Book Review: 'Kaja Star' by Aaron Rocheleau

As science fiction has grown throughout the years, its influence has reached all demographics of readers. Some critics consider this a watering down of science fiction’s core tenets, while others celebrate the new books aimed at new generations of readers. I tend to agree with the later, and as I read Kaja Star, I found that Aaron Rocheleau provided a delightful new take on a classic science fiction archetype: the lone man cast into a far away galaxy, where he discovers vast new powers as he struggles to come back to Earth. Though marketed as a children’s book, Kaja Star has appeal for preteen and young adult readers as well as “old school” science fiction fans.

    Titus, the protagonist of Kaja Star, is young and naïve, and as the novel opens we meet Titus on what could possibly be the best day of his life. That day quickly becomes much more complicated as he is suddenly thrown into a new galaxy, where he finds himself at the center of a complex plot between a powerful empire-esque government and the rebel forces that oppose it. As I followed Titus through his journey, the twists and turns that this plot took were as fresh for me as they were for him. I felt completely involved in the story and even when I felt I could guess the direction Rocheleau was taking me, I was often surprised.

    Rocheleau writes vividly and brings the world of Kaja Star to life through an intricate system of unique customs and interesting slang. His universe is unique, a refreshing take on the ever-expanding frontier of space-based science fiction. He uses interesting visuals to paint the world he creates and his writing style is almost conversational, making Kaja Star a perfect book to read aloud with others. Kaja, the eponymous system of “magic” force, is an interesting elemental power base, with believable abilities and limitations. Much like magic in Harry Potter or element bending in Avatar: The Last Airbender, some characters have more kaja than others, and the type of force an individual can exert depends on the kaja that individual has access to. Different people use kaja differently, such as mages or warriors, leaving the population Kaja Star a mix of diverse kaja users.

    While Rocheleau does not shy from action and battles, they are never just scenes of gratuitous violence. Titus himself questions the necessity of killing and violence, even as he is threatened and attacked throughout the novel, and he often debates the norms and “codes” of violence in this new galaxy with the creatures he meets there. Still, the action scenes are adrenaline-pumping fun, and as I followed Titus and others through their battles I never felt myself lost or confused about what was happening. Young adults and preteens would have no trouble following the action, a trait of Kaja Star I found endearing.

    Indeeed, Kaja Star’s suitability for many younger readers makes it a standout among popular science fiction titles. Titus deals with heavy stuff, such as isolation, loneliness and issues of morality, and he struggles to comprehend that right and wrong aren’t always easy to discern, all of which are important topics for anyone to explore. The themes of Kaja Star, however, never trail into vulgar territory, leaving younger readers all the wonder of science fiction set in space with none of the questionable content that some series offer.

    Aaron Rocheleau writes a wonderful space novel suitable for any science fiction fans, young or old. His complex world is inviting and engaging, and as I finished reading Kaja Star I found myself eager for more of Titus and his adventures. As Kaja Star is the first in a series of books set in the Ka System, I expect more great things from Rocheleau in the future.