“Some ends are just a new beginning…”

This book sucked me in from page one and didn’t let go until the end. Right from the start you get a feel for the main character Tess and the dynamic of her family of misfits. It was so well done, and I was already invested in the story from chapter one. The interactions and dialogue reminded me of an urban fantasy and I’m all for an urban fantasy in space.

The characters were layered, and each had their quirks, flaws and good qualities. I was especially intrigued by the main character’s backstory with her family and unfortunate childhood. I don’t want to go into too much detail and spoil things, so you’ll have to read the book to see what I’m talking about.

The worldbuilding was great, with a society and hierarchy that felt very believable (and quite horrifying if I’m honest). The whole situation in that world was bleak with the tyrant Overlord repressing creativity and spontaneity for the sake of so-called peace. A peace that meant constant fear of both the authorities and your neighbors (who could turn you in for so little as a colorful clothing choice). Not a fun existence…

Tess Bailey and her crew have been on the run for years, doing what they can to try to ease the misery of less fortunate areas of the universe. The latest Robin Hood-like heist don’t go as planned though and draws the attention of a vicious military general. In a bid to repair their ship after an ill-fated run-in with said general, they take a chance and lands on a well populated planet. There Tess gets to know Shade Ganavan and as events unfold, she must decide if she can trust him with more than the repairs of their ship.

Even though I felt like one of the twists could have benefitted from being harsher, I still liked it and felt very satisfied when it was revealed. Overall, I loved this story and if you also love reading about kickass rebel heroines and heroes with hearts of gold, this book is for you!

I haven't read the first series by Amanda Bouchet, but I heard great things about it. So I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read an ARC of this new series, even though I don't read much science fiction. And I absolutely loved it! I'd read more sci-fi if there were more books like this.

Tess and her crew were thieves, but they gave the stolen goods to those who were desperately in need of them...things such as vaccines. Think of Robin Hood crossed with Star Wars. They captured a science lab which they believed held vaccines that were needed at the orphanage where Tess once lived. They were pursued by the Overlord's forces, and her ship Endeavor was badly damaged. They escaped and landed on a planet where they could get repairs. There she meets Shade. Shade is very attracted to Tess, but he is extremely conflicted. Should be follow his heart or his brain?

Tess was an awesome heroine; she was very strong and smart, but also had a huge heart. I just loved Shade. He was a strong alpha male, but he struggled between what he needed to do and what he wanted to do. Their chemistry was off the charts, and their physical time together was beyond steamy. The supporting characters were interesting, especially Jax. The parts of the story I loved best, though, dealt with books and cats. Both are extremely important parts of my life. I snickered and cried throughout the story. There was nothing I didn't like about this book. I can't wait for the next one!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Tess Bailey and her crew of Nightchasers are on the run from the Dark Watch because they have managed to steal a floating lab filled with vaccines which they want to distribute more fairly than the existing government would. While attempting to hide in the Dark, they are surprised by the sudden appearance of a Dark Watch ship commanded by Captain Bridgebane...who is also her uncle. As it turns out, Tess Bailey is a pseudonym and her real name is Quintessa Novalight, the long lost daughter of the evil Overseer and is believed to be dead. (This is the kind of twist I would expect to come later in the story, but I loved how it happened!) In order to escape capture and prevent the vaccines from falling back into the Dark Watch's hands, Tess decides to take the Endeavor into a black hole, expecting that to be the end.

But of course it isn't, otherwise this would have been a REALLY short book! When they emerge on the other side, they are forced to navigate to a nearby planet Albion 5 to restock their supplies and make repairs to the ship. Now is when the fun really starts! In Albion City, Tess meets Shade Ganavan when she goes to his store to arrange for the needed parts and labor. Instant sparks of course! There is a lot of fun banter between the characters while there is no missing where their relationship is headed, it allows for a lot of humor to balance out the steam.

More importantly though, their meeting has a side effect of leading Tess to a bookstore owner named Sue and her cats, of which Bonk is the tabby who 'picks' Tess to be his person. (As an aside, is there any greater combination than cats in a bookstore?? It's like Amanda knows my secret dream-when I win the lottery, I want to open a bookstore slash cat sanctuary!) While granted this is a small part of the storyline, it was one of my favorite parts the fact that cats appear at all in this book was enough to gain my interest, even if it hadn't been written by Amanda!

In addition to the cats though, there is one other aspect I loved and that is the secrets that Tess and Shade hide from each other in the beginning. Tess of course is hiding her past and the true reason she is on the run and Shade? Well, it turns out that in addition to being a shop owner slash repair man, he is also a successful bounty hunter-and the next big contract is on Tess. We all know that I am a huge fan of angst and throw in some misunderstandings (and sex!) and I'm a happy camper! I would definitely recommend this to readers who like space opera, with a touch of suspense on the side. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, and the further adventures of Bonk, uh Tess and Shade!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the chance to read it early!

This is the first installment in the Endeavor series and a little bit of a departure from what I typically read. I enjoyed the first in the Kingmaker Chronicles a lot, so I was curious what Bouchet would have to offer in the sci-fi genre. I figured if things went well, reading a wider variety under the speculative fiction umbrella could be in my future.

One of the things I remembered about this author's writing is that she excels in creating secondary characters with real depth and emotion. Her Beta Team were standouts in their own rights that are bursting with potential to be fully fleshed out in their own stories. Once again, we see a fascinating interplay of friendships that tug on your heartstrings in Tess's ragtag rebel crew.

Jax and Fiona in particular had some really emotionally charged scenes with Tess that were brilliantly done. Jax had a heartbreaking history that he still battled to recover from. He held his new family close to his chest with a fierce protectiveness towards the group. Particularly Tess, whom he'd been partnered with in prison on Hourglass Mile. The relationship of the entire crew was a bond closer to family, strengthened by mutual respect and trust.

Nightchaser begins in a high-octane moment that effortlessly slipped me into the futuristic world. As the captain of the ship, Tess is faced with either surrendering to the galactic military who are demanding to board, or a suicide flight into a black hole. My first impression of the book was a very Star Wars-esque feel which couldn't have made me happier. Tess is like a mash up of Han Solo and Robin Hood, both rebel smuggler and thief who steals for the poor and downtrodden. Who wouldn't love that?

Besides the obvious heroic attributes, I liked Tess for her love of books and reading. She doesn't put value on monetary wealth, instead giving what she steals to the kids in the orphanage where she grew up. The things that are important to her are freedom. Creativity. Imagination. All of the things that had been stripped away from humanity through Galactic Overseer Novalight’s reign. She shares opinions freely that many are scared to voice.

The dictatorship government was an interesting theme. You step inside what it would be like to be ruled by a regime that runs on fear and total oppression. To always be at risk of going to jail or being killed for simple things like owning a "contraband" book or speaking out against inhumane treatment. Tess uses her time while grounded to repair their ship and savor her feet being on solid ground for a short while. She's so used to floating out in the deep darkness of space that she's missed many simple joys in life. Ocean waves crashing over her bare feet on the beach, sunlight on her skin, and just...breathing.

My excitement started to wane in the middle of the book because the lagging time they spent on Albion 5 was just too long. I'm always up for romance in my books, no matter what sub-genre. But in this case, unfortunately the romance portion was underwhelming. Both Tess and Shade are hiding a lot from each other, things that are vital to understanding who they are as a person. I couldn't really connect much to them as a couple. Shade is downright deceptive the entire time, though he is at war with his conscience about it. Which to be honest became a little repetitive for me. He yo-yo'd back and forth with determination to betray her and his unrest because of his growing admiration. Which of course would send mixed signals when he'd retreat, giving her a sudden cold shoulder in an attempt to keep his distance emotionally.

I didn't really understand why Tess would ignore his standoffish attitude that flicked on and off. It was like a school girl crush controlled her, and she was always pursuing him and giving him trust when he hadn't earned it. I think knowing the entire time that their relationship was based on lies and deception had me just waiting for the fall out. The movement of their feelings towards love was too rushed, especially when the narrator kept repeating that Tess was slow to trust because of her past. That certainly wasn't the case here, and he didn't go out of his way to prove she could. His charisma and charm were enough to disperse her aversion to romantic entanglements. She wasn't a consistent character that was tough, guarded, and exuded leadership traits. At times she was anxious and unsure, reckless rather than brave.

Issues aside with the pace and the romance, the last 30-35% or so really picked up and delivered on the suspense. Overall, it wasn't too bad of a read, and I am curious what she will uncover about the anomaly in her blood. Will the effect of the serum be catastrophic in the long run? Maybe I expected too much action upfront because that was such a strong element in the Kingmaker Chronicles. Bouchet's skill in creating and expressing those scenes are flawless and I wanted to see it shine at the front of the story more. This first installment could be a stepping stone into a higher density of space battles. But more importantly, clashes with the evil Overlord are guaranteed after the continuation.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2019/01/01/nightchaser-by-amanda-bouchet/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
&nbsp;

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
&nbsp;
I didn't expect space opera, but I couldn't be more pleased. For those who are more focused on romance, there's the start of one here. <strong> Nightchaser</strong> is an unexpected pleasure. Of course, it's the characters which make it great.  There is definitely the urban fantasy feel of a longer story arc with a crew of quirky, beloved friends who are like a family.

Tess is young and does have some flaws. She hasn't had an easy life and it isn't easy now. She learns more about her own history and I suspect there's plenty more to learn. Her heart is in the right place and she easily puts others before herself.   I had worries about Tess being overconfident and too trusting, ie TSTL. Luckily, she has that crew to support her when problems arise.  Shade has been drifting since his parents died and now he is intrigued. I rather like him. The man has some talents.

There is a lot of action and politics; this is only the beginning of the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/222616-endeavor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>Endeavor series</strong></em></a>. I need to know lots more about the world and these characters.  I liked the amount of information and details though, enough without being overwhelming. I am definitely looking forward to more; it's exciting!

What a rush! From the opening heart-pounding chapter to the last one Ms. Bouchet keeps you on the edge of your seat with this book. I wasn't sure what to expect in this new series because her previous trilogy KINGMAKER CHRONICLES was epic fantasy stories. Jumping from that genre to space opera could have been a stretch, but Ms. Bouchet does it with aplomb.

This new series follows Captain Tess Bailey and her ragtag crew. They are the night chasers--stealing medicine, food and whatever else is needed to delivering them to the orphans all the while running from the Dark Watch. Following a harrowing escape, Tess hires Shade to fix her ship before she can outrun the evil minions again. Shade is a bounty hunter for the empire and when he finds out the bounty on Tess's head, he struggles with what to do. Should he turn her over to the Dark Watch or follow his growing attraction and the need to keep her safe?

The plot moves along quickly. Just when you think Tess and her crew are momentarily safe, another twist takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I was so invested in this story, I didn't want it to end. Ms. Bouchet has written a story that will knock your socks off with the tension, emotion and action throughout the story. I can't wait for book 2!

' "Evil is evil!” [... not] "a perspective".'

Ok I'm totally sold on Nightchaser! The characters are feisty, heroic, damaged and easily identified with. A fast paced romantic space opera with Bouchet's particular brand of panache. I can well see why she claims Robin Hood and Star Wars as her muses, referring to "these characters and their epic struggle" as strong influences. I'm also seeing shades of Elizabeth Moon's Vatta series.
Captain Tess Bailey and her crew, escapees from an horrendous prison are committed to righting wrongs against a harsh and intractable dictator, the conquering Overlord. With the opening sequence, Tess and crew find themselves in an unwinnable situation. And this is just the beginning!
Tess' soliloquies on the place of novels in this totalitarian world are a window into Bouchet's soul.
“Because novels stir feelings, wishes, and the heart,” [Tess] said. “Not all ideas and thoughts need to be proven, or even can be, and the Overseer is only interested in—no, only allows—what can be measured and quantified and put in a neat little box.”
And again Tess' (Bouchet's) magical thoughts on "kindred spirits".
"For some reason, it made [Tess] think of a huge web connecting everyone who fought the oppressive regime in whatever way they could, big or small. The image morphed into stars, bright spots of hope and courage winking all over the Dark—one giant constellation, spread out, but strong. Stronger than the Overseer thought."
I'm in love with the enticing Shade Ganavan (drool!) who manages to both complicate and simplify his and Tess' situation. Shade himself is pulled between his own long term plans and his unexpected feelings for Tess. The chemistry between them goes nova!
I'll also be fascinated to find out what the Big Guy's story is and where other characters will develop. Ahh! So many questions that only future parts of the series will reveal. I can hardly wait!

A NetGalley ARC

Whoa. I don’t really know what I was expecting from this, but I definitely didn’t get it. And I mean that in the best possible way! Normally I’m not a huge sci-fi person, but this book was such a fun read and I got completely sucked in from the very beginning.

This is my first time reading anything by Amanda Bouchet and I think from the description I was expecting this to be more of a classic, cliched romance novel set in space. But I’m so happy to be proved wrong! If Firefly and Robin Hood came together to have a romance book love child, it would be Nightchaser. So basically all of my favorite things together in one place.

We’re dropped right in the action at the the tail end of a high-speed space getaway, almost as if there’s a beginning chapter missing. Normally it bothers me when books do this because I find it jarring, but I really loved the way Bouchet framed it! It made me really engage with the story and want to know more about what was going on. Over the course of the story, we get little bits and pieces that slowly form a bigger picture and it was great watching it all unfold.

Plus, the characters are GREAT!! I got so attached to everyone, even Bonk the cat. Jax was a sweetie, Miko and Shiori gave me all the feels, and Fiona’s spunky attitude always made me laugh. And Shade and Tess. UGH. I loved it. The writing style is pretty simple and straightforward, but that didn’t bother me. I was too wrapped up in the universe to care.

And that ending was SO CRAAAAAAAZY!!! I was NOT prepared for the utter insanity I was slapped with. It was GREAT.

↬ FINAL WORD
This was such a fun sci-fi romance and I’m TOTALLY on board for the next one!

I can honestly say I’ve never read a book like this one before. This is so sci-fi but with romance and written in such a way that I was totally absorbed into the story from the first page. There is plenty of adventure, drama and action as well as a wonderful chemistry between the hero and heroine. I worried what type of decision Shade was going to make and how Tess would respond to his actions. It was the perfect amount of angst to keep the romance part of the story moving even while Tess is leading a group of rebels and keeping some pretty deep secrets to herself.

Tess is a strong, independent heroine with a deep drive to protect those that she considers family. I loved her character in every way possible. Shade was protective and alpha enough to keep an eye on her but smart enough to know she led her own life and he couldn’t dictate to her.

This is a lengthier book but it never felt bogged down or wordy. The secondary characters are awesome and the twists had me reading wide-eyed and transfixed. The steam factor didn’t even register to me because it was all about Tess, Shade and their gang and the danger that hovered dangerously close to them. The ending is a cliffhanger but it has a happy for now quality to it even as the future for these characters is uncertain.

And now the wait for book 2…

I thoroughly enjoyed this authors recent fantasy romance series and simply couldn't resist this her new sci fi romance one. This the first book sets the scene with Tessa and her fellow crew members trying hard to undermine the ruling minority and helping to support those who are oppressed. Ok so far that's not sounding particularly different but the twist here is that Tessa is apparently the supposed very dead daughter of the big, bad Overseer ! It gets even more complicated when the reader realises that Tessa has very different blood to everyone else and its blood that has the most amazing properties but exactly why does Tessa have it ?
This is hard to review because parts of this I loved , for example the very exciting high octane space walk that occurs but I did feel a tad bewildered by a character who is present at the beginning of this book only to disappear but then miraculously reappear for the end ! I enjoyed getting insights into the crew who share a tragic past with Tessa but alas any advance of their camaraderie is sadly changed by the way this story ends.
It is a romance with a big, strapping hero in Shade who like Tessa has secrets of his own. Plus I enjoyed that the author gave us insights into what Shade was thinking and feeling. I honestly didn't understand Tessa at times though as she's been on the run, hiding who she is only to start blurting it out to just about anyone which really did not make sense. Plus at twenty six she's a woman who knows what she wants physically and yet constantly blushes and doesn't understand flirting ? That really felt odd but luckily the story progressed enough that I could stop feeling incredulous and actually start to really engage with things happening. I would love to read more in this series and I'm left with ideas, questions and possibilities floating around my head but unfortunately until the author writes the next book I will just have to wait !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

A brilliant start to a great new series. I can’t wait for the next book! A great new world, a fresh new take on space.

I thoroughly enjoyed Nightchaser, the first in Amanda Bouchet's new series, and now I know that I need to move her Kingmaker Chronicles up on my TBR.

Bouchet builds a fantastical world that drew me in. I am truly intrigued, and I look forward to learning more about it in the upcoming books.

I also loved the dynamic between Tess Bailey and Shade Ganavan. Smoking hot chemistry and wicked banter mixed in with both heated and sweet moments; it was great!

I'm hoping for more of them as well as a closer look at the rest of the Endeavor crew.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

Scrambled, abrupt plot drops, character black holes, unbelievable characters. (possible spoilers) -This started out really good. I loved the action, the mystery man, the ship the mystery. At about 15% everything went wonky. The books is filled with cliches and I saw the big moments coming from the very beginning, no surprises These people are running for their lives, they are escaped prisoners with bounty's on their heads they can not trust anyone. Too bad the story didn't stick with that little detail. Then the "big guy" (yes that was his title) who was introduced and seeming to have a major part just vanished from the story. Okay, I was thinking he'll be right back with some trick to get them going on to the next level right ? No, it's didn't happen till the end, (the end !) when he just popped up again out of the mist and was accepted back into the fold. The MC the most wanted of them all, is so wishy washy, she trusts no person, then blabs her whole story to a complete stranger she just met, and wants to do business with. Then she takes a shower in this strangers house ! What ? Okay she's dirty, water is tight on the ship, something mentioned so many times, but really? You are in so much danger, wanted, hunted and you take a shower in a strangers house ? Wait there is more. She steals a dangerous super solider vaccine, and finds out it's made from her blood. So because she's a super special girl she can drain herself almost dry to make a fix it for some sick kids. The story goes from this super solder vaccine to sick kids with whiplash speed. The vaccine that can cause war/death/destruction suddenly becomes almost forgotten in the story, it's all about saving these orphans, yeh orphans. I could go on but I think you get my feeling on this one. What happened ? I had this author on my top 20 list, this doesn't read like her work at all. Her last 2 books declined in quality this one dumped. I'm done and will not invest in her writing anymore.

I loved Amanda Bouchet's other books but I just couldn't get into this one. I wish i could have finished it but I couldn't. i will try again in the future and hopefully I will enjoy it then.

Captain Tess Bailey and the crew of the Endeavor have just stolen a research lab (Yes, the entire lab. It even had a man inside it at the time.) from the Galactic Overlord, hoping to deliver the vaccines it held to sick children in an orphanage. But the lab turned out to be much more important than Tess thought since it was not developing vaccines, but super-soldier serum. Consequently, the authorities caught up with the Endeavor much sooner than expected. What’s a starship captain to do when she absolutely can’t go back to prison? Fly right into a black hole, of course.

Instead of being crushed to death, Tess and company find themselves on the other side of the galaxy with just enough power left to make it to Albion 5. There Tess meets self-proclaimed “Space Rogue” Shade Ganavan who claims he can get the parts to fix her ship. He’s also easy on the eyes and quick with the flirtatious comments. But Shade is more than he seems and his secrets may come back to bite Tess and her crew. And it’s only a matter of time before the authorities figure out she’s not dead.

Nightchaser is a romance, so Tess and Shade’s relationship is a major part of the story. I loved the banter and the tension between them from the very beginning. There’s also clear consent and none of the kidnapping stuff that bothered some readers about Bouchet’s first series.

But I loved the sci-fi elements too. It’s easy to see the Star Wars influences, though I kept thinking of The Hunger Games with the numbered sectors and their monochromatic ruler. And there are some interesting differences as well, like the fact that there are no “aliens” and all of the people are descended from Earth. The comparative literature part of my brain is having lots of fun with this book.

I felt like the story dragged a little bit while Tess and Shade were in their “getting to know you phase” and again at the end when getting them to their HFN. And I would have liked to see the crew actually pull a heist instead of starting at the moment of their almost-capture. I feel like Tess is a competent captain and capable of defending herself, but I only know that because she says so. What she often shows is her reliance on Shade and her partner Jax when things get physical. I think seeing her cat burglar skills in action would have helped that. (Plus, heist scenes are just really cool.)

But overall I thought Nightchaser was a lot of fun. If you like Star Wars, Dark Matter or Killjoys, you’ll want to check this one out.

Let me start by saying Amanda Bouchet can do no wrong in my eyes. The Kingmaker Chronicles made my life and I was all a-tingle when I saw Nightchaser announced. If you love a female lead who kicks ass and flies spaceships, then Captain T. Bailey is your girl. This is a sci-fi winner, folks. You have your different planets, worm-holes, chaos, and flying by the seat of your pants action! Buy it, read it, and then read it again.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for this ARC!

From a universe of myth, magic and ancient Gods Ms. Bouchet author of the Kingmaker Chronicles takes us into a Star Wars like space odyssey where Captain Tessa Bailey, the emperor's daughter is fueling the rebellion to take down the evil empire ruled by her father. In the first of a three part series Tessa uncloaks herself, lays down the gauntlet and takes on the evil empire. Relax fellow readers, this is a romance and the author hasn't short changed us in the romance and chemistry department.
Death seemed like a certainty when Tessa and her loyal crew surrounded by the enemy make a suicide move. Lo and behold their surprise when they find that they've actually fallen into a wormhole and escaped the enemy to land in another universe. While they might have escaped immediate annihilation their ship is damaged and in dire need of repairs forcing them to find a berth dirtside. Here Tessa runs into Shade Garavan who runs a spare parts and repair shop. Despite Shade's obvious surface attributes there are a lot of hidden depths and Tessa might just have bitten on more than she can chew as time will tell.
The story gets quite exciting with bounty hunters and secret weapons which can hurt as well as heal as Tessa gets off the ground with a target on her back right into the arms of the evil general looking for her. Tessa has difficult choice ahead of her but between unexpected allies and enemies hot on her tail, will Tessa live to fight another day? Since this is the first of a three part series the answer to that question is pretty clear.
I'm quite excited at this new series and can't wait to see how the story will play out especially given all the various hooks and threads that this story has laid out.

Nightchaser is the first book in Amanda Bouchet’s new Sci-Fi series and if you haven’t added this one to your TBR shelf yet, I recommend you do. I loved Bouchet's Kingmaker Chronicles series, so I was excited to get my hands on this book and right from the start I was pulled into an action-packed story that had a number of twists and turns.

Tess Bailey is the main character in this story and she has plenty of secrets, most of which would either get her killed or put into a laboratory. Tess has not had an easy life and everything that has happened to her so far has made her stronger and more willing to do whatever she needs to in order to protect the people she loves. As captain of the Endeavor, her crew’s lives are in her hands, but they have become the family she needed and right from page one, it’s clear that this group is there for each other but also, willing to stick together no matter what danger they are in.

From the first page of this book, the action pulled me right into the story. It’s clear Tess is running from something, and I mean more than just the fact that she stole a floating lab from the government. With the Dark Watch surrounding her, Tess still keeps a level head and gives her crew the option of following her or escaping on a pod. Of course, no one was willing to abandon her and as they make a jump through a questionable black hole, they end up somewhere they never expected, another sector.

There are a number of secondary characters in this book that help move the story along, most of which make up the crew of the Endeavor. Jax is probably my favorite out of the entire group. He has so much history with Tess and their relationship is one where they love each other like family because of everything they have been through together.

The other character I will mention is one Tess meets when looking for someone to repair her ship after the face off with the Dark Watch. His name is Shade Ganavan and he is something else. I loved his arrogance and the banter he and Tess had throughout the story. As with Tess, Shade is hiding something and while we know what it is (no…I’m not telling), Tess has no clue and is completely unaware of the internal battle he is having as he is drawn to Tess more and more.

The attraction Shade and Tess have to each other is clear to everyone and as they find themselves both acting on it and then in Shade’s case, trying to back off, I couldn’t help but want them to just get together. Bouchet did a great job of showing the conflict that Shade had throughout his interactions with Tess and the rest of the crew. The romance and way the relationship evolved was well done even though it felt quick.

The one thing I wish there was more of in this book was a better explanation of the sectors and how the Overseer came to power. I am hoping that in the future books, there is a better explanation around all the different sectors (at least those that are important) and how everything evolved into this world.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out the next in the series when it is available. It has plenty of action, a developing romance, and the secrets that are revealed along the way are keeping things interesting. I will be curious to see where the rest of this story goes with Tess and her family as well as the other pieces that are unresolved. If you’re looking for an adult Sci-Fi with a bit of romance, consider checking this one out!

There are several familiar tropes in Nightchaser. Tess Baily is the daughter of the ruler of the galaxy. She is thought to be dead but is in fact still alive and kicking. Shade Ganavan is a bounty hunter who is conflicted about capturing her or sleeping with her. This is the frame work the first book in the series is built on. The plot is familiar with plenty of action, tension, danger and romance. Nothing is really solved here. The action of each of the characters sets up the world building and back story for the rest of the series. A nice read just not that original.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

I received this ARC copy of Nightchaser from SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I am a huge fan of The Kingmakers trilogy By Amanda Bouchet and so I jumped at the chance to review the first book in her new series. I went in thinking that I would have a good time reading about outer-space. This story is so much more than that though. Space opera with a slight Firefly feel to it that captures the imagination from the first paragraph.

Tess is a ship captain with a makeshift family as her crew. She trust very few but those that she trust she holds close to her heart. All decisions she make are with her crew in mind and does not mind sacrificing for them time and time again. The Dark Watch (the government) is after her ship after they stumbled upon some vaccines. With a narrow escape the ship is damaged and she had to land it, repair it, then deliver those vaccines to people who desperately need them. On Albion 5, a habitable planet, she gets help from Shade Ganavan. Shade owns a repair shop and has a soft spot for Tess. He also has secrets that could get her into more trouble than she already is in.

Tess has had a rough life, her mom dying and her father’s reaction has shaped her beyond belief. Having survived the orphanage and the mines, she has a quiet strength about her that others at 26 years old do not have. Jax knows her secret, others on the ship do not. She has to stay out of the way of the Dark Watch. When they find her she gives them a run for their money, which is why there is a bounty put on her head. Tess’ personality is rough, rugged and sarcastic. I loved it! Her loyalty and love for her crew will forever endure her to me. Best thing about Tess though is that she is not perfect, and could have even been broken instead she keeps fighting.

Shade is a little shadey…yes I went there. He is hot, available and handy. He is clearly attracted to Tess and wants to help her, yet something makes him hesitate. Shade has his secrets and his reasons but man when they come out will that trust be blown away. Shade’s past shapes who he is and how he handles things.

Even though this is plugged as a romance there is a lot of action in this book. The action is what pulled me in to the book and the romance is what cemented me to the chair. The chemistry between Tess and Shade is boiling hot. Yet, how they move one from the reveals will determine if it continues to build steam or if it settles down to distilled water.

There were times when the switching from points of view took a while to get use to. I think this is because Tess was written in first person and Shade was in third person. I am unsure why the author chose to do the different points of view like this instead of keeping to one format. I did like that Shade’s third person point of view allowed us to see the struggle that he was going through internally.

Nighchaser lays the foundation for a fabulous series. One that will hold you hostage until the very end. It is an action adventure that brings so many different feels into play. There is no cliffhanger yet you will wonder what happens next. Not only to Tess and Shade but the secondary characters as well.


My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “Because novels stir feelings, wishes, and the heart”

Other People
Jax- Tess’ bestie and partner
Bridgebane- evil guy hunting Tess
Overseer- head of the evil government
Fiona- member of Tess’ crew
Miko- member of Tess’ crew