Cloud Writing

By: Hannah Rae

Narrated by: Abby Filsinger

In the small town of Moonglow, North Carolina, the boundary between the living and the dead is as fragile as a kite’s string.

Aurora, a recent arrival, quickly becomes entwined with three teenagers: Harriet, whose father owns a local bookstore rich with history of the town; Silas, whose grandmother operates a quirky kite shop known as Cloud Writers; and Ashby, a boy reeling from the recent death of his father. As their paths converge, they find themselves drawn to a tradition that promises a connection to the spirit world: writing messages on the bodies of kites and sending them soaring into the sky, where they are believed to reach the ghost of Muriel, a young girl who died decades ago when she fell from the widow’s walk of Kessler’s Lighthouse.

As the teenagers grow closer, they find their own lives tangled in the aftermath of grief, love, and family secrets. Ashby, especially, is still broken by his father’s death and begins to wonder if Muriel’s ghost may offer him a chance for one last conversation with his lost parent…if he dares to cross that thin line, every bit as fragile as a kite’s string, that exists between life and death.

©2025 Hannah Rae Meeson (P)2025 Hannah Rae Meeson

Cloud Writing Review

I am not a fan of young adult literature, so this was not my favorite Hannah Rae novel. However, I enjoyed it. I appreciated the way it was written and woven together. The character of Marguerite resonated with me; her grandson made me smile--he was just a great kid.

I continue to think of Ashby as well. He is stuck between two dads--one dead and one here--and he wants to respect both of them. He can't move on until his living dad accepts the death of his partner. Ashby is a sensitive person with many memories and ties to the father who is still living.

As for the narration, there were too many mispronunciations. The reader should have done additional research; I found myself continually correcting her out loud, which distracted from the story line.

Magically Perfect - Everything I Wanted - Sooo Good - I LOVED This Story!

Love, loss, regrets … a tragedy fifty years ago, and tragedies much more recent, magically woven together … intertwining, mystically influencing each other … almost as if written in the clouds! What happened fifty years ago became legend, but can that legend, combined with the power of everlasting love, heal souls? That is what Ashby, Silas, Harriet and Aurora try to find out in “Cloud Writing”, when they petition the Ghost of Muriel, a young girl who tragically died decades ago in a fall from the widow’s walk of Kessler’s Lighthouse. Just like ice tea is better with a twist of lemon, and gin to some, is better with a twist of lime, this magical story, THIS magically beautiful story, brilliantly incorporates a FANTASTICALLY imaginative twist that … well let me just say … all is NOT as it seems in “Cloud Writing” … and I’ll be NOT giving up the goods, but you knew THAT! Just know that PERFECTION does not begin to cover, and WOW is not nearly enough! The plot is beautifully smooth, cohesive and an absolute pleasure to get lost in. The characters are ALL one hundred percent human, perfectly imperfect and resoundingly REAL! I just love how they grow and change, evolving as the story plays out, with one or two in particular imprinting forever on my heart! I can’t name names for fear spoiling for others, but as you listen I’m sure some will become very dear to you as well. The final piece of perfection is the narration - believable, perfectly timed, and emotionally beautiful! When all put together, the effect of “Cloud Writing” is MAGICAL! I throughly enjoyed this entire production. Five stunning, have your tissues ready STARS, because believe me, you’re going to need them. I loved every second of this stunner and I think you will too!

Great Read

Hannah Rae’s ability to bring characters words and world’s to life is a true gift. I’ve read several of her books and continue to enjoy her writing with this latest read. I also always appreciate the layer of mysticism she is known to incorporate.