Richard is ushered into the Creator's world by AAL, the messenger sent to guide him. His great-grandfather has been murdered by his jealous brother, who is envious of the throne. To keep the throne of the Milky Way Galaxy from falling into the wrong hands, Richard has to journey to Krel, the home of the human race, to claim his throne after it has been left vacant for thousands of years. Richard falls in love with a species different from his; they make love, and the effects of making love to a fox have adverse consequences for him. Despite his young age, he acts maturely and takes on situations in the kingdom with a tremendous sense of obligation. His young life is threatened by his adversaries, and he barely escapes the first assassination by a hairsbreadth during one of the parties he attends. It is expected that he bears offspring that will take over the throne when he's gone, and getting intimate with Amber, who is a different species from the human race, might not answer that demand. Readers will be enchanted while reading Richard: Distant Son by Michael W Hickman. The book is an intriguing tale that depicts the struggle for the throne between a naive boy and a powerful species. The book takes its readers through untold realms as we experience multiple astonishing occurrences and creatures. Richard, an Ohio boy, gets the opportunity to explore the Milky Way, and it is unknown to him that the galaxy will soon be under his ordinance and control. The book's use of several mythical creatures notifies its audience that Richard, a fifteen-year-old, will not only rule species of his kind but creatures from different realms. Richard's ability to overcome his fears as quickly as they come is what I love about the book; he was able to catch up quickly with the idea that was presented of him being king before his plate. His approach toward the most feared creature, such as the centaur, was admirable; he was able to accommodate people of different kinds, and even though he found most of their routines and activities toward him despicable, he still tolerated them and was curious to learn their method of handling trends. Richard was a fifteen-year-old boy who was subjected to various sexual acts that I did not think were appropriate for his age. It was acknowledged that he needed to bear progeny to retain the monarchy in his bloodline, but he was left to make unwise decisions for himself, such as mating with Amber, a fox who nearly cost him his sanity. AAL had already committed to nurturing him into the man he was destined to be, and when he reached the age of sixteen, he would take over as the Milky Way's new monarch. Although it was discovered that AAL had transitioned him beforehand into a fully grown man, that didn't alleviate the problem of a young adolescent left to wander in sexual pleasures. The book is exceptionally well-edited. I discovered no errors in it. I award the book a perfect rating of five out of five stars because the author did a great job with the character development and bringing this book to life. I recommend this book to lovers of science fiction.

Below you will find ratings (scale of 1-5) with general descriptions for the major parts of your book followed by your Readers' Favorite review. Although this is just a Mini-Critique, we hope it will give you an insight into how readers may view the different components of your book. These are the opinions of your reviewer, and although they are not a literary professional, they are an avid reader of books just like yours. Title: Richard Subtitle: Distant Son Author: Michael W Hickman Genre: Fiction - Audiobook Appearance: The appearance of a book can make a significant impact on the experience of a reader, whose enjoyment is often enhanced by an enticing cover, an intriguing table of contents, interesting chapter headings, and when possible, eye-catching illustrations. 5 Plot: The characters of a book should be well defined with strengths and flaws, and while they do not have to be likable, the reader does have to be able to form a connection with them. The tone should be consistent, the theme should be clear, and the plot should be original or told from a unique perspective. For informative books -- those without plot and characters--this rating refers primarily to your concept and how well you presented it. 5 Development: Development refers to how effectively you told your story or discussed your topic. The dialogue should be realistic, the descriptions should be vivid, and the material should be concise and coherent. Organization is also a key factor, especially for informative books -- those without plot and characters. The order in which you tell your story or explain your topic and how smoothly it flows can have a huge impact on the reader's understanding and enjoyment of the material. 5 Formatting: Formatting is the single most overlooked area by authors. The way in which you describe scenes, display dialogue, and shift point of view can make or break your story. In addition, excessive grammatical errors and typos can give your book an amateurish feel and even put off readers completely. 5 Marketability: Marketability refers to how effectively you wrote your book for your target audience. Authors may include content that is above or below the understanding of their target reader, or include concepts, opinions or language that can accidentally confuse or alienate some readers. Although by its nature this rating is very subjective, a very low rating here and poor reviews may indicate an issue with your book in this area. 5 Overall Opinion: The overall starred rating takes into account all these elements and describes the overall reading experience of your reviewer. This is 5 the official Readers' Favorite review rating for your book. Review: Reviewed by Haiqa Munir for Readers' Favorite Richard by Michael W Hickman is an engaging and imaginative science fiction story that takes readers on an unexpected adventure from a typical teenage existence to a galactic royal destiny. The book skillfully weaves elements of coming-of-age, space exploration, and political intrigue, providing a fresh take on the "chosen one" motif. The protagonist, Richard, starts as an ordinary teenager living in Ohio but quickly discovers his extraordinary lineage as a descendant of galactic royalty. This revelation propels him into a thrilling journey of self-discovery and responsibility as he learns about his family's history, planet Krel, and the customs of his newfound royal status. Assisted by the shapeshifting android AAL, Richard's character development shines as he transitions from an overwhelmed teenager to a courageous and intelligent future king. The bond between Richard and AAL adds a heartwarming and humorous dimension to the story. AAL's guidance and support are pivotal to Richard's growth, and their deep connection serves as the narrative's emotional core. The intricate worldbuilding and the myriad of planets, species, and technologies encountered during The Space Odyssey add depth and richness to the story, capturing readers' imaginations. Themes of power, destiny, and cultural adaptation are skillfully woven into the plot. As Richard adapts to the vastly different world on his ancestral planet, readers witness his transformation, his evolving desires, and the beliefs that will shape his ability to rule. This exploration of cultural diversity and new ways of thinking adds depth to the character's journey. The author's portrayal of Richard's evolution, his encounters with diverse lifeforms, and the quest to restore his family's name and honor in galactic history keep readers eagerly turning pages. The theme of a young individual stepping into leadership and making difficult choices resonates, making the story relatable and compelling. The audiobook excels in creating an immersive and wellconstructed narrative. Narrator Ron Allan Fouts speaks clearly and in rich, expressive tones. He keeps the story moving forward and keeps the listener's interest growing. With every character uniquely voiced, the audiobook narration transforms storytelling into an immersive and unforgettable experience, leaving listeners eagerly awaiting more. Readers who enjoy coming-of-age tales, space adventures, and intricate worldbuilding will immerse themselves in Richard's journey as he embraces his unexpected destiny as a galactic king.

An average Ohio teenager learns that he is the long-lost heir to a throne that unites all of the civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy in Hickman’s SF novel. At the outset of the author’s galactic saga, a rather modest-appearing godlike figure (middle-aged, nondescript, wearing a “shabby” fedora) creates what is destined to be Earth. Billions of years later, the multi-species citizens of the Milky Way galaxy spacefaring galactic empire (which resembles the quasi-feudal worlds found in fantasy novels) only know Earth as a legend, a dreaded place to which the kingdom’s traditional enemies are banished. On Earth, Richard, an Ohio teen, receives news of his destiny as heir to the throne of the Milky Way. This startling revelation is conveyed first by Richard’s strange elderly neighbors, then by a talking sofa—a miracle-working guardian who shape-shifts into a gentle humanoid whom Richard dubs “AAL.” Richard is shown the unique and enigmatic DNA markers proving that he is indeed the lone descendant of the Plantagenet bloodline: heroic (mostly) defenders of all their varied subjects and a benevolent force throughout space. With a loyal “artificial life” duplicate of Richard duly created to take his place back home, the adolescent is taken by AAL to tour Krel, the capital planet of his kingdom—which turns out to be populated by many creatures from human myth and lore, including centaurs and winged horses. Here is the place Richard will wield absolute power once his training is complete. But as much as AAL seems to be Richard’s strongest advocate, mentor, and guardian, the boy suspect he is holding back information as the teen confronts the challenges, responsibilities, and pitfalls of finding himself a prophesied leader-messiah across a space-scape of billions of worshipful worlds (and yes, there is a Dune reference thrown in for the cognoscenti). In its outline, this is the umpteenth update of the “chosen one” heroic fantasy as identified by mythology scholar Joseph Campbell, with forebears ranging from King Arthur to Harry Potter. Hickman’s distinction is the wealth of detail he brings to this narrative of the most vitally important person alive, a juvenile whose every word and whim has the force of law and dictates instant policy. Richard (who fortuitously is SF savvy) must negotiate a minefield of enemies, courtly intrigue, and diplomatic tangles, which the hero approaches with simple common sense and fairness. Readers assuming this to be milder YA fare should be warned that Richard’s virginity is one of the sacrifices he makes: “Since you are a fifteen-year-old with raging hormones and have had a taste of sex, it is unlikely you will stop. Once you have a taste of the honey, you will dare to venture to the hive again and again,” states AAL, accurately, when the act takes place—explicitly described, it may even surprise readers accustomed to taboos being overturned. The finale wraps things up nicely; it’s not a cliffhanger, but clearly sets up the next installment. Imaginative SF worldbuilding energizes the shopworn premise of an average kid destined for legendary deeds.