There Once was a City by the Sea…

Told through an ensemble of interconnected perspectives, Tyler Heggans’ When Our Haven Burned blends poetry, sign language, folklore, and science to bring readers along an unforgettable journey of passion, loyalty, and humanity.

From the top of his gold encrusted tower, Aldrix Sterling looks down upon a city lit by his power, but darkened by his greed. Amidst a fierce battle between his energy company and environmentalists, he oscillates between addressing the demands of his position and the human consequences of his neglect.

In the halls of power, Mayor Emerald Silva is determined to enact policies that will prevent others from sharing the fate of the home she lost to the flames. She soon learns that making a difference may require some work in the shadows.

Newly released from prison, Ezra is focused on a single thing: revenge. As he comes to see the suffering in his community, he strives to both heal his loved ones and hunt those who sealed his fate.

As Aldrix, Emerald and Ezra confront the brutal climate realities impacting their home, their visions for the future clash. Joined by the stories of several others, When Our Haven Burned displays the cruelties, sacrifice, and courage of humanity on the precipice.

 Reviews & Praise

Lauren Wylie —

Global Head of Sustainability at Oliver Wyman & Board Director at EarthShare

“When Our Haven Burned starts as an entertaining novel and ends up as a wake-up call for the reader. By creating a dystopia that is in danger of becoming non-fiction, Tyler Heggans carefully paints a vivid picture of the complexity of the climate crisis and the obstacles along the path to a sustainable future. By introducing characters in whom we might unwillingly see ourselves reflected, he leaves us to choose how we want to show up in the story we are all writing together.”

Jarami Bond —

GreenBiz 30 under 30 / Chief Storyteller Bond Studio

“Tyler Heggans is an emerging leader in the Climate Action space, using his unique gift to inspire the masses to bring their collective talents to the table to challenge unjust and unsustainable systems.”