To See the Stars

Content Warnings: misgendering, transphobia, theocracy, war, conscription.

In this genre hybrid between historical fiction and sci-fi, Naavalah, a scrupulous mechanic aboard the starship Reynolds, crash-lands on the Lost Colony of Arciel, where she must choose between signaling for help—thereby bringing the imperialistic Federation to conquer this unsuspecting world—or trying to survive on her own. Before she can decide, she is found by a local genderfluid clothier named Melis-te, who rushes her away from her crash site to avoid capture by the local feudal lord. But when Melis-te finds out that the Federation might end the tyranny of the lords for good, she has more than rescuing Naavalah on her mind. Focusing on two queer protagonists of color, To See the Stars helps further expand the stakes of the Aeon Immortal universe, and officially takes place immediately after the events of The Abadon Relic, Pt II: From Dark Dreams Awakened. It is recommended for ages 13 and up.

©2021 Lyra Alice Schneider (P)2021 Lyra Alice Schneider

Intrigue! Conflicting motives! I love it

The perspective switching between our 2 leads was a delightful way of getting insight into what makes them both tick and how different (yet surprisingly aligned) their motivations are. Plenty of laughs without feeling like a comedy, intriguing enough to have me hanging on every revealed detail, and an ending that makes me long for the next book. Loved it!