Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Eclipse the Moon by Jessie Mihalik Narrator: Frankie Corzo
Series: Starlight's Shadow #2
Published by Harper Voyager, HarperAudio on July 12, 2022
Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera
Pages: 448
Length: 12 hours, 21 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Kee Ildez has been many things: hacker, soldier, bounty hunter. She never expected to be a hero, but when a shadowy group of traitors starts trying to goad the galaxy’s two superpowers into instigating an interstellar war, Kee throws herself into the search to find out who is responsible—and stop them.
Digging up hidden information is her job, so hunting traitors should be a piece of cake, but the primary suspect spent years in the military, and someone powerful is still covering his tracks. Disrupting their plans will require the help of her entire team, including Varro Runkow, a Valovian weapons expert who makes her pulse race.
Quiet, grumpy, and incredibly handsome, Varro watches her with hot eyes but ignores all of her flirting, so Kee silently vows to keep her feelings strictly platonic. But that vow will be put to the test when she and Varro are forced to leave the safety of their ship and venture into enemy territory alone.
I enjoy all this author’s series, which combine space opera adventures with romance. In the Starlight’s Shadow series, there is a new couple in each book. The style is urban fantasy with an overall story arc through the books. Eclipse the Moon sets up the next book at the end, just as the previous book did for this one. The situations are very much military, space opera with plenty of tech. The romance lightens the story. Her female characters are strong and smart, and the story is from their point of view.
Our main characters are Kee, a human, who is a tech hacker and information specialists, and Varro, is a Valoff, and his mind skills are very strong compared to most other Valoffs. The story is a milder version of enemies-to-lovers since they were on opposing sides in the war, but now they are teammates on the ship. Kee is attracted to Varro and he thinks he can’t have a relationship with her, or anyone, because…
Kee decides to take time off on a station to gather more information about their enemies and get space from Varro to get control of her unrequited feelings. Except Varro comes along to protect her. Then she gets asked to participate in a fashion show with a combined design team of human and Valoff. The fashion show is very fun and things don’t go exactly as planned.
There are some dangerous battles with old enemies and the team makes some new friends. It’s a rough go with our main couple in serious danger at times. I look forward to the next outing where they hopefully capture their old enemy and are able to avert a new war between humans and Valoffs.
Narration:
I was new to this narrator with the series. Since the main point of view is female, the fit is comfortable. I enjoyed her both her male and female voices. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
Giveaway:
Enter to win a new print proof of Eclipse the Moon by Jessie Mihalik. US only
About Jessie Mihalik
Jessie Mihalik has a degree in Computer Science and a love of all things geeky. A software engineer by trade, Jessie now writes full time from her home in Texas. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing co-op video games with her husband, trying out new board games, or reading books pulled from her overflowing bookshelves.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I’m so behind this month, I still haven’t read this! I’m sure some of my July books will spill into August. I’m glad you enjoyed it😁
I always enjoy this author. I’ve read all 3 of her series.
That’s funny that she went to work on a different project to get away from him and he came along.
Good stuff! I like the blend of space opera and romance I get from this author.
I like that they were on opposing sides at first but now have to learn to get along, they sometimes make the best couples
Thanks Anne
This series is full of it. Two different species learning to trust, work together and save their races overall.
Nice review, I love that there is a space fashion show! How fun!
It’s a lot of fun. I like the spacey, tech stuff too.
Ooh this sounds interesting 😯 I’m gonna add this to my TBR!
I’d start with the first one in the series but there are just the 2 books so far. I hope you love it.
I’d never heard of space opera until you, Anne💜 Thanks for introducing me to new genres. This looks fascinating!
Thanks. I was reading space opera in the late 70s- early 80s because I loved the technology and science, like Asimov, Herbert, Niven and L’Engle and more.
Oh, I just finished listening to the first book and really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to getting to this one later this summer. Glad it was another good one (I looked at your ratings, but skipped the review).
I love this author. I get the space tech and a romance. I hope you enjoy it too.
I am really enjoying this series. I thought that Kee and Varro were great together!
I love it too. I’ve read 3 series by the author and loved them all.
I’m looking forward to reading this one. It’s up next in my queue!
I hope you love it too!
This sounds really good. I think I would enjoy both Kee and Varro. I still have her Consortium Rebellion series sitting on my TBR shelf and really hope to at least start that one this year.
The Consortium Rebellion will give you a good feel for the author’s style which is similar in all 3 series I have read and loved.
I love this series/author and am glad you picked up the audio this time.
I’ve loved everything I have read from this author.
I love Jessie Mihalik and I’ve just finished this one. I liked the first one better, but this was pretty exciting too.
yes I really enjoy everything by this author.