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Astrex #2
KARA: Seeds of the Universe
A missing sister. A daring heist. A collision course with destiny.
The Seeds of the Universe have awoken.
The clock is ticking…
When Kara is attacked whilst investigating the site of a mysterious cult, her soul unknowingly severs their connection, leaving a bewildered Kara stranded inside The Astrex after fleeing there in search of answers.
By the time she finds her way home, an entire year has passed, and not everyone is pleased to see her, none less so than her brother, Markus, who seems to have changed beyond recognition in their time apart.
Furthermore, Kara soon learns that Anya—her sister—has been missing for weeks, leaving nothing behind but a notebook, and a fractured trail of breadcrumbs that suggest she may have gone off in search of Gravis, the man who killed their father.
With no time for her tired body to rest, Kara heads off in pursuit, with a mixture of old and new faces at her side.
But unknowingly to her, Kara’s search places her on a collision course with destiny—a destiny she’ll have to come to grips with fast if she’s to succeed, not just in saving Anya, but the universe itself.
The Seeds of the Universe have awoken.
The clock is ticking…
When Kara is attacked whilst investigating the site of a mysterious cult, her soul unknowingly severs their connection, leaving a bewildered Kara stranded inside The Astrex after fleeing there in search of answers.
By the time she finds her way home, an entire year has passed, and not everyone is pleased to see her, none less so than her brother, Markus, who seems to have changed beyond recognition in their time apart.
Furthermore, Kara soon learns that Anya—her sister—has been missing for weeks, leaving nothing behind but a notebook, and a fractured trail of breadcrumbs that suggest she may have gone off in search of Gravis, the man who killed their father.
With no time for her tired body to rest, Kara heads off in pursuit, with a mixture of old and new faces at her side.
But unknowingly to her, Kara’s search places her on a collision course with destiny—a destiny she’ll have to come to grips with fast if she’s to succeed, not just in saving Anya, but the universe itself.
621 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2026
About the author
Peter Beard
2 books6 followersPeter Beard is an author from the South East of England, with a love for all things ‘nerdy’.
Having never written anything of great substance before, in 2019, he started writing his first novel: KARA, a sci-fi thriller/mystery that follows a young woman’s search for the truth around her origin. The book was well received by ARC reviewers, who praised the stories pacing and action.
Beard is now focusing on writing the follow up to his debut, which is sure to be a wild ride!
Having never written anything of great substance before, in 2019, he started writing his first novel: KARA, a sci-fi thriller/mystery that follows a young woman’s search for the truth around her origin. The book was well received by ARC reviewers, who praised the stories pacing and action.
Beard is now focusing on writing the follow up to his debut, which is sure to be a wild ride!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 28, 2026
I read, enjoyed, and reviewed Peter Beard’s debut Kara, the first book in the Astrex series. I had expected that book to be a space adventure, and it took a mystical turn partway through that edged into sci-fi fantasy. Of course, I’m in no way a sucker for such a blend ‒ oh yes I am! (and so is every Star Wars fan – come on!).
I was therefore fascinated where Beard took this series next. Well, take that pinch of mysticism, add a universe approaching apocalypse, a sea of souls, the ability to shift from one place to another, and we’re verging on Snape heaven.
But. There is a but.
Beard likes a long book. I’ll come back to that.
The prose is great, the characters defined, the story arcs interesting and keep you engaged. The world-building (and this harks back to book 1) is deep and believable. The author has built a great connection between family here, both of the ‘found family’ variety and that genetically coerced by our alien friends in the series. And it’s this connection that carries you through as Kara is forced to confront her creation, her purpose and abilities ‒ both current and those still developing as this book progresses.
Kara’s hunt for her sister propels the first half of the book and serves to reintroduce some of the sidekicks and minor characters from book one in a meaningful way. It also enables Gravis to be an overarching villain of the piece, and between the action come the passages of discovery as Kara’s creators eventually reveal the truth and what they wish of her. Yes, it’ll involve sacrifice. And yes, I’m a sucker for it.
So, a fun, involving vibe with great world-building, action a-plenty and huge stakes. And a touch too long. Did it spoil it? No, but paring back can expose the flower within sometimes.
Overall, I urge you to give Kara, book one in the series, a read. It’ll surprise you, and if you vibe with the direction it takes you, then Seeds of the Universe adds another intriguing layer.
I was therefore fascinated where Beard took this series next. Well, take that pinch of mysticism, add a universe approaching apocalypse, a sea of souls, the ability to shift from one place to another, and we’re verging on Snape heaven.
But. There is a but.
Beard likes a long book. I’ll come back to that.
The prose is great, the characters defined, the story arcs interesting and keep you engaged. The world-building (and this harks back to book 1) is deep and believable. The author has built a great connection between family here, both of the ‘found family’ variety and that genetically coerced by our alien friends in the series. And it’s this connection that carries you through as Kara is forced to confront her creation, her purpose and abilities ‒ both current and those still developing as this book progresses.
Kara’s hunt for her sister propels the first half of the book and serves to reintroduce some of the sidekicks and minor characters from book one in a meaningful way. It also enables Gravis to be an overarching villain of the piece, and between the action come the passages of discovery as Kara’s creators eventually reveal the truth and what they wish of her. Yes, it’ll involve sacrifice. And yes, I’m a sucker for it.
So, a fun, involving vibe with great world-building, action a-plenty and huge stakes. And a touch too long. Did it spoil it? No, but paring back can expose the flower within sometimes.
Overall, I urge you to give Kara, book one in the series, a read. It’ll surprise you, and if you vibe with the direction it takes you, then Seeds of the Universe adds another intriguing layer.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kara: Seeds of the Universe is book two in The Astrex Series. After the events of book one, Kara is investigating a cult when her soul suddenly severs their connection, stranding her inside the Astrex for a year. When she finally makes it out and reunites with Markus, she discovers Anya is missing and sets out to find her, concerned that her sister is trying to kill Gravis on her own.
I enjoyed this book. It feels more measured than book one, giving us more time to get involved with Kara and her team and their adventures. We get to know a lot more about the supporting characters (some of whom become main characters in their own right), and Kara’s found family expands as we meet new people to join the cause. Kara finally discovers her purpose – to save the universe – and learns much more about what she can do.
The ending isn’t a cliffhanger but sets up the next two books very well, leaving us wanting more, and I’m looking forward to reading them.
Thank you to Peter Beard for the ARC.
I enjoyed this book. It feels more measured than book one, giving us more time to get involved with Kara and her team and their adventures. We get to know a lot more about the supporting characters (some of whom become main characters in their own right), and Kara’s found family expands as we meet new people to join the cause. Kara finally discovers her purpose – to save the universe – and learns much more about what she can do.
The ending isn’t a cliffhanger but sets up the next two books very well, leaving us wanting more, and I’m looking forward to reading them.
Thank you to Peter Beard for the ARC.
April 10, 2026
So, this was a ride and a half.
I loved the story, the characters and the feel.
This author has grown exponentially from his first offering.
So after many late nights and wanting to throw my kindle (I hated the author just a little right about then.) (NO, I'm not giving you a spoiler), I would absolutely recommend this book for the action adventure lovers.
But I do have one question: How long before the next one?
I loved the story, the characters and the feel.
This author has grown exponentially from his first offering.
So after many late nights and wanting to throw my kindle (I hated the author just a little right about then.) (NO, I'm not giving you a spoiler), I would absolutely recommend this book for the action adventure lovers.
But I do have one question: How long before the next one?
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you enjoyed the first book you will love the second, questions get answered new mysteries arise and it all culminates in a wild pulse pounding ending. I cannot wait for the next book to see how the story unfolds.
This book sets up what I hope are several more books as Kara and her crew take on some high stakes events with very large consequences.
I highly recommend this book.
This book sets up what I hope are several more books as Kara and her crew take on some high stakes events with very large consequences.
I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews