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Stars of Oraelia: A New Beginning

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“Welcome to Oraelia – Humans of Earth”

Escape into your next obsession – Stars of Oraelia is the modern fantasy masterpiece you’ve been waiting for.

Having spent most of her life working in the greenhouse on the Nimbus Explorer, a space station housing the last of humanity, Alvera isn’t expecting much excitement out of life. That all changes, however, after her colony lands on a new planet and a scout is injured in an incident. Alvera can’t shake the feeling that she is being watched; So, when two more scouts go missing a few days later, she joins the search team only to discover that they are not alone.

Learning the planets dark past, Alvera is left with more questions than answers as she finds herself in the middle of a centuries long war. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, Alvera must learn to trust her instincts and restore the power of Oraelia.

Will Alvera overcome her doubts and fears? Or is her fate already written in the stars?

470 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2024

20 people are currently reading
1077 people want to read

About the author

Raquel Mudryk

6 books28 followers

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5 stars
14 (42%)
4 stars
7 (21%)
3 stars
8 (24%)
2 stars
3 (9%)
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1 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for M.K. McCollom.
Author 24 books22 followers
September 17, 2024
Must Read Fantasy

Raquel Mudryke pulls you into the book from page 1 and keeps you wanting to read until you find out what happens next on Oraelia. This is a must-read fantasy book. I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens with Alvera and all the others.
Profile Image for Stef.
24 reviews
May 31, 2025
it’s been a while since I’ve had a sci-fi/fantasy read, and I loved getting back into it. The writing is very descriptive which is helpful when introducing a new planet with fantastical creatures

our FMC 🖤 the character building from the Alvera who left the station and the Alvera who grows into who she is meant to be is beautiful

Alvera grew up on a space station forced to abandoned a destroyed Earth. On the space station, each person is assigned a sector to work in that they don’t stray from. She has been assigned to the greenhouse almost her whole life. “Work and survive” is the task while searching for a new planet to call home.

Hope spreads when they find a planet inhabitable for humans, but upon landing, mysterious attacks and disappearances occur. Alvera is faced with many new experiences and challenges as she navigates her new home and yearns to do more with her life than her assigned duty.

This planet holds a mystery and they are not alone 👀

⭐️: 4.5
🌶️: 1.5 (open door but not many scenes)
Profile Image for Stephanie Bennett.
157 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2025
I absolutely loved this book and fell in love with Alvera and Davis. I’m not a huge science fiction reader, I would rather watch movies or shows due to the fact that there are a lot of different names and there’s always a lot going on that can be confusing, but not in this book. Very easy to follow and flows beautifully. It was easy to keep track of all the characters and who they are and where they’re from and what they do.
The plot was great in that Alvera and a group of people have lived on a spaceship in search of a new planet to be able to call home. They discover Orion and quickly make friends with the different species on this planet. As quickly as they make friends, there is danger lurking. There is something or someone out there that wants Alvera and the special power that she now holds. Can the Goddess of Oraelia guide Alvera to defeat the evil that wants to control the planet? I’ll have to find out in book 2!
Highly recommend to anyone who loves fantasy books!
Profile Image for RogueDuckie.
127 reviews9 followers
January 8, 2025
This book was created by an Indie Author. Whilst there are some pacing issues at the beginning, the story is worth sticking it out. Getting past chapter 10 is a bit of a chore, but once you do, the roller coaster starts! Because of the beginning, this is a ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ star read. I will re-evaluate that if an update or revision is published. Also, please understand the rest of the book is a 4-star read. I try to stay consistent with my rating scales.


***THE THIRD BOOK OF THE SERIES HAS NOT BEEN PUBLISHED YET, DATE TBD***

Synopsis: After Earth is destroyed, a colony of 1,000 people embark on a journey to space in the Nimbus Explorer. Forty-six years later, a new habitable planet is found. Upon disembarking from their shuttles on the new planet, the danger begins to engulf the colony. The Wykians are very welcoming towards the newcomers. However, they've been in a war for 500 years and life is becoming difficult.

For some reason, there is a pull from the Wykians towards the community. But the Wykians are not the only ones who are attracted to the power pull. The Xylacs, created by the Goddess Oraelia's sorrow, are feeding off of the power, growing day by day. If the Xylacs had their way, they'd drain the planet of life, ruling over a desolate wasteland. As their power grows, a race to figure out how to stop the Xylacs and restore the planet's life commences. But who can or will have the fortitude to stop them? Is failure inevitable?

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Impression: This is a fantasy in a science fiction world. It's neither hardcore fantasy nor hardcore sci-fi. Please do not expect it to be such. It is a very good balance between the two.

Once I got into the book, I was all in. It's worth it. I felt like I was traveling with the characters, fighting with them, and screaming at them to make different decisions (I'm looking at you Chancellor Helen and Burdron). Guys, the character development in this book is fantastic and that is worth the read alone!


***QUOTES, TROPES AND CHARACTERS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***







Tropes: Chosen one, he falls first, hidden powers, political intrigue, disability representation, quest/journey, golden retriever boyfriend

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️ - A few open door scenes, but not overly descriptive or crass. Very much a consensual (and sensual) spicy scene.

Action/War level: 💥💥💥💥 Moderately high - It starts off a little on the slow side when they run into action, but as the story builds, so does the danger. The adrenaline increases as well. There is blood, gore, and vomiting.

FMC: Alvera - Human greenhouse gardener - She starts out very naïve. As such, Davis ensures she begins training to defend herself after he's injured. She is VERY sheltered at first (as are all the people from Nimbus), but as she goes on her journey and things happen, she grows exponentially. She's becoming a leader and courageous. It's one of the best portrayals of this nature I've read in a very long time. The tone of the book continues to shift with her growth too. It's metamorphic.

MMC: Davis - He is a golden retriever boyfriend. OMG he's the cutest thing! He is a Scout (soldier) who is injured severely and has an amputation. He battles with his demons and learns to adjust to his new reality. He doesn't let anyone stop him, even when it may put others in danger. His overwhelming and all-encompassing love for Alvera is just unrivaled. It's not a harsh love, it's a sweet sensual, gives you the chills, wrap up next to a fire with hot chocolate, kind of love.

Main antagonist: Rahknov - Xylac leader who destroyed the Goddess Oraelia and split the planet in two. He started a 500-year war that continues. He's also attempting to kidnap Alvera and dream walks.

Side Characters:

Bruno - Human Scout - Oh this guy is complex. He wants to be a badass, but his heart is gold. He has to put on a tough exterior. He reminds me of a biker guy who is squishy in the heart but has to look like he's about to knock a guy out any moment.

Emmett - Human Scout - He's the jovial bright-eyed guy that is like a brother to Bruno and Davis. He's the jokester who always has a smile. The opposite of Bruno.

Arran - Human greenhouse gardener. He's our resident annoying little brother of the Alvera trio. I want to flick his ear and annoy the crap out of him for funsies.

Guinevere (Guin) - Also a greenhouse gardener. Alvera's best friend.

Jasper - Alvera's dad. He's another one of those who has such a golden heart and is just a really good dude. Unconditional love from this man here.

Jane - Medical healer - Davis' sister. She grows on you.

Ayrrel - Wykian - Becomes kind of a guard then brother to Alvera.

Sauhlus - Wykian - Also becomes kind of a guard then brother to Alvera.

Purnelle - Wykian - Arran's girlfriend.

Faylyne - Wykian - She's the wisewoman of the group who communicates with Mother Tree. Her physical description reminds me so much of the Fae in fantasy series, but I also imagine her personality as similar to Mo'at from Avatar. Very wise village elder, chosen by the land.

Lerochin - Axolfin - Sea-loving creature that can magically heal. He's also very wise and I love his relationship with Alvera. He's one of my faves.

Chancellor Helene - Leader of the Humans - I don't know why her character is such a bitch, but she is. I do not like her.

Burdron - Oraelian Leader - As his name alludes, he holds a lot of burdens upon his shoulders. I'm still unsure of my opinion on him, but his choices improve throughout the book.

Favorite Quotes:

say, ‘When your feelings make you want to scream, cry, and shout, the best thing to do is breath them out.’

We understand with our spirits, not our ears.

The unknown can breed fear, and fear cultivates hate.

"Grief is a recurring emotion. It never truly goes away.”

The way he looks at me is so beautiful and pure, and I can’t help but wonder what I’ve done to deserve his affection. “Hey, you.” “You look,” He pauses a breath. “Divine.”

Jane eyes Ayrrel a moment then shoots him a wink, “Your equipment isn’t exactly what I’m looking for, Sunshine.”

“Getting old is a gift too many are denied,” Jane murmurs.

“What do you want from me?” I grit. “Oh, sweetness, if I tell you that, it will ruin the surprise.”

“You don’t need to protect me, Davis,” I murmur, “You taught me how to protect myself.”

"Worrying about the what ifs shouldn’t stop you from taking in everything you can now. The good and the bad. We only get one chance at life. Don’t waste it by worrying.”

"You are the leader that your people need, Alvera.”

"We fight together or we die alone."

He might not have said it out loud but with the knowledge that he is willing to lean into me for physical support makes leaning into him for emotional support so much easier. We balance each other.

“There will never be an end for us. I have always loved you. I will always love you.”
Profile Image for Candi.Reads.
73 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2025
*POSSIBLE SPOILERS*

First off I want to thank the indie author who wrote this beautiful story. I was absolutely captivated by the characters and the world she created. I did feel like at the beginning I saw a different way the story would develop but I was completely wrong and I think that’s what really made me want to keep going.

Impression: The blend of sifi and fantasy was ultimately why I was drawn to this story. I was impressed that it was perfectly blended and it did not go heavily on either side.

Once I wad to about 100 pages in I could not put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen to our characters at every turn.

One worry I had at the beginning was the love interest and how quickly it developed but as the story progresses we learn that he definitely fell first long before our FMC realized it.

Our FMC Alvera really develops through her journey. Dealing with loss and trying to find her self amongst this new world they’ve found themselves on.

This story definitely makes friendship and togetherness an important key role in saving their world.

Tropes: he falls first, political intrigue, hidden powers.

Spice: there are a few scenes but they do not go into descriptive details.

War/Action: heavy and somewhat detailed.

Overall: I adored following these characters and I felt like I was inside of their minds hoping for something to help them in their battles. And some characters change their attitudes (looking at you Helen). Would recommend to any fantasy/sifi fan who loves a story about friendship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Carla Black.
345 reviews85 followers
September 17, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I loved this book. I couldn't put it down, it's got a little bit of every genre in it. The main character is female born and raised for 20 years in space. Earth has been destroyed and they are looking for a new planet to call home. While in space she suffers loss when her grandmother and mother die on the ship. They find a new planet to call home, along with friendly and hostile species of the planet Orelia. When she gets to the planet she has unknown powers that the Evil species of the planet want for themselves. Many wars break out upon all the inhabitants of the new world trying to protect the girl. Lots of death among both sides good and evil. At one point in the story I was brought to tears which is hard to do. The book is very well written, very emotional, and very exciting not knowing what is going to happen next. The book ends on a cliffhanger so if you want to know what happens next you definitely have to read the next book in the series. Which I can't wait to do. It us a must read you won't regret.
Profile Image for Ashley Bartlett.
51 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2025
It truly amazes me that some people have such wild imaginations and can transfer whatever wild stories are in their mind onto paper.
Stars of Oraelia - A New Beginning comes from the mind of author @author.raquel.mudryk and is a story of modern fantasy that is (literally) out of this world. FMC Alvera has lived her life on a space station with her colony, where Earth and its history are only stories that are told by the elders. Finally, after decades of searching, they find an inhabitable planet to call their new home - Oraelia. But they are not alone.
Stars of Oraelia is a story of friendship, family and love, wrapped up in enemies, allies and war. The world-building is complex, with otherworldly creatures, landscapes and characters. There is a great mix of drama, comedy, heartbreak, suspense and joy. Every chapter left me on the edge of my seat and I'm already pumped for what's next in this series for these characters.

For fans of The 100 and The Hunger Games, Stars of Oraelia - A New Beginning is book 1 in a trilogy.

All 3 books are available now - go check them out!
4 reviews
Read
December 31, 2023
Some improvement needed

3.7 out of 5 stars.
I have to admit,I'm not a great fan of fantasy.
I don't particularly like first person present tense either, and the version I downloaded had not yet been properly edited, which made reading a bit halting.
That being said, I really enjoyed the scifi premise, and thought it held great promise; I was a bit disappointed by the turn to fantasy and romance, and I thought the smut scenes ( although few) grinded the action to a halt, and should have been left out entirely.
The YA aspect of the story also caused me some grief, the characters were all a bit too similar ( everyone drawing circles with their thumbs to calm people down, who does that?) but the book was entertaining, and I think the author has a lot of potential ( especially for those who enjoy fantasy romance more than me).
With some improvements and more thorough editing, I am looking forward to the next installment of Alvera's adventures on Oraelia.
Profile Image for Cye’s Book Nook.
85 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2025
I loved this one!!

Initially, I was worried that the mix between sci-fi and fantasy was going to clash, but Raquel Mudryk did a phenomenal job of blending these two genres seemlessly.

As a Canadian reader, I loved when the FMC recalled her Grandmother’s stories of her old life here.

This book is filled with lots of our favourite tropes; found family, banter, he falls first, hidden powers, chosen one, good vs evil.

I’m very excited to continue on with this series!
Profile Image for Steven Butler.
10 reviews
May 11, 2025
Fantastic journey into the stars

I was immediately pulled into the story and the world of Raquel Mudryk's creation. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going to go, there was a small twist. What makes this story stand out is its characters. I can't wait to see their development within the next installments of this trilogy and discover what more awaits.
Profile Image for Ashley Wellman.
10 reviews
December 10, 2024
COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!
Such a great fantasy read
This series is the kind of
Book you can’t stop thinking about !!
Currently on the second book and loving it

Epic world building, romance, spice 🌶️👅👅🍆
war, powers, enemies , alliances
Good vs bad
Goddess, blobby 💕
Profile Image for Mel Rose.
62 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2025
raquel really doesn’t give a fuck if a character is main or side she gonna kill them anyway 😩

this was like if harry potter was a girl (lowkey chosen one complex) mixed with the space elements of star wars (and the planets and the wars too) had a baby

Profile Image for Randimae Sherwood.
84 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2025
I rate this book 4.75 ⭐ but can't do that so she gets the full 5 on her.
This book is pretty awesome if I do say so myself. This book follows Alvera and her friends and found family through their trials on Nimbus through the twists and turns of Oraelia. You meet new people along the way and lose some as well.
Raquel I still don't forgive you. You know what you did!
But you did bring along Blobby Ernest Greeny as I call him!
I loved this dystopian twist to a fantasy.
Profile Image for Reina.
10 reviews10 followers
September 28, 2025
I’ve been stuck in a reading slump for months, but Stars of Oraelia: A New Beginning pulled me right out of it. Honestly this book was a breath of fresh air and exactly what I needed!

The start takes its time with world-building, but once the story takes off, I was hooked and couldn't let this book out of my hands. The mix of adventure, romance, friendships and deep lore kept me flipping pages. The atmosphere is amazing, cozy yet filled with that perfect sense of discovery and danger, making Oraelia feel both inviting and a little eerie at times. And the battle scenes are so well-written, detailed enough to feel immersive but not too overwhelming.

The writing flows smoothly, making it easy to get lost in the world of Oraelia. And I felt like I was right there with Alvera, experiencing that tension, danger and wonders of a new world.

I really enjoyed the characters and world-building and there were some super interesting side characters that I would have loved to see even more of. Some relationships could have been explored a bit deeper, but since this book felt like it was setting up something bigger, I have a feeling that book 2 is where the real ride begins!

If you’re looking for an underrated sci-fi-fantasy-romance gem with action, romance and amazing world-building, pick this up! Indie books like this deserve more love!! I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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