I am most definitely not a sci-fi reader but the blurb for the book sounded really good so I just had to give this book a chance and wow I’m so glad I did. It’s also lead me to checking out her other books. This is the second book in the Endeavor series and it’s quite an adventure! I loved all the characters and really enjoyed the romantic element of the book between Tess and Shade. I love a book with a strong female main character. The missions the crew go on are interesting and had me hooked from beginning to end. I finished this book in one day because I could not put it down!

I liked the previous book in the series, and Starbreaker was just as good. There’s lots of action and Tess and Shade make a good couple.

This certainly went to unexpected places! Some of my reservations about Tess were resolved in this book as she revealed some new skills. But overall, it feels very “to be continued” so I hope that final book in the trilogy really is on its way later this year.

Starbreaker (Endeavor #2). By Amanda Bouchet. 2020. Sourcebooks Casablanca (ARC eBook).

The adventures of Tess Bailey and the crew of the Endeavor continue as they go on a rescue mission for a scientist who has been imprisoned by the Overseer. There is plenty of action and cementing of the newest crew member and Tess’s lover, Shade Ganavan’s changed motivations from book one. Also, some exciting insight into one of the crew and rebel’s enemies, General Nathaniel Bridgebane. Starbreaker ends with a cliffhanger that has me fully engaged in the series.

Another amazing, star filled adventure! I just love Amanda Bouchet’s books. If you haven’t read this series, then you’re missing out!

Starbreaker starts out where its predecessor ended off. Shade and Tess are on the run from the Overseer, her uncle is keeping her nearest and dearest hostage while Shiori has been arrested and is currently imprisoned on one of the universe's largest prison vessels. In an attempt to stave off ruin, Tess has promised 6 units of her blood in order to facilitate the continuation of the super soldier project after she stole the entire supply of serum and gave it to the Mornavail. Basically, stuff’s about to get hectic.

I absolutely adored Nightchaser with its intricate storyline and beautifully flawed cast. In Starbreaker, Bouchet once again aims for the fences. Going in to this one, I had completely forgotten the events of the previous novel because that was over 200 books ago (don’t judge me, I read a lot and hardly ever reread). But this didn’t matter all that much because there were a ton of references to it which adequately jogged my memory as to where we were in the timeline of Tess Bailey.

Telling the tale from both the viewpoint of Mr Smooth, Shade, and Tess could have gone abysmally wrong but it perfectly fit in with the overall flow of the narrative, never rehashing the current events but seamlessly changing viewpoints at the best possible time to keep it flowing. Whether it be related to their torrid love affair, current adventure or simply about them lounging around the Endeavor with their friends, every scene has its place and is immaculately constructed so as to perfectly get across the tale of Tess and her merry band of thieves - yes, she's basically a genderbent Robin Hood while he's just Shade (no relation to the Shade that we all wanted to die for in the book about castes). Also Bonk is back with a vengeance, a grudge and his nasty claws of retribution while also being a furry little engine of fuzz that gives me all the happies when they're around.

Now, there were definitely some twists throughout where I kind of guessed what was going on but not until fairly close to their reveal – they weren’t stale or thoroughly predictable, I am just ridiculously good at picking these things. One thing I do wish had have occurred is them re-entering The Fold. Although I kind of forgot about it, once references to this floating alternate universe started popping up, I sort of began to miss it. Also, things happen associated with it that made me simply stare at the wall in the early hours of the morning, contemplating my own mortality.

The Overseer has less of a starring role in this one but he still pulls the strings of the universe from the background. He's still a jerk, I still love to hate him and honestly you won't change my mind. He's bloodhungry and I wouldn't change anything about him (please don't let there be redemption arc because I like him being mean just because he can). Including that he is clearly delusional about *events that are yet to occur*. I just really need him to be around more in the future, regardless of his role, age, or relationship with people who shall not be named here.

I appreciate this review is very rambly at this point because, well, if I gave my actual thoughts on everything, it would include so many spoilers and that's a no. Basically, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It maintains a relatively fast pace and changes point of views frequently (although they are usually well timed changes). Tess and Shade continue to impress; whether it be their ingenious stealth manoeuvres to perform their various coups, their witty banter, or THOSE scenes, all their actions are relatively genius. Also, there is a seeming changing of alliances and I am al for it and their super soldiery goodness.

Bouchet continues her science fiction romance series in a wonderful second entry. Tess and Shade are an interesting couple and I love the universe the author has created. I can’t wait for the next book!

Ms. Bouchet doubles down on the action, danger, secrets and surprises in this second installment of the Endeavor trilogy.

I absolutely LOVE Tess Bailey and her merry band of misfits trekking across the universe, battling against the oppressive hand of the Dark Watch (bad guys), kicking ass and taking names! I believe I cussed more when I read this book than the first one! I'm afraid I'll share spoilers so I'm keeping my mouth shut... mostly. The book is brilliantly and lovingly crafted and I thought it was amazing. I couldn't put it down! I cannot WAIT to find out what happens next! If you haven't had a chance to check out the books, I highly recommend them to you.

Yep. Yes. Yes and so many yesssses!

Y’all better buckle up and put in your big girl pants cause this book is a wild and awesome ride! Amanda Bouchet is a fantastic world builder and a magical goddess when it comes to characters and dialog.

I would without and doubt recommend this book to everyone and anyone who wants a bad as female lead who makes you chuckle and roar in solidarity at the same time!

Definitely read this book!

I loved this sassy sci-fi! It was a very fun book with a very tension-filled love-hate relationship. I can't wait for the next book.

Starbreaker, the second book in the romance sci-fi Endeavour series, was great fun, with thrills and adventure aplenty. However, I felt that it perhaps suffered a little from middle-book syndrome, because at times the plot dragged a little. But overall I was happy to be back with Tess, Shade, Bonk the cat, and the rest of the crew from the endeavour, and I can't wait to see where their adventures and galaxy-saving endeavours (see what I did there?) will take them next.

<p>This was a book that I was excited to read when it released, but as the year 2020 goes, I just didn't get around to it. I'm happy to report that this book was just as compelling as the first one in the series, and I can't wait to read book three!</p>

<p>I seem to be reading slower and slower these days because it is just easier to do something else, like veg on the couch and binge anime or Netflix. But I am trying to make an effort to clear more books off my NetGalley and physical review copy shelves for 2020 releases. Big thanks to the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing an earc of this one! Although I am having an even harder time focusing on ebooks after being on my computer most of the day, I had pre-ordered a physical copy of this one for my personal lending library, so that is what I ended up reading.</p>

<p>I loved the progression of relationships in this middle book (I believe it is a planned trilogy) and don't think it suffered from second book syndrome at all. We had plenty of action, good pacing, and some steamy bits. We also progressed the story, answered some dangling threads, and, of course, introduced new questions. We also saw the addition of new characters. I am a total fan of one of them and kinda hate another though, so I think they definitely add to the depth of the story.</p>

<p>Overall, I wasn't as pulled into this one. I can't tell if it's just my reading mood is off from the added stresses of 2020 or if there was something in the writing. Hopefully, if it's the first, I will eventually stabilize so I can read more books quickly!</p>

This author always has potential. her book 1 is always amazing. then book 2 starts to go down hill. by book 3 we are in will not recommend territory Starbreaker follows this trend. . She gets to fantastic (unbelievable) with characters and their interactions and the choices they make. Bouchet has a chance to pull it back and i hope she takes it

What a great sequel to Nightchaser! I love Tess and her crew so much! They're both kick-ass and vulnerable, which is the depth I need in characters that grew up in a scattered world like theirs. Plus, the new characters and revelations about "old" characters had me invested in the story and crew even more. The story as a whole was great and we learned even more about Tess and her background. Also about Shade (such a swoony guy) and he's such a nice balance to Tess. I'm looking forward to book 3 and what it will bring!

I have read (and loved) all of Amanda Bouchet's books. It is no different with Starbreaker, while I was hesitant to read the first one when it came out, my hesitations were quickly gone. I've read space fiction before, but never something like this - something that has it all. Romance, action, space pirates and even more. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading long through the night. I will definitely reread the first two before the new one comes out!

I was thrilled with this book ! Amanda Bouchet has written a fun, exciting, nail biting, epic, space odyssey that will blow you away.
This is not the first book in the series and reading the previous book , Nightchaser , would be of benefit

Struggling with their new relationship dynamics after the initial betrayal then turns around in the previous book Tess and Shad struggle to find their balance . Shade must win back Tess's trust whilst the battle the treachery of the Overseer and his Dark Watch
They are hired to execute the jailbreak of a rebel scientist, the one person who might be able to fix the results of an environmental disaster on her home planet ...... meanwhile they are drawn into other plots and sub plots ....
can their spikey relationship survive ?
There was a lot I liked about book -The snarky dialogue , the reluctant rebels fighting an oppressive government , the beginnings of secondary romance plots between familiar and new characters and most especially the twist that Tess is not only the adopted daughter of the chief oppressor, but also one of the rare individuals both sides are anxious to investigate because of their potentially game-changing biology .

A thoroughly entertaining book in an interesting setting with great characters who draw you in .

I was given an arc of this book by the Publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Bouchet got me interested in sci-fi space opera reads last year, which caused me to read several in a row. While that was great, here I am a year later and I think I was getting some of the storylines confused. So I would have greatly benefited from a recap at the outset of this installment of the Endeavor series.

That being said, I enjoyed the time that I spent with Tess and Shade, Jax and Fiona, Merrick - and a few new additions. Bouchet's characters have depth, vulnerability, badassery, and appeal to me on many levels. When enjoyable characters are combined with dangerous action and intrigue, you have all the makings of a good story. I liked the twists and turns in this one, and I can't wait to see how the series next unfolds. I see lots more danger, but also a promising future for our rebels and galaxy inhabitants.

I did not think Starbreaker would be even better than the amazing Nightchaser, let’s just say I was thrilled with this book! Bouchet has written a fun, exciting, nail biting, epic, space odyssey that will blow you away.

Captain Quintessa “Tess” Bailey is our heroine and was Shade Ganavan’s bounty in Nightchaser. Struggling with the new relationship dynamics after the initial betrayal then turns around, Shade must win back Tess’s trust while they traverse the treachery of the Overseer and his Dark Watch.

Utterly enthralling! Starbreaker was perfectly paced with lots of heat, snarky humor, and plenty of meaty storytelling. Overall, a fantastic read for me.

I received this ARC copy of Starbreaker from SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca. This is my honest and voluntary review. Starbreaker is set for publication April 28, 2020.

My Rating: 5 stars
Written by: Amanda Bouchet
Series: Nightchaser (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 28, 2020)
ISBN-10: 1492667161
ISBN-13: 978-1492667162
Genre: Scifi | Space Romance

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Starbreaker-Ni...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/star...
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Stevie‘s review of Starbreaker (Nightchaser, Book 2) by Amanda Bouchet
Science Fiction Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 28 Apr 20

I enjoyed the first book in this series, although with some reservations, and while this story maybe didn’t entirely address my concerns, it was a damned good adventure and heist nonetheless. This time around, Captain Tess Bailey and her crew find themselves hired to execute the jailbreak of a rebel scientist, the one person who might be able to fix the results of an environmental disaster on her home planet. Along the way, the group gets sucked into a whole load of other plots, while Tess learns more about her new partner, Shade Ganavan, and about her own family history.


While the focus is very firmly on Tess and Shade this time around, we do see the beginnings of secondary romance plots between familiar and new characters. We also get to see a wide variety of worlds, and in doing so learn about Tess’ and Shade’s respective pasts as they slowly let each other into their lives. While both have been drawn into the rebellion proper somewhat against their better judgement, they each have a strong sense of right and wrong, and this helps them build on their existing and rather spiky relationship dynamic to create something that might stand the test of time.

There are a lot of concepts I really like in this series. As well as the well-loved trope of reluctant rebels fighting the oppressive government while trying to earn a mostly honest living, we get the excellent twist that Tess is not only the adopted daughter of the chief oppressor, but also one of the rare individuals both sides are anxious to investigate because of their potentially game-changing biology. This is space opera at its most gripping, as we learn that former enemies may be working on the side of good, but that there is also a lot more going on behind the scenes with all factions than was ever made clear initially.

I also like the way so many issues run parallel to those real-life, current-day activists are tackling, while others are unique to the worlds in which they occur. I would love to see this series translate to either the small or big screen, because I can visualise so many scenes but want someone else to project them to somewhere beyond the workings of my brain.

I’m eagerly anticipating the next in the series, but also hoping to see a bit more of some of those other diverse cast members as the overarching story progresses.

Grade: A

I thoroughly enjoyed the first in this series, Nightchaser, though I confess that I had to do a quick refresh before starting Starbreaker to remember where things had left off. Her crew mate Shiori has been taken by the Dark Watch and so the main focus of this book is Tess and her crew with the addition of former bounty hunter Shane, her lover and almost betrayer from Nightchaser, trying to find where Shiori is while avoiding capture, plus making deals with her uncle who seems to be playing a fine line between savior and villain for Tess and her crew.

The worldbuilding is fresh and inventive, making for a fun sci-fi space opera type story as Tess and Shane travel the galaxy on their multiple quests. I loved the addition of an earth like planet that also has the center of the current time period's main religion worshipping the Sky Mother, and the legend of the Mornavail which purports to be her children with their extra powers – powers like Tess's own enhanced immune system and how her blood can cure a range a diseases. It's people like Tess that the Dark Watch, and her stepfather the Overseer are after so that they can continue making a race of super soldiers and that's a key storyline in this particular chapter of the series.

Tess and Shane are rebuilding the trust between them that Shane broke in Nightchaser but Tess's wariness doesn't keep her from succumbing to their attraction in some steamy scenes. Tess's main goal when her missions are done is to take over the Starway 8 orphanage where she spent several years and bonded with the women running the place. Shane wants to be by her side all the way, but he'll have to prove himself first. Tess's crew are all interesting characters with unique stories and they work well together as the plot careens from one dangerous place and adventure to the next. It's an exciting, action packed story with a solid romance and while it doesn't end on a cliffhanger, the story definitely isn't over and I'm eagerly awaiting the finale!

Review has been posted at Barnes and Noble and Kobo as well as Amazon and Goodreads.