MAY 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Dan Bittner throws himself into this science-fiction adventure with the enthusiasm the story begs for. Cade Sura grew up certain that his older brother, Tristan, is the Paragon who will reclaim the galaxy from the evil Praxis Empire. When Cade ends up in Tristan’s place, he has to lean on his misfit crew of friends to save the day. Bittner’s narration is bold and declarative, matching the story’s rapid- fire pace and pushing the listener through exposition-heavy scenes. He also uses a light touch for the more humorous space-opera aspects. His character voices are a treat—from the attempted vocal swagger of Cade and the authority of hot-shot pilot Kira to the unique accents and speaking styles of a variety of aliens. N.M. 2019 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
10/16/2017
Moreci (the Roche Limit comics series) delivers a story that recalls his work for the Star Wars franchise: it brims with exotic locales, weird aliens, an evil empire, and a Jedilike hero with a cohort of misfits. Cade Sura and his older brother, Tristan, spent 10 years studying to be Rai warriors, planning to defend the Galactic Alliance from Praxis and its evil Queen Ga Halle. Certain that Tristan is the legendary Paragon, their teacher, Ser Jorken, sends them to recover an ancient weapon called the Rokura—but a Praxis assassin murders Tristan. Cade, escaping with the Rokura, is now assumed to be the Paragon, but he’s not reconciled to that role, and neither is the sentient artifact. On the run from Praxis forces, Cade assembles a crew of oddballs who set off to find the real Paragon and take out the War Hammer, a planet-killing Praxian space ship. Moreci’s sci-fi adventure delivers plenty of action for fans willing to overlook the unoriginal story. Agent: Jason Yarn, Jason Yarn Literary. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
Chicago Review of Books 10 Best Science Fiction Books of the Year
“Part 'Star Wars' homage, part unexpected coming-of-age novel...Moreci balances character with plot very well; the story moves at a brisk pace, and the frequent action sequences fit in well with the overall story. [A] complex, self-aware and fun romp through space. Fascinating...Thought-provoking...I was on the edge of my seat." —Los Angeles Times
"Those who dig Arthurian legend, Guardians of the Galaxy cosmic high jinks and especially Star Wars mythology will find oodles to love....Character relationships, a sense of familial duty and a fast-paced narrative all make Renegades a worthwhile read." —USA Today (three stars)
"This book really, truly feels like the next big thing. It’s not a shocker that combining Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, Lord of the Rings, and classic pulp would result in an awesome story, but it is surprising at how Moreci is able to take all those elements and make them into something that feels fresh. If you like any of the franchises we’ve mentioned in this review, you’ll like Black Star Renegades."
—Nerdist
"Moreci’s debut novel is a delightful mash-up of genre tropes: a reluctant hero, swashbuckling space adventure, martial arts, an evil empire, a scrappy band of outcasts, and a sentient killer robot. It’s a loving ode to the science fiction Moreci grew up with. The pacing is fast and exciting, strong on action and generous with humor." —Booklist
"A propulsive space opera that is also an unapologetic love letter to Star Wars. . . . Impossible not to love . . . . From intergalactic space battles to blaster fights to rogue robots and various hives of scum and villainy, this shiny space opera is bound to be a pleasure for fans of all stripes." —Kirkus Reviews
“Combining Marvel wit with the geeky jokes of Galaxy Quest, the book is set in a universe filled with Jedi-like warriors, star-destroying weapons, and planet-hopping misfits.” —Chicago Magazine
"Moreci delivers a story that recalls his work for the Star Wars franchise: it brims with exotic locales, weird aliens, an evil empire, and a Jedilike hero with a cohort of misfits. . . . Moreci’s sci-fi adventure delivers plenty of action." —Publishers Weekly
"Moreci's novel starts off his intended trilogy with flair: it's a bold space opera of a book, and like any good space opera, it introduces us to a wide range of flawed, fascinating characters in a dizzying array of vivid locales. It's funny, fast-paced and full of satisfyingly sudden conflict. . . . The action — as rapid as the snappy dialogue — will keep most readers pinned to the page." —RT Book Reviews
"A beach read for nerds — like Ready Player One or Andy Weir’s The Martian and Artemis. It’s a lighthearted, nostalgic novel that focuses on vibrant characters and adventure, built out of recognizable parts from the likes of Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Arthurian legend. As such, it’s a genuinely entertaining adventure that understands what people love about grand struggles between good and evil." —The Verge
"Michael Moreci has tapped into something that feels classically sci-fi but wholly new and refreshing. BLACK STAR RENEGADES hits on a place in our hearts reserved for early childhood recollections of the original Star Wars films and the first time we witnessed a Skywalker losing a hand. This riveting book carries all the clever quips, character melodrama and ship-to-ship combat we could ask for in a Grade-A space opera while also taking common and oftentimes overused tropes and kicking them over." —Teen Reads
“Engaging and inventive twists on a much-loved genre. A fun ride for space opera fans!” —John Jackson Miller, New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: A New Dawn
"Black Star Renegades is a wonderful Star Wars book that just happens to not be set in the Star Wars universe. . . . The magic of Moreci’s book is in the way he takes these elements and creates a story that blasts off and doesn’t let up. The backdrop is written with care and brings the reader into a universe that, despite first-glance similarities to the familiar Galaxy, stands apart and feels fresh and worthy of its creation. . . . Definitely read this." —Stardust Pop
"A must-read." —Michigan Avenue Magazine
MAY 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Dan Bittner throws himself into this science-fiction adventure with the enthusiasm the story begs for. Cade Sura grew up certain that his older brother, Tristan, is the Paragon who will reclaim the galaxy from the evil Praxis Empire. When Cade ends up in Tristan’s place, he has to lean on his misfit crew of friends to save the day. Bittner’s narration is bold and declarative, matching the story’s rapid- fire pace and pushing the listener through exposition-heavy scenes. He also uses a light touch for the more humorous space-opera aspects. His character voices are a treat—from the attempted vocal swagger of Cade and the authority of hot-shot pilot Kira to the unique accents and speaking styles of a variety of aliens. N.M. 2019 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2017-09-28
A young space warrior must combat the forces of evil to bring peace and justice to the universe.Moreci (The Throwaway, 2018, etc.) is a prolific comic book writer, sci-fi observer, and generally nerdy dude, and he brings all of those strengths to bear in a propulsive space opera that is also an unapologetic love letter to Star Wars. The novel opens on a chase sequence as brothers Cade and Tristan Sura are on the run from some intergalactic scumbags. But they're rescued by Ser Jorken, a bo staff-wielding warrior who is loyal to an ancient order of galactic defenders known as The Well. A decade later, Tristan is prophesied to be the "Paragon," the uniting force who will use an ancient weapon to bring balance to the universe. But during a very Indiana Jones-style mission to steal an all-powerful spear called the Rokura, the brothers are set upon by a member of the Fatebreakers, a death squad loyal only to Ga Halle, the evil queen of the Praxis Empire. Left to his own mission, Cade hooks up with his reluctant friend Mig and Kira Sen, a badass space pilot, to save the universe. Now it's up to Cade and a rogues' gallery of pilots, amigos, and robots to take control of the Rokura and lead a fierce rebellion against the Praxis before they can use the War Hammer, a world-destroying superweapon powered by draining a sun. These are all the same beats used in everything from Joseph Campbell's mythology to George Lucas' enduring saga, but Moreci has assembled them with such devotion and style that it's impossible not to love this strange mashup for its own sake. From intergalactic space battles to blaster fights to rogue robots and various hives of scum and villainy, this shiny space opera is bound to be a pleasure for fans of all stripes.As they say in the movies, the Black Star Renegades will return.
