In the heart of California's San Gabriel Valley, a place where dreams are as diverse as its inhabitants, "Light From Uncommon Stars" weaves a tale of magic, music, and the search for belonging. Renowned violinist Shizuka Satomi, haunted by a pact with the devil, needs to deliver the souls of seven violin prodigies to escape eternal damnation. With six already gone, she finds her final candidate in Katrina Nguyen, a young transgender runaway whose raw talent shines as brightly as her resilience. But fate has a twist in store, leading Shizuka to Lan Tran, a retired starship captain and interstellar refugee, who offers a chance at redemption and a glimpse into the vastness of the universe, all within the confines of her family’s donut shop. As their lives intertwine, "Light From Uncommon Stars" celebrates the beauty found in connections forged in the unlikeliest of places. Shizuka's journey from desperation to hope, Katrina's quest for acceptance and love, and Lan's continuous search for a place to call home, all converge in a story that transcends dimensions. With cursed violins and queer alien courtship set against the backdrop of everyday miracles like fresh-made donuts, Ryka Aoki invites readers into a world where the power of a soul is limitless, and the quest for redemption can lead to the discovery of one's true family, found not in the stars, but in each other's hearts.