Music may have the power to move us metaphorically, but in Prelude and Abduction: in A Minor music also has the power to move people literally, as well as to do other magical things. Keith A. Robinson’s sci-fi/fantasy gives Maestros, from various races across the galaxy, the musical ability to create portals from one place to another, change the form of matter, and control wind and other elements. The story uniquely features no human characters and depicts unfallen races interacting with people from fallen races. The main character, Khalen, is believably imperfect: he struggles to control his temper and deals poorly with his own past. Prelude and Abduction strikes up a distinctive melody in the key of Star Wars by providing music-based powers to alien races in conflict.

Best for: Young adults and adults, sci-fi fans.

Discern: Some fantasy concepts, such as an enormous flow of continuous musical energy connecting every solar system, and musical skills allowing someone to manipulate that energy.