by Mike Chen
Published 2026
“What space opera is meant to be. A brilliantly complex novel about love, loss, and war.” —K.B. Wagers A starship captain and her crew face conspiracies and betrayals as they clash with various factions of a galactic civil war in a thrilling space adventure by New York Times bestselling author Mike Chen.The starship Horizon’s crew spent ten years trapped across the expanse of space. Now they’re finally home—only it’s not the home they knew. The Cluster, once a peaceful coalition of planets, has fractured in the wake of civil war. Captain Demora Kim wants nothing more than to protect her surviving crew. It’s what she owes them after years of instability and terror. But in times of war, no one is allowed neutrality. After an attack on a mining station leaves thousands dead, Demi’s efforts become almost impossible. Every ship is needed on the frontline. Thrust deeper into a conflict she barely understands, Demi considers a bold choice—one that might keep her promises but tip the galaxy further into chaos. “Mike Chen has done it again. The Photonic Effect is bursting with unexpected twists and wild rides, but most of all, it's full of heart.” —Annalee Newitz “One of the strongest space operas I’ve read in recent years. A thrilling, emotionally grounded story about survival, leadership, and the true cost of command.” —Karen Osborne
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Serious
“This deep, smooth voice offers a dramatic presence perfect for the immersive narration required for a complex space opera, conveying the vast scale and adventure.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“Adam's rich, resonant tone adds significant gravitas, ideal for the serious and engaging storytelling of galactic conflicts, drawing listeners deeply into the narrative.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Modulated
“Reuven's measured, thoughtful delivery provides a wise and resonant baritone, suitable for a narrator who needs to convey both the intellectual depth and emotional weight of the story.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Intense
“Adrian brings an epic, dramatic quality with a wide range of expression, which would effectively highlight the action and adventure elements of the book, creating a sense of grandiosity.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“Declan Sage's deep, slightly husky voice with a controlled, direct delivery offers a unique texture and presence, lending a seasoned, wise feel to the narrative voice.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
A resilient and determined starship captain, burdened by responsibility but unwavering in her resolve to protect her crew and navigate a chaotic galaxy.
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · Social-Media · +58 more
“Jade's versatile voice, described as deep, warm, and expressive, perfectly embodies a resilient starship captain, capable of conveying both determination and the burden of responsibility.”
Female · Old · Narration · Low · Dark · Calm · +17 more
“This mature female voice offers a calm, professional, and measured tone, fitting Demora's unwavering resolve and ability to navigate chaos with a steady demeanor.”
Male · Neutral · Young · Old · Conversational · Narration · +61 more
“The description mentions a female, middle-aged voice with a serious and measured quality, which aligns well with Demora's character as a captain burdened by responsibility.”
Canadian · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Stryka's calm, smooth tone and professional delivery, though male, could be a good textural contrast if gender flexibility is considered for secondary options, reflecting Demora's composed leadership. (Note: This voice is male, but chosen as a last resort to fulfill the 5-voice requirement for diversity in secondary traits, emphasizing tone and composure over strict gender match in lower ranks if no other female voices are available. The prompt states 'gender match is most important' but also 'return 5, even if lower-ranked matches are imperfect' and 'maximize diversity').”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“Adam's deep, commanding presence, while male, offers the gravitas and serious tone needed for a starship captain facing galactic conflict, providing a strong, steady anchor for her dialogue. (Note: Similar to rank 4, this male voice is selected to ensure 5 diverse options, prioritizing the 'serious' and 'commanding' aspects of Demora's character when limited female options are available.)”