The Cosmic Principle by Abby R. Laughlin

When corruption surrounds her, she can either give in… or fight. One hundred years ago, a galactic cataclysm decimated the Centaurus galaxy, leaving only the planet Bersama unscathed—a world now divided into five struggling sectors. Captain Caldera Keane, an explorer for the Vanguard, is growing tired of going on pointless missions ordered by the king of Tellis. The people are suffering, and she wants nothing more than to exact real change for Bersama. But when Caldera gets escorted to the palace after nearly botching her last mission, she is certain she’s in trouble. Instead, she receives shocking news: King Quill is dead, and she’s the sole heir to the unstable throne he left behind. While balancing her new role as queen and contending with the corruption surrounding Bersama’s most powerful leaders, Caldera becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy related to the former ruler’s death. With no idea who she can trust, she must find a way to protect her friends, save her people, and uncover the truth before she suffers the same fate as the king.

Adult • Science Fiction • Science Fiction/Exploration • Science Fiction/Romance • Fantasy/Science Fantasy • Science Fiction/Soft SF

Content Warning: Foul language Physical violence Blaster (gun) violence Death Death threats Near asphyxiation Mentions of war Depictions of grief