The Brilliance of Stars
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4.3 • 8 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
"Action! Romance! Spies! Secrets! The Brilliance of Stars has it all. This electrifying read from J'nell Ciesielski comes to life with historical details and sparkling descriptions that will leave the reader begging for book two!" —Amy E. Reichert
Amid the chaos of the Great War, two elite assassins learn precisely how dangerous it is to have something—or someone—worth losing.
Washington, DC, 1914. Ivy Olwen knows how to survive on the streets without two coins to rub together. Then destiny thrusts her into the nest of a covert agency of assassins sworn to drive back the world’s darkness, and she acquires a new set of lethal skills. Her education—from explosives to etiquette, sharpshooting to sabotage—is as far reaching as the organization’s missions. But it’s the hours she spends among the towering bookshelves in the library and stargazing on the roof with Agent Jack Vale that make her heart fly.
Jack knew plenty of hardship before the agency refined his rough edges, transforming him into the man who never misses. But he didn’t know the feeling of home until Ivy entered his world. Now Jack’s heart drums with a singular purpose: he will fight for her, fight alongside her. No matter the cost.
When the pair is sent on a seemingly simple mission to take down Russia’s newest and most dangerous arms dealer—a soulless man using the Great War as an opportunity to further his own depraved agenda—they discover that no amount of training could have prepared them for a manhunt that takes them across the frozen tundra, to the Crimean Peninsula, and along the Trans-Siberian Railway . . . only to discover that there is evil in the world they will never understand.
The first book of an epic duology from bestselling author J’nell Ciesielski, The Brilliance of Stars incorporates her signature blend of thrilling adventure, glamorous espionage, and sweeping romance.
Historical romance set during World War IBook length: approximately 116,000 wordsThe first Jack and Ivy novel; book two, To Free the Stars—coming August 2023Includes map of Europe 1917 and discussion questions for book clubs
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ciesielski (The Ice Swan) launches her Jack and Ivy duology with this captivating and immersive tale of espionage and romance amid the dangers of WWI. Jack Vale, a spy for the U.S.A.'s covert Talon Agency, recruits scrappy 16-year-old Ivy Olwen and her friend Philip after the teens stumble across one of the agency's missions. Ivy and Philip were both orphaned at a young age, and have gotten by on street smarts and survival instincts ever since, something Jack relates to from his own troubled childhood. Over the years, as Talon employees give Philip and Ivy the traditional education they missed, alongside combat and weapons training, Ivy and Jack develop a deep connection and a slow-burning romance. When the three agents are sent to revolutionary Russia and take down black market arms dealer Balaur Tsar, the dangerous mission tests their mettle and pushes their bonds to the limit. Ciesielski's unique plot entices from the first page, and she expertly weaves historical events into the narrative to create a feeling of authenticity. Readers are sure to be taken with the fortitude of Jack and Ivy, who manage to find stolen moments of happiness amid danger and violence.
Customer Reviews
The next step will not be enough.
Bravery is about standing up and moving forward in spite of fear.
Set in Washington, DG and various places in Russia during The Great War, the historical detail alone will keep you reading. As orphans, Ivy and Phillip have survived by looking out for each other. Suddenly thrust into a situation they cannot control, how will they fare?
Talon is a long standing group that prides themselves in being defenders of righteousness and protectors of the weak. Jack is a wonderful example of a hero you can swoon over and still expect nothing but the best from. The well developed characters are bound by different chains and yet will stop at nothing to secure their assigned target. Add some romance and a cliffhanger at the end, and you have a fantastic beginning to a series.
This copy was received through Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
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.