What do you think?
Rate this book
Lily Starling and the Death Machine
"Hurst has crafted a richly detailed sci-fi world, with extensive descriptions and atmospheric prose. ...the plot is intricate and compelling." — Kirkus Reviews
Survival has a cost. The galaxy always collects.
Lily Starling has survived time displacement, war, and storms that could swallow entire worlds. But survival has never felt this fragile.
When a forbidden technology resurfaces—one capable of preserving life at an unthinkable cost—Lily is drawn into a tightening web of political pressure, institutional secrecy, and moral compromise. As a deadly plague spreads across Union space, the systems meant to protect its citizens begin to fracture, and truth becomes something carefully managed rather than openly faced.
Isolated within structures she no longer trusts, Lily is forced into the role of investigator rather than hero. Every answer deepens the unease. Every solution demands a sacrifice someone else is willing to offer.
Lily Starling and the Death Machine is a YA sci-fi thriller about control, survival, and the quiet decision to hope when the universe is off-kilter. Told with Fincher-style tension and the heart of a character-driven space opera, it asks what it means to choose hope—especially when everything is out of your control.
Survival has a cost. The galaxy always collects.
Lily Starling has survived time displacement, war, and storms that could swallow entire worlds. But survival has never felt this fragile.
When a forbidden technology resurfaces—one capable of preserving life at an unthinkable cost—Lily is drawn into a tightening web of political pressure, institutional secrecy, and moral compromise. As a deadly plague spreads across Union space, the systems meant to protect its citizens begin to fracture, and truth becomes something carefully managed rather than openly faced.
Isolated within structures she no longer trusts, Lily is forced into the role of investigator rather than hero. Every answer deepens the unease. Every solution demands a sacrifice someone else is willing to offer.
Lily Starling and the Death Machine is a YA sci-fi thriller about control, survival, and the quiet decision to hope when the universe is off-kilter. Told with Fincher-style tension and the heart of a character-driven space opera, it asks what it means to choose hope—especially when everything is out of your control.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2026
About the author
Christian Hurst
5 books26 followersChristian Hurst is a Creative Director, author, and lifelong science fiction fan with over 15 years of experience in advertising, marketing, and content creation. Inspired by classic space operas, diverse character-driven stories, and thought-provoking themes, he writes books that blend epic adventure with emotional depth.
His Lily Starling series is a YA sci-fi saga that explores identity, connection, and the courage to forge your own path in a vast and unpredictable galaxy. Known for inclusive worldbuilding, heart, humor, and high-stakes storytelling, Christian’s work resonates with readers who crave immersive narratives with soul.
Alongside his wife, Christian has fostered over 50 rescue dogs in their Baltimore home, where they live with their son and three beagles. He is a devoted father and has achieved master-level expertise in trains, SpongeBob, and Minecraft thanks to his son. A perfect relaxing day would include reading, drawing, indulging his cinephile side with a movie marathon—and, of course, exploring the limitless possibilities of storytelling.
His Lily Starling series is a YA sci-fi saga that explores identity, connection, and the courage to forge your own path in a vast and unpredictable galaxy. Known for inclusive worldbuilding, heart, humor, and high-stakes storytelling, Christian’s work resonates with readers who crave immersive narratives with soul.
Alongside his wife, Christian has fostered over 50 rescue dogs in their Baltimore home, where they live with their son and three beagles. He is a devoted father and has achieved master-level expertise in trains, SpongeBob, and Minecraft thanks to his son. A perfect relaxing day would include reading, drawing, indulging his cinephile side with a movie marathon—and, of course, exploring the limitless possibilities of storytelling.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hurst's tightly executed third entry in the Lily Starling series is a fine blend of suspense, calculated intrigue, and blurred moral lines. What begins as a routine visit to Caris’s lab quickly unravels into a deeper crisis for Lieutenant Lily Starling. After stopping the architect of a dangerous new technology, she is unsettled by the Union’s choice to preserve it. Meanwhile, a plague in the Nullstorm region places her on a vaccine mission riddled with irregularities. As supply issues mount and a friend suddenly disappears, Lily finds herself piecing together a much larger and more calculated scheme.
Hurst’s prose is crisp and efficient, driving the story forward with a strong sense of urgency while still allowing space for investigation and character reflection. The pacing is measured, the world-building remains immersive, and the tension never lets up. At its core, the book explores questions of institutional trust, control, and manipulation. The different plot threads, such as Bimini’s life cycle, Datch’s reconstruction, Ronin’s pursuit of immortality, and the plague, are all variations on the same central question: what does it mean to preserve life, and at what cost? A high-stakes, character-driven YA sci-fi with a distinctly dystopian edge.
Hurst’s prose is crisp and efficient, driving the story forward with a strong sense of urgency while still allowing space for investigation and character reflection. The pacing is measured, the world-building remains immersive, and the tension never lets up. At its core, the book explores questions of institutional trust, control, and manipulation. The different plot threads, such as Bimini’s life cycle, Datch’s reconstruction, Ronin’s pursuit of immortality, and the plague, are all variations on the same central question: what does it mean to preserve life, and at what cost? A high-stakes, character-driven YA sci-fi with a distinctly dystopian edge.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A battle-hardened pilot becomes entangled in a conspiracy when the machine she uncovers doesn’t just preserve life but also begins to change those who survive it in Hurst's electrifying third installment in the Lily Starling series. Lily Starling is no stranger to crisis, but a deadly outbreak and the return of forbidden tech pull her into something far more complex. Tasked with uncovering the truth, she navigates power, secrecy, and shifting alliances with Xynn and the altered Datch. What she finds challenges everything she believes about survival, forcing her to see the cost behind every solution.
Fast-paced sequences are paired with thoughtful exploration of identity and the ethics of survival. The narrative shines brightest in its character relationships and understated moral conflicts, which anchor its broader ideas. Though exposition can occasionally feel heavy-handed, the story’s central vision holds together with clarity and purpose. Thematically unified and emotionally driven, the book offers a thoughtful exploration of control, survival, and the fragile line between life and imitation. A winner.
Fast-paced sequences are paired with thoughtful exploration of identity and the ethics of survival. The narrative shines brightest in its character relationships and understated moral conflicts, which anchor its broader ideas. Though exposition can occasionally feel heavy-handed, the story’s central vision holds together with clarity and purpose. Thematically unified and emotionally driven, the book offers a thoughtful exploration of control, survival, and the fragile line between life and imitation. A winner.
June 11, 2026
If you have been following the Lily Starling series for a while now and you think you knew what you were getting into, you may be surprised.
Death Machine is a different beast. It's darker, it's messier, and it's so much more rewarding because of it.
The London section alone is worth the price of the book. Didot is an instant favorite character for me — I was not expecting to fall that hard for someone introduced so casually. The Ninebury sequence had my heart in my throat. I continue to be impressed with the way Lily has to solve problems essentially alone, with nothing but the tools she can make and her own stubbornness. It’s exactly why I love this protagonist.
The Dutch evolution is disturbing in a good way. The book does something really uncomfortable and really brave with that storyline and I don't want to spoil it but I will say the question it leaves you with about identity and consciousness will sit with you.
If you've been sleeping on this series, stop. Start from the beginning and thank me later.
Death Machine is a different beast. It's darker, it's messier, and it's so much more rewarding because of it.
The London section alone is worth the price of the book. Didot is an instant favorite character for me — I was not expecting to fall that hard for someone introduced so casually. The Ninebury sequence had my heart in my throat. I continue to be impressed with the way Lily has to solve problems essentially alone, with nothing but the tools she can make and her own stubbornness. It’s exactly why I love this protagonist.
The Dutch evolution is disturbing in a good way. The book does something really uncomfortable and really brave with that storyline and I don't want to spoil it but I will say the question it leaves you with about identity and consciousness will sit with you.
If you've been sleeping on this series, stop. Start from the beginning and thank me later.
April 30, 2026
If Storm Riders broke the crew, Death Machine asks what’s left, and at what cost.
This is easily the most ambitious book in the series so far. The scope expands into political conspiracy, planetary collapse, and systems built on control, but it never loses its focus on character. Every choice feels heavy, and every victory comes with a cost.
Lily continues to shine as a lead. Capable, impulsive, and increasingly willing to cross lines to protect her people. Eli’s arc is deeply unsettling in the best way, and Tevya’s role adds a weight that really lands.
The Death Machine itself is a brilliant concept, turning the idea of survival into something much more complicated and uncomfortable.
Dark, thoughtful, and still incredibly human at its core, this is a standout installment.
This is easily the most ambitious book in the series so far. The scope expands into political conspiracy, planetary collapse, and systems built on control, but it never loses its focus on character. Every choice feels heavy, and every victory comes with a cost.
Lily continues to shine as a lead. Capable, impulsive, and increasingly willing to cross lines to protect her people. Eli’s arc is deeply unsettling in the best way, and Tevya’s role adds a weight that really lands.
The Death Machine itself is a brilliant concept, turning the idea of survival into something much more complicated and uncomfortable.
Dark, thoughtful, and still incredibly human at its core, this is a standout installment.
May 15, 2026
I've been ARC reading this series from the start and I think this one is my favorite so far!
It is darker than the others and pulls out so many emotions. I can't get enough of Lily. I love that she is flawed and not perfect but tries to be brave regardless.
This by far is my favorite YA space opera series.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment!
It is darker than the others and pulls out so many emotions. I can't get enough of Lily. I love that she is flawed and not perfect but tries to be brave regardless.
This by far is my favorite YA space opera series.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment!
June 9, 2026
I liked this a little less than the first two books of the series, possibly because it is more serious.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews