Orion and the Starborn

by K.B. Hoyle

Twelve-year-old Orion Kim is a hidden boy who knows nothing of his birth. He also thinks he’s human. Some believe him to be dangerous—destined to bring down an empire in the stars. So when an assassin attacks him on his sleepy Atlanta street, Orion has to flee across the galaxy to find out who he is and the meaning behind the new powers coursing through his veins. As he learns more about his powers and their connection to the star-like marks on his chest, Orion attracts curious attention from a watchful protector, the enigmatic royal family of his new home planet, and a host of shadowy, undead creatures. What Orion wants most of all is to find his father and mother, who he’s never known. But finding his parents could lead to the death of worlds.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2022

About the author

K. B. Hoyle’s love of good stories began when she stepped through a wardrobe at age six, and she never looked back. She is the multiple award-winning Young Adult author of THE GATEWAY CHRONICLES fantasy series, THE BREEDER CYCLE dystopian series, The Fairytale Collection, and more.

In addition to her many novels, K. B. Hoyle is the co-founder and CEO of Owl's Nest Publishers, an independent press specializing in books that capture the imagination of adolescents. She is also a sought-after voice in the areas of storytelling and culture, and she has contributed articles and essays to a variety of publications. ​Her speaking resume includes keynote addresses, leading writing workshops, and international experience as a featured panelist at the 2013 Sydney Writers' Festival.

K. B. Hoyle stays busy at her home in Wisconsin on a winding creek with her husband, their four sons, and the variety of wildlife that frequent their land.

For more information on K. B. Hoyle, visit her website at kbhoyle.com or find her around social media at @kbhoyle.author on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Email her at author@kbhoyle.com.

Reviews

[Beth Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

November 2024:
Third read and it absolutely gets better every time as I notice more and more details and hints about future books. I just cannot wait for book two!

This is one of those books that does not get enough attention: far better than Keeper of the Lost Cities, so much more thorough than Amari and the Night Brothers, and a better opening book to a series than Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

I love the world-building SO much. Truly top-notch, fully immersive, everything makes sense and the world is a fleshed-out real fantastical place with history and culture. The characters are funny and real and make mistakes and try again. The young teen characters handle their teen problems well sometimes and not well other times. They relate to adult characters and need them for adult tasks, but the story is about the kids, not the adults.

I’ve read so many books by K. B. Hoyle that at this point I KNOW the little details in book one are there for a reason, they serve a greater purpose than I can imagine, and they will come back in future books. I have some guesses where things are heading, but I know I won’t be able to figure quite all of it out.

December 2022: read aloud to my 8 and 6 year olds. They loved this book and I didn’t mind at all rereading it twice in 6 months. Such a fantastic fantasy novel, full of intricate world-building, an amazing cast of characters, and writing that was enjoyable and compelling to read aloud. In fact, I would say this lent itself to a readaloud, especially the final three chapters.

August 2022: This was just fantastic; I couldn’t put it down! I love a solid MG fantasy, but so many parts of this took it up a notch: the world building and magical systems, the intricacies of politics, class, and race, the magical school was different and clever, and the supporting cast had lots of standouts to root for. Reminiscent of A Wrinkle in Time, Harry Potter, Keeper of the Lost Cities, and even The Strangers in ALL the best ways!

I am an intern for the publisher and received an advance reader copy, which I loved because I love good books.

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made 1 of my top favorite 22 of ‘22 for a reason. This was PHENOMENAL!! I loved seeing Orion & his life on earth, & then finding out with him about who he really is, & then leaving everything/everyone he’s ever known to go back where’s he’s from. He’s also not the typical “chosen one” type of character usually found in books, & that was so refreshing. Just made his character even more lovable, endearing, & relatable. A great cast of characters in general in here. Each so unique & amazing in their own way. The world/story building was incredible! Fantastic character growth/development with Orion too. He’s such a sweet kid. I love the friends he makes, & the bond that forms between them-Aurora especially. Love that girl! The twists & turns added with the mystery of so many things, the suspense, danger, & more-all kept me on the edge of my seat. Didn’t want to put it down. Perfect pacing. Engaging writing that is vivid, & just grabs you right away with how easily it flows. Such a fascinating magic system, a uniquely done magic school, political intrigue galore lol, issues that mirror our own in the real world as far as race & class, & just so many compelling details that went into the story/world/characters. LOVED THIS! I need that next book lol. HIGHLY recommend. Beautiful cover by Ash Schlax too.💜

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third read October 2025 - this time with a different middle school book club. Can’t wait to discuss this book this week! One of my most voracious readers in the group has already read all six of this semester’s books and she ranks Orion as #1. 👏 I expect to hear more of the same from the rest of the group. Orion and the Starborn is just fabulous! I plan to include book 2 in our lineup for next semester. ✨

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Second read July 2025 for Owl’s Nest Publishers summer book club: SO good! So excited to talk about this fabulous book with middle schoolers this week. So excited to start reading book 2 which was just released a week ago!!

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Loved this so much!! How is KB Hoyle able to write such varying genres so incredibly well: dystopian, fantasy, fairytale retellings, magical realism, portal science fantasy? Remarkable talent.
I loved this book. While I am not usually inclined to science fantasy, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Orion and the Starborn includes fabulous world building, wonderful characters, magic school setting, excellent pacing, and fantastic themes of friendship, coming of age, family, courage and heroism.
This is a novel that middle graders and teens will absolutely love. I am so excited to introduce this to my book clubs. I also can’t wait for book two and eventually the whole series!
Thank you to KB Hoyle for writing such top notch stories to captivate the adolescent imagination and to Owl’s Nest Publishers for continuing to produce such excellent literature.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
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This is a really fun middle grade sci-fi story! Great characters, great storyline. I'm excited for what's in store for the rest of the series.
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I received an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

5/17/25: reread in preparation for book 2. I remember really liking this when I read it in 2022, but I absolutely loved it this 2nd time through. I hope I can convince at least one of my kids to read this.

"We are family, in all our brokenness. I can't see where our fates will take us, but I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you that I would fight for your right to live and shape your own destiny."

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Owl’s Nest Publishing for this middle grade title. After reading Son of the Deep earlier this year, I was thrilled to dive into a sci fi from the same author. This book was such a joy to read! It begins with the well known (and well loved, by me!) trope of a boy who feels like he doesn’t belong. He then finds out his feelings were correct and is whisked off to a completely different solar system and acclimates to life there.

I can’t find anything I didn’t love about this book. Orion is such a lovely main character. He’s quiet, but kind, loyal and brave. I’m a sucker for a “magical” school setting (magical in quotations here, because this is more on the sci fi side than fantasy). There’s so much more to this story … mystery, political/royal intrigue, inter-planetary exploration … it’s just wonderful! My only complaint is that it’s clearly the first in a series and I will have to wait for the next one. KB Hoyle knocked this one out of the park!

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 5⭐️ middle grade science fiction read!

Orion and the Starborn is a great middle grade scifi book! We follow Orion, an outcast orphan living in Georgia. After his life is put on the line by a man who came out of the sky, his world gets turned upside. Orion must travel the galaxy to a world he had no idea existed. While navigating the drastically different culture, his powers, figuring out who the mystery protector guy is and why someone is trying to kill him, Orion really just wants to find out who his parents are. But doing this could be fatal.

Middle grade sci fi/fantasy is what got me sucked into reading almost 2 decades ago. And now I got to ARC review one! I really enjoyed this book. The character arc is amazing, I loved the world building, the unique magic system the author created. Time to bring this book home to your kids or classroom! And don’t let a middle grade read deter you from reading as an adult! I loved it. The twists and turns kept me guessing, my favorite books are ones that make me think about what REALLY is happening.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Orion and the Starborn is a new release from K.B. Hoyle who is becoming one of my favourite middle grade writers. Hoyle has amazing skill of combining good character development and thrilling plot. Orion is an orphan that lives in Earth with his grandma. One day everything changes: a man from sky tries to kill him and then another man arrives to his home to tell him that he's actually not from Earth but from completely other universe. This revelation starts an adventure that includes new friends, new planets and a magical school. The new life in a new planet feels hard for Orion and there's still a mystery that keeps haunting Orion: who he really is and who is trying to kill him?

I was afraid to step into Orion and the Starborn as I don't usually read science fiction. I was afraid for nothing as it really doesn't feel science fiction heavy despite the setting. Hoyle does amazing job creating a world system that feels detailed yet easy to understand. After Orion arrived in the new world, I was sucked into the story and found it hard to put the book down. It's whimsical but also touches on so many important topics and themes that children and teenagers of this age deal with. Orion is easily relatable and it was wonderful to see how he found his place in the school and got new friends (who are, to my opinion, the best part of the book).

I'm beyond excited to see how the story will continue as we ended in a bit of a cliffhanger. I was kindly sent the e-book for review and I highly recommend getting your hands on this when it's published. It would work perfectly as a Christmas present for young readers who love series like Harry Potter and Nevermoor - however it's a good choice for anyone who wants a cosy adventure with amazing cast of characters and a lots of magic and intrigue.

[Shinae Wyckoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic adventure! My middle-graders will be on board for this wild ride. The thrill of seeing Orion face danger and destiny with his friends alongside him. Yes, please.

I’m not usually a fan of sci-fi/space settings (robots, aliens? I’m out) But this one breaks all those molds. Jump into this world; you’ll be glad you did.

Can’t wait for the rest of the series.

[Rebecca of Wilson Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The science fiction middle grade genre is not easily done but KB Hoyle’s world-building and story arc are magnificent.

Our main character Orion is being raised by his grandmother but he quickly discovers that he is not actually her grandson…nor is he from the planet Earth!
Reminiscent of A Wrinkle in Time, Orion is transported back to his home planet cluster. We learn about the world from which he came right alongside Orion, whose childhood memories are solely earth-bound. Orion’s family is a mystery to him throughout much of the tale as he unravels royal intrigue and nefarious plots. While much is revealed by the end of this novel, there is a cliff-hanger indicating more to come for Orion.

Trigger Warnings: Marital Infidelity

Thank you to Owl’s Nest Publisher and KB Hoyle for the eARC of this book. I loved it so much that I've purchased a hard copy for our shelves!

[Alley W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orion Kim is a twelve year old boy that is living a somewhat normal life in Atlanta. He is different from his friends in a lot of ways ranging from having asthma and vision problems to never meeting his parents who passed away when he was very young.
Orion's grandma adopted him and has been the only family he has ever known. One night as Orion is walking home from his friend's house a man appears out of no where and attempts to assassinate him. Orion escapes thanks to the help of a man that seems to have fallen from the sky. This attempt on his life reveals some hidden truths about Orion the main one being he is not human but starborn and is developing powers that he needs to learn to harness. Orion is taken to the planet Cypria where he is enrolled in an elite school that will teach him how to use his new powers. Orion's sudden arrival has many curious about who he truly is including his host family, the royal family as well as some shadowy, undead creatures. Throughout the story Orion is on a quest to figure out who his parents are and why they would abandon him on Earth.
This middle grade science fantasy novel is one of the best books I have read in a long time. The dialogue between the characters was rich and relatable. The story itself was well written and full of surprises. I honestly couldn't put the book down and when I finished it, I was ready to read the next one in the series. I can hardly wait for the next installment. Thank you Owl Nest Publishers! Looking forward to reading more of your novels in the future.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: An adopted boy discovers not only is some of his family still alive, but he isn't even human. 

I read this several years ago and then again as a read-aloud with my son. My son is a good reader, but he also tends to only read graphic novels. I am not opposed to graphic novels, but I do want to get him into a wider range of books. He tends to fully invest in a book and finish it quickly. And frequently because he can read a graphic novel so quickly, he will reread it two or three times before we return it to the library. I am also heavily invested in reading on my kindle, and while he has occasionally read on my kindle, he prefers paper. But more than anything, I just love reading out loud. I tend to read when he is sketching or folding clothes or doing some other task that a keeps him present but not intellectually engaged.

Orion is a twelve year old boy at the start of the book. He was adopted by an older Korean woman whom he calls Halmoni (Korean for grandmother). Orion is smart and great at fixing things. He and his best friend compete in a robotics competition and he fixes people's bicycles. But he also constantly needs his inhaler and is clumsy. Walking home one night in suburban Atlanta, someone tries to kill him, and someone else shows up to protect him. And that starts a whole series of events leading Orion to be brought back to his home planet to live an assumed identity. He discovers that there is an empire with three small planets who have powers that people on Earth would consider magic, but are connected to stardust in the nebula near the planets.

As Orion seeks to fit in with his new friends and the family that is hiding him while trying to figure out who is trying to kill him, he is also trying to figure out his real identity. Orion and the Starborn plays with the "chosen one" and "adopted but really someone important" tropes that are common in middle grade fiction. These are common because they are developmentally exactly what middle grade students need as they are trying to discern their identities and separate themselves from their parents and family of origin. One of the most helpful features of sci-fi or fantasy (and Orion and the Starborn blends their elements) is that they allow the reader to see how culture and the rest of existence could be different in ways that are similar to cross cultural travel.

There is just the right amount of tension and suspense to keep a middle grade reader engaged, but also not get too scary or graphic. My son does not like violence or scary things in his books, but he does like puzzles and figuring out what is going on. The mystery of who Orion really is and the tension of knowing that someone is trying to kill him and that there is many things he does not understand because he did not grow up in this new world and culture kept my son engaged.

As always, as an adult, I love that KB Hoyle writes with depth. I have read all of her books, most more than once and while these are books that kids can understand, they invite multiple readings with lots of reference, subtle allusions, and depth that most kids (and adults) will not get on a first reading.

We are now about 1/3 of the way into the second book and we will be impatiently waiting for the rest of the series to be published.

Originally published on my blog at https://bookwi.se/orion-and-the-starb...
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Summary: An adopted 12-year-old boy suddenly discovers he is not who he thought he was.

Middle-grade books regularly have the concept that the main character is not who they thought they were, especially if they are orphans. This is a classic literary feature because it fits into middle-grade development. Of course, most readers will not be orphans who may secretly be important, but readers can still think about what it would mean to be someone else.

Orion Kim is 12 years old. He is handy with tools and can fix many things, but he is not very coordinated or popular. Very early in the book, he finds out that his grandmother is not his grandmother due to someone attempting to kill him and someone else defending him. Not long after, he finds out that he is not from Earth, but he is "starborn," and he is taken away from the only home he has known (on Earth) and hides from his attacker on an alien world.

There are classic literary devices that work because they are classic. For example, middle-grade readers may already be familiar with characters attending a new special school to learn about their new powers. Or a group of characters working together to discover the things the adults around them won't tell them. This is not to say that Orion and the Starborn is cliche; I don't think it is. But as a nearly 50-year-old who has been reading middle-grade books for decades, I can see the literary references beneath the story.

I read Orion and the Starborn because I am a fan of KB Hoyle's writing. I have read her Dystopian series (Breeder Cycle) and her fantasy series (Gateway Chronicles) twice and the stand-alone retelling of the fairytale Little Mermaid (Son of the Deep). The books stand up to re-reading. And they have a depth to the story. My kids are a little young for the books, but I think this is probably the series I would start with because it is pitched just slightly younger than the other two series. Depending on how advanced a child is and whether an adult is reading the book with the child or the child is reading independently, I think this is probably a series that I would start around age 10 to 14. My kids are pretty sensitive to scary things, even minor tension they do not like. But I think by the time the next book or two in the series comes out, I will be able to read it to them.

[Chanell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready to read the second one!

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orion is quite surprised when a man in a strange bronze contraption appears on his street at night and tries to kill him only to be stopped by another strange man in a cape. But his life is only going to get stranger, because his Grandma Kim who adopted him as a baby soon reveals that he isn't from there. He isn't even from Earth, and the time has come for him to return to his home planet. Cirrus comes to take him back to the planet of Cypria, live with him, and start school as his sponsor. His origins and true parents are still kept a secret, even from him, because someone is out to kill him. It's the whole reason he was put on Earth to begin with. Cirrus' daughter Aurora is around Orion's age, and is excited to have Orion staying with them and going to school with her. She's a little astounded by how little Orion knows about their culture. And when she eventually gets a whiff of the mystery surrounding Orion, she and her best friend Apollo are eager to help Orion figure out his origins. None of them realize how deep the mystery goes, or how dangerous uncovering Orion's secret may be.

I had heard good things about K.B. Hoyle's writing, and this book definitely lived up to the hype. The characters are interesting and entertaining, and just the right amount of mysterious. The world Orion comes from is complex and interesting. There's a messy political situation of different planets and their cultures (each with their own special superpowers) and how they form a convoluted hierarchy that involves a lot of tension and a slave system that Orion sees as wrong but is widely accepted in society. There's also a very interesting group of zombie-like creatures in the background called revenants that appear to be a growing problem and have mysterious origins. I was totally sucked into Orion's new world and definitely am eager to read more. Some secrets regarding Orion come to light, but there's a lot more to be unpacked and some issues in the society at large that obviously need to be addressed. I love Orion's adopted Korean grandma, and Aurora is a spunky foil as a friend to complement Orion's more calm and quiet personality. And as an expat, I readily identify with Orion's mixed feelings about missing one home but also feeling strong ties to another home. The students at my school will get those feelings as well. Can't wait to see what's in store for Orion next!

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content except one little kiss that was one-sided. A past affair between adults is implied in some of the secrets revealed, but it is kept totally middle grade appropriate in how it is talked about. There are some perilous situations, and Orion receives death threats, and a revenant attack turns many people into revenants off page.

[Emily Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC for Orion and the Starborn and it did NOT disappoint. Being a fan of K.B. Hoyle since her fantasy series, The Gateway Chronicles, I was super intrigued by the concept! If you like Harry Potter and space, this book is for you and your family.

I can't wait for my boys to read this when they’re old enough. They’ll relate to Orion and his quiet personality—and find courage in his actions, and hope in the friendships he makes. And if you have girls, this is for them too. Orion’s best friend is a girl named Aurora and she became one of my favorite characters (like Hermione but with much cooler hair.)

It’s a beautiful story of home, family, friendship, and adventure, plus unique magic, world building, and celestial imagery. If you're looking for a hopeful and clean read for your kiddos or MG heart, this is the one.

[Jessika Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so loved Son of the Deep earlier this year that when I had an opportunity to receive an ARC of K. B. Hoyle’s next book, I jumped at the chance!

And I was certainly not disappointed!

Orion and the Starborn is a wonderful MG sci-fi read, perfect for young readers (or the young at heart!) Think A Wrinkle in Time plus Harry Potter, and you’ve got a pretty accurate picture of this whimsical tale. Full of adventure, friendship, and longing to discover who you truly are alongside a unique science fiction world with its own political and magic systems, there’s something here to appeal to every reader.

Be warned, though—this story ends on a cliffhanger that will leave readers clamoring for more!

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orion and the Starborn by K. B. Hoyle releases on November 15th. This would be such a great Christmas present for your middle grade or teen readers.

This ARC was provided by @owlsnestpublishers and I honestly loved it.

Orion thinks he is a near sighted asthmatic kid from Earth being raised by his Gran. But actually he’s from space and someone is trying to kill him. He is an adaptable and kind kid. He has great friends on both planets.

There is royal intrigue. Special powers. Who are his parents? Why is someone trying to kill him?!

This book is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan or The Wingfeather Saga or Amari and the Night Brothers. I’ll be handing this off to my kids!

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really engaging and fun middle grade adventure. It has hallmarks that will appeal to fans of other popular middle grade fantasy series while also standing on its own and bringing its own unique take. I think the premise is most similar to Keepers of the Lost Cities although I liked this one better (more concise and more engaging to me) but it also has elements for fans of Percy Jackson (not quite fitting in regular world and having questions about parentage) and Harry Potter (being suddenly thrown into a whole new world full of other kids who grew up with it). I’m excited to see where it will go next!

[Hannah Kates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in a rich fantasy setting while still managing to seamlessly incorporate a celestial, scifi-esque background, ORION AND THE STARBORN wasn’t what I expected—and I’m absolutely delighted by that!

I’ve read K. B. Hoyle’s GATEWAY CHRONICLES, so I knew she was a master worldbuilder. But this book took her storytelling skills to whole new heights. I loved the resounding themes of identity, belonging, and the question of one’s role in a community as well as how these lessons were subtly but powerfully packed into a fun, fast-moving plot.

Hoyle’s writing is, as always, a delight. I’m so in love with this world, and I can’t wait for the next book!

[Crystal B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a 5 out of 5 stars read for me! I was pulled in on the 1st page and fell in love with the characters. I loved the unlikely friendships, the twist and turns, and mysteries that unfolded on each page. Fantasy is normally not my go-to read, but this book changed that for me. Highly recommend.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written! My kid loved it and we enjoyed reading it together. We couldn't wait to get the second book and will review this soon too once we finish it😁 The plot and characters hooked us right from the getgo! Highly recommended, esp if you enjoy "reluctant heros" and coming of age "chosen one" tropes, but these all have a unique spin.

[Rachel L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow starter—I almost lost interest at the first major setting change—but ended up being so good. Definitely needs some sequels and I will be looking into other books by this author.

[Kirsten Devore Barak · Rating 5 out of 5]

K.B. Hoyle is such an incredible writer! I didn’t think she could top Gateway Chronicles… but Orion and the Starborn is a fantastic and I can’t wait for the rest of the series.

Orion is a character who readers of all ages can relate to and root for. I love how he navigates new and old friendships. There is depth of character and story here. There is mystery, adventure and drama. I’m ready for book two!

[Katie Mclean · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a parent who wants to instill a love of reading in your children, then you’ll understand how hard it can be to find newer books that uphold good values while still being enjoyable. Orion and the Starborn checks all the boxes. It’s easy to read, the world building is well done, the plot is sufficiently complex without being confusing, and it’s clean. I loved traveling with Orion as he learns how to control his power and as he searches for his family. I’m hoping there will be another book as I’m anxious to find out what happens next! I give this one ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!!! Highly recommended.

I received this as an advance reader copy.