Sally Ann Melia's 13 Born of Empire: The Last Heir and the Unregistered Orphan (Dodecahedral Book 1) begins with a scene where the Mezzatorra is under attack. Captain Karl Valvanchi reckons the Sas Darona Liberation Army (SDLA) would not break through the Mezzatorra’s high perimeter and secure vault unless the Dome Militant assisted them. The novel then shifts to the aftermath of the attack, where Prince Teodor (Teo) is standing on the high tower, thinking about the recent events that led to his father, the king, being killed. Princess Nuria Valvanchi joins him after arriving with the delegation of guests that Teo was expecting. She tells Teo that, despite his self-beliefs, he is the finest prince in his generation and will be king in two days. Will Teo stand up to the challenges and demands that come with the throne, especially with his enemies baying for his blood?

Sally Ann Melia vividly describes the scenes and actions in the novel, which will enable readers to create mental images of the Dodecahedral. She narrates the book from a third-person omniscient point of view, providing a first impression of the characters’ thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I empathized with Guy Erma’s vulnerability and doubt when Commander Tilson informed him that his orphan status might prevent him from enlisting as a soldier for the Dome Militant. Sally Ann Melia's 13 Born of Empire: The Last Heir and the Unregistered Orphan is filled with action developed from the suspenseful plot. This is an excellent book for readers who enjoy science fiction novels with character-driven plots.

As the insurgency on Sas Darona rages on with no end, rumors abound that the natives are getting military support from the Dodecahedral Empire. Still, no one can prove this until Karl Valvanchi stumbles on irrefutable evidence. He prepares to visit the administrative center of this conglomerate of planets to present his find, but events on Earth have overtaken his mission as the heir to the throne disappears barely days before his coming of age. With the Emperor keen on who will succeed him and the regent barely maintaining her influence, expect sparks to fly as the Dome question nears in Sally Ann Melia's 13 Born Of Empire.

The first book in the Dodecahedral series is an explosive introduction to a world of intergalactic politics. Sally Ann Melia's storyline is expansive as she takes her time to introduce us to each of the principal players, their origin stories, and their motivations in this action and adventure offering. The characters are impressively multifaceted, exuding emotion in their conversations that immerse us completely. Her descriptions of the planets are colorful and exciting as she mixes folklore, fiction, and history to create a futuristic-sounding Earth that is as believable as impressive. Guy Erma's struggle to attain his heart's desire is an interesting subplot but probably not as intriguing as the gunboat diplomacy the Dodecahedral Empire attempts with the Zaracan Democratic Union. Sally Ann Melia's 13 Born Of Empire combines elements of action, adventure, drama, and intrigue to create a science fiction fan's dream novel.