The Stars We Carry

The Stars Beyond, Book 1

By: E. S. Brandon

Narrated by: Dani Soleil

Five years into humanity’s mission to colonize Proxima Centauri, Chief Engineer Maya Sato is the only one awake aboard the starship Artemis. Two hundred colonists lie sleeping in cryo. Her only companions are ARIA, the ship’s watchful AI, and the ache of loneliness pressing in from the endless dark.

When critical systems begin to fail, Maya discovers that someone is sabotaging the mission from within. Then Julian Chen, the ship’s brilliant, infuriating lead architect, is forced out of cryo after a pod malfunction. Arrogant, maddening, dangerously attractive, he is now the only person she can trust.

Their uneasy partnership ignites into undeniable heat. Every system failure pulls them closer. Every dark corridor, every repair, becomes an excuse to touch, to linger, to fall deeper into something neither of them can afford.

But the sabotage escalates. Trust fractures. And as the Artemis spirals toward disaster, Maya must uncover the traitor before they all become ghosts in the void. There’s nowhere to run. No one to call for help. Only heat. Only gravity. Only the man who might be the one thing holding her together.

©2025 E. S. Brandon (P)2025 E. S. Brandon

Fantastic Narration!

Book Review: I normally don't read from the sci-fi genre but this book was such a neat experience! The author does an amazing job at painting a picture of the spacecraft, the Artemis that the FMC Maya is on. The Artemis is under sabotage and Maya needs to figure out what is trying to take down the spacecraft while on it's current mission. If she fails, it could lead to the death of 200 other people onboard the ship. The story is full of suspenseful moments with critical decision making.

Narrator: Dani Soleil gave a 10/10 performance on this book. Her emotions were raw and really reflected the turmoil someone would experience in this situation. Imagine being isolated in space and then being the one who is responsible to save everyone. The highs and lows and challenges the FMC faced are ALL reflected in Dani's performance. She even voices an unhinged sarcastic AI system. A stunning narration all around.

Outstanding Narration

Where to begin. I found the author on TikTok a few weeks ago and put this book on my TBR. I was going back and forth about paperback or audiobook and I am not disappointed at all that I listened to this book. I’ll prob still get the paperback because I have no self control. This was my first experience with this narrator and she’s amazing. I’m pretty convinced she’s an actor because her range was unreal. Her voice sounds familiar but maybe that’s just me. The ship’s AI was so dry and awkward and I had a lot of cackle out loud moments. The writing is great a few slower spots here and there but they’re important to advance the plot. The relationship building sequences mirrors the conflict and the unknowing of what we actually experience IRL so it’s totally relatable. I wasn’t expecting to have my heart ripped open like I did, and I’m dying to see where this story goes. Gaaahhh I need someone to book club this book with because I have so many questions and theories. 10/10 would read all over again for the first time if I could.

The humor is so great.

Just when I would get bored with the story, something would pop up and have my jaw dropping. It was the perfect book to listen to while working. The deadpan humor was amazing and had me actually giggling. I’m excited to read the physical book and for E.S. Brandon to create more works.

Fantastic story with AMAZING narration!

Really great balance of romance and plot. Couldn’t put it down. I usually sway towards fantasy, but this sci fi story had me hooked! Fun characters! Does the ship’s AI count as a character? Because I think she was my favorite! Excited to see how the story continues!

Maya and Julian and ARIA

The Stars We Carry is a sci-fi romance set on a spaceship carrying colonists to a new planet. Maya, Julian and the ship’s AI system, ARIA, have to try and repair things that are not working. There is a lot of action, mystery, suspense and intrigue in this story. The solo narration by Dani Soleil was spectacular. She portrayed these characters wonderfully. Her narration of ARIA was marvelous. Thanks to the author and Dani Soleil for this ALC.