Forever & Always
by Cristian Carrington
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Pub Date 8 Nov 2023 | Archive Date 15 Jun 2025
Description
In the secluded embrace of a vast archipelago, Lono, once a fisherman of unmatched prowess, found his dedication to the sea waning. With Laka, the love of his life, a few months into her pregnancy, his priorities shifted. Every moment away from her felt like an eternity, and the allure of the open waters dimmed in comparison to the joy of impending fatherhood.
However, the tranquil rhythm of their island life was soon disrupted. Three mysterious ships, with no known origin, appeared on the horizon. These newcomers, claiming to have lost their way, brought with them peculiar items and exotic foods as tokens of peace. While the island's folks were instantly enamored by the foreign treats, Lono remained wary.
In need of navigational aid, the strangers seemed harmless enough. But one fateful night, driven by a mix of curiosity and caution, Lono stealthily boarded the main ship. What he witnessed within its dark confines was a sight so chilling, it threatened to shatter the very fabric of his life.
Advance Praise
"Forever & Always by Cristian Carrington is set on a tropical island surrounded by the vast sea, where Lono, a skilled fisherman, falls in love with Laka, leading to a blossoming relationship. They live amongst uncontacted people, but their idyllic lives are disrupted by the arrival of unfamiliar ships and the mysterious Jezebel, introducing both treasures and suspicions among the islanders. Strange occurrences, headaches, and surreal experiences unsettle the community, culminating in a night of harrowing events. Lono, acting as a middleman, is put in the position that he never, in his worst nightmare, thought might unfold, and in a fight to protect his people, he must also navigate horrific loss and betrayal. Even if his efforts are successful, the prospect of being forever haunted by the echoes of darkness remains.
Cristian Carrington brings a great deal of emotion and depth to Forever & Always, which might be surprising given the compact nature of the story. The plight of uncontacted people and their vulnerability are front and center through the eyes and experiences of Lono, and the way the story unfolds is heartbreaking. The style of writing is straightforward and accessible, and the development of the characters is exceptionally well done. The standout to me is the descriptive moments, both beautiful and less so, from the gems being described as having "patterns swirling across their surfaces in an endless dance," to Carrington's narrative of the foul smell and red hue of the water, all of which provides a sensory experience for readers. Overall, this is a wonderful and thoughtful story that I am certain will touch everyone who reads it."
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9798218573546 |
| PRICE | |
| PAGES | 70 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Catarina S, Reviewer
This book Forever & Always is really a good book. I rated it 4 stars because I loved the experience of reading it and it's super well written.
Kelly P, Reviewer
I wanted to read this book because the cover captivated me! The story differed from my usual books, but overall it was entertaining and short. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy.
Gina D, Reviewer
This was an interesting read! The prose was lyrical and the love really shone through. It was a quick, easy read!
Reviewer 1404208
After finishing this I am left with so many questions and emotions. It's told in a third person POV mainly following Lono, a prominent fisherman. This is a pretty short story with a few time jumps. We start out with Lono asking Laka out and having their first date on the beach where they experience an intense spiritual connection. Though Lono has a vision that is a bit ominous. After, they become so ingrained in each other even their work becomes a distraction for their love. Time passes and they are expecting a child. During this, ships arrive and although everyone seems at ease after the first encounter, Lono is suspicious. They claim to just be lost and require help navigating and will await help from their ship. Lono is chosen to be that aid. After the ship had arrived everything on the island begins to change. Strange things are happening and people are acting out of the ordinary.
The connection between Lono and Laka is undeniable and their need to be with the other felt so amazing to read. But when the ships arrived my anxiety definitely spiked. I already knew what was going to be on the ships, so to find out wasn't a big surprise. The parchment and what it contained wasn't that big a surprise either. The spiritual aspect was. Although I could follow along, I was left with so many questions. It was a bit disappointing in the way things were left. The ending was confusing because so many things were left unanswered, it didn't feel finished. I read many short stories and a few with open ended endings where even when it was up to the reader to use their imagination it was still satisfying. This wasn't that.
The spiritual aspect of the story is still such a mystery that I can't make out what happened fully, especially to Bomoh. Don't get me wrong, the story was interesting and entertaining but because of the millions of questions I now have, I'm just a bit unsatisfied after finishing it.
The ending was so sad. The loss and what happened to Lono and Laka was so hard to read because of how vibrant they were when I started the story. I hope there will be more in the future to this story because I would definitely be interested in reading it.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
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