Revised Second Edition - YA Sci-Fi Adventure - 2025 Readers' Favorite Award Winner Lily Starling wakes up in a city she barely recognizes, with no memory of her past-only a metal tag bearing her name and an instinct for survival. When a Union starship crew claims she belongs with them, she's pulled centuries beyond her own time and into a desperate mission against the psionic Krythar. Aboard the starship Salamander , Lily is drawn into a found family of misfit officers, warriors, and exiles. Together, they uncover mysteries hidden among the stars: an ancient memory seed carrying the voices of the dead, and a weapon capable of unraveling time itself. But when Lily faces her greatest fear, she must choose-confront the demons of her past, or risk losing everything. Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander is an award-winning, bestselling YA space opera about identity, connection, and courage at the edge of what's known. Perfect for fans of Becky Chambers, N.K. Jemisin, and Mass Effect, with the heart of found-family adventures like Firefly and Red Rising. If you love found family, queer identity, time travel twists, and lyrical, fast-paced sci-fi adventures, you'll love joining Lily on her voyage. "Exploring themes of selfhood, loyalty, queer identity, and the power of found family, Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander blends fast-paced sci-fi action with deep emotional resonance. It's a coming-of-age story set among the stars, for anyone who's ever felt lost and dared to find themselves anyway." -Kelly Rose for Voraka Magazine "...an immersive experience... a serious entry into the immersive sci-fi fantasy genre. The writing is exceptional... (and sets) up the sequel quite nicely... a very interesting space saga for the modern generation." -Matt McAvoy Readers' Favorite 5 Star Seal "Author Christian Hurst has a fantastic imagination and a cinematic description style that lends itself to this thrilling blend of space opera, memory mystery, and fierce found-family feelings... Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander is a bold and brilliant read that's bursting with heart, and I recommend it as an interstellar epic you won't forget." -K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite "Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander is an engaging, well-crafted sci-fi novel that blends thrilling action, humour, and heartfelt moments seamlessly. Christian Hurst has crafted a compelling protagonist and a rich universe that promises even greater adventures ahead. Fans of The Expanse, Firefly, and Ender's Game will feel right at home in this book.-A five star read, it is highly recommended." -BookViral "What distinguishes Hurst's work in the crowded science fiction market is his focus on inclusive storytelling combined with cinematic worldbuilding. The novel's found-family themes resonate with readers seeking more than technical spectacle in their science fiction." -The New York Telegraph Christian Hurst is an award winning Creative Director, author, and lifelong science fiction fan with over 15 years of experience in advertising, marketing, and content creation. Inspired by classic space operas, diverse character-driven stories, and thought-provoking themes, he writes books that blend epic adventure with emotional depth.His Lily Starling series is a YA sci-fi saga that explores identity, connection, and the courage to forge your own path in a vast and unpredictable galaxy. Known for inclusive worldbuilding, heart, humor, and high-stakes storytelling, Christian's work resonates with readers who crave immersive narratives with soul.Alongside his wife, Christian has fostered over 50 rescue dogs in their Baltimore home, where they live with their son and three beagles. He is a devoted father and has achieved master-level expertise in trains, SpongeBob, and Minecraft thanks to his son. A perfect relaxing day would include reading, drawing, indulging his cinephile side with a movie marathon-and, of course, exploring the limitless possibilities of storytelling.