Book Review: Star Bringer by Tracy Wolff and Nina Croft

About the Book:

Title: Star Bringer

Author: Tracy Wolff & Nina Croft

Page Length: 608

Publication Date: July 11, 2023

Publisher: Entangled

Synopsis: The sun is dying…and it’s happening way too damn fast.

With the clock ticking, the Nine Planets’ only hope of survival rests on a fancy space station and the alien artifact it’s carrying. Which is why it really sucks when some jackass doesn’t want the universe saved and blows that station up-while you’re still on it.

So if your only choices are flaming death or stealing a flying hunk of space junk-you pick that busted-ass spaceship. Even if it leaves seven strangers with deadly secrets trapped together: a princess, a prisoner, a con artist, a warrior, a priestess, a mercenary, and an asshole in charge of us all.

Now every faction in the galaxy is hunting this ship-from the Sisterhood to the Corporation, and the rebellion’s joining in on the fun, too. We just need to stop drinking, fighting, and screwing long enough to evade them all and save the freaking universe…somehow.

Because apparently the only thing standing between a dying sun and ultimate salvation is seven unlikely misfits…ahem, heroes.

LINKS:   Goodreads   |    Amazon

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My Review:

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 plot is layered, fast-paced, and 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

And, my word, what 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.

Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The romances.

• The political intrigue.

• The many twists, turns, and shocking reveals.

Favorite Line:

“At what point does sacrificing your humanity become acceptable? At what point does the sacrifice exceed the goal?”

Tropes:

• enemies-to-lovers
• grumpy-sunshine
• found family
• chosen one
• forced proximity