Readers Favourite Reviews - Born of Empire by S A Melia

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Born of Empire is the first book of S A Melia's Dodecahedral Space Empire series. All Guy Erma wants is to join the prestigious Dome Militant order as a soldier and use his swordmanship skills to serve the kingdom of Earth. However, growing up as an orphan in the Domeside, Guy lacks the registration papers to enlist in the Dome Militant. Meanwhile, Prince Teodor's sixteenth birthday couldn't have come at a worse time. With his father and younger brother assassinated, Teodor unwittingly becomes the sole heir to the throne of Earth and the Dodecahedral Empire. After forging an unexpected bond with Princess Nuria Valvanchi of the Zaracan Empire, Teodor is kidnapped and embroiled in the midst of an insidious conspiracy orchestrated by a couple of nefarious, power-hungry men. Guy discovers Teodor's plight. But can Guy help him?

With an intricately crafted plot and a cast of lively characters, author S A Melia delivers an engrossing sci-fi novel packed with action, drama, and political intrigue. Born of Empire is a tale of survival and inheritance. It's a riveting story that offers everything young adult readers want in a sci-fi novel. Melia's worldbuilding is truly stellar. The lore behind Teodor's family heritage is fascinating, and so is the mystery behind Guy's parentage. There are also unique creatures featured in this novel, such as cy-wolves and gorans that sci-fi readers are bound to love. But what truly captivated me were the well-developed characters, their intertwined storylines, and the dynamic relationships that propelled the larger narrative. Guy, Teodor, Nuria, Sayginn, and Karl are all compelling characters with their own agency. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the sequels.