It is always good to discover a new author to read. This one is that for me with it also being in a category I do adore. Captain Tess will intrigue you along with catching your attention with this one. It also has injected in it drama with the thrills to keep you on your toes and on the edge. Shade is easy on the eyes with also having us follow him to see what is up his sleeve so to speak. The story will keep your attention with its elements that are needed to do that. Even though a sci-fi I tend to forget that with being into the characters. I will look for more from this author in the future.

Action packed, adventurous, sexy fun! What an exciting and fresh story with an amazing cast of characters. An excellent introduction to a new series, I can't wait for more!

I loved Tess, Shade, Tess’s crew, and the entire cast of characters introduced. They were all so fantastic! Tess is so strong and determined and I loved her kick ass, stand on her own, take on life at full force personality. She's got a wonderful crew with their own stories and very distinct personalities and I really liked the family they've formed. Shade was fantastic! He’s cocky and sexy and a bit challenging and had a great vibe. He and Tess meeting was awesome! It was flirty, bantering fun at its best. I liked learning about him and understanding the predicament he was in. Shade and Tess had such a great attraction and I loved that pull in the midst of everything that was going on.

I felt so sucked into this exciting adventure with these determined and slightly broken characters and I was on the edge of my seat learning all the details. Set in the future, I loved all the technology and intricacies introduced about the time period. There's a lot happening, a lot of action and drama and some serious heart-stopping moments. It had this thrilling build as everything unfolded and developed, and Shade and Tess came together.

I am truly excited for more in this series. There's definitely an HEA for Tess and Shade but the overall storyline continues and I can't wait to see where it all goes!

I’ve had this on my TBR pile for several months so when it came out I could read it right away. I loved the premise of a bad girl robin hood in the making. This story isn’t the beginning of the tale, but starts after she’s already quite famous and on everyone’s wanted list.

Tess is hell bent on helping those less fortunate and does so through stealing from others. But when a space lab is floating in the outer reaches and she decides to take it, she starts a shit storm that spans the whole galaxy and makes taking care of her ship and crew difficult. That’s where Shade comes in as her supposed knight in shining armor. Only he really just wants to turn her in for the money, but when he realizes her motives are good and not just plain mean or evil or self serving, he changes his mind and works to help her get away from the Dark Watch.

I really like a good space odyssey and this one did fulfill on many levels. She has a good clear vision of her world and it translates very well. I think this book was a bit slow so she could build the world and that I wasn’t super keen on. The story starts out very fast and fun, then turns to soft and mushy until just before the end of the book. The middle part needed more adventure and thrills to keep me engaged.

The character development was weak on a lot of levels. Tess comes in as a bad-ass and then Amanda takes her down a bit and then builds her up again. Shade on the other hand had a straight forward character change from being self serving to actually wanting to be a part of a cause bigger than his own desires. If that cause happens to be tied to Tess, then all the better. It was kind of hard to believe in Tess’s character when she took her down a few pegs from bad-ass. The sexual tension wasn’t as good as I was expecting either. I mean we all know Tess and Shade were going to get together.

For all those faults, I can only give this a 3.5 propellers. It gets that many because the world she built was amazing and the underlying story is something I love to read about. Who doesn’t want someone to stick up for the little guy. Give this one a try and maybe you’ll have a better time with the characters than I did.

The world is divided into 18 sectors. All of it is ruled by the Overseer, who is a harsh ruler. Tess and her crew rebel by stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Tess keeps her true identity a secret. If it became known, she'd be the most wanted person in the universe.

There wasn't much action. The story was slow moving. Much of it took place in one location where Tess and Shade each contemplated what they were going to do next. A lot of time was spent explaining the backstory that got the characters where they are now. They all had complicated pasts. Tess and Shade were the only characters I grew to care about. They had significantly more page time than anyone else.

Most of the book focused on the romance between Shade and Tess. Their relationship isn't enough to keep the story afloat. I liked both of them but wasn't feeling the chemistry. I didn't find their interactions particularly interesting nor could I understand why they were so fascinated with each other. Things got off to a rocky start since both were keeping secrets from each other.

It didn't end on a cliffhanger, but all of the issues were not resolved. I probably will read the next one, but I'm not dying to get my hands on it.

Nightchaser was everything I wanted it to be and more!!! It's like Robin Hood....well....Robina Hood set in space!!! SPACE!!! I don't even like SciFi romance!!! The fact that I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN is because Amanda is a genius. She could write anything and I guarantee I'd love it.

I truly loved everything about NIGHTCHASER.

I love a badass female and Tess definitely fit the bill. She started out as a huge mystery, but I loved unraveling her story in NIGHTCHASER. Shade was also mysterious and a bit cocky, but in a sexy confident way. I really enjoyed Tess and Shade together. It took awhile for them to get past their dance of mistrust, but their personalities and chemistry really worked.

The other characters in NIGHTCHASER were just as strong as the main characters. Tess' crew all meshed well and brought a ton to the story. I enjoyed learning everything that was revealed about them.

The Endeavor world is complex, but what we have gotten so far has been well built. There was plenty of danger involved in NIGHTCHASER and their were plenty of times that I was left on the edge of my seat.

NIGHTCHASER introduces the Endeavor series with a bang and I hope that STARBREAKER lives up to it. Unfortunately we have to wait until April 2020 to find out.


* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Having been such a fan of The Kingmaker Chronicles, I couldn't request this new work fast enough once it appeared on NetGalley. The beginning chapters are action packed, and I found myself immediately drawn into this wild space adventure. After meeting the likely hero, (went into the book without reading the synopsis) I was giddy with the early banter and chemistry between Tess and Shade.

"I might not have the metal you need for a few days, sugar."
"You might not have a tongue if you call me 'sugar' again."

Despite the beginning, the book stalls around the half way point and never really recovers. In a series, I tend to enjoy the buildup and slow burning romance. This relationship is too hurried and lacks intensity. The action that is prevalent in the beginning becomes almost nonexistent. For all her roughness, Tess continues to make mistakes and lacks the intelligence she seems to exude prior to the story's beginning. Overall, it feels more like a stand-alone than book one of a trilogy.

Regardless of my mixed feelings, I will read the follow-up installment. I admire this author's previous works and have enough investment to continue on with the second book. I will reserve my recommendation/discouragement until the end of future books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my advanced review copy.

I started off 2018 reading an Amanda Bouchet book and have started off 2019 reading an Amanda Bouchet book - both were gloriously enjoyable reads and I hope I'm able to start of 2020 in the same way.

My word does Amanda know how to write steamy romance and I love the fact that her writing specifies that everything is consensual, the LI seeks consent from Tess before doing anything with her which just makes him all the more appealing. There were open and honest conversations about safe sex, protection and birth control - a very female choice driven novel.

Before reading this book I saw a review which mentioned that this was Star Wars meets Robin Hood and after reading the book I can say I wholeheartedly agree with this statement.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys kickass heroines, passionate and protective love interests and a crew which is the family you choose.

*thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Some ends are just a new beginning…”

This book sucked me in from page one and didn’t let go until the end. Right from the start you get a feel for the main character Tess and the dynamic of her family of misfits. It was so well done, and I was already invested in the story from chapter one. The interactions and dialogue reminded me of an urban fantasy and I’m all for an urban fantasy in space.

The characters were layered, and each had their quirks, flaws and good qualities. I was especially intrigued by the main character’s backstory with her family and unfortunate childhood. I don’t want to go into too much detail and spoil things, so you’ll have to read the book to see what I’m talking about.

The worldbuilding was great, with a society and hierarchy that felt very believable (and quite horrifying if I’m honest). The whole situation in that world was bleak with the tyrant Overlord repressing creativity and spontaneity for the sake of so-called peace. A peace that meant constant fear of both the authorities and your neighbors (who could turn you in for so little as a colorful clothing choice). Not a fun existence…

Tess Bailey and her crew have been on the run for years, doing what they can to try to ease the misery of less fortunate areas of the universe. The latest Robin Hood-like heist don’t go as planned though and draws the attention of a vicious military general. In a bid to repair their ship after an ill-fated run-in with said general, they take a chance and lands on a well populated planet. There Tess gets to know Shade Ganavan and as events unfold, she must decide if she can trust him with more than the repairs of their ship.

Even though I felt like one of the twists could have benefitted from being harsher, I still liked it and felt very satisfied when it was revealed. Overall, I loved this story and if you also love reading about kickass rebel heroines and heroes with hearts of gold, this book is for you!

I haven't read the first series by Amanda Bouchet, but I heard great things about it. So I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read an ARC of this new series, even though I don't read much science fiction. And I absolutely loved it! I'd read more sci-fi if there were more books like this.

Tess and her crew were thieves, but they gave the stolen goods to those who were desperately in need of them...things such as vaccines. Think of Robin Hood crossed with Star Wars. They captured a science lab which they believed held vaccines that were needed at the orphanage where Tess once lived. They were pursued by the Overlord's forces, and her ship Endeavor was badly damaged. They escaped and landed on a planet where they could get repairs. There she meets Shade. Shade is very attracted to Tess, but he is extremely conflicted. Should be follow his heart or his brain?

Tess was an awesome heroine; she was very strong and smart, but also had a huge heart. I just loved Shade. He was a strong alpha male, but he struggled between what he needed to do and what he wanted to do. Their chemistry was off the charts, and their physical time together was beyond steamy. The supporting characters were interesting, especially Jax. The parts of the story I loved best, though, dealt with books and cats. Both are extremely important parts of my life. I snickered and cried throughout the story. There was nothing I didn't like about this book. I can't wait for the next one!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Reviewed by Jen & Sara
Jen: As much as I enjoyed the Kingmaker series from Amanda Bouchet, I think I might like this foray into space opera even more. Here, Bouchet has created another great heroine, who is easy to root for, along with a conflicted, flawed, yet very sexy hero. Together, they make for an awesome, angsty romance, set amid a cool futuristic series arc.

You with me so far?

Tess is the captain of a ragtag group of resistance fighters. I’ve seen comparisons to Firefly here and that’s not too far off, except in this case, the crew is made up all of escaped prisoners, including Tess, herself. But there is way more to her than meets the eye. She is the long lost daughter of the Overseer, the meglomaniac dictator of the galaxy. The world thinks she died long ago, but she’s really been hiding—from her father and from who (or what) she is. Tess knows she is different. She’s never been sick a day in her life and her youth was spent undergoing test after test at the hands of scientists. Now she just wants to help the orphans and outworlders long neglected by her father’s oppressive reign. And the book starts with her stealing what she thinks are vaccines to do just that. Spoiler alert: they’re something much more.

Her uncle, a bigwig in her father’s galactic force, chases her down and forces her into hiding on the very planet where the delicious Shade works as a bounty hunter. Of course, Tess doesn’t know that’s his gig. When she meets him, it’s under his guise of a mechanic on the planet. She hires him to fix her ship, and he digs her despite himself. Shade will have to decide whether to follow his heart or cash in the bounty on her that will solve his money problems forever.

I fell into this book so easily. There’s a ton of backstory, but Bouchet does a good job of parceling it out, rather than giving it all in big info-dumps. I loved the concept of the partners/pairs on the prison world and what Jax means to her. In fact, I was down with a lot of the secondary characters and wanted to know more about them. Like the Big Guy. Oooh and the uncle. I think there is way more to him than it appears. –And I’m waiting for that Gus guy to reappear and bite her in the ass.

Sara: I really enjoyed the first two books of the Kingmaker series, but felt a bit let down by the final book in the trilogy. So, I was a little nervous about Nightchaser and how it would play out. Like Jen though, I was easily able to get into the book. Amanda Bouchet is really great at just getting down to the story and allowing the backstory to emerge naturally. Her pacing is fantastic and ensures that I’m both hanging on every written word and that my brain is going double time trying to figure out how all the other crew members and side characters fit together. Honestly, I feel like there’s even something more going on with Tess’ cat, Bonk. By keeping the mystery of characters and backstory instead of info-dumping all over the reader, Amanda Bouchet really ramps of the excitement and intrigue of Nightchaser, ensuring by the time I was finished that I couldn’t wait for book two.

Jen: There is not a ton of time spent in space. Most of the book is set in the dry dock where the ship is being repaired, but that didn’t bother me. I was super-invested in Tess’s backstory and her relationship with Shade. The romance worked for me and there was good tension and sexy times that satisfied.

Sara: For me there was just the right amount of outer space. I find sometimes that books in space can often get bogged down describing the settings or the science behind the story, but luckily, Bouchet doesn’t have this problem. The romance between Tess and Shade was also great and felt very organic. Also, even though I could see their conflict coming from a mile away, the way everything played out between the two lovers and the resolution of that conflict was really rewarding.

Jen: I am excited to see where this series goes from here. And I wouldn’t mind a spinoff book on Jax… and his delicious tortured, messed up self.

Sara: I found Nightchaser to be really well-paced, with great characters, a romance I felt invested in and just enough information to keep me wanting more. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series and like Jen would be all over a book on Jax.

Jen’s Rating: A
Sara’s Rating: A

Tess Bailey and her crew of Nightchasers are on the run from the Dark Watch because they have managed to steal a floating lab filled with vaccines which they want to distribute more fairly than the existing government would. While attempting to hide in the Dark, they are surprised by the sudden appearance of a Dark Watch ship commanded by Captain Bridgebane...who is also her uncle. As it turns out, Tess Bailey is a pseudonym and her real name is Quintessa Novalight, the long lost daughter of the evil Overseer and is believed to be dead. (This is the kind of twist I would expect to come later in the story, but I loved how it happened!) In order to escape capture and prevent the vaccines from falling back into the Dark Watch's hands, Tess decides to take the Endeavor into a black hole, expecting that to be the end.

But of course it isn't, otherwise this would have been a REALLY short book! When they emerge on the other side, they are forced to navigate to a nearby planet Albion 5 to restock their supplies and make repairs to the ship. Now is when the fun really starts! In Albion City, Tess meets Shade Ganavan when she goes to his store to arrange for the needed parts and labor. Instant sparks of course! There is a lot of fun banter between the characters while there is no missing where their relationship is headed, it allows for a lot of humor to balance out the steam.

More importantly though, their meeting has a side effect of leading Tess to a bookstore owner named Sue and her cats, of which Bonk is the tabby who 'picks' Tess to be his person. (As an aside, is there any greater combination than cats in a bookstore?? It's like Amanda knows my secret dream-when I win the lottery, I want to open a bookstore slash cat sanctuary!) While granted this is a small part of the storyline, it was one of my favorite parts the fact that cats appear at all in this book was enough to gain my interest, even if it hadn't been written by Amanda!

In addition to the cats though, there is one other aspect I loved and that is the secrets that Tess and Shade hide from each other in the beginning. Tess of course is hiding her past and the true reason she is on the run and Shade? Well, it turns out that in addition to being a shop owner slash repair man, he is also a successful bounty hunter-and the next big contract is on Tess. We all know that I am a huge fan of angst and throw in some misunderstandings (and sex!) and I'm a happy camper! I would definitely recommend this to readers who like space opera, with a touch of suspense on the side. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, and the further adventures of Bonk, uh Tess and Shade!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the chance to read it early!

This is the first installment in the Endeavor series and a little bit of a departure from what I typically read. I enjoyed the first in the Kingmaker Chronicles a lot, so I was curious what Bouchet would have to offer in the sci-fi genre. I figured if things went well, reading a wider variety under the speculative fiction umbrella could be in my future.

One of the things I remembered about this author's writing is that she excels in creating secondary characters with real depth and emotion. Her Beta Team were standouts in their own rights that are bursting with potential to be fully fleshed out in their own stories. Once again, we see a fascinating interplay of friendships that tug on your heartstrings in Tess's ragtag rebel crew.

Jax and Fiona in particular had some really emotionally charged scenes with Tess that were brilliantly done. Jax had a heartbreaking history that he still battled to recover from. He held his new family close to his chest with a fierce protectiveness towards the group. Particularly Tess, whom he'd been partnered with in prison on Hourglass Mile. The relationship of the entire crew was a bond closer to family, strengthened by mutual respect and trust.

Nightchaser begins in a high-octane moment that effortlessly slipped me into the futuristic world. As the captain of the ship, Tess is faced with either surrendering to the galactic military who are demanding to board, or a suicide flight into a black hole. My first impression of the book was a very Star Wars-esque feel which couldn't have made me happier. Tess is like a mash up of Han Solo and Robin Hood, both rebel smuggler and thief who steals for the poor and downtrodden. Who wouldn't love that?

Besides the obvious heroic attributes, I liked Tess for her love of books and reading. She doesn't put value on monetary wealth, instead giving what she steals to the kids in the orphanage where she grew up. The things that are important to her are freedom. Creativity. Imagination. All of the things that had been stripped away from humanity through Galactic Overseer Novalight’s reign. She shares opinions freely that many are scared to voice.

The dictatorship government was an interesting theme. You step inside what it would be like to be ruled by a regime that runs on fear and total oppression. To always be at risk of going to jail or being killed for simple things like owning a "contraband" book or speaking out against inhumane treatment. Tess uses her time while grounded to repair their ship and savor her feet being on solid ground for a short while. She's so used to floating out in the deep darkness of space that she's missed many simple joys in life. Ocean waves crashing over her bare feet on the beach, sunlight on her skin, and just...breathing.

My excitement started to wane in the middle of the book because the lagging time they spent on Albion 5 was just too long. I'm always up for romance in my books, no matter what sub-genre. But in this case, unfortunately the romance portion was underwhelming. Both Tess and Shade are hiding a lot from each other, things that are vital to understanding who they are as a person. I couldn't really connect much to them as a couple. Shade is downright deceptive the entire time, though he is at war with his conscience about it. Which to be honest became a little repetitive for me. He yo-yo'd back and forth with determination to betray her and his unrest because of his growing admiration. Which of course would send mixed signals when he'd retreat, giving her a sudden cold shoulder in an attempt to keep his distance emotionally.

I didn't really understand why Tess would ignore his standoffish attitude that flicked on and off. It was like a school girl crush controlled her, and she was always pursuing him and giving him trust when he hadn't earned it. I think knowing the entire time that their relationship was based on lies and deception had me just waiting for the fall out. The movement of their feelings towards love was too rushed, especially when the narrator kept repeating that Tess was slow to trust because of her past. That certainly wasn't the case here, and he didn't go out of his way to prove she could. His charisma and charm were enough to disperse her aversion to romantic entanglements. She wasn't a consistent character that was tough, guarded, and exuded leadership traits. At times she was anxious and unsure, reckless rather than brave.

Issues aside with the pace and the romance, the last 30-35% or so really picked up and delivered on the suspense. Overall, it wasn't too bad of a read, and I am curious what she will uncover about the anomaly in her blood. Will the effect of the serum be catastrophic in the long run? Maybe I expected too much action upfront because that was such a strong element in the Kingmaker Chronicles. Bouchet's skill in creating and expressing those scenes are flawless and I wanted to see it shine at the front of the story more. This first installment could be a stepping stone into a higher density of space battles. But more importantly, clashes with the evil Overlord are guaranteed after the continuation.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2019/01/01/nightchaser-by-amanda-bouchet/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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I didn't expect space opera, but I couldn't be more pleased. For those who are more focused on romance, there's the start of one here. <strong> Nightchaser</strong> is an unexpected pleasure. Of course, it's the characters which make it great.  There is definitely the urban fantasy feel of a longer story arc with a crew of quirky, beloved friends who are like a family.

Tess is young and does have some flaws. She hasn't had an easy life and it isn't easy now. She learns more about her own history and I suspect there's plenty more to learn. Her heart is in the right place and she easily puts others before herself.   I had worries about Tess being overconfident and too trusting, ie TSTL. Luckily, she has that crew to support her when problems arise.  Shade has been drifting since his parents died and now he is intrigued. I rather like him. The man has some talents.

There is a lot of action and politics; this is only the beginning of the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/222616-endeavor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>Endeavor series</strong></em></a>. I need to know lots more about the world and these characters.  I liked the amount of information and details though, enough without being overwhelming. I am definitely looking forward to more; it's exciting!

What a rush! From the opening heart-pounding chapter to the last one Ms. Bouchet keeps you on the edge of your seat with this book. I wasn't sure what to expect in this new series because her previous trilogy KINGMAKER CHRONICLES was epic fantasy stories. Jumping from that genre to space opera could have been a stretch, but Ms. Bouchet does it with aplomb.

This new series follows Captain Tess Bailey and her ragtag crew. They are the night chasers--stealing medicine, food and whatever else is needed to delivering them to the orphans all the while running from the Dark Watch. Following a harrowing escape, Tess hires Shade to fix her ship before she can outrun the evil minions again. Shade is a bounty hunter for the empire and when he finds out the bounty on Tess's head, he struggles with what to do. Should he turn her over to the Dark Watch or follow his growing attraction and the need to keep her safe?

The plot moves along quickly. Just when you think Tess and her crew are momentarily safe, another twist takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I was so invested in this story, I didn't want it to end. Ms. Bouchet has written a story that will knock your socks off with the tension, emotion and action throughout the story. I can't wait for book 2!

' "Evil is evil!” [... not] "a perspective".'

Ok I'm totally sold on Nightchaser! The characters are feisty, heroic, damaged and easily identified with. A fast paced romantic space opera with Bouchet's particular brand of panache. I can well see why she claims Robin Hood and Star Wars as her muses, referring to "these characters and their epic struggle" as strong influences. I'm also seeing shades of Elizabeth Moon's Vatta series.
Captain Tess Bailey and her crew, escapees from an horrendous prison are committed to righting wrongs against a harsh and intractable dictator, the conquering Overlord. With the opening sequence, Tess and crew find themselves in an unwinnable situation. And this is just the beginning!
Tess' soliloquies on the place of novels in this totalitarian world are a window into Bouchet's soul.
“Because novels stir feelings, wishes, and the heart,” [Tess] said. “Not all ideas and thoughts need to be proven, or even can be, and the Overseer is only interested in—no, only allows—what can be measured and quantified and put in a neat little box.”
And again Tess' (Bouchet's) magical thoughts on "kindred spirits".
"For some reason, it made [Tess] think of a huge web connecting everyone who fought the oppressive regime in whatever way they could, big or small. The image morphed into stars, bright spots of hope and courage winking all over the Dark—one giant constellation, spread out, but strong. Stronger than the Overseer thought."
I'm in love with the enticing Shade Ganavan (drool!) who manages to both complicate and simplify his and Tess' situation. Shade himself is pulled between his own long term plans and his unexpected feelings for Tess. The chemistry between them goes nova!
I'll also be fascinated to find out what the Big Guy's story is and where other characters will develop. Ahh! So many questions that only future parts of the series will reveal. I can hardly wait!

A NetGalley ARC

Whoa. I don’t really know what I was expecting from this, but I definitely didn’t get it. And I mean that in the best possible way! Normally I’m not a huge sci-fi person, but this book was such a fun read and I got completely sucked in from the very beginning.

This is my first time reading anything by Amanda Bouchet and I think from the description I was expecting this to be more of a classic, cliched romance novel set in space. But I’m so happy to be proved wrong! If Firefly and Robin Hood came together to have a romance book love child, it would be Nightchaser. So basically all of my favorite things together in one place.

We’re dropped right in the action at the the tail end of a high-speed space getaway, almost as if there’s a beginning chapter missing. Normally it bothers me when books do this because I find it jarring, but I really loved the way Bouchet framed it! It made me really engage with the story and want to know more about what was going on. Over the course of the story, we get little bits and pieces that slowly form a bigger picture and it was great watching it all unfold.

Plus, the characters are GREAT!! I got so attached to everyone, even Bonk the cat. Jax was a sweetie, Miko and Shiori gave me all the feels, and Fiona’s spunky attitude always made me laugh. And Shade and Tess. UGH. I loved it. The writing style is pretty simple and straightforward, but that didn’t bother me. I was too wrapped up in the universe to care.

And that ending was SO CRAAAAAAAZY!!! I was NOT prepared for the utter insanity I was slapped with. It was GREAT.

↬ FINAL WORD
This was such a fun sci-fi romance and I’m TOTALLY on board for the next one!

I can honestly say I’ve never read a book like this one before. This is so sci-fi but with romance and written in such a way that I was totally absorbed into the story from the first page. There is plenty of adventure, drama and action as well as a wonderful chemistry between the hero and heroine. I worried what type of decision Shade was going to make and how Tess would respond to his actions. It was the perfect amount of angst to keep the romance part of the story moving even while Tess is leading a group of rebels and keeping some pretty deep secrets to herself.

Tess is a strong, independent heroine with a deep drive to protect those that she considers family. I loved her character in every way possible. Shade was protective and alpha enough to keep an eye on her but smart enough to know she led her own life and he couldn’t dictate to her.

This is a lengthier book but it never felt bogged down or wordy. The secondary characters are awesome and the twists had me reading wide-eyed and transfixed. The steam factor didn’t even register to me because it was all about Tess, Shade and their gang and the danger that hovered dangerously close to them. The ending is a cliffhanger but it has a happy for now quality to it even as the future for these characters is uncertain.

And now the wait for book 2…

I thoroughly enjoyed this authors recent fantasy romance series and simply couldn't resist this her new sci fi romance one. This the first book sets the scene with Tessa and her fellow crew members trying hard to undermine the ruling minority and helping to support those who are oppressed. Ok so far that's not sounding particularly different but the twist here is that Tessa is apparently the supposed very dead daughter of the big, bad Overseer ! It gets even more complicated when the reader realises that Tessa has very different blood to everyone else and its blood that has the most amazing properties but exactly why does Tessa have it ?
This is hard to review because parts of this I loved , for example the very exciting high octane space walk that occurs but I did feel a tad bewildered by a character who is present at the beginning of this book only to disappear but then miraculously reappear for the end ! I enjoyed getting insights into the crew who share a tragic past with Tessa but alas any advance of their camaraderie is sadly changed by the way this story ends.
It is a romance with a big, strapping hero in Shade who like Tessa has secrets of his own. Plus I enjoyed that the author gave us insights into what Shade was thinking and feeling. I honestly didn't understand Tessa at times though as she's been on the run, hiding who she is only to start blurting it out to just about anyone which really did not make sense. Plus at twenty six she's a woman who knows what she wants physically and yet constantly blushes and doesn't understand flirting ? That really felt odd but luckily the story progressed enough that I could stop feeling incredulous and actually start to really engage with things happening. I would love to read more in this series and I'm left with ideas, questions and possibilities floating around my head but unfortunately until the author writes the next book I will just have to wait !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

A brilliant start to a great new series. I can’t wait for the next book! A great new world, a fresh new take on space.