What People Are Saying
The Song of the Butterflies
Coming in November 2026
from Rising Action Publishing
“The Song of the Butterflies is a triumph of the imagination. I found myself marveling constantly at how you created such an immersive, visceral, tension-filled, harrowing, heartbreaking, and at times, hilarious, story. From the first page to the last, the novel enthralled me.”
This excerpt is the beginning of the editorial assessment provided by the amazing
Marthese Fenech, a professional literary editor and bestselling author.
Marthese did my developmental edit, which is a review of the very early manuscript that evaluates the story as a whole: plot, character development, continuity, etc. She actually goes a step further and also lets me know when I’ve thrown in random typos or forgotten entire words. (It happens.) She’s read and edited hundreds, if not thousands, of manuscripts over the course of her career, from different genres and experience levels of writers.
I trust Marthese utterly; her guidance is as foolproof as it gets. If she’s enthralled, well… this might just be a story worth reading.
The Song of the Butterflies : coming November 2026
FOUND:
Book One of the Vinyi Chronicles
“Found is a thoroughly moving, engaging, original, highly intelligent piece of fiction, with themes that run as deep as the questions it raises, the laughter it inspires, the empathy it stirs. Found takes a sci-fi premise and elevates it into a clever meditation on humanity, often from an extraterrestrial perspective. A brilliant debut.”
— Marthese Fenech, bestselling author of The Siege of Malta trilogy, and creator of award-winning script adaptation Empires of Smoke
“Weber’s brisk, engaging SF debut, the inaugural novel in the Vinyi Chronicles, plunges readers into a vividly imagined future… Weber crafts a gripping narrative…The novel stands out for its deft incorporation of Vinyi terminology and socio-political structures, which add depth to the narrative and help readers empathize with the characters. As Michelle navigates life-threatening challenges that keep the tension high, the intricacies of Vinyi society come to the fore… [T]hematic depth, combined with the fast-paced action, makes Found a refreshing and thought-provoking read. This promising series starter blends compelling SF adventure, social commentary, and strong characterization.”
— BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly, Editor’s Pick
One of the best indie books of September, featured in Kirkus Magazine (15 September issue).
“The fast-paced plotline [is] conveyed in a direct, nonjargony prose (some may recall genre master Alan Dean Foster)… [A] resourceful human fights to navigate and survive a perilous alien environment. That this one is a dicey ship-board society… makes author Weber's material more nuanced, and much weight is accorded to the emotional states of the players (human and nonhuman)... Aye, Captain, there is intelligent life in this involving SF adventure.”
“In “Found: Book One of the Vinyi Chronicles,” Lesli Weber has created a thrilling, and sometimes heartbreaking, space adventure… The theme of space exploration drew me to this novel, and it exceeded my expectations… This fascinating blend of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure recounts humanity’s efforts at colonizing Mars. It ultimately puts them in danger amid the sobering reality of the vastness of the universe and in a cruel twist of fate, they end up being viewed as an inferior species by a much bigger and more powerful race. Weber’s world-building is outstanding, offering readers a detailed universe filled with diverse cultures, technologies, and complex moral dilemmas. The pacing is steady, allowing for a deep exploration of character development, especially the Vinyi characters. The heroic battles are reminiscent of the best of Star Trek, and the language is vivid and descriptive…
Overall, Lesli Weber’s “Found: Book One of the Vinyi Chronicles” combines action with philosophical questions about identity, destiny, the nature of power, and the definition of ‘humanity’ as experienced by non-human entities. As a social commentary, it makes us reflect on how we treat those who are different than us. It’s an engaging and thought-provoking start to a series that promises much more. Fans of space exploration adventures and speculative fiction will find it to be an exciting and worthwhile read.”
— Sandra Cruz for Reader Views
“IT’S SO GOOD!!!…
This story is about more than alien abduction. More than intriguing intercultural exchange. It’s about grief and resilience and the connections that give us the strength to continue in the face of loss… This book took me on a wild ride of emotions as Michelle goes through the wringer and comes out the other side having experienced real, believable character growth. It’s these emotional depths that make Lesli Weber’s Found stand out among the crowd of space exploration adventures… Lesli Weber’s Found is most definitely science fiction with tons of heart.”
— Amy Zed for Science Fiction With Heart
“I read an advanced copy of the book, and I must say, it was phenomenal! Michelle, the main character, is fabulously written. You see a person fighting for survival and her humanity in every way. You really feel her and her struggle and are cheering her on… Lesli Weber does a fabulous job creating scenes and environments that are alien but describing it in a way that you can clearly envision it without feeling lost or disoriented… I absolutely love this book and I cannot recommend it enough.”
— Goodreads Reviewer, Five-Star Review
“This story could be an allegory as well as a morality tale for any being's life in most circumstances and time periods. … The author's insights and beautiful prose keep the reader fascinated to the last page.”
— Carolyn Davis, US Review of Books, RECOMMENDED Review
“With a subtle tone to the storyline, Weber unfolds the plot with vivid depictions. … Weber brings out the cast’s emotions and traits, allowing me to connect with them. … Lovers of slow-burn science fiction will find Lesli Weber’s FOUND an enthralling read.”
— Keith Mbuya, Readers’ Favorite