Astral Seeds is a cosmic fantasy epic that launches readers into a universe on the brink of unraveling. It’s a story about the ancient Astral Seeds—primordial fragments of creation—and the celestial war that stirs as they begin to awaken. Dragons, starborn witches, and zodiac titans populate this intricate world where prophecy looms large and bonds are tested. The novel follows Aric Draconis, a dragon rider caught between loyalty, legacy, and the gravitational pull of destiny, as he struggles to navigate alliances, prophecies, and a deepening rift with his dragon, Ignarion.

What really gripped me right away was the way the prologue set the tone—it was vast, eerie, and poetic. There’s something bold about opening with lines like “The sky is no longer silent. It screams with the promise of war.” That’s the kind of sentence that makes you sit up straighter. I loved how Mills wove together celestial grandeur and raw emotion. You feel the weight of the universe, but it’s also personal. Aric’s connection with Ignarion—fractured and fraying—was my favorite thread. Their bond, once unshakable, becomes this quiet heartbreak humming beneath the action.

The worldbuilding is lush and expansive. There were moments in the council chambers or during long internal monologues when I wanted things to move along. The stakes were sky-high, sure, but I did wish the plot got to the point a little faster at times. Still, scenes like the one where King Vaelion reveals his ambition to use the prophecy for control was chilling. He’s not your typical mustache-twirling villain—he’s methodical, frighteningly rational. That conversation between him and Aric had tension for days. And then there’s Eira, the king’s daughter, stepping up as a quiet force of rebellion. Her presence brings a grounded warmth to the book’s colder, star-drenched conflict. Mills is at her best when exploring the gray zones: not all the “good guys” are noble, and not all villains are soulless. The prophecy itself feels more like a mirror than a map—reflecting the characters’ choices rather than dictating them.

Astral Seeds is for lovers of rich worldbuilding, complicated characters, and stories that balance the epic with the intimate. If you like your fantasy with dragons, existential stakes, and a lot of emotional depth (think Eragon meets The Silmarillion with a touch of Dune), then this book will definitely scratch that itch. It’s not a fast read, but it’s a rewarding one. I’m really curious where Mills will take this in the next installment because the battle lines have been drawn—and the heartache has only just begun.

Pages: 388 | ASIN : B0DLBQY4FC