Amanda Dykes has a beautiful way with words, that's for sure. I loved the rhythm and flow of this book, and the symbolism of light strewn throughout. I also really enjoyed watching the two stories--present and past--evolve, each with their own separate thread that, in the end, was woven together beautifully. Well done! I can't wait to see what comes next!

In all honesty I have never read a book quite like this one. One that I wish I could give so many more stars than five to.
The book hits a dark spot but it claws it's way out of the dark, it's hope, it's light, it's inspiration .
I loved the character's and there's no doubt the author makes them come alive on the pages for us.
The imagery I had reading this, I was just in awe as I could picture everything so vividly .
After reading this my reading senses have been reawakened and I will perceive books on a deeper level now rather than just take them at face value and I appreciate the author opening up these senses for me again.
This book will live on in my heart as unforgettable!

Published June 30th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I have many thoughts about Set the Stars Alight. I love dual-time period stories, and the ties that bind them.

The contemporary side centers on Lucy Clairmont and Dashel Greene. Lucy is nicknamed the Matchstick Girl and Dash is as The Lost Boy. As a child, Dash gives her the nickname due to the fact that her bedroom was once part of a matchstick factory, and Dash is the Lost Boy, due to not having a sense of family until taken in by the Clairmonts. Lucy’s father, the ultimate storyteller, is who brings these two together and sets things in motion. I didn’t connect that well with Lucy, but mainly sympathized with Dash. Their journey, although touching, plays second fiddle (in my opinion) to the historical side of the timeline!

In the 1800s, Frederick, Juliette, and Elias are a truly memorable trio, though splintered and bedraggled in many ways. As they journey and grow from childhood to adults, their lives cross in unexpected, disastrous, and even surprisingly blessed ways. Frederick is an exceptional and unforgettable character and has left a mark on my heart. He is, by far, my favorite character in this book.

Last year I was introduced to Amanda Dykes’ writing and was wowed. Whose Waves These Are made a profound impact on me and is one of my favorite books. Set the Stars Alight is meaningful and cohesive with a much gentler pace.

With themes of family, honor, and sacrifice, Set the Stars Alight exemplifies the rewards of love and sacrifice, and the lasting power of stories and storytelling through the ages.

I was blessed to receive a complimentary digital copy of this book.

I have mixed feelings about this novel. Overall, I liked the story. The idea of friends in youth being separated for years and then reconnecting is a nice story, as is the solving of a centuries old mystery. I liked the characters, Lucy the spunky and tireless questioner and Dash, the heroic star gazer.

I felt the plot was way too complex. We readers deal with two time periods which is fine. Characters within each time period have memories and dreams, however, adding another time element to each of the two major time periods. (At least I think they were dreams. They were italicized.) I found the stories the watchmaker told were enigmatic and I had trouble making sense of them. Near the end of the book, Lucy thinks, “The pieces did not all fit neatly together.” (Loc 5519/5993) My thoughts too. I did feel the plot was too complex, with the story/riddles and the many “coincidences” that were required.

Dykes has a lyrical way of writing that made this novel entertaining even if it was hard to believe the whole concept was plausible.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I have read Amanda’s other writings – she just gets better!!

It is difficult to review this book without giving away spoilers – so I will endeavour to portray the sentiment somewhat vaguely to keep from revealing secrets.

I do like time-jump novels and this one did not disappoint. What captivated me was the unique way the author simultaneously threaded the history, the lives, the mystery/intrigue and the emotions of the characters through time. I connected with the characters in a deeper more powerful way. By connecting the emotions and personal development of the contemporary and historical characters the knowing of and intimacy with them was more thoroughly developed. It is rare to find a book that brings history to life, providing laugh out loud moments contrasted with the sting of tears.

Well done!!

Few authors have the gifting of words as Amanda Dykes. Set the Stars Alright is a beautiful story of giving our lives for others set into two storylines. In the historical story we learn about Frederick, Elias and Juliette as their lives interweave as they come of age and one gives his life for another. In the contemporary storyline, Lucy and her childhood friend reunite to solve the mystery of the disappearance of the ship Jubilee through astronomy and tide studies. Amanda Dykes brings the two stories together in a beautiful ending of forgiveness and love. This will be one of the best books of 2020 for me and I am planning on giving copies as gifts.
I did receive a complimentary copy of Set the Stars Alright through NetGalley thanks to Bethany House.

This is a gorgeously written dual timeline novel (1800s and 2000s) made to savor. If you want to escape into another world where wonder is alive and well, here's your chance.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a dual timeline story that celebrates friendship and brotherhood…of faithful friends that sacrifice for one another and help each other in dark times. Lucy’s dad used stories to teach Lucy and Dash to dig for light and look for what God can do. He says it this way, “I think it’s our duty to keep the stories, to pass them on. It is our duty—and our honor. In a world as dark as ours, we-that is, people-forget how to see the light. So we remind them by telling the truth, fighting the dark, paying attention…setting the stars alight” (location 434). It’s a good message for us today.
Lucy and Dash have a unique, special bond. It’s wonderful to see them grow and reconnect and find a way to a different relationship. Frederick is overwhelmed by his need to make things right for Juliette. It affects the entire course of his life. His sacrifice is amazing.
I read a lot of suspense books so this novel started out a little slow for me. It takes a while to start figuring out the connections. Things picked up for me part way through and I enjoyed the story and the hunt for the missing ship and for the truth. The ending didn’t completely resolve everything. I don’t know if this is the beginning of a series. If it’s not, I would have liked to know a few more things.
Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Set the Stars Alight
By Amanda Dykes
4.5 stars

First thing you'll notice about this novel is the authors practically poetic way of writing. Her prose about light, literally and figuratively is mesmerizing.

This split time novel covering present day Lucy and Dash and 19th century Frederick, Juliette and Elias.

Lucy and Dash use thier combined knowledge of the seas and the stars to find a supposedly lost ship. While their on the search we follow Federick as he is put into service on the high seas.

I loved Lucy and Dash's love story. It's been awhile since I've rooted for a couple this much.

I gave it 4.5 stars out of five because it was a little slow at times. But still a great read and an author to expect many many more amazing stories to come!

I am amazed at how Amanda Dykes has crafted the stories in Set The Stars Alight, how she has woven together two stories or overcoming great grief and challenges, incorporated a thrilling mystery that seems hard to believe isn’t real and all this done with a lyrical prose that sweeps the reader away.

Lucy grew up knowing the love of her parents and the stories they told her and her childhood friend, Dash. Now she has lost both parents and Dash has moved away to study the stars, but her career path - marine archaeologist - was formed through the mysteries and stories her parents shared with her. When her application for a grant to uncover the story of a ship that disappeared over 200 years ago is threatened, Dash remarkably returns to Lucy’s life and offers to join with her in her search. 200 years earlier, three lives were interwoven - a shepherd’s daughter, the young man she loved and the young boy of the estate. Their journey is forged through grief, wars, betrayal, great sacrifice and song and now 200 years later, Lucy and Dash are determined to unravel the clues of their story.

I confess I didn’t read this book at the best of times. I started it during the last week of the school term and tried to read it even though my brain was running on fumes and all I wanted to do was sleep. I don’t feel as I gave this book the attention it deserved and I would recommend to other readers that you save this for when you have a few spare afternoons, time and brain power to devote to the very clever story and wonderfully detailed writing style. Nevertheless, I was swept away by this remarkable book. It really is a little magical, a story of great sacrifice, puzzles, adventure, seafaring and romance.

I was so impressed by how the two stories came together and were woven so seamlessly. While Lucy and Dash’s romance is very sweet and their discovery of the story that occurred 200 years ago important to the plot overall, it was the historic story of Frederick that I really enjoyed. I loved Frederick’s voice, his grief and desperate hope to care for the people he had claimed as his, even if he knew they did not feel the same way about him. It was utterly heartbreaking and I’m so happy he got the ending he did.

I won’t say too much about the plot, as I think the unfolding of it all is what makes it so magical, but suffice to say there is everything of a great epic in it - stars and storytelling, wars and love, betrayal and great sacrifice.

If you love romance, mysteries and historical fiction, you are sure to delight in Set The Stars Alight.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I'm sure lots of readers will enjoy this enchanting story but it just wasn't what I was expecting. The story is set two hundred years apart and interesting. The pace is very slow and confusing at times. I find it hard to her in to.

Amanda Dykes has written an interesting dual time story that will keep you trying to figure out the link between the two! Frederick Hanford lived 200 years ago and was a disappointment to his father, lord of the manor. You will follow Fred as he is pressed into service aboard the ship Jubilee as a young lad. Fred's life is sad but full of courage and showing kindness to others --even being willing to give his life for a friend. Lucy's life was full of love from both of her parents. Her father was a storyteller for her and a lonely neighbor boy, Dashel, who they shared their home with. Like Fred, Dash was always interested in the stars and grew up to become a forensic astronomer. Lucy loved her father's stories of the high seas and became a marine archaeologist. No one knows what happened to the ship Jubilee and Lucy is determined to locate it. Lucy and Dash lose contact with each other over the years until Dash comes back to London to help her. You won't want to miss this unusual and amazing story by Amanda Dykes! I received a complimentary e-book from Bethany House and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Deeply evocative. Dykes is a masterful story weaver and I was touched in deep places by the love, sacrifice and restoration conveyed in these intertwining stories. The language is powerful and beautiful and so many lines are still floating in my mind for further exploration. Lucey and Dash in the contemporary setting and Frederick, Elias and Juliette in the early 1800’s command your full attention as they have a magical story that rivals any legend sung by the bards. You will not be disappointed by this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own and freely given.

Amanda Dykes' writing has a depth to it that one doesn't often encounter in today's contemporary fiction. It is special; it touches a part of one's heart and soul that is reserved for literature by classic authors such as Austin and Lewis. Set the Stars Alight is made up of stories leading to new stories, one the Greatest Story every told. While the reader knows a bit about where the story is leading, there are unexpected events all along the way. Once the end of the story is reached, one is likely to want to reread it right away knowing what they now know, to peek into the stories with a different lens. I most highly recommend Set the Stars Alight; once you meet this lost boy and matchstick girl and walk their path, you will be recommending it to your friends as well. I am grateful to have received a copy from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

I know I won't be able to do this book the justice it deserves but I'm going to do my best. Amanda Dykes has magic in her fingertips. She weaves a story of wonder and enchantment that transports you through time and space.

At the time I was reading this book I was struggling to read because of a medication change yet, this was the only book I wanted to read. It took me longer because of that however, it touched my heart in a way I won't soon forget and I know I will be reading it again.

Ms. Dykes writes with lyrical, poetic prose that surrounds you like a warm blanket making you not want to leave.

I loved her debut, Whose Waves These Are but I believe Set the Stars Alight stole its favorite spot for me. I highly recommend this book! So, stop what you're reading and go grab a copy of this one. I promise, you won't be sorry!

~Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m sure that my words won’t do this book justice. It’s such a wonderful book! This book is so full of hope, wonder, and light. There’s just something magical about this one. It is just the story that I needed to read right now! I absolutely loved it! Her stories are so incredibly unique. I did enjoy the little nod to her other book. This is one book that I could read again and again!

Amanda Dykes has a signature style for sure. It’s poetic, lyrical, a bit whimsical, and wholly her own. It feels a bit like magic, but somehow all of the layers come together into something true and beautiful.

The modern day storyline involves watchmaker’s daughter, Lucy, with a heart for the sea, meeting and befriending Dash, a boy with a heart for the stars. Though time and circumstance pull them apart, later the stars and the sea bring them back together to solve a historical mystery. Lucy has set much of her academic life as a marine archaeologist on finding out what happened to a ship that disappeared two hundred years ago. Dash, an expert in his field, just might be able to help her find the answers that she needs.

Two hundred years ago, near the coast of Sussex, Frederick is the young son of a grand estate, learning everything there is to know about ships and sailing. At the same time, he craves freedom and a place to belong. As his story entwines with that of a shepherd’s daughter and another local boy, the layers build gently until the reader is left wondering where the thread began and what could Dykes possibly do to unravel this tale. Yet, she does so with finesse and ease. Though the historical story took me a bit longer to settle into, but its depth grew with each scene, and I was soon eager to know how things turned out for these characters.

The way everything relates to the present day story is well-woven tale indeed. There is such a sense of whimsy to her stories and so much charm, including fairytale-like stories, hidden paintings, secret caves, mysterious church bells, and so much more. You really just have to read it to appreciate it in all its winsome goodness. There is a substantial amount of grief, but Dykes never leaves out hope. In fact, I would say that her stories are often about acknowledging the hope’s light, even when it’s unseen, holding onto grief and hope equally, realizing there is beauty in both:

“The One who is coming…and coming…and coming after you. Fighting for your heart. Every breath a gift. He sets the stars alight, my girl. And we open our eyes to this in benevolent defiance of the dark…by remembering. Take note. Live deeply.”

I hope I always take note, live deeply, and lean into the light. I hope we all do.

I received a complimentary advanced copy of this novel from the publisher; this review is my honest opinion.

". . . this world can be a dark place. . . . We see it every day. We feel the heaviness of it descend when we turn on the news. But there is something else in this world too. And it is light. Hope. Truth. Wonder. There is proof all around us, stories in every nook and cranny, promises yearning with joy to be fulfilled. That is what this story is about at its very core."

This edited quote is from the Author's note at the end of the book. I think it's very relevant to know this at the start! I was immediately captivated with the writing style of Amanda Dykes. As you delve into the beautiful and descriptive language of Set the Stars Alight, you are transported into two fascinating timelines. No matter which story you are in, you can feel the sea spray on your face, see the sea stacks beyond the cliffs, smell the fragrant grasses blowing in the breeze, or the pages of the many tomes lining the shelves of the Bodleian library or the earthiness of the spring cellar. There were times that I got so caught up in the cadences and beauty of the words, that I had to go back and read it again to stay on track with the story.

I found friendship with each of the characters in the book. I understood their sorrow, joy, pain, pride, fear, love and loyalty. I enjoyed the time I spent with them as their journey(s) unfolded. What an amazing book!

Lucy and Dashel grew up together. Dashel was raised by his aunt who was seldom there so he gravitated to Lucy’s family. Lucy’s father loved to tell stories of the past shrouded in mystery. Both children grew up with these stories. Years later Lucy is doing research and applying for a grant about one mystery – a seaman who allegedly turned traitor. Dashel has read about Lucy’s quest and comes to offer his services. He is now a famous astronomer. Together they go to a farm near an old fishing village that is tied into the tale of this seaman. They discover many interesting things here and local lore plays into the research. Dashel and Lucy discover that all their years apart they were both remembering their childhood and each other with fondness.

This is a wonderful mystery story and has many elements – all fun to explore. I highly recommend this book.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Net Galley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“The world is dark, so dark we sometimes forget the stars. But they are always there—we need only fight to see these places of brilliant light, these echoes of the truest stories.”

Set the Stars Alight transports readers into an unbelievable setting, with incredible characters and an enchanting story. Lucy Clairmont searches for a long-lost ship which disappeared centuries ago. But she stumbles on so much more as she follows a trail of breadcrumbs her father left her in the form of fairy-tale-like stories.

Set in two time periods, the story weaves the tale of the past with Lucy’s modern day search. She winds up being led by Dashel, her long lost childhood love, to Stone’s Throw Farm to search for proof of the infamous shipwreck. Amanda Dykes has a powerful writing style that creates deep and meaningful characters. I loved Lucy’s struggle to find herself as she connects with a town and people seeped in mystery. I fell in love with Dash, his quirkiness and genius bringing out the best in Lucy. The stories, both past and present, are seeped in imagery and themes of love and sacrifice.

The combination of Dash and Lucy makes the story rich. She is a maritime archaeologist, and he is a forensic astronomer. Together they take their childhood stories and piece them together to understand the legend behind the missing ship, the Jubilee. Their connection is deep as the waters and sky they search.

I will add that this story isn’t a quick read. I love to read as I fall asleep at night, but I had to stay awake and pay attention to absorb every word for the story to come together in my mind. I’ll probably be re-reading this one someday as there’s so much meaning and imagery in every word. I 100% recommend this to fiction lovers who want to be immersed in a beautiful and intriguing tale.

Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 4 stars (lots of action and suspense to keep me intrigued)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.