Starblade Rising

An Epic Military Sci-Fi/Space Opera Adventure (Renegades of the Void, Book 1)

By: Sean Robins

Narrated by: CJ Grey

Captain Xander Hawk figured he'd stared down every cosmic catastrophe the galaxy could hurl—until the Malice Ascendant, a nightmare-class dreadnought engineered for planetary annihilation, shattered his illusions.

When a rescue mission spirals into an all-out galactic war, Hawk and his ragtag crew find themselves outgunned, outfoxed, and betrayed by corrupt politicians. Hunted by a relentless empire and an enemy that never rests, Hawk leans on his sharp wit, stubborn grit, and a band of misfits—including a wisecracking AI and a reformed conwoman—to flip impossible odds. But as stars explode and alliances crumble, he uncovers a fight far bigger than survival: one for justice, scorching revenge, and the soul-crushing price of true heroism.

In a cosmos choked by ruthless empires and shadowy plots, the only escape is straight through the inferno. Can Hawk's renegades ignite a rebellion, or will they become just another ghost story whispered in spaceports?

Blazing-fast, wickedly funny, and loaded with firepower, Starblade Rising is a clever, adrenaline-fueled space opera bursting with epic battles, indelible characters, and banter sharp enough to slice hulls. Ideal for fans of Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, and tales where underdogs strike back—with nukes.

©2025 Sean Robins (P)2025 Sean Robins

Firefly Vibes with More Firepower

This audiobook gave me everything I’ve been craving since Firefly went off the air: a ragtag crew, fast-paced battles, political intrigue, and banter that cuts through the darkness. What makes it stand out is how seamlessly it blends humor with serious stakes—one moment you’re grinning at the wisecracking AI, and the next you’re holding your breath as dreadnoughts clash. The soundscape of CJ Grey’s narration heightens the immersion, and by the end, I felt like I was right there in the cockpit. Fans of space opera will not want to miss this launch into the Renegades of the Void series.

AWESOME!

The story is great, but it's the narrator's performance that brought the story to life in a way that exceeded all my expectations, which were pretty high already. The pacing, the emotion, the character voices—everything was spot on.

Explosive Space Opera Done Right

From the opening pages, Starblade Rising hooked me with its mix of nonstop action and sharp humor. Sean Robins has created a galaxy that feels vast and dangerous, yet still deeply human thanks to the quirky, lovable crew of misfits. Captain Xander Hawk isn’t your typical flawless hero—he’s stubborn, sarcastic, and sometimes reckless—but that makes his leadership and sacrifices all the more compelling. CJ Grey’s narration breathes energy into every scene, from tense standoffs to laugh-out-loud banter. This is the kind of story that makes you stay up too late because you just can’t pause it.

Strap In. This Ride Blasts Off Fast!

I popped Starblade Rising on during a long drive, and before I knew it, I was gripping the wheel like I was piloting a starfighter. Sean Robins totally nails that mix of sharp banter, high stakes battles, and underdog grit. CJ Grey’s narration? Spot on brought every skirmish and wisecrack to life. It felt like I was right there in the cockpit. If you’re into military sci-fi with attitude, this one’s a total adrenaline rush.

ok for teens, maybe

the reader is decent, but slightly monotone. This may not be entirely his fault as the author has a very jarring, bland style of writing. Each time he starts to build drama or suspense, he throws a bad joke in that kills the energy. The storyline itself has great potential, but the author simply doesn't have the maturity to bring it forward