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Missing Among the Stars
Where is everyone?
Twenty-five years ago, a message from deep space fractured Humanity. The transmission? Only one “Hello.” Half of Humanity wanted to explore it, while the other half wanted to hide. Despite the division, a megaship, called the Traveler, followed the signal through space. Its disappearance only solidified the divide and led to the bloodiest civil war across Humanity, the Sapien War. Ten years later, Humanity met aliens, but not the ones who sent the signal.
Today, Kasey Mako, one of the Traveler’s sons, investigates mysterious phenomena plaguing the galaxy. A virus and missing colony are just the tip of the iceberg for Kasey and the Galactic Union. As Kasey’s team of aliens and humans delve into the mystery, they discover these events aren’t random; they’re connected. They discover a more sinister plot that threatens not only the Union, but the entire galaxy.
Missing Among the Stars is a light-science fiction novel, perfect for a first time science fiction reader and it draws inspiration from The Mass Effect series, the Old Man’s War series, the Wayfarers series, and The Final Architecture series. If you enjoyed those, you’ll love Missing Among the Stars. Buy your copy today and dive deeper into the Among the Stars Universe!
Twenty-five years ago, a message from deep space fractured Humanity. The transmission? Only one “Hello.” Half of Humanity wanted to explore it, while the other half wanted to hide. Despite the division, a megaship, called the Traveler, followed the signal through space. Its disappearance only solidified the divide and led to the bloodiest civil war across Humanity, the Sapien War. Ten years later, Humanity met aliens, but not the ones who sent the signal.
Today, Kasey Mako, one of the Traveler’s sons, investigates mysterious phenomena plaguing the galaxy. A virus and missing colony are just the tip of the iceberg for Kasey and the Galactic Union. As Kasey’s team of aliens and humans delve into the mystery, they discover these events aren’t random; they’re connected. They discover a more sinister plot that threatens not only the Union, but the entire galaxy.
Missing Among the Stars is a light-science fiction novel, perfect for a first time science fiction reader and it draws inspiration from The Mass Effect series, the Old Man’s War series, the Wayfarers series, and The Final Architecture series. If you enjoyed those, you’ll love Missing Among the Stars. Buy your copy today and dive deeper into the Among the Stars Universe!
- GenresScience Fiction
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2024
14 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 10, 2024
The story is a good one, it's about a young man who lost his parents, whose people have gone to the stars and become embroiled in a wider gatalatic problem where it's not humanity behind everything for once, where there are lots of different alien and people, with their own lives and dreams and wars and resentments. Kasey is a soldier but he does what is right, not what he is told to do and he is good at his job. He has some good back up and the others in his group like him and help him. He spends most of the book traumatised from losing his husband and it affects what he does and how he does it, but his crew know that and help him. He starts to find someone else he is attracted to, but it's tentative and all maybe and what if. He needs a decent man in his life. He has a few women who are strong and have their own stories and then there is Falisto whose a great character and also truamatised by his past, all of the stories of those people converge and it's perfect. The story itself is a really good one, contact from the stars, an advanced race need help and the fighting among the others which the humans get drawn in to is good. You think one set of people are good and they turned out not to be quite so good. I really enjoyed the book and will read the next in the series for sure.
September 9, 2024
Quite a good book hopefully there are more
Lovely science fiction book which covers what one would think was several small individual plots (missions really), they were all interwoven in one giant plot that makes significantly more sense. Basically you have an illness, a missing colony, weird tidally locked rogue planets, a species one thinks is long since gone but maybe is not, plus large bugs. Also a bit of terrorist, betrayal, murder and other similar things.
Please note that there is a bonus/appendix section in the back of the book. I really suspect that this would have made my life easier had I known about that before I started reading it as this was a lot slower than I would have normally preferred. So if I were you, read that first. I don’t think it covered everything though! Haha.
Also did the author have to call the station Musk station? No wonder there was an issue! Don’t encourage him!
Lovely science fiction book which covers what one would think was several small individual plots (missions really), they were all interwoven in one giant plot that makes significantly more sense. Basically you have an illness, a missing colony, weird tidally locked rogue planets, a species one thinks is long since gone but maybe is not, plus large bugs. Also a bit of terrorist, betrayal, murder and other similar things.
Please note that there is a bonus/appendix section in the back of the book. I really suspect that this would have made my life easier had I known about that before I started reading it as this was a lot slower than I would have normally preferred. So if I were you, read that first. I don’t think it covered everything though! Haha.
Also did the author have to call the station Musk station? No wonder there was an issue! Don’t encourage him!
August 20, 2024
I had gotten away from science fiction but enjoyed this story. Two points of view can sometimes be difficult to write. The characters are so similar they may as well be the same person. These characters were distinct. New to this author but would like to read more. (I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
August 13, 2024
Missing Among the Stars by Eddie Pittman, is a light science fiction novel and the first in the Among the Stars series. It follows multiple characters as they investigate seemingly unconnected situations and uncover a grand conspiracy.
The novel takes place in a vast galaxy teeming with alien species that tries its hardest to build on the spirit of space operas before it. The problem with this is that it has all been done before. Humans enhanced with cybernetics, alien species modelled after animals found on Earth, an intergalactic alliance of multiple species and a rag-tag team of characters from across the spectrum are tried and true tropes of science fiction, but nothing Missing Among the Stars doesn't stand to add anything new.
Chapters often start off strong with prose and description, but this quickly decays into long strings of dialogue. The interactions between the characters is generally well done and provides some humour, but it becomes monotonous to read because it's not broken up by movement or description. Description of what the characters are thinking and feeling during these interactions is rare, leaving them feeling empty. This is a shame, because the novel shines in the few places that it does delve into the heads of its characters.
The plot is a standard cookie-cutter galactic conspiracy storyline that somehow seems wholly out of place. The characters, despite being part of a peacekeeping force, don’t seem to have any understanding of chain of command or combat tactics with multiple characters somehow not recognising that an energy weapon is out of charge or ineffectively shooting guns at an enemy ship and never once trying to find a different way to bring it down.
The overall feel is less space opera and more soap opera, but I don’t mean that as an insult. Missing Among the Stars feels like it should be a science fiction slice of life story about a group of friends and their insignificant problems set against the backdrop of a vast and strange galaxy. The shoehorned conspiracy plot just gets in the way of what seems to be the true core of the story, people from different walks of life learning to understand and appreciate each other. You don’t need a galaxy-ending threat for that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The novel takes place in a vast galaxy teeming with alien species that tries its hardest to build on the spirit of space operas before it. The problem with this is that it has all been done before. Humans enhanced with cybernetics, alien species modelled after animals found on Earth, an intergalactic alliance of multiple species and a rag-tag team of characters from across the spectrum are tried and true tropes of science fiction, but nothing Missing Among the Stars doesn't stand to add anything new.
Chapters often start off strong with prose and description, but this quickly decays into long strings of dialogue. The interactions between the characters is generally well done and provides some humour, but it becomes monotonous to read because it's not broken up by movement or description. Description of what the characters are thinking and feeling during these interactions is rare, leaving them feeling empty. This is a shame, because the novel shines in the few places that it does delve into the heads of its characters.
The plot is a standard cookie-cutter galactic conspiracy storyline that somehow seems wholly out of place. The characters, despite being part of a peacekeeping force, don’t seem to have any understanding of chain of command or combat tactics with multiple characters somehow not recognising that an energy weapon is out of charge or ineffectively shooting guns at an enemy ship and never once trying to find a different way to bring it down.
The overall feel is less space opera and more soap opera, but I don’t mean that as an insult. Missing Among the Stars feels like it should be a science fiction slice of life story about a group of friends and their insignificant problems set against the backdrop of a vast and strange galaxy. The shoehorned conspiracy plot just gets in the way of what seems to be the true core of the story, people from different walks of life learning to understand and appreciate each other. You don’t need a galaxy-ending threat for that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 17, 2025
As a big fan of sci-fi, I really enjoyed this book and I'm thrilled that I was able to read it.
The book is focused on the plot and emotions. The pacing was just right, neither too slow nor too fast.
I will read next book for sure and can't wait.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book is focused on the plot and emotions. The pacing was just right, neither too slow nor too fast.
I will read next book for sure and can't wait.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 25, 2025
Eddie Pittman’s Missing Among the Stars is a thrilling and heartfelt space opera that expertly combines interstellar adventure, personal drama, and thoughtful worldbuilding. The story follows Kasey Mako, a Galactic peacekeeper grappling with the loss of his husband while leading a diverse crew on missions to protect the fragile peace of the Galactic Union. Through their journey, they uncover a mysterious virus, investigate a missing colony, and face the resurgence of a supposedly extinct alien race, all while unraveling a conspiracy that threatens the entire galaxy.
Kasey Mako stands out as a compelling protagonist—a multi-dimensional, relatable character whose thoughtful and human perspective grounds the story. His struggles with loss, his phobia of space travel, and his insecurities make him a richly developed and engaging character, especially as he navigates his role as a reluctant leader. The inclusion of a gay protagonist at the heart of the narrative is refreshing and handled with nuance.
The novel’s ensemble cast of misfit characters, including various alien species and cyborgs, adds depth and humor to the story. While the cross-species interactions are entertaining, the aliens are primarily modeled after Earth species (cats, birds, insects), which might feel overly familiar to readers craving more otherworldly concepts. However, this choice lends a sense of accessibility and relatability to the alien dynamics.
Pittman’s worldbuilding is a standout feature. The richly detailed universe—complete with unique species, interstellar politics, and immersive settings like the alien planet Tyol—feels tangible and alive. The mining colony and the Irene spaceship are described with a level of detail that brings the world to life, while the thoughtful addition of front matter describing the different species, acronyms, major and minor characters, and two timelines provides an initial “heads up” grounding for the reader. In a book with so much going on I found it valuable.
The plot is engaging, blending classic sci-fi tropes with fresh ideas. While the overarching conspiracy adds intrigue, the story’s true strength lies in its character-driven moments, especially the heartfelt interactions among the crew. The pacing varies; action sequences are thrilling but occasionally drag, and the middle sections could be tighter. However, the strong dialogue and natural chemistry among the characters keep the narrative moving forward.
Missing Among the Stars successfully balances adventure with deeper themes of loss, redemption, and unity, but the overwhelming number of characters (with sometimes similar names) might challenge readers. Fans of modern sci-fi, especially those who enjoy works like The Expanse or Ancillary Justice, will find much to love in this book.
This is a promising start to what could be an exceptional series. With its mix of thrilling action, emotional depth, and imaginative worldbuilding, Missing Among the Stars is a must-read for any space opera enthusiast. I look forward to seeing where Eddie Pittman takes us next.
Kasey Mako stands out as a compelling protagonist—a multi-dimensional, relatable character whose thoughtful and human perspective grounds the story. His struggles with loss, his phobia of space travel, and his insecurities make him a richly developed and engaging character, especially as he navigates his role as a reluctant leader. The inclusion of a gay protagonist at the heart of the narrative is refreshing and handled with nuance.
The novel’s ensemble cast of misfit characters, including various alien species and cyborgs, adds depth and humor to the story. While the cross-species interactions are entertaining, the aliens are primarily modeled after Earth species (cats, birds, insects), which might feel overly familiar to readers craving more otherworldly concepts. However, this choice lends a sense of accessibility and relatability to the alien dynamics.
Pittman’s worldbuilding is a standout feature. The richly detailed universe—complete with unique species, interstellar politics, and immersive settings like the alien planet Tyol—feels tangible and alive. The mining colony and the Irene spaceship are described with a level of detail that brings the world to life, while the thoughtful addition of front matter describing the different species, acronyms, major and minor characters, and two timelines provides an initial “heads up” grounding for the reader. In a book with so much going on I found it valuable.
The plot is engaging, blending classic sci-fi tropes with fresh ideas. While the overarching conspiracy adds intrigue, the story’s true strength lies in its character-driven moments, especially the heartfelt interactions among the crew. The pacing varies; action sequences are thrilling but occasionally drag, and the middle sections could be tighter. However, the strong dialogue and natural chemistry among the characters keep the narrative moving forward.
Missing Among the Stars successfully balances adventure with deeper themes of loss, redemption, and unity, but the overwhelming number of characters (with sometimes similar names) might challenge readers. Fans of modern sci-fi, especially those who enjoy works like The Expanse or Ancillary Justice, will find much to love in this book.
This is a promising start to what could be an exceptional series. With its mix of thrilling action, emotional depth, and imaginative worldbuilding, Missing Among the Stars is a must-read for any space opera enthusiast. I look forward to seeing where Eddie Pittman takes us next.
September 12, 2024
"Missing Among the Stars" is a soft science fiction epic. The book is structured as a series of military missions that lead to an overarching plot, revealing a large underlying conspiracy—some parts connected, some not. The plotting is well done and keeps readers engaged throughout a fairly long read. This is a challenge given the number of characters and storylines. There is also an appendix, which, if consulted before reading, can help the reader keep track of the multitude of characters. It is very light on spoilers and safe to read first without diminishing the novel’s story.
For me, there was a "Guardians of the Galaxy" vibe at many points, though without the heavy humor. This feeling comes from the interactions and camaraderie among the main crew, who are the focus of the story. There are a lot of alien species, with plenty of variation, yet you can identify with all the characters, human or not. Many of them struggle with deep pains and internal conflicts, which are frequently explored in this work. You get to witness their ups and downs, which helps draw you into caring about what happens to them.
That said, the pacing does slow down at times due to thick dialogue. The action sequences, while exciting, occasionally go on for too long. I believe this may be an attempt to capture the alienness of certain situations, but it can make parts of the book feel like a slog. The use of otherworldly words scattered throughout can also slow the reader down. While the appendix can help here as well, it sometimes requires rereading certain passages to fully understand what’s going on.
Overall, this is a solid science fiction tale.
For me, there was a "Guardians of the Galaxy" vibe at many points, though without the heavy humor. This feeling comes from the interactions and camaraderie among the main crew, who are the focus of the story. There are a lot of alien species, with plenty of variation, yet you can identify with all the characters, human or not. Many of them struggle with deep pains and internal conflicts, which are frequently explored in this work. You get to witness their ups and downs, which helps draw you into caring about what happens to them.
That said, the pacing does slow down at times due to thick dialogue. The action sequences, while exciting, occasionally go on for too long. I believe this may be an attempt to capture the alienness of certain situations, but it can make parts of the book feel like a slog. The use of otherworldly words scattered throughout can also slow the reader down. While the appendix can help here as well, it sometimes requires rereading certain passages to fully understand what’s going on.
Overall, this is a solid science fiction tale.
November 21, 2024
Eddie Pittman’s Missing Among the Stars is a space opera that combines interstellar travel, personal drama, and thoughtful worldbuilding. The story follows Kasey Mako, a galactic peacekeeper dealing with the loss of his husband while leading a diverse crew to investigate crisis threatening the Galactic Union. A mysterious virus, a missing colony, and the resurgence of a supposedly extinct alien race pave a story to unveil a far-reaching conspiracy.
The plot is engaging, and it leans on familiar tropes like misfit teams and galaxy-wide threats that are easy for a reader to adapt. While the conspiracy adds tension, it sometimes feels shoehorned, but the story shines brightest during its slice-of-life moments among the crew. The pacing sometimes varies. Action sequences dazzle but occasionally drag. Dialogue-heavy sections sometimes slow the momentum. The characters are rich and deep, particularly Kasey and Falisto. In terms of hardcore scifi, some alien species perhaps lack originality, often resembling Earth animals, which might disappoint fans of deeply alien concepts, but they do serve the plot however.
Pittman’s writing could be compared to The Expanse and Guardians of the Galaxy. Despite its few flaws, the book is a great adventure with thoughtful themes of loss, unity, and self-discovery. It’s a promising start to a series that will likely go well with fans of classic and modern sci-fi.
The plot is engaging, and it leans on familiar tropes like misfit teams and galaxy-wide threats that are easy for a reader to adapt. While the conspiracy adds tension, it sometimes feels shoehorned, but the story shines brightest during its slice-of-life moments among the crew. The pacing sometimes varies. Action sequences dazzle but occasionally drag. Dialogue-heavy sections sometimes slow the momentum. The characters are rich and deep, particularly Kasey and Falisto. In terms of hardcore scifi, some alien species perhaps lack originality, often resembling Earth animals, which might disappoint fans of deeply alien concepts, but they do serve the plot however.
Pittman’s writing could be compared to The Expanse and Guardians of the Galaxy. Despite its few flaws, the book is a great adventure with thoughtful themes of loss, unity, and self-discovery. It’s a promising start to a series that will likely go well with fans of classic and modern sci-fi.
September 2, 2024
Classic space opera needs a misfit group of mavericks, lots of space travel, aliens and a galaxy-wide threat. Missing Among the Stars can check all those with big, fat ticks.
Our misfit mavericks are led by Kasey Mako - a traumatised hero still grieving the loss of his beloved, and who has a phobia around space travel. The team includes various aliens and a couple of cyborgs.
Kasey and his team find themselves dealing with a virus which kills cyborgs, a missing colony and an attack by a supposedly extinct alien race out of nowhere. Through their investigations, they solve some old mysteries, right great wrongs and, of course, set out to save the galaxy. If they didn’t, this would not be the wonderful, classic space opera story it is. But there is a lot more in the story than heroism. There is reflection and sadness as well, with romance and friendship, adventure and exploration, nudging shoulders with tragedy, brutality and betrayal.
I loved it.
My only complaint was that the aliens were not alien enough. They were almost entirely based on earth-like creatures so we have cat people, bird people, insect people etc. I crave truly alien aliens in my sci-fi. But I’m not about to mark down a thunderingly good space opera adventure just for that quirk.
If you like space opera you will really enjoy Missing Among the Stars.
Our misfit mavericks are led by Kasey Mako - a traumatised hero still grieving the loss of his beloved, and who has a phobia around space travel. The team includes various aliens and a couple of cyborgs.
Kasey and his team find themselves dealing with a virus which kills cyborgs, a missing colony and an attack by a supposedly extinct alien race out of nowhere. Through their investigations, they solve some old mysteries, right great wrongs and, of course, set out to save the galaxy. If they didn’t, this would not be the wonderful, classic space opera story it is. But there is a lot more in the story than heroism. There is reflection and sadness as well, with romance and friendship, adventure and exploration, nudging shoulders with tragedy, brutality and betrayal.
I loved it.
My only complaint was that the aliens were not alien enough. They were almost entirely based on earth-like creatures so we have cat people, bird people, insect people etc. I crave truly alien aliens in my sci-fi. But I’m not about to mark down a thunderingly good space opera adventure just for that quirk.
If you like space opera you will really enjoy Missing Among the Stars.
September 11, 2024
I’m impressed. I don’t read a lot of sci-fi, necessarily, but I just finished this and would definitely say that. This book is set in a world where Hybrids—intriguing part-human, part-machine beings—take center stage. The setting and story are full of diverse characters, including a fascinating array of alien species, set on a mining colony on the alien planet Tyol. There are the feline Psys, the scarlet-skinned Orchi with purple eyes, the spherical Shura who speak in one-word sentences, the quadrupedal Nyary, and the tendriled Venori. A variety of creative creatures. The mystery of a virus, the Tyol Virus, which affects the Hybrids, adds an urgent, thrilling layer to the narrative.
Kasey Mako, our protagonist, is a well-crafted character, wrestling with personal loss. His journey through complex interstellar politics and human-alien interactions reminded me of The Expanse and Ancillary Justice. The detailed world-building is a standout feature; the descriptions of Tyol and the Irene spaceship make the universe feel tangible and lived-in. The writing is competent throughout with some standout descriptors along the way. For example, there is a small line about Kasey’s lips trembling into a smolder; it is simple, but evocative.
While the abundance of alien species and technical jargon might initially overwhelm some readers, they ultimately enrich the story. As a novel, I would say it’s clear the author put immense thought into crafting this intricate universe. The plot is a rollercoaster, though the middle sections could be tighter. The appendix is interesting and fleshed-out, for those who enjoy diving deep into additional lore. This was one of the better works I’ve read in a while. If you’re into reading sci-fi with mystery and a diverse cast, this is worth a read.
Kasey Mako, our protagonist, is a well-crafted character, wrestling with personal loss. His journey through complex interstellar politics and human-alien interactions reminded me of The Expanse and Ancillary Justice. The detailed world-building is a standout feature; the descriptions of Tyol and the Irene spaceship make the universe feel tangible and lived-in. The writing is competent throughout with some standout descriptors along the way. For example, there is a small line about Kasey’s lips trembling into a smolder; it is simple, but evocative.
While the abundance of alien species and technical jargon might initially overwhelm some readers, they ultimately enrich the story. As a novel, I would say it’s clear the author put immense thought into crafting this intricate universe. The plot is a rollercoaster, though the middle sections could be tighter. The appendix is interesting and fleshed-out, for those who enjoy diving deep into additional lore. This was one of the better works I’ve read in a while. If you’re into reading sci-fi with mystery and a diverse cast, this is worth a read.
June 13, 2025
Missing Among the Stars: A Riveting Galactic Mystery!
"Missing Among the Stars" grabbed me from the very first page and didn't let go! The premise alone is fascinating: what happened after humanity received a single, cryptic "Hello" from deep space? The book masterfully weaves this initial mystery with a current-day investigation led by Kasey Mako, the son of one of the disappeared "Traveler" crew members.
I'm a big fan of Mass Effect and Old Man's War, and this novel absolutely delivers on that same sense of grand scale and intriguing alien interactions. The pacing is spot-on, with Kasey and his diverse team uncovering layers of conspiracy that keep you guessing. It’s light enough for a sci-fi newcomer, but with enough depth and intrigue to satisfy seasoned veterans. The way the seemingly random events — a strange virus here, a missing colony there — start to connect into a truly sinister plot is brilliantly executed. I found myself theorizing right alongside the characters! If you're looking for an engaging space opera with a compelling mystery at its heart, "Missing Among the Stars" is a must-read.
"Missing Among the Stars" grabbed me from the very first page and didn't let go! The premise alone is fascinating: what happened after humanity received a single, cryptic "Hello" from deep space? The book masterfully weaves this initial mystery with a current-day investigation led by Kasey Mako, the son of one of the disappeared "Traveler" crew members.
I'm a big fan of Mass Effect and Old Man's War, and this novel absolutely delivers on that same sense of grand scale and intriguing alien interactions. The pacing is spot-on, with Kasey and his diverse team uncovering layers of conspiracy that keep you guessing. It’s light enough for a sci-fi newcomer, but with enough depth and intrigue to satisfy seasoned veterans. The way the seemingly random events — a strange virus here, a missing colony there — start to connect into a truly sinister plot is brilliantly executed. I found myself theorizing right alongside the characters! If you're looking for an engaging space opera with a compelling mystery at its heart, "Missing Among the Stars" is a must-read.
September 21, 2024
Eddie Pittman's "Among the Stars" is old school space opera that opens with a simple message from the stars: "Hello." This single word ignited a rift within humanity, leading to war and a legacy of grief and conflict that echoes throughout the story. Twenty-five years post-transmission, we meet Kasey Mako, who deals with both personal issues and intergalactic strife. Kasey and his crew of misfits soon find themselves entangled in space adventures and a deeper, darker plot that threatens not just their Union, but the whole galaxy.
The author does a decent job merging character drama with suspense, action, and science fiction tropes. In a way, it's intro sci-fi...the characters don't have overly complicated backstories, the aliens aren't *too* weird, and things usually keep moving. But there's enough mythology, lingo, and characters to justify an appendix and cast listing in the opening, and the length is pretty excessive, so the book might end up appealing more to the diehard sci-fi fans.
The author does a decent job merging character drama with suspense, action, and science fiction tropes. In a way, it's intro sci-fi...the characters don't have overly complicated backstories, the aliens aren't *too* weird, and things usually keep moving. But there's enough mythology, lingo, and characters to justify an appendix and cast listing in the opening, and the length is pretty excessive, so the book might end up appealing more to the diehard sci-fi fans.
October 19, 2024
Missing Among the Stars is an enjoyable romp through the universe. A space opera with gang of misfits cast of characters that has a lovely pacing where we get to enjoy the interactions and chemistry between the different folks. The plot revolves around a series of missions that the characters embark upon as Galactic peacekeepers, with Kasey Mako as their leader. Much of the story is from his perspective and he comes off as thoughtful, human and multi-dimensional with interesting personality quirks and typical insecurities. I also appreciated that he is a gay man and is the central protagonist.
I really liked how the author utilized the different species of earth as the aliens. I actually think this makes a lot of sense. That in other versions of our world, the insects evolved to sentience. Or the cats or birds. It was fun to read about the cross-species interactions, both the shared reality and the gaps in understanding.
As novel in the sci fi genre, this is a solid start to a fun series. Looking forward to more from Eddie Pittman.
I really liked how the author utilized the different species of earth as the aliens. I actually think this makes a lot of sense. That in other versions of our world, the insects evolved to sentience. Or the cats or birds. It was fun to read about the cross-species interactions, both the shared reality and the gaps in understanding.
As novel in the sci fi genre, this is a solid start to a fun series. Looking forward to more from Eddie Pittman.
July 23, 2025
Missing Among the Stars by Eddie Pittman is a captivating space opera that launches readers into a thrilling cosmos. Following Kasey Mako, a grieving galactic peacekeeper with a space travel phobia, the story unravels a gripping mystery: a lethal virus, a lost colony, and the resurgence of an extinct alien race. The plot twists kept me on edge, a refreshing departure from predictable sci-fi tropes. The diverse crew, quirky aliens and steadfast cyborgs, adds charm, though their Earth-inspired designs, think feline or insectoid forms, feel mildly conventional. Kasey’s emotional depth and leadership struggles anchor the narrative, blending high-octane action with tender moments of loss and hope. Pittman’s worldbuilding dazzles, with the Irene spaceship’s eerie corridors and Tyol’s vibrant landscapes brought to life, aided by a useful glossary. The pace starts slow but surges into an exhilarating ride. Witty dialogue and the crew’s bond elevate the tale. A promising series opener, it’s a must-read for The Expanse fans seeking a new interstellar adventure!
July 24, 2025
A science expedition across years and lightyears.
What an adventure! This science fiction novel is a splendid galactic tale that begins with a single signal from deep space: the single word "Hello," albeit in several languages. The quest spanned from Earth to numerous planets, involving diverse races, languages, body morphologies, and even multiple generations. The plot is intricate, and the foreign words are foreign, but if you hang in there and give the focus effort and attention, you will receive the reward of a tightly woven plot involving generations, solar systems, and races. Unfortunately, the homosexual subplot was an emotional disconnect for me. It's just a genre I don't enjoy reading, but I'm sure some people do. The plot has many twists, and I was often wondering who the good guy was that I should cheer for and who the villain was that I should scorn. The use of italics was not intuitive. Sometimes it was an innveroice, but sometimes (but not always) it was dialogue. It can be considered a difficult read, but it's worth the effort.
What an adventure! This science fiction novel is a splendid galactic tale that begins with a single signal from deep space: the single word "Hello," albeit in several languages. The quest spanned from Earth to numerous planets, involving diverse races, languages, body morphologies, and even multiple generations. The plot is intricate, and the foreign words are foreign, but if you hang in there and give the focus effort and attention, you will receive the reward of a tightly woven plot involving generations, solar systems, and races. Unfortunately, the homosexual subplot was an emotional disconnect for me. It's just a genre I don't enjoy reading, but I'm sure some people do. The plot has many twists, and I was often wondering who the good guy was that I should cheer for and who the villain was that I should scorn. The use of italics was not intuitive. Sometimes it was an innveroice, but sometimes (but not always) it was dialogue. It can be considered a difficult read, but it's worth the effort.
September 15, 2024
Missing Among the Stars by Eddie Pittman is an epic scifi saga. After aliens make first contact with Earth, it causes a huge divide amongst humans, leading to a civil war. Fast forward 25 years and human and aliens must team up to investigate an intergalactic danger and a conspiracy, a long-thought extinct race. Leader of the crew is Kasey Mako, the son of one of the original “Travelers” sent out to investigate the ‘signal’ and who never returned. Kasey has a lot of baggage, including grieving the recent loss of his husband. There is much drama and many characters to keep track of, but the author does a good job of weaving the plotlines and character arcs to bring everything together. NOTE: there are a bunch of extras at the end including: terms, alien species, acronyms, timelines and more. Well done!
November 22, 2024
We have plenty of aliens, some are like birds, some are like cats, some cyborgs, and more. The main character Kasey is quite likeable and a good protagonist with an engaging backstory as a reluctant hero. There are a lot of characters in this book and I admit I got them mixed up and lost track of who was who a little bit. Kasey, Benjo, Falisto are easy. Tsoka, Tsarena, Tsavon were more challenging to keep separated. Kasey gets assigned a few different missions by his boss Respow so the team members change a little bit throughout, and so does the direction of the story - but if you stick with it and trust, it eventually all comes together pretty satisfactorily. The action and dialogue is well written, feeling very natural and moves things along well. There were a few small editing issues but overall it was a good read and there is plenty to build on for continuation in a series.
January 25, 2025
I don't usually read science fiction, but Missing Among the Stars by Eddie Pittman really grabbed my attention. It bears thinking about: what would happen if aliens contacted Earth. According to this author it would trigger another civil war and a divide about pros and cons of ALFs (Alien Life Forms). As time goes on Kasry Mako, a grieving widower who also lost his father in the first outreach team attempt, must put together a ragtag group of skilled earthlings and aliens to go save the Universe. Think "Guardians of the Galaxy" meets "Star Wars" to go on a mission to save the universe. There is much adventure and mayhem for them to deal with including a deadly virus, discovery of a supposedly extinct colony, and many alien attacks. Lots of colorful characters and drama like a space soap opera. I enjoyed it and recommended it to other friends who shy away from SciFi.
May 17, 2025
I really appreciate the scope and ambition of this space opera. I’ll be honest the pace was slow at first but once all the stories tie together it speeds up and becomes fun for fans of conspiracy, adventure and well executed multiple perspective head hoppers. The humorous banter is exceptional and I really like how the characters move around the galaxy. However as others have noted the decision to name the station Musk is a penalty point of one star. I just can't get past this decision, and it breaks the spell. However you feel about this person good or bad, it creates a separate thought pattern. Mars is such a fertile ground for adventure I wonder how necessary it is to tie the events of the future to the public figures of today. Other than that one flaw it's completely enjoyable and I encourage the author to engage in more creation sometime soon.
October 14, 2024
After aliens meet up with humans make contact, the story speeds up some years into the future. The leader of the crew is Kasey, but there are plenty of aliens and human characters that also have compelling plotlines and add to the mix. The prose is good and I like the index of important places and characters as well. There is a lot of humorous or witty dialogue, and most fans of space operas or sci-fi will be mostly at home here. There is a larger conspiracy going on behind the scenes, and while it can be a little bit jarring when mixed up with the wacky space team, it all sort of comes together and resonates by the end. Anyone looking for a good space story or other elements will be intrigued.
August 15, 2024
Among the Stars by Eddie Pittman is a captivating sci-fi adventure set in a galaxy transformed by a mysterious deep space transmission. Following Kasey Mako, who investigates crises threatening the Galactic Union, this novel explores personal loss and a complex interstellar conspiracy.
Pittman’s richly developed characters, including strong female leads and the intriguing Falisto, add depth to a narrative full of space exploration, political intrigue, and personal redemption. A must-read for sci-fi fans!
#ScienceFiction #SpaceAdventure #LGBTQ #GalacticUnion #BookRecommendation 🚀🌌📚
Pittman’s richly developed characters, including strong female leads and the intriguing Falisto, add depth to a narrative full of space exploration, political intrigue, and personal redemption. A must-read for sci-fi fans!
#ScienceFiction #SpaceAdventure #LGBTQ #GalacticUnion #BookRecommendation 🚀🌌📚
July 25, 2025
Great read
The scene towards the latter half where they're putting in an IV, but are a bit confused by the biological differences in species is what really sold this book. Love it.
Highly recommend for fans of sci-fi
The scene towards the latter half where they're putting in an IV, but are a bit confused by the biological differences in species is what really sold this book. Love it.
Highly recommend for fans of sci-fi
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