After-Alls Runaway Cloud A Bewildered Cousin Finds Refgue (Clouds Series Book 2) by Francis Edwards

Francis Edwards’ After-All’s Runaway Cloud: A Bewildered Cousin Finds Refuge (Book 2 in the Clouds Series) is a mesmerizing blend of whimsy, mystery, and deep emotional resonance. If you’ve ever felt lost in the storm of life, searching for a place to belong, this book will speak to your soul. Edwards crafts a world where clouds are more than just weather phenomena—they’re vessels of fate, carrying secrets, sorrows, and second chances.

This isn’t just a fantasy novel; it’s a meditation on identity, family, and the unexpected shelters we find along the way. Whether you’re returning to the Clouds Series or discovering it for the first time, After-All’s Runaway Cloud delivers an unforgettable experience.

Without giving away major spoilers, the story follows the bewildered cousin of After-All, a character whose life has been upended by forces beyond their control. Seeking refuge in a world where clouds hold memories and whispers of the past, they navigate a landscape both enchanting and perilous.

The runaway cloud—central to the story—isn’t just a meteorological oddity; it’s a sentient, almost mythical entity that carries the weight of forgotten histories. As the cousin struggles to understand their place in this strange new reality, they encounter allies and adversaries, each with their own ties to the clouds.

The narrative unfolds with a dreamlike quality, blending adventure with introspection. There are moments of quiet beauty—like a conversation with a drifting cloud at dusk—and heart-pounding tension when the skies themselves seem to conspire against the protagonist.

The bewildered cousin is a deeply relatable protagonist—flawed, uncertain, yet resilient. Their journey is one of self-discovery, and Edwards excels at portraying their internal struggles without veering into melodrama.

Supporting characters shine just as brightly:

• After-All (returning from Book 1) serves as both anchor and enigma, their wisdom tinged with melancholy.
• The Keeper of the Drifting Veil, a mysterious figure who guards the secrets of the clouds, adds layers of intrigue.
• The Runaway Cloud itself is almost a character in its own right—capricious, sorrowful, and strangely maternal.

Edwards doesn’t just write characters; they breathe life into them, making their joys and sorrows feel achingly real.

Edwards’ prose is poetic without being pretentious. Descriptions of the cloud-filled world are vivid:

"The sky wasn’t just above us—it was inside us, its whispers threading through our bones like forgotten songs."

The narrative shifts between introspection and action seamlessly, creating a rhythm that keeps the reader engaged. Some chapters feel like fables, others like urgent missives from a world on the brink of change.

The use of second-person interludes (addressing the reader as "you") is particularly striking, blurring the line between story and audience in a way that deepens immersion.

At its core, After-All’s Runaway Cloud is about finding refuge—both physically and emotionally. The cousin’s search mirrors universal questions:

• Where do I fit in?
• Can the past ever truly be left behind?
• What does it mean to be lost—and then found?

The clouds serve as a metaphor for memory—sometimes light and fleeting, other times heavy with unspoken grief. Edwards also explores found family, the idea that home isn’t always where we’re born, but where we’re seen.

I devoured this book in two sittings, but its imagery stayed with me for weeks. There’s a particular scene where the cousin stands at the edge of a floating island, watching a storm gather below, that felt so visceral I could taste the electricity in the air.

The emotional payoff is profound. Without spoiling anything, the ending left me with a quiet ache—the kind that comes from a story well told.

Fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea or Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy will appreciate Edwards’ blend of mythic storytelling and emotional depth. The Clouds Series also shares DNA with Neil Gaiman’s Stardust in its whimsical yet grounded fantasy.

That said, Edwards’ voice is wholly their own—more introspective than Gaiman, more intimate than Morgenstern.

Strengths:
✔ World-building – The cloud mythology is fresh and immersive.
✔ Character depth – Even minor figures feel fully realized.
✔ Prose – Gorgeous without sacrificing clarity.

Weaknesses (Minor):
✖ Pacing – A few middle chapters slow slightly, though they’re rich in atmosphere.
✖ Assumed familiarity – New readers might want a bit more recap from Book 1.

This book is perfect for:

• Fans of literary fantasy with emotional weight.
• Readers who love mythic, dreamlike storytelling.
• Anyone who’s ever felt adrift and longed for a place to call home.

"Not all clouds bring rain. Some bring revelations."

"You don’t choose the storm that finds you. You only choose whether to stand in it or walk through."

After-All’s Runaway Cloud is a rare gem—a book that’s as thought-provoking as it is enchanting. Francis Edwards has crafted a world where the sky is alive with stories, and every cloud holds a secret worth uncovering.

If you’re ready for a journey that’s equal parts mystery and heart, this is your next read.

🔗 Get the Book: Amazon

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Discussion Questions for Readers:

1. How does the concept of sentient clouds change your perception of nature in storytelling?
2. Which character resonated with you the most, and why?
3. Do you think the cousin truly finds refuge by the end, or is the search ongoing?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to chat about this breathtaking book!

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