RAE KNIGHTLY | Sci-Fi Author for Teens

Welcome to Rae Knightly's Universe, where science fiction and adventure ignite the imagination of readers of all ages. Journey beyond the stars—your adventure starts here:

  • BREAKING NEWS

    • NOVASTAR coming in 2026.

    • DOOMSTAR is an Amazon Top New Release.

    • Ben Archer and the Cosmic Fall is a BOOK OF THE DECADE in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards (U.K.)

    • EXOSTAR is the GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the 2023 Gertrude Warner Book Awards for Middle-Grade Fiction (U.S.)

Rae Knightly is an award-winning and Amazon bestselling author specializing in middle-grade and young adult fiction, with over 190,000 books distributed. She is the author of The Alien Skill Series, The Lost Space Treasure Series, and The Knowledge Seeker.

Rae's books have hit #1 Amazon bestseller lists in multiple categories in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, and have won some of the following awards (see full list HERE):

  • The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2013-2023 - BOOK OF THE DECADE
  • CIBA Gertrude Warner Awards for Middle-Grade Fiction 2023 - GRAND PRIZE WINNER
  • Whistler Independent Book Awards 2022, Children’s Category - GOLD MEDAL WINNER (Canada)
  • Reader's Favorite Book Awards, Category Children/Preteen 2021 - GOLD MEDAL WINNER (US)
  • Twelve-year-old Ben Archer’s life is turned upside-down when UFOs crash near his grandfather’s house. And when a dying extraterrestrial entrusts him with a superpower, he is catapulted into hair-raising adventures across land, ocean, and space.

    "Super engaging like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.”

    — Krishthepodcaster

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    "An exciting science fiction adventure that has aliens, action, and suspense, creating a fast-paced plot in an addictive read!"
    — Readers' Favorite

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    "A grand-scale adventure that will entertain and be enjoyed by all!"
    — Amazon reviewer

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    "Not just for kids. After all, why should they have all the fun?"
    — Amazon reviewer

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    "I absolutely LOVED it! One of my favorite middle-grade books ever!"
    — Amazon reviewer

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    "In my opinion, the age range should be 10-100!"
    — Amazon reviewer

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    "Governments agents hunting down a boy with alien powers; how cool is that!!!" 

    — UK Wishing Shelf reader

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    "One of the best books I have ever read!"
    — Amazon reviewer

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  • Government agents continue to search for a twelve-year-old boy, Ben Archer, and his alien friend, Mesmo.

    When tragedy strikes, Ben realizes he must come to terms with his true self, even if it means giving in to the ability that is killing him.

    "A fast-paced young adult thriller packed full of twists and turns. A SILVER MEDAL WINNER and highly recommended!"

    — The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, 2020

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    "Fantastic! Magical and brilliant!"— Amazon reviewer
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    "An emotional rollercoaster."

    — Amazon reviewer

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    "Blown away by this story!"
    — Amazon reviewer

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    ”I cried. I shouted. I threw the book. When you read it, you will know exactly which part I’m talking about.” — Bookerina.com

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  • An emotionally shaken Ben Archer finds himself at Bob M.’s doorstep. But who is this man who is sheltering him from government agents, and what secret is he holding?

    "CAUTION: Read at your own sleep deprivation risk!"

    — Amazon reviewer

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  • Thirteen-year-old Ben Archer has accepted a mind-boggling challenge: to use his alien skill to restore the balance between humans and the rest of the living world. But after a near brush with death in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things only get worse when his power attracts the attention of Jeremy Michaels, a reporter from the Provincial Times.

    "Great plot that definitely keeps the imagination and action going."

    — Feathered Quill Book Awards Judges' Comments

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    "Hooks the reader in and pulls them along to the end of the book."

    — Whistler Independent Book Awards finalist judge and author of Dragon Assassin, Arthur Slade

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    "A wake-up call!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "An extremely timely message for today's readers!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "I was deeply touched."

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "Ben Archer and the World Beyond sings with hope and beats with adventure!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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  • Thirteen-year-old Ben Archer has decided to reveal his alien powers to the media. Not because he wants to, but because he thinks it will help him get his message out to the world. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned when the media portrays his skill like a circus sideshow.

    And not all eyes that are watching are friendly...

    "Another outstanding addition to the series!"

    — Giselle Jeffries Schneider, author of Wands Upon a Time

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    "Lovable protagonist and a thrilling plot!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "Seriously, these books are among the hardest to put down I've ever read!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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  • What can a thirteen-year-old-human boy do to save Earth? Can he regain his freedom and stop General Zoltar from executing his deep, dark secret – one that could doom them all?

    "The story grabs you right from the start and takes you on a rollercoaster
    journey."

    — 2021 Reader's Favorite Book Awards GOLD MEDAL WINNER

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    "One of the best sci-fi series ever! I was deeply touched."

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "Thank you for taking me on a magnificent journey. I'm crying again!" — Amazon reviewer
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    "I want more!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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  • I NEVER ASKED TO BE THE SOLE BEARER OF THE ENTIRE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR CIVILIZATION.

    Yet, here I am, barely sixteen-years-old, and it has fallen upon my shoulders to save what remains of humanity from a second Dark Ages.

    "In our current age of almost anti-science, denial, and misinformation, this is an extremely important book for young readers to learn and appreciate knowledge in all its forms. I found the ending shockingly unexpected; it would leave any young reader gasping with a realization that they didn’t see it coming."

    - READER'S FAVORITE

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    "The plot is never what you think it is! Very well written. There's a huge surprise at the end!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "A refreshing new dystopian novel with surprises galore!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "The ending caught me utterly by surprise!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "My son read through this book so fast! He couldn't put it down!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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  • A visit to Exhibitus Museum, where the Exostar diamond is kept, is a mandatory trip for all school-aged students of the Alliance. But when the Exostar is stolen right before their eyes, a frantic and greedy hunt ensues, threatening to throw the Interstellar Alliance into interplanetary war.

    "This intergalactic diamond heist is filled with adventure, suspense, and enthralling world-building."

    - Jessica Renwick, author of the Starfell Series

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  • To uncover the truth about her identity, Trin Moonrise must confront the evil Supreme Leader or get to The Lost Space Treasure first. But what if the truth is too shocking to bear?

    "This riveting SF adventure will delight readers.”

    KIRKUS REVIEWS

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    "A must-read for fans of Star Wars and space operas!"

    —  Mahtab Narsimhan, author of Eerie Tales from the East

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    "Wonderful rip-roaring sci-fi!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "A brilliant gem of a story!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "Excellent read! kept me up way too late."

    — Amazon reviewer
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  • An unstable supergiant star is not the best place to hide. But that's exactly where Trin Moonrise finds herself after a daring escape from the clutches of the evil Remnant Supreme Leader.

    "Edge-of-your-seat space opera with a growing mystery."

    — Amazon reviewer
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  • Betrayed and abandoned, Trin Moonrise struggles to distinguish friend from foe. Trin must decide whether or not to trust a new ally. But the way through the stars is fraught with danger, and the cunning Remnant Supreme Leader is weaving a sinister plot that is slowly closing in around her.

    "Rae Knightly does it again with another action-packed, nail-biting installment!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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  • Trin Moonrise is running. Trin Moonrise is hiding. But no matter where she turns, the Remnant Supreme Leader is waiting.

    In her haste to escape the clutches of her archenemy, Trin hides out on the planet Orbitus, where she discovers a secret library in the shadows of the planet's rings. A book she finds there may provide some answers to the location of The Lost Space Treasure. If Trin can discover the legendary treasure first, perhaps she can uncover her past without having to resort to her archenemy.

    "In the tradition of the best SciFi series, including Star Trek, Rae Knightly tackles issues relevant to kids (and adults) today… figuring out who you are, what you stand for, and how to do what’s right."

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "The Greatest Galactic Adventure Ever!"

    — Goodreads review

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    "Rae Knightly is one of the best science fiction authors in the universe. She may be a middle-grade science fiction author, but her books will be enjoyed by all ages for centuries to come."

    — Goodreads review

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    "What a great way to start the year with another fantastic read. She did it again and I can't wait to check out future works!"

    — Goodreads review

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  • Trin's worst fears come to pass when the Remnants go to war with the Interstellar Alliance.

    Hiding on her archenemy's warship, Trin realizes that the only way she might save her friends and stop the war is to surrender to the enemy.

    "Rae does it again! This book was amazing! There was explosive action and turns at every corner. There was a huge, monumental reveal!"

    — Amazon reviewer
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    "An epic space adventure with immersive world-building, action-packed scenes, emotion, great characters, and an addictive plot. The Lost Space Treasure series is definitely award-winning and worth binge-reading many times over."

    — Goodreads reviewer
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