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13 Worlds
Thirteen worlds hang in the balance. One boy may decide their fate.
Joseph is an ordinary fifth grader—bright, protective of his twin sister, and just trying to survive bullies, awkward teachers, and an unsettling home life. But his younger brother Malek is anything but ordinary. He’s cruel. Unpredictable. And possibly not human.
Then Velda appears—a nightmarish, otherworldly spider who visits Joseph in the dead of night. She warns him of a coming destruction, of a cosmic war beyond Earth, and of a darkness already festering inside his family. As Joseph’s dreams turn prophetic and his grip on reality begins to slip, he’s forced to confront a chilling truth: Malek was never his brother… and Joseph himself might not be entirely who he thinks he is.
Across the galaxy, powerful beings have decided that humanity’s rapid evolution must be stopped—before it spawns something too intelligent, too dangerous to control. And Earth is only the first domino.
As the fabric of Joseph’s world unravels—his family shattered, his sanity tested—he’s left with an impossible question: can he save the ones he loves, or was he born to destroy them?
In 13 Worlds, J. J. Hair crafts a genre-bending fusion of psychological suspense, science fiction, and coming-of-age drama that will leave readers questioning what it means to be human—and what happens when our greatest potential becomes our greatest threat.
Joseph is an ordinary fifth grader—bright, protective of his twin sister, and just trying to survive bullies, awkward teachers, and an unsettling home life. But his younger brother Malek is anything but ordinary. He’s cruel. Unpredictable. And possibly not human.
Then Velda appears—a nightmarish, otherworldly spider who visits Joseph in the dead of night. She warns him of a coming destruction, of a cosmic war beyond Earth, and of a darkness already festering inside his family. As Joseph’s dreams turn prophetic and his grip on reality begins to slip, he’s forced to confront a chilling truth: Malek was never his brother… and Joseph himself might not be entirely who he thinks he is.
Across the galaxy, powerful beings have decided that humanity’s rapid evolution must be stopped—before it spawns something too intelligent, too dangerous to control. And Earth is only the first domino.
As the fabric of Joseph’s world unravels—his family shattered, his sanity tested—he’s left with an impossible question: can he save the ones he loves, or was he born to destroy them?
In 13 Worlds, J. J. Hair crafts a genre-bending fusion of psychological suspense, science fiction, and coming-of-age drama that will leave readers questioning what it means to be human—and what happens when our greatest potential becomes our greatest threat.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2020
14 people are currently reading
682 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 24, 2020
The author J. J. Hair approached me 15 days back to have my feedback about his latest book "13 World's". As the book was available on Amazon Kindle Unlimited, I checked cover, blurb, and a few chapters, I found details interesting. So here I am sharing my feedback after finishing it.
"13 Worlds" is a sci-fi story written around the destruction of 13 planets in different galaxies by a super-intelligent character called Guide & his aid Emperor Malek. These 13 planets' people were about to discover a unique technology of DNA editing which was currently known to Genius. Though the book is merely 100 pages, the story is written in multiple segments. The author has shown 4-5 subplots in such a short storyline connecting the central theme. I don't want to share more about the story to give away spoilers. So to know more do read it.
Coming to story development, I found the development bit jumpy, and before a character is matured it was changing. I have read some books where such jumping plots are used, but in the long run, those books give more information. But due to the length of this book that justification was missing. The most interesting subplot I found was actual action in the spaceship crew. I found the ending interesting. It left me thinking about what will happen next, I'll be waiting for the next part.
On an overall note, simple language usage, and fluid writing. Recommended for any age group.
I found pace extremely fast, which ended up missing information here or there, which regularly sticks the reader till the last page. Another thing that I found lacking is the cover design, it could have been better.
I'll give 3.5 out of 5 to the book.
Detailed review link - https://chevusread.blogspot.com/2020/...
"13 Worlds" is a sci-fi story written around the destruction of 13 planets in different galaxies by a super-intelligent character called Guide & his aid Emperor Malek. These 13 planets' people were about to discover a unique technology of DNA editing which was currently known to Genius. Though the book is merely 100 pages, the story is written in multiple segments. The author has shown 4-5 subplots in such a short storyline connecting the central theme. I don't want to share more about the story to give away spoilers. So to know more do read it.
Coming to story development, I found the development bit jumpy, and before a character is matured it was changing. I have read some books where such jumping plots are used, but in the long run, those books give more information. But due to the length of this book that justification was missing. The most interesting subplot I found was actual action in the spaceship crew. I found the ending interesting. It left me thinking about what will happen next, I'll be waiting for the next part.
On an overall note, simple language usage, and fluid writing. Recommended for any age group.
I found pace extremely fast, which ended up missing information here or there, which regularly sticks the reader till the last page. Another thing that I found lacking is the cover design, it could have been better.
I'll give 3.5 out of 5 to the book.
Detailed review link - https://chevusread.blogspot.com/2020/...
June 17, 2020
13 Worlds by J. J. Hair is a delightful adventure that dwells into mystery and realm of universe. The book is about a group of people directed by the Guide to destrop the 13 planets out there. The natives of these 13 planets are developing a CRISPR technique, a DNA-editing technology that can benefit the mankind. But Commander Culben, Reeves, and a group of crew members are on a mission to destroy those plans. Will they succeed?
The book starts off with a story of normal household. There are 2 parents and their 3 children - 2 sons and a daughter. One son has got some behavior problems, everyone's scared of him, while other often slips into dark world. And then after a few pages, we come across spaceships with crew members trying foil the plans od different scientists. Quite thrilling. right?
I enjoyed reading this book that had a peculiarly different storyline. The transition of the household to spaceships was subtle. And though it left me a bit confused, I was amazed to read what followed it. In fact, there was a point where I could likened the element discussed in the book to the novel coronavirus (I think pandemic is taking some toll on me)! The narrative was fast-paced and things happened swiftly. The writing is fine and the concept, pretty cool. It also brings up a few moral questions as the scientists on other planets work to create Supremes!
I found the ending abrupt or maybe I was so involved that I needed something more. Perhaps, it was a cliffhanger! And if that's the case, I would be thrilled to read more about what happens next in Universe.
The book starts off with a story of normal household. There are 2 parents and their 3 children - 2 sons and a daughter. One son has got some behavior problems, everyone's scared of him, while other often slips into dark world. And then after a few pages, we come across spaceships with crew members trying foil the plans od different scientists. Quite thrilling. right?
I enjoyed reading this book that had a peculiarly different storyline. The transition of the household to spaceships was subtle. And though it left me a bit confused, I was amazed to read what followed it. In fact, there was a point where I could likened the element discussed in the book to the novel coronavirus (I think pandemic is taking some toll on me)! The narrative was fast-paced and things happened swiftly. The writing is fine and the concept, pretty cool. It also brings up a few moral questions as the scientists on other planets work to create Supremes!
I found the ending abrupt or maybe I was so involved that I needed something more. Perhaps, it was a cliffhanger! And if that's the case, I would be thrilled to read more about what happens next in Universe.
December 20, 2020
13 worlds is a science fiction story about an omnipotent super-being known as the “Guide,” Commander Culben, Dr. Reeves, and the crew of starship Ranus has set out on a mission to destroy thirteen different planets: analogous but unique versions of 1st and 2nd Earth. The planets’ inhabiting civilizations are believed to be on the verge of developing advanced DNA-editing technology known as CRISPR, which would lead to the creation of Supremes: an advanced human species capable of wiping out all life in the galaxy.
Since the story was short, I did not expect character development, foundation, or back story to work. However, the back and forth between the characters created that dynamic that made the work enjoyable. It also added a nice flow to it, which I appreciated.
The literature was well written and had a nice flow to it.
The book possessed an absolute thrill over mythology. The narrative packed a lot of story and growth, even though it was short. This, I believe, displayed the author’s skill in storytelling.
I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys reading short book sci-fi and space-related stories.
Since the story was short, I did not expect character development, foundation, or back story to work. However, the back and forth between the characters created that dynamic that made the work enjoyable. It also added a nice flow to it, which I appreciated.
The literature was well written and had a nice flow to it.
The book possessed an absolute thrill over mythology. The narrative packed a lot of story and growth, even though it was short. This, I believe, displayed the author’s skill in storytelling.
I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys reading short book sci-fi and space-related stories.
July 19, 2020
Read this review (and others) at: https://literatureislife.com/2020/07/...
A copy of 13 Worlds was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Despite only being a 102-page novella, 13 Worlds wears a lot of different hats. There are a lot of references to other works in here. Author J. J. Hair’s biography lists several other works he is a fan of, and it shows. I caught the Ender’s Game reference pretty quickly, among other things, but there were probably other references I did not even pick up on. There are also a lot of real-world allusions, the most memorable one being a planet with pretty much the whole population in quarantine because of a virus. Art imitates life, I guess.
Now, 13 Worlds does jump around a little bit. Assuming you have read the synopsis, you have a basic idea of the plot. The story goes back and forth between the crew of the planet-killer ship and people on the worlds marked for destruction. The idea being that they are knocking off civilizations on the verge of becoming a threat. Getting some Stargate SG-1 flashbacks off that.
The ideas here were great, but it was a little bit confusing in practice. With multiple settings involved, it’s not always clear where a chapter takes place. And it seemed like these different planets were unaware of each other, but they all used very similar naming conventions. For most of the book, I was not 100% sure whether these planets were in the same universe or if the spaceship was hopping between dimensions/realities. That does eventually get cleared up, but it happens pretty close to the end. And everything that happens along the way feels a little bit…incomplete.
By the end of the novella, 13 Worlds felt more like a pilot episode than a standalone story. There is clearly more going on here and, as a reader, I want to know what those things are. Some major events had to lead to what’s happening here. And the current events are just as clearly going to lead to even bigger things.
Another thing that stuck out to me was the world-building and character development. For a short novella rather than a novel with 4x the page count, the world and characters are fairly well developed. But it seems like this is a tiny bit of a much bigger universe J. J. Hair has created. One with a bigger story than what we see here. It feels like this is just the skeleton and could be a lot more once there is some meat on those bones.
A copy of 13 Worlds was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Despite only being a 102-page novella, 13 Worlds wears a lot of different hats. There are a lot of references to other works in here. Author J. J. Hair’s biography lists several other works he is a fan of, and it shows. I caught the Ender’s Game reference pretty quickly, among other things, but there were probably other references I did not even pick up on. There are also a lot of real-world allusions, the most memorable one being a planet with pretty much the whole population in quarantine because of a virus. Art imitates life, I guess.
Now, 13 Worlds does jump around a little bit. Assuming you have read the synopsis, you have a basic idea of the plot. The story goes back and forth between the crew of the planet-killer ship and people on the worlds marked for destruction. The idea being that they are knocking off civilizations on the verge of becoming a threat. Getting some Stargate SG-1 flashbacks off that.
The ideas here were great, but it was a little bit confusing in practice. With multiple settings involved, it’s not always clear where a chapter takes place. And it seemed like these different planets were unaware of each other, but they all used very similar naming conventions. For most of the book, I was not 100% sure whether these planets were in the same universe or if the spaceship was hopping between dimensions/realities. That does eventually get cleared up, but it happens pretty close to the end. And everything that happens along the way feels a little bit…incomplete.
By the end of the novella, 13 Worlds felt more like a pilot episode than a standalone story. There is clearly more going on here and, as a reader, I want to know what those things are. Some major events had to lead to what’s happening here. And the current events are just as clearly going to lead to even bigger things.
Another thing that stuck out to me was the world-building and character development. For a short novella rather than a novel with 4x the page count, the world and characters are fairly well developed. But it seems like this is a tiny bit of a much bigger universe J. J. Hair has created. One with a bigger story than what we see here. It feels like this is just the skeleton and could be a lot more once there is some meat on those bones.
June 13, 2020
Warning this review contains some spoilers.
There are a number of unique characters introduced throughout the chapters, across several different planets (and a planet destroying space ship) with a writing style that changes with the characters it follows. The novella focuses on a psychotic but initially smart and almost lovable boy, with some Oedipus Rex like characteristics. This leads to a surprisingly less likable character, Commander Culben. Although not without good traits he is mostly a fat, predictably arrogant and unsympathetic commander of a planet destroying space ship.
That’s not to say the novella is filled with all evil characters. There is a very caring female scientist leading CRIPSR technology on her planet (while consuming enough artificial sugar to kill an elephant) to save her dying husband. There is a seemingly normal engineer with his bipolar friend and a character that could be bad, good or just a normal human. I suspect we will see more of him in a later novella. Yet somehow all these characters are just the start.
Everyone are just puppets to the “Supremes”, the race to first make great advancements in DNA editing using technology similar to CRISPR. They may be the most advanced beings in the galaxy but they like to shoot first and ask questions later logic. Only discussed second hand in the novella, I get the sense the Supremes would do very well here in America. The Supremes are worried what will happen when one of the North Korea like planets advances their race to the Supreme’s level and start destroying stuff.
A lot happens in the short book that focuses on character and plot development. You can tell the author is building towards a series, starting off very well and ends on a strong cliff hanger. I give 5/5 for characters and plot development and a 3.5/5 for planet development. Overall 4.5/5 (had to round up on the official review).
There are a number of unique characters introduced throughout the chapters, across several different planets (and a planet destroying space ship) with a writing style that changes with the characters it follows. The novella focuses on a psychotic but initially smart and almost lovable boy, with some Oedipus Rex like characteristics. This leads to a surprisingly less likable character, Commander Culben. Although not without good traits he is mostly a fat, predictably arrogant and unsympathetic commander of a planet destroying space ship.
That’s not to say the novella is filled with all evil characters. There is a very caring female scientist leading CRIPSR technology on her planet (while consuming enough artificial sugar to kill an elephant) to save her dying husband. There is a seemingly normal engineer with his bipolar friend and a character that could be bad, good or just a normal human. I suspect we will see more of him in a later novella. Yet somehow all these characters are just the start.
Everyone are just puppets to the “Supremes”, the race to first make great advancements in DNA editing using technology similar to CRISPR. They may be the most advanced beings in the galaxy but they like to shoot first and ask questions later logic. Only discussed second hand in the novella, I get the sense the Supremes would do very well here in America. The Supremes are worried what will happen when one of the North Korea like planets advances their race to the Supreme’s level and start destroying stuff.
A lot happens in the short book that focuses on character and plot development. You can tell the author is building towards a series, starting off very well and ends on a strong cliff hanger. I give 5/5 for characters and plot development and a 3.5/5 for planet development. Overall 4.5/5 (had to round up on the official review).
July 13, 2020
The Review
A thrilling adventure and sci-fi narrative, 13 Worlds begins an epic series that focuses heavily on character growth over mythology. The author does a great job of planting the seeds of mystery and terror early on in the story before taking readers into a whole new side of the story, jumping ahead to a sci-fi epic tale of morality and destruction.
From the eerie nature of Malek to the mysterious nature of the Ranus crew, the author does a great job of making the characters take center stage in the narrative. The narrative packs a lot of story and growth for the characters in such a short read, making it easy to see how an entire series could play out past this initial novel.
The Verdict
Action-packed, mystery driven and gloriously sci-fi, author J.J. Hair’s “13 Worlds” is a must-read novel. Filled with untold danger, a complex question of morality, and a fairly fast-paced read, this narrative does a fantastic job of delving into the character’s journeys and will keep readers invested wholly in the story. Be sure to grab your copy today!
A thrilling adventure and sci-fi narrative, 13 Worlds begins an epic series that focuses heavily on character growth over mythology. The author does a great job of planting the seeds of mystery and terror early on in the story before taking readers into a whole new side of the story, jumping ahead to a sci-fi epic tale of morality and destruction.
From the eerie nature of Malek to the mysterious nature of the Ranus crew, the author does a great job of making the characters take center stage in the narrative. The narrative packs a lot of story and growth for the characters in such a short read, making it easy to see how an entire series could play out past this initial novel.
The Verdict
Action-packed, mystery driven and gloriously sci-fi, author J.J. Hair’s “13 Worlds” is a must-read novel. Filled with untold danger, a complex question of morality, and a fairly fast-paced read, this narrative does a fantastic job of delving into the character’s journeys and will keep readers invested wholly in the story. Be sure to grab your copy today!
November 20, 2020
The author had managed to grab my attention from the start of the book ( although, with certain levels of ambiguity) which keeps you guessing and waiting for the big revelation and the sense of satisfaction when each plot begins to make sense.
The characters conflicts with moral, truth and higher purpose of destruction is depicted beautifully. The character developments are brilliant with the leads in the story Lisa Fry, Clarke Gabriel and many more bringing in their own perspective truly adds value to the storyline. Not to forget the conflict to trust the single “god-like“ figure the Guide!
All in all, the ingredients of good character development, believable conflict, and hard science make this book the true persuasive reason to be pick up by Space Heads like myself.
I look forward to more such books in the series would love to observe how the story matures overtime
Read more here: https://booksrnb.wixsite.com/home/pos...
The characters conflicts with moral, truth and higher purpose of destruction is depicted beautifully. The character developments are brilliant with the leads in the story Lisa Fry, Clarke Gabriel and many more bringing in their own perspective truly adds value to the storyline. Not to forget the conflict to trust the single “god-like“ figure the Guide!
All in all, the ingredients of good character development, believable conflict, and hard science make this book the true persuasive reason to be pick up by Space Heads like myself.
I look forward to more such books in the series would love to observe how the story matures overtime
Read more here: https://booksrnb.wixsite.com/home/pos...
July 21, 2025
**I received this book in a giveaway**
3.5/5 ⭐️
This book was good, but felt incomplete. I enjoyed the plot, but it really felt like two separate stories being partially explained. This meant I felt like both stories ended too abruptly and weren't developed as much as I would've liked either of them to be.
3.5/5 ⭐️
This book was good, but felt incomplete. I enjoyed the plot, but it really felt like two separate stories being partially explained. This meant I felt like both stories ended too abruptly and weren't developed as much as I would've liked either of them to be.
December 21, 2022
Loved it!! Great read!
July 25, 2025
Joshua is a creative storyteller who draws the reader into the story in such a way that the reader feels what the character is experiencing. It is an enjoyable journey.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews