Title: Hera of Komi

Author: Eric J. Hildeman

Publisher / Publication date: February 8, 2026

Language: English

Format / # of Pages: Trade Paperback and EPUB, 287 pages

Genre: Science Fiction

ISBN/ASIN: 9798218939700

Reviewed by: Elise Posledni

An Action-Packed Space Adventure with Heart

4 Stars

“Nobody else was willing to go, and I knew, I absolutely knew, that if I didn’t go, nobody

would answer that single, miraculous cry for help.”

Hera lives on the habitable moon of Komi. It is a primitive life in which the citizens there have

forsaken technology in service of their religion. Having lost both her husband and child at almost

50 years old, Hera seems set in her ways, that is until one day, she hears a voice. It’s a small

boy’s voice calling for help. When Hera learns the boy is a slave on a passing Syndicate starship,

she is determined to save him.

So begins Hera’s adventure away from home in which she gathers a cast of unlikely friends,

including Pferd the living spaceship and his dragon avatar Fafnir, to help on her rescue mission.

Hera is very kind and a bit naïve, but determined. As she attempts to rescue the boy, she and her

growing crew partake in a series of escapades through space in which her notoriety grows

despite her wishes otherwise.

Hera might be in way over her head, but her kindness and determination persevere as she

accidentally becomes an interstellar mob boss, destroys a casino while releasing fearsome

creatures from the gambling pits, and is persuaded to act as figurehead for a resistance

movement. In the end, Hera’s rescue mission to save one boy becomes part of a much larger

operation to save the galaxy.

Overall, it’s a lighthearted space adventure with interesting characters and a main character that

holds to the value of kindness throughout the story. The world building is well done, as we learn

about galaxies and technology right along with Hera. There were parts to her journey that made

me laugh out loud, and it also explored underlying themes like gender and race, politics, and

technology.

It was a fun read that I looked forward to reading every night, but near the end I was wishing

there was a bit more character development to really wrap up the plot and all the themes. The

climax and ending seemed a little rushed, but I loved the twist at the end to tie up the storyline

between Hera and the boy’s voice that prompted the whole adventure.