International Kindle Paperwhite
EUR 2.55 with 80 percent savings
Print List Price: EUR 12.79
You will be charged USD 2.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

How it works

  1. Choose your delivery method
  2. Send now or schedule for later
  3. Add your personal message
  4. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.

Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

  • Richard: Distant Son

Follow the author

Get new release updates & improved recommendations
Michael W Hickman
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Richard: Distant Son Kindle Edition

by Michael Hickman (Author), Jefferson Gaskin (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars (6)
Richard is an average fifteen-year-old from the hills of Ohio whose biggest concerns are studying for tests and asking Becky out next Saturday. Everything changes one day when, while lying on the sofa in his parents’ basement, he hears someone whisper, I am your gift. A moment later, the sofa shoots straight up into the air, passing like a ghost through the house and then soaring into space.
The sofa doesn’t stop until it reaches the moon. There he meets AAL, an artificial life form, who reveals a shocking secret: Richard is the rightful heir to a kingdom spanning the Milky Way galaxy.
With AAL’s help, Richard will travel to the distant planet of Krel, the kingdom’s capital, to claim his throne. Along the way, he will encounter wondrous creatures that he once thought mythical: centaurs, satyrs, pure white pegasuses, and many others.
But powerful forces are already gathering against him, and after centuries without a ruler, many in the kingdom are not ready to accept a boy from a backwater planet as their king. It will take every ounce of strength Richard has, along with help from some unlikely allies, for him to seize his destiny.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    493 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    July 6, 2022
  5. File size
    1.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

From the Publisher

Distant Son

5 Star 2024

Kirkus

Matthew Poehler

Imagination takes you some crazy places, and Hickman takes you to all of them. Fantasy, intrigue, drama & comedy, mystery, monsters, magic, the past and the future, medium spicy romance, this story tags all of them. To say there’s a lot going on is to undersell this book. The number of cool story threads open here means that there’s a lot of ground to cover in the future and I’m willing to bet Mike delivers starting with Book 2.

AudioBookReviewer

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2022

A king’s bloodline is thought to have ended, however, amongst the planet hides one with the bloodline. It was a normal day in Ohio for Richard. At 15 years of age, he was a normal gangly, shy boy with hopes of asking a girl out on a date, having fun with his friends, and keeping his grades up. Those were the days, now Richard is soaring on his sofa into outer space and meets his keeper, an artificial life form with a mission of finding the king’s bloodline and preparing him to take over. The author, Michael W. Hickman, captures the awkwardness of a teenage boy and transforms him slowly and deliberately into king material. The storyline flows smoothly with plot twists that fit well. The plot twists are interesting and intriguing. The development of the characters is well done and deliberate. Hickman’s imagination is rich and intriguing. The narrator, Ron Allan Fouts does a very good job of narration. He speaks clearly and with rich, expressive tones. His delivery is steady, and he speaks clearly. He does keep the story moving forward and keeps the interest growing as well. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure. There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Hickman currently lives in the hills of Ohio, where he works as an IT manager, programmer, and network administrator. In his off time, he can usually be found hunched over his keyboard, pounding out his next novel, or taking care of his two rescue dogs, Max, a Great Dane mix, and Bruce, a Beagle.

In addition to writing, Michael enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time with his two sons and four grandkids. He's also into genealogy, which led him to discover not only that his family roots extend back to the early settlers of Ohio, but that he's related to Samuel Clemens and Zane Grey.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B627767G
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Michael W Hickman
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 6, 2022
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 493 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8985477719
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Best Sellers Rank: #3,074,880 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars (6)

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Michael W Hickman

Michael W Hickman

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Richard: Distant Son. Readers' Favorite Five Starts. Imaginative SF Worldbuilding energizes the shopworn premise of an average kid destined for legendary deeds.- Kirkus Reviews.

Richard: An Unlikely Love Story, The Audio Book Reviewer for 2023, A lively rumpus-room of mythology-tinged high-fantasy SF adventure - Kirkus Reviews

Richard: The Dragon's Curse. Winner of The Audio Book Reviewer for 2023. 2025 Royal Dragonfly Winner, 2025 Author Shout Award, NYC Big Book Award- 2024. American Writing Awards 2024 Finalist. The BookFest Award Winner- 2024. A tale of a once-and-futuristic king that combines juvenile adventure elements and more mature intrigue - Kirkus Reviews.

Richard: War Erupts, WINNER: Global Book Awards - Bronze Medal, Science Fiction - Space Exploration, 2024, Winner of Audio Book Reviewer for 2024. 2025 Author Shout Reader Ready Award, Readers' Favorite Five Stars, A wild galactic series entry that successfully remains grounded in heartfelt emotion - Kirkus Reviews.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
6 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • Bruce
    5.0 out of 5 stars A quirky and lively sci‑fi coming‑of‑age story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A fun, breezy sci‑fi story with just the right dash of whimsy.

    This is a coming‑of‑age story where a sofa ride turns an Ohio teen into the heir to a cosmic throne. There are plenty of intriguing plot twists that keeps the story flowing well.

    The tone swings from lighthearted YA to surprisingly mature at times, which surprised me, but the ride is worth it. If you like YA adventure with a comic twist, you'll enjoy the book.
    Helpful
     Report
  • L. Wright
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Coming-of-Age Adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Hickman’s "Distant Son" blends fantasy, sci-fi, and heart into a captivating ride. Richard’s transformation from shy teen to galactic heir is filled with twists, worldbuilding, and intriguing characters. While some pacing felt deliberate, the depth of imagination shines. A great mix of action, humor, and wonder, a great choice for fans of "the chosen one" type stories.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Dixon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and very entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Reading this book was like my imagination was brought to life. It hooked me instantly and I enjoyed the pace of the book. It was a nice mix of fantasy and sci-fi, and that made the book feel so magical. It's a good balance of action with heart. The book discusses themes such as leadership, rivalry, and self-doubt. This is a really good coming-of-age adventure and I really enjoyed the twists. Well written and entertaining
    Helpful
     Report
  • AudioBookReviewer
    4.0 out of 5 stars New Life, New Adventure the Sci-Fi Way!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2022
    Format: Kindle
    A king’s bloodline is thought to have ended, however, amongst the planet hides one with the bloodline.

    It was a normal day in Ohio for Richard. At 15 years of age, he was a normal gangly, shy boy with hopes of asking a girl out on a date, having fun with his friends, and keeping his grades up. Those were the days, now Richard is soaring on his sofa into outer space and meets his keeper, an artificial life form with a mission of finding the king’s bloodline and preparing him to take over.

    The author, Michael W. Hickman, captures the awkwardness of a teenage boy and transforms him slowly and deliberately into king material. The storyline flows smoothly with plot twists that fit well. The plot twists are interesting and intriguing. The development of the characters is well done and deliberate. Hickman’s imagination is rich and intriguing.

    The narrator, Ron Allan Fouts does a very good job of narration. He speaks clearly and with rich, expressive tones. His delivery is steady, and he speaks clearly. He does keep the story moving forward and keeps the interest growing as well.

    I highly recommend this book if you are interested in fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure.

    There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jack Dinggle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative SF worldbuilding energizes the shopworn premise of an average kid
    Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    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. --Kirkus Review
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Matthew Poehler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Richard is a Romp!
    Reviewed in Australia on March 10, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Imagination takes you some crazy places, and Hickman takes you to all of them. Fantasy, intrigue, drama & comedy, mystery, monsters, magic, the past and the future, medium spicy romance, this story tags all of them. To say there’s a lot going on is to undersell this book.

    The number of cool story threads open here means that there’s a lot of ground to cover in the future and I’m willing to bet Mike delivers starting with Book 2.
    Report
See more reviews

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report