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The Lady Widow #2
Captured Among the Stars
Kyra Johnson has been taken.
She clawed her way out of a soul-crushing depression, stepped fully into her role as captain, and beheaded the man who killed her husband, only to get captured by alien crocodiles.
Trapped on an enemy ship with Pia, they’re in a race against the clock to get back to The Reveler before it sails on to brighter stars — but escaping is easier said than done. When her late husband’s biggest secret comes to light, Kyra will have to decide if she’ll continue to be held captive by the past or become a captain who will disrupt the future.
Assuming she'll live long enough to have one.
She clawed her way out of a soul-crushing depression, stepped fully into her role as captain, and beheaded the man who killed her husband, only to get captured by alien crocodiles.
Trapped on an enemy ship with Pia, they’re in a race against the clock to get back to The Reveler before it sails on to brighter stars — but escaping is easier said than done. When her late husband’s biggest secret comes to light, Kyra will have to decide if she’ll continue to be held captive by the past or become a captain who will disrupt the future.
Assuming she'll live long enough to have one.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
About the author
C.M. Lockhart
10 books158 followersC. M. Lockhart (also known as Chelsea) writes books about Black girls who aren’t all that nice. Her debut novel, We Are the Origin, was released June 2022, and her latest series, The Lady Widow, is her venture into the sci-fi genre. She is the owner of Written in Melanin, which encompasses a podcast and YouTube channel of the same name, founder of the Melanin Library, host of the Melanin Chat, contributing editor of Magic in the Melanin: A Black Fantasy Anthology, and co-founder of the DNF Book Club. More information can be found on her website, https://WrittenInMelanin.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 27, 2026
Can’t wait for part 3,4, and so on
PG-13 violence, mild sexual scene. Can’t wait for the next one. This one introduces some interesting characters and leads up to a very anticipated book 3. Was it released this morning? Yes. Did I finish the same day? Technically within 24 hours. I’m going to go get my signed copy now.
PG-13 violence, mild sexual scene. Can’t wait for the next one. This one introduces some interesting characters and leads up to a very anticipated book 3. Was it released this morning? Yes. Did I finish the same day? Technically within 24 hours. I’m going to go get my signed copy now.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Captured Among the Stars is the second book in the Lady Widow series, and a worthy follow-up. We open with Kyra and the Reveler crew being attacked by another ship. As can be seen by the cover art, Kyra and Pia end up captured and taken away by these hostile aliens, and have to find their way back to their ship before it leaves them.
This sequel succeeds similarly to the way the first one did in that we continue building our characters, and their relationships, while the plot moves in unexpected, but exciting directions. There's a beautiful balance between the quieter character moments, and the standard sci-fi action moments just as there was in the pervious book. Kyra and Pia's relationship is given time to shine as they work to figure out a way to escape captivity. There are a few revelations made that both re-contextualize past events, and set up solid foundation for future adventures. This series really is a must read for black sci-fi fans as everything from the characters to the plot and the world are masterfully crafted; I left this book just as sad to leave Kyra and the gang as the last time, and just as eager to get my hands on book 3.
Side note: I also really loved that the cover is exactly described in the novel and that the title, similar to the last book, gets said in dialogue. These are small details, but they warmed my fan heart.
Captured Among the Stars is the second book in the Lady Widow series, and a worthy follow-up. We open with Kyra and the Reveler crew being attacked by another ship. As can be seen by the cover art, Kyra and Pia end up captured and taken away by these hostile aliens, and have to find their way back to their ship before it leaves them.
This sequel succeeds similarly to the way the first one did in that we continue building our characters, and their relationships, while the plot moves in unexpected, but exciting directions. There's a beautiful balance between the quieter character moments, and the standard sci-fi action moments just as there was in the pervious book. Kyra and Pia's relationship is given time to shine as they work to figure out a way to escape captivity. There are a few revelations made that both re-contextualize past events, and set up solid foundation for future adventures. This series really is a must read for black sci-fi fans as everything from the characters to the plot and the world are masterfully crafted; I left this book just as sad to leave Kyra and the gang as the last time, and just as eager to get my hands on book 3.
Side note: I also really loved that the cover is exactly described in the novel and that the title, similar to the last book, gets said in dialogue. These are small details, but they warmed my fan heart.
October 13, 2026
All of this is still new to our Lady widow. Shes learning
to fight with her new scythe and getting a new hang of
her duties as the captain of a space freighter. Adding a
new set of enemies in the crocs adds a new layer to the
dynamic and pushes her in ways we haven't seen
before. Her hunt for Pia leads her to some information
that may change her life AGAIN. Zay hasn't been
honest with her about his past , and one of his allies
may not be as loyal as she thinks .
This has been my favorite sci-fi series this
year . Great for those of us in a StarTrek drought ! Or
those of us who needed a new black space opera with
serious emotional weight, great action sequences and
the cutest little fire breathing glob you ever did see !
to fight with her new scythe and getting a new hang of
her duties as the captain of a space freighter. Adding a
new set of enemies in the crocs adds a new layer to the
dynamic and pushes her in ways we haven't seen
before. Her hunt for Pia leads her to some information
that may change her life AGAIN. Zay hasn't been
honest with her about his past , and one of his allies
may not be as loyal as she thinks .
This has been my favorite sci-fi series this
year . Great for those of us in a StarTrek drought ! Or
those of us who needed a new black space opera with
serious emotional weight, great action sequences and
the cutest little fire breathing glob you ever did see !
May 26, 2026
ARC Review: 4.5/5
Kyra's journey to healing is a little unhinged and leaving a trail of blood, and I'm here for it! Continuing from Death Among the Stars, our Lady is focused on taking care of the cutie, Glupin, while on the way to unravel the mysteries locked in the dome of a 'pig'. Then she and Pia get captured.
I really enjoyed the way Kyra is coming into her own in this installment. Not back to herself, but growing into her circumstances. Someone caring, savage, and just. Last thing, one time is a mistake, second time is a characteristic, third time is a practice, let's keep it going till it's a habit! But, bring some bags :)
Kyra's journey to healing is a little unhinged and leaving a trail of blood, and I'm here for it! Continuing from Death Among the Stars, our Lady is focused on taking care of the cutie, Glupin, while on the way to unravel the mysteries locked in the dome of a 'pig'. Then she and Pia get captured.
I really enjoyed the way Kyra is coming into her own in this installment. Not back to herself, but growing into her circumstances. Someone caring, savage, and just. Last thing, one time is a mistake, second time is a characteristic, third time is a practice, let's keep it going till it's a habit! But, bring some bags :)
July 22, 2026
I was so excited to get my hands on book two of the Lady Widow series. Captured Among the Stars continues Kyra’s journey through grief and through space as she searches for answers and revenge for the loss of her husband Cpt. Xavier. On this journey we are introduced to new characters, possible betrayals, and one hell of a plot twist! Glupin is still my favorite forever. I can’t wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review:
A good follow up to the first book Death Among the Stars.
It gave me everything I wanted and more, character on the path to finding self, people wrestling with guilt, action, range of emotion and some messiness.
A good follow up to the first book Death Among the Stars.
It gave me everything I wanted and more, character on the path to finding self, people wrestling with guilt, action, range of emotion and some messiness.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews