Jael Ked’Korhva hadn’t anticipated becoming the galaxy’s most wanted.
He hadn’t planned on picking up a strange alien artifact, either, but once it was clasped around his wrist, Jael was granted extraordinary abilities. His senses were heightened, his reflexes faster, and he could now regenerate from damage that would spell the end for others—abilities that would have been coveted even during his days as a warrior monk. Now, working as a scavenger, these powers were a boon, especially when forces from every corner of the stars wanted Jael’s artifact for themselves and would stop at nothing to get it.
What initially appears as an advantage swiftly transforms into a weighty charge. Yet, it’s a charge Jael accepts without hesitation, understanding the catastrophic potential should the relic fall into the wrong hands.
Prodded onward by visions of an ancient ally and a mysterious enemy, Jael becomes a pivotal piece in a vast interstellar play of power and dominion in a galaxy on the brink of war.
Stellar Heir by Scott Killian is a coming-of-age, high-stakes interstellar adventure story. The story follows Jael Ked’Korhva, a former warrior monk turned scavenger, aboard the Zigzagunda. When he and his sentient humanoid simian, Goni, survey a space battlefield, he discovers an alien artifact, and his life takes an unexpected turn. Jael begins to have nightmarish visions of ghostly figures calling him the “chosen one” and providing him cryptic messages and instructions. The relic also gives him strange, extraordinary new abilities—heightened senses, accelerated reflexes, and remarkable regenerative powers—quickly transforming him into the galaxy’s most wanted individual.
The book has a diverse cast of characters, ranging from rogue mercenaries to enigmatic alien species. Protagonist Jael is intelligent, resourceful, and a skilled fighter. When he first discovers his newfound extraordinary powers and ability to communicate with alien beings, he is overwhelmed and terrified. But as the story unfolds, through experience in battles and the help of his comrades, he rises to the occasion and begins to understand the reason why he was chosen. The camaraderie between Jael and his eclectic crew adds depth to the narrative, with their interactions providing comedy and heartfelt moments.
Jael’s backstory is slowly presented through flashback scenes, revealing shocking information about his parents and his upbringing. Jael’s sidekick Goni is a very complex character who’s endearing and amusing. He proves himself to be a brave warrior in several scenes, but his unwillingness to follow orders makes him infuriating at times. The banter between Jake and Goni is filled with quips and witty comebacks that make their friendship special and add entertainment value to the story. The found family trope is strongly pronounced in the book, as Jael and his comrades look out for each other and have a strong mutual respect.
The story is fast-paced with a lot of entertaining dialogue and action-packed battle scenes. The world-building in this book is very expansive for a YA novel—readers are drawn into a universe with different species, spacecraft technologies, and complex political warfare. The cinematic action scenes are very descriptive and intense, often giving the feel of a “Star Wars” type movie in your mind!
In the first 20 percent of the book, the story jumps around a lot, introducing all of the diverse characters/species and establishing the world-building—if listening to the audiobook, it’s highly recommended to listen at a slower speed to fully grasp all of the world-building and keep track of the characters. Eventually, the storyline becomes more settled, but the pacing remains relentless throughout, making it difficult to put down. The story culminates in a cliffhanger ending that leaves readers eagerly anticipating what’s next for Jael Ked’Korhva in book 2, “Syndicate Moon”!
There is some mature content in this book, including alcohol use, violent battle scenes, and kidnapping, but overall the book is still suitable for YA readers. Aside from all the action and engaging dialogue, the story has some very powerful messages. Jael’s journey emphasizes that you cannot run from your past—the traumatic things that happen in one’s life eventually resurface to be resolved, paving the way for new challenges and ensuring that the same mistakes are not repeated. The book also has the vibe of a space LitRPG, where the characters work together to solve challenges and move on to new adventures.
Overall, Stellar Heir is a thrilling space opera with expansive world-building, memorable characters, and thrilling battle scenes. The book sets the stage for a potential epic series that could gain popularity with each new installment! With a large cast of characters and intricate storytelling, this is the perfect book to pair with its audiobook, superbly narrated by Shamaan Casey, for a fully immersive reading experience. Readers who enjoy action-driven sci-fi, rich world-building, and a wide range of characters will love this book and be eager to read book 2 in the series!
