04/10/2023
Mihalik sticks the landing in the fast and fun final installment to her Starlight’s Shadow trilogy (after Eclipse the Moon). Recovery specialist (read: thief) Lexi Bowen arrives on Valovia for what she thinks is a run-of-the-mill retrieval job, only to learn she’s been set up. With her life imperiled by the Empress of Valovan, the last person she expects to come to her aid is Nilo Shoren, a former crewmember of the Starlight’s Shadow who betrayed her earlier in the series. Eager to avoid getting hurt again, Lexi wants nothing more than to get away from Nilo and off Valovia, but with the empress’s Sun Guardians, elite soldiers with terrifying capabilities, on the hunt, the pair must go into hiding together. Then Lexi and Nico receive news from the Starlight’s Shadow that sends them running right into more danger to save the lives of the crew they both care about so much. Mihalik effortlessly balances fast-paced action with palpable tension—and chemistry—between Lexi and Nilo. Fans won’t want to miss this exhilarating conclusion. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (June)
The heat is on in Mihalik’s addictive Starlight’s Shadow series launch…. Mihalik artfully juggles palpable romantic tension and fun action to create an epic page turner. This is sure to excite anyone who likes their space opera with a bit of spice.” — Publishers Weekly on Hunt the Stars
“The combination of emotional, slow-burn romance and rollicking, high-stakes adventure makes for a fun, fast-paced read. An exciting space-opera adventure that hits all the right romance notes.” — Kirkus Reviews on Hunt the Stars
“Jessie Mihalik’s thrilling first entry in her Starlight’s Shadow series… Amid all the action and adventure, Mihalik also shows how a group of people in close quarters can become a family. Fans of The Mandalorian or Firefly will love this sci-fi romance.” — BookPage on Hunt the Stars
“Book two of Mihalik’s trilogy sets the stage for an intense and exciting conclusion to her romantic interstellar adventure.” — Booklist on Eclipse the Moon
“Kee and Varro’s adventures on the space station are full of action and intrigue…A romance-light space adventure that still has plenty to please readers.” — Kirkus Reviews on Eclipse the Moon
05/01/2023
Lexi Bowen knows her skills as a recovery specialist means that she is not always considered on the "right side," but it is a lucrative career and she can be flexible with her morals. Besides, the war between the Valovians and FHP nearly cost her life, and she is done with all of that. But then her latest gig takes her right back to Valovia, where the Queen is still looking for her. Add to that crossing paths with the Valovian teleporter Nilo Shoren, who took her last job, and Lexi is ready to get off-world fast. When her former captain and crew disappear in Valovian space, however, Lexi and Nilo must work together to find their friends. Neither want to face a new war between their people—or the feelings that are growing between them. Loose plot points are gathered together in this third volume, creating a cohesive space opera romance series. VERDICT Following Eclipse the Moon, the "Starlight's Shadow" trilogy ends as it began: with strong female protagonists, an engaging science-fiction setting, and a sexy romance.—Kristi Chadwick
Frankie Corzo's skilled narration is a captivating enhancement to this steamy sci-fi story. Lexi's unique gifts as an intergalactic thief drag her into unexpected situations. This time she's brought back to Valovia, where she crosses paths with the charming teleporter who was responsible for her losing her last job. The two are forced to work together, making for a delicious battle of wills. Corzo continues to imbue the story with dynamic romance and pathos. The vivid characters crackle with life, thanks to Corzo's distinct voices, especially that of the emotionally scarred but headstrong Lexi. Corzo complements the story's conclusion--with its heady balance of romance and action. J.M.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Frankie Corzo's skilled narration is a captivating enhancement to this steamy sci-fi story. Lexi's unique gifts as an intergalactic thief drag her into unexpected situations. This time she's brought back to Valovia, where she crosses paths with the charming teleporter who was responsible for her losing her last job. The two are forced to work together, making for a delicious battle of wills. Corzo continues to imbue the story with dynamic romance and pathos. The vivid characters crackle with life, thanks to Corzo's distinct voices, especially that of the emotionally scarred but headstrong Lexi. Corzo complements the story's conclusion--with its heady balance of romance and action. J.M.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
2023-03-14
A thief and a teleporter team up to save their former crew in the finale of Mihalik's Starlight's Shadow trilogy.
Lexi Bowen is one of the most accomplished recovery specialists—code for thief—in the galaxy. She's nervous about taking a contract that requires her to return to Valovia, home planet of the ruthless enemies she once fought as a soldier, but the payout is too enticing to decline. Once she arrives on Valovia, she is almost immediately cornered by the Empress Nepru’s private guards. Teleporter Nilo Shoren appears in the middle of the altercation and teleports her to safety. Lexi’s history with Nilo is complicated. They were both crew members on Starlight’s Shadow, but Lexi has never forgiven Nilo for luring her to what she thought was a date only for him to steal a job right out from under her. She can’t understand why Nilo would save her now, and she’s determined to escape Valovia on her own. Nilo convinces her to accept his help escaping the empress, but their plans change when they discover Starlight’s Shadow and its crew are missing. Lexi and Nilo suspect that their friends were heading for the planet Rodeni, trying to capture a fugitive, and they set a course to mount a rescue mission. Lexi is a likable, tough-as-nails character determined to make it on her own. The truth is that she suffers flashbacks and panic attacks from the war, and she is afraid to show her vulnerabilities to Nilo. Although she tries to convince herself that her attraction to Nilo isn’t serious, she finds it impossible to resist him. In order to be together, they must learn to trust and openly communicate with each other, whether on the battlefield or in the bedroom.
An epic space adventure.
