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sznnbrgrn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
katyanaish's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it. Completely. And I am dying for the next.
But I am going to pick a couple nits. Keep in mind, though, that this is a 5 star book for me, so while these things irritated me, they did not trump my love for the story overall.
I don't know what to think of Nate Bridgebane.
Look. Yes. He's walking a hard line. But his choices haven't been entirely consistent, and some feel like nonsense. For example, he said - himself - in the last book that he cut away from Tess and her mom when she was like six (Tess said that's when he told her that he was Commander Bridgebane, not Uncle Nate, from now on) because it was too hard to watch what the Overseer was doing to her and her mom. That is disgusting to me. She was a child. And watching her get abused was too hard for HIM? He couldn't continue to be a safe place for her? He had to cut away from her? Fuck that guy. I will always loathe him for that.
Furthermore, he didn't have to handle everything else the way he did. He didn't have to tell her he'd kill her if she ever showed up again, when she was 8. She wasn't an idiot, she knew her father was a monster. He could have told her that HE'D kill her, and probably him, because he was supposed to kill her and didn't. But no. He betrayed her, abandoned her, and then never spoke to her again. And there was no goddamn reason for it.
Then last book, he puts a bounty on her head for 200 million units. And adds "bonus if captured alive". In this book, we're told he's a mastermind, and we've seen him do some planning that was slick. So this mastermind didn't realize that that MAMMOTH bounty would make any "bonus" for her being alive irrelevant? She had bounty hunters trying to kill her repeatedly, and they said they didn't give a fuck about the bonus - 200 million units was so much that they didn't need it, and they'd rather kill her so nothing would fuck up them collecting on that.
So Nate is either fucking stupid, or he doesn't really care about her. This book made me feel like he cares about her, but I can't reconcile all that stuff. It doesn't make any damn sense.
Which brings me to...
I fucking hated Sanaa.
Literally. I wanted someone to shoot her in the face. She's a judgmental bitch to Tess, as if Tess has no right to hate Nate. Nate did horrible fucking things to her. And I don't care if there is more context than Tess knows, he chose to treat her that way, and her hatred is the consequence of that. Sanaa kept interjecting herself, including putting a knife to Tess's throat because she wasn't treating Nate - a fucker who had led to her life being threatened repeatedly - with "proper respect". This bitch can straight-up die in a fire. I hated her more than literally other character in this book, including the Overseer. Her high-and-mighty bullshit, as if any of what Nate has done should be given a free pass, was fucking intolerable to me. Even at the end, even after everything, I was hoping she'd fucking just die already.
So those are my nit-picks. *shrug*
Still loved it. Gimme the next. *grabby hands*
But I am going to pick a couple nits. Keep in mind, though, that this is a 5 star book for me, so while these things irritated me, they did not trump my love for the story overall.
Look. Yes. He's walking a hard line. But his choices haven't been entirely consistent, and some feel like nonsense. For example, he said - himself - in the last book that he cut away from Tess and her mom when she was like six (Tess said that's when he told her that he was Commander Bridgebane, not Uncle Nate, from now on) because it was too hard to watch what the Overseer was doing to her and her mom. That is disgusting to me. She was a child. And watching her get abused was too hard for HIM? He couldn't continue to be a safe place for her? He had to cut away from her? Fuck that guy. I will always loathe him for that.
Furthermore, he didn't have to handle everything else the way he did. He didn't have to tell her he'd kill her if she ever showed up again, when she was 8. She wasn't an idiot, she knew her father was a monster. He could have told her that HE'D kill her, and probably him, because he was supposed to kill her and didn't. But no. He betrayed her, abandoned her, and then never spoke to her again. And there was no goddamn reason for it.
Then last book, he puts a bounty on her head for 200 million units. And adds "bonus if captured alive". In this book, we're told he's a mastermind, and we've seen him do some planning that was slick. So this mastermind didn't realize that that MAMMOTH bounty would make any "bonus" for her being alive irrelevant? She had bounty hunters trying to kill her repeatedly, and they said they didn't give a fuck about the bonus - 200 million units was so much that they didn't need it, and they'd rather kill her so nothing would fuck up them collecting on that.
So Nate is either fucking stupid, or he doesn't really care about her. This book made me feel like he cares about her, but I can't reconcile all that stuff. It doesn't make any damn sense.
Which brings me to...
I fucking hated Sanaa.
Literally. I wanted someone to shoot her in the face. She's a judgmental bitch to Tess, as if Tess has no right to hate Nate. Nate did horrible fucking things to her. And I don't care if there is more context than Tess knows, he chose to treat her that way, and her hatred is the consequence of that. Sanaa kept interjecting herself, including putting a knife to Tess's throat because she wasn't treating Nate - a fucker who had led to her life being threatened repeatedly - with "proper respect". This bitch can straight-up die in a fire. I hated her more than literally other character in this book, including the Overseer. Her high-and-mighty bullshit, as if any of what Nate has done should be given a free pass, was fucking intolerable to me. Even at the end, even after everything, I was hoping she'd fucking just die already.
So those are my nit-picks. *shrug*
Still loved it. Gimme the next. *grabby hands*
magine's review against another edition
1.0
Had to stop reading this at 26%. Just chaos after chaos, no breaks just go go go. Not what I was looking for, but probably fine if you want action.
ninja5phinx's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
Just because Tess, Shade, and the remaining crew of the Endeavor thwarted the Overseer and gave the super-soldier serum to the rebel team doesn’t mean their work is complete. The Overseer’s plans aren’t demolished, and If they knew exactly what he wanted to use the serum for it would make their next steps easier. As it is, they continue to fight the battle even when they’re unsure of direction.
That’s how the crew finds themselves on a mission that involves rescuing a renowned scientist whose atmospheric studies could help rehabilitate numerous planets. By bringing life back into the galaxy they’ll be more people who oppose the Overseer’s stronghold over everything. The problem is she’s being held on the Overseer’s main base of operations. With help from an unlikely source, Tess and crew just might be able to pull this one off.
I won’t lie, it’s been difficult for me to get into reading right now. I just can’t seem to focus, and there’s so much going on that even when I do carve out time for reading, I’m quickly putting it down and moving on to something else.
Well, I’m happy to say that Starbreaker brought me out of my slump. It’s exactly what I needed to read in this moment.
I enjoyed the first book, but if you asked, I couldn’t really have guessed where Amanda Bouchet would go next. There are many possibilities, and I find second books to be difficult because they often tend to be bridge books between the beginning and end of the trilogy.
I loved what Amanda Bouchet decided to do with Starbreaker. I felt like it was more character than plot driven. The main action of the story is not too surprising—although there are definitely some successfully executed white-knuckled, book-gripping moments towards the end—but it’s what the characters do in a given situation that opens up the world.
I loved getting the different perspectives between Shade and Tess’s points of view. Shade is feeling remorse over initially betraying Tess, he spends a lot of the book trying to atone for his mistakes and prove that he can be trusted, both with the missions and Tess’s heart. Being on the rebel side is all new for him, but he’s content with letting Tess lead. There were times I felt the relationship between the two was skewed a bit with Shade being more invested than Tess, but by the end I amended that to it just being the difference in their characters, and because I ultimately think this series revolves around Tess.
Tess has a lot on her plate, what with her father the megalomaniac that he is, and her uncle hunting her down. Trying to keep her crew alive while continually putting them in danger with their various missions. I loved the new perspective that Tess, and readers, gain on events from the past. Not giving anything away, I think Amanda Bouchet has really balanced well the way information is revealed. There are still plenty of questions up in the air, and I’m just as happy not knowing the answers yet as I am about the possibilities they present.
Overall, I really loved the way that the story progressed in Starbreaker. It was certainly high stakes, but ended on a positive note toward what is yet to come, and the battles left to fight.
That’s how the crew finds themselves on a mission that involves rescuing a renowned scientist whose atmospheric studies could help rehabilitate numerous planets. By bringing life back into the galaxy they’ll be more people who oppose the Overseer’s stronghold over everything. The problem is she’s being held on the Overseer’s main base of operations. With help from an unlikely source, Tess and crew just might be able to pull this one off.
I won’t lie, it’s been difficult for me to get into reading right now. I just can’t seem to focus, and there’s so much going on that even when I do carve out time for reading, I’m quickly putting it down and moving on to something else.
Well, I’m happy to say that Starbreaker brought me out of my slump. It’s exactly what I needed to read in this moment.
I enjoyed the first book, but if you asked, I couldn’t really have guessed where Amanda Bouchet would go next. There are many possibilities, and I find second books to be difficult because they often tend to be bridge books between the beginning and end of the trilogy.
I loved what Amanda Bouchet decided to do with Starbreaker. I felt like it was more character than plot driven. The main action of the story is not too surprising—although there are definitely some successfully executed white-knuckled, book-gripping moments towards the end—but it’s what the characters do in a given situation that opens up the world.
I loved getting the different perspectives between Shade and Tess’s points of view. Shade is feeling remorse over initially betraying Tess, he spends a lot of the book trying to atone for his mistakes and prove that he can be trusted, both with the missions and Tess’s heart. Being on the rebel side is all new for him, but he’s content with letting Tess lead. There were times I felt the relationship between the two was skewed a bit with Shade being more invested than Tess, but by the end I amended that to it just being the difference in their characters, and because I ultimately think this series revolves around Tess.
Tess has a lot on her plate, what with her father the megalomaniac that he is, and her uncle hunting her down. Trying to keep her crew alive while continually putting them in danger with their various missions. I loved the new perspective that Tess, and readers, gain on events from the past. Not giving anything away, I think Amanda Bouchet has really balanced well the way information is revealed. There are still plenty of questions up in the air, and I’m just as happy not knowing the answers yet as I am about the possibilities they present.
Overall, I really loved the way that the story progressed in Starbreaker. It was certainly high stakes, but ended on a positive note toward what is yet to come, and the battles left to fight.
cassandra67b07's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed Nightchaser, the first book in this series, but once I started Starbreaker I realized I had forgotten much of the political maneuvering. It came back to me though as Bouchet scatters some catchup information into the tense confrontation that begins the book.
There is less romantic tension here than in the first book where loyalties were uncertain, but the action-packed sequences made up for that and Tess and Shade are solid for each other throughout.
This is just a fun series and we need more female starship captains in fiction. I can't wait for the conclusion!
Thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
There is less romantic tension here than in the first book where loyalties were uncertain, but the action-packed sequences made up for that and Tess and Shade are solid for each other throughout.
This is just a fun series and we need more female starship captains in fiction. I can't wait for the conclusion!
Thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
ckjaer88's review against another edition
3.0
Solid second installment. There were some twist and turns I hadn't seen coming.
But the internal monologue of both Tess and Shade got very repetitive. Nt hating the insta-love, but they have gone a bit stale, they really need to develop in some way.
But the internal monologue of both Tess and Shade got very repetitive. Nt hating the insta-love, but they have gone a bit stale, they really need to develop in some way.
erinremen's review against another edition
5.0
With a new crew and a dangerous new mission Tess and Shade do their best to stay off the radar and avoid the bounty on their heads. Danger and secrets lurk at every corner and she no longer knows what is real and what is a lie. What she does know is that she will risk everything for the ones she loves and no risk is to great. It's action pact and heartfelt and I could not put it down. I am devastated it's over and I have to wait for the next one!
illborrowthisone's review against another edition
4.0
I'm officially a HUGE Amanda Bouchet fan. I love her characters and their relationships. I appreciate the multiple perspectives telling the story. In this particular series, I love the found family. This is an exciting adventure. I would be lulled into a sense of security enjoying the growth of a relationship only to find the next hitch thrown at me. What will happen next? And with the end of this book I was truly left needing know what will happen in the next book. Help me please! I need to know what is going to happen to my friends!
If you've enjoyed the found family of an Aurora Rising or The Gilded Wolves, this is a good option to satisfy your craving. Cannot wait for the 3rd book!
Thank you so much NetGalley for this eARC!
If you've enjoyed the found family of an Aurora Rising or The Gilded Wolves, this is a good option to satisfy your craving. Cannot wait for the 3rd book!
Thank you so much NetGalley for this eARC!
someonetookit's review against another edition
5.0
Starbreaker starts out where its predecessor ended off. Shade and Tess are on the run from the Overseer, her uncle is keeping her nearest and dearest hostage while Shiori has been arrested and is currently imprisoned on one of the universe's largest prison vessels. In an attempt to stave off ruin, Tess has promised 6 units of her blood in order to facilitate the continuation of the super soldier project after she stole the entire supply of serum and gave it to the Mornavail. Basically, stuff’s about to get hectic.
I absolutely adored Nightchaser with its intricate storyline and beautifully flawed cast. In Starbreaker, Bouchet once again aims for the fences. Going in to this one, I had completely forgotten the events of the previous novel because that was over 200 books ago (don’t judge me, I read a lot and hardly ever reread). But this didn’t matter all that much because there were a ton of references to it which adequately jogged my memory as to where we were in the timeline of Tess Bailey.
Telling the tale from both the viewpoint of Mr Smooth, Shade, and Tess could have gone abysmally wrong but it perfectly fit in with the overall flow of the narrative, never rehashing the current events but seamlessly changing viewpoints at the best possible time to keep it flowing. Whether it be related to their torrid love affair, current adventure or simply about them lounging around the Endeavor with their friends, every scene has its place and is immaculately constructed so as to perfectly get across the tale of Tess and her merry band of thieves - yes, she's basically a genderbent Robin Hood while he's just Shade (no relation to the Shade that we all wanted to die for in the book about castes). Also Bonk is back with a vengeance, a grudge and his nasty claws of retribution while also being a furry little engine of fuzz that gives me all the happies when they're around.
Now, there were definitely some twists throughout where I kind of guessed what was going on but not until fairly close to their reveal – they weren’t stale or thoroughly predictable, I am just ridiculously good at picking these things. One thing I do wish had have occurred is them re-entering The Fold. Although I kind of forgot about it, once references to this floating alternate universe started popping up, I sort of began to miss it. Also, things happen associated with it that made me simply stare at the wall in the early hours of the morning, contemplating my own mortality.
The Overseer has less of a starring role in this one but he still pulls the strings of the universe from the background. He's still a jerk, I still love to hate him and honestly you won't change my mind. He's bloodhungry and I wouldn't change anything about him (please don't let there be redemption arc because I like him being mean just because he can). Including that he is clearly delusional about *events that are yet to occur*. I just really need him to be around more in the future, regardless of his role, age, or relationship with people who shall not be named here.
I appreciate this review is very rambly at this point because, well, if I gave my actual thoughts on everything, it would include so many spoilers and that's a no. Basically, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It maintains a relatively fast pace and changes point of views frequently (although they are usually well timed changes). Tess and Shade continue to impress; whether it be their ingenious stealth manoeuvres to perform their various coups, their witty banter, or THOSE scenes, all their actions are relatively genius. Also, there is a seeming changing of alliances and I am al for it and their super soldiery goodness.
I absolutely adored Nightchaser with its intricate storyline and beautifully flawed cast. In Starbreaker, Bouchet once again aims for the fences. Going in to this one, I had completely forgotten the events of the previous novel because that was over 200 books ago (don’t judge me, I read a lot and hardly ever reread). But this didn’t matter all that much because there were a ton of references to it which adequately jogged my memory as to where we were in the timeline of Tess Bailey.
Telling the tale from both the viewpoint of Mr Smooth, Shade, and Tess could have gone abysmally wrong but it perfectly fit in with the overall flow of the narrative, never rehashing the current events but seamlessly changing viewpoints at the best possible time to keep it flowing. Whether it be related to their torrid love affair, current adventure or simply about them lounging around the Endeavor with their friends, every scene has its place and is immaculately constructed so as to perfectly get across the tale of Tess and her merry band of thieves - yes, she's basically a genderbent Robin Hood while he's just Shade (no relation to the Shade that we all wanted to die for in the book about castes). Also Bonk is back with a vengeance, a grudge and his nasty claws of retribution while also being a furry little engine of fuzz that gives me all the happies when they're around.
Now, there were definitely some twists throughout where I kind of guessed what was going on but not until fairly close to their reveal – they weren’t stale or thoroughly predictable, I am just ridiculously good at picking these things. One thing I do wish had have occurred is them re-entering The Fold. Although I kind of forgot about it, once references to this floating alternate universe started popping up, I sort of began to miss it. Also, things happen associated with it that made me simply stare at the wall in the early hours of the morning, contemplating my own mortality.
The Overseer has less of a starring role in this one but he still pulls the strings of the universe from the background. He's still a jerk, I still love to hate him and honestly you won't change my mind. He's bloodhungry and I wouldn't change anything about him (please don't let there be redemption arc because I like him being mean just because he can). Including that he is clearly delusional about *events that are yet to occur*. I just really need him to be around more in the future, regardless of his role, age, or relationship with people who shall not be named here.
I appreciate this review is very rambly at this point because, well, if I gave my actual thoughts on everything, it would include so many spoilers and that's a no. Basically, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It maintains a relatively fast pace and changes point of views frequently (although they are usually well timed changes). Tess and Shade continue to impress; whether it be their ingenious stealth manoeuvres to perform their various coups, their witty banter, or THOSE scenes, all their actions are relatively genius. Also, there is a seeming changing of alliances and I am al for it and their super soldiery goodness.