The Sundered Stars

Starborne Saga Book One

Betrayal is just the beginning…

After a decade of hunting the Federation’s deadliest criminals, Mora “Mo” Cevi is done risking her life—but she needs a way out. So, when a lucrative military contract lands in her lap, she takes it despite her mistrust of the government.

Steadfast leader Ezra Lyre has dedicated sixteen years to the Federation Space Command, climbing the ranks to become one of the military’s most revered Vanguards. But when he’s assigned to protect a group of archaeologists on a remote dig, he’s confused. The Federation is at war, and he should be on the front lines, not babysitting scholars.

Mo has been fighting Ezra’s orders for days, until a group of traitors steal a treasured artifact, and he needs her to help him bring them to justice. With the Federation rejecting their concerns, they pursue the thieves on their own.

But as their manhunt tangles them in a web of dangerous conspiracies, Mo and Ezra find themselves racing to stop a threat that could destroy the Federation—if their enemies don’t destroy them first.

Content Warnings

  • Fantasy and magical violence, including character deaths and suicide
  • References to past intimate partner violence
  • Descriptions of injuries and chronic pain
  • Casual alcohol consumption
  • Loss of home world/planetary destruction
  • War and imperialism

Spice
Level

The Sundered Stars contains a slow burn romance subplot and no spice, though future books may include adult content.

Tropes & Microtropes

  • Bounty hunter FMC
  • Fire daddy MMC
  • Space empires at war
  • Magic, energy weapons, and faster-than-light travel
  • Divine artifacts & lost gods
  • Ragtag found family
  • Epic battles
  • She’s overly protective of her ship
  • He falls first
  • Age gap (he’s 35, she’s 28)

Awards & Nominations

2025 BookTok Indie Author Awards

  • Top 5 Finalist, Best Science Fantasy

2025 Indie Ink Awards Nominations

  • Best book cover and cover artist

  • Best setting

  • Best use of tropes

  • Writing the Future We Need: Asexual or Aromantic Representation

  • Writing a the Future We Need: Disability Representation by a disabled author