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The Song of the Sleepers #2.5
The Celestial Tears of Dying Light
THERE EXISTS A PLANE BETWEEN THIS WORLD AND ANOTHER.
While the Four-Front War deescalates across Q’ara, an Aobian Sleeper is sent to the deep north of the continent to investigate what the histories claimed to once exist: another population of tree-dwellers. Meanwhile, a zealous priest seeks the most powerful magical artefact to ever be wielded: a creature known as Veil-Piercer.
There’s something in the water.
The land bleeds from its lungs.
The secrets will break us all.
THE CELESTIAL TEARS OF DYING LIGHT is the third and final novella in the bestselling fantasy epic, The Song of the Sleepers.
While the Four-Front War deescalates across Q’ara, an Aobian Sleeper is sent to the deep north of the continent to investigate what the histories claimed to once exist: another population of tree-dwellers. Meanwhile, a zealous priest seeks the most powerful magical artefact to ever be wielded: a creature known as Veil-Piercer.
There’s something in the water.
The land bleeds from its lungs.
The secrets will break us all.
THE CELESTIAL TEARS OF DYING LIGHT is the third and final novella in the bestselling fantasy epic, The Song of the Sleepers.
120 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2025
1 person is currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Walker
7 books82 followersJoshua Walker is a fantasy author currently living in Sydney, Australia. He works as a primary school English teacher, and likes to read, brew beer, and hang out with his wife and BFD (Big Fluffy Dog) in his free time.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 30, 2025
my rating 4.25
The third novella in the series packs a big punch!
We are seeing a dual POV rather than timeline, this time for 2 different characters, Prisma and Nalor. I was waiting to see how they would intersect and it was masterful! These characters are such a draw for me, Josh can really write people we want to care about, or hate lol
While this story take a bit of a different format, it remains true to the world and lore.
I loved Nischia's epilogue too!
The third novella in the series packs a big punch!
We are seeing a dual POV rather than timeline, this time for 2 different characters, Prisma and Nalor. I was waiting to see how they would intersect and it was masterful! These characters are such a draw for me, Josh can really write people we want to care about, or hate lol
While this story take a bit of a different format, it remains true to the world and lore.
I loved Nischia's epilogue too!
April 29, 2025
The final novella in the series took a very unconventional turn for me. For starters, this was never even going to be the final novella in the series. But ultimately, it replaced the idea I had for that one because it was better.
This story is markedly different from the other novellas but equally important to the story of Q'ara's perpetually fractured state. It does not use the typical alternating timeline style of the other novellas, and it does not focus on one character's origin. It does however deliver rich lore that is crucial for the third and final book in the trilogy to exist and function properly. It's also intrinsically tied to the historical events of The Rest to the Gods, The Child of the Greenwood and the short story, Cling On, Fleeting Soul written for Unearthed Stories, an interactive fiction app from Prowess Games.
Enjoy. Savour. Study.
Because what comes next is the end.
This story is markedly different from the other novellas but equally important to the story of Q'ara's perpetually fractured state. It does not use the typical alternating timeline style of the other novellas, and it does not focus on one character's origin. It does however deliver rich lore that is crucial for the third and final book in the trilogy to exist and function properly. It's also intrinsically tied to the historical events of The Rest to the Gods, The Child of the Greenwood and the short story, Cling On, Fleeting Soul written for Unearthed Stories, an interactive fiction app from Prowess Games.
Enjoy. Savour. Study.
Because what comes next is the end.
November 1, 2025
ARC Review:
I have read all of Joshua's work up to now, and even been lucky enough to beta read for him. But I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is his best work to date.
As seems to be the case with his novellas, it definitely takes a darker tone than Exile of Water and Gold, and the foreboding laced through the entire book keeps you on the edge of your seat.
With twists and turns more hectic than the Great Tree itself, and revelations that make you question what he has in store for you in the future, The Celestial Tears of Dying Light is an amazing installment in his every growing world of intrigue. 5 stars easily, and would recommend to anybody!
I have read all of Joshua's work up to now, and even been lucky enough to beta read for him. But I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is his best work to date.
As seems to be the case with his novellas, it definitely takes a darker tone than Exile of Water and Gold, and the foreboding laced through the entire book keeps you on the edge of your seat.
With twists and turns more hectic than the Great Tree itself, and revelations that make you question what he has in store for you in the future, The Celestial Tears of Dying Light is an amazing installment in his every growing world of intrigue. 5 stars easily, and would recommend to anybody!
November 10, 2025
ARC Review
When I first won a copy of An Exile of Water & Gold, I did not expect a world as colorful as Q’ara but Joshua Walker has taken us on a wonderful journey and I believe it is safe to say that this novella is his best work yet.
Prisma’s story is one of tragedy after tragedy but I would like to believe that this isn’t the end of her story. The discovery of another Great Tree was, at least to me, an exciting part of the novel because it shows us how much Q’ara has grown as a world. It obviously shows us how much thought Joshua Walker has put into building this world.
Another fun fact I realized, although this is purely personal and probably not related to the story (probably is the keyword) is that Prisma’s name can be derived from prism which is a shape that can break white light into the colors of the rainbow. Could this somehow mean Prisma has a bigger role into the breaking of the Veil Piercer?
Be that as it may, whether Prisma has a future appearance in the next novels or not, I am looking forward to what happens next to Q’ara (yes I am looking at you, Nischia). I will also be rereading the entirety of Joshua Walker’s novels just to prepare myself for the next novel! For now, be sure to grab a copy of this novella, Tree Dwellers!
When I first won a copy of An Exile of Water & Gold, I did not expect a world as colorful as Q’ara but Joshua Walker has taken us on a wonderful journey and I believe it is safe to say that this novella is his best work yet.
Prisma’s story is one of tragedy after tragedy but I would like to believe that this isn’t the end of her story. The discovery of another Great Tree was, at least to me, an exciting part of the novel because it shows us how much Q’ara has grown as a world. It obviously shows us how much thought Joshua Walker has put into building this world.
Another fun fact I realized, although this is purely personal and probably not related to the story (probably is the keyword) is that Prisma’s name can be derived from prism which is a shape that can break white light into the colors of the rainbow. Could this somehow mean Prisma has a bigger role into the breaking of the Veil Piercer?
Be that as it may, whether Prisma has a future appearance in the next novels or not, I am looking forward to what happens next to Q’ara (yes I am looking at you, Nischia). I will also be rereading the entirety of Joshua Walker’s novels just to prepare myself for the next novel! For now, be sure to grab a copy of this novella, Tree Dwellers!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2025
ARC Review
The Celestial Tears of Dying is definitely the best book so far, and you can see how much love he has putten into this world and characters. No matter what character that gets out in the spotlight, I love to read about them. They are incredible, even the characters that you shouldn't like.
If you compare this to his first books. You can see what has evolved the most is the lore building, and I think that is one of the things I love most with Josh books. Because you can feel with every book how much more lore is dripping down the pages.
This is sadly the last novella in this world, I wish it was more. But I'm super excited to see what the rest of the main novels will bring.
On another note, if you love this series and haven't read Cling on Fleeting Soul on the app Unearthed Stories, I highly recommend reading that one. It's a small story set in the same world, and you will get such a wonderful time with it, and highly rewarded with the story. And it's free!
The Celestial Tears of Dying is definitely the best book so far, and you can see how much love he has putten into this world and characters. No matter what character that gets out in the spotlight, I love to read about them. They are incredible, even the characters that you shouldn't like.
If you compare this to his first books. You can see what has evolved the most is the lore building, and I think that is one of the things I love most with Josh books. Because you can feel with every book how much more lore is dripping down the pages.
This is sadly the last novella in this world, I wish it was more. But I'm super excited to see what the rest of the main novels will bring.
On another note, if you love this series and haven't read Cling on Fleeting Soul on the app Unearthed Stories, I highly recommend reading that one. It's a small story set in the same world, and you will get such a wonderful time with it, and highly rewarded with the story. And it's free!
October 27, 2025
The Celestial Tears of a Dying Light by Joshua Walker is the final novella for The Song of the Sleepers Series and it doesn't disappoint! While this is the first novella that requires reading the first book in the series, it's really worth the wait! I loved this duel POV that led the main characters on dangerous quest. Everything you thought you knew about this world is about to be challenged and turned on its head. I would call this a modern day Beowulf! Hope, horror, and heartbreak proliferate from the start of the novella and is sure to ripple throughout the rest of the series!
If you haven't picked up this series, this is your sign to do it! Dive into the world of Q'ara and ride the turbulent river of strife, love, and perseverance! 10/10 would absolutely recommend!
If you haven't picked up this series, this is your sign to do it! Dive into the world of Q'ara and ride the turbulent river of strife, love, and perseverance! 10/10 would absolutely recommend!
November 23, 2025
I was not prepared for this 😲
"...no matter what I do, I cannot remove the part of me that is you." 💔
Wow! Just wow!
Firstly, thank you Joshua for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm 100% captivated by this world, it's characters, and the story.
I binged this final novella in two days because it hooked me good and I couldn't put it down.
This fast paced, often dark, story just didn't let up. The lore was mesmerising 🤩 and helped place even more pieces of the Q'ara world together.
I feel like the cover art gave me a false sense of security 😅 absolutely beautiful and perfect, but wow... I thought I was in for rainbows and butterflies 😅💀
Joshua keeps getting better and better, and I truly can't wait for book 2.
5 / 5 ⭐️ (wish I could give it more)
"...no matter what I do, I cannot remove the part of me that is you." 💔
Wow! Just wow!
Firstly, thank you Joshua for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm 100% captivated by this world, it's characters, and the story.
I binged this final novella in two days because it hooked me good and I couldn't put it down.
This fast paced, often dark, story just didn't let up. The lore was mesmerising 🤩 and helped place even more pieces of the Q'ara world together.
I feel like the cover art gave me a false sense of security 😅 absolutely beautiful and perfect, but wow... I thought I was in for rainbows and butterflies 😅💀
Joshua keeps getting better and better, and I truly can't wait for book 2.
5 / 5 ⭐️ (wish I could give it more)
October 22, 2025
Excellent addition to the world of Q’ara, equal turns grimmer and more hopeful as conflicts escalate and old legends rise. This feels like a story that is broad in scope—with series-bending revelations and teasers—while also being incredibly personal and evocative. I honestly couldn’t decide if I liked the protagonist’s hopeful determination or the antagonist’s sheer defiance of all things holy and good more, but I definitely enjoyed both.
The imagery was top-notch, the action was compelling, and the plot resolved in a satisfying but tantalizing way. Highly recommended!
The imagery was top-notch, the action was compelling, and the plot resolved in a satisfying but tantalizing way. Highly recommended!
November 3, 2025
Good Lord.
RTC
RTC
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews