When I was awarded this book, I did something that I don’t often do. I started reading without glancing at the synopsis. I won’t lie, I am a sucker for a beautiful cover --I will choose a book based on the cover alone. And this cover is GORGEOUS. But anywho, refocusing. It was only after I finished reading that I learned that this book was described as a cross between Firefly and The Breakfast Club, and it’s the most perfect description. This book throws together the moteliest crew to save the universe from a dying sun. The only problem is that they all have secrets a mile long and trust is in very short supply. So naturally, the reader is taken along for a ride as the crew navigates space battles; political, social, and religious intrigue; new friendships and romantic relationships; and general hijinks with the snarkiest banter flying back and forth.

I loved this book and would recommend to anyone who wants to dip their toe in fantasy or sci-fi –no science degree required to understand the plot. Tracy Wolff and Nina Croft do a superb job of creating characters that took me through the whole gamut of feelings. Even when I wanted to yell what the…how could you!? I was still pulling for them. Also, the world building was just enough for what I was looking for. I’m a big sci-fi fan, but sometimes world building becomes so big that it becomes overwhelming and you’re more worried about finding the eater eggs or connecting the dots that you forget to just enjoy the book. But I also wouldn’t say that the plot or world was simple. The various planets and people came alive in my mind so easily because of not just the description, but also the commentary. The alien slang and phrases added even more depth and made it feel that much more real.

I have only one minor critique—but it would be a spoiler, (Critique can be found in my Goodreads review thats linked).

All in all this read was a pleasant surprise that I loved every minute of. I’ve always wanted to belong to a book club and this book more than ever made me wish for this. Every time I got to a scene that made me react in some way, I wanted to be able to process with someone and say “omg did you see that coming!?” Star Bringer was an easy read that was hard to put down once I started.

Star Bringer is the first in a new sci-fi romance series that is already gathering a fan base. What I most enjoyed about this story was its gang of misfit characters. Dubbed a mix between The Breakfast Club and Firefly, its cast of characters and multiple POV make for an enjoyable ride. It even reminded me of Guardians of the Galaxy for any Marvel fans. It’s chock full of well loved tropes like close proximity, enemies to lovers, and grumpy-sunshine. And I am a sucker for sentinel anything; Starlight the ship herself.

This is a fun read, but a few things did stand out that prevented it from being a favorite of mine. While this is a multiple POV story, and its characters are its strength, it did feel like some of the POVs read similar. Each chapter is marked with the characters name. While I could differentiate a couple of the characters, others I couldn’t. I felt the two romance storylines developed rather fast. And the writing style was perhaps a bit underwhelming. Though it doesn’t get in the way of the story itself which is paced well.

Overall this book was a fun light sci fi. I definitely think it will hit its mark with many readers.

3.75/4 stars

Thank you so much to Entangled, Red Tower, and NetGalley.

This is an absolutely enthralling sci-fi novel that has completely won me over. The story follows a diverse group of characters who find themselves trapped on a spaceship made of space debris, all while trying to prevent the impending doom caused by a dying sun. From the very beginning, the writing style of Wolff and Croft drew me in, seamlessly transporting me into this immersive world. The multiple points of view added depth and complexity to the narrative, and I quickly fell in love with each and every character. While the romantic relationships developed swiftly, the fast pace of the plot, filled with unexpected twists and perilous situations, kept me on the edge of my seat. Star Bringer is an extraordinary and highly enjoyable read, even for those who are not typically drawn to sci-fi, Can't wait for the next one!

Pub Date: 07/11/23
CW: death, mentions of torture, kidnapping

A huge thanks to Red Tower/Entangled for the invite. I saw the form and I IMMEDIATELY entered cause I know y’all don’t disappoint.

Ugh this was such a good book. Ian, Kali, Beckett, Rain, Max, Gage—all sweethearts, in their own special way. I’ll admit, when the space station first imploded and Lana and Arik and all those people died, I was so sad cause I actually did like them and I couldn’t believe we had so many deaths right off the bat, but hey—that’s space fiction for you. And then when I realized they had survived!!!! I got the biggest grin on my face at their reunion.

And then they died again…

And I felt like crying.

But it was so honorable of them… going out the way they did.

I loved Ian and Kali’s relationship. Like it wasn’t instalove, but Ian knew right off the bat that he liked Kali and for whatever reason he didn’t want anything to happen to her. Same with Beckett and Rain’s. Rain is such a sweetheart and has so much golden retriever energy and it’s refreshing to see it exemplified in a woman.

This book is definitely gonna be a hit come release day.

Brace yourself for an intergalactic, witty adventure with a ragtag crew upon a sentient alien spaceship. There is something in this book for every person.

Things to expect:
- found family
- adventure
- sapphic romance
- lovable characters
- spice
- grumpy and sunshine trope

The prose in this book flows perfectly, you’d never guess two people wrote it. Wolff and Croft’s writing styles complement each other. Star Bringer is my favorite book of Tracy Wolff’s to date. Part of why I think this is Wolff’s best book is because there are multiple points of view. This makes the long length fly by much faster and helps keep the pacing on track–for the most part. I’ve noticed in Wolff’s other books that her pacing is off for my taste. All her books are very long and she always loses me in the middle section. In regards to Star Bringer, the pacing felt a bit slow around the 50%-70% mark. This portion of the book was mainly about the characters and their relationships rather than anything plot-driven. I wondered at times when something would happen.

That being said, I really enjoyed this book! It’s been a long time since I read a sci-fi book and this showed me why I love the genre! Star Bringer is a fun space adventure for fans of the found family trope and romance. There are two romances in this book and there are some spicy scenes. I can’t wait to see what my new favorite squad is up to when the second book comes out!

It’s the end of life as we know it. Unless this band of misfits can save the universe. What comes next is an epic space adventure. It hits everything I need in a book.

✅ enemies to lovers
✅ character growth
✅ friendships
✅ betrayal
✅ tragic backstories
✅ snark
✅ who is actually the Big Bad?
✅ a bit of spice 🔥🔥🔥
✅ LGTBQ+ representation

I’m not a sci-fi reader but this might make me a believer. Can’t wait for book 2.

*Thank you to Red Tower, Entangled Publishing for sending me an arc to review while I’m waiting for my Hardcover to arrive.

Star Bringer by Tracy Wolff and Nina Croft was a wild ride with just the right amount of world building, spice, and found-family vibes to keep me hooked! The multi-POV approach mixed with the high-stakes plot points really made this read one of my favorite this year!

💫🩶 Star Bringer ARC Review 🩶💫

Happy Release Day Star Bringer!! Thank you so much to Tracy Wolff, Nina Croft and the awesome folks over at Entangled Publishing and Red Tower Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Star Bringer is a sci-fi adventure novel. The sun is dying and Princess Kali has been given an assignment by her mother, the Empress - attend the meeting of the ambassadors at a state of the art space station in hopes of finding a solution. When the space station is attacked, Kali finds herself escaping with a misfit group of strangers. She soon discovers that there’s a deeper mystery going on which causes her to question everything she knows

This was definitely a fun sci-fi read!! The world building and political system was super unique. The characters were really engaging and well developed. And there were a few different relationships in this book and I loved the dynamics of each of them.

Overall this was a solid 4 star read for me. This was a great story and an awesome start to a new series. The relationships felt a little bit too insta-love for my personal preferences but that’s a “me” issue and not a book issue. There was some spice in this book between a few characters/couples, but it was more centered around pregame activities and then was fade to black for the main event - so overall two flames for spice

If you’re a fan of sci-fi books with diverse characters, great world building, found family troped, forced proximity and fun banter, then absolutely pick this one up!

Note: Review will be posted to Amazon upon publication

Ahhh! I love a good band of misfits. They always tend to remind me of my very mixed found family friend group. We’re one day away from release & I can’t wait for everyone to experience this magic! 😍

There are those who are describing this book as the breakfast club in space. That’s a good description in the sense that it’s a group of people from varying degrees in society who are now in a ship trying to save themselves and their family. There are several points of view in the story, which is an interesting way to read a book. I’d like to seeing the points of use of all the different characters and the relationships were very interesting. They were various couplings, and all of them made sense. The story move fast, and I am now anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

WOW. I devoured this, it was so much fun!

Star Bringer has it all - plenty of action, quite a few near-death experiences, romance, loads of tension and tons of great banter.
I love that it's told through multiple POVs because we get the chance to really know these characters. They are all so different and if they weren’t brought together in a life or death situation, there's no way everyone would have survived that first day on the stolen spaceship.

There's no shortage of drama on their ship but while fighting for their lives trying to figure out why everyone suddenly wants them dead, they start to actually care for one another. I love the found family trope and it was done so well in Star Bringer.
There's tension between Kali and Ian right off the bat and I loved their enemies-to-lovers romance, the chemistry between them was off the charts. I really liked the romance that develops between Rain and Beckett as well. It allows us to see a softer side of the rebel we otherwise wouldn’t have seen. I'm hoping for a happy ending for these two! And the rest of the crew of course!

I’ll admit the last 10% or so had me STRESSED. But the ending? Definitely need the next book ASAP.

I honestly have trouble summarizing what this book has done to me. Tracy Wolf and Nina Croft have woven together an enthralling hi speed sci-fi world that keeps you absolutely engaged. Before you know it you've read through the night and the sun is blinding you as you've been left turning the pages with a need you never realized you had. I have never considered myself much of a Sci-Fi reader, I tend to stick in the genre of fantasy, but this co-written work by Tracy and Nina have convinced me I really should branch my scope of genre's.

Immediately we are introduced to a world in peril, but not just one world, a solar system set to explode by the extinction event of their dying sun. What they couldn't predict was that their only hope residing on a Corporation ship is attacked with a series of explosions that trap our mismatched rag-tag group of characters on what can only be characterized as a space junk relic in the shape of a ship. We are thrust into a collection of hard earned back stories and a found family where nothing is what you believe and no one can fully be trusted. With an interwoven story of twists and turns and soft moments Tracy and Nina have created a well balanced story that enraptures you and doesn't let you go.

This first book in what I imagine will be a series doesn't disappoint with its tension, drama, near-death experiences and love Star Bringer has the ability to sneak up on you. Along the way you are slowly fed layer upon layer of the inner workings of our multi-pov character journey. Kali, our resident princess, who is desperate to please her mother despite the mold the empress is trying to fit her in that she just doesn't fit. Rain and Merrick, the high priestess and her guard who are balanced on the edge of religious blind faith. Ian and Max, our morally grey sweet talking mercenaries who are our leaders on this ship of misfits, desperate to save someone names Milla. Gage, a former member of the Corporation and lastly Beckett, an escaped prisoner who is the only one who can pilot their salvation of space junk.

Do yourselves a favor, even if you're reluctant to try a new genre, Star Bringer is a great gateway for those who are looking to try something new and venture into the world of Sci-Fi, it delivers a pleasurable reading experience with characters you will fall in love with.

Star Bringer was an absolutely fun ride with twists, lovable characters, and fabulous banter! Plus multiple POV!!! I felt as though I was in space with the group trying to figure out all their struggles. Tracy Wolff as well as Nina Croft are fabulous story tellers! They found a way to give us the full view of their new solar system without info-dumping it at the start. They reminded the reader along the way of the specific character traits for each planet whenever the crew interacted with someone new/old. I greatly appreciated this considering I have the memory of a goldfish. I would recommend this book to any sci-fi lover looking for an easy-to-read, found-family, romance-inclusive story.

Another book to add to my 2023 top read list.
A princess, a prisoner, a con artist, a warrior, a priestess, a mercenary, and an asshole all escape onto a spaceship and there begins an epic sci-fi adventure I couldn't put down.

The authors gave us an intricate plot that had me guessing at times and frantically turning the pages wanting more. There was never a dull moment in this book, as we go on this journey with these characters from one planet to the next.

The non stop action had my heart racing, the romance had me swooning and the world building made it easy for me to picture it all in my mind.

I was impressed with the character development as there was a marked difference in the characters from the start to the end of the story. I loved how this mismatched group of individuals with nothing in common, went from strangers to friends and I fell in love with each of them as they all go through so much over the course of the book.

There were so many unexpected twists and turns yet the story flowed smoothly, while giving us tension, drama, near-death experiences, steam, and humor and a found family dynamic that had me captivated and fully engrossed.

Star Bringer was such a fantastic read told from multiple POV and the ending has me anxious for book 2.
Run and get this one, you will be glad that you did.

✨𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒✨
A Princess, a priest-body guard, 2 mercenaries, a high priestess, a rebel, and a sentient ship enter a bar...and everyone wants them dead.
No is not a joke but the new book by @tracywolff and @ninacroft published by @redtower that you will see everywhere starting the 11th of this month.
If you say Tracy and Red Tower I will automatically sign up because of course will be great right? And this book it is. Is a good and promising start in a series, with very unique characters, simple worldbuilding, hilarious moments, and that pinch of Star Wars style I needed this week.
So yes, by any means if you feel off and you need to escape this book is all yours and the entire Senestris system.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙙
⭐ Witty and unlike banter.
⭐ Unique characters (can't wait for you to meet them) and multiple POVs. MAX FAVORITE CHARACTER EVER.
⭐ The ship, yes, exactly THE SHIP. Best character ever.
⭐ Forced proximity.
⭐ Simple Worldbuilding in a sci-fi world. This point needs an honorary mention because is not easy to give the reader a space contest info and make it so simple and understandable, I felt like everything was an everyday info in my life.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙙
❌ The writing style was a little immature, from 2 great writers I would love to have a more articulated book.
❌ Immature characters, sometimes what they said was nonsensical.
❌ Too many swore words, ok is an adult book but you don't need to use the F word 300 times even when you don't need it.
This review is completely genuine, thank you @brittany @redtowers and @netgalley for the Arc.

This was the first book I’d read with so many different POVs, which got confusing at times, especially with all of the sci-fi story and world building, but once I really got to know all the characters it became totally addictive! The characters were all so interesting and completely different from one another so watching them become friends and some of them lovers was so fun and entertaining. It had me laughing, crying and saying so many wtfs! The book ended on such an awesome cliffhanger that it’s gonna suck having to wait for #2 to be released!

Star Bringer was amazing! I was lucky enough to receive an eARC, and it did not disappoint. I loved all the characters by the end, and there were many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Adventure, space, romance, and so many mysteries to uncover. I can’t wait for the next book! Hopefully it won’t be too long of a wait!

Wow! What a wild ride! Star Bringer is an exciting and immersive sci-fi that’s kind of like Aurora Rising meets The Breakfast Club meets Firefly. It follows seven people thrown together after an explosive and catastrophic event who must work together to survive, especially when they learn they are all wanted dead or alive. The story is fast-paced, full of twists and turns and unexpected revelations,

The story is told from several characters’ perspectives, which I liked because they are all so different. It really allows you to understand what each is thinking, feeling, and dealing with. Kali, the princess, Ian, the mercenary, Rain, the high Priestess, and Beckett, the escaped prisoner, are some of my favorites. They each have such a unique story to tell, and each perspective is as compelling as the last.

I feel like using the varied points of view gives so much insight into the characters as well as the setting, political dynamics, and more. The characters are layered and intriguing, as are the different relationship dynamics. Friendships, new and old, family, and enemies are all traveling together on a ship that is way more than meets the eye (so cool!), and their changing and growing relationships are as fascinating as the setting and plot. Even though the crew members are all so different, they slowly grow into this wonderful kind of family, and they work together really well. They become a unit, and their banter, actions, and the different points of view show how these strangers learn to work and fight together and protect and trust each other.

And the romances! Sa-woon!! There are two stand-out love stories, and I adored them both. Kali and Ian have total enemies-to-lovers vibes, and I was here for it! I always adore an angsty romance, and the princess and mercenary have it in spades. Their chemistry is off the charts, and the way they constantly gravitate toward each other without even realizing just makes my heart squeeze. I would like to officially declare Ian my new book boyfriend because I adore this snarky, protective, brooding, and loving hunk of a man.

The other main love story is more grumpy-sunshine, and it was wonderful. Where Ian and Kali have a lot of angst and sexual tension and fire, Beckett and Rain have more of a soft, sweet, and sexy love story. Their romance feels so pure and innocent, which I think has a lot to do with Rain, who is the most optimistic, enthusiastic, and hopeful of the crew. She and Beckett, who is much more abrasive and hardened, balance each other nicely.

Star Bringer is the kind of book where you become completely invested in the characters, the story, the world, and more. I was so engrossed in the story that I gave up sleep to finish it. I couldn’t put the book down until I found out what happened to the characters, whether they found the person they were looking for, if they discovered who was after them, and how they would resolve the dozens of other problems and conflicts that stood in their way. Plus, they’re facing the ever-looming eventuality of the sun destroying all of the planets in their system, and someone on the ship might be the only one who can save them. Add to that, the political unrest, rebellions, lies and manipulations, the fight for power and control, the oppressive nature of their world, alien intervention, and so much more. No pressure, though. lol

My word, it was a great ending. Though it resolved some things, it also left me with so many more questions, but in the best possible way! Also, I think the story has just scratched the surface of what is happening in this system, and I’m eager to see how the group deals with all of the antagonists working against them, especially after that revelation at the end of the book. There are so many different groups targeting them, and their lives are always at risk, and they’re also aware that the situations they’re pulled into affect more than just them. Let me tell you, it is intense, and action-packed, and so shocking. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!

Special thanks to Entangled Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

● Book Review ●
▪︎ Name: Star Bringer
▪︎ Author: Tracy Wolff and Nina Croft
▪︎ Genre: Fantasy
▪︎ Rating: 4.25 ⭐️
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● Thoughts ●
Before proceeding to this book, there are TW such as death, near death experiences, and more so please search the TW! Red Tower Books is serving us good this year! After Fourth Wing, Red Tower Books serves another fantastic book 😘. I love you Red Tower Books ❤️. This book was such a fun read and this book was such a thick book but it didn't feel like it was thick! I am not a major sci-fi fan but this is a great book if you want to get into the sci-fi fantasy genre. Fast paced book is what I needed and this book servedddddd! The romance was great but a little fast but I loved it and the twist was well incorporated too! The characters are well written and the action and adventure depicted in this book was so much funnnn! I felt like I was part of their group hehehe. The multiple POV was such a great addition because it really did well in highlighting the characters' traits/personality 👏. Yall and wait what was that cliffhanger???? I was like 🤨, did not expect that... is there a sequel??? Ummm I'll be needing book 2 pls 🥲.
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● Appreciation ●
Thank you Netgalley, Red Tower Books, Entagled, Brittainy, Tracy Wolff, and Nina Croft for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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● Tags ●
#starbringer #tracywolff #ninacroft #enemiestolovers #fantasy #booktok #books #bookish #bookrecommendations #fantasybooks #fantasy
bookrecommendations #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #fantasybookrecommendations #booksta #booktocker #redbooktowers #entangledbooks #Scififantasy #Sci-fi #arc #advancedreaderscopy

Thank you to Red Tower Books for an ARC of Star Bringer by Tracy Wolff and Nina Croft! I loved Tracy Wolff’s Crave series, so when Star Bringer was announced, I was thrilled!

Star Bringer is set in outer space and is told in multi POV. I love a good multi POV and this one, was on point. None of the POV’s felt the same and were distinctly different. We have Kali (The Crown Princess of the Nine Planets), Rain (High Priestess of the Sisterhood of the Light), Ian (Mercenary and Smuggler and-very Occasional Good guy) and Beckett (Newly Escaped Prisoner 826)

Each POV is unique to the character and you won’t want to skip anyone’s chapter. Sometimes when reading a multi POV book, you want to skip a character to get back to another’s story. This doesn’t happen with Star Bringer, each character has an interesting back story and personality that keeps you invested in their story.

I highly enjoyed Star Bringer, and I recommend picking it up. You won’t be disappointed!