The Fires of Hephaestus

The Starsea Cycle #6

by Kyle West

The Worlds will never be the same...

The Swarmers are on the move. As star systems fall one by one, the League of Worlds begins to fragment. The Dread Pirate Zheng Yang advances her Golden Armada toward the League's core, bringing either death or salvation. The Prophet Sharo Khan consolidates a theocracy in the spinward mid-worlds, while the League of Worlds concentrates everything toward a last-ditch defense against the Swarmers.

But unknown to all these major players, the Worlds' only hope lies in Lucian Abrantes, his crew, their starship, and of course, the powerful Orbs of Starsea. But even these powerful artifacts might not be enough to survive the dark days ahead.

He must reach the hellish planet of Hephaestus before his enemies do, and claim the Orb of Thermalism, located somewhere on its lava-ridden surface. Can Lucian secure the prize, or will enemies old and new stop him in his tracks?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

364 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2022

About the author

I'm Kyle West, author of the Wasteland Chronicles, Xenoworld Saga, Starsea Cycle, and more. I try to write books with lots of action and crazy twists to keep you turning the pages. Every book of mine can be categorized as "science fantasy," blending elements from both genres.

Reviews

[Landon Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m liking this series. But there are some problems with it that just continuously piss me off. It has so much potential, and could be so much better. Couple of things:

- The author reuses so many scenarios/terms/etc
- Excruciatingly predictable at times
- The main character can be an utter imbecile. He refuses to get stronger or take the blame for anything. He has received these orbs and will not learn how to use them properly. He’s extremely inefficient. Why even make him an exceedingly good mage without the orbs if he’s just going to get the orbs and use them like an idiot? Would love to see him undergo rigorous training regiments.
- The main character is also just an annoying lil bastard
- Would love to see more love. There will be a brief “and they kissed on the cheek” but no more than that, and oftentimes interrupted by something. I understand it’s a YO book, so not asking for smut, but at least more depth that gives you that warm feeling inside.
- The orbs are way too easy to get. There will be a dangerous planet, sometimes some dangerous fellows along the way, and then *boop* he’s got the next orb lets go. Would like a more insane trial - we’re talking about the rotting orbs of star sea here. They shouldn’t just be in some random lil room. Give the man an insane mind puzzle or something to figure out. Put them in the middle of the planet and make him decide whether to rip the planet apart to get it or blast a hole through it with the radiance orb, then blind it with the orb of binding and pull it towards him. These things supply magic to the entire rotting universe and you’re limiting him to barely be able to lift himself up a cliff.

Just some of the things. I want the characters to succeed - I want the book and this series to succeed, but I believe it’d do so much better if some of these things were changed.

I’d love to give this book a 4/5. But I simply can’t. I’ve had to stop listening too many times because I get pissed off at the scenarios or the MC and just come back to it later.

[Pamela Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth Book in the Starsea Cycle

This was another nail biter everyone is vying for power with the have man race and all the known world at stake .

[Dina Bushrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved the thrilling action of war in this story, Book 6 of this very different sci-fi/fantasy series, The Starsea Cycle. Our hero's magic continues to grow as he gathers more Orbs, but with each new step, both he and his friends get closer and closer to danger as well as betrayals. He finds family he believed dead, but not before he loses a companion on his trek to enlightenment and brings the one he loves closer to death. The end of Book 6 brings this reader to stunning unexpected events. My oh my, what is the author going to give us in Book 7?

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucian now has four orbs, including the powerful Lost orb, and a mandate from the Alkasen’s leader, the Ancient One, to find the rest. The next stop is Hephaestus for the orb of Thermalism, but Vera and Xara, with two orbs, are ahead of them. And Zheng Yang’s Golden Armada of pirates has laid siege to Hephaestus.

I like how the author addressed the issue of time distance between gates, which slowed down the pace of the story, by creating time/distance jumps.

Footnote: 1) Incongruency: This is a civilization with hundreds of worlds filled with different cultures. The group consists of only one Earther and the rest from other planets. Yet when they are on another planet, they order Chinese? How do they even know about it, let alone have a fast food place that delivers it? It would have been better to say that they had food delivered.

Fave scenes: hiding in the ice, meeting with the Hegemon, traveling through the spires, and fighting the basilisk.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great progression in the series.
There were surprises and tragedies in this installment. I love how each book brings new challenges, information and characters. I do NOT feel like I am reading the same thing over again. The characters are growing and maturing, learning from past lessons and mistakes (mostly). Each book is a new experience. Well written with great characterization.

Language:none
Sex:none
Violence:low

[Lesa Hearon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally Engrossing

I came upon this series very much by accident looking for an author with a different first name. But this series is great. I've been reading it every free minute. And some not do free. The story and characters raise ethical, philosophical and political questions without trying to offer easy answers. If George Lucas read this series l think he'd want the screen rights. It's a fantasy, Sc-fi, epic coming of age story. Highly recommend for all ages.

[Torfinn Ingolfsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it.

[Jayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much happening in this book. The story kept my attention and was really interesting.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting read. Lots of twists and turns but lots of seemingly wasted energy, time and knowledge.

[Don Blank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.