5 star review - Orphan of Empire by S. A. Melia

Reviewed by Ibrahim Aslan for Readers' Favorite

S. A. Melia’s Orphan of Empire is a captivating young adult sci-fi story that does a fantastic job of keeping the tension high. I love how the narrative flows naturally from the intense action of space combat tests to the fancy atmosphere of upper-class military banquets. You get heavily invested in the characters, particularly the strong friendships and shared courage that grows between Guy and his squad mates when they are forced to board the enemy ship. The plot keeps you hooked even during the milder moments in London as Guy tries to unravel the puzzle of his birth records. The climax inside the Artemis space platform is handled perfectly, depicting some great small-team tactics and real grace under pressure. In the end, Orphan of Empire is a refreshing tale about growing up that delivers exactly what sci-fi readers want from a space adventure.