This was basically everything I wanted! The action continues without a break from book 1, with the crew tracking their nemesis through space. Kee is intrepid and her character arc is maybe the best part of this book. She doesn't hold back, and even though I didn't like her too terribly much at the start, by the end of this book she had grown into a favorite character. Seeing how she deals with Varro and his Very Determined Protection was really entertaining, too, because two strong characters butting heads? Perfection.

Also, I am obsessedwith the way the Valoff customs and traditions play a huge role in these books. It's not just "oh they're not human" but their entire culture plays a part, both in the romance and the action. It made the repetitiveness of some of the arguments fade some, because it really emphasized what's important to their people. The telepathic connection adds a lot, because even though we didn't get a Varro POV, the feelings that bled through when he had strong reactions or emotions added EXTREME depth to his character.

The rest of the crew was a little more in the background here, but with good reason, because a lot of the action happened off the ship. The plot itself moved along at a good clip, with lots of story development and twists that I didn't see coming, and I think it did a really great job setting up for the conclusion without falling into the 'bridge' trap that a lot of middle books do.

Definitely a great second book and I can't wait for book 3!

This is the second book in Jessie's romantic sci-fi series, Starlight's Shadow, and this book is just as epic as the first!

Fast-paced and picking up right where Hunt the Stars left off, the reader is in for another magical ride through space with our favorite bounty hunters and Valoffs (aka fae in space).

This book follows Kee and Varro as they team up to track down traitors in the galaxy and prevent another intergalactic war from happening between humans and Valoffs. Some of my favorite tropes can be found in this book including:

Grumpy/sunshine
Opposites attract
One bunk trope
Slow burn

If you loved Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik, you NEED to read this one! I cannot wait for book three in the series, especially because we may be getting a throuple!!

This second installment of the series gives us space adventures galore but I was underwhelmed by the romance.

The romance conflict hinges on the heroine lusting after hero but thinking he is avoiding her while he is avoiding her because her is attracted to her but feels he can't protect her the way he has too. It is messy and based on a very antiquated sense of chivalry and obligation which was difficult for me to reconcile with the hyper modern space world the story is set in.

I feel the Valovians with all there psychic powers and paranormal abilities are similar to Nalini Singh's psys which I don't mind in principle but the similarity did stand out to me.

I liked Varro for the most part though his sense of guilt and failure over impossible tasks he set to himself became too much. It made sense initially but then it became annoying as it happened over and over again.

Kee was nice enough, a bit your stereotypical hacker girl - a bit wild, a bit loner, smart but not as physically strong as her teammates which made her insecure. In her personal relationship she felt she was too much to her lover - too forward, too emotional (things she has been told by previous partners) and that made her guarded and worried that it would be the same for him.

They kept getting to try to be together only to be pulled apart either by cuircustmace (they are amid a wild chase with the bad guys in space) or by their own feelings of guilt / sense of obligation.

While I enjoyed and was fully invested in the suspense and adventure elements of the story, I felt the romantic arc was unevenly paced. It is not closed door romance but the sex scene (explicit) only happens after 90% mark. I would not describe it as slow burn but rather as a kind of delayed gratification and didn't work for me. Out of the blue we get some domination/submission dynamic thrown in - it honestly felt like Kee and Varro became different people, not the characters I have followed along in the story so far. The romance didn't flow smoothly for me, too many elements in it didn't fit with each other. Of course, this is all subjective interpretation but it's how I read it and why I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

I have come to realize that Jessie Mihalik's book are about the space adventures than the romance but when I find the romance unevenly paced and not convincing, I don't know if I will continue with this series. Depends on the MCs, I still might give it a go.

Amazing!
Quick Summary: Eclipse the Moon is full of fast-paced action, is a robust and intriguing world, and has characters that are complex and lovable. I highly recommend it!

Eclipse the Moon is the second book in the Starlight's Shadow series. The first book is Hunt the Stars and you should definitely read that one first. Each book is its own story, but there is a larger story arc and recurring characters.

Mihalik's world-building is wonderful! I love how much detail there is without being too technical or overwhelming. It's the perfect balance between the two, and the characters really round it out. The story pulls you in from the beginning, and then it doesn't let you go. I tore through this book because I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. The author does a great job of throwing a curve that changes everything, but in a way that feels obvious. Sometimes a complex plot feels unnatural like things were added or changed at the last minute, but you can tell that this book was well plotted and thought out. And I imagine there are more surprises to come! I am also happy that while the romance is such an important part of the story, it doesn't overshadow the whole book, leaving room for plenty of action.

The care that Mihalik spends writing the characters is wonderful. They are so well developed that you can really relate to them, even if they are literally from another world. Kee and Varro are such wonderful characters, you can't help but connect with them, and as a result, you are invested in their happiness. The secondary characters are just as developed, and while we haven't gotten to delve into all of them fully, they are well-rounded and feel just as real.

I recommend this book and this series to everyone!
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions here are given freely.

I really enjoyed this sequel to Hunt the Stars. Kee and Varro are a fun couple and both their personalities mean that this book slightly deviates from the usual romance beats (but still with the HEA!) I also liked the non-romance plot a lot better in this one and it hit a lot of my favorite tropes. I'm very excited for the future book 3. I also like that there was a 'this is totally normal' nonbinary character and that practically everyone in this book is pan and/or bi.

I love the humanism of the domestic that Jessie Mihalik brings to her sci-fi romance adventures. Can it be cozy sci-fi if there are shootouts, kidnappings, and chases? Maybe cozy sci-fi is the wrong term, it certainly falls within soft sci-fi. In addition to the romance at the center of this sci-fi adventure, there is care taking, affection, and a badass woman who cries when she is overwhelmed, but still gets the job done. The crew of Starlight’s Shadow cook real food, eat together, and watch videos together. Finding the food that makes people happy is my love language and I’m so happy to see it in space.

Eclipse the Moon is the second book in the series, and not a standalone. The now combined Human and Valovian crew are quietly investigating the plot to reignite war, not certain if it’s officially sanctioned by either or both governments. When Starlight’s Shadow docks at a major human space station, Kee wants to stay on the station to look for information and also to give herself some time away from Varro, the Valoff for whom she has unreciprocated feelings. Varro very clearly does reciprocate and Mihalik is making good use of the Idiots in Love trope. Kee thinks she is on her own until she walks into a trap and Varro saves her. When Kee realizes Varro isn’t going to leave her unprotected, she finds herself sharing a very small space with the man she was trying to get some distance from. Oops.

Kee and Varro are good, honorable people who want to take care of and support each other. The conflict between them is their cultural understandings of honor and care. They revisit the same conflict a few times before they hit the balance of compromise. But even when they aren’t fully understanding each other, the trust between them is unquestioned.

There are multiple scenes in which cookies play a role and frankly I’m glad to know that snickerdoodles and peanut butter cookies will go forth into the universe. To me the cookies mean home, kindness, generosity, and acceptance. When Kee has cookies she shares, and when their are people around her, she builds connections. It’s pretty clear that on the space station, cookies (and kindness) are a luxury, but rather than hoard them, she offers them freely. Because she is generous with what ever she has, she brings out the best in the people around her. When she is faced with a dangerous situation, she goes past her physical and emotional abilities to protect the people she has drawn into her circle.

That generosity plays out in the romance too. For his own reasons, Varro is drawn to and befuddled by Kee’s inclusivity and warmth. He will set himself an fire (not quite literally) to protect her even she he has no idea she loves him.

As the world gets harder, I want to read more science fiction/fantasy/romance that centers kindness. I also plan to make snickerdoodles later today.

CW: kidnapping, terrorist attack, torture, beating, shooting, stabbing and betrayal.

I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley. My opinions are freely and honestly given.

While I definitely think the pacing on this one was better than the first book in the series, it was also so heavily action packed at the end that I did wonder how the 2 MCs were going to get out of this book alive. (Don't worry they do, no one of great import dies in this book and there is a HEA).

I continued to love the found family aspect of the book and really liked that Kee learned to be a bit more assertive at the end. She was a kickass heroine and this book also felt way more romantic than the first book with the emotional connection between her and Varro and the way they seem to openly communicate with each other about the strength of their feelings.

I loved the way Varro continued to insist that he would do whatever it took to keep Kee safe but could've done without the endless scenes where he is beating himself up and trying to atone for things that really weren't his fault.

All in all, a very good book and I can't wait to see where this series goes next. I hope Lexi and Nilo return for the next one.

Kee and Varro's Story

In this Book 2 of the 'Starlight's Shadow' series we follow Kee, a petite, funny and intelligent hacker with an intense crush on her crewmate Varro. Meanwhile they are still in search of terrorists, Commodore Morten and his Telekinetic, who are trying to instigate another war between the Federation of Human Planets and their nearest neighbors Volovia. Political machinations and secrets emerge in this fantastic new sci-fi romance. The storyline is smart without being overwhelming. I love that the main characters are beyond college age adults and veterans with life experience. There are a few explicit romance scenes, in addition to a killer plotline. Even if you aren't a sci fi fan you'll enjoy this series. The characters are great, fully fleshed and the world building is amazing. Just like 'Hunt the Stars', 'Eclipse the Moon' was an out of this world enjoyable read. I'm obsessed! I can't wait for the next book.

Do you have to have read book 1 to read this one? The characters are the same and it's a continuing story arc so I say yes.

3.5 STARS

Second in the Starlight Shadow series, this story focuses on Kee Ildez and Varro Runkow. Kee skills as a hacker, former soldier, and bounty hunter are quite valuable aboard her ship of close-knit crew who have been joined by Valovan’s like Varro. It is clear a villain they have been tracking and other powers want to restart an intergalactic war between Kee and Varro’s people.

Kee has decided to go on to an important space station in order to ferret out the perpetrators and give her sometime away from Varro as well since she has indicated interest the stoic and taciturn Valovian while he has eschewed any kind of connection. Much to Kee’s initial dismay, she and Varro are forced to work together as he is determined to protect Kee from her often wild and impulsive behavior while she is undercover. Men and women have a tough enough time communicating and then when you add different cultures in the mix, it proves even more challenging for Kee and Varro. Kee is a bit of a contradiction in terms; in some ways she is a very tough cookie and in others, tears come very easily to her. Varro has some very interesting mental and physical talents of his race that prove to be quite important in protecting them both.

This story is quite tech heavy as well as a plot high on action and adventure so there is less emphasis for the interpersonal parts though Kee spends a lot of brain-power in angst over Varro’s seeming lack of interest in her. Once they get some things straight, Kee and Varro’s romance is of the slow burn variety as there is little time for them to come together with all the stress, strain, and running around either fighting or eluding and being roughed up by the bad guys. While this book can be read as a standalone, much of the world building is set up in the first book, HUNT THE STARS, where all the relevant characters are introduced.

I loved Kee and Varro!
While the beginning of the story is a bit on the slower side, as we are following Kee as she is trying to gather some intel that will help with the situation we left behind in the first book, I didn't mind it at all. Jessie Mihalik has written some of my absolute favorite stories so I knew this one would pick up.. probably with a bang.

Which we do get in a spectacular fashion! After we get the big bang moment.. it kicks off a whole lot of action-packed moments along with a couple of rescue missions... and some very steamy moments between our couple... and it's nonstop until the very end, then sets up the what's to come in the next book...

I love the way the entire crew is together! They are a family and it shows in every interaction they have... I can't wait to see who our next couple is going to be and how they are all going to survive their next mission!

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I really enjoyed Hunt the Stars, the first book in this series, and couldn't wait to start the second book in the series. Eclipse the Moon follows the same crew and continues the story, but with a different couple. I thought this worked well as the main plot line continues, but we get the focus on different characters and a new romance.

Eclipse the Moon follows the point of view Kee, she's such an interesting character and I liked reading about her. She's super handy with technology and can dig up information and get access to everything. I like how she's has a softer side, but also is much tougher than most people think. I liked her determination and spirit and I had a lot of fun reading about her.

Plot wise I thought the book started a bit slow and I struggled a bit to get into it due to that. There isn't a lot happening and everything that Kee tries to find out more information is not leading too much. It just kinda felt like nothing much was happening and I was just waiting till things would start as there are definitely hints that something is up. Then a certain event kick starts the whole plot and after that it was almost nonstop things happening. The pacing felt kinda off due to that, with the first part having too much quiet moments and not enough plot where in the later part I sometimes missed the quiet moments and developing romance as there was so much happening.

I liked seeing the crew of Starlight's Shadow from Kee's point of view and seeing more of them. Although the crew isn't as present as in the first book as a there is a lot of time with Kee being away form them. But we do meet some new interesting characters. I also feel that the space apart from her crew gave Kee the chance to really shine, so that was nice.

I liked the new side characters we meet in this book, there are some interesting characters and I liked how they fit into the plot. I liked seeing the plot continue and it's very much a continuation of the main plot from book 1, which was interesting. While they make progress in this book with the story, the main plot isn't resolved yet as that will likely happen in the next book(s).

I liked the romance, Kee and Varro are kinda opposites but they are quite similar in ways too and make for a great couple. Varro is quiet and grumpy and Kee has a giant crush on him, but she thinks he doesn't feel the same. When they end up on a mission together they slowly figure things out. I liked their romance, although it did feel like the focus kinda shifted.

The first part of the story was quite slow plot wise with more focus on the character interactions and their romance, while later on there is more action and the romance kinda fades to the background. I did like seeing how well they worked together and have eahc other's back. One thing that did bother me was the way some of the conflict or issues keeping the couple apart are the same as in the first book and have to do with the Valoffs vows and honor system. I really like how the Valoff culture comes alive and I feel that it's interesting to see that, but it just kinda felt a bit too similar to the romance conflict in book 1 even though the resolution is different.

To summarize: This was a great sequel! The start of this one is a bit slow, but after a certain event it becomes a lot faster paced with more going on and some difficult situations Kee and the rest land in. This book has less of the main crew of Starlight's Shadow and more new side characters, which worked here even though I would've liked to see more of the crew. There are still some great scenes with the crew and I liked the new characters. The plot is a continuation of book 1's plot and progresses here, but things don't get resolved yet. This book follows Kee's point of view and her romance with Varro. I liked her personality with the way she has a softer side, but she's also though and determined. I liked how handy she was with tech and how this book focuses more on that than action. I liked her romance with Varro, but would've liked to see more of them together. It also bothered me a bit that part of what kept them apart was similar to what kept the couple apart in book 1. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series!

This book was absolute incredible! It has everything I was looking for in terms of science fiction and romance. If you’re someone that’s new to reading science fiction I feel like this is a wonderful start because the world is easy to understand and is full of intrigue. I loved a lot of the characters in this book, honestly too much to pick a favorite. I also enjoyed the amount of representation given in this book. For example our main character is a woman in her 30s and I absolutely loved it! The romance wasn’t too overwhelming where it took away from the story and the action plot was incredibly thought out and well written.
Pros: writing style, representation, presenting scify in a way that new readers will enjoy
Cons: none!

Jessie Mihalik continues the story from Hunt the Stars this time centering around general data guru Kee and general badass Varro. This story is both bigger and smaller than the first entry in that we have high stakes in a very public scale but at the same time focus down on the main couple for most of the book with little interaction from the main team.

Varro has some interesting abilities that make for tense situations. Kee is fulcrum that moves the situations along. We need some new interesting side characters that I hope show up in later books. The intrigue plot around the royal family really makes you wonder what the primary motivation is and ultimate end game is.

I received an ARC for review.

Mihalik continues the science fiction/romance series she started with Hunt the Stars, this time focusing on the relationship between the human Kee and the Volovian Vorro, as the ship's crew continues their race to prevent a war between their species. This book was action-heavy and featured the grumpy/sunshine romance trope, which I sometimes enjoy, and the romantic plot device of poor communication, which I always loathe. Fortunately, Mihalik doesn't keep up the major misunderstanding between Kee and Vorro for the entire book, but these two have serious work to do on their communication skills. Which is fine and fairly understandable, I suppose, given that they're from two different species. Mihalik is doing a good job building the tension in this series, and I'm definitely interested in what happens next. There were some very uncomfortable torture seasons that I could have done without, but aside from that and the aforementioned frustrating miscommunication, I really enjoyed this novel. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for a digital review copy.

I have been anxiously awaiting Kee and Varro’s story since the moment I met the characters in Hunt the Stars, and am so grateful to have been given a copy for review. Well-paced, action-packed, and filled with steamy and swoon-worthy moments, this book was everything I wanted it to be.

Kee and Varro’s love story delivered just as strongly as I knew it would. Ever since reading Hunt the Stars, I could tell that Varro felt *something* for Kee, but it was an unexpected surprise to hear Kee’s feelings from her perspective. I hadn’t realized how strong her feelings for Varro were, and our girl is in DEEP from page one, which allows for so much angst and pining since she, somewhat obliviously, thinks that her feelings aren’t reciprocated.

If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a million times, I am in LOVE with Kee and Varro’s relationship. The pair work perfectly together, as all grumpy/sunshine pairings do, and their relationship is filled with so many sweet moments, my favorite being whenever Varro makes sure Kee, who is liable to get sucked into her work for hours on end, always eats and gets at least some sleep.

The push and pull between Kee and Varro’s desire to protect one another allowed for so much tension throughout the story, and it was executed so well. I appreciated that Kee refused to back down in the face of Varro’s protectiveness, but found ways to honor his Valovian traditions while still trying to protect him.

With this book being another romance between a human and a Valoff, there is always a concern that there will be too many similarities to the first book in the series, but that isn’t the case here. I especially enjoyed the exploration of the way in which Varro’s abilities differ from Torran’s. Tavi and Torran’s relationship incorporated his telepathy, but focused primarily on his telekinesis (hello, shower scene). Kee and Varro’s relationship takes a deeper dive into his telepathy given the fact that Varro is an exceptionally strong telepath. I love the way their relationship was strengthened through their telepathic connection. It allowed for so many swoon-worthy, not to mention steamy (I’m still not over that dream) moments, and by the end of the story Varro’s telepathy allows for the pair to become almost closer than we see Tavi and Torran become in Hunt the Stars.

As much as I would like to spend all my time ranting about my love for Kee and Varro, I suppose I should explore the many other things about this book that I loved.

First off, the found family dynamic. This was already established in Hunt the Stars, both in the relationship between Tavi and her original team, and the family that is created when Tavi and Torran’s teams come together (just thinking about it has got me itching for a reread). Being from Kee’s perspective, this book further emphasizes those relationships. Kee is a character that harbors a deep love for those on her team, and seeing them through her eyes made me love the Starlight’s Shadow team even more. I remember coming out of Hunt the Stars, one of the characters I was more lukewarm on was Eli, but this book completely changed that. I love the sibling-like dynamic between him and Kee. He is protective of her, but is also her rock when she needs to break down, and I loved every one of his scenes.

This book also introduces a few new characters that you can’t help but love, from the enigmatic and badass fashion designer Anna, her loyal guard Nick, to the mischievous prince Liang. Of these characters, Liang was probably my favorite. I love the bond that he formed with Kee, and his scenes throughout the story were always entertaining, and hopefully he will stick around for at least a little while, because I can’t bear to let him go quite yet.

Finally the plot, outside of the romance, was intense and action-packed. Continuing with the main conflict from Hunt the Stars, the Starlights Shadow team are still trying to track down Morten and ultimately prevent a war from breaking out between the FHP and the Valoffs. Morten, and the mysterious telekinetic from the last book, act as imposing adversaries, and their presence throughout the story added so much intensity, especially by the end. I can’t help but anxiously await the next installment in the series to see how the Starlight Shadow crew’s return to Valovia will pan out. Regardless of whether the next book will focus on Eli and Chira or Lexi and Nilo, I cannot wait for this series to continue, as it has become one of my favorite discoveries of this year.

I said it in my Hunt the Stars review and I will say it again here- this series is the perfect introduction for anyone looking to get into science fiction. With a perfect blend of action and romance, the story is sure to suck you in and not let you go until you’ve turned the last page. If you enjoy the grumpy/sunshine and friends to lovers dynamic with a little bit of forced proximity, then this book is for you. KEE AND VARRO FOREVER!!

I'd like to give thanks for allowing me to read the book in advance before in order to receive a review. I would say I was pleasantly surprised when reading this book because it was a roller coaster in the best way possible. I highly recommend this book if it sounds interesting to you. You would not want to put it down. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book once again,

You know your favorite outfit that you put on when you have a night in planned and you want to be ultra cozy and soft and comfortable? That is what I’ve decided Jessie Mihalik’s books are to me. She writes my most favorite sci fi romance stories and I cannot get enough of them. I love her take on the rag tag space crew, the fiercely independent, resourceful heroines, the smoldery (it’s a word), ultra broody heroes, and life on a spaceship. Her books are impossible to put down and the plot moves at light speed. They are exciting, sexy, and addicting and packed to the brim with action and intrigue.

If you have not already read her Consortium Rebellion series stop reading this post and do that right now. Then you can move on to Starlight’s Shadow. Book one in that series, Hunt the Stars, came out earlier this year and it is absolutely fantastic. The second book, Eclipse the Moon (which has one of the most stunning covers I’ve ever seen) comes out in July and you do not want to miss it!

Kee is a former soldier, now working as a hacker on a team of intergalactic bounty hunters. I won’t say too much about what she’s working on because you need to read the first book for all the details. She’s nursing a big, secret crush on Varro, a member of her crew who seems determined to keep her at a distance. Varro’s big, broody, grumpy, quiet, and protective (my favorite kind) and absolutely oblivious to Kee’s feelings. These two dummies end up in a very small room together as they work to uncover dangerous information and the tension between them is off the charts. Eclipse the Moon has:

- forced proximity
- friends to lovers slow burn
- space cats!
- telepathic flirting

While each book in this series has a stand alone romance, the overall plot takes place over all three and I really cannot wait for the next book to come out! Thanks so much to Harper for the opportunity to read an early copy of this one. Eclipse the Moon is out 7/12!

A very romance-heavy sci-fi espionage book. The main couple is endearing and cute. The love interest is protective without being overbearing. The protagonist is emotionally open without being melodramatic, and a capable hacker.

Here is my video review: https://youtu.be/bqJ33eMl384?t=789

This is a book 2, but it still makes sense without reading book 1. Book 1 follows a different protagonist, so this story stands on its own quite nicely.

My favorite thing about this book was that our main character, Kee, felt unique. She doesn’t neatly fit into one stereotype box. She’s her own complicated self. She is emotionally strong (in that she doesn’t freak out over every little thing, and is emotionally mature), and yet she also tears up at the drop of a hat (and kind of hates her eyes for it). She bombastically dies her hair rainbow colors, and is outgoing and sassy. And yet she is also a HYPER FOCUSED hacker who takes her tech job very seriously. She is resourceful and good under pressure, and yet bad in a physical fight.
In short, it was a joy to follow her in this book.

The only thing that I would critique about this book is that I wish that there was more drama. Both the action-plot and the romance-plot didn’t feel pressing enough for me. This book is fast paced, and yet relatively low-angst.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

What an absolute joy! Mihalik's use of one of my favorite tropes, Sunshine/Grump, combined with a slow-burn sexy space opera? Winner winner. The spice level in this series is lower than in her previous series, but the well-drawn interstellar conflict and compelling characterization mean I don't miss anything.

I didn't like this one quite as much as the first one but it was still fun. I feel like I didn't get to know the hero as well which made it harder to connect with the romance. I enjoy the world and am excited for the next one.