fly stone, fly – a novel
“If Faulkner wrote fantasy, he’d have written something like this… unique, lyrical, and steeped in Americana folklife.” sunyi dean, author of “the book eaters” & “THE Girl With A thousand faces”
The magical tale of a boy, his dog and a monstrous friend.
If by “magical,” you mean the boy tells the story to his dog, the dog talks back, and the “friend” is a snarky, Shakespeare-quoting failure of a monster.
Clayton Stonefly just wants to be brave like Dammit, his dog, and protect Granma from the town bully. But Clay has an unfortunate gift: every time he tells a story, someone dies. Clay just watched his friend, MK, suck the soul out of a man, leaving the man clawing at his chest. Is MK really a friend? Or something much worse?
Clay’s long-lost parents kept many secrets — and he’s finding them out one by one: A family ‘calling’ that involves monster-wrangling. A family axe with a mind of its own that may or may not be trying to talk to him. A family nemesis, Big Jim, intent on destroying them all. A family curse he can’t seem to escape.
If you like Dark Fantasy and Magical Realism — if you love dogs and riddles, folktales and Shakespeare, the rivers and mountains of the West — then you’ll love this Naturalist Western Gothic.
The Readers and Writers Have Spoken
“In this literary equivalent of a fantastical fever dream, Dust Kunkel weaves Shakespeare, folktales, and American Gothic into a hypnotic, genre-bending story driven by the compelling Clayton, the child of the son of the mountains and the daughter of the seas. Rich in prophecy and poetry, FLY STONE, FLY is haunting, hallucinatory, and quite unique, a must-read for fans of intense magical realism and folkloric horror.” — Indie Reader, 2026
“What makes Fly Stone, Fly especially compelling is its refusal to simplify morality. Characters behave according to history, loyalty, fear, and love rather than neat ethical categories. Neuroscience reminds us that moral decision-making is deeply emotional before it is rational; the book honors that truth. Choices feel heavy because they are shaped by time, loss, and unfinished stories rather than abstract ideals. This is a book for readers who appreciate language that takes risks and stories that do not rush to reassure. It is not for those seeking comfort reading, tidy lessons, or fast-paced escapism. It is for readers who admire craft, who notice sentence rhythm, who understand that growing up often involves grief as much as discovery.” — The Chrysalis BREW Project (Winner for Dark Fantasy, Review)
“I loved every second I spent lost in the pages of this book. It is unique and should be a best seller. Dust Kunkel’s FLY STONE, FLY will not let go, even after the last page is turned. Put it on your TBR. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.” — Sean D. Gregory, Author
“This is a fable, a folk tale, a coming-of-age, gothic Americana nightmare-scape about bullies and reckonings, heroes, villains, and very good dogs. This book is for folks who crave deliberate, flowing prose, careful overlays of imagery and intension, and some damn fine action. I hope with my whole heart that this book finds its readers and they are plentiful. It is a painstaking work of art, pain, and through it all, beauty.” — Arlo Z. Graves, Author
“Fly Stone, Fly is like Stranger Things drank five Shakespeares and decided to drunk-call. Whatever you do, don’t pick up the phone.” — Cassie A.H. Moore, Author
Read More Reviews on Good Reads
The heart of Fly Stone, Fly is blood-family – and how family bloodies us.
Fly Stone, Fly is for anyone who loves Granmas, folktales and the beauty of Western America. And Shakesbear. That’s right, Shakesbear.
It’s also for anyone who’s ever been loved by a dog.
Dust Kunkel
Author
Dust Kunkel grew up in Ghana, West Africa and lives in Oregon. His characters believe in the power of love and are fearless, sarcastic and strange. In real life Dust also believes in the power of love but is afraid of spiders, crowds, and sometimes people. Dust has a BA in Literature, an MSc in Outdoor Education and enjoys fly-fishing rivers of the Pacific Northwest.
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