Teodor, the Prince of Earth and the heir to the Emperor of the twelve planets of the Dodecahedron Empire, has been kidnapped. Princess Nuria of Zarac is surprised by this development since just the night before, they had both been at a cocktail party in the famous Dodecahedron Dome of London. From the telepathic connection she had established with Teodor at the party, she can tell that his life is in grave danger. Who has kidnapped Teodor? Guy Erma, a talented teenage blades fighter from the streets of London, may be the only one with the answer. With the Regent’s blessing, Nuria and her uncle race to rescue Teodor. However, in the hands of menacing cyborgs and with his fate sealed by a calculating, power-hungry leader, is there a chance that the future Emperor will make it out alive? Find out in SA Melia’s Son of Empire: Dodecahedral.

If you are looking for a young adult coming-of-age sci-fi thriller flavored with high-stakes drama, a gripping backstory, adventure, edge-of-the-seat suspense, plot twists, and more, SA Melia’s Son of Empire is a perfect pick. Featuring fascinating, dynamic characters, Melia weaves an intriguing plot that unfolds effortlessly through a multi-perspective timeline. The third-person voice, alongside the introspective commentary and cinematic depictions, made me feel like I was watching a sci-fi movie. I got swept up in a whirlwind of secrets, deception, betrayal, feudal politics, love affairs, power struggles, and action. I enjoyed the sharp, lively conversations, which gave insight into the conflicts, emotions, and complex traits of the cast. Even though this story makes references to the previous installment, Melia puts enough context and depth into the plot, giving it a standalone feel. I loved it. I’m eager to read the other installments in this captivating series.

Son of Empire by S.A. Melia is book two in the acclaimed Dodecahedral series. Previously, Guy Erma lived among unregistered children at House Jewel while training in martial arts with the goal of joining the Dome Militant, eventually earning a place despite his status. Meanwhile, Prince Teodor, heir of the Dodecahedral Imperial House, trains with the Militant and rides telepathically bonded gorans. When cyborg Battle Borgs abduct him during an attack on the Cathedral, his allies work hard to track and rescue him. Now, Prince Teodor's capture has tossed the twelve-planet realm into crisis, and Guy Erma possesses dangerous knowledge. While Teodor holds firm in confinement and peril, both he and Guy must carefully weigh who they can rely on, as survival and the fate of the empire hinge on their choices.

Son of Empire by S.A. Melia delivers an imaginative and exciting continuation of the saga that brings the Dodecahedral Empire fully alive. The novel blends political maneuvering, action-filled missions, and memorable character moments in a way that keeps the reader invested in every chapter. Prince Teodor stands out as both heir and son, balancing duty with loyalty, and Guy is my favorite character—who doesn’t love an orphan underdog? The settings are described with striking detail, and just take Melia's world-building to an even higher level. There are some amazing creature features, and the shapeshifting aliens made me wonder who the heck else might come along and make me question what they might actually be. Overall, this second installment captures the imagination with both scale and humanity, making it an outstanding choice for any science fiction fan, regardless of age.