4 1/2 Stars. Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes is a exciting read! Who doesn't love a time-slip novel. I had a little trouble at the beginning but it didn't take long to get into it. Going between the past and the present, getting to know each character makes for a challenge to decide which story line is your favorite. And I still don't know because both are good.

Trying to discover a mystery that took place 200 years earlier; Lucy Clairmont (a marine archaeologist) enlists the help of Dashel an old family friend and a forensic astronomer to help her try to gather enough information to receive a grant to complete her study.

Truths are discovered in the past and in the present, friendships and romance. A great story-I'm looking for more great books from Ms. Dykes.

Amanda Dykes has gifted us with another captivating novel in her latest release, “Set The Stars Alight.”Her lyrical writing style and her eclectic cast of characters really give this story life and breath. I’m am again amazed and the way this author crafts her words to truly place the reader into her stories and allow you to feel and experience what her characters are going through. The themes of wonder and light are used expertly throughout this story to bring both of the storylines together and ultimately point to God the creator of all things. The layered details in this story make it so deep and rich! I loved the hidden gems of Biblical parallels! This book was truly fantastic and is definitely going on my top reads of the year list!

"All stories-the very best ones, anyhow-may be full of fairy tales and nonsense and lore, but if they are to be lasting....they must have truth at their very core."

This enchanting story full of riddles, magic and wonder brings hope and love to two lost souls. Amanda Dykes prose is spellbinding, her pen that of a master storyteller. I felt as if I had slipped into one of the magical books of my childhood, filled with wonder and possibilities.

This is a split time story, one historical, one contemporary. Lucy and Dash's story warmed my heart, one of a childhood filled with the spinning of fairy tales and riddles. Now the marine archeologist and forensic astronomer wonder if these childhood memories could be the key in their search for the answer to a very old riddle? I also loved the allegory hidden amidst Frederick's story.

The secrets of the stars as well as the hidden depths of the earth and its oceans will resonate with readers as they unite two lost souls in search of the answer to a riddle. But beyond the magic, is a story as old as time, filled with an allegory of Truth, that will fill the hidden recesses of one's soul. Amanda Dyke's unique voice will captivate readers. This definitely belongs on the keeper shelf!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Dykes is a new author to me, whose language, pacing and story-telling reminded me of the classic writings of George MacDonald. Once settled into the style, I thoroughly enjoyed discovering, along with the characters, what happened to the ship, Jubilee. Lucy and Dash bring interesting areas of expertise - marine archaeology and forensic astronomy - to try to locate the prison ship that disappeared in 1811 with a traitor on board. The parallel story of Frederick and how he came to be on the Jubilee is alive with historical detail. Most important for all characters is the power of story, which is fitting as this story will stay with you. Recommend this to readers who love lyrical writing and a touch of magical realism, being sure they aren’t expecting a high-speed adventure. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy. Opinions expressed are my own.

“‘We keep the stories.’ He said we pass them on-it is our duty . . . and our honor. In a world as dark as this, people forget how to see the light, so we need to remind them by telling the truth, paying attention . . . setting the stars alight.”
What powerful words!
I have found this whole book is full of words like this. Amanda Dykes is a truly gifted author. She writes dual-time books in such a way that they blend in a seamless fashion. Her stories are brimming with words that are so descriptive and etiquette they will capture you and keep you reading until the very end.
From the very first page to the end, this book had me captivated and wanting to read more. I didn’t want to put it down. It really was a book I kept thinking, “just one more page!” and hours later realizing I needed to go to bed. But also, not wanting to finish it because I felt a part of the story.
In this book, Amanda Dykes has written a beautiful story of many people’s lives all intertwined and deeply touched by loss, mystery, honor, and sweet love. It touched me to the core of my being.
I loved the whole idea of story-telling and how it can change a person’s life.
This story took me on an adventure digging deep into the life of a sailor and the life of one set in the stars.
It’s also a story where we find how one life can make a difference in many lives. One choice can change many things, like a ripple in time. We all have the ability to influence those around us and those to come.
This story will sit in my heart for days to come. I highly recommend you pick it up and reach for the stars.
I was given this book by the publisher and NetGalley which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a perfect example of storytelling, magic wonder. Great story building catching the readers interest at its first sentence. An intriguing story of wander, wonder, love and perseverance. The author brings to life and gives light to the story through vivacious Lucy, showing the power and struggles of friendship and life in general. A must read!

I first encountered Amanda Dykes BEAUTIFUL storytelling when I read "Whose Waves These Are" which was my favorite book of the 75 books I read that year, so to say I was excited to read "Set the Stars Alight" is an understatement. This beautiful story stretches the imagination and is lovely in every way.

I had no idea where the story would take me and I cheerfully and willingly, with pleasure went along for the ride and was completely enchanted. If I had to use three words to describe, I would choose lovely, lyrical, and lessons. Lucy's parents helped to form an enchanting tapestry of stories and truths to which Lucy and Dash could build on.

In the author's notes at the end of the book, Amanda Dykes says "Pay attention. May we all stretch toward the wonders around us May we pause to think on their significance." That is my big takeaway from this brilliant story.

Oh my goodness, This book has touched my heart in such a way...I have no words.

Amanda, if you ever read this, I just want to say THANK YOU. Thank you for writing such a beautiful story of hope and light.

I don't even know where to start. I just merely finished reading the book a couple of minutes ago, and I'm still trying to process everything.

I could never have imagined that a split time story could be this powerful...could be weaved so beautifully the past and the present, like melody and harmony, creating a beautiful story of wonder.

The story starts with the life of Lucy, a little girl named after the light, one who dreams of dragon liars and of adventures sailing the seas galore. Yet she lives a quiet life listening to her father, the watchmaker, stories by the fire and surrounded by the tender care of her mother, the three of them living in their little glass house in London.

Then one day a lost boy with huge round rim glasses and messy hair filters into their lives, filling it with star wonder, galaxies and nebulae, opening doors to hidden worlds thought his telescope. He becomes part of the watchmaker's family, the best friend Lucy never had, and they grow together, imagining their castles in the sky, planning their future, always drinking the wonders of the universe in their own simple little ways.

At the same time, we have the story of another lost boy, though his story is set far away in time from Lucy's and Dash's.

It is the 1800's and among wealth and prestige, a boy is being raised to conquer seas, to bring honor and glory to his family. But he is broken, lost, void of the things that makes everyone's hearts tick, love.

But then, the stars guide him to meet a shepherd, a girl, and a stubborn boy. It is then that he makes a vow, to protect them, to be there for them, to even give their life for this family he couldn't call his own.

Because he has made a mistake, a terrible error he would never forgive himself from, one that would hunt him to the grave, and maybe, just maybe, the nightmares would ease if he pledged himself to them. To the girl with wings made for the sun.

The story of these pairs of friends progress in time though the book, we see friends grow together, friends drift apart, friends unite... yet the stars are always the ones to bring them home. To shine the story, the Creator wrote for them since the beginning, one of hope, wonder, and light.

Oh, guys, I can't-

This story has made me so emotional. It is so beautiful, so deep.

When I first started reading it, I had no idea how Amanda would be able to bring both stories together. Yet she did marvelously.

The faith message in the book is also beautiful. To think God has written the story of our lives, that nothing happens because of luck, that everything was carefully planned by him, the Creator of the galaxies and of you.

The story is slow, but at the same time, I think I can't imagine it any other way. It brings a certain charm to it. It makes it peaceful, not rushed.

Because of the pacing, the book seems long, just a heads up for the readers who like their fast-paced books.

Amanda's writing is so beautiful, deep yet poetical, but at the same time engaging. It draws you into the story makes you feel so many things for the characters.

The characters were also superb. Each one was crafted with a unique voice and was not put on the page without a purpose. They stirred the plot forward, and sprinkled the book with light.

Set the Stars Alight will hold a special place in my heart.

I will say, the synopsis doesn't make the book justice. Yet, I can't think of one that will...It is one of those books that holds too much wonder and light in it, the only way for you to savor it is by reading it yourself.


Again, thank you, Amanda.



Cleanness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 (Glad to say this book is so so clean...Squeaky clean 😂❤️)

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5



*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. All thought are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.*

I can’t shake the feeling that we’ve somehow found ourselves right smack in the middle of one of his tales. But instead of hearing it, we’re living it.
- Amanda Dykes, Set the Stars Alight.
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This was a beautiful story told in a very atmospheric and enchanting way. While I can appreciate the beauty of this story, it isn’t my usual style. It’s a very slow moving book and felt a bit confusing at times. I have a rather impatient personality, so I know other, more patient readers, would appreciate this story far more then I did. That is a reflection of me personally and not this book.
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We are following 2 separate timelines, set 200 years apart. Both stories are quite unique and interesting. As we continue through the book we find out how these stories are connected to each other.
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It’s quite funny, because in the beginning I was all for Lucy and Dashel’s 2020 story line, a ‘lost’ boy found by a quirky family. A treasured friendship between 2 souls who just clicked. So I found it frustrating to switch over to Frederick’s 1800’s chapters, another boy on a journey of self discovery who’s simple decisions impacted his entire life. By the end of the book I had really reversed my preferences and loved reading Fredericks story.
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For me personally, I found I wanted more from the book. I am definitely a character driven reader and I found some super interesting and complex characters in this book. I just wanted more from them. I found that the conversations were often kept very brief and I was left wondering why.
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The concept of the overall story was very intriguing and unique but I would have liked a little more from the ending.
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This is a wonderful story that I believe will appeal to many people. Particularly those who enjoy a slower, more whimsical read.

This book is exquisitely written, moving beyond all words. The author has a special gift in drawing the reader in from the first few pages. My life has been touched by this beautiful story of love, grace and redemption.

Set the Stars Alight is hands down my top fiction read of Q2 2020. I came a bit late to the game with Whose Waves These Are (Dykes' first novel); when I did make it there, I knew it was something special. So I might have jumped a little too happily at the chance to read Set the Stars Alight!

The two books are standalone; feel free to read either first. I guarantee once you read one, you'll want to read the other immediately!

Dykes has a way with words that I've not experienced in many other authors. She writes lyrically, poetically--and makes this reader, anyway, vacillate between wanting to speed ahead and find out what happens next, and read ever so slowly to savor every word. (The perennial conundrum of wanting to have one's cake and eat it too?!)

I loved that certain things I thought would happen didn't. I don't say that often, but it's true here; I was happily proved wrong and left far more satisfied than if I'd been right. Whew. (This non-English major fears that when something is super obvious to me, it's going to be even more obvious to a lot more people. So yay.)

Having been to Greenwich on my last British adventure, I loved revisiting the Prime Meridian and other notable places of interest in this book. Dykes truly brought each location to life! (And can I please visit Stone's Throw now?) The mystery around the HMS Jubilee proved fascinating, and resolved even better than I envisioned.

Excellent, excellent read. I think I'll go read it again now, hmm?

I received a copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This novel is full of substance and layers. It is slow moving and thought provoking, and that is how it should be read. This is not brain candy you can gorge your way through. This one needs time to simmer and ponder. The writing is literary and beautiful. It is magical and full of wonder.

Lucy and Dashel have grown up hearing wonderful stories from her watchmaker father. Amid these stories, Lucy has become fascinated by the mystery of the HMS Jubilee and the traitor who disappeared on this ship right before he was to be hanged for his crimes during the Napoleonic wars. She has become a marine archaeologist in order to investigate this mystery. And Dashel, who has become a forensic astronomer, decides to use his special skills to help her along. The reader gets to discover this story in two ways, first by watching Lucy and Dash as they work to discover the mystery and second through reading the story of Frederick and how he became an infamous traitor to his country.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The beautiful writing sucked me in to the magic of it. I loved the themes of story and truth, the layers of meaning, and the subtle Christian undertones. I would recommend this to anyone who is in the mood for something distinct to savor.

A story that travels through generations and links two families. Loves thought lost are found, and those gone seem close again.
Great story and characters.

As a new fan of Amanda Dykes' novels, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to join the launch team for her newest book, Set The Stars Alight.

From tales at the watchmaker's knee to forensic astronomy (something I never knew existed) to childhood enemies becoming family to sacrifice and unending love, Set The Stars Alight is completely captivating. Amanda has a special talent for weaving together dual timelines while keeping the story exciting and easy to follow. Lucy and Dash's story, as well as Fredrick and Juliette's, pulled me in from the very first page and kept me completely hooked as the tale unfolded.

If you enjoy timeless love stories with a good dose of mystery and faith mixed in, this is a book you won’t want to miss.

*I received a complimentary copy of Set The Stars Alight through the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

So what do a forensic astronomer, a maritime archeologist, a humble watchmaker, and a traitor during the Napoleonic wars have to do with each other? If you enjoy convoluted plots, mysteries across generations, lush descriptions, and overall engaging stories, this is a great book! It’s not a fast read, and you won’t like it if you want a shallow, frothy romance. But, if you like themes like sacrificial love, finding home, redemption, and finding healing for brokenness, you’ll find this worth the read. This quote is one I underlined, “We none of us know quite what to do when something is broken. Might be we’ll make it worse. But if we do nothing, it’ll surely stay broken. Ain’t it worth takin’ a chance on that?”

#SettheStarsAlight #NetGalley

If there is one thing I can say about this author after having read two of her books, it's that she's a storyteller. There's no doubt about it. This, as well as her previous book, are not just mysteries or romances but intricately woven, spell-binding yarns! I was hooked (HOOKED!) from the very first chapter.

Set the Stars Alight is one of the best time jump books I've ever read and definitely the best in Christian fiction. I used to think that maybe I wasn't a fan of that style, but clearly I just wasn't reading the right authors' books. This book is romantic and I mean that in the classical sense. It's just a beautiful journey where past meets present and while it is Christian fiction, Dykes is never heavy handed or preachy.

So many of the early reviews I've read focus on the contemporary story of Dash and Lucy, and while the Star Veteran and Matchstick Girl are pretty fabulous (and the main characters), I gravitated toward the story of the Jubilee, Frederick, Elias, and the shepherd's daughter. Who doesn't adore a mystery and an all sacrificing love? Oof. Definitely many gut punches in this book! I highly recommend this one to all Christian fiction readers!

Wow! This is one of those books that will stick with me for a long time. The story was so interesting. It goes back and forth between modern-day characters trying to solve the mystery of a mutiny and the historical story of what really happened (in their fictional world) with an unexpected ending. A story that values books, story telling, family, friendship, and sacrificial love. Quirky, colorful characters. A book that reminds us that all creation--especially the stars--point us to the Creator who made them all. A story of hope and beauty in a dark and painful world. Definitely an author I will watch for!

Amanda Dykes whispers to each reader who opens the pages of this book, “Cuddle close. Scooch in.” With magic in her fingertips, she spins a timeless tail of wonderment and mystery, always whispering, “just think.” The impossible might not be so impossible after all. Broaden your minds. Let the story expand your reasoning.
Written in artistry, Set the Stars Alight isn’t a book meant to entertain. It’s meant to work as a parable—a lesson in story form that adheres to your mind, unfolding layer after layer of dazzling truth, which is this... No matter how dark the world gets, seek out the brilliant light, like a thousand shinning stars at midnight.

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is not my usual genre, I’m more into romance stories and literary fiction however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for opening up my mind to something totally different.

I really enjoyed this book. Not an “in your face” Christian book, but I liked the subtle similarities between characters in the book and the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for mankind. I loved the historical parts and the love shared, found and remembered found throughout the book.