfold’s source and free their people from Sovereign rule.

For centuries, the Sovereigns have used their god-like power to rule Prytarria, a world of islands floating in the clouds and caught in eternal storms.

Some, like Cabbott, suffer under Sovereign power while dreaming of cloudless skies. Some, like Riven, defy their masters and laugh in the face of a Sovereign’s curse. Still others plot and scheme, for the day humans can reclaim their glory.

And together, those with the courage to risk it all shall sow the seeds of a new age, and a world born free of the Sovereigns.

Full of thrills, adventure, and the power of love against evil, Skyfold is an epic fantasy heist you’ll never forget, with monsters aplenty and twists at every turn.

Journey where every game has a cost, and every dream a price to be paid.

To those who dare, demen pragos.

“Find purpose in play, and master your world.”

©2025 T. J. McKay (P)2025 T. J. McKay

A Fantasy for Classic Fantasy Fans and Gamers

SKYFOLD is an epic fantasy heist novella that gives off Final Fantasy vibes. Terrifying, angelic-like “sovereigns” rule in this world, dangerous beasts encroach upon civilization, and falling stars bring about great calamities.

The way McKay presents a fantasy world sparked my interest. McKay’s spin on beings like sirens and angels felt refreshing and new. The floating islands and the divide between them—also what may lie below them—definitely had me intrigued. I loved the idea of a world drenched in endless rain and what that reality could look like for people on floating islands; however, that wasn’t explained much in actual scenes in this novella, so I’m guessing it will come up more in the series itself.

There are definitely beloved, classic fantasy tropes present in this tale as well, so it won’t just appeal to a more video game inclined crowd. You’ll find the underdog hero Cabbott, the sexy and dangerous Riven, and their annoying friend Merick (<—spelling?). The three make up your ragtag band of heroes set on freeing humanity from the tyranny of their conquerors. The epic fantasy heist that follows feels as familiar as a warm cup of tea.

While I do love classic fantasy tropes, I think SKYFOLD sets you up for exactly what you can expect. I wasn’t surprised by anything that happened in the novella, personally, but that may be because I read SO MUCH FANTASY and already know how most tropes play out. I can say this was especially true when it came to the women in the book, but I think the familiar tropes surrounding women in SKYFOLD will absolutely appeal to a certain group of fantasy readers. Those same readers might also enjoy the ornate writing and flowery descriptions.

A side note: I wasn’t surprised as so much confused about some of the injury descriptions. I can’t elaborate more about that without spoilers, so I’ll refrain from writing anymore. I did go back and replay certain chapters over and over to figure it out, but I was still confused after my efforts. This may be my own personal shortcoming in finding details that I missed, something that can easily happen for me with audiobooks instead of print books, so keep that in mind.

Overall, SKYFOLD is an interesting fantasy book that will appeal to a lot of classic fantasy fans and gamers alike. If heists and underdog heroes are your jam, consider giving SKYFOLD a try.

Thanks to Tim McKay for the free copy of SKYFOLD in exchange for an honest review.

A Cool Story, but Ultimately Didn't Click for Me

SKYFOLD is a cool fantasy heist with an impressive scope for such a short book. It’s basically non-stop action, suspense, and twists, which is exactly what I wanted from this book. That said, not everything landed well for me, and unfortunately I’m left feeling a bit underwhelmed.

Unfortunately, I just didn’t connect with Cabbott or Riven, the main characters and architects of this heist. Their goals felt too often petty, often talking about how they rebelled against the Sovereigns for the thrill of it and rarely digging any deeper than that.

The two are also in a romantic relationship, which didn’t work for me very well either. Their love came off as a bit superficial, as though the things that tied them together was a combination of lust and a shared joy in rebellion. But, again, that rebellion felt skin-deep to me, and the lust they had for each other didn’t do much to deepen that relationship.

The ending also felt a bit too clean, as well. I won’t go into that (spoilers) so I’ll just say that things felt a bit too easy.

That said, McKay is clearly a talented author. Skyfold devises some interesting fights, some amazing imagery, and a plot twist that I truly did not see coming. I can absolutely see some readers have rated this so highly, the story is exciting and fun at heart.

Ultimately the book is good, it just didn’t click with me. However, you’re looking for an action-heavy, plot-driven read, SKYFOLD might just be what you need.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Tim McKay Delivers-Both on Page and Behind the Mic

What a ride! Skyfold pulled me in with its storm-soaked world and daring sense of rebellion. Floating islands, godlike rulers, and a heist for freedom — it’s fast-paced and full of surprises. Perfect for anyone craving fresh worldbuilding and bold imagination. Tim McKay’s own narration adds an extra layer of authenticity and energy that makes the story even better.

Fast and Complex

Skyfold is a fast moving tale centered on a single mission. Tim weaves the backstory into the action, and provides clear narration.
For a novella, the story packs a punch twisting love, adventure, unknown stakes revealed at the end, and constant danger, with a brilliant fantasy - Sci-Fi world.

The brilliance of human imagination

I listened to the whole story without stopping. I was never left wondering about details, and was brought into the full world and depth of characters at exactly the right times. I cared for, and understood each character’s point of view and motivations. Please keep them coming!