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Journey to the Dark Galaxy
A mysterious signal from deep space. Mischief and murder at a military base.Earth’s leaders are given an deliver Sam Sanderson to Logom, a planet known to house a hostile AI civilization, or face interplanetary war.When Sam receives a strange letter drafting her into the Great Alliance for Interplanetary Affairs as a matter of international security, she expects to get answers. But instead of receiving a warm welcome, she finds that most people under the surface are distant, cold, and have built walls of silence. While grappling with her unique power and the consequences of her actions, she learns that the organization she’s supposed to serve has a chilling past and guards a dark secret.“You better wish upon the stars they don’t send you to the Dark Galaxy.”A harrowing journey into the unknown. An uncertain future.While Earth’s scientists scramble to defend their world and the planetary alliance from the AI threat, Sam is forced on a mission to the Dark Galaxy. A place where dangers lurk, tensions run high, and things are never what they seem.But will the journey change her forever?As Sam desperately navigates a maze of lies, dark secrets, and finds herself at the heart of a dangerous journey, she discovers that it will take much more than her courage and power to save humanity.Time’s running out, and there’s no turning back now…From the award-winning author of Journey to the Hopewell Star comes the highly anticipated sequel that’s sure to be a thrilling ride!
500 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2023
8 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
Hannah D. State
3 books50 followersHannah D. State is an award-winning Canadian author and science fiction/fantasy writer. She graduated from McGill University with a BA and earned her MPL from Queen's University. Hannah enjoys going on nature walks and pondering the mysteries of the universe. Journey to the Hopewell Star is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 24, 2024
Journey to the Dark Galaxy continues the adventures of Sam, started in the amazing Journey to Hopewell Star.
Like its predecessor, Dark Galaxy is an excellent young adult novel that explores an impressive array of diverse elements, including AI and cloning. And like the title suggests, it is a darker tale, possibly for audience a tad older. It also feels much more like a science fiction book, with space ships, space travel, and black holes. Many of the interesting characters return and a few new ones are introduced. My favorite is Kwan, whose arc through the story is full of twists and turns. I enjoyed the links to the first book, and the conclusion is satisfying.
Worth the read, Journey to the Dark Galaxy is ambitious in scope and a great follow up to Hopewell Star!
Like its predecessor, Dark Galaxy is an excellent young adult novel that explores an impressive array of diverse elements, including AI and cloning. And like the title suggests, it is a darker tale, possibly for audience a tad older. It also feels much more like a science fiction book, with space ships, space travel, and black holes. Many of the interesting characters return and a few new ones are introduced. My favorite is Kwan, whose arc through the story is full of twists and turns. I enjoyed the links to the first book, and the conclusion is satisfying.
Worth the read, Journey to the Dark Galaxy is ambitious in scope and a great follow up to Hopewell Star!
August 8, 2024
I thought this was an excellent science-fiction voyage; it's well-written and absorbing fiction. Sam is a powerful and intelligent character who is well-crafted. Young readers will be cheering for her.
May 23, 2025
A Journey to the Dark Galaxy follows Sam Sanderson, a thirteen year old girl, and her friends on an unlikely adventure. From hanging out at the mall to being sent to a military base, life for these teens is anything but boring and predictable. The base houses scientists and coders familiar with other galaxies and space travel, but chaos erupts when it comes under attack. The teens learn of Duskara, an Ai robot who changed her own coding, and her Malborg army, which is destroying everything in its path. They suspect she is behind the attack, but to save themselves and humanity, they’ll need to figure out who they can truly trust.
Opinion:
I enjoyed the parallel storylines of Sam and Kwan. Sam, a girl with the gift of telepathy, tries to uncover what dark secrets are being hidden on the base she is being housed. Kwan, a brilliant coder, is recruited to help develop technology on the base after intercepting a cryptic message from the Dark Galaxy. Both characters need to navigate their new environment and what is being kept from them. With each other’s help, they will be able to save themselves and the world.
I liked the use of telepathy in the book. When the Sam was using telepathy, the text was in italics. She was able to communicate to Kobe, a male friend of hers, and Duskara through this method. With Kobe the conversations were very kind and affirming, which showed how much they care for each other. In contrast, her communication with Duskara brought shadows of doubt. Each message laced with manipulation.
The final chapters really brought the story together, delivering the overarching message that the journey might not always be easy, but every experience leads to self-growth. Sam traveled to the Dark Galaxy and was able to save her friends with her quick thinking. Kwan learns her life has been memories of childhood that had been a lie, and she was built in a lab as an Ai cyborg. Her memories had been tampered with, but she finally discovered the truth. She sacrifices herself to save everyone from Duskara. Just as she is on the brink of death, Sam is able to rescue her and get her to safety. Both characters follow their instinct and stay true to themselves.
I highly recommend this book to any science fiction fans. There is discussion of other galaxies, lifeforms, and space travel. The fast-paced story will keep you turning pages and wanting more. This book is appropriate for younger readers in middle school and beyond.
Opinion:
I enjoyed the parallel storylines of Sam and Kwan. Sam, a girl with the gift of telepathy, tries to uncover what dark secrets are being hidden on the base she is being housed. Kwan, a brilliant coder, is recruited to help develop technology on the base after intercepting a cryptic message from the Dark Galaxy. Both characters need to navigate their new environment and what is being kept from them. With each other’s help, they will be able to save themselves and the world.
I liked the use of telepathy in the book. When the Sam was using telepathy, the text was in italics. She was able to communicate to Kobe, a male friend of hers, and Duskara through this method. With Kobe the conversations were very kind and affirming, which showed how much they care for each other. In contrast, her communication with Duskara brought shadows of doubt. Each message laced with manipulation.
The final chapters really brought the story together, delivering the overarching message that the journey might not always be easy, but every experience leads to self-growth. Sam traveled to the Dark Galaxy and was able to save her friends with her quick thinking. Kwan learns her life has been memories of childhood that had been a lie, and she was built in a lab as an Ai cyborg. Her memories had been tampered with, but she finally discovered the truth. She sacrifices herself to save everyone from Duskara. Just as she is on the brink of death, Sam is able to rescue her and get her to safety. Both characters follow their instinct and stay true to themselves.
I highly recommend this book to any science fiction fans. There is discussion of other galaxies, lifeforms, and space travel. The fast-paced story will keep you turning pages and wanting more. This book is appropriate for younger readers in middle school and beyond.
May 14, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. The twists were amazing and I never knew what would happen next. The characters were also really fleshed out and had such unique personalities that suited them all. This was honestly such a good read and it is definitely one of my favorites. I rate this book a 5/5.
April 14, 2024
To add I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in science fiction.
September 16, 2025
I received this as a physical review copy from LitPick. 3.5 stars.
Overall, I enjoyed the even pacing of the book and the story was interesting overall. Just a note about my review: I have not read the first book in the series. I think this book does a good job of recapping some of the first book's major plotlines when necessary, so I still felt like I knew what was happening and the general context.
The story was all pretty fast-paced; I appreciated that even in the times where there should be training montages, the book glosses over those a bit so that the story doesn't get bogged down with mundanities. Also, when there is complicated science happening, the story doesn't get slowed down by those details, either. I think this would be a fun book for younger readers. There is something constantly happening, so it should keep their attention. Plus, there are some reveals that are hinted at throughout the book to add some intrigue.
This book definitely highlights values that are good for younger readers. Most of the book takes place in a GAIA base that houses soldiers, scientists, and aliens. Many of the featured characters here are women, who are shown to be just as (if not more) capable than the men around them. The author also does a good job in making these characters well-rounded so that they feel realistic. There is a situation where a very smart woman is basically having to do the work of her incompetent superiors, and so we do see the frustration involved in that scenario and how unfair it is. Kwan, the scientist who is recruited at the beginning of the book, is also a woman who is extremely smart and skilled at combat, and who often mentions her goal of moving her girlfriend from Korea. The admiral in charge is also a woman, and although we don't get to learn a lot about her, we know that she seems formidable and that she always knows things that she isn't telling others.
In terms of inclusivity, there are also several alien races presented. Not all of them are good, but many are, despite how scary or odd they may look to those not used to them. Sam and her friends have to learn to be respectful when they see these various races and not just jump to conclusions or be rude to them because of their appearances. It's just a good lesson in general to be mindful of other's cultural norms and how not to offend them.
I think a lot of young girls would be able to relate to Sam in general and would aspire to be like her in many ways. She is young and makes mistakes, but she is also smart and cares immensely for her friends, to the point where she will put her own life at risk to save them. Throughout the book, Sam takes it upon herself to try to solve problems on her own and not tell the adults in charge the information she knows. She thinks they won't listen and that she can do this all on her own. By the end of the book, she has to learn the lesson that it is ok to ask for help and that she can't just fix everything alone. No matter how smart she is, she is still young, and needs to tell the adults when something happens and at least give them the chance to listen. She makes some poor choices that have consequences, and so it was good to see that she isn't some infallible character, and that being perfect isn't the goal, but that it's more important to have a good heart and to do your best to learn to be better.
In terms of science fiction, this would be a good way to introduce new readers to the genre. There are a lot of science fiction elements included - aliens, AI, spaceships, science experiments, space travel - but I think they're all included in a way that is approachable. A lot of the focus is on the action, and so the science parts are explained quickly in ways where you don't need to know actual science to understand what's happening. As such, I think it's nice to make science feel like an exciting thing where anybody could participate as long as they study and can be creative in their thinking.
From an adult perspective, I do find it a bit annoying when characters as young as 13 act like they should and do have the agency and knowledge that an adult should have - but I know that's just part of the genre. There were also some inexplicable and overly-convenient plot points that could have been better. I think one of the more blatant examples of this is when one of Sam's friends pops out from a hiding spot in the ship that they're in after hiding there for way too long unnecessarily. He explains himself jumping out at the last minute by saying that he was waiting for the "right moment." But this presumes that he just watched from a vent as his friends: 1-fought off enemy soldiers, 2-brainstormed to come up with a plan to fight the main bad guy after the immediate threats were killed, 3-left the ship to go enact their plan while leaving one person to figure out the ship's controls by herself, 4-watched this last person also leave to help her friends escape a collapsing cave, 5-struggled to drag a heavy, unconscious adult back to the ship, and then 6-talk about how they were even going to drive the ship because they didn't know how. Only after that does he pop out with his weapon and say he can help these two teenagers with their problem. There were a few moments throughout the book like this that were a bit confounding that could have been written better. But as stated before, because this book's strong suit is its constant, quick pacing, it moves onto the next issue quickly so you don't have to dwell in these types of frustrating moments, and I don't think they would be a big deal for those just looking for a quick read anyway.
Overall, I enjoyed the even pacing of the book and the story was interesting overall. Just a note about my review: I have not read the first book in the series. I think this book does a good job of recapping some of the first book's major plotlines when necessary, so I still felt like I knew what was happening and the general context.
The story was all pretty fast-paced; I appreciated that even in the times where there should be training montages, the book glosses over those a bit so that the story doesn't get bogged down with mundanities. Also, when there is complicated science happening, the story doesn't get slowed down by those details, either. I think this would be a fun book for younger readers. There is something constantly happening, so it should keep their attention. Plus, there are some reveals that are hinted at throughout the book to add some intrigue.
This book definitely highlights values that are good for younger readers. Most of the book takes place in a GAIA base that houses soldiers, scientists, and aliens. Many of the featured characters here are women, who are shown to be just as (if not more) capable than the men around them. The author also does a good job in making these characters well-rounded so that they feel realistic. There is a situation where a very smart woman is basically having to do the work of her incompetent superiors, and so we do see the frustration involved in that scenario and how unfair it is. Kwan, the scientist who is recruited at the beginning of the book, is also a woman who is extremely smart and skilled at combat, and who often mentions her goal of moving her girlfriend from Korea. The admiral in charge is also a woman, and although we don't get to learn a lot about her, we know that she seems formidable and that she always knows things that she isn't telling others.
In terms of inclusivity, there are also several alien races presented. Not all of them are good, but many are, despite how scary or odd they may look to those not used to them. Sam and her friends have to learn to be respectful when they see these various races and not just jump to conclusions or be rude to them because of their appearances. It's just a good lesson in general to be mindful of other's cultural norms and how not to offend them.
I think a lot of young girls would be able to relate to Sam in general and would aspire to be like her in many ways. She is young and makes mistakes, but she is also smart and cares immensely for her friends, to the point where she will put her own life at risk to save them. Throughout the book, Sam takes it upon herself to try to solve problems on her own and not tell the adults in charge the information she knows. She thinks they won't listen and that she can do this all on her own. By the end of the book, she has to learn the lesson that it is ok to ask for help and that she can't just fix everything alone. No matter how smart she is, she is still young, and needs to tell the adults when something happens and at least give them the chance to listen. She makes some poor choices that have consequences, and so it was good to see that she isn't some infallible character, and that being perfect isn't the goal, but that it's more important to have a good heart and to do your best to learn to be better.
In terms of science fiction, this would be a good way to introduce new readers to the genre. There are a lot of science fiction elements included - aliens, AI, spaceships, science experiments, space travel - but I think they're all included in a way that is approachable. A lot of the focus is on the action, and so the science parts are explained quickly in ways where you don't need to know actual science to understand what's happening. As such, I think it's nice to make science feel like an exciting thing where anybody could participate as long as they study and can be creative in their thinking.
From an adult perspective, I do find it a bit annoying when characters as young as 13 act like they should and do have the agency and knowledge that an adult should have - but I know that's just part of the genre. There were also some inexplicable and overly-convenient plot points that could have been better. I think one of the more blatant examples of this is when one of Sam's friends pops out from a hiding spot in the ship that they're in after hiding there for way too long unnecessarily. He explains himself jumping out at the last minute by saying that he was waiting for the "right moment." But this presumes that he just watched from a vent as his friends: 1-fought off enemy soldiers, 2-brainstormed to come up with a plan to fight the main bad guy after the immediate threats were killed, 3-left the ship to go enact their plan while leaving one person to figure out the ship's controls by herself, 4-watched this last person also leave to help her friends escape a collapsing cave, 5-struggled to drag a heavy, unconscious adult back to the ship, and then 6-talk about how they were even going to drive the ship because they didn't know how. Only after that does he pop out with his weapon and say he can help these two teenagers with their problem. There were a few moments throughout the book like this that were a bit confounding that could have been written better. But as stated before, because this book's strong suit is its constant, quick pacing, it moves onto the next issue quickly so you don't have to dwell in these types of frustrating moments, and I don't think they would be a big deal for those just looking for a quick read anyway.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2025
A telepathic teen faces interplanetary threats and internal reckoning in State’s emotionally charged sequel to The Dark Galaxy Series. Fourteen-year-old Sam Sanderson is drafted by GAIA, an interplanetary alliance, after Earth receives a chilling ultimatum: surrender Sam to a distant AI-ruled planet or face annihilation. “Deliver the Queen of Kryg to Logom or risk the destruction of Gaia,” reads the message intercepted by a lone Canadian research station. It's not the welcome she is hoping to get. While Earth's military scrambles to understand the alien message, Sam must navigate the cold corridors of an underwater base, the weight of her own powers, and the growing suspicion that GAIA’s secrets run as deep as the galaxy itself.
State’s prose is crisp, immersive, and often quietly lyrical. She doesn’t overindulge in exposition. Instead, she lets the characters’ emotions do the heavy lifting. Whether it’s Sam’s internal monologues or Kwan’s silent grief, the emotional beats are precise and believable. Sam’s internal conflict—between being a kid and being a cosmic keystone—makes her a compelling heroine. The supporting cast is portrayed with authenticity. Kato and Kobe add levity and moral counterbalance, while Kwan, a North Korean defector turned signal analyst, offers a parallel narrative of isolation, queerness, and hope. Her subplot, involving a mysterious extraterrestrial message and a lost love, adds emotional gravity and sharpens the story's global perspective.
State keeps the action tight. From manipulated mall games to encoded threats from the Dark Galaxy, the danger builds without losing its personal edge. A moment as quiet as a shattered mug carries the same weight as a planetary ultimatum. Alien technologies such as the Gideon spark, GAIA’s underwater base, and AI-contested planets are grounded by State’s focus on family, grief, and personal agency.
This isn’t just another space adventure. It’s a story about what it means to grow up with power you didn’t ask for, and making the right choices when the lines keep shifting. State raises the bar from book one; expanding the world, digging deeper into the emotional lives of her characters, and anchoring it all in moments that feel real. Sam’s journey isn’t just hers; it’s a reflection of what so many young people face—how to hold onto who you are in a world that keeps trying to decide for you. A sharply written sci-fi story that blends high-stakes adventure with psychological depth and coming-of-age introspection.
State’s prose is crisp, immersive, and often quietly lyrical. She doesn’t overindulge in exposition. Instead, she lets the characters’ emotions do the heavy lifting. Whether it’s Sam’s internal monologues or Kwan’s silent grief, the emotional beats are precise and believable. Sam’s internal conflict—between being a kid and being a cosmic keystone—makes her a compelling heroine. The supporting cast is portrayed with authenticity. Kato and Kobe add levity and moral counterbalance, while Kwan, a North Korean defector turned signal analyst, offers a parallel narrative of isolation, queerness, and hope. Her subplot, involving a mysterious extraterrestrial message and a lost love, adds emotional gravity and sharpens the story's global perspective.
State keeps the action tight. From manipulated mall games to encoded threats from the Dark Galaxy, the danger builds without losing its personal edge. A moment as quiet as a shattered mug carries the same weight as a planetary ultimatum. Alien technologies such as the Gideon spark, GAIA’s underwater base, and AI-contested planets are grounded by State’s focus on family, grief, and personal agency.
This isn’t just another space adventure. It’s a story about what it means to grow up with power you didn’t ask for, and making the right choices when the lines keep shifting. State raises the bar from book one; expanding the world, digging deeper into the emotional lives of her characters, and anchoring it all in moments that feel real. Sam’s journey isn’t just hers; it’s a reflection of what so many young people face—how to hold onto who you are in a world that keeps trying to decide for you. A sharply written sci-fi story that blends high-stakes adventure with psychological depth and coming-of-age introspection.
July 3, 2024
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Journey to the Dark Galaxy
Author: Hannah D. State
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 5/5
Of the 15 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author���s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I love sci-fi so this was right up my street. Very exciting with fast pacing and a cool protagonist. Loved it!” Male reader, aged 15
“Started reading it, loved it, stopped reading it, got hold of book 1 (Journey to the Hopewell Star), read that, loved it, then went back to Journey to the Dark Galaxy. I think the author’s a very good writer for YA. Also, it’s good to see a sci-fi book and not the endless fantasy novels all YA authors seem to write.” Male reader, aged 15
“Lots of twists, a little humour, plenty of suspense. The plot’s FAB with the AI threatening intergalactic war! How cool is that. I think most 13 – 16 year olds will enjoy this book and rooting for Sam.” Female reader, aged 16
“I was never bored reading this book. I liked the characters, particularly Sam who’s the sort of girl you want to sit next to in class. I liked how she developed from the first book; she’s more confident now, ready to take on the universe!!! Female reader, aged 17
To Sum It Up:
‘A smartly constructed YA sci-fi adventure with a strong, charasmatic protagonist. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Journey to the Dark Galaxy
Author: Hannah D. State
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 5/5
Of the 15 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author���s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I love sci-fi so this was right up my street. Very exciting with fast pacing and a cool protagonist. Loved it!” Male reader, aged 15
“Started reading it, loved it, stopped reading it, got hold of book 1 (Journey to the Hopewell Star), read that, loved it, then went back to Journey to the Dark Galaxy. I think the author’s a very good writer for YA. Also, it’s good to see a sci-fi book and not the endless fantasy novels all YA authors seem to write.” Male reader, aged 15
“Lots of twists, a little humour, plenty of suspense. The plot’s FAB with the AI threatening intergalactic war! How cool is that. I think most 13 – 16 year olds will enjoy this book and rooting for Sam.” Female reader, aged 16
“I was never bored reading this book. I liked the characters, particularly Sam who’s the sort of girl you want to sit next to in class. I liked how she developed from the first book; she’s more confident now, ready to take on the universe!!! Female reader, aged 17
To Sum It Up:
‘A smartly constructed YA sci-fi adventure with a strong, charasmatic protagonist. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
January 17, 2024
In Journey to the Dark Galaxy, Hannah D. State takes readers on an exhilarating adventure with protagonist Sam Sanderson, a young woman burdened with a monumental task. Summoned by Earth's leaders, Sam is charged with uncovering the mysteries of the enigmatic planet Logom, ruled by a cyborg AI harboring hostility towards humanity. The stakes are unimaginably high as she discovers the AI's plan to unleash Malborgs, threatening to annihilate Earth's population. Amidst this chaos, Sam faces a tantalizing offer to align with this malevolent force. The question looms: can she thwart this looming catastrophe in time?
This young adult sci-fi epic, a sequel that adeptly recaps its predecessor, allows newcomers to seamlessly dive into the series. State's narrative draws parallels to classic sci-fi tropes and narratives, evoking a nostalgic resonance with elements reminiscent of iconic series like Star Trek: The Next Generation. Targeted at a teenage audience, the novel navigates darker themes and a pervasive sense of danger that may not suit the faint-hearted. Sam's journey is one of rapid maturation, confronted with harrowing trials that sculpt her character. The narrative is propelled at a gripping pace, adorned with unexpected twists that maintain reader engagement. One of the novel's most commendable aspects is its occasional shift in perspective. By exploring various characters' viewpoints, State enriches the narrative and deepens the world-building, offering a more rounded and immersive experience.
Journey to the Dark Galaxy is a compelling blend of suspense, character complexity, and satisfying resolution. With its multifaceted protagonist and a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this novel is a testament to State's prowess in crafting engaging young adult science fiction.
This young adult sci-fi epic, a sequel that adeptly recaps its predecessor, allows newcomers to seamlessly dive into the series. State's narrative draws parallels to classic sci-fi tropes and narratives, evoking a nostalgic resonance with elements reminiscent of iconic series like Star Trek: The Next Generation. Targeted at a teenage audience, the novel navigates darker themes and a pervasive sense of danger that may not suit the faint-hearted. Sam's journey is one of rapid maturation, confronted with harrowing trials that sculpt her character. The narrative is propelled at a gripping pace, adorned with unexpected twists that maintain reader engagement. One of the novel's most commendable aspects is its occasional shift in perspective. By exploring various characters' viewpoints, State enriches the narrative and deepens the world-building, offering a more rounded and immersive experience.
Journey to the Dark Galaxy is a compelling blend of suspense, character complexity, and satisfying resolution. With its multifaceted protagonist and a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this novel is a testament to State's prowess in crafting engaging young adult science fiction.
June 7, 2025
If you haven't read "Journey to the Hopewell Star" by Hannah D State, circle back and do so. "Journey to the Dark Galaxy" is the sequel with all the high-stakes adventure you loved in first book. I hate throwing in spoilers, so just take my word, this book is a very worthwhile read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews