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A.K. DuBoff
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Crystalline Space: A Young Adult Space Fantasy Adventure (Dark Stars Book 1) Kindle Edition

by A.K. DuBoff (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 429 ratings
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Planets falling into shadow. A galactic empire in peril. Can a team of unlikely heroes save their worlds?

Elle was just a normal teenager enjoying her final summer vacation when everything changes. She awakens on a spaceship in a new, magically enhanced body and is told that the fate of known civilization is in her hands.

A mysterious Darkness has infected the interstellar crystalline network. The unique properties of the crystals allow reality to be 'reset' to past moments in time, granting second chances. However, the Darkness isn't only threatening the reset process—it's consuming entire planets.

Paired with a team of strangers, Elle embarks on an interstellar quest to secure the backup for the crystalline network. With only vague clues to guide them, Elle and her new friends must battle monsters, track down ancient relics, and unravel hidden secrets before their worlds and loved are lost in shadow forever.

Crystalline Space offers a fun blend of sci-fi and fantasy, perfect for fans of planet-hopping adventure, dynamic characters, and a blend of high tech with traditional magic.

Buy your copy and be transported to a universe where second chances are real!

★★★★★ "Words cannot describe how fantastic this trilogy is. Immortality is what it deserves." - Amazon Reviewer

* First book in the Nebula-nominated Dark Stars trilogy *

Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Dark Stars
  2. Print length
    313 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    September 18, 2018
  6. File size
    3700 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

Sci-fi woman and spaceship

"Do-overs" are possible

The crystalline network allows reality to be reset to past moments in time…

Sci-fi wooman against space background

Dark Stars book covers
Praise for the Dark Stars Trilogy

"A refreshing approach to the genre. Crystalline Space sets the bar high as the first book in a series. This is a fun read with intriguing world-building and a compelling storyline." - Amy J. Murphy, Dragon Award Finalist Author

"Crystalline Space is a fantastic novel that [...] hearkens back to classic high concept science fiction." - SM Hillman, Game Designer & Freelance Writer

About the Dark Stars Trilogy

Finalist for the Nebula Award

Elle and a team of companions embark on an interstellar quest to stop an alien invasion. The unique hyperdimensional crystalline network connecting their worlds allows reality to be reset to past moments in time, but an alien Darkness is corrupting the crystals and entire planets. If Elle and her friends can’t stop the Darkness, their worlds and loved ones will be lost in shadow forever.

Dive into this adventure with a fun blend of high-tech sci-fi and magic with a unique twist!

  • Book 1: Crystalline Space
  • Book 2: A Light in the Dark
  • Book 3: Masters of Fate

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A refreshing approach to the genre. Crystalline Space sets the bar high as the first book in a series. This is a fun read with intriguing world-building and a compelling storyline. I look forward to where the Dark Stars trilogy takes us next." - Amy J. Murphy, author of the Allies and Enemies series & Dragon Award Finalist

"Crystalline Space is a fantastic novel that hits the ground running and wastes no time in getting the reader into the story. Its compelling and likable characters are backed by a story and antagonist that hearken back to classic high concept science fiction." - SM Hillman, Game Designer & Freelance Writer

From the Author

Books in the Dark Stars series:
Book 1: Crystalline Space
Book 2: A Light in the Dark
Book 3: Masters of Fate

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07HHCHQYZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dawnrunner Press (September 18, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 18, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3700 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 313 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 429 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
A.K. DuBoff

A.K. DuBoff

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Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author A.K. DuBoff has always loved science fiction in all forms, including books, movies, shows, and games. If it involves outer space, even better! Though most known for the acclaimed Cadicle Universe space opera books, as well as the Nebula-nominated Dark Stars trilogy, DuBoff also co-wrote and executive produced the multi award-winning feature film, Crypto Shadows. As a full-time writer, DuBoff can frequently be found traveling the world while writing timeless science fiction and fantasy. When not writing, she enjoys wine tasting, binge-watching TV series, and playing epic strategy board games.

What the latest news? Connect on social media @amyduboff.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
429 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful start to a new Space Opera Adventure
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
A book so good that even though I had it as part of a collection of books previously released earlier in the year I just had to buy the stand alone copy as well to have a proper completed set when all is said and done. A.K. DuBoff is the Queen of Space Opera. She creates characters and worlds that make her stories a must read.
In part 1 of Dark Stars: Crystalline Space we are introduced to a world where do overs are real. Make a major mistake...die in an accident....reset and start again, with your memories of the previous turn in tact. It's a great combination of sci-fi, fantasy and video games that works really well. The resets are possible due to the Crystalline Network that connects everything in the galaxy except there is a Darkness coming...consuming worlds and somehow the military is able to pull our heroes from the network and give them a chance to preserve the archive of the network and hopefully figure out what the Darkness is and how to stop it. Strangers, Elle, Torran and Kaiden begin their adventure and must learn to work together with new abilities, bodies(yes..bodies) and access to technology/magic they didn't know existed for real until now.
As I read the story, Elle quickly became my favorite of the characters with Kaiden a very close second (mostly because of his carefree attitude and funny personality). Elle has a presence about her though that just draws you in. She approaches life with optimism even during the hardest of times. With her family in danger due to the darkness, she never hesitates to do what she must and as the story progresses she clearly becomes the leader of the group as everyone defers to her on what should be done. I really liked the character interactions. I also like that the book, being a Space Opera, is lighthearted, fun, exciting and not over the top with too much technical detail or anything like that.

TLDR: I'm horrible at writing reviews....It's a great book...read it!!!!!
10 people found this helpful
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MelHay
4.0 out of 5 stars Clean, outer space adventure
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019
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*I was given this free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Kristin is one of my favorite narrators. I enjoy her multiple personalities and voices. She switches between the characters with ease, and creates the characters in voice for me. Their vocal tones fit the characters, and flow with their emotions as the story goes. Kristin makes listening to the story a pleasure!

This universe is interesting! The Crystals that can back up time to have a redo, yet there are rules in place with them too. I love this! And that it feels as though people do not take advantage of this. Really cool. Then there's the Darkness. I'm just as curious about this as our trio is.

Elle is our main POV in the story, seeing everything through her eyes. I love the trio that has a heavy weight on their shoulders, to figure out how to save their friends and families...and the universe. I love the team. Elle joins Toran and Kaiden, then Maris joins them. They all have different personalities and where things feel balanced they change slightly when Maris joins. They find a way to get all personalities to work together along with each person bringing something new to the group in view point.

There is a hint of a closer budding relationship too. It feels sweet. It's not the focus of the story, the story is about sealing the main archive to save their families, but people grow close in times like these as they lean on each other. The friendships here also grow stronger and feel as though they are a great group of people.

The story description indicates it's a blend of Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Xenosaga. Though I've not played or seen Xenosaga, I do see how the other two games influence the story. Very cool!

I enjoyed the story as it was an adventure and some fighting, but it all felt clean as though adults and young adults could enjoy it. The story moved forward quickly for me, not feeling to slow down, each scene important to the end goal. We do get to the original end goal here, but we also learn that things aren't going to end there, which I kinda figured with the more I learned. I'm totally cool with this! I want to keep going with these characters and this world.
5 people found this helpful
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James D.
5.0 out of 5 stars The Absolute Best
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is by far the best that Amy has written! (Later Edit - well, now that A Light in the Darkness and Masters of Fate are out - hmm - it appears that this was the first of three of her best - they just keep getting better!)
It’s engaging, inventive, funny, and absolutely grabs you and almost impossible to put down. A fantasy quest in a sci-fi setting … where the core-concepts that bridge magic vs science are plausibly explained.
Amy has invented a new paradigm - the “reset” - which holds a lot of storytelling potential. And the science behind the magic is extraordinary!
Most of the book follows tried and true “quest” story path but is not a ripoff of LOTR, Shannara etc - she’s carved out her own universe and interesting quest-paths… a path of growth for each character, a path to master their skills, a path to meld together as a team, and a path to save their worlds.
The ensemble of main characters has great chemistry - the story is told from the POV of their leader. Kudos, in particular, for writing a fun story without dragging in a bunch of swearing or explicit sex or unnecessary gore.
I highly recommend this first book in the Dark Stars universe, and can’t wait for the next!
9 people found this helpful
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Ross
3.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad book... But not a page turned either
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2021
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This is probably best for younger readers, 10 to 15 years of age, especially young adventurous girls (I expect that was the target audience). The writing is adequate, with minimal spelling and grammatical errors. The characters are predictable, but the saving grace is a reasonably interesting premise. However, not enough for me to continue with the sequel.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Adrian de Jong
4.0 out of 5 stars Magic?..
Reviewed in Canada on November 20, 2018
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Yeah... thanks it’s a great read. Magic is but a step before, “I didn’t know that!” Science just needs to catch-up or be left behind. Excellent combination of science, magic and narrative.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Real magic sci-fi fantasy
Reviewed in Italy on June 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
The combination of science fiction and fantasy elements really works well in this book. The combination of all elements is very well balanced and the concept both magical and scientific of the crystals and the worlds visited are very convincing and at the same time a rather New concept. So very well done for the original idea. Too marks also for the characters they have been well crafted. The interaction between them is enjoyable and convincing.
It's a great story told very well. I found it a pleasure to pick this book up and continue reading. By the time you read this I Will have already started the second book of this trilogy. I need to know what happens to these people in their universe and creating this genuine interest in how the story develops is perhaps the writers greatest achievement. Hats off to A.K. DuBoff. 100% recommend read.
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PeterR
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable easy to read story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2018
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Just read Crystalline Space. This book is very different from my normal SF reads. Amy DuBoff has created a world that took me a few chapters to start to understand. But I did read the Authors notes, eventually,.But her writing style is so clear that the characters become ‘real’ almost as soon as you meet them. Probably my visualisation is completely different to Amy’s.
The basic storyline is... but no spoilers here. Just to say I loved the way Elle’s character grew, and I have a soft spot for Maris.
Did I like it? Yes, I will be getting books 2 and 3, as I really want to find out how the small group win loose or draw against the Universe in general.
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Kevin Anderson
1.0 out of 5 stars This is a Fantasy book, not Science Fiction
Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2022
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I did not like this book.
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chris3158
4.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative and fun to read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 11, 2018
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Having been recommended to read this book by Vera Nazerian (an outstanding author IMHO) I expected it to be a good read even if it wasn't in my usual genre... being a mixture of future hard(ish) science and mystical heroism more akin to something one might imagine from the late middle ages. On the whole, it works pretty well and the characters are fairly well crafted, especially the central heroine pictured on the cover.

Overall a book which was moderately lightweight fun to read and I quickly went and ordered the next in the series (there are only two so far but at least one more planned).
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