Octavia (Tavi) was a lieutenant in the war between humans and Valovians (an alien people that is closely related to humans but evolved to have mind powers). Now that the war is over, Tavi and her former squad work as bounty hunters. When Torran Fletcher, a high-ranking Valovian, offers her team a large amount of money to find a missing heirloom, they can't afford to turn down the job. Even if it means putting her crew's safety into her former enemy's hands.

I really liked this sci-fi romance. The characters are great, the romance is slow and believable, and the story is interesting.

It would have been a five-star read, but the middle dragged a bit and the writing didn't always flow well. ( )

Holy stars x.x

Everyone knows I'm a fan of Mihalik's - her books are easily auto-buys for me because I know I'm guaranteed a rollicking good time filled with action, banter, sexy fun times and guys who maybe should quit talking while they're ahead.

This beginning of a new series has all the hallmarks - kickass female lead, male lead who definitely doesn't know what hit him, secondary chars (most of whom who I bet will be their own books in the over arching plot) with lots of kinetic charisma and of course, impossible odds defeated by stunning competency.

That's all you're getting from me til closer to release. ( )

Great start, interesting story and characters. Teleportation and mind reading are firmly in the 'fantasy' genre, not scifi.

The story turns more and more into a cheesy romance fantasy with some scifi elements. ( )

Bounty hunter, Captain Octavia Zarola and the crew of her spaceship, Starlight's Shadow have done their time as soldiers and hope to never see another Valoff - the alien race humans have tentatively made peace with after a decade long war. But when they're approached by Valoff General, Torran Fletcher and asked to track down a missing ring - the money on offer is too good to pass up. But not all is as it seems and soon Octavia and her crew are neck deep in political manoeuvrings which could see the start of a new war.

I really liked this. Like the novella, Honor and Shadows, the author strikes a good balance between worldbuilding, explanations, character development and plot. I didn't feel overwhelmed by the unfamiliar world or the extensive backstory and most importantly I didn't feel lost by any of it either. The explanations and definitions all unfold organically and the story is all the better for it.

Octavia was awesome. I loved her fierceness and desperate desire to do good and help even when it's not necessarily pragmatic to do so. The friendship between the crew was fantastic and I loved that they were all there for one another. And Luna was hilarious.

The Valoff crew was just as interesting and I was deeply invested in all the relationships developed. Torran was sweet and I loved the way the relationship developed between him and Octavia. The heat between them was steamy but very slow burn. It takes most of the book for them to sort themselves out and I was loving it.

The plot was riveting. I found myself drawn deeper and deeper into the story that 428 pages felt much shorter than you'd think. The complexities of the worldbuilding and the plot were well written and interesting and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

4.5 stars, rounded to 4 stars. ( )

Loved. ( )