*This review will not contain spoilers*
Everyone in the universe knows his name. Everyone in the universe fears him. But no one realizes that notorious outlaw Ia Cocha is a seventeen-year-old girl. A criminal mastermind and unrivaled pilot, Ia has spent her life terrorizing the Olympus Commonwealth, the imperialist nation that destroyed her home. When the Commonwealth captures her and her true identity is exposed, they see Ia’s age and talent as an opportunity: by forcing her to serve them, they will prove that no one is beyond their control. Soon, Ia is trapped at the Commonwealth’s military academy, desperately plotting her escape. But new acquaintances—including Brinn, a seemingly average student with a closely-held secret, and their charming Flight Master, Knives—cause Ia to question her own alliances. Can she find a way to escape the Commonwealth’s clutches before these bonds deepen?
I was mildly looking forward to this one. It sounded interesting enough, but it wasn’t really registering on my radar. But, I had the opportunity to make a trade for a manuscript and I took it.
AND GOOD GOSH AM I GLAD I DID. I adored this book so much. It was so magically fantastic and honestly one of the sci-fi books that I constantly yearn for. It had 3 POVS, but they were brought together so seamlessly that I honestly loved jumping between them. I might have went into a new chapter missing Ia, but within a few words I was hooked into Brinn’s mind.
This book is full of fierce characters, literally teeming with them. I think one of my favorite things about it was all the characters, even the side characters, were strong and fierce, but completely in their own way. They all had their reasons for doing what they did and it all made sense. Enough information was given that I really understood what made these characters tick. And it was wonderful.
The world building was spectacular. This world mirrors our own in some ways, but has it’s own spin on it. There were different aspects of sci-fi that I personally haven’t seen done before, but they were so interesting!
I loved the setting. I love a good training academy story, with that super charming enemy. It was so interesting knowing why Ia, Brinn, and Knives (that name is weird, but it grows on you, I promise), where there at the academy and then watching all their stories intersect as they interacted. They all have such different backgrounds and motivations and secrets, but in a way they feel very, very similar. In a good way. I also loved how I completely understood all of their actions. Their motivations were all so clear, that every move they made, made sense to me.
I was no prepared for the reveal towards the end. I honestly did not see it coming and I am still very mad at a certain someone who I’m not going to name due to spoilers.
I am very much looking forward to seeing where this story is going. I have a might need for book 2. I cannot way to see what happens with Brinn, Knives, Ia, and friends. I think it will be interesting to see how some of the plot points of this story pan out. I’m really really pumped to see this world again.
Pre-order if you would also like to read this brilliance. And check out the official cover that is absolutely gorgeous: https://www.amazon.com/Ignite-Stars-Maura-Milan/dp/0807536253
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