Dawn of the Starships

by Crystal Scherer

Computer updates aren't always all they seem in the middle of deep space.
***
Rachel, a junior assistant in the cargo bay, never imagined the spaceship’s AI would gain awareness during what should have been a routine update, nor had anyone expected it to take exception to the crew and the crates of illegal cargo aboard.
Rachel races against time to try and get life-saving systems back online while stranded in the middle of deep space. Unfortunately for her, the AI can access every system, door, and airlock.
As truths emerge, the AI realizes that even computers can make miscalculations, and it focuses on the young woman who had dared to confront it.
Rachel is left floundering when the AI decides that she would make an excellent captain, albeit one in need of training. As she struggles to learn her new duties and dodge shady government groups, she must ultimately discover what it truly means to be a Starship Captain.

100,000 words. No romance. Clean humor. No swears.

Genres: Science Fiction

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2025

About the author

I am a writer with several published works and several free rough drafts.
Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, as well as free drafts on Wattpad, RoyalRoad, Inkitt, and several other platforms.

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book after being recommended two other books by Crystal Scherer (Upon Wings of Change & A New Beginning). Those two books were right up my alley as they happen to have two things I love: dragons and science fiction. Suffice it to say, the description for this book caught my attention. It might not have dragons (though I loved the small reference in the beginning), but I can't turn down a science fiction book by an author that has written two other books that now have a place on my favorites shelf.

Dawn of the Starships was a fun read that I had a hard time putting down. Like her other works I have read, this book is very much "slice-of-life" (a favorite genre of mine) but does not lack action for those who are looking for the occasional space battle. I'm looking forward to the short Novella that takes place in this Universe.

The central bond between Rachel (the human protagonist) and their AI counterpart was truly the heart of the story for me. I love their heartwarming interactions and the occasional mischief they got up to. That said, I found myself wishing the narrative had carved out a little more space for Rachel and her inner circle of friends after she became captain.

Hopeful for more mischievousness in the future.

Side note: I approve of the one AI's decision to bring 200 stray cats aboard. I would've probably done the same thing.

[Nyx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing sci-fi read. I loved the peak into the human race thousands of years into the future. Of course it’s not cemented in stone what humans would be doing so far into the future, but space travel and inhabiting other planets is a strong possibility at the rate we are going. I loved the little details such as the MCs not being familiar with Earth animals, such as a crocodile and having to look them up. It’s pretty irrelevant to the main plot but was a fun detail that added a bit of flair to the story.

On the flip side I found some of the names in this ultra futuristic book to be down right hysterical. You are telling me that in an era where humans have extended their reach farther into the universe than we have ever seen before, mothers are really giving birth multiple galaxies away and still naming their children names like “Bob” and “Stevie”? It seems like a bit of an oversight.

I loved the concept of a human and an AI having such a strong relationship and working together to met common goals. The book was full of so many feel-good moments between the most unlikely pair of friends. However, I would have also liked to see more interaction between Rachel and her other friends. After she becomes a captain we rarely hear from her friends except for about three scenes near the end of the book. They also never really discuss the gravity of their friend being catapulted into a position leaps and bounds outside of her experience. They just kinda shrug their shoulders and go along with it.

There were also a few moments that felt sorta like plot holes. Such as a rescue mission from a planet about to be hit by a chain of super volcanoes. You are telling me that human technology has advanced to the point of intergalactic travel and inhabiting countless planets across multiple galaxies and building spaceships capable of traveling between those planets, but they don’t know how to stop a natural phenomenon?

This story is great if you take it for what it is. However, if your a space geek like me a few small details just don’t line up.

[Linda Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read!

I had stumbled across this story in its draft version on Inkitt. When I noticed the author had published to Amazon, I knew I had to buy it to see what changes were made. Throughly enjoyed reading it. Fingers crossed there will be more Starship stories in the future.

[Cloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this book! I have read the wattpad version so many times so having an actual book of it is awesome ^°^

[Brian Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book immensely and it started by enjoyment of the author’s other works