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wildlyminiaturesandwich's review
4.0
NOTE: I received a complimentary eARC of this book from Albert Whitman & Company through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This may seem like a very strange and negative review for a book that I ended up giving four stars, but hear me out ‘til the end. I did generally enjoy the book; I just have a few issues with it, which is why I didn’t give it a full five stars.
**WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD**
Once you get past the very first action-packed chapter it takes a hard left into slow-mode and doesn’t really pick up again for a while, but the action is definitely worth the wait when it does. Then you need to get past the fact that the start of the book reads as though it was the second book in the series and I actually had to check several times that it wasn’t because there were a lot of things that were brought up but not explained, as though they’d been explained in a previous book and the reader already had prior knowledge of them. Most of those things were explained later on, but it was a little confusing at first.
Then there's the constant use of made-up curse words like “Miff” and “Mung”... Hoo boy, I can’t even begin to explain how annoying that got. I really wish authors would stop doing this and just either curse or don’t bother. Or if you absolutely MUST do this to keep your book in one genre, don’t use these silly words every few sentences.
The constant reminder that Ia is supposed to be this big badass space fugitive was also annoying. We get it, she’s the Bloodwolf of the Skies, Rogue of the Fringe Planets, Sovereign of Dead Space, yadda yadda yadda, you don’t need to tell us every two minutes. Especially when you don’t really back it up with her actions and instead she just spends about 80% of the book “biding her time” at the academy. Also, all of these titles have somehow been gathered in the past five years as she’s been gallivanting around space killing people and extracting revenge for the Commonwealth destroying her home planet… but she’s only 17?! How does someone become the most feared and most wanted criminal in the entire galaxy at just 17?! And Knives, who is roughly the same age is a teacher and eventually becomes the headmaster of the academy?! Half of the time I completely forgot the main characters were under the age of 20 and was completely shocked every single time their ages were mentioned.
Which brings me to my next issue… Why in the world would they want the galaxy's most wanted criminal at their most elite academy? I get that it needed to happen for the story but it doesn’t make much sense. The reason given was something like “She’s a child, we can’t kill her” but they had no issue installing what was essentially a pacemaker in her heart with a button that they could use to stop her heart whenever she misbehaved?
So why did I give this book four stars? Listen, it had it’s issues, but I was able to look past most of those issues and enjoy the story. Did it have potential to be better but fall a little flat? Sure, but it wasn’t completely bad. It probably helps that Sci-fi is my favourite genre and I really enjoy a enemies-to-lovers romance (I wish we got to see more of that but also liked that it wasn’t the main focus of the story), but overall, I actually really enjoyed this book and was looking forward to reading the second one very much.
This may seem like a very strange and negative review for a book that I ended up giving four stars, but hear me out ‘til the end. I did generally enjoy the book; I just have a few issues with it, which is why I didn’t give it a full five stars.
**WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD**
Once you get past the very first action-packed chapter it takes a hard left into slow-mode and doesn’t really pick up again for a while, but the action is definitely worth the wait when it does. Then you need to get past the fact that the start of the book reads as though it was the second book in the series and I actually had to check several times that it wasn’t because there were a lot of things that were brought up but not explained, as though they’d been explained in a previous book and the reader already had prior knowledge of them. Most of those things were explained later on, but it was a little confusing at first.
Then there's the constant use of made-up curse words like “Miff” and “Mung”... Hoo boy, I can’t even begin to explain how annoying that got. I really wish authors would stop doing this and just either curse or don’t bother. Or if you absolutely MUST do this to keep your book in one genre, don’t use these silly words every few sentences.
The constant reminder that Ia is supposed to be this big badass space fugitive was also annoying. We get it, she’s the Bloodwolf of the Skies, Rogue of the Fringe Planets, Sovereign of Dead Space, yadda yadda yadda, you don’t need to tell us every two minutes. Especially when you don’t really back it up with her actions and instead she just spends about 80% of the book “biding her time” at the academy. Also, all of these titles have somehow been gathered in the past five years as she’s been gallivanting around space killing people and extracting revenge for the Commonwealth destroying her home planet… but she’s only 17?! How does someone become the most feared and most wanted criminal in the entire galaxy at just 17?! And Knives, who is roughly the same age is a teacher and eventually becomes the headmaster of the academy?! Half of the time I completely forgot the main characters were under the age of 20 and was completely shocked every single time their ages were mentioned.
Which brings me to my next issue… Why in the world would they want the galaxy's most wanted criminal at their most elite academy? I get that it needed to happen for the story but it doesn’t make much sense. The reason given was something like “She’s a child, we can’t kill her” but they had no issue installing what was essentially a pacemaker in her heart with a button that they could use to stop her heart whenever she misbehaved?
So why did I give this book four stars? Listen, it had it’s issues, but I was able to look past most of those issues and enjoy the story. Did it have potential to be better but fall a little flat? Sure, but it wasn’t completely bad. It probably helps that Sci-fi is my favourite genre and I really enjoy a enemies-to-lovers romance (I wish we got to see more of that but also liked that it wasn’t the main focus of the story), but overall, I actually really enjoyed this book and was looking forward to reading the second one very much.
curls's review against another edition
4.0
“It’s better to have you in here working for us instead of out there making alliances with someone worse.”
Ia os feared by many in the Empire, until she is captured and forced into service to the military academy. Desperate to make an escape, she learns that having and being the enemy is not so clear cut while spending time with them.
“War was an awful thing. It left an impression on her cells, soured the blood flowing through her veins, leaving a rotten stench inside her that only she could smell. She didn’t want to admit it was guilt, but it was, festering forever in her core.”
Not a bad YA sci-fi novel. It goes between three different points of view. There is a hint at romance, but it doesn’t overpower the plot at all. It’s not a standalone, but there’s no cliffhanger ending.
“No matter how far you journey, your family is the anchor that brings you back.”
Ia os feared by many in the Empire, until she is captured and forced into service to the military academy. Desperate to make an escape, she learns that having and being the enemy is not so clear cut while spending time with them.
“War was an awful thing. It left an impression on her cells, soured the blood flowing through her veins, leaving a rotten stench inside her that only she could smell. She didn’t want to admit it was guilt, but it was, festering forever in her core.”
Not a bad YA sci-fi novel. It goes between three different points of view. There is a hint at romance, but it doesn’t overpower the plot at all. It’s not a standalone, but there’s no cliffhanger ending.
“No matter how far you journey, your family is the anchor that brings you back.”
_camk_'s review
4.0
I devoured this book in like 3-4 hours.
It's so good - the world and story are really captivating.
I loved I A and Knives of characters.
It's so good - the world and story are really captivating.
I loved I A and Knives of characters.
abumblebeee's review
4.0
3.75
Ia Cocha is feared throughout the known Universe, the name is whispered in fear throughout the Commonwealth and everything thought Ia was invincible. That is, until Ia gets caught by the General of the Commonwealth and it is revealed Ia is actually a deadly 17 year old girl. She is given the option between a prison with rapists or to attend the Commonwealth's military school. Things are about to get even more interesting for Ia and those around her.
This book was a fun, fast paced adventure through the galaxies. Space is now the home of all and there is a constant struggle over who should control the various planets and galaxies. They face some of the same struggles we face today on Earth, but instead of being problems between countries, it is problems between planets or galaxies.
Ia is a firecracker, she has earned her reputation as the Bloodwolf of the Skies and the fear she instills in those she meets. Through this novel though we see her grow and develop as a person. We also see growth in the character Brinn who ends up being roommates with Ia at the academy. They both came into their relationship with preconceived notions and theyre able to teach each other that maybe they don't know everything. The characters are very likable and real which makes the story more fun to experience.
I enjoyed my time with the story and was sad to see it end. I certainly cannot wait to see what happens with the rag tag group of characters, with the most unlikely pasts, who all end up fighting on the same team.
Ia Cocha is feared throughout the known Universe, the name is whispered in fear throughout the Commonwealth and everything thought Ia was invincible. That is, until Ia gets caught by the General of the Commonwealth and it is revealed Ia is actually a deadly 17 year old girl. She is given the option between a prison with rapists or to attend the Commonwealth's military school. Things are about to get even more interesting for Ia and those around her.
This book was a fun, fast paced adventure through the galaxies. Space is now the home of all and there is a constant struggle over who should control the various planets and galaxies. They face some of the same struggles we face today on Earth, but instead of being problems between countries, it is problems between planets or galaxies.
Ia is a firecracker, she has earned her reputation as the Bloodwolf of the Skies and the fear she instills in those she meets. Through this novel though we see her grow and develop as a person. We also see growth in the character Brinn who ends up being roommates with Ia at the academy. They both came into their relationship with preconceived notions and theyre able to teach each other that maybe they don't know everything. The characters are very likable and real which makes the story more fun to experience.
I enjoyed my time with the story and was sad to see it end. I certainly cannot wait to see what happens with the rag tag group of characters, with the most unlikely pasts, who all end up fighting on the same team.
charvi_not_just_fiction's review
5.0
This book has definitely found a special piece in my heart, in fact, I'm naming it one of the best sci-fi books I have read in my entire life! I'm really not sure what to say?
EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT.
The plot was amazing, the worldbuilding was gripping and entrancing and didn't leave me running around in circles and the author's writing style was wonderful as well. I loved the sweet little romance going on between Ia and Knives and how it didn't take up a lot of space and wasn't super gooey which would have been quite unlike both of the characters' natures. Speaking of characters, this book has a formidable cast that continued to blow me away. Brinn was an amazing character who grew from a soft and fearful girl into a warrior who demanded to be acknowledged and respected. I am absolutely here for her character arc! I really loved the dynamic between her and Ia as well/ Knives was an interesting character as we never really know what decision he's going to make? He's a confused and unsure individual who lets himself be controlled by his father, the Genr=eral but hates it at the same time. He made a very interesting character for sure.
And now we finally come to Ia, the star of the whole story. Let's just say I would gladly lay down my life for her at any point of time. IA IS A BADASS WARRIOR QUEEN AND I LOVER HER TO INFINITY!!! It's been such a long time since I found a new, well-developed badass queen to worship! Watch me, I'm never ever going to stop talking about her!
So in conclusion, YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!
EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT.
The plot was amazing, the worldbuilding was gripping and entrancing and didn't leave me running around in circles and the author's writing style was wonderful as well. I loved the sweet little romance going on between Ia and Knives and how it didn't take up a lot of space and wasn't super gooey which would have been quite unlike both of the characters' natures. Speaking of characters, this book has a formidable cast that continued to blow me away. Brinn was an amazing character who grew from a soft and fearful girl into a warrior who demanded to be acknowledged and respected. I am absolutely here for her character arc! I really loved the dynamic between her and Ia as well/ Knives was an interesting character as we never really know what decision he's going to make? He's a confused and unsure individual who lets himself be controlled by his father, the Genr=eral but hates it at the same time. He made a very interesting character for sure.
And now we finally come to Ia, the star of the whole story. Let's just say I would gladly lay down my life for her at any point of time. IA IS A BADASS WARRIOR QUEEN AND I LOVER HER TO INFINITY!!! It's been such a long time since I found a new, well-developed badass queen to worship! Watch me, I'm never ever going to stop talking about her!
So in conclusion, YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!
rampion12's review
2.0
Interesting things happened, I would have liked to actually read about them happening
rwxtd's review
4.0
I didn't think I'd end up liking this book as much as I did when I first started it. I didn't really become invested until about ten chapters in, because at the beginning I was pretty sure I knew where it was going. When Brinn was introduced, I felt like I knew her story already. When Knives was introduced, I felt like I knew exactly the kind of character he was. I just sort of felt like I already knew where the story was going before it started- that's the only reason I took a star off.
However! Like I said, I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would. Parts of it did go how I was expecting, parts of it didn't, parts of it went how I was expecting but did it in a way that the predictability didn't really bother me. Mostly I liked the characters and their relationships to each other, and I liked the sort of complicated politics of the world- it felt like there was one Big Enemy at first, and now I'm not sure if there's the same Big Enemy, or a different Big Enemy, or if everyone's an enemy except for a small handful of surprisingly competent teenagers. It's complicated for the characters and the readers, and I like that.
Speaking of characters: There are three main characters who have POVs and several side characters that are important as well. I liked Angie, she didn't end up being the one dimensional trope I was kind of expecting and I really appreciate that. I liked that Ia became friends with her guards, I just thought that was kind of a funny detail. General Adams is detestable, of course, and I'm very interested to see what ends up happening there in the future. I wish we had seen a little more of Bastian and Knives because it's clearly an important relationship, but we didn't get to see much of it.
Ia is great- her sort of moral struggle is really interesting and one of the things I didn't expect to like so much was seeing her struggle with doing the right thing, and figuring out what the right thing was.
Brinn was also great, her story was a little more what I was expecting but I still really liked it. It's very much about her trying to come to terms with and own her identity, and not hide from hate but be proud in spite of it. I loved her relationship with Ia and how protective Ia was of her as soon as they became friends.
Knives was my favorite. I think the fact that I always end up liking characters like Knives definitely says something about me, I just don't know what and at this point I'm too afraid to ask. Anyway, I really liked Knives. I know he's only a teacher because of nepotism but it still feels kind of dumb to make a nineteen year old be a teacher. Regardless, I really liked how he was sort of struggling with right and wrong almost in a similar way to Ia? Like he had become disillusioned and no longer believed that what he had been fighting for was right, and now he was trying to figure out what to do next, which I found interesting. I also liked the romance subplot, but I'm just a sucker for a good cute romance subplot.
Quick trigger/content warnings: racism (directed against a made up fantasy race, there are also slurs but they're also made up), slavery, death, blood
To conclude: this is a good one! Took a while to really get into it because it seemed pretty "tell don't show" and kind of predictable at first, but I ended up really liking it. It's got really interesting characters that are a lot more morally ambiguous than I was originally expecting and some really well done storylines and relationships.
However! Like I said, I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would. Parts of it did go how I was expecting, parts of it didn't, parts of it went how I was expecting but did it in a way that the predictability didn't really bother me. Mostly I liked the characters and their relationships to each other, and I liked the sort of complicated politics of the world- it felt like there was one Big Enemy at first, and now I'm not sure if there's the same Big Enemy, or a different Big Enemy, or if everyone's an enemy except for a small handful of surprisingly competent teenagers. It's complicated for the characters and the readers, and I like that.
Speaking of characters: There are three main characters who have POVs and several side characters that are important as well. I liked Angie, she didn't end up being the one dimensional trope I was kind of expecting and I really appreciate that. I liked that Ia became friends with her guards, I just thought that was kind of a funny detail. General Adams is detestable, of course, and I'm very interested to see what ends up happening there in the future. I wish we had seen a little more of Bastian and Knives because it's clearly an important relationship, but we didn't get to see much of it.
Ia is great- her sort of moral struggle is really interesting and one of the things I didn't expect to like so much was seeing her struggle with doing the right thing, and figuring out what the right thing was.
Brinn was also great, her story was a little more what I was expecting but I still really liked it. It's very much about her trying to come to terms with and own her identity, and not hide from hate but be proud in spite of it. I loved her relationship with Ia and how protective Ia was of her as soon as they became friends.
Knives was my favorite. I think the fact that I always end up liking characters like Knives definitely says something about me, I just don't know what and at this point I'm too afraid to ask. Anyway, I really liked Knives. I know he's only a teacher because of nepotism but it still feels kind of dumb to make a nineteen year old be a teacher. Regardless, I really liked how he was sort of struggling with right and wrong almost in a similar way to Ia? Like he had become disillusioned and no longer believed that what he had been fighting for was right, and now he was trying to figure out what to do next, which I found interesting. I also liked the romance subplot, but I'm just a sucker for a good cute romance subplot.
Quick trigger/content warnings: racism (directed against a made up fantasy race, there are also slurs but they're also made up), slavery, death, blood
To conclude: this is a good one! Took a while to really get into it because it seemed pretty "tell don't show" and kind of predictable at first, but I ended up really liking it. It's got really interesting characters that are a lot more morally ambiguous than I was originally expecting and some really well done storylines and relationships.
lisamparkin's review
5.0
This is the space adventure I’ve been waiting for! Strong female characters, friendships, slow burn romance and a lots of high stakes missions. YES.
Some of the plot threads took me to places I wished for more info on, but it’s only because I loved it and wanted more.
Some of the plot threads took me to places I wished for more info on, but it’s only because I loved it and wanted more.
thecontrarybookworm's review
4.0
2023 Challenge ➳ Judge a Book by Its Cover. Read all of the books on my “Beautiful Covers” shelf!
3.5*
I really should read more futuristic sci-fi books. Especially the ones set in space. They're so entertaining.
Ignite the Stars reminded me of a cross between Skyward and Aurora Rising, both books I enjoyed reading. However, this book had wonderful messages about war, friendship, and acceptance. That's part of the reason I liked it so much.
I wish the world had been described more extensively and that the plot had been more riveting, but it was definitely a worthwhile read.
3.5*
I really should read more futuristic sci-fi books. Especially the ones set in space. They're so entertaining.
Ignite the Stars reminded me of a cross between Skyward and Aurora Rising, both books I enjoyed reading. However, this book had wonderful messages about war, friendship, and acceptance. That's part of the reason I liked it so much.
I wish the world had been described more extensively and that the plot had been more riveting, but it was definitely a worthwhile read.