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I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. |
Book Info
Released: January 1st 2019
Genre: Sci Fi
Series: Endeavor #1
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
“How would I diagnose this? I would say that Nightchaser has a massive case of first-book-syndrome.”
~ Under the Covers
I had been looking forward to reading this book for a while. I really enjoyed Amanda Bouchet’s debut series the Kingmaker Chronicles, a fantasy trilogy heavy on the romance. Now, she’s taking a stab at sci fi; I love a sci fi series. My expectation were high. Now I have finished the book it’s taken me some time to organise my thoughts around it. They are one big tumble of both the good and the bad so I am carefully de-tangling each thread so I can take a closer look.
I think best in list form, it makes me feel like I am being efficient!
This book was a slow starter. It’s not that I think a book should come in guns (or lasers) blazing and then just get more hectic as it goes on. But, this book was very static. To the point where I was carefully looking in the nooks and crannies wondering where the plot had gone. I understand that Bouchet was building up her world and some of the characters within it. The problem was, was that it just wasn’t a gripping read; it wasn’t compelling me to turn the pages.
Then it went at light speed. I like books to have a steady pace throughout, a good build up to an exciting conclusion. Nightchaser plodded along for 70% and then we had an exciting ride for the last 30%. I really enjoyed that last 30%. Finally! Stuff was happening. That last 30% is what has me eager to grab the next book. But it was like reading two different books.
I did like the characters. Despite whinging about the first 70% of the book, it did do a great job of building the main characters and showing you the crew dynamics. There are some interesting story threads and even a potential secondary romance that Bouchet has built. I look forward to seeing how Bouchet develops them further.
Speaking of romance. If the Kingmaker Chronicles was a fantasy with a large dose of romance, Nightchaser is a sci fi with a romance at its core. The problem was, I didn’t really enjoy the romance. I liked Shade and Tess separately, but I didn’t quite see the connection. If I am honest I preferred the tension between Fiona and Jaxon – two members of Tessa’s crew.
How would I diagnose this? I would say that Nightchaser has a massive case of first-book-syndrome. It has great potential and Bouchet was just capitalising on this towards the end of the book. I fully plan on reading the next book in this series as I can’t wait to see where the story goes.
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About Amanda Bouchet
Amanda Bouchet grew up in New England where she spent much of her time tromping around in the woods and making up grand adventures in her head. It was inevitable that one day she would start writing them down. Drawing on her Greek heritage for the setting and on her love of all things daring and romantic for the rest, her debut trilogy, The Kingmaker Chronicles, took form. She writes what she loves to read: epic exploits, steamy romance, and characters that make you laugh and cry.
A French master’s graduate and former English teacher, Amanda lives in Paris, France. She met her husband while studying abroad, and the family now includes two bilingual children who will soon be correcting her French.
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Annnnnd I will stop myself there, before I start waxing lyrical about my love of historical romance and fantasy as well; no one needs to know about my elf fantasies. As you can tell, I adore and day dream about most romance genres, and my three big loves are 1) reading about romance 2) writing about romance and 3) talking about romance with my gals. Which, is why I love Under the Covers so much, I get all my bookish needs satisfied and don’t get judged when I talk about my favourite characters like they are real people. Which they are right?
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I was looking at this too because I enjoyed the kingmaker series but I may wait until book 2 comes out.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it Suzanne
Thanks for the review.