Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I previously read Amanda Dykes’ book, Whose Waves are These?, and I loved it. I was so looking forward to reading this one, but it fell a little short of my expectations.
Like Whose Waves, Dykes’ writing style is fluent and natural, her words conveying mood and images effortlessly. Again, she uses secrets that unfold slowly and the story is enchanting, but this time it was much too slow to keep me fully engaged. I did keep reading as I wanted to know the end, but I was seriously tempted to put it aside for good.
Dykes is billed as a Christian writer, which is affirmed in the author’s notes at the end of the book. That being said, Dykes’ story seems to run more along a subtle faith-based theme than an overtly Christian-based tale. It is centered around right and wrong, good and bad, honor and dishonor.
As for the story, there are two timelines involved. First, we begin in London with the friendship of Lucy and Dashel, who are both a couple of quirky adolescents, and the timeline follows them through to their 30’s. Second, we need to go back about 200 years, to Frederick Hanford’s childhood as son of a wealthy admiral and landowner. I found myself much more interested in Frederick’s story than the present timeline. Perhaps it is because both Lucy and Dash lacked maturation and as adults, they still acted like teeagers from an emotional standpoint.
Lucy’s father believes that it’s our duty, and our honor, to pass along the stories of those who have come before us. We live in a dark world and sometimes forget to see the light, yet things are shining brightly, if we would only notice. He tells her the tale of the Jubilee, the ship that disappeared along with Frederick. We learn of Frederick’s life as the son who could never live up to his father’s expectations, and how his journey took many unexpected turns. Lucy and Dash eventually begin a search for the missing Jubilee. The past and the present are skillfully woven together, but I won’t give you the remainder of the story so as not to ruin your reading experience.

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Amanda Dyke's has a gift of storytelling that invites the reader to view their real world with a sense of wonder and discovery, to see the profound in the ordinary, and to search for hidden messages from The Creator in the seemingly mundane.

I loved the dual timeline. Both Frederick's story, and Dash and Lucy's story drew me in equally, and I loved discovering with the characters how both stories fit together. Frederick's story made me want to reach through the pages of the story and give him a big hug. He was such a beautiful character, and I loved his story.

Dash and Lucy's story was like a fairytale and had me thinking back over my childhood friendships: the ones that have stood the test of time, the ones that have fallen by the wayside, and the ones that pick up where we left off every time we meet. It had me thanking God for the role each of those friendships has played in my life at different points in time.

I loved the theme of discovery and looking at life as a riddle given to us by God for us to learn hidden truths. It brought to mind the scripture, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out." Proverbs 25:2

Most of all, I love the rich, beautiful, almost musical language that Dykes uses in her stories. It makes you feel as if you are entering something magical.

If you have read Amanda Dykes' works before, you will not be disappointed with this one. It has stayed with me days and days after finishing it, and I felt as if I was leaving old friends behind that I can't wait to visit again. If you have never read a book by Amanda Dykes, this is the perfect one to start with! If you love mysteries, stories of friendships, dual timelines, English country settings, and beautifully woven tales that sweep you away, you will love this book.

**I received an advanced copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it. All opinions expressed are my own.**

After finishing Set the Stars Alight, I know for a fact that whatever I say in my review will fail to do this breathtakingly beautiful story justice. I hadn't actually read Amanda Dykes' debut novel, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked this one up. I was intrigued by it since I'm a huge fan of timeslip novels, but I was definitely ill prepared for just how fantastic this story was going to be. I think readers everywhere are going to fall head over heels in love with this phenomenal story and its powerful message about the writer of the stars having an ultimate story for each of us if we're only brave enough to follow it.

For as long as I can remember, John 1:5 has been my favorite Bible verse, and this story was the best fictional illustration of it that's I've ever personally read. So often when books feature the moon, stars and the sky as a plot point it's done in a scientific method that never gives credit to our Heavenly Father and His ultimate design. I absolutely loved how Amanda Dykes on the contrary used these items to further the faith element in her story, and showcases the importance of the light's guidance even in the darkest of times.

I found myself interested in both time periods featured throughout the story, and I loved how romance really takes a back seat in both sections and how the focus is instead on the beautiful setting, the well plotted mystery and the development of beautiful friendships. I couldn't figure out how everything was going to come together to piece together the whole picture, but I was left feeling completely satisfied and blown away at just how many intricate details are interwoven throughout the complex plot.

I adored Lucy and her father, and the way they come to take Dash under their wing. Lucy shared such a strong relationship with her father, and the heartwarming fairy tales he so often dictates to Lucy and Dash were one of my favorite parts of the story. I think personally my favorite character ended up being Violette, as I thought she has such a complex but strong story arc, and I loved the part she plays on Lucy's journey of discovery.

Without a doubt I recommend picking this one up as I can guarantee you won't be disappointed. Amanda Dykes is truly a master at her craft, and her writing style is intricate, atmospheric and beautiful, and I can guarantee that this will not be the last book I choose to pick up by her. The only thing that kept me from giving this a five star rating is that I found the story was hard to get into for the first few chapters, but once I got past that part I could barely put it down.

Final Rating: 4.5/5


Thanks so much to Bethany House and NetGalley for allowing me to advance read this!

I voluntarily read and reviwed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After reading Whose Waves These Are I was excited to read Set the Stars Alight. This was a totally different type of story that was hard for me to get into. It was slow reading and a little confusing to me. Written in a time slip style and set in England it covered present day and early 1800s.
I think the author is a brilliant writer and has a prose type of writing unlike any I’ve ever read. It just wasn’t what I normally read. Just call me simple minded because many other reviews gave it high praise. I may try re-reading it again in the future when my life isn’t so complicated. I’m five months into recovery from a severe auto accident and can only process light style, easy to understand fiction at the moment. I will continue to look for new novels written by Amanda Dykes.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a review.

This was such a beautiful story; it could have been a sadder one if not for the hope and light infused throughout. I loved the unfolding of Frederick's story and how it related to the characters in the modern day timeline. I also loved the parallels between his sacrifice and that of Jesus; the Christian story was woven in an understated way. Overall, beautifully written and inspiring story of love for friends and family.

It was a good story, but I don't really love it... It felt too long, and it was confusing at times. I'm not going to recommend this one. Sorry. I know the author did a lot of work on this book, and I hate to give a bad review, but it's just not for me. I wanted to like it!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. This is my honest review.

SET THE STARS ALIGHT by Amanda Dykes is a story that captivates completely from page one. I couldn’t have been more absorbed if I watched the tale unfurl while flying over it with Peter Pan.

Settings come alive with Amanda’s use of specific, sensory details. Whether an ancient, sooty match factory or a wireless, fairy-tale-like farm ~ the reader is there, hearing the song of the bells and feeling the breeze, tasting the flavors it carries. Amanda’s poetic, lyrical writing evokes memories of fables and fairy tales, enticing readers to ignore the thrum of our frenetic planet, and fall into life with Lucy and Dash.

Characters are compelling, quirky, and so well developed that it takes no time at all to bond with them. Readers are eager to follow them on their journeys.

This author is a master not only at spinning stories, but balancing the mechanics of producing a dual-time book. She sprinkles clues to links between the two timelines, and the story flows unimpeded even when she switches between the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries. I dare say, no reader will have to flip back to an earlier chapter to reconnect with a storyline.

This story is art. Magic. Delightful. It is full of imagery, symbolism, and surprises!

Read more at: http://www.marykaymoody.com/2020/06/22/set-the-stars-alight-by-amanda-dykesprepare-to-be-carried-away-5-star-review/ I received a complimentary copy of this book (Thank you, NetGalley). Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #setthestarsalight

“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. There are things shining brightly all along, if we will notice.”

For such a time as this, author Amanda Dykes’ moving new novel SET THE STARS ALIGHT is being released. We are presently facing a lot of darkness everywhere we look. Dykes has penned the perfect book to grab our attention to set the stars alight.

There are books you read to be entertained, educated or to escape. Some you quickly forget. Some stay with you a long time. A few stay with you a lifetime because they touch a place somewhere deep in your soul. Dykes’ Set the Stars Alight is one such book.

Dykes’ novel is exquisitely written. She is a masterful storyteller and paints the most beautiful word pictures with the telling of this story. She uses layered symbolism and lessons on forgiveness, sacrifice love and God throughout. She uses the themes of hope, wonder and light to tell her story. There is something powerful about Dykes writing that just draws you in and totally captivates you from beginning to end! This is novel not to be missed!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

*NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR ALERT*

After reading Bespoke for Christmas last year (you can find my review HERE) I was so excited to read another Amanda Dykes novel! Even in that lil' novella, I knew her stories had the potential to draw me in and never let go.

And I was right.

*happy sigh* The prose was . . . phenomenal. Seriously. Even during characters' banter and dialogue, the writing was flawless and beautiful. And that, of course, is a cinch to keep me reading. *grins*

Aaaaand then we've got the CHARACTERS. *clasps hands and nearly hyperventilates* Y'ALL THE CHARACTERS. I'm so, so, so in love with the characters. Lucy was actually a female protagonist that I loved. I couldn't relate to her circumstances, but I definitely could relate to her personality and insecurities. And DASHEL, MY GOOD MAN! #everyoneneedsadash

And there's Frederick . . . at first I wasn't thrilled with the way the book switched back and forth between the present and the past, but then I fell in love with Frederick's story. The traitor. Oh. my goodness. gracious. If anyone should be inspired by anyone's story, it should be Frederick's.

(really, the only complaint I have about this book is that the book is so whimsical, I kept forgetting that Lucy & Dash are in the present . . . I kept getting caught off-guard when they're checking their smartphones, haha!)

I loved reading about the historical mystery in the book—reading about Frederick and Juliette and Elias, and then about Lucy and Dash and Stone's Throw Farm, reading both the unfolding of the mystery and the individual lives of each. I looooved how every aspect of the book, whether it be about the mystery or simply something resolved in the characters' lives, unfolded and peeled back, each layer revealing something more heart-achingly beautiful than the one before it.

Was there romance in this book? Yes. Yes, there was. But I was so for it. For once, it made me grin so hard when I saw the couple(s) come together after all they'd been through. There were a couple of kisses, but they were barely described and ended quickly.

The world needs more stories about this—wholesome friendships, romances built on friendships rather than whirlwind attractions, characters that worked through their heartbreaks.

I. loved. this. book.

That is all.

(And I can't wait to read more by this author)

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

A beautiful work full of intrigue, loss, hope, truth, and the impossible.

Normally, I am not a big fan of split-time novels as I often feel wrenched from one story into another repeatedly, struggling to piece the puzzle together in its wake. However, Set the Stars Alight was so beautifully written that I was equally invested with both storylines and honestly struggled to close the book as dawn began to glow out my window. Full of deep, complex characters and intricate webs, Amanda Dykes takes you on a journey centuries-old as two lost souls seek answers and hope in the untold mystery of a lost ship and a renown traitor.

Every word served a purpose. Never did I feel a word was ill-used or a detail irrelevant. Even the way in which the story was delivered was powerful and important. I loved how Amanda Dykes demonstrated the passing of time. At times I even missed the subtle nuances and had to reread a section just to make sure I understood correctly. It does take some mental power to read, but it is worth it! Absolutely beautifully written.

As a book reviewer, while I read, I highlight and take note of any nuggets of wisdom or meaningful quotes for my blog. While reading, I had to watch myself as the book turned into a child highlighting entire passages of their Bible. I am still racking my brain as to how Amanda Dykes wrote such profound nuggets and created characters full of such depth. She must be a woman of great intelligence and thoughtfulness. At times, I would reread a paragraph just to make sure I gleamed every word and meaning.

Full of twists and misconceptions, Set the Stars Alight kept me on the edge of my seat. Amanda Dykes revealed information slowly and always at the RIGHT moment. There was always a mystery to be resolved so that even when one tidbit of information was given, another mystery arose. One thing that always remained true - my love and compassion for the characters. There was such depth to Lucy and Frederick (the narrators) that even when information was given to the contrary, I still remained true to my undying devotion to them.

Set the Stars Alight will be released June 30th. If you enjoy a well-written novel that will leave you wanting more than I highly recommend preordering now.

I was given a free copy of the book, but the opinions in this review are completely my own.

The Red Review: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
***4 Hearts: Compelling Characters, Well-Written, Interesting Storyline, Unable to Stop

<I>Set the Stars Alight</I> wasn’t a book you could race through, but had to savour slowly. It was ethereal, with pretty imagery and a merging of the stars and the sea together to discover the truth.

Lucy is on a quest to discover what happened to the legendary <I>Jubilee</I>, and in the process a missing piece of her heart comes home. I liked how well the historical and modern day stories blended, and thought the dual timeline was very well done. I also liked the emphasis on two opposite worlds, sky and water, coming together.

The language was very poetic, which I for the most part liked or thought was okay, but it sometimes felt a little over the top for the modern day characters. That being said, it was imaginative, stunning writing and it fit the story. Perhaps my mind is just too fast-paced for its own good!

Overall, a lovely story!

* I received a copy from NetGalley and I voluntarily reviewed this book. This is 100% my honest opinion.

This book was so amazing I don't even have the words. I fell in love with the story right away and the ending came way to soon.

I highly recommend this book to anyone!

Lyrical, beautiful, heart-warming and satisfying, Set the Stars Alight is a must-read.

Page one welcomed me in like I was coming home.

Before I even reached that page, the dedication spoke to me—the part about wonder:

"Hang on to it, brave ones.
And more—hang on to the Giver of it.
Though darkness may fall and times grow hard,
hold fast to this given light." [Kindle location 45]

Timely words for a hard year like 2020.

The novel follows two timelines: 1987 – 2020 and the 1800s during the Napoleonic wars, each revealing what’s needed to understand the other. It’s not choppy, switching timelines each chapter; instead, the story flows in segments with time enough to settle in place and care about the people involved.

In the contemporary thread, childhood friends Lucy and Dashel reunite as adults in a quest to locate a legendary shipwreck in the English Channel. The historical thread follows Frederick, a landowner’s son, and the young lovers Juliette and Elias.

Some of the many lines I highlighted in the book are sparks of light to hold close:

"Taking note of the good, the true, the just, the miracles hidden at every turn is like…a deliberate act of defiance against the darkness." [Lucy’s father, Kindle location 431]

"Such freedom, to know our limits. And to know the God who has none." [Clara, Kindle location 3347]

Others are just beautiful:

"The woman had a way of almost gliding—not in the graceful, practiced way of the ladies of gothic novels, but rather more like an apparition gliding over ice." [Kindle location 1625]

Set the Stars Alight is a novel of love and loyalty, friendship and faith, that encourages wonder and affirms the value of everyday actions and individual lives. As an added bonus, readers who loved Amanda Dykes’ debut novel, Whose Waves These Are, will welcome the quiet nod to that book in chapter 25.

For more about author Amanda Dykes, visit amandadykes.com.

[Review copy provided by the publisher via #NetGalley.]

I have read many books. Some of them have made me laugh, cry and sigh with contentment as I read the last line. Many were well-written and "keepers" to be reread. None have left me with the feeling that I had just read a book that could be deemed a classic.

Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes is exquisitely written. The author draws you into her magical wonderland, and you are instantly transported to a small cottage in Candlewick Commons, London, England. The home of a watchmaker, his wife and his daughter Lucy. While set in the year 2000, stepping into the cottage is like stepping back further in time and the reader, along with our main character Lucy and her best friend Dash, listen to her father, the watchmaker, tell his stories. Never realizing he was giving them riddles to solve that would one day bring them together on a quest they would never have imagined possible.

I loved how the author transitioned from the present to the past and back again, mixing the story of the HMS Jubilee with the riddles Lucy's father had carefully laid out for her and Dash in stories over the years. Each somehow connected to the other, but all connected with finding the light.

The themes of sacrifice, redemption and finding the light in the darkness become more evident as the two stories collide in an ending that will stay with you long after the final page is read. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is inspiring and enchanting.

WOW!! What a wonderful book!! I usually don't like time slip books, but something keep telling me to request this book and I'm so glad I did. In my humble opinion this is a MUST READ book. It is a book you will read more than once. The authors letter at the end of the book was so uplifting and encouraging. I will be buying this book when it releases. Thank you Bethany House via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Amanda Dykes sets readers off on the right course for a paralleled romance chartered in time. Weaving together history and legend, Dykes #SettheStarsAlight to pen a tale of the Lost Boy and The Matchstick Girl. After reading "Whose Waves These Are" I was thrilled that #NetGalley offered me the opportunity to review the advanced edition.

At first, I had trouble adjusting to the dualed narratives. I found myself confused by the array of characters and wondered if the stories would intertwine? That being said, once I was hooked, I was swept away by the story. Eagerly paging through the novel to discover the truth, I hoped my favorite characters' lives would alight.

To set the scene, Lucy's formative years were spent listening to her father's legends. Dash enters her life, stirs up her emotions and becomes a surrogate family member. Without saying goodbye, Dash exited as abruptly as he arrived. Resurfacing during difficult times, Lucy is forced to shelve what felt like a forever friendship.

Years later, Lucy is pitching her research for a grant proposal when an unexpected encounter leaves her treading water. While Lucy needs a lifeline, Dykes circles back to Elias, Frederick and Juliette's journey. Readers will find themselves rooting for their favorite protagonists. Setting their sights whether the stars will align or was their chance for love, eclipsed?

Magical. If I had to describe this book in one word, that is what it would be. It’s a grown up fairytale, which I did not realize until I began reading. Amanda Dykes is not just a good storyteller - she has a gift. Few can write like that. This is a story full of symbolism and the reader must read between the lines to truly appreciate it’s depth. The old and the new are so creatively intertwined, and I much enjoyed putting the pieces together. In fact, I feel like I’d need to read this novel a second time to have a full appreciation for it. I highly recommend.

Set the Stars alight
"Set the Stars Alight" by Amanda Dykes

When I was chosen to be on the launch team for "Set the Stars Alight" , I really didn't know what to expect. This wasn't a book I would normally read, but I was up to trying something new. I was so pleasantly surprised what a great storyline "Set the Stars Alight" had.

My thoughts: What a beautifully written story. I could really see what a amazing writer Amanda Dkyes is. She was able to intertwine two different time periods into one gorgeous story. You see the different personality of all the characters, which were all likeable. They had several beautiful quotes but below is my all time favorite . It is so thought provoking and I feel it summed up a lot of the book.

Synopsis: The magic of the past comes alive each night for the family of a watchmaker. Lucy Claremont fascination with the high seas begins, which leads to her looking for a lost ship as a adult. Here childhood friend Dashel and his knowledge of stars was needed to solve a puzzle. Two hundred years earlier there are three lives that are altered when a shepherd rescues the son of a admiral. As they grow they are forever changed.

My favorite quote: "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, pay attention ... setting the stars alight. There are thinks shining brightly all along, if we will notice."

Recommendation: I will great love to share this book on several social media sites and friends.

Rating: I give this book a rating of a 5 out of 5

Disclaimer: I received this complimentary copy from the publisher and netgalley in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.

I have finally found an adjetive to satisfactorily describe this book: it is <b>stunning</b>! Historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and fairy tale all in one, Ms. Dykes' writing stirs the deepest parts of a reader's soul. <i>Set the Satrs Alight</i> is one of a kind. With so many layers full of meaning, it is a book to be pondered. I would deffinetly recommend a slower reading, letting the story sink in.

Though some might say that parts of the novel are too sentimental, or repetitive, or that the beginning is slow, for me, the overall effect of the book simply wiped away these potential minuses. If considered individually, yes, they could be downpoints, but in the overall perspective of the book they are necessary parts of the whole - an <b>awe</b>some story.

<i>"He [God] sets the stars alight, my girl. And we open our eyes to this in benevolent defiance of the dark... by remembering."</i>

Amidst a world where people have become more or less automatized and dissatisfied in the whirlwind of our busy lives, Amanda Dykes invites us to pause, take a deep breath, and <i>remember...</i> Remember that we live in a world full of miracles - big and small, ordinary and extraordinary. <i>Set the Stars Alight</i> beckons us to really see the world we inhabit: a wonderous world created by an even more wonderous God, for whom <i>"nothing is impossible."</i>

I received an advanced copy of the book from the publishers via NetGalley. I was not required to offer a positive review. All the thoughts expressed here are my own.

Have you ever read a book so achingly beautiful that you weep. A story so poetic that it seeps into you and melts you into a puddle of mush. A book that you know you cannot do it justice so you wait to write a review as you savor and digest what you just read. Then look no farther as I’m sure this will be my #1 in my top 10 this year. It is dual time line so that amps it up into overdrive and Ms. Dykes tells each story with equal gusto and twines them together like a three stranded cord that cannot be broken. It is inspiring and shows that family isn’t always blood but those who loves us on our journey to where God meant us to be, as He Sets the Stars Alight within us as we find our way home. These characters...words fail me as they are just top notch. The words flow and etch a memory on your heart. I know I’m gushing but to me this was my perfect read. Deserves 10 stars and lots of awards. Recommended to all.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.