The Calling. Beyond The Elder Stars, #1

Valin Derojan looks up at the sky some nights and wonders if he will ever get away from his hard life as a nomad, under his older brother's thumb, scorned by the rest of the tribe, expected to wear himself out every day on hard chores under the scorching sun at the edge of the desert. He's heard rumours of a great conflict, with ruthless forces struggling to enslave and destroy, out there among the stars.
But his life seems destined to remain tethered to the flocks and herds his family owns. As for his cousin Mertyl, she secretly feels much the same, with even fewer chances to choose her own destiny. Then events take everyone by surprise. A band of space-faring raiders attacks the gathered nomad tribes, shooting to kill,  and stealing herds of animals that the people depend on. Valin's drawn into the conflict and finds himself risking his life to save a good friend.
And when Mertyl's father becomes a victim of the violence, she's catapulted into the fray. Suddenly a band of freedom fighters urges the two nomads to join them. Are they willing to throw their lives into this conflict, or is it best to retreat to the tents of the tribe where they grew up? 'The Calling' features Valin Derojan, his plucky cousin Mertyl, and a colourful cast of characters. It's an action-packed science-fiction adventure for mid-grade (8-12 year-old) readers.
'The Calling' is the first in a series of three science-fiction novels. 'Beyond The Elder Stars' is a series of connected novels telling an epic story: the clash of Life and Death, Good and Evil. The ancient Elder Worlds have long forgotten the realms beyond Sinx's Veil, abandoning their billions of inhabitants to a terrible fate. An invisible, malevolent power is interfering with the struggling worlds and civilisations, playing one against the other, as if brooding over a giant game board and delighting in the destruction of both sides.
But a few heroes choose to fight on, rallying to the name of one named Elha, determined to defend the innocent and defeat the darkness. This is their story.