“A luminous exploration of hope, longing, and the indomitable spirit of love”

Amazon #1 New Release author RJ Zielonka brings you The Hallowed Star Series! A genre-bending Science Fantasy novel that will get you asking yourself: What are you willing to do when the world is ending?

On a dystopian planet Earth, the few people that managed to survive were put into two groups: Those heading on spaceships to try and colonize a distant planet, and those left to fend for themselves. For our main character Finley, they were left behind as the love of their life, Auryn, is forced to fly through the emptiness of space in an attempt to save humanity.

After the Exodus (Book 1) is a dual POV book following Finley’s harrowing journey on a dying planet Earth, hoping to survive long enough for Auryn and the crew of the Earhart to make it back and save them. Can Finley and their found family, Esha and Garven, survive a dangerous several-hundred-mile journey to reunite with family and loved ones?

Can humanity successfully traverse the stars for the first time?
Will either of them find new love along the way?
And why do Finley’s vivid dreams keep coming true days or even months later?

Find out in The Hallowed Star Series! Books 1 & 2 out now!

Author RJ Zielonka resides in Buffalo, NY, where near-constant heartbreak from his local sports teams caused him to turn inward and write about something lighter and happier: The fictional end of the world.
You can follow his much shorter and much more chaotic rumblings on the state of Buffalo sports teams, Outer Space, LGBTQIA+ rights, and the under-rated TV Show Lower Decks on Bluesky @bobz.bsky.social. or on Instagram @rj_zielonka

2026 Events

1/31/26: Author Signing Event at Barnes & Noble, Hamburg NY
4/4/26: Author Signing Event at Barnes & Noble, Amherst, NY
4/17/26: Writers Night @ Lock City Books
4/25/26: A Return to Em & Em’s Books for Indie Bookstore Day!
6/20/26: The Great Buffalo Bookish Babes Book Fair

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