The Drought of Souls

By John Hempstock

When newly certified storm shepherd Kestrel Thorne arrives in drought-stricken Millhaven, she expects to use her Guild training to call the rain. Instead, she discovers a terrible truth: the storms themselves are conscious, suffering, and refusing to answer her commands.

For three months, Kestrel has failed to bring relief to the dying valley while her mentor watches with knowing eyes and terrible secrets. But when she finally makes contact with the atmospheric consciousness, she learns that the Weather Workers Guild has built its power on centuries of enslaving sentient storm entities-and that the techniques she was taught aren't cooperation, but torture.

Now Kestrel must choose between her Guild oaths and a desperate alliance with the very forces she was trained to dominate. As ancient storm consciousness awakens and the Guild deploys brutal new binding techniques, one young weather-worker's decision will determine whether humans and storms can learn to dance together-or destroy each other in the attempt.

The Drought of Souls is a sweeping fantasy about the cost of control, the courage to listen, and what it means to truly partner with forces larger than ourselves.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1996819283
• ISBN13: 9781996819289
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: John Hempstock
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"