Wow! I don’t know quite what I was expecting, but I was so pleasantly surprised by this book; it grabbed me from page one with its James Bond-esque action sequence!

Ivy is an orphan who, along with her friend Phillip, are scooped from the streets of Washington DC to eventually join a spy ring called Talon. Ivy meets Jack, who is a Talon agent, and they instantly fall for each other.

This book has all of the things you would expect from a spy story with rigorous training, international locations, and the violence that goes along with political assassinations. There is an element of romance in this book and the romance scenes are closed door/fade to black.

I like that this story is rooted in history whether it be that Talon is based on the Culper ring from the Revolutionary war or the mention of certain landmarks around Washington DC.

Overall an explosive start to an intriguing new historical fiction/action-adventure series. I can’t wait to read the next Jack & Ivy book!

What a surprise read this was! So not what I was expecting at all. But I do mean that in a good way. I've read J'nell Ciesielski's The Ice Swan last year and fell in love with her wonderful writing style and the intriguing love story woven with historical facts. I couldn't wait to start with her latest novel and was very much expecting the same. What I got, was exactly that, but with a few add-ons.

Welcome to a life of espionage, adventure, romance and intrigue. All under the cloak of a world preparing for war.

Phillip and Ivy, two orphans who are trying to survive on the streets of Washington, find themselves at the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people. Before thy know it, they are thrust into a secret organization who might not quite make the history pages.

"The agency upon which you have thrust yourselves is a beacon of light poised to roust out the bitter darkness seeping through the earth's cracks. Yet for our work to find success, our light must be cloaked in shadow."

To say very much more about the secret agency and all the adventures to follow, might be too much of a spoiler alert and we don't want to take any of the enjoyment away from the reader. What we can say, is that there are lots and lots of action and espionage.

What we can say a few more words about, is the love story between Jack and Ivy. I'm not the world's biggest romance reader, but if you mix it with historical events and intrigue and present it with a beautiful writing style, I'm in. Yes, it's typical boy meets girl and they swear ever lasting love, but somehow - it felt very real and as if these two might actually make it in a cold and love-forsaken world.

"Postcard palace or tent under the stars, it doesn't matter. Not as long as the entrance opens to you at the end of the day."

The other aspect of this book I really enjoyed, was how the author laced the historical accuracies with myths, legends and fairytales. In fact, I wish there were a few more paragraphs and tidbits.

I was once again blown away by J'nell Ciesielski's exquisite writing style and am looking forward to reading the next instalment of Ivy and Jack's story.

This is a review for J'nell Ciesielski's latest book titled "The Brilliance of Stars". I enjoy this author's books a lot, so I was excited to read this one, and I wasn't disappointed! I am someone who enjoys historical Christian fiction as my favorite genre, and this book was different from the normal books I read, as it was more of a spy thriller, but I was hooked from the first few pages, and was on the edge of my seat as I turned each page of this fast faced book so I could see what was going to happen!

It begins on the streets of London where we are introduced to two of the three main characters in the story, Ivy and Philip. They have both orphans who have just been kicked out of the orphanage to fend for themselves on the streets. In the midst of trying to stay alive by selling newspapers to make ends meet, they find themselves overhearing a conversation of unsavory characters who find them eavesdropping on that conversation, and who put bags over there heads and lead them away to a place where Ivy and Phillip think will be to their death.

But it turns out that the men who grabbed them are not the bad guys at all, but a part of a secret organization called Talon that is dedicated to doing good by taking bad guys down. Ivy and Phillip, who thought they were going to meet their demise, end up being recruited by this organization, who take them in, give them a home and family, and begin to train them as operatives who will become a valued part of the organization.

One of their trainers is a fellow orphan, Jack, who is a few years older than Ivy and Phillip, and Jack was abandoned by his parents who cared more about the stage than him. So Jack, also taken in by the Talon group and given a home, ends up becoming one of their best operatives, hence he helps train in the newbies.

The training is very rigorous, but it turns both Ivy and Phillip into amazing operatives, and eventually they become ready to go out in the field with Jack being their leader. Jack, Phillip and Ivy become the best of friends, and as they are sent to Russia to take out a wicked arms dealer named Balour Tsar, they have to work together in some very treacherous situations that will put all their training to a very hard test!

Jack, as their leader, must lead his team efficiently, and try to keep them all from being killed! He develops feelings for Ivy that she reciprocates, and that makes his job even harder, but they must work as a team to keep them all safe, but taking down Balour Tsar and his weapons of mass destruction will push them all to the limit! But you have to read the book to find out what happens!

This book was well written, so engaging, and the characters were relatable and very interesting! This was an exciting read, with action, but not too much to lose my interest, and a some romance which I enjoyed because it was light but didn't weigh the story down. I thought this book flowed well, and I read through it quick because I had to know what happened! It was very fast paced, but not overwhelmingly so, and I really enjoyed it. The ending climaxed in a way that left my heart pumping, and I wasn't disappointed in the least as I wasn't able to predict it at all! So I give this 5 out of 5 stars, and I really enjoyed this a lot!

I have read quite a few WWI historical fiction books recently and I am here for it. This one is unlike any other I’ve read as it combines historical fiction, espionage, and romance. I loved getting to know Ivy and her friend Philip from a very young age. Their backstory played in very well to their ability to become world class spies.

The romance between Ivy and Jack was a nice relief from the heavy aspects that the espionage and the war brought to the story.

This is book 1 in a new series and I’m curious to see what adventures Ivy and Jack will have next.

Thank you to @tnzfiction for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The opening prologue is epic! In the midst of a full blown gun slinging showdown the two main characters exchange witty barbs about whether or not it is an appropriate time for romance!

There are three distinct storylines to this novel. The first was the relationship between Jack and Ivy. Both had a rough childhood and had to find ways to survive on their own. When they met they were drawn to each other as each recognized in the other a shared grit and determination to succeed. As their feelings developed naturally so did the way they communicated. Their humorous anecdotes certainly provided a levity necessary when considering their line of work.

Talon was a bit of a stretch for me. What I did like was the varied training members received and the sense of family it provided. Of course this was the avenue by which our main characters met and had their "adventures" so the writer did well in developing a realistic legacy to the secret society.

Lastly comes Philip, the third wheel so to speak. Philip and Ivy survived the streets together as kids. Philip and Jack became best buds at Talon. When Jack and Ivy fell in love naturally Philip felt lost. When an assignment goes terribly wrong Phillip suddenly is faced with choices and challenges that threatens everything.

Fast paced, good balance of thrilling escapades and witty banter, and excellent character development. Ciesielski set herself up for a successful series with this one.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley and the publisher.

The Brilliance of Stars is a historical romance/spy thriller set in Europe amid the chaos of World War I.

Ivy was picked up to serve in a secret society that helps to balance the good and evil in the world when she meets Jack. They fall in love as they are partnered to take down an evil man in Russia. As they begin their mission, Europe breaks into war.

This book is a little more action/spy thriller than the author's previous books. I like how detailed she is in writing her settings. You feel like you're there along with the characters!

This book is the first of a planned duology and I'm looking forward to reading the next book!

BOOK REVIEW - THE BRILLIANCE OF STARS - 5/5 STARS

I started off my blog with a J'nell Ciesielski book and so I feel I must continue with the tradition of reviewing each of her books.

THE STORY
I should be sleeping right now but couldn't not review this book which was amazing! Such a different feel from other books I've read, including J'nell's other stories. It definitely still had her signature historic drama and swoony romance but this book also had a thrilling excitement that kept me on my toes and reading. Work and responsibilities are the only reasons this wasn't read in one sitting! It was fast paced, had an ever-changing scenery and a continually developing storyline with unexpected twists and turns. And the ending! Oh. My. Gosh. I can't remember when I was last so anticipated a sequel! J'nell Ciesielski, have mercy on us all and please release it quickly!

THE ROMANCE
Due to the fast pace of the story, it meant I didn't have to wait long for the romance to develop and I'll never complain about that! Love at first sight is not usually a favourite but J'nell Ciesielski still allowed time for feelings and maturity to catch up and I enjoyed that. And once feelings were declared, so much sizzle and pop while still remaining clean, the best combo!

THE TRUTHS
Storylines like in this book always make me ask myself, how far am I willing to go for a righteous cause? It's a moral conundrum which unfortunately I don't have time to get into today, so instead I'll ask this, how far are you willing to go for Christ? Hopefully, we all answer as far as it takes! I pray that if that we are called one day to stand for our faith, that we all stand strong and brave no matter the odds!

The Brilliance of Stars is the newest book by the incredible author, J’Nell Cielsielski! The book takes place during WWI and features Ivy, a poor woman trying to make it on the streets. When her circumstances suddenly change, she becomes an assassin for the USA and gets closer to Jack, another spy. They never had anything to lose, but now they risk their love for each other as well as their country. They are sent to Russia to take down one of the world’s most dangerous arms dealer.

I’m about halfway through this novel and it’s so interesting! I like that it takes place during the First World War and is a historical romance. Jack and Ivy have such genuine chemistry. It reminds me of a historical Mr and Mrs Smith! The Russian location is one I haven’t read too many about so this is also fascinating to me. I’m also thankful this is a 2 book series and the second part is out in August 2023!

Thank you so much to @jnellciesielski and @thomasnelson for my gifted ebook. The Brilliance of Stars is out Nov 1, 2022!

The formatting of this ARC did make it very hard to read, but I did enjoy it.

J’nell Ciesielski is known for her war-time novels filled with adventure and romance. Her latest novel offers both in spades.

I have mixed feelings about this one. Ciesielski is a very talented writer and that is on display in this book. Her heroines are always brave and smart, and her heroes are always swoony and gallant. That is the case with this novel, and I love that part. And anytime you read a book by J’nell Ciesielski, you can see what painstaking research has gone into her writing. I appreciate all of these things.

What wasn’t my favorite was the amount of violence in the book. Yes, it is a war novel and violence is to be expected. But it felt like the majority of the book was Ivy and Jack facing off against spies and assassins, resulting in much bloodshed. Again, I realize this is to be expected in a war-time, spy thriller novel, I just wish there had been a bit more to break up all the fighting.

A positive for me was the incorporation of folklore and legends as Ivy and Jack trek across WWI Europe in search of an elusive entity. From Russia’s fabled Ice Queen, to Transylvania’s Dracula, the inclusion of these classic fables was a lovely touch to the story.

The Brilliance of Stars is a thrilling novel with a sweeping romance. If you love war fiction with plenty of spies and mayhem, then this might be the book for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’ll admit that I did have a couple hang-ups with this book. The narrative stretches over about 4 years, so readers get an in-depth view of the action for a few days or weeks and are then yanked forward weeks or months later. I found this disorienting. The writing often gets a little too flowery for my taste and I found a lot of the dialogue hard to believe. I know the book is set a century ago, but still. People just don’t talk like that.

Also, it bothered me that Philip was always the third wheel. I mean, I get that it’s an essential part of the story and plays into certain events and decisions. Seriously, though! He was abandoned as a baby, tossed out by the orphanage at ten, and treated like a brother by the girl he respects most in the world. No one ever chooses Philip!

Overall though, I did enjoy the book. It has strong Captain America vibes and I like the idea of a secret spy organization started by George Washington. I kind of like the fact that it takes place during WWI, but focuses on events in Russia rather than the war front. It’s a perspective I haven’t read much. Also, Jack and Ivy are cute together, especially when they were still in training and hadn’t quite admitted their feelings.

The writing in this story, the elements of plot, dialogue, pacing,and the like are top notch. The story is original, the characters endearing, and the suspense captivating. However, there is one personal preference that dampens my enthusiasm for The Brilliance of Stars. I love series that have a thread of mystery that carries the reader from one book to the next, but that also has a mystery that is particular to each book and that is brought to a satisfying conclusion in that book. I wish that books that end in a total cliffhanger requiring one to wait until the release of the next book, and maybe the one after that, before reaching any satisfying conclusion came with a warning label allowing readers to make a choice before investing hours of reading time. That said, at least I know I can count on good quality writing when the next book in Ciesielski's Jack and Ivy series is released.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Brilliance of Stars from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This was an interesting spy thriller set in the historical context of 1917 Russia during World War I and the fomenting Russian Revolution. Lots of adventure with touches of the supernatural made it an engrossing read.

1914 - Washington, D.C.
Having been kicked out of the orphanage at the tender age of twelve some time ago, Ivy Olwen and her fellow orphan, Philip are eking out a living on the street. They're living rough but hoping that their luck will change with a bit of effort on their part. Nothing seems to be going their way until that fateful day when they sought shelter from the rain. They seemed to have inadvertently eavesdropped on a covert intel exchange in the tunnel where they had hoped to stay dry. Averting certain death, they soon find themselves beholden to a private spy agency, Talon, which strives to keep the balance of good outweighing the bad in the world. Are Ivy and Philip of the stuff required for Talon service? Do they even want to be? They discover that Jack, one of Talon's aces, to also have been a orphan whose life was turned around by Talon. So maybe it's not such a far-fetched notion for Ivy and Philip.

Together, all three develop a friendship and hone their personal skills - Ivy is bookish with a photographic memory; Philip is a whiz with munitions and Jack is a sharpshooter with strong leadership capabilities. Three years later, they're on their way to Russia to find and neutralize a highly dangerous arms dealer. And so the adventure begins.

This was an action packed thriller with lots of derring-do, creative thinking on the fly and lots of near-death moments. The characters were well developed and the writing never lagged. I could hardly put the book down. The romance elements were a bit untimely but somehow our lead characters pull through it all in spite of the distractions. The introduction of supernatural elements was unexpected and took the story away from the historical fiction realm and moved it more toward fantasy. Regardless, it was an exciting read and all I can say is that there better be a sequel to this story. Who was that woman? Is she Baba Yaga? Perhaps more will be revealed in the next installment of this thrilling spy series. I for one cannot wait!

I am grateful to author J'nell Ciesielski and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, for having provided a complimentary e-copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Wow, this was such an intense book - in a good way!! I will say, it's not for the faint of heart as it is quite descriptive in its fighting and romance. Nothing I felt was inappropriate, but maybe better suited for older readers. Also, there were some swear words used in their literal, dictionary sense so, while I wasn't offended at that sort of use, I realize some people may be.

All that said, I cannot wait for the second book! I loved all of the training at Talon, the European history, the fight for righteousness, and (most of all), the characters! They're real, they're deep, they're flawed, yet they're perfect! Their ragtag sense of family is fantastic to watch! The author's writing is absolutely fabulous and I look forward to reading more of her novels!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

While this book is so different from the author's previous works, it's filled with plenty of action and espionage, danger and secrets. I really love the members of Talon and the found family they become for each other. I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, but as things transition to Russia, it gets almost too crazy. Ivy and Jack face so many trials and dangers that it just gets more and more wild as the book progresses.

Thanks to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy of this book. All opinions here are my own.

After Jack saves Ivy and Philip from the streets, they are trained by an elite 'world-saving' organisation as expert assassins - skills that come in handy when the three are sent as part of a team to Russia to take down a huge-scale weapons dealer during WWI. But even their skills will struggle to match this secretive man who seems to have eyes everywhere. As the mission evolves and they become more aware of what they're up against, can they really succeed against such overwhelming evil? But they can't afford to fail...

For me, this was a five-star read until I got to the end. I don't want to give spoilers, but it left me feeling like the ground had been cut out from beneath my feet. While I hope (and expect?) a sequel to pick up where this left off, it made for a most unsatisfying ending. However, the story up to that point was a great mix of history and suspense, with some delightful clean romance thrown in - and past baggage to be overcome along the way. I loved watching Ivy and Jack gradually grow closer - or at least learn to admit it. Philip was a rather sadder case, understandably feeling left out - hopefully he's got his own story coming? All in all, a great story as long as you don't mind a total cliffhanger ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

WOW this novel starts out with a bang. Right from the beginning it feels like a James Bond movie. From the literal explosive opening sequence, to the final scene, this novel had me hooked. If you're looking for an adventure novel, with old world folklore and a well developed good versus evil story, I would highly recommend this one. The novel contains a doozy of an ending which leaves a great opening for the upcoming sequel, which I cannot wait to read. This is the first novel that I've read of J'nell's and I am stoked to have found her.

The book starts off full of action as the two main characters, Jack and Ivy, are making a daring escape from a Russian castle.

The setting is WWI. There is a secret organization named Talon headquartered in Washington, DC with the goal to quietly keep the world safe. There are two homeless teens named Ivy and Philip who become part of this organization and train to be spies.
Then there is Jack, already part of Talon. He trains Ivy and Philip.

Jack and Ivy take on a mission in Russia to take down one mean dude.

Oh did I mention, Jack and Ivy fall in love..nothing is better than the young love of two spies trained to kill!!

I love the action, the historical context and the idea of the secret organization.

The characters are very interesting and Philip, Ivy’s friend from forever, is so fun as his speciality is explosives.

The beginning of the book has maps and Russian terms which are used in the book and are a helpful resource while reading.

For all those that love romance and action set in the past, this one is a great choice!!

"Bravery is about standing up and going forward in spite of fear."

Be prepared for pure enchantment, delight, and adventure. J'nell Ciesielski has penned a completely different, and completely brilliant, historical romance. I was a bit surprised at the world of spies and international espionage and adrenaline-filled suspense since this is not her usual style but fell in love immediately. It's an intense mix of Mission Impossible, James Bond, and Avengers - complete with cool gadgets, slippery villains, fantastic group of characters, betrayal within the team and gasp-worthy plot twists.

I loved Ivy and Jack and Phillip. Their orphan hearts are so broken and bruised, yet they find strength in each other. Their desire for purpose and sense of belonging is thoroughly relatable. Ivy's gumption, intelligence, and compassion perfectly compliment Jack's skill, strength, firm leadership, and clear sense of responsibility as they work together as spies and assets. Ivy and Jack's love is so tender and their banter is truly fantastic. I can't wait for the second installment of the series. This book ends on a cliff-hanger of sorts and I need to find out what happens next!

This is book not to be missed. I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

"She wanted adventure, possibility, and the chance to leave a mark on the world showing that she had chosen to live."

Rating: 3/5 💫
TW: violence

How does love blossom in a time of strife? #TheBrillianceofStars by #JnellCiesielski begins with two street urchins struggling for survival on the streets of Washington DC when they eavesdrop on a conversation not meant for ordinary ears. The grit and persistence of the urchins, especially Ivy Olwen, catapults them into a new life under the secret society, Talon. While studying how to detonate and defuse bombs, dancing, European languages and lore, Ivy finds that her hardened heart softening for Jack Vale. As global tensions rise, a small group of agents are sent to Russia to stop a madman whose bloodlust manifests in an arms race that could rip the world apart.

The premise of the novel sounds fascinating, and the promise of espionage in the build-up to WWI made me excited to pick it up. I liked the exposition where the transformation of Ivy and Phillip, but having read other texts that depict similar journeys, I thought that it did not spend enough time showing the internal change in both Ivy and Phillip.

I soon realised that the novel's focus is more on the romance, rather than the espionage (at least, that's how I felt). Personally, it is not a genre I read or enjoy anymore and I was unable to appreciate the slowburn romance; I was impatient during the development of their love because I was more invested in the historical aspects of the novel. In this case, I guess that 'it's not the book, it's me'.

If you're a reader who enjoys romance against a backdrop of secrecy and global tensions, this would be the book for you. Thank you @netgalley and @thomasnelson for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Brilliance of Stars is out now (1 November 2022).

Washington D.C, 1914: Ivy Olwen is well educated in so many necessary survival skills. She knows how to handle explosives, is a sharpshooter and also knows her fair share of sabotage and wartime intelligence. Ivy knows how to take care of herself and survive the most difficult of times. She spends countless hours among the stacks of books in the library, it’s there among the quiet time that she learns so much. One of her favorite things is stargazing on the rooftop with Agent Jack Vale. They are each other's life support system. Their desire to survive is because of each other. They fight for each other and alongside each other. So, when they are sent into Russia to track down a dangerous arms dealer, the manhunt that lies ahead of them is one that will surely put all their knowledge and skills to the ultimate test.

Wow, this book completely blew me away on so many levels. I almost don’t know where to begin about how much I loved this book. The characters were absolute jewels, I loved everything about them. I was extremely impressed with the research that went into the phenomenal storyline. I was so engrossed in this book and the description of the heart racing plot had me seeing my breath as I was traipsing through the frozen tundra of Russia. I was completely propelled to the other side of the world with just the flip of the page. This story had my emotions running wild, as I was flying through the pages. This book was inspiring, gripping and absolutely impossible to put down. This is a new author to me, but has definitely soared to the very top of my auto-buy author list. She is without a doubt an author that if her name is on the cover, her book will be in my hand. I learned so much about World War I from this book, that it may be a new favorite era for me to read about. If you read only one other book the rest of the year, it has to be this one. A five star rating for this book just doesn’t seem like enough. I definitely recommend this book a thousand times.

Thank you J’Nell Ciesielski for such a phenomenal beginning to what I am sure will be a fantastic series. I enjoyed it very much, it was truly inspiring, and I highly recommend it.