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In the Barren Sky
Kirlia never wanted to be a member of the Ballakane Imperial Forces. It was why she’d left the planet after being kicked out of the military academy four years ago.
Unable to pass up the opportunity to infiltrate the military forces she’s grown to loath, Kirlia becomes a spy on an Imperial Forces dreadnought commanded by the famed war hero, Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Tsvetkov.
All she wants to do is complete her commission and go back to the Erske outpost, but her mission of sabotage and subterfuge gets complicated as the Lieutenant Colonel notices her and she begins to feel for a man she thought she’d hate.
The longer she spends in space the more Kirlia is uncertain which outcome is more likely: her secrets exposed or the betrayal of her own heart.
Unable to pass up the opportunity to infiltrate the military forces she’s grown to loath, Kirlia becomes a spy on an Imperial Forces dreadnought commanded by the famed war hero, Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Tsvetkov.
All she wants to do is complete her commission and go back to the Erske outpost, but her mission of sabotage and subterfuge gets complicated as the Lieutenant Colonel notices her and she begins to feel for a man she thought she’d hate.
The longer she spends in space the more Kirlia is uncertain which outcome is more likely: her secrets exposed or the betrayal of her own heart.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 2, 2023
ARC Review
Now, Sci-Fi has never been my favourite genre. But when I saw the synopsis and tropes for this book, I knew I just had to get the arc!!
Fast-paced and easy to read, this book practically blew me away. Unlike a lot of sci-fi and fantasy books, this one doesn't have names that are too hard to pronounce or figure out, which is a major point in its favour!
I found the characters to each be relatable in their own right. They all had qualities about them that you could relate to, and I think that made it great to be able to connect with both Kirlia and Tsvetkov.
I loved how both the FMC and MMC were always so tough, yet when they were together, you got to see the softer sides to them. It's like you're in on their little secret life, which I suppose you are.
I could say so much more about this book, I could go on forever, I am absolutely obsessed with it!!
⚠️ All throughout the book, I wanted to kill Prince Declan, I thought it great how Kirlia messes with him enough to annoy him but not enough to be punished by it. It was written so well, his sadistic mannerism, that you really do feel so much anger towards him.
I loved the sparring between Kirlia and Alexei. You can feel the tension and the chemistry between them throughout. It's unavoidable. It was just sad how Alexei falls for her not having a clue that she's the enemy to start with and how Kirlia falls for him despite her mission.
Now, Sci-Fi has never been my favourite genre. But when I saw the synopsis and tropes for this book, I knew I just had to get the arc!!
Fast-paced and easy to read, this book practically blew me away. Unlike a lot of sci-fi and fantasy books, this one doesn't have names that are too hard to pronounce or figure out, which is a major point in its favour!
I found the characters to each be relatable in their own right. They all had qualities about them that you could relate to, and I think that made it great to be able to connect with both Kirlia and Tsvetkov.
I loved how both the FMC and MMC were always so tough, yet when they were together, you got to see the softer sides to them. It's like you're in on their little secret life, which I suppose you are.
I could say so much more about this book, I could go on forever, I am absolutely obsessed with it!!
⚠️ All throughout the book, I wanted to kill Prince Declan, I thought it great how Kirlia messes with him enough to annoy him but not enough to be punished by it. It was written so well, his sadistic mannerism, that you really do feel so much anger towards him.
I loved the sparring between Kirlia and Alexei. You can feel the tension and the chemistry between them throughout. It's unavoidable. It was just sad how Alexei falls for her not having a clue that she's the enemy to start with and how Kirlia falls for him despite her mission.
December 6, 2023
"Sex with the enemy is one thing. Dating them is another."
✨️ NA Sci-Fi Romance, set in space
✨️ Forbidden Love
✨️ Close Proximity
✨️ Among a War
✨️ He falls first
✨️ Closed Door Spice 🫑
✨️ FMC POV, First Person
✨️ Standalone
A great short-ish (~386) standalone read! I loved the romance between the MMC and FMC. Overall, I wished we had more scenes to develop the relationships, background war, and secrets/spy life because I just wanted to know more about this amazing world! Pretty fast moving book with gaps of time. I would recommend this book to others!
Thank you to the author for an eARC copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
✨️ NA Sci-Fi Romance, set in space
✨️ Forbidden Love
✨️ Close Proximity
✨️ Among a War
✨️ He falls first
✨️ Closed Door Spice 🫑
✨️ FMC POV, First Person
✨️ Standalone
A great short-ish (~386) standalone read! I loved the romance between the MMC and FMC. Overall, I wished we had more scenes to develop the relationships, background war, and secrets/spy life because I just wanted to know more about this amazing world! Pretty fast moving book with gaps of time. I would recommend this book to others!
Thank you to the author for an eARC copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
December 11, 2023
Thank you S L Francisco for gifting me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
I wouldn’t normally read this genre of book but when the author was asking for readers to have an E-ARC sent to them I thought I’d give it a go and I’m so happy I did. This story was really gripping and fast paced and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This book is about Kirlia who has been told her whole life that she could find trouble in an empty field, so she accepts an offer to spy on the enemy because why not?
The sparring to get to know each other, the forced proximity and how badass Kirlia is are just some points of this book that I enjoyed reading about. Not only is she badass in fighting but in brains as well.
The world building was enjoyable to read and it wasn’t too wordy to bring you out of picturing where the characters were.
As soon as Prince Declan was introduced I knew not to trust him, didn’t like him at all, which means the author wrote him really well. His personality and attitude were atrocious and his sadistic tendencies were worse. He wasn’t an enjoyable character to read, but he was also enjoyable for them “villainous” reasons.
I really enjoyed the side characters and I’m glad Kirlia got to make a friend in Esme. Hamish was a great mentor for Kirlia and their scenes were great to read.
The relationship between Alexei and Kirlia, wow. The sparring to get to know each other, the little touches, her teaching him how to fight, so much tension and all the reward. Their relationship progressed at a pace that wasn’t too fast and wasn’t too slow and I enjoyed reading that instead of the author deciding to just put them together straight away. We see how the more time Kirlia spends in space (and in Alexei’s space) the more she’s unsure how her mission will end. Them being tough and badass apart and then being able to show each other their softer sides made me want to kick my feet. It was just so f-ing cute to see. Also, that Mind Maiden scene… WOW. So many feels!
In the Barren Sky and by extension Alexei and Kirlia were able to grip me on sci-fi book and I’m so glad this was my first go of it because I think it might make me try others and I would recommend it to others (even the ones who aren’t keen on Sci-Fi).
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
I wouldn’t normally read this genre of book but when the author was asking for readers to have an E-ARC sent to them I thought I’d give it a go and I’m so happy I did. This story was really gripping and fast paced and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This book is about Kirlia who has been told her whole life that she could find trouble in an empty field, so she accepts an offer to spy on the enemy because why not?
The sparring to get to know each other, the forced proximity and how badass Kirlia is are just some points of this book that I enjoyed reading about. Not only is she badass in fighting but in brains as well.
The world building was enjoyable to read and it wasn’t too wordy to bring you out of picturing where the characters were.
As soon as Prince Declan was introduced I knew not to trust him, didn’t like him at all, which means the author wrote him really well. His personality and attitude were atrocious and his sadistic tendencies were worse. He wasn’t an enjoyable character to read, but he was also enjoyable for them “villainous” reasons.
I really enjoyed the side characters and I’m glad Kirlia got to make a friend in Esme. Hamish was a great mentor for Kirlia and their scenes were great to read.
The relationship between Alexei and Kirlia, wow. The sparring to get to know each other, the little touches, her teaching him how to fight, so much tension and all the reward. Their relationship progressed at a pace that wasn’t too fast and wasn’t too slow and I enjoyed reading that instead of the author deciding to just put them together straight away. We see how the more time Kirlia spends in space (and in Alexei’s space) the more she’s unsure how her mission will end. Them being tough and badass apart and then being able to show each other their softer sides made me want to kick my feet. It was just so f-ing cute to see. Also, that Mind Maiden scene… WOW. So many feels!
In the Barren Sky and by extension Alexei and Kirlia were able to grip me on sci-fi book and I’m so glad this was my first go of it because I think it might make me try others and I would recommend it to others (even the ones who aren’t keen on Sci-Fi).
November 10, 2024
In my opinion, In the Barren Sky is a well written young-adult, science-fiction novel. Its style is clear, and it’s both easy to read and enjoyable. It starts at pace, as Kirlia, the protagonist, is interviewed by an old, austere general named Costa. This cleverly set up interview illustrates how Kirlia is perfectly placed to act as a spy within the Ballakane Imperial Forces, i.e. within the enemy ranks. Indeed, Kirlia is soon deployed as a mole on the Protector, an enemy craft.
Once Kirlia is aboard the Protector, the novel begins to centre around the relationship between Kirlia and Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Tsvetkov, her sworn enemy and the destroyer of her birthplace. The author shrewdly leaves it unclear as to whether they're coming together is by chance or design, on Tsvetkov’s part. That is, to what degree his aim is purely to spar, and to train long-term, with an expert in hooked-blade combat, Kirlia, and to what degree he may or may not have some ulterior motive. Either way, their growing familiarity with one another - until such time as Kirlia must see out the orders of her mission - is excellently portrayed.
The gradual change in Kirlia’s feelings/attitude is well conveyed, so that, as the novel develops there is sense of authenticity and genuine transformation. The bad guys, as well, particularly Prince Declan, are depicted with skill; they are great fun to dislike intensely, as one would hate any spoiled brat young, pompous aristocrat. The lesser villains are also superb.
The plot is very clever. It comes together impressively in the end. Prince Declan’s motives are revealed and an exciting climax ensues. There is sorrow and realism, as well as a good, satisfying conclusion to the events. Overall, the book is solid, with good features, such as the training, the technology, and especially the “Mind Maiden,” a torture mechanism whose presence looms ominously throughout the narrative. Overall, I would give it 5 stars. Clearly, it has been put together with great care, so that to read it is as fun and exciting as possible.
Once Kirlia is aboard the Protector, the novel begins to centre around the relationship between Kirlia and Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Tsvetkov, her sworn enemy and the destroyer of her birthplace. The author shrewdly leaves it unclear as to whether they're coming together is by chance or design, on Tsvetkov’s part. That is, to what degree his aim is purely to spar, and to train long-term, with an expert in hooked-blade combat, Kirlia, and to what degree he may or may not have some ulterior motive. Either way, their growing familiarity with one another - until such time as Kirlia must see out the orders of her mission - is excellently portrayed.
The gradual change in Kirlia’s feelings/attitude is well conveyed, so that, as the novel develops there is sense of authenticity and genuine transformation. The bad guys, as well, particularly Prince Declan, are depicted with skill; they are great fun to dislike intensely, as one would hate any spoiled brat young, pompous aristocrat. The lesser villains are also superb.
The plot is very clever. It comes together impressively in the end. Prince Declan’s motives are revealed and an exciting climax ensues. There is sorrow and realism, as well as a good, satisfying conclusion to the events. Overall, the book is solid, with good features, such as the training, the technology, and especially the “Mind Maiden,” a torture mechanism whose presence looms ominously throughout the narrative. Overall, I would give it 5 stars. Clearly, it has been put together with great care, so that to read it is as fun and exciting as possible.
December 31, 2023
My review of: In the Barren Sky by S.L.Francisco
Format: E-book Arc gifted by the author
So I haven’t read a lot of books from indie authors yet but since joining bookstagram I have given it a try and I was kindly gifted an ARC of In the barren Sky by the author. I don’t usually go for Sci-fi but after reading the blurb and the tropes this book really did pique my interest and I am really glad I gave it a chance. So I wasn’t sure what to expect from indie but I have to say the quality of this one is just as good as any big author I have read so far. The writing was great, it was very easy to read and I loved the short chapters. I loved the first person perspective following the main character. I was a little on the fence with the closed door spice but it did not take away from how good the book was. I can honestly say I ended 2023 with a bang and I thank you again S.L.Francisco for gifting me an ARC of your amazing book!
Format: E-book Arc gifted by the author
So I haven’t read a lot of books from indie authors yet but since joining bookstagram I have given it a try and I was kindly gifted an ARC of In the barren Sky by the author. I don’t usually go for Sci-fi but after reading the blurb and the tropes this book really did pique my interest and I am really glad I gave it a chance. So I wasn’t sure what to expect from indie but I have to say the quality of this one is just as good as any big author I have read so far. The writing was great, it was very easy to read and I loved the short chapters. I loved the first person perspective following the main character. I was a little on the fence with the closed door spice but it did not take away from how good the book was. I can honestly say I ended 2023 with a bang and I thank you again S.L.Francisco for gifting me an ARC of your amazing book!
May 21, 2024
Thank you S.L. for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!
Wow!
This novel blends espionage, military intrigue, and romance so well!
This book's strongest point is its ending. The twist is both unexpected and satisfying. It's one of the most memorable conclusions I've read in a long time.
The decision to give this book a happy ending, paired with a closed door romance approach, makes it appealing for those who prefer their romantic tales to be more reserved yet emotionally impactful.
Kirlia is particularly endearing for always finding trouble. This adds a touch of humor and relatability to her intense journey. This characteristic combined with her resilience and intelligence makes her a protagonist readers can root for.
This novel offers a balance of action, romance, and suspense, delivering a story that is as thrilling as it is heartwarming.
Wow!
This novel blends espionage, military intrigue, and romance so well!
This book's strongest point is its ending. The twist is both unexpected and satisfying. It's one of the most memorable conclusions I've read in a long time.
The decision to give this book a happy ending, paired with a closed door romance approach, makes it appealing for those who prefer their romantic tales to be more reserved yet emotionally impactful.
Kirlia is particularly endearing for always finding trouble. This adds a touch of humor and relatability to her intense journey. This characteristic combined with her resilience and intelligence makes her a protagonist readers can root for.
This novel offers a balance of action, romance, and suspense, delivering a story that is as thrilling as it is heartwarming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2024
I picked this up thinking I was going on a Sci-fi adventure (which I rarely read). But, as it turns out, what I found was a lovely romance story set in space! This is a slow burn, focused on character development and deep moments of friendship, love and selflessness.
Fast paced, short chapters, easy to read, not too long or too short. A perfect treat to breathe in between reading a series or if you're just looking for a good standalone. :)
The print paperback is very comfortable to read, and looks great on my shelf!
Fast paced, short chapters, easy to read, not too long or too short. A perfect treat to breathe in between reading a series or if you're just looking for a good standalone. :)
The print paperback is very comfortable to read, and looks great on my shelf!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews