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A story about a divided society, shared responsibility, and what it costs to put it back together.
Beneath the Cloudline is a YA sci-fi novel by Patrick LaJuett about the systems we inherit, the things we're taught not to question, and what happens when people refuse to stay in their place.
Across a city split between sky and soil, the story traces a path back toward wholeness through generations of secrets and lives shaped by the same sky. Each part uncovers another layer of Halidom's buried history.
What does it take to rebuild a world that was never meant to be divided?
Hopepunk with Roots
Hopepunk with Roots
When a world built for survival begins to fail, technology and power won't save it. Faith, family, and love outlast pride and control. As they work to repair what has been broken, they learn that hope is more than an idea. It's what brings them together.
Part 1: The Divided Sky
Part 1: The Divided Sky
The city's towers harness power while the ground holds them up. Its people have forgotten they depend on each other. When Jax and Elyra cross the Cloudline, they uncover a truth buried by fear and sealed into law. To save Halidom, they must trust each other and convince both sides that restoration is better than revolution.
Part 2: The Eleventh Spire
Part 2: The Eleventh Spire
The rain begins to change. The Cloudline has been tampered with. Beneath the soil, the Bloom stirs. Following a Seedbinder named Brae, Jax, Zinn, and Elyra journey to the spire Halidom erased from its maps. In its abandoned labs, they uncover a betrayal that began inside the Council itself and realize they may be the only ones who can stop it.
Part 3: Skywoven
Part 3: Skywoven
High above the wasteland, the phase-runners move as one. Eight airships tethered to a central cradle. Their song protects the valleys below from the return of the Rootbane. But the harmony is breaking, and a key amplifier has gone silent. When Jax and Zinn reach the Skywoven, they discover the towers were only ever part of a larger system.
A complete journey as Jax, Elyra, Zinn, and Brae's understanding deepens, and the world expands. From tower politics to forgotten histories to the sky cities that have been watching all along.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's at the heart of the story?
At its heart, it's a story about people choosing unity over division.
Is this a dystopia?
It's post-collapse hopepunk. World rebuilding after bad science nearly ended everything. The story asks: Can we learn from our mistakes?
Do I need to like sci-fi to enjoy this?
No. It's sci-fi in setting, but a fable at heart. Focused on people, not technology.
What age range is this for?
Young adult (ages 13+). It's written for older teens but reads well for adults.
Is this a safe read for all audiences?
Yes. No graphic violence, sexual content, or profanity.
How long is it?
Just under 60,000 words—a fast-paced read most teens finish in a weekend.
About the Author
About the Author
Patrick LaJuett is a storyteller, designer, and lifelong truth seeker.
Themes
Themes
Found family
Revolution without war
Hope in a fractured world
The Giver
Skyward
Miyazaki-style worldbuilding
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