Lost in the Light by JJ Kang

Ari Barlow has long survived on instinct. It’s crucial for living in the crime capital of the Meridian System. Established for space travel and trade by Illyarium, a world of gods amongst men, the Port of Acheron is now a far cry from the holy image it was spawned from. Just how she likes it. Together, with her level-headed partner, Ari takes any job that brings in the credits. Chosen to investigate a simple distress call, the pair travel to a desolate planet looking to find an easy pay day. Instead, they stumble upon a child in danger, and their decision to intervene puts into motion a war that will span the universe. Out of options and out of luck, Ari is torn away from the person she cares about most and burdened with a new responsibility in the form of a young ward with mysterious origins. Desperate to get her life back on track, Ari charters a ship and meets a crew of unlikely allies. However, a target has been painted on her back and she is now enemy number one to mortals and immortals alike. Ari will be forced to make sacrifices, but the most dangerous battle to face is with the monster lurking inside her.

New Adult • Fantasy/Science Fantasy • Diversity Representation/BIPOC • Science Fiction/Space Opera • Diversity Representation/LGBTQ+

Content Warning: Violence Descriptions of Injury/Harm Drug Abuse/Drug Use Mentions of Child Trafficking Physical Abuse Discussions of scarring Emotional Abuse/Gaslighting Descriptions of Panic Attacks/Anxiety Family Trauma/Religious Trauma