Jael and his crew are on the run, hunting a long-lost machine that might stop the galaxy from tearing itself apart. But on a syndicate-controlled moon, survival has a price.
The artifact fused to Jael's arm gave him power. It also painted a target on his back. With a bounty on his head and enemies closing in, Jael is forced into a brutal contest that pits the four ruling syndicates against each other for control of the moon.
A rival, armed with a similar artifact, stalks him from the shadows and unravels his plans at every turn. As old enemies return and alliances fracture, Jael must keep his crew alive and find the second Antiqui lock before the moon becomes their grave.
The Hunger Games meets Star Wars. Perfect for fans of The Expanse, Empire of Silence, and Dune. Syndicate Moon is the second book in the Stellar Heir series, a dark sci-fi adventure full of intrigue, failing alliances, and the cost of becoming more than human.
This was a thrilling continuation from Scott Killian's first book Stellar Heir. Had some Hunger Games vibes on a much grander scale. Shifts and loyalties from former enemies created an interesting dynamic as the story unfolded. The action and the story get deeper. And i'm already looking forward to the next book.
Update: I must have been in a hurry for that last review, because the characters deserve much more than that.
Jael, the hero and a scavenger, is a great character that battles inner demons as he grapples with his destiny to save the galaxies. He is also haunted by the random visions of his old mentor, Prahvan Haanj, who is looking to rule the galaxies. Goni, an android/monkey hybrid that is a genius with engineering, is the forever faithful, if not forgetful, partner in their quest to find ancient artifacts that will help Jael fulfill his destiny. Merzi is an interesting character all by herself. She is inhabiting the body of someone, and has for quite some time. She has ties to Cadman Drift. Zigzagunda, the vessel they are flying in, who is quite animated and a bit sassy. Elph, a gasophage being, who is similar to a dog that has been loyal to Jael through multiple fights.
Viscount Cadman Drift, a former military commander employed by the Hezion Corporation, is a complex character all on his own as he also grapples with things. From holding on to what happened to his parents and blaming Jael for it to fighting internal battles of ethics. Dunclain, CEO of the Hezion Corp, is a narcissistic crooked CEO that lives lavishly and is a bit out of touch with the reality around him.
These are the majority of the main characters that have made into Syndicate Moon from Stolen Heir.
Add new characters like Sulmon, the tavern owner; Mustkow, a crime syndicate boss; Vargus, Mustkow's muscle and 2nd in command, and many other colorful characters.
Series of battles where the only way to win is survive is called Krav'llayia. This is where I got the Hunger Games vibes, only on a much grander scale.
Any time you get crime syndicates together, there is always going to be deceit, backstabbing, and plans to harm the "other syndicates."
Now that you have an idea about how vast the world/character development was, and I only scratched the surface, you can only imagine the interconnected stories that drive this story through multiple facets of peril. I wish I could say more about the book, but I do not want to have any spoilers.
This is a great SciFi Fantasy book that has so much more than space and aliens. The audio book was just released. I thought the book was fantastic, the audio version jumped off the pages creating mental images of what was going on. The narrator was clear, and the inflections used throughout the book will draw you into the world of Jael.
ALF!!! I love that they named their vicious little companion, who seems to have turned into everyone's favorite little guy. I too, often like people's pets more than them so one of the villains became slightly relateable 😂
Fast paced, action packed, and deeper into the lore and storylines.
Excellent narration as always! Thank you endlessly to Shamaan Casey for the audio code to check out these books and his performances!
Syndicate Moon is a thrilling, high-stakes space drama and the 2nd book in the Stellar Heir series. The book picks up where book 1, Stellar Heir, left off, delving deeper into the series’ sci-fi universe and turning the action dial way up!
The story once again follows protagonist Jael and his crew of fugitives (from book 1), who are hunting down an ancient machine capable of saving the galaxy. Their quest leads them to a syndicate-controlled moon, where Jael uncovers a powerful artifact granting him mysterious abilities. News of this power causes a massive bounty on his head, drawing both old enemies and bounty hunters to pursue him. What follows is a violent power struggle as four crime syndicates wage war for control of the moon—and for Jael himself. In order for Jael and his crew to survive, they must uncover the secrets of the Antiqui artifact before it’s too late!
The world-building in both books in the series is expansive and incredibly intricate. The main setting in this book is the vividly depicted Syndicate Moon, where lawlessness reigns and danger lurks at every corner! The moon becomes a multidimensional character in its own right, showcasing itself as a battlefield, labyrinth, and corrupt power base. As the story mostly focuses on Jael and the conflicts he faces, the intricacies of the crime syndicates and galactic politics aren’t explicitly described, but their war to control the moon is an integral part of the story.
The dual storyline structure is complex, making the book more than just a casual read—readers need to pay close attention at all times to follow the non-stop action and constant turns in the plot. If listening on audio, it is highly recommended to listen at a slower speed—to grasp everything and become properly immersed in all the excitement! There are a lot of characters and syndicates in this book, and jotting down locations and character names while reading or listening can be helpful. By following along intently, readers will feel like they’re in a race against time with Jael and his crew—and themes of survival and loyalty shine through!
The pacing in this book is relentless—so be prepared for several heart-pounding chase/battle scenes and drama with Jael and his crew. The conflicts come one after another, and the combat scenes are infused with martial arts, making them very cinematic and leaving readers breathless afterwards. There are a series of battles called Krav’llayia, where the only way to win is to survive—these give off major Hunger Games vibes and are highly entertaining!
Jael is a formidable protagonist, seemingly more mature and self-aware than in book 1, and much more comfortable with commanding a crew. Jael is also a hunted man in this story, forced into a brutal contest that pits the four ruling syndicates against each other for control of the moon. His journey of self-growth and his evolution into a powerful galactic hero are the foundation of the book, and readers of the first book will appreciate the continued evolution of Jael’s emotional arc. Jael’s forever faithful companion, Goni, an android/monkey hybrid, continues to offer incredible solutions in their quest.
Jael’s interactions with his crew members add moments of humor and drama to the otherwise tense storyline. The emotional stakes become quite high during a few battle scenes as Jael is forced to make quick decisions and deal with betrayal, making the story even more captivating! The mysterious woman who stalks Jael and his crew, wielding a similar powerful artifact, adds another layer of mystery to the story and eventually complicates alliances and causes upheaval—readers will be hooked by this subplot, and its unfolding is quite unpredictable!
Jael’s unique supernatural powers also continue to evolve and impress in this book—an armor of black crystalline scales erupting from Jael’s skin is a thrilling twist during violent combat. When the plot is not offering non-stop action, Jael is often depicted in deep, introspective inner monologues, reflecting on his past experiences, assessing his obstacles, or contemplating his next moves. Readers really get a deep glimpse into his inner workings and can clearly see how much he’s learned and is evolving!
In summary, Syndicate Moon is a bold, high-stakes space opera that offers a big punch of entertainment—high-stakes battles, martial arts, mystical sci-fi powers, and compelling characters! In comparison to the first book, this book leans more heavily on action and sets up opportunities for more character development in future books. It’s a must-read for fans of space operas, political intrigue, galactic hero stories, and race-against-time narratives!
NARRATOR PERFORMACE
The audiobook of Syndicate Moon is a thrilling listen performed by talented narrator Shamaan Casey. Casey also narrated the first book, so it’s highly recommended to listen to both books in the series back-to-back for an incredibly entertaining and immersive experience!
Casey uses his rich, velvety smooth voice and a commanding tone to narrate the story and brings protagonist Jael’s introspection, strength, and incredible wit vividly to life. His crystal-clear voice and excellent pacing are perfect for this very intricate story, and readers will become easily acquainted with all the characters and follow the many conflicts without any confusion. It’s still recommended to listen at a slower speed to appreciate all the nuances that Casey injects into the dialogue and combat scenes. Just like in the first book, Casey provides a distinct-sounding voice and unique persona for each character—and this isn’t an easy feat, as there are plenty—and he matches the voices from book 1 for perfect continuity!
Casey increases his pacing and uses a wider and more intense vocal range during the many high-stakes battle scenes, especially highlighting the martial arts sequences—it all feels very cinematic while listening, and listeners will be able to easily picture this book as a film adaptation!
Just like the first book, this audiobook has a high production quality, with crystal-clear sound and seamless transitions between chapters. Overall, Scott Killian’s descriptive storytelling and Shamaan Casey’s polished and immersive performance create a thrilling and unstoppable audiobook. If you enjoy action-packed thrillers, race-against-time stories, space operas, and compelling characters, then add this audiobook to your reading list! The audiobook of Syndicate Moon is a thrilling listen performed by talented narrator Shamaan Casey. Casey also narrated the first book, so it’s highly recommended to listen to both books in the series back-to-back for an incredibly entertaining and immersive experience!
Casey uses his rich, velvety smooth voice and a commanding tone to narrate the story and brings protagonist Jael’s introspection, strength, and incredible wit vividly to life. His crystal-clear voice and excellent pacing are perfect for this very intricate story, and readers will become easily acquainted with all the characters and follow the many conflicts without any confusion. It’s still recommended to listen at a slower speed to appreciate all the nuances that Casey injects into the dialogue and combat scenes. Just like in the first book, Casey provides a distinct-sounding voice and unique persona for each character—and this isn’t an easy feat, as there are plenty—and he matches the voices from book 1 for perfect continuity!
Casey increases his pacing and uses a wider and more intense vocal range during the many high-stakes battle scenes, especially highlighting the martial arts sequences—it all feels very cinematic while listening, and listeners will be able to easily picture this book as a film adaptation!
Just like the first book, this audiobook has a high production quality, with crystal-clear sound and seamless transitions between chapters. Overall, Scott Killian’s descriptive storytelling and Shamaan Casey’s polished and immersive performance create a thrilling and unstoppable audiobook. If you enjoy action-packed thrillers, race-against-time stories, space operas, and compelling characters, then add this audiobook to your reading list!
The second book in the Stellar Heir series greatly expands on the previous story and this allows the listener to get a clearer understanding of the main characters along with their individual motivations. This tale is more about the people then their purpose, in subtle ways. “Syndicate Moon” is an action rich young adult space opera that is enjoyable due to its large scope and detailed creative world. Scott Killian (author) does a wonderful job of revealing things that were once obscured in the previous audiobook, and we begin to see just how much this world has changed. All of this is made even better because of its narration by Shamaan Casey, one of my favorite voices to listen to. He so easily brings the whole story to life in audio form. If you, like me, are a fan of in-depth action-packed science fiction space operas, I believe you will enjoy the journey the author takes you on in this audiobook. If you listened to the first audiobook in the series and enjoyed it, picking up this one is a great choice.
For me, the first book started off a bit slower than I would have liked, but it turned out to be a slow simmer that quickly came to a rapid boil, whereas this newer audiobook in the series starts off with a boil and keeps much of that pace until the end. Sure, there are periods of rest and regrouping, but I can say that this story is truly action packed. Additionally, it hops around a bit and does require the listener to pay attention to what is taking place, like many space opera genres. If not, one can quickly become lost and need to back up the audio a bit to get on track. I will say that I was glad that the author included some background and prequel details from the first audiobook catching listeners up on the story.
I will say again, this is a young adult science fiction story, so for me this means a bit simpler structure and writing style. Don’t get me wrong, I very much enjoyed it, but for some who like more adult content, this one does not have what you are looking for. As I was listening, the story made me think of the movies such as “The Gladiator” (in space) and “Starship Troopers” from a team perspective. This story is mainly focused on the completion of a space challenge and in this “game” there are no holes are bard. Everything goes, especially fighting dirty. Needless to say, a few situations come up requiring mortal enemies to join forces against an even greater foe while also trying to keep the main crew together and focused. The action consists of both close combat and large ship-to-ship battles. If you enjoy high levels of action, you will find it here.
I felt a tie-in with the movie “The Abbys” with some of the technology, including one’s ability to breath using an oxygen-based liquid. Overall, I found the technology interesting and the characters likable. The author did a good job of keeping the story paced and interesting while including a large amount of action and adventure. The conversations seemed believable and there was often some humor thrown in to help relieve tension. Moreover, there was always a sense of friendship (at times it did not feel it, but it was there), and a drive to the common goal.
About the narrator, there is not much more I can say about Mr. Casey and his skillful ability to open stories up and make them come alive using his deep and rich voice. The audio is professionally performed and mostly without artifacts being observed. A few slight edits, but unless you are listening for them, you may not even notice. His ability to voice the vast number is characters, including plenty of aliens, continues to surprise me. Not only is he consistent in character voicing in his audiobooks, but he is also able to accomplish this across the series as well. I’m not sure how narrators keep track of this, but Mr. Casey is a master at it.
For parents and younger audiences, this story could be enjoyed by most age groups with some understanding that younger listeners may not get some of the more mature story concepts, yet the story would still be enjoyable. There is a fair amount of fighting and violence, but this is seen in most stories of the genre. I would highly recommend one start with the first audiobook in the series and if you enjoy it, the second is even better in many ways.
In summary, this is a great space story that shows how are it can be surviving as a young adult in such a harsh environment. There are sacrifices, friendships, and hardships, yet the group knows the fate if they fail. Plenty of pressure, pondering, and humor across all the main characters. It is a story that unfolds and quickly grabs the listener until the end. The narration is top-notch and really helps to elevate the story by what feels like a space opera radio show from the 70’s. All around a great story and listen. I’m looking forward to future audiobook by this author.
Strap in for another wild ride through the stars. Syndicate Moon by Scott Killion picks up where Stellar Heir left off, delivering high-stakes space drama, galactic intrigue, and a hero forced to navigate loyalty, legacy, and looming threats. This second installment rockets deeper into the series’ sci-fi universe—and trust me, it doesn’t ease up on the throttle.
This review was part of a Goddess Fish Promotions tour on GinaRaeMitchell.
From the opening chapters, you’re pulled back into the world of Hunter Barris—a protagonist who continues to grow more complex with every challenge he faces. Killion excels at keeping the tension tight and the stakes sky-high. The world-building is immersive without being overwhelming, and the pacing is just right for fans of political thrillers layered with a healthy dose of space-faring rebellion.
What really stands out here is the balance of character development and action. Relationships deepen, motives shift, and just when you think you know where the story is headed, a curveball reminds you this isn’t your average sci-fi sequel. There’s a cinematic quality to the writing that makes it easy to visualize each twist, and I found myself flying through the chapters, eager for answers.
Whether you’re here for interstellar power plays or just want a solid character-driven saga with laser-sharp dialogue, Syndicate Moon delivers. I’m already looking forward to what’s next in the Stellar Heir universe.
“Killion doesn’t just build worlds—he throws you into orbit and dares you to hang on. Syndicate Moon is sharp, cinematic, and fueled by grit.”
Recommended for fans of: space opera, complex heroes, indie sci-fi series, and fast-paced political intrigue.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
The second book, Syndicate Moon, in Scott Killian’s Stellar Heir series, captured my attention from the very first page with its nonstop action. I loved the fights, especially the hand-to-hand combat. I also enjoyed reading about life on the moon; I could visualize each and every scene in my head. The descriptions made it easy to do so without any difficulty.
Syndicate Moon was incredibly captivating, drawing me deep into its world. It features a diverse set of characters that keeps the story flowing page after page. Oh, and did I mention the twists that kept appearing around every corner?
Syndicate Moon is one of the most exciting books I’ve read in a while. It reminded me of several TV shows. Speaking of TV shows, I would love to see the Stellar Heir series adapted for television.
Jael is a hunted man who has been forced into a brutal contest that pits the four ruling syndicates against each other for control of the moon—a contest that reminded me of The Hunger Games. A bounty has been placed on Jael’s head, dead or alive, preferably alive.
I eagerly await the next book in the series to see where the story goes next. I highly recommend Syndicate Moon to all science fiction fans! Grab a copy of Syndicate Moon today!
I personally did not care for this 2nd book as much as the 1st. For me to much betrayal, backstabbing, conspiracies, and strife. I found it to stressed ti really enjoy, but narrator does a good job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.