Wild Skies

Star Runners #3

by Rex Burke

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2026

About the author

Rex Burke is a SciFi writer based in North Yorkshire, UK.

When he was young, he read every one of those yellow-jacketed Victor Gollancz hardbacks in his local library. That feeling of out-of-this-world amazement never left him – and keeps him company as he writes his own SciFi adventures.

When he's not writing, he travels – one way or another, he'll get to the stars, even if it's just as stardust when his own story is done.

For a fantastic FREE prequel to the Odyssey Earth series ('First Date') not available anywhere else, sign up to his newsletter at http://subscribepage.io/GPiihl

Reviews

[Ven]

So far all Rex's books have been a blast, and this is no exception. Taking a step away from the fcous of the first 2 titles in the series, in some ways this in some ways feels like a bit of down time and side quest for our characters, doing tings for themselves for a bit before being dragged into something bigger once again.
This continues with the starship troopers feel, but this time mixed with a good dash of Jurassic Park via corporate bad behaviour. The chemistry between our main characters continues to hold, with Vasquez continuing to be the highlight for me, and it was great for Alard to get so much time as well, and once again Rex threads new characters into the Universe that I would love to see agin at some point.

Overall a fast paced and fun blast of a sci-fi read. 4.5⭐ (rounded to 5 for GR)

[Valerie Poore]

The first two books in this series were excellent so I was very chuffed to be asked to beta read Book 3, Wild Skies. It’s a real cracker and I romped through it in record time. Wild skies develops the characters in Dix’s team even more and I especially enjoyed Alard’s role here. It begins with a bit of mystery as to what the four members are aiming for. However, eventually the main themes, ones we are now familiar with even today, are revealed, but they are wrapped up in such a nail-biting and thrilling quest to save a small and very special community on a remote planet, I could barely drag myself away. This was an intense, and at times, seriously nerve-wracking fight for survival and it employed the four friends’ determination to overcome the odds to the max: all Alard’s considerable pathfinding skills, as well as Dix’s strategic nouse, Drake’s sheer strength and Vaskez’s kick-ass fighting power.

What I appreciated was that Dix and his team were kept guessing about who they were up against and what the end game was intended to be until they were in the thick of the fight. I was also glad to find Jin from the previous book was still working his digital magic for them. However, nothing is easy and with some pretty scary mega fauna to face up to as well, the resulting battle is both tough and terrifying.

If you’ve enjoyed the first two books, you will love this one. It is possible to read it as a standalone, but I’d suggest reading the first two for the full history, understanding and affection the reader builds for the characters. It’s a great read either way, though and I can recommend it very highly.

[Regina]

Another excellent adventure!

Dix and his crew have really stolen a pretty big piece of my heart, and I’m glad to see that they are up for more shenanigans.

I really love how this crew is becoming ever more a tight-knit family over the course of their adventures, and I enjoy their good-natured ribbing so much!

Bonus points for #CallMeDoc (IYKYK) - and, as per usual, some not-so-hidden pop culture references (although I am sure there were more that I totally missed).

No pressure, but I'm already looking forward to the next one! :)

[Chris]

Wild and Untamed

Nice continuation to the Star Runners series. Dix, , Vasquez, and Drake are back in business, with a space craft to locate, a deal to conclude, and a new job on an isolated planet, with mega flora and fauna. A sheer delight as always. Our heroes continue in their own inimitable ways, making this an action packed and exciting story. I definitely agree that this is the best in the series. The characters have been established in the first two books, and the plot does not disappoint. I'm glad that there is a prospect of a new book. Definitely recommended for sci-fi fans everywhere.

[Lisa Wright]

If you’ve read the previous two books in this sci-fi series, you’ll know that Rex Burke writes brilliantly drawn characters who you can really get behind, even when they find themselves in rather strange circumstances. This, the third book, is, in my opinion, the best to date. The gang of four meet real life Jurassic Park creatures in a Hunger Games style play off against the baddies. Wonderful stuff.
If you’ve not read the first two books yet, what are you waiting for? The good news is that can still read this one first. Just remember to go back to others after.

[Lorna Johnston]

What a fun trip....

I'm so enjoying this series. "The End" always comes too soon, leaving you hungry for the next book.
I can't wait to see what they all get up to next, and what new characters we'll get to meet.
(I'm almost certain I know a Perky.)
What a fun read, twisty, not too much death, no gore, and a tale that rattles along.
You'll meet mega fauna and a whole set of people in addition to our Star-Jumper crew.
Get this book, get the whole series.