A review by crazyforbooksandcoffee
Race to Novus by R.A. Clarke

5.0

A daughter’s last chance at redemption on an alien planet. A sweeping secret that could not only end her dreams, but her life as well.Finn Rucker boards the starship to seek a fresh start as part of a colonizing effort on Joya. The race, sponsored by Governus, yields free land and startup funds for the lucky winners. The number of entrants guarantees someone is going to lose and Finn is determined that she and her bionic horse, Herc, are among the winners.Racing through uncharted jungle to the settlement of Novus, Finn and her fellow racers soon discover that not everything is as it seems – and Governus withheld information from the contestants. Strange beasts attack the racers, mechanical equipment begins to fail, and the very air seems out to get them.When all seems lost, a mysterious people arrive and help the racers, revealing the depth of Governus’ deception. Finn will have to keep her pulse pistols close and her new friends closer – but not too close – as they all race to survive the jungle. 

I had the best time reading this book and I flew through it. This was such an interesting premise I loved the story of the world building and the characters (well most of them 😂) Herc is just 😍 This book has me laughing and crying in parts.  I can't wait for more from this world and its characters. The only fault I have is it's not a great cover and as someone who falls for a cover I would never have picked this up but I'm so glad to be part of the book tour so I did. My advice is don't let the cover put you off giving this great book a go 😀