*3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was quite an exciting read! Incredible worldbuilding, lots of innovative science fiction elements, and an intriguing plot. This book follows two strong female characters, a pirate with a "no-f*cks given" attitude and a coddled space ambassador's daughter determined to save her father. They make quite an entertaining pair and there's lots of dry witty banter between them that was very fun to read. I honestly thought they were going to fall in love (not me mistaking the witty banter for flirting 🤭🖐️) but sadly, my happy gay wishes were not fulfilled (it's okay, they still made a great duo).

First off, I loved Kiya so much. She is the definition of cool and badass. As for the main character, I found Nadir's narration a bit annoying at times, but I didn't mind her! Honestly, considering this story is told from her POV, she felt like such a background character to me. She was kind of just...there? Also, that whole thing with Nadir and Brecca at the end was so random. Unless it's setting up for a sequel (which I hope happens because there's a ton of potential for it), I'm not really sure what the point of it was. Not that it was a bad thing, it just felt so out of the blue. I also wished we got more out of the ending, it felt a little incomplete (again, potential for a sequel?), but overall I really enjoyed it!

Nadir's father knows that he is sick with the space plague and he wants to go out with a bang. So, after Nadir's mother is dead and buried, he hires ex-space pirate Kiya to transport Nadir to her grandparents on her home planet and deliver him to his greatest enemy, Admiral Ghan, corrupt ruler of the Pirate Council, so that he can become a martyr and hopefully usher in a new era of peace in the galaxy. However, this plan in interrupted when Kiya's ex-boyfriend attacks and takes her father. Nadir knows that she can't remain with her grandparents, so with Kiya's help, she heads towards Admiral Ghan's planet in order to carry out her father's final wishes and bring his body home. And what's this about a prophesy?

This book was action packed and full of fascinating worldbuilding, between the science behind space travel and the prophetic powers given to people who remain awake during it, if they don't die or go completely mad first. Though, the edges of the galaxy are quite blurred and I'm left with a lot of questions about all of these fascinating cultures that her father supposedly studied as a folklorist. My only major issue is that it's all written from a tense in which everything already happened and the narrator knows everything. This takes away from the suspense and urgency from the plot and just generally makes the action more low-key.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy short reads, mildly dystopian sci-fi with happy endings, and bad-ass female characters.

The Good -

- First off, it's a short book (280 pages) for sci-fi. But, it does not compromise on world-building or character development. The pacing is excellent & interesting. There is never a dull moment. Kudos to that!

- The two female leading ladies are a treat! They are energetic and engaging. Though different, they have infectious chemistry.

- For any of you action lovers out there, there are tons!

- The author's writing is good. He explains most of the lore and the rules of this world in conversations instead of several pages of description. If you hate prose, then you will love this.

The slightly bad -

- The only thing which was a hiccup was the finer points of this universe were glossed over. I would have loved to dwell deeper into this world of ticks & space pirates.

- Also the super twist about the deception from Derek was obvious and saw it from a mile away. It could have been layered in a bit more.

PS: I was looking forward to learning more about the treasure myth and Kiya's past. I am glad to know there will be a Part 2!

Kiya and the Morian Treasure is a quick, light read. The religious undertones of the story made me a little uncomfortable, but there’s still much to like about this fun, action-filled space drama.

There’s a lot to like about Kiya and the Morian Treasure, a pleasant read with an expansive cast, including two female leads, and much action. Readers who enjoyed the Divergent trilogy will undoubtedly like this book, too.

I found the worldbuilding in Kiya and the Morian Treasure to be inventive and evocative of the author’s Xena: Warrior Princess roots. The planet hopping story doesn’t quite build to the level of space opera, instead keeping the swift-paced story easy and accessible.

Shades of Veronica Roth with some undertones of Casandra Clare. But in space.

I’m always on board for a story with multiple female leads, especially from an author with a Xena pedigree. Kiya and the Morian Treasure was pleasant and fun, with some interesting worldbuilding details and lots of adventure.

Kiya and the Morian Treasure is a brisk and breezy read, with perhaps a few too many blink and you’ll miss them worldbuilding details. The dueling protagonists are each likable in their own ways; one, the coddled daughter of an planetary ambassador, the other a no-nonsense space pirate. But it’s a fun story that sure to serve its intended audience well.