"Bravery is about standing up and going forward in spite of fear."

Be prepared for pure enchantment, delight, and adventure. J'nell Ciesielski has penned a completely different, and completely brilliant, historical romance. I was a bit surprised at the world of spies and international espionage and adrenaline-filled suspense since this is not her usual style but fell in love immediately. It's an intense mix of Mission Impossible, James Bond, and Avengers - complete with cool gadgets, slippery villains, fantastic group of characters, betrayal within the team and gasp-worthy plot twists.

I loved Ivy and Jack and Phillip. Their orphan hearts are so broken and bruised, yet they find strength in each other. Their desire for purpose and sense of belonging is thoroughly relatable. Ivy's gumption, intelligence, and compassion perfectly compliment Jack's skill, strength, firm leadership, and clear sense of responsibility as they work together as spies and assets. Ivy and Jack's love is so tender and their banter is truly fantastic. I can't wait for the second installment of the series. This book ends on a cliff-hanger of sorts and I need to find out what happens next!

This is book not to be missed. I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

"She wanted adventure, possibility, and the chance to leave a mark on the world showing that she had chosen to live."

Rating: 3/5 💫
TW: violence

How does love blossom in a time of strife? #TheBrillianceofStars by #JnellCiesielski begins with two street urchins struggling for survival on the streets of Washington DC when they eavesdrop on a conversation not meant for ordinary ears. The grit and persistence of the urchins, especially Ivy Olwen, catapults them into a new life under the secret society, Talon. While studying how to detonate and defuse bombs, dancing, European languages and lore, Ivy finds that her hardened heart softening for Jack Vale. As global tensions rise, a small group of agents are sent to Russia to stop a madman whose bloodlust manifests in an arms race that could rip the world apart.

The premise of the novel sounds fascinating, and the promise of espionage in the build-up to WWI made me excited to pick it up. I liked the exposition where the transformation of Ivy and Phillip, but having read other texts that depict similar journeys, I thought that it did not spend enough time showing the internal change in both Ivy and Phillip.

I soon realised that the novel's focus is more on the romance, rather than the espionage (at least, that's how I felt). Personally, it is not a genre I read or enjoy anymore and I was unable to appreciate the slowburn romance; I was impatient during the development of their love because I was more invested in the historical aspects of the novel. In this case, I guess that 'it's not the book, it's me'.

If you're a reader who enjoys romance against a backdrop of secrecy and global tensions, this would be the book for you. Thank you @netgalley and @thomasnelson for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Brilliance of Stars is out now (1 November 2022).

Washington D.C, 1914: Ivy Olwen is well educated in so many necessary survival skills. She knows how to handle explosives, is a sharpshooter and also knows her fair share of sabotage and wartime intelligence. Ivy knows how to take care of herself and survive the most difficult of times. She spends countless hours among the stacks of books in the library, it’s there among the quiet time that she learns so much. One of her favorite things is stargazing on the rooftop with Agent Jack Vale. They are each other's life support system. Their desire to survive is because of each other. They fight for each other and alongside each other. So, when they are sent into Russia to track down a dangerous arms dealer, the manhunt that lies ahead of them is one that will surely put all their knowledge and skills to the ultimate test.

Wow, this book completely blew me away on so many levels. I almost don’t know where to begin about how much I loved this book. The characters were absolute jewels, I loved everything about them. I was extremely impressed with the research that went into the phenomenal storyline. I was so engrossed in this book and the description of the heart racing plot had me seeing my breath as I was traipsing through the frozen tundra of Russia. I was completely propelled to the other side of the world with just the flip of the page. This story had my emotions running wild, as I was flying through the pages. This book was inspiring, gripping and absolutely impossible to put down. This is a new author to me, but has definitely soared to the very top of my auto-buy author list. She is without a doubt an author that if her name is on the cover, her book will be in my hand. I learned so much about World War I from this book, that it may be a new favorite era for me to read about. If you read only one other book the rest of the year, it has to be this one. A five star rating for this book just doesn’t seem like enough. I definitely recommend this book a thousand times.

Thank you J’Nell Ciesielski for such a phenomenal beginning to what I am sure will be a fantastic series. I enjoyed it very much, it was truly inspiring, and I highly recommend it.

I have loved all the books I have read by J'nell and this one was no exception. The cast of characters is very strong and will keep you fully engaged. I never knew what was going to happen next. J'nell does a great job of keeping the reader engaged.

The romance between Ivy and Jack was intense and full of ups and downs. Very well done.

Overall, if you enjoy historical fiction I am sure you will enjoy this book.


A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5* Warning: This book is part of a series and ends in a cliffhanger.

This book was like a mashup of spy/secret society, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Captain America. There was a lot going on from the very beginning. I enjoyed the book, but it's not my normal read and so I needed to take a break every now and then. There was a lot of intrigue, which I enjoy, but there was also a lot of violence. The romance was kind of predictable, but still sweet. Ivy and Jack really understood each other and were really good together. Overall I enjoyed the book, but it was overwhelming sometimes and I wasn't expecting the cliffhanger/series aspect so I gave it 3.5*.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

The Brilliance of Stars is the first book in the Jack and Ivy series by J'nell Ciesielski. Action, romance, spies, and secrets, The Brilliance of Stars has it all. An epic, Bond-style tale set during the first World War, The Brilliance of Stars grips the reader from the first page. I can't wait to read the next book in the Jack and Ivy series!

At sixteen, Ivy Olwen knows how to survive the cruel streets of Washington, D. C. with her wits, intuition, and the help of her brother-by-choice, Phillip. In 1914, cities, states, and governments didn’t have a safety net for abandoned and orphaned children. Ivy and Phillip’s lives change when a clandestine organization takes them in—offering food, shelter, and an education. If she and Phillip pass the test, they can join Talon—a covert society dedicated to keeping evil at bay wherever it lurks.

Ivy, unsure of her abilities, finds Talon agent Jack Vale a faithful friend and companion. They spend hours in the library together and share a love of stargazing. As her training progresses, Jack becomes her sparring partner. As iron sharpens iron, Ivy and Jack sharpen each other.

In three years, Ivy’s gift for book learning and Phillip’s gift for mechanics and explosives gain them entrance into the ranks of full-fledged field agents. Their first task involves a European trip to take out the mysterious Balaur Tsar.

Danger lurks wherever they go, and Ivy, Jack, and Phillip struggle to find their quarry and assassinate him before Balaur Tsar uses the cover of the Great War to release a weapon of mass destruction on an unsuspecting world.

Jack Vale has longed for home his entire life. Brought into the Talon agency in his teens, the organization has honed him into a man of honor, courage, and daring. His first test of leadership will tax every skill he’s learned. But with Ivy at his side, Jack knows he can do anything.

Will his longing for home and Ivy be the downfall of the mission?

What I Loved About This Book

Ciesielski creates an intriguing world of assassins whose sole purpose is to keep evil at bay. Talon recruits agents from all walks of life, finds their unique skills, and fine-tunes them so they can accomplish just about anything. For orphans such as Jack, Ivy, and Phillip, Talon provides the family they lost or never had.

Readers will relate to Ivy’s love of books and learning and her struggle to apply all she knows to real life. They’ll cheer for Ivy as she tries to navigate her feelings for Jack in the middle of their difficult assignment. Ciesielski writes swoon-worthy scenes and follows them up with edge-of-your-seat suspense. Jack and Ivy’s verbal sparring adds a much-needed comedic element at times.

As part one in a two-part series, the ending left me feeling hopeful yet heavy-hearted over one of the supporting character’s storylines. I look forward to the sequel and more adventures with the intrepid Jack and Ivy.

ADVENTURE, ESPIONAGE, & ROMANCE!

Author J’nell Ciesielski has presented readers with her latest release, The Brilliance of Stars, and it is overrun with adventure, espionage, and romance! She has a brilliant plot that involves orphans being rescued by a covert agency and after intense training, sent out as assassins. Her characters Ivy and Jack grow from being survivors on the streets to being educated in etiquette to explosives as well as sharpshooting and sabatouge. But, from the moment they met, their hearts were drawn together. That could prove to be a liability or an advantage if their desire is controlled and the agency has taught them to never lose control. Ciesielski places these two and a few others in the agency in one of the most covert assignments imaginable, a manhunt that will be a true test of wills and of all the forces of Good vs. Evil. This is an intense story and will keep you on the edge of your seat!

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

This one knocks]ed me backwards. There is a ton of action, fights, close calls, and intrigue to keep a reader’s interest.
Scurrying across Southern Europe and Russia, Jack and Ivy are a tough duo to contend. They are armed, dangerous, and devoted to kne another.
I did get a bit lost in all the fast paced scenes and trying to figure who was who and what went where.
It was interesting to read this set in WWI era.
It offers a little something: romance, intrigue, secrets, fighting, and mystery for all readers.

Oh my stars! This book was epic!!

When I first saw the cover of The Brilliance of Stars I just assumed it was another historical romance that Ms. Ciesielski is known for. Since I didn’t read the blurb, I still had that in mind. In the back of my mind, I vaguely remember her talking about being inspired by the Winter Soldier, but still, I didn’t make the connection.

Then I started reading the book and was hook! From the opening line, page, and on and on as I read about Jack and Ivy. I fell in love with their story, with the fast-paced action plot line. I also fell in love with the secondary characters and the whole world Ms. Ciesielski built.

Seriously. Epic.

I could continue on by saying that Jack has the most swooniest lines and my Kindle copy may have highlights marking such occasions. Or I could talk about how tough Ivy is and how I’d want her as a friend because using your love for story to become a spy makes me tip my imaginary hat to her. Or I could even say how Phillip (one of the secondary characters) has me churned up in side waiting to know the outcome.

But more importantly, I want to say, go buy this book. It has suspense, romance in spades, an eye opening spotlight in history, and style uniquely Ms. Ciesielski. All of that makes this book readable and re-readable in my opinion.

I can’t wait for book 2!!

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

The Brilliance of Stars sees J’nell Ciesielski going in a different direction creatively as she writes her first series. While still set during the First World War, like her other books, it’s fun to see her trying something new by fleshing out a couple’s love story over multiple books.

I love the way Ciesielski embeds real history into her work. And the fact that she’s written multiple books about WWI and touched on a new aspect every single time really gets at the multifaceted nature of the war itself. I liked seeing more of Russia and the Eastern front, especially from a civilian and international perspective (my previous reads of that perspective were more insular, focused on the Romanov family). The shifting political climate in Russia and how that impacted the landscape of the war is conveyed poignantly, as are the many moments of peril the major characters face.

I really liked Jack and Ivy’s relationship as well. I love that they’re both orphans who grew up knowing the tough realities of the world, but are now contributing to the war effort. It was fun to see how they challenged each other, while also exploring how their love grew. And even with the intense rising stakes, I appreciate they were given moments, however brief, to be happy, get married, and act as a normal married couple would.

I really enjoyed this book, and can’t wait to find out what awaits the characters in the next book. If you enjoy historical fiction set during World War I and/or low-heat, high-stakes historical romance, I think you’ll enjoy this book.

This was a fun read. Not typcail Ciesielski, but I really enjoyed the story, and I can't wait for the sequel! Very Jason Bourne-esque vibes. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read and review it!

WWI spies, a spirited heroine, and a strong but gentle hero? I’m so in!

Then add gorgeous, sweeping scenery, a sparkling cast, and twisty plot. Gah! Bring it on. Now I just need the sequel…like yesterday, please.

Oh how I love this author, and the gripping world she has created with spies, romance, and intrigue in this splendid WWI historical novel.

Ivy and Philip, two orphans taken off the D.C. streets by a secret agency designed to do good in an evil world, are trained to be operatives by agent Jack Vale. The three are assigned the mission of tracking down Russia's most treacherous arms dealer. Their astonishing exploits take them through freezing tundra, to the Crimean Peninsula and the Trans-Siberian Railway, with compelling depth added by the growing romance between Jack and Ivy.

You'll be gobsmacked by the cliffhanger end, which left me longing for promised book two, which can't come soon enough. Highly recommended for readers who love spy stories and romance and the fight between good and evil.

Teenage orphan Ivy Olwen has to dress as a boy to survive on the rough city streets. When she and her fellow orphan friend, Phillip, unwittingly get in the way of a secret organization’s undercover operation, she gets recruited into their network of spies. As she is trained by fellow agent Jack Vale, she can’t help but sense a growing attraction between them. Will she and Jack be able to build a life together, or will a dangerous mission put an end to their dreams? The stage is set for an epic battle between the forces of good and evil in this first of two Jack and Ivy romantic suspense novels.

This is a series I really should have waited to binge read! It's so good! I don't know how I'm going to wait for books two and three. The Brilliance of Stars is a compelling, excellent historical fiction and action story with friendship, romance, and intrigue, taking place in Washington DC and Russia 1914-1917.

Ivy and her friend Phillip have lived off the streets since they were turned out of the orphange at age 10. Six years later they are discovered by Jack Vale and others from the secret Talon spy agency where eventually they are trained as spies and assassins. They are trained in many areas as well as well as areas that become their skill sets.

I highly recommend The Brilliance of Stars, and I cannot wait for book two! Thank you to the publisher and net galley for allowing me to read an e-copy. All opinions are my own.

This book has it all; adventure, romance and suspense. It hooks you on the first page and doesn't let.
Grab you a cup of hot cocoa, your favorite throw and settle in for a wonderful read. Loved it!
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson--FICTION via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to the author for inviting me on their book tour and my advanced copy of their brilliant book!

What’s worth fighting for more than love? It’s 1914 and the world is being thrown into war while at the same time Ivy Olwen finds herself being thrown into the world of a secret society, Talon. Their key goal being maintaining the good in a world of evil.

Ivy quickly starts to learn how to be a successful spy and assassin and to expect the unexpected. But what Ivy doesn’t expect is to fall in love with fellow agent, Jack Vale, a sharp shooter who never misses. As the pair are thrust into dangerous situations together, each more terrifying than the last, the will to survive only grows as they fight for their love.

When I heard this book being described as Marvel’s Avengers meets Indiana Jones I knew I had to read this. And I was not disappointed! This book has everything you could hope for including adventure, action, history and romance. The love between Ivy and Jack resonates off the page and you are sure to be charmed by the duo.

The secret society offered a unique spin towards the plot and made it so much more than just a war time historical fiction book. I was so entertained that couldn’t help feeling like I was part of this thrilling adventure! This book is out next week so if you want to come along for this riveting literary journey grab yourself a copy which I promise you’ll love!

Read if you:
- Are a fan of The Avengers/Indiana Jones.
- Believe love conquers all.
-Want a thrilling and adventurous book.

Ivy Olwen is an orphan, and she and her best friend Philip have been living on the Washington DC streets for six years and where only the strong survive. Both are recruited into a secret society that wants good to prevail, victory is achievable, no matter the cost and course of action taken. The Brilliance of Stars had it all--adventure, romance, suspense, and intrigue. This is the third book I've read by this author, she is now on my list of favorites.

Orphaned Ivy Olwen has survived on the streets for years with her friend Philip. But after witnessing something they shouldn’t have, Ivy and Philip are whisked away into a secret spy society. There they learn different languages, combat, and shooting. As well as ballroom dancing and etiquette. Fellow spy and street kid Jack Vale has been adopted into Ivy and Philip’s group and his feelings for Ivy are taking a more romantic turn. As WW1 rages they all get assigned to the same foreign mission. But little do they know the depths of what they are looking for. And in the end choices will be made and not everyone will come out unscathed.
 
This was a great historical thriller. The pacing was really good. I felt the balance of action and romance was well done. All the characters were interesting and well-rounded. Loved Ivy, Jack, and Philip’s friend group. Philip and Ivy had a very sweet brother/sister relationship while Ivy and Jack definitely had the romantic chemistry. Things could get quite violent with all the spy action, so it was nice to have the little moments of romance. And I was glad the author made the action realistic in the sense that not everyone comes out unscathed or alive. Even the good guys get hurt sometimes. It’s sad but gives the story a more realistic feel.
 
The book does end on a cliffhanger of sorts, but I found it a very manageable and well-done cliffhanger. It’s a “Happy for Now” ending with a hint of more danger to come.
 
If you’re looking for historical fiction with spy intrigue, action, adventure, and a dash of romance, then go get this book when it comes out November 1st.
 
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.