It was a good story, but I don't really love it... It felt too long, and it was confusing at times. I'm not going to recommend this one. Sorry. I know the author did a lot of work on this book, and I hate to give a bad review, but it's just not for me. I wanted to like it!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. This is my honest review.

“I think it’s our duty to keep the stories, to pass them on. It is our duty—and our honor. In a world as dark as ours, we—that is, people—forget how to see the light. So we remind them by telling the truth, fighting the dark, paying attention . . . setting the stars alight. There are things shining brightly all along, if we will notice.”

For such a time as this, author Amanda Dykes’ moving new novel SET THE STARS ALIGHT is being released. We are presently facing a lot of darkness everywhere we look. Dykes has penned the perfect book to grab our attention to set the stars alight.

There are books you read to be entertained, educated or to escape. Some you quickly forget. Some stay with you a long time. A few stay with you a lifetime because they touch a place somewhere deep in your soul. Dykes’ Set the Stars Alight is one such book.

Dykes’ novel is exquisitely written. She is a masterful storyteller and paints the most beautiful word pictures with the telling of this story. She uses layered symbolism and lessons on forgiveness, sacrifice love and God throughout. She uses the themes of hope, wonder and light to tell her story. There is something powerful about Dykes writing that just draws you in and totally captivates you from beginning to end! This is novel not to be missed!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

*NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR ALERT*

After reading Bespoke for Christmas last year (you can find my review HERE) I was so excited to read another Amanda Dykes novel! Even in that lil' novella, I knew her stories had the potential to draw me in and never let go.

And I was right.

*happy sigh* The prose was . . . phenomenal. Seriously. Even during characters' banter and dialogue, the writing was flawless and beautiful. And that, of course, is a cinch to keep me reading. *grins*

Aaaaand then we've got the CHARACTERS. *clasps hands and nearly hyperventilates* Y'ALL THE CHARACTERS. I'm so, so, so in love with the characters. Lucy was actually a female protagonist that I loved. I couldn't relate to her circumstances, but I definitely could relate to her personality and insecurities. And DASHEL, MY GOOD MAN! #everyoneneedsadash

And there's Frederick . . . at first I wasn't thrilled with the way the book switched back and forth between the present and the past, but then I fell in love with Frederick's story. The traitor. Oh. my goodness. gracious. If anyone should be inspired by anyone's story, it should be Frederick's.

(really, the only complaint I have about this book is that the book is so whimsical, I kept forgetting that Lucy & Dash are in the present . . . I kept getting caught off-guard when they're checking their smartphones, haha!)

I loved reading about the historical mystery in the book—reading about Frederick and Juliette and Elias, and then about Lucy and Dash and Stone's Throw Farm, reading both the unfolding of the mystery and the individual lives of each. I looooved how every aspect of the book, whether it be about the mystery or simply something resolved in the characters' lives, unfolded and peeled back, each layer revealing something more heart-achingly beautiful than the one before it.

Was there romance in this book? Yes. Yes, there was. But I was so for it. For once, it made me grin so hard when I saw the couple(s) come together after all they'd been through. There were a couple of kisses, but they were barely described and ended quickly.

The world needs more stories about this—wholesome friendships, romances built on friendships rather than whirlwind attractions, characters that worked through their heartbreaks.

I. loved. this. book.

That is all.

(And I can't wait to read more by this author)

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

A beautiful work full of intrigue, loss, hope, truth, and the impossible.

Normally, I am not a big fan of split-time novels as I often feel wrenched from one story into another repeatedly, struggling to piece the puzzle together in its wake. However, Set the Stars Alight was so beautifully written that I was equally invested with both storylines and honestly struggled to close the book as dawn began to glow out my window. Full of deep, complex characters and intricate webs, Amanda Dykes takes you on a journey centuries-old as two lost souls seek answers and hope in the untold mystery of a lost ship and a renown traitor.

Every word served a purpose. Never did I feel a word was ill-used or a detail irrelevant. Even the way in which the story was delivered was powerful and important. I loved how Amanda Dykes demonstrated the passing of time. At times I even missed the subtle nuances and had to reread a section just to make sure I understood correctly. It does take some mental power to read, but it is worth it! Absolutely beautifully written.

As a book reviewer, while I read, I highlight and take note of any nuggets of wisdom or meaningful quotes for my blog. While reading, I had to watch myself as the book turned into a child highlighting entire passages of their Bible. I am still racking my brain as to how Amanda Dykes wrote such profound nuggets and created characters full of such depth. She must be a woman of great intelligence and thoughtfulness. At times, I would reread a paragraph just to make sure I gleamed every word and meaning.

Full of twists and misconceptions, Set the Stars Alight kept me on the edge of my seat. Amanda Dykes revealed information slowly and always at the RIGHT moment. There was always a mystery to be resolved so that even when one tidbit of information was given, another mystery arose. One thing that always remained true - my love and compassion for the characters. There was such depth to Lucy and Frederick (the narrators) that even when information was given to the contrary, I still remained true to my undying devotion to them.

Set the Stars Alight will be released June 30th. If you enjoy a well-written novel that will leave you wanting more than I highly recommend preordering now.

I was given a free copy of the book, but the opinions in this review are completely my own.

The Red Review: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
***4 Hearts: Compelling Characters, Well-Written, Interesting Storyline, Unable to Stop

<I>Set the Stars Alight</I> wasn’t a book you could race through, but had to savour slowly. It was ethereal, with pretty imagery and a merging of the stars and the sea together to discover the truth.

Lucy is on a quest to discover what happened to the legendary <I>Jubilee</I>, and in the process a missing piece of her heart comes home. I liked how well the historical and modern day stories blended, and thought the dual timeline was very well done. I also liked the emphasis on two opposite worlds, sky and water, coming together.

The language was very poetic, which I for the most part liked or thought was okay, but it sometimes felt a little over the top for the modern day characters. That being said, it was imaginative, stunning writing and it fit the story. Perhaps my mind is just too fast-paced for its own good!

Overall, a lovely story!

* I received a copy from NetGalley and I voluntarily reviewed this book. This is 100% my honest opinion.

This book was so amazing I don't even have the words. I fell in love with the story right away and the ending came way to soon.

I highly recommend this book to anyone!

Lyrical, beautiful, heart-warming and satisfying, Set the Stars Alight is a must-read.

Page one welcomed me in like I was coming home.

Before I even reached that page, the dedication spoke to me—the part about wonder:

"Hang on to it, brave ones.
And more—hang on to the Giver of it.
Though darkness may fall and times grow hard,
hold fast to this given light." [Kindle location 45]

Timely words for a hard year like 2020.

The novel follows two timelines: 1987 – 2020 and the 1800s during the Napoleonic wars, each revealing what’s needed to understand the other. It’s not choppy, switching timelines each chapter; instead, the story flows in segments with time enough to settle in place and care about the people involved.

In the contemporary thread, childhood friends Lucy and Dashel reunite as adults in a quest to locate a legendary shipwreck in the English Channel. The historical thread follows Frederick, a landowner’s son, and the young lovers Juliette and Elias.

Some of the many lines I highlighted in the book are sparks of light to hold close:

"Taking note of the good, the true, the just, the miracles hidden at every turn is like…a deliberate act of defiance against the darkness." [Lucy’s father, Kindle location 431]

"Such freedom, to know our limits. And to know the God who has none." [Clara, Kindle location 3347]

Others are just beautiful:

"The woman had a way of almost gliding—not in the graceful, practiced way of the ladies of gothic novels, but rather more like an apparition gliding over ice." [Kindle location 1625]

Set the Stars Alight is a novel of love and loyalty, friendship and faith, that encourages wonder and affirms the value of everyday actions and individual lives. As an added bonus, readers who loved Amanda Dykes’ debut novel, Whose Waves These Are, will welcome the quiet nod to that book in chapter 25.

For more about author Amanda Dykes, visit amandadykes.com.

[Review copy provided by the publisher via #NetGalley.]

I have read many books. Some of them have made me laugh, cry and sigh with contentment as I read the last line. Many were well-written and "keepers" to be reread. None have left me with the feeling that I had just read a book that could be deemed a classic.

Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes is exquisitely written. The author draws you into her magical wonderland, and you are instantly transported to a small cottage in Candlewick Commons, London, England. The home of a watchmaker, his wife and his daughter Lucy. While set in the year 2000, stepping into the cottage is like stepping back further in time and the reader, along with our main character Lucy and her best friend Dash, listen to her father, the watchmaker, tell his stories. Never realizing he was giving them riddles to solve that would one day bring them together on a quest they would never have imagined possible.

I loved how the author transitioned from the present to the past and back again, mixing the story of the HMS Jubilee with the riddles Lucy's father had carefully laid out for her and Dash in stories over the years. Each somehow connected to the other, but all connected with finding the light.

The themes of sacrifice, redemption and finding the light in the darkness become more evident as the two stories collide in an ending that will stay with you long after the final page is read. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is inspiring and enchanting.

WOW!! What a wonderful book!! I usually don't like time slip books, but something keep telling me to request this book and I'm so glad I did. In my humble opinion this is a MUST READ book. It is a book you will read more than once. The authors letter at the end of the book was so uplifting and encouraging. I will be buying this book when it releases. Thank you Bethany House via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Amanda Dykes sets readers off on the right course for a paralleled romance chartered in time. Weaving together history and legend, Dykes #SettheStarsAlight to pen a tale of the Lost Boy and The Matchstick Girl. After reading "Whose Waves These Are" I was thrilled that #NetGalley offered me the opportunity to review the advanced edition.

At first, I had trouble adjusting to the dualed narratives. I found myself confused by the array of characters and wondered if the stories would intertwine? That being said, once I was hooked, I was swept away by the story. Eagerly paging through the novel to discover the truth, I hoped my favorite characters' lives would alight.

To set the scene, Lucy's formative years were spent listening to her father's legends. Dash enters her life, stirs up her emotions and becomes a surrogate family member. Without saying goodbye, Dash exited as abruptly as he arrived. Resurfacing during difficult times, Lucy is forced to shelve what felt like a forever friendship.

Years later, Lucy is pitching her research for a grant proposal when an unexpected encounter leaves her treading water. While Lucy needs a lifeline, Dykes circles back to Elias, Frederick and Juliette's journey. Readers will find themselves rooting for their favorite protagonists. Setting their sights whether the stars will align or was their chance for love, eclipsed?

Magical. If I had to describe this book in one word, that is what it would be. It’s a grown up fairytale, which I did not realize until I began reading. Amanda Dykes is not just a good storyteller - she has a gift. Few can write like that. This is a story full of symbolism and the reader must read between the lines to truly appreciate it’s depth. The old and the new are so creatively intertwined, and I much enjoyed putting the pieces together. In fact, I feel like I’d need to read this novel a second time to have a full appreciation for it. I highly recommend.

Set the Stars alight
"Set the Stars Alight" by Amanda Dykes

When I was chosen to be on the launch team for "Set the Stars Alight" , I really didn't know what to expect. This wasn't a book I would normally read, but I was up to trying something new. I was so pleasantly surprised what a great storyline "Set the Stars Alight" had.

My thoughts: What a beautifully written story. I could really see what a amazing writer Amanda Dkyes is. She was able to intertwine two different time periods into one gorgeous story. You see the different personality of all the characters, which were all likeable. They had several beautiful quotes but below is my all time favorite . It is so thought provoking and I feel it summed up a lot of the book.

Synopsis: The magic of the past comes alive each night for the family of a watchmaker. Lucy Claremont fascination with the high seas begins, which leads to her looking for a lost ship as a adult. Here childhood friend Dashel and his knowledge of stars was needed to solve a puzzle. Two hundred years earlier there are three lives that are altered when a shepherd rescues the son of a admiral. As they grow they are forever changed.

My favorite quote: "In a world as dark as ours, we --- that is, people ---- forget how to see the light. So we remind them by telling the truth, fighting the dark, pay attention ... setting the stars alight. There are thinks shining brightly all along, if we will notice."

Recommendation: I will great love to share this book on several social media sites and friends.

Rating: I give this book a rating of a 5 out of 5

Disclaimer: I received this complimentary copy from the publisher and netgalley in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.

Have you ever read a book so achingly beautiful that you weep. A story so poetic that it seeps into you and melts you into a puddle of mush. A book that you know you cannot do it justice so you wait to write a review as you savor and digest what you just read. Then look no farther as I’m sure this will be my #1 in my top 10 this year. It is dual time line so that amps it up into overdrive and Ms. Dykes tells each story with equal gusto and twines them together like a three stranded cord that cannot be broken. It is inspiring and shows that family isn’t always blood but those who loves us on our journey to where God meant us to be, as He Sets the Stars Alight within us as we find our way home. These characters...words fail me as they are just top notch. The words flow and etch a memory on your heart. I know I’m gushing but to me this was my perfect read. Deserves 10 stars and lots of awards. Recommended to all.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

Set the Stars Alight is an amazing story in finding the treasures God has for us as we discover our true passions. I adore the cover for Amanda Dykes newest novel Set the Stars Alight. What a beautiful cover! As for the story, I loved learning the past story before the present timeline learned the story. The story opens with us, readers, discovering the characters heart and early passions, then it moves into how those passions guide their future lives and love. Dash is a fascinating hero who loves the stars and everything to do with Lucy; whereas, Lucy wants to discover the reality of what her father's stories mean. As someone who misses her father, I understand the hurt that can take over with a lost parent. The story is interesting, and the writing is wonderful. Overall, Set the Stars Alight is a delightful story with unique characters and unseen twist.

I received a complimentary copy of Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

“The world is dark, so dark we sometimes forget the stars. But they are always there—we need only fight to see these places of brilliant light, these echoes of the truest story.” This book is beautifully written and mirrors the greatest “story” of all time, the story of one who “sets the stars alight.” Definitely one you’ll want to savor. Highly recommended.

Set the Stars Alight was a well-written and had the feel of nostalgia of all that was forgotten, but unfortunately, I was never able to find myself within this story or connect with any of the characters. Its pace was too slow for me, and a lot of it was lost on me. 2.5 stars

Incredibly unique blending of two time periods largely through the use of fables or passed down stories. In the current day thread, Lucy befriends Dashel when they are both young children. They are lonely children and their friendship is a bright light. Lucy's father spins tales for them to enjoy and learn from.

Two hundred years prior there is a young boy, Frederick, that like Dashel feels rather alone in the world.

There is a mystery that bridges these two stories and it was enjoyable to see if unfold. While the contemporary story drew me in quickly, the tale from the past took a bit longer to engage my full interest. Ultimately though, I found myself anxious to see how things would turn out for all of them.

Amanda Dykes’ novel Set the Stars Alight delightfully weaves together stories from two time periods, developing interesting and dynamic characters. In the modern day, after losing touch for a few years, childhood friends marine archaeologist Lucy and astrophysicist Dashel find themselves thrown together to solve the mystery of the sunken ship, the Jubilee. Their research takes them on a historical journey as they discover the long-hidden story of Frederick and Juliette. Full of twists and turns, the mystery spins a tale of sacrificial love both then and now. As a master storyteller, Dykes provides a hard-to-put-down story while marrying the past and the present in a quaint and delightful tale. I look forward to more of Dykes’ novels. She’s my new favorite author.

Note: I received a copy of the novel from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Childhood friends Lucy and Dashel grow up forming treasured memories together. Separated during a time of grief, they go their own ways. Years later, Lucy is now a marine archaeologist and Dashel is a forensic astronomer, they are brought together for the search for the long lost Jubilee, driven by stories from their childhood to find the missing ship.



Two hundred years earlier we also follow the story of childhood sweethearts, as they face war and betrayal.



Timelines entwine in this powerful story of love and redemption.



This book started out slow for me as we are introduced to multiple characters in various situations, but as the dots started to connect I didn't want to put it down. This is my first read from this author, who came to me highly recommended, and this book certainly didn't disappoint! I loved how the story was told through dual timelines, and I was equally invested in both of the stories.



Well developed characters, that are complex. This book is very character driven, as well as plot driven. And I loved Lucy's father and his stories that he told. I also loved the strong faith portrayed in this beautiful and well layered book. A captivating story, poignant and powerful. You won't regret picking this one up, I know I sure don't!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

One word to describe this book: WONDER. Amanda Dykes has a compelling author's note at the end of this book where she talks about wonder: "an aching word, a thing radiating hope if we will but pay attention and be amazed at the miracles of this life, of this very world."

This book has two stories. One is about Lucy, a marine archeologist, and Dash, a forensic astronomer. After the two childhood friends reconnect, they try to find a ship called the Jubilee, lost in 1811. The other story is about a boy named Frederick, a sailor in 1811. I loved watching how the two stories overlapped, reminding me how stories in history fade and become warped over time. The characters in this book have full hearts, the setting is homey England, and it honestly felt like a cozy Hallmark movie or a book club read. The story moves at a crawling pace though, so you'll need some patience to make it to the end.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4.5
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Bethany House and NetGalley, for the review copy!