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The Atlantis Chronicles #1
An Ocean of Stars
Girl, meet boy. He’s the reason you’re lost in space. Xanorra Nepier thought she’d spend the next eight years making space colonist exploring the other side of the Current, the first wormhole ever discovered. But when a mysterious spaceship attacks and she’s separated from her family and crew, her only choice is to accept the help of the enemy ship’s captain. The he's a boy her age who has never met another human before. And it shows. Boy, meet girl. She’s the one thing that could put your mission at risk. Captain Omen has a destiny to to ferry his cargo on board the Atlantis and begin humanity’s next chapter beyond the stars. He certainly wasn’t supposed to rescue a stranded spacer girl, especially one whose ship he had to destroy–and who his android crew insists is dangerous. She may get on his nerves, but she can't be all bad, can she? Their paths were never supposed to cross, but what begins as a shaky alliance grows into a genuine connection that's tested with each new obstacle they encounter, both within the confines of the Atlantis… and without.
486 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2023
1 person is currently reading
148 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 10, 2023
Yes, I'm the author, and yes, I'm biased... but good dang, am I proud of this book. Is it perfect? Of course not! Do I expect to write better in the future? Uh, duh! My true rating for this book would be a 4.5, but only because I'm still improving (always), and of course, there are a few nit-picky things I think I could have done better... but that's just normal "own worst critic" nonsense.
However, from my debut to this book, I can see almost every lesson I learned writing The Last Celestials applied and I am very thankful for that. This book was also just a blast to write; I love the characters, I love the world, I poured my heart and soul into it and I think it comes across exactly the way I wanted it to, as well as I was able to convey it. Maybe in 5 years I'll feel differently, but for the time being, I'll milk that sense of satisfaction for all it's worth, because God knows that's not always the case.
I shall endeavor to distance myself from this series as much as possible and not meddle too much with the reader experience via my own assertions, but seeing as though I am also a reader, I will say this: I totally, completely, and absolutely wrote this for myself. And myself is very happy with it.
However, from my debut to this book, I can see almost every lesson I learned writing The Last Celestials applied and I am very thankful for that. This book was also just a blast to write; I love the characters, I love the world, I poured my heart and soul into it and I think it comes across exactly the way I wanted it to, as well as I was able to convey it. Maybe in 5 years I'll feel differently, but for the time being, I'll milk that sense of satisfaction for all it's worth, because God knows that's not always the case.
I shall endeavor to distance myself from this series as much as possible and not meddle too much with the reader experience via my own assertions, but seeing as though I am also a reader, I will say this: I totally, completely, and absolutely wrote this for myself. And myself is very happy with it.
January 20, 2023
The first in a YA space opera romance saga, An Ocean of Stars caught my attention with an upbeat and witty voice, along with a fast and steady pace, while asking the big questions involving space travel and artificial intelligence, all making for an ideal sci-fi read that didn’t feel like homework.
Early into an eight year long mission into deep space, Xanorra is forced into a ship where the only other human occupant is Captain, a boy her age that’s never interacted with people before. The development of these two was rather interesting, as it’s very much a strangers to lovers romance, with Xan being mostly a typical teenager and Captain not knowing a thing about humans. I loved how the two grew to know each other more, with lots of awkward moments for both of them, and using their strengths to work for them and become relevant. I would say I got interested in Captain really fast when he has a handful of POV chapters and felt for him by the end. Figuring out the mystery of the ship and Captain himself was interesting, especially when it comes to another mystery that gets revealed over the course of the story. I will say that this plot is very original and I felt surprised by a few things.
There are other characters, but most of them don’t get a huge amount of dedicated time, but most were fleshed out. Though the entrance of characters at the last quarter of the novel sorta confused me and felt like it came from nowhere a bit.
The prose is rather informal and easy to read, and says “witty foul mouthed teen” all over it, which gave the story some personality and punch, and had me laughing quite a bit. The science in this book is explained enough to understand for both the lay person and the science expert, tying into the plot without feeling like homework, though there were some moments late in the book where I got confused about some smaller things. My only complaint in that department is I was hoping for more of an orientation/map of the regions in question to get an idea of where everyone is during what events.
That cliffhanger left me wanting to see what happens next in this trilogy, especially since the cliffhanger wasn’t what I expected it to be. A great start of a YA Sci-fi Romance series.
*I received an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own.*
Early into an eight year long mission into deep space, Xanorra is forced into a ship where the only other human occupant is Captain, a boy her age that’s never interacted with people before. The development of these two was rather interesting, as it’s very much a strangers to lovers romance, with Xan being mostly a typical teenager and Captain not knowing a thing about humans. I loved how the two grew to know each other more, with lots of awkward moments for both of them, and using their strengths to work for them and become relevant. I would say I got interested in Captain really fast when he has a handful of POV chapters and felt for him by the end. Figuring out the mystery of the ship and Captain himself was interesting, especially when it comes to another mystery that gets revealed over the course of the story. I will say that this plot is very original and I felt surprised by a few things.
There are other characters, but most of them don’t get a huge amount of dedicated time, but most were fleshed out. Though the entrance of characters at the last quarter of the novel sorta confused me and felt like it came from nowhere a bit.
The prose is rather informal and easy to read, and says “witty foul mouthed teen” all over it, which gave the story some personality and punch, and had me laughing quite a bit. The science in this book is explained enough to understand for both the lay person and the science expert, tying into the plot without feeling like homework, though there were some moments late in the book where I got confused about some smaller things. My only complaint in that department is I was hoping for more of an orientation/map of the regions in question to get an idea of where everyone is during what events.
That cliffhanger left me wanting to see what happens next in this trilogy, especially since the cliffhanger wasn’t what I expected it to be. A great start of a YA Sci-fi Romance series.
*I received an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own.*
October 25, 2024
You read the blurb, so I'm not going to reiterate that. It's basically forced proximity. In space. How's that for a paradox.
So, a little unexpected on the face of it, but also really intriguing. With its elements of homage to classic science fiction novels and its unabashed preferencing of the romance plot, this first installment of a space trilogy is doing a lot. And succeeding, for the most part.
The beginning felt a little slow, but despite doing all the necessary set dressing and introduction it was not excessively lengthy either. That's something Mionis does really well in general with her writing: getting the necessary information across in a way that is succint but sufficient. She definitely does not display any tendency to fall into that bane (to my mind) of science fiction novels which is the extended paragraphs of description and explanation of planets, aliens, technology, governmental and societal structures, etc.
That said, there is one place in which the description and explanation does run a little longer, which is when Xannora boards Captain Omen's ship. The androids, the corridors, the uncanniness, and the nautical themes running through... Mind you, this is the setting in which most of the book takes place. Definitely warrants a bit longer description, so I only complain about its length insofar as it delays for a bit longer the interaction we all came here to see: the one between Xannora and Omen.
Despite my scepticism about robotic, emotionless men as love interests--or just in general, really--I found the way in which Omen's character was constructed quite fascinating. The first encounters are tantalizing enough to delay any inital doubts I had about the plausibility of a human actually being able to develop and grow from infancy to adulthood in complete isolation, as we are to believe Omen did. However, as Xan finds out more about how Omen grew up and we are taken on the discovery along with her, I was more horrified than I ever expected to be, despite fully expecting to be somewhat horrified. It is really well done and I was impressed by how dark the tone was able to go despite mostly being kept quite light overall by Xan's narrative voice.
Xan's first-person narration fits with her character as an extroverted chatterbox, informative and joking at times, managing to showcase that ease of succinct narrative style I mentioned earlier. I enjoyed it over all and it makes for some really comedic moments and entertaining comments on what's going on. However, it is sometimes too facetious and self-referential, verging on lamp-shading at times, which can undermine confidence in the believability of the story, and threatened my suspension of disbelief occasionally.
The narration acted as a barrier between the reader and Xan at some points. Like the consistent conversational tone was deflecting for something, maybe hiding from herself as much as she seemed to be from the reader. She definitely displayed more ability and ease figuring out what was going on with others than she was with herself, which, if I think about it, is probably what a lot of people are like. But I would have liked to see a bit more growth from her as the main character, more of a definite epiphany moment about herself that was connected with more than just the romance developing.
After the really well-done reveal of Omen's past, I just felt like Xan's own past and formative experiences were neglected or glossed over in comparison. Her character has so much room in different directions for development, and it would make her motivations more convincing to me.
One of the things that is established well about Xan is her gift for teaching, and how she utilizes it creatively to engage Omen when he seems disinterested in interacting with her. There are some really fun sequences and banter that help lay the groundwork for their relationship, so that when the romance starts to develop, though not problem-free, I was there for it. Xan displays capacity for real emotional intelligence in her ability to read her sister, Quin, at the beginning, and later Omen and others that they encounter. It also provides a nice conflict and contrast between Xan and Omen, because of course he is a solitary person with absolutely no developed personal skills. Xan's strength also proves to be a drawback in some conflicts because her people skills are of no use to her when faced with non-human antagonists, which played out in a fascinating way throughout the story.
Back to Xan's sister, the side plot with Quin trying to find her and tracking down background about Omen's ship the Atlantis was engagingly woven in. Besides being an interesting character to follow, Quin's discoveries about the group involved in launching Omen's mission brought some grounding to this mysterious ship from nowhere and also brought troubling new secrets about its cargo to light. Governmental conspiracies and planet colonization, rich corporations and human experimentation all show up in the messy legacy of the Atlantis and its captain. And where is the Space Exploration Alliance factoring into all this?
The plot thickens steadily throughout the book, with the romance seeming to develop on its own at first, other plots running like background programs and building momentum. When some isolated, menacing occurences onboard culminate in Omen trying to get Xan off his ship for safety, the story really branches in some twisty new directions and doesn't stop for a breath. The climactic events are handled really well, sometimes leaving me gasping. They also all grow organically from seeds planted earlier along in the story and have real impact on the ongoing action.
I can't even be mad about the cliffhanger-y ending, not only because it was set up really well (I knew he shouldn't have been pulling tubes willy-nilly!), but also because the action is ongoing: it is a planned trilogy and we're going to get the further adventures of Xan and Omen. I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens next, how their characters continue to develop, and what other travellers they encounter from the vastness of space... or the inside of their ship. Dun-dun-DUN!!
So, a little unexpected on the face of it, but also really intriguing. With its elements of homage to classic science fiction novels and its unabashed preferencing of the romance plot, this first installment of a space trilogy is doing a lot. And succeeding, for the most part.
The beginning felt a little slow, but despite doing all the necessary set dressing and introduction it was not excessively lengthy either. That's something Mionis does really well in general with her writing: getting the necessary information across in a way that is succint but sufficient. She definitely does not display any tendency to fall into that bane (to my mind) of science fiction novels which is the extended paragraphs of description and explanation of planets, aliens, technology, governmental and societal structures, etc.
That said, there is one place in which the description and explanation does run a little longer, which is when Xannora boards Captain Omen's ship. The androids, the corridors, the uncanniness, and the nautical themes running through... Mind you, this is the setting in which most of the book takes place. Definitely warrants a bit longer description, so I only complain about its length insofar as it delays for a bit longer the interaction we all came here to see: the one between Xannora and Omen.
Despite my scepticism about robotic, emotionless men as love interests--or just in general, really--I found the way in which Omen's character was constructed quite fascinating. The first encounters are tantalizing enough to delay any inital doubts I had about the plausibility of a human actually being able to develop and grow from infancy to adulthood in complete isolation, as we are to believe Omen did. However, as Xan finds out more about how Omen grew up and we are taken on the discovery along with her, I was more horrified than I ever expected to be, despite fully expecting to be somewhat horrified. It is really well done and I was impressed by how dark the tone was able to go despite mostly being kept quite light overall by Xan's narrative voice.
Xan's first-person narration fits with her character as an extroverted chatterbox, informative and joking at times, managing to showcase that ease of succinct narrative style I mentioned earlier. I enjoyed it over all and it makes for some really comedic moments and entertaining comments on what's going on. However, it is sometimes too facetious and self-referential, verging on lamp-shading at times, which can undermine confidence in the believability of the story, and threatened my suspension of disbelief occasionally.
The narration acted as a barrier between the reader and Xan at some points. Like the consistent conversational tone was deflecting for something, maybe hiding from herself as much as she seemed to be from the reader. She definitely displayed more ability and ease figuring out what was going on with others than she was with herself, which, if I think about it, is probably what a lot of people are like. But I would have liked to see a bit more growth from her as the main character, more of a definite epiphany moment about herself that was connected with more than just the romance developing.
After the really well-done reveal of Omen's past, I just felt like Xan's own past and formative experiences were neglected or glossed over in comparison. Her character has so much room in different directions for development, and it would make her motivations more convincing to me.
One of the things that is established well about Xan is her gift for teaching, and how she utilizes it creatively to engage Omen when he seems disinterested in interacting with her. There are some really fun sequences and banter that help lay the groundwork for their relationship, so that when the romance starts to develop, though not problem-free, I was there for it. Xan displays capacity for real emotional intelligence in her ability to read her sister, Quin, at the beginning, and later Omen and others that they encounter. It also provides a nice conflict and contrast between Xan and Omen, because of course he is a solitary person with absolutely no developed personal skills. Xan's strength also proves to be a drawback in some conflicts because her people skills are of no use to her when faced with non-human antagonists, which played out in a fascinating way throughout the story.
Back to Xan's sister, the side plot with Quin trying to find her and tracking down background about Omen's ship the Atlantis was engagingly woven in. Besides being an interesting character to follow, Quin's discoveries about the group involved in launching Omen's mission brought some grounding to this mysterious ship from nowhere and also brought troubling new secrets about its cargo to light. Governmental conspiracies and planet colonization, rich corporations and human experimentation all show up in the messy legacy of the Atlantis and its captain. And where is the Space Exploration Alliance factoring into all this?
The plot thickens steadily throughout the book, with the romance seeming to develop on its own at first, other plots running like background programs and building momentum. When some isolated, menacing occurences onboard culminate in Omen trying to get Xan off his ship for safety, the story really branches in some twisty new directions and doesn't stop for a breath. The climactic events are handled really well, sometimes leaving me gasping. They also all grow organically from seeds planted earlier along in the story and have real impact on the ongoing action.
I can't even be mad about the cliffhanger-y ending, not only because it was set up really well (I knew he shouldn't have been pulling tubes willy-nilly!), but also because the action is ongoing: it is a planned trilogy and we're going to get the further adventures of Xan and Omen. I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens next, how their characters continue to develop, and what other travellers they encounter from the vastness of space... or the inside of their ship. Dun-dun-DUN!!
December 17, 2022
Okay, this was fun! The FMC is snarky with a bit of a foulmouth and definitely presents a challenge in more ways than one to the MMC whom was raised by androids and practically behaves like one. Watching him be often baffled and annoyed with Xan's utter humanness (and vice versa) was entertaining plus the entire mystery of Captain's impossible ship was exciting to unfold. If you're looking for a YA sci-fi that'll make you laugh, gasp, awe, and hope, then definitely give An Ocean of Stars a try.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book for review!
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book for review!
January 19, 2023
I really loved this book, review coming to Facebook tomorrow!!!
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February 2, 2026
I signed up for a fun scifi adventure and got an existential crisis. And I’m completely fine with that.
Yes, it’s a fun YA scifi book, the main character is a badass snarky girl and there’s a lot of pop culture references. But there’s so much more than that. I would invite anyone who thinks that fantasy and science fiction aren’t real literature to read this book. It’s profound, it’s philosophical, it’s human. The author did an amazing job portraying raw human emotion and behaviour, whilst maintaining an overall light atmosphere throughout the story.
The dialogues are what really makes the story flow and what builds the characters’ tridimensionality, so realistic and seamless that reading felt like not reading at all, but more like listening to actual conversations between the characters. And I really loved how the characters’ growth was shown not only through their behaviours and thoughts, but also through their language, which is one of the main cultural differences that the main characters have to face when they meet. The whole story is based on the concept of diversity and the clash of behaviours and thought processes derived from different educations, so essentially, cultures; this means that it’s a story about people, and the author, as I said, did a wonderful job in creating characters that feel like real people, making them extremely human, extremely contradictory in the realest way, and extremely delightful to watch grow and learn. And part of the reason why they are so well crafted is probably because we are shown step by step their learning process. Learning is another big theme of the book, and in particular learning what it means to be human, what makes us such wonderful and yet stupid and cruel creatures. What makes us so essential and irreplaceable when it comes to AI technology, which is a reflection now more relevant than ever. This book alternates between being an epic space adventure, a deep philosophical reflection on human nature and mind and a psychological horror, and the fact that all these aspects are so well tied together really shows the skill of the author.
I received an eARC of the book from the author and this represents my honest opinion.
Yes, it’s a fun YA scifi book, the main character is a badass snarky girl and there’s a lot of pop culture references. But there’s so much more than that. I would invite anyone who thinks that fantasy and science fiction aren’t real literature to read this book. It’s profound, it’s philosophical, it’s human. The author did an amazing job portraying raw human emotion and behaviour, whilst maintaining an overall light atmosphere throughout the story.
The dialogues are what really makes the story flow and what builds the characters’ tridimensionality, so realistic and seamless that reading felt like not reading at all, but more like listening to actual conversations between the characters. And I really loved how the characters’ growth was shown not only through their behaviours and thoughts, but also through their language, which is one of the main cultural differences that the main characters have to face when they meet. The whole story is based on the concept of diversity and the clash of behaviours and thought processes derived from different educations, so essentially, cultures; this means that it’s a story about people, and the author, as I said, did a wonderful job in creating characters that feel like real people, making them extremely human, extremely contradictory in the realest way, and extremely delightful to watch grow and learn. And part of the reason why they are so well crafted is probably because we are shown step by step their learning process. Learning is another big theme of the book, and in particular learning what it means to be human, what makes us such wonderful and yet stupid and cruel creatures. What makes us so essential and irreplaceable when it comes to AI technology, which is a reflection now more relevant than ever. This book alternates between being an epic space adventure, a deep philosophical reflection on human nature and mind and a psychological horror, and the fact that all these aspects are so well tied together really shows the skill of the author.
I received an eARC of the book from the author and this represents my honest opinion.
December 27, 2025
This was my first dip into a science fiction type book. I’ve always found the idea of future space travel cool, but never thought Star Wars was the right way for me to get into it. When I read the blurb of An Ocean of Stars in the “local authors” section of the bookstore, I was like “why not? I’ll support and local artist AND try sci-fi”. Turns out, I really like it. I love the idea of deep space and searching for the unknown. I fell in love with the two main characters as well, Captain and Xan. It was grumpy x sunshine with a twist. I found myself questioning what I would do in the morality and ethics fight captain was facing. It was such a niche take on innocence and intelligence that I found intriguing. I have recommended this book to some of my other bookish friends and now that I’ve moved, I’m hoping to get Becca some out of state recognition as well! Can’t wait to read the second book and I’m SO excited for the third to come out!
January 26, 2023
An Ocean of Stars is romantic coming of age YA sci-fi with a fresh, relatable and fun take on space life, romance, and self-discovery.
The heroine is snarky and savvy as she navigates some worst case scenarios (being stranded in space, space pirates, questionable AI and more). The hero is an awkward yet lovable cinnamon roll with a clear mission, but when it comes to who he is and what he truly wants he’s heartbreakingly lost.
If you loved the film Passengers, but want something with a faster pace and more youthful, engaging voice, add this book to your cart right now.
Things I loved:
- Sea references - I loved how Mionis compared space to deep sea from aesthetics to literary references and this incorporation really helped me visualize what life in space might be like on all the sensory levels.
- The pace and organic nature of the romance. It wasn’t insta-love, it was relatable with believable tension and conflict , witty banter and a sweet, palpable chemistry
- Space pirates! I won’t spoil too much but these were some of my favorite scenes. There was humor, action, some twists and the introduction of some of my favorite characters
- I love how Mionis dealt with themes of connection vs isolation, exploring both outer space and one’s inner self (identity and purpose), and even aspects on mental health and how life in space and that environment might impact a person.
Love meter: 🤞🏾
Forced proximity
Enemies to potential lovers
WOW Factor : 🤩
Mionis’ writing is truly out of this world. I felt like I’d genuinely been on a space adventure. The world was organic and compelling, and just so much fun.
Things to note:
- At times the dialogue, jargons, and references made the futuristic world seem dated. The more contemporary wording made me question how far into the future we actually were, but overall, it wasn’t a huge issue.
- The heroine Xan, had a few cringe moments when trying to relate to the Captain’s culture/background. It made her a little less likable and him all the more lovable. I loved the way his character handled himself in response.
This story may include triggering content which includes but isn’t limited to:
child isolation and mental/emotional torture/abuse, mental health concerns
This book may not be your type of read if you don’t like YA. But if you love YA that truly caters to teens, this book hits the spot. Chef’s kiss!
Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of this e-book. I am leaving a voluntary review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.
The heroine is snarky and savvy as she navigates some worst case scenarios (being stranded in space, space pirates, questionable AI and more). The hero is an awkward yet lovable cinnamon roll with a clear mission, but when it comes to who he is and what he truly wants he’s heartbreakingly lost.
If you loved the film Passengers, but want something with a faster pace and more youthful, engaging voice, add this book to your cart right now.
Things I loved:
- Sea references - I loved how Mionis compared space to deep sea from aesthetics to literary references and this incorporation really helped me visualize what life in space might be like on all the sensory levels.
- The pace and organic nature of the romance. It wasn’t insta-love, it was relatable with believable tension and conflict , witty banter and a sweet, palpable chemistry
- Space pirates! I won’t spoil too much but these were some of my favorite scenes. There was humor, action, some twists and the introduction of some of my favorite characters
- I love how Mionis dealt with themes of connection vs isolation, exploring both outer space and one’s inner self (identity and purpose), and even aspects on mental health and how life in space and that environment might impact a person.
Love meter: 🤞🏾
Forced proximity
Enemies to potential lovers
WOW Factor : 🤩
Mionis’ writing is truly out of this world. I felt like I’d genuinely been on a space adventure. The world was organic and compelling, and just so much fun.
Things to note:
- At times the dialogue, jargons, and references made the futuristic world seem dated. The more contemporary wording made me question how far into the future we actually were, but overall, it wasn’t a huge issue.
- The heroine Xan, had a few cringe moments when trying to relate to the Captain’s culture/background. It made her a little less likable and him all the more lovable. I loved the way his character handled himself in response.
This story may include triggering content which includes but isn’t limited to:
child isolation and mental/emotional torture/abuse, mental health concerns
This book may not be your type of read if you don’t like YA. But if you love YA that truly caters to teens, this book hits the spot. Chef’s kiss!
Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of this e-book. I am leaving a voluntary review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.
May 26, 2023
First sentence: "Xanorra Nepier, the council will see you now."
Premise/plot: The synopsis from GoodReads starts off strong, "Girl, meet boy. He’s the reason you’re lost in space." The heroine, Xan (or Xanorra), is the "sole survivor" (so she thinks) of a "space pirate" attack. Her escape pod was damaged and--for better or worse--she was rescued by the attacking ship. Captain Omen (his first name is literally Captain) has been raised by A.I. robots. At least within his own memory, he's never seen--or interacted with--another human being. (His birthday messages from his parents do reveal that his parents did hold him as a baby--before shipping him off into space.) So Captain and Xan are the sole humans on board this vessel. And the ship's A.I. robots are one-minded. MISSION, MISSION, MUST FULFILL THE MISSION. And the mission doesn't include Xan. At all. Not even a little bit. Xan's presence on the ship distracts Captain, to say the least. Can she teach him to be human and less robotic? What will the come to mean to one another?
My thoughts: Science Fiction. Set in space. Some romance. What's not to love? This one started off strong, in my opinion, the hero was giving off a mix of Sheldon Cooper and Beast (from Beauty and the). The banter was of decent quality. There was some suspense and tension. But the more I read, the more disappointed I ultimately became. (I am not saying all readers will.) As the story progressed, my vibes switched from Beauty and the Beast to Isaac Asimov...and while I appreciate some of his work...I didn't really want super-creepy-robots intruding on the story. But ultimately, I think I was mainly disappointed by the lack of ending. It didn't even particularly end in a dramatic cliff-hanger way. It just ended with a whimper.
I liked some things. I didn't like other things. I
Premise/plot: The synopsis from GoodReads starts off strong, "Girl, meet boy. He’s the reason you’re lost in space." The heroine, Xan (or Xanorra), is the "sole survivor" (so she thinks) of a "space pirate" attack. Her escape pod was damaged and--for better or worse--she was rescued by the attacking ship. Captain Omen (his first name is literally Captain) has been raised by A.I. robots. At least within his own memory, he's never seen--or interacted with--another human being. (His birthday messages from his parents do reveal that his parents did hold him as a baby--before shipping him off into space.) So Captain and Xan are the sole humans on board this vessel. And the ship's A.I. robots are one-minded. MISSION, MISSION, MUST FULFILL THE MISSION. And the mission doesn't include Xan. At all. Not even a little bit. Xan's presence on the ship distracts Captain, to say the least. Can she teach him to be human and less robotic? What will the come to mean to one another?
My thoughts: Science Fiction. Set in space. Some romance. What's not to love? This one started off strong, in my opinion, the hero was giving off a mix of Sheldon Cooper and Beast (from Beauty and the). The banter was of decent quality. There was some suspense and tension. But the more I read, the more disappointed I ultimately became. (I am not saying all readers will.) As the story progressed, my vibes switched from Beauty and the Beast to Isaac Asimov...and while I appreciate some of his work...I didn't really want super-creepy-robots intruding on the story. But ultimately, I think I was mainly disappointed by the lack of ending. It didn't even particularly end in a dramatic cliff-hanger way. It just ended with a whimper.
I liked some things. I didn't like other things. I
January 21, 2023
Becca Mionis sets up a great conflict in An Ocean of Stars. After destroying Xanorra’s ship and separating her from her family, Captain Omen rescues her and brings her on board the Atlantis. Xanorra gets the sense that the robots on board are not happy about her rescue because they fear she will divert Omen’s focus from his mission—that of getting all the cryogenic people on board to a secret planet. But Xanorra wants to let her family know she’s alive and be reunited with them.
Told in the points of view of Xanorra and Omen, the reader gleans insights as to their cross purposes as well as to their growing feelings for one another. I found Xanorra to be spunky and likeable but I thought she might show more anguish over her ship being destroyed and being separated her from her family. I otherwise found this science fiction story to be a compelling read. And there’s more to come. This is book one of the Atlantis Chronicles. An Ocean of Stars resonates with Beth Revis’ Across the Universe.
Thank you to the author for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 5, 2023
I did something I very rarely do: I DNFed it, then I went back to it (and then DNFed it again...).
The story is a YA sci-fi romance. The sci-fi part was interesting and is what brought me back after I DNFed it the first time: Humans found a wormhole just beyond Pluto. The first exploration ship was being sent through it, and the main character (Xanorra) and her family were sent on it.
Just days into the journey, the ship was attacked by an unknown ship and destroyed. Xanorra was taken onto the attackers' ship, and as far as she knows, she's the only survivor.
She's met by the attacking ship's captain (who just happens to be a teenager) her first thought? Wow he's so hot.
Seriously. As far as she knows, her family is all dead. Her ship is destroyed so she's trapped on this enemy ship. She almost died herself. And her first thought is how hot he is.
I stuck with it a little beyond that, but the characters' actions were so unreasonable, I DNFed it a second time for good.
The story is a YA sci-fi romance. The sci-fi part was interesting and is what brought me back after I DNFed it the first time: Humans found a wormhole just beyond Pluto. The first exploration ship was being sent through it, and the main character (Xanorra) and her family were sent on it.
Just days into the journey, the ship was attacked by an unknown ship and destroyed. Xanorra was taken onto the attackers' ship, and as far as she knows, she's the only survivor.
She's met by the attacking ship's captain (who just happens to be a teenager) her first thought? Wow he's so hot.
Seriously. As far as she knows, her family is all dead. Her ship is destroyed so she's trapped on this enemy ship. She almost died herself. And her first thought is how hot he is.
I stuck with it a little beyond that, but the characters' actions were so unreasonable, I DNFed it a second time for good.
January 14, 2023
Forced proximity, uncanny androids and two very different teenagers are a spell for a great page turner!!!
I absolutely love this book to bits. It gives Defy The Stars vibes and is an absolute breath of fresh air.
I loved every minute of it! Living for the Captain and Xan interactions. It was incredible. I was feeling every emotion that the characters were feeling and the mixed POVs were too good. It was such a twist that Phala was an anagram for Alpha and was actually in charge of everything! I had my suspicions around the time Xan's tether broke, but the ending had me all over the place! I did not expect that! I'm actually sad I finished it so fast because it hasn't even been published yet and I already want a book two because of the cliffhanger :(
I'm so sad that it ended but it was an absolute honour to be an arc reader for Becca! She's amazing!
I absolutely love this book to bits. It gives Defy The Stars vibes and is an absolute breath of fresh air.
I loved every minute of it! Living for the Captain and Xan interactions. It was incredible. I was feeling every emotion that the characters were feeling and the mixed POVs were too good. It was such a twist that Phala was an anagram for Alpha and was actually in charge of everything! I had my suspicions around the time Xan's tether broke, but the ending had me all over the place! I did not expect that! I'm actually sad I finished it so fast because it hasn't even been published yet and I already want a book two because of the cliffhanger :(
I'm so sad that it ended but it was an absolute honour to be an arc reader for Becca! She's amazing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2023
What an absolute blast. A delightful read that made me laugh out loud multiple times. Such an original idea and executed perfectly.
Mionis is witty and entertaining and also hits on so many intriguing and probing questions about humanity and purpose and family. I could not put it down. The story is largely limited to our two main characters, who were both fantastically developed, but the side characters were so much fun as well! I cannot wait for the sequel!
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mionis is witty and entertaining and also hits on so many intriguing and probing questions about humanity and purpose and family. I could not put it down. The story is largely limited to our two main characters, who were both fantastically developed, but the side characters were so much fun as well! I cannot wait for the sequel!
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2023
Definitely a fun read! An Ocean of Stars is not just another "lost in space" story. Both our main leads are engaging and sympathetic, and despite the questionable circumstances that bring them together, their relationship is surprisingly believable. I found myself actually laughing out loud multiple times during my read, but even with some great comedic moments, the story certainly does not shy away from addressing the more complicated moral dilemmas our character are facing. I await the sequel with great anticipation for sure!
February 25, 2023
I received a gifted copy of this book through the authors IG via a giveaway. The cover is just beautiful! 😍 Despite its girth, I blasted through this in a few days. I loved Xan’s wit and sarcasm. It was a delightful contrast with Captain’s seriousness. The writing was very good and it was hard to put down. A fantastic space opera! 🪐 The one thing I will say for those like myself who don’t love profanity, there is a good amount. But that’s literally the only negative from my perspective. The storyline and characters are fantastic!
May 17, 2023
WHAT THE FUCK… YOU CANNOT END IT LIKE THAT. WHAT. I NEED THE SECOND BOOK IMMEDIATELY. okay, now. i actually loved this book. the setting was different than i usually read (aka space.) and it was forced proximity trope, which i normally don’t go for. but i LOVEDDDDD it. xanorra, love her. captain, love him. the ai part of it all felt too terrifying to be honest. while this is a young adult book, it also kinda didn’t feel like it? also the slowest of slow burns between the two actually. i absolutely loved it.
December 7, 2022
A very good piece of sci-fi YA romance. Minor errors and some slight confusion with the astrophysics, but other than that, the plot is engaging, the romance line is kept fresh and interesting at all points, and the premise is well explored. An excellent read for people dipping their toes in the genre, and perhaps more advanced readers who seek the addition of a YA romance element.
November 24, 2024
Nice blend of space, pirates, robots, family, and love. What a crazy combo that played so nicely(or not) together. The story is fast-paced, easy to read, and engaging. I also learned some new words reading this book. I am excited for figsgiving and what comes next for both characters' story paths.
July 6, 2023
I ate this up like I was a starving animal.
October 7, 2023
I can't wait to read the next book. Very well-written. Great plot! Characters you want to cheer for! All of them.
January 26, 2026
Enjoyed
May 15, 2023
This book gave me major Passengers (the movie) vibes in the beginning, which made me think it would be predictable. But then we discover Captain’s backstory and boy was I hooked!!
I loved the setting, the plot, the characters! And now I can’t wait to read book 2! (Because this one does end on a cliffhanger.)
If you’re a fan of sci-fi and romance (forced proximity trope), you’ll probably love this story!
I loved the setting, the plot, the characters! And now I can’t wait to read book 2! (Because this one does end on a cliffhanger.)
If you’re a fan of sci-fi and romance (forced proximity trope), you’ll probably love this story!
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