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Richard is living a typical teenage existence in Ohio when he suddenly, shockingly, discovers that he is a descendant of galactic royalty and must return to his ancestral planetary home of Krel and take his rightful place as king. With the help of an artificial life form named AAL, he begins the process of learning about his family history and his planet’s history, culture, and customs. Overwhelmed but curious and adventurous, Richard embarks on the journey with gusto and intelligence, shocked and awestruck with each new experience and encounter with unusual life forms and cutting-edge technology. However, not everyone is ready to embrace Richard, especially those with powerful interests who want to rule the planet without royal interference. Richard’s life and future as king are at risk as powerful senators question his legitimacy and assassins target him with ruthless intent.
This entertaining and imaginative story offers a fresh take on the “chosen one” motif. Richard’s unexpected destiny grabs him ferociously from his basement in his home in Ohio and whisks him like a magic carpet ride into deep space. Instead of a carpet, though, he’s on his unassuming sofa, protected and guided by a shapeshifting android who becomes his most trusted confidante and loyal friend. AAL spends many hours and days helping Richard understand his past and training him to be king. At one point, he tells him, “the entire galaxy awaits you.” Richard’s connection with AAL is heartwarming and humorous, caring and committed, and supportive and encouraging. Their deep connection is the emotional center of the narrative, and the intricate worldbuilding revolves around them as planets, species, and technologies beam from the page. Richard’s earthbound perspective widens enormously as he travels through space and begins to understand the vastness of the galaxy and the innumerable possibilities to be discovered. He encounters creatures, mythical beasts, and so many unknown lifeforms that inspire his curiosity. Some even arouse his teenage hormones. He finds himself highly desired and sought after as a king in search of a mate and, eventually, a family and heir.
With themes of power and destiny, Richard’s adventure soars when he arrives on his ancestral planet and begins to live and move in the culture and traditions of a new place that is so different from Earth. So often, far from home, people begin to understand the diversity of life and open their minds to new ways of thinking. Richard’s space odyssey will make him a king, but the journey to get there is just as important as the final destination. As Richard adapts and adjusts to cultural differences and traditions, he awakens new desires and beliefs that will guide his ability to rule. He will make difficult choices and sacrifices to follow this new path into the far reaches of the galaxy. Readers will enthusiastically join the journey and follow Richard on his quest to claim the throne and restore his family’s name and honor in galactic history. Immersive and well-constructed, the narrative Hickman has created offers an authentic new world not only for Richard to explore but also for readers to lose themselves inside of as they ponder the possibilities beyond the familiar and the known.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review