Oath to a Withered Star

The Starborne Duology, Book 1

By: Joseph Young

Narrated by: Brad Grochowski

What begins as an ordinary landing quickly unravels into something far more dangerous. Velmora is alive. Buried within its roots lies a power the corrupt Olyssian Accord is desperate to control, a secret that could tip the balance of power. To claim it, the Accord will burn worlds and shatter anyone who stands in their way.

But Velmora is only the beginning. A second planet, volatile and volcanic, holds deeper truths and greater threats. As Captain Aris Solene and her crew push into the unknown, they uncover a myth older than the stars, a story that could either unite the galaxy or fracture it forever. Empires rise, alliances crumble, and enemies close in to seize what hides in the dark.

Amid cosmic warfare and ancient mysteries, Aris must hold her fragile crew together. Trust is tested. Secrets come to light. Old wounds resurface. Choices carry devastating weight. As the galaxy threatens to unravel, passion ignites. Quiet longing erupts into a storm of desire, pulling multiple lovers into an orbit where loyalty, love, and betrayal blur.

Not all voices play by the rules. Among the crew is Pixo, a sharp-tongued, feline-like companion who breaks the fourth wall and offers listeners a perspective unlike any other. His existence is both a mystery and a key to the deeper forces at work.

Oath to a Withered Star launches the Starborne Duology, a sweeping space opera where myth collides with science, desire burns as fiercely as battle, and loyalty becomes the strongest weapon. Fans of The Expanse, Dune, and Mass Effect will feel at home, and listeners craving emotional complexity, explosive connections, and relationships tested by war will find a story as daring as it is heartfelt.

Prepare to voyage beyond known space. The crew of the Zephira Dawn has made their oath and the galaxy will demand the cost.

©2025 Joseph Young (P)2025 Joseph Young