Interstellar Pawn

Through Steel and Stars, Book 1

De: Dawn Chapman

Narrado por: Neill Thorne

Betrayed by blood. Bound by destiny.

In a world where family secrets unravel and identities shatter, Troy’s life takes an unexpected turn. His home is no longer a sanctuary, and his family’s truths are nothing but a web of lies. Cast adrift with only a battered ship, a cryptic name, and a distant destination, Troy embarks on a perilous journey to unravel the mysteries of his past.

Taking quests from unlikely allies, and with enemies lurking in every shadow, Troy must learn to pilot not just his ship but to rule his own fate. Confronting his future head-on—it’s clear there’s only one option—he will become the most powerful entity in the universe…or he will die in the attempt.

©2025 Dawn Chapman (P)2025 Dawn Chapman

Great start to a sci fi litrpg

Interstellar Pawn

Troy’s entire life changed in just one afternoon. Now he finds himself fleeing the only world he has ever known in a ship that he knows nothing about. He needs to figure out who is his friend and who wants him dead quickly if he wants to survive.

I have not read too many space litrpg before. This is one that sticks to sci fi rather than space fantasy. The story is well done and the characters are quite likable. Not to mention, the ship is awesome! I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens in the next one! Neill Thorne did a great job with the narration!

Content Warning: language and one brief sex scene

😭😭😭😭😭

Why do you insist on making me a blubbering mess Mam?
I don't think I can listen to your books at work anymore...

Story is good, but it's the characters and how they feel and interact...
I can't help caring for them...

really an amazing experience

A Thrilling Launch into a New LitRPG Universe

Sometimes you can feel a book clicking into place from the very first chapter, and Interstellar Pawn by Dawn Chapman, narrated by Neill Thorne, was absolutely one of those moments for me. Troy’s entire world falls apart in a single afternoon, and suddenly he’s hurtling through space in a ship he barely understands, with danger and mystery dogging his every move. I couldn’t help but get swept up in his scramble to survive and thrive.

One of my favorite things about Chapman’s writing (and I’ve read a lot of her work!) is how naturally the LitRPG elements blend into the story. Here, it’s so seamless that it doesn’t just feel like a game mechanic layered onto a sci-fi story – it becomes the heart of the world-building itself. Watching Troy level up, make critical decisions, and chart his own course felt authentic and thrilling, not gamified or gimmicky. That works in some context, but here it’s *chef’s kiss* perfection.

Troy is an easy character to root for, and the side characters, even the ones lurking with hidden agendas, made the galaxy feel alive and dangerous. Plus, I have to give a shout-out to the ship itself. It’s practically a character all its own, and I’m already way too attached to it. There’s such a sense of discovery built into every system and upgrade that I can’t wait to see where it all leads next.

Neill Thorne’s narration was a perfect match for the story. He captured the uncertainty, excitement, and stubborn determination of Troy so well that it added an extra layer of energy to the entire audiobook. I’m already counting down to the next adventure — this series is off to a stellar start (pun absolutely intended).

great characters

i enjoyed this series full of emotion and characters. looking forward to the future of this series