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Skylark
Lucian Elwyne lost everything the night his brother seized the throne—his crown, his peace, and his only son.
In the ashes of that betrayal, Lucian disappears. Not into exile, but into a grief so consuming it threatens to hollow him out for good. But when the man who murdered his child launches a brutal campaign to crush the last sparks of rebellion, Lucian is forced to rise—not as a prince, but as something harder. Something colder.
He never wanted power. He never wanted war.
But some legacies demand to be defended.
Set in the shadow of fractured moons and burning skies, Skylark is a sweeping tale of sorrow and survival—a story of a father fueled by love, rage, and the memory of a boy who should have lived.
He couldn’t save his son.
But he can still save the future.
In the ashes of that betrayal, Lucian disappears. Not into exile, but into a grief so consuming it threatens to hollow him out for good. But when the man who murdered his child launches a brutal campaign to crush the last sparks of rebellion, Lucian is forced to rise—not as a prince, but as something harder. Something colder.
He never wanted power. He never wanted war.
But some legacies demand to be defended.
Set in the shadow of fractured moons and burning skies, Skylark is a sweeping tale of sorrow and survival—a story of a father fueled by love, rage, and the memory of a boy who should have lived.
He couldn’t save his son.
But he can still save the future.
Audible Audio
Published October 16, 2025
About the author
Michael C.J. Torres
1 book8 followersMichael Torres writes stories about grief, legacy, and the quiet ache of becoming someone new. He’s a novelist, homesteader, and full-time feeler, currently building a life in the Michigan woods with his wife, their dog, and more dreams than daylight.
His debut novel Skylark is a sweeping sci-fi saga about love, rebellion, and the cost of what we leave behind.
His debut novel Skylark is a sweeping sci-fi saga about love, rebellion, and the cost of what we leave behind.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 8, 2025
Yall this book!!! Ripped my heart out and then gave me a stronger one! Such a good book! This is an emotion heavy sci-fi fantasy. The story is gripping and has grief, love, humor, friendship and action!! I will be anxiously waiting for the next book!
August 2, 2025
I just finished reading this (Skylark by Michael C.J. Torres)—WOW! What a fantastic story. It’s Star Wars meets Guardians of the Galaxy in all the best possible ways. I fell in love with the main character, Lucian, almost instantly. There’s comic relief exactly when it’s needed, and the emotional depth of the writing is both poetic and powerful. By the final chapters, I found myself purposely procrastinating, because I didn’t want it to end.
Luckily, I’ve heard there are at least two more books in the works! I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this writing style and the story within. There's action, a little romance (nothing over the top, just the right amount), humor, and the kind of reflective writing that makes you pause and reach for a notepad to write things down.
I also think Skylark could be THE book to help reluctant readers discover a new love for reading.
Brilliant and highly recommend Skylark!
Luckily, I’ve heard there are at least two more books in the works! I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this writing style and the story within. There's action, a little romance (nothing over the top, just the right amount), humor, and the kind of reflective writing that makes you pause and reach for a notepad to write things down.
I also think Skylark could be THE book to help reluctant readers discover a new love for reading.
Brilliant and highly recommend Skylark!
August 14, 2025
This science fiction adventure was amazing! It was a moving story with grief, betrayal, found family, banter, rebellion, action, rage, survival, and love. I was hooked from the start, cried through a lot of it, and was engrossed in the story the whole time. The twists came out of nowhere and shook me. I highly recommend it if your looking for a sci-fi action adventure with sorrow and heart!
On the day Lucian becomes king, he loses everything. Being betrayed, thrown into his despair, and on the run, he finds himself with unlikely allies, and a new reason to rise against the rebellion. Losing his past, he fights for the future.
Will he be able to look past his vengeance to become the man the people need him to be? Will he let his grief fester, or let it mold him into something stronger, and be his motivation?
I received an ARC with no expectation of a review.
All opinions are my own.
On the day Lucian becomes king, he loses everything. Being betrayed, thrown into his despair, and on the run, he finds himself with unlikely allies, and a new reason to rise against the rebellion. Losing his past, he fights for the future.
Will he be able to look past his vengeance to become the man the people need him to be? Will he let his grief fester, or let it mold him into something stronger, and be his motivation?
I received an ARC with no expectation of a review.
All opinions are my own.
September 13, 2025
If you like action, royal secrets, droid side kicks, and one too many severed hands—then Skylark is for you! Though it’s sci-fi with a lot of cool world building elements, it’s still very accessible to understand and follow.
The first ten or so chapters were a little hard for me to get into, mostly from a developmental standpoint point, but once the main character finds his path, it was very engaging and well written! The romantic subplot was also a little rocky at first for me, but I was sold by the half way mark.
The Ending was also top notch, I only wish there had been a bit more foreshadowing about some elements (that had nothing to do with the villain).
Overall, it’s worth the read if you like adventure, sci-fi and a large cast of fun characters!
The first ten or so chapters were a little hard for me to get into, mostly from a developmental standpoint point, but once the main character finds his path, it was very engaging and well written! The romantic subplot was also a little rocky at first for me, but I was sold by the half way mark.
The Ending was also top notch, I only wish there had been a bit more foreshadowing about some elements (that had nothing to do with the villain).
Overall, it’s worth the read if you like adventure, sci-fi and a large cast of fun characters!
July 25, 2025
A well done debut about finding the strength to keep going despite grief and betrayal.
The night of his brother’s coup, Lucian not only loses the throne, he loses his only son. As grief and betrayal threaten to drown him in despair he is taken in by the common people who have suffered under his father’s rule. But when his brother’s brutal campaign threatens his new friends, he must lead his ragtag group of recruits to reclaim his throne.
The plot was detailed and the world was described in depth. Overall I enjoyed this novel.
The night of his brother’s coup, Lucian not only loses the throne, he loses his only son. As grief and betrayal threaten to drown him in despair he is taken in by the common people who have suffered under his father’s rule. But when his brother’s brutal campaign threatens his new friends, he must lead his ragtag group of recruits to reclaim his throne.
The plot was detailed and the world was described in depth. Overall I enjoyed this novel.
September 3, 2025
Skylark mixes grief, betrayal, rebellion, and found family into an emotional story with plenty of twists. Lucian’s journey is heavy but balanced with humor and heart. The writing leans more on telling than showing, but it gives the book a reflective, almost poetic feel. If you like space adventures with depth and heart, this one’s worth reading.
Overall this was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to the rest of the series!
Overall this was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to the rest of the series!
September 8, 2025
Skylark is more than a space opera. It tells a story about loss, love, and resilience. Lucian’s grief feels raw and real, and every page carries both heartbreak and hope. I cried, I rooted for these characters, and I couldn’t stop thinking about them long after I finished. If you’ve ever loved someone enough to fight the world for them, this book will hit home.
I think I actsully fell in I’ve with Dansby
I think I actsully fell in I’ve with Dansby
August 14, 2025
I loved this book. It hit all the Star Wars and Sci Fi notes that I love, but it's a lot more than just sci fi. It's full of emotion, and humor in the right spots. The first few chapters make you love Nash and then he's ripped away from you (not a spoiler it's in the book's description). Dang. So satisfying. Lucian's voice is raw and sarcastic and vulnerable. Can't wait for book 2!
September 8, 2025
What happens when grief collides with duty? Skylark takes that question and spins it into an epic, emotional ride. The battles are cinematic, the politics are sharp, but what floored me was how real the characters feel. messy, hopeful, broken, and still fighting. If you like the scope of Dune but crave something with heart, this one’s for you.
September 9, 2025
Skylark was different in the best way. I don’t read sci fi for the pace ships and blaster (although this had both!), but because of what it says about our world. Lucian’s story spoke to grief, and hope, and love. It was a book about people and raw humanity. And I never thought I’d love a droid as much as Dansby! Can’t wait for book 2!
September 8, 2025
Cinematic battles. Political betrayal. A king fighting for his family across the stars. Skylark is fast-paced, gripping, and full of spectacle, but it never loses its heart. Throughout all the dark, Lucian somehow chooses joy again.
August 18, 2025
Amazing for a debut author. It has heart despite the themes of grief and leaves you feeling optimistic despite everything that Lucian goes through.
December 27, 2025
“Dad, I don’t think that kings should just win wars. I think they should stop them.”
Skylark is a beautifully written story that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy and dystopian sci-fi. The unique world—stretching between Earth, Luna, and the greater galaxy—was both imaginative and immersive. Torres does an excellent job of crafting a setting that feels fresh, expansive, and rich with detail.
The heart of this book lies in its ability to balance heavy themes with lighter moments. While the main plot delves into weighty topics like death, grief, and loss, it is also interwoven with touches of humor, moments of love, the strength of found family, and the resilience of survival. This makes the story well-rounded, layered, and emotionally resonant.
Thank you, Michael Torres, for the opportunity to read the gifted advanced readers copy.
I loved the creativity of the world-building and the thoughtful way the characters’ struggles were portrayed. Overall, Skylark is a compelling and heartfelt read that keeps you engaged until the final page!
Skylark is a beautifully written story that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy and dystopian sci-fi. The unique world—stretching between Earth, Luna, and the greater galaxy—was both imaginative and immersive. Torres does an excellent job of crafting a setting that feels fresh, expansive, and rich with detail.
The heart of this book lies in its ability to balance heavy themes with lighter moments. While the main plot delves into weighty topics like death, grief, and loss, it is also interwoven with touches of humor, moments of love, the strength of found family, and the resilience of survival. This makes the story well-rounded, layered, and emotionally resonant.
Thank you, Michael Torres, for the opportunity to read the gifted advanced readers copy.
I loved the creativity of the world-building and the thoughtful way the characters’ struggles were portrayed. Overall, Skylark is a compelling and heartfelt read that keeps you engaged until the final page!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews