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Ignite the Stars #1
Ignite the Stars
Everyone in the universe knows his name. Everyone in the universe fears him. But no one realizes that notorious outlaw Ia Cōcha 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?
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?
388 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2018
104 people are currently reading
9207 people want to read
About the author
Maura Milan
3 books228 followersMaura Milan currently resides in Los Angeles, where she can be found hanging out in cafes and drinking matcha lattes. In her free time, Maura enjoys watching Korean dramas and hanging out with her schipperke, Thor, who she believes should become a professional comedian.
To this day, Gilbert Blythe is her ultimate boy crush.
To this day, Gilbert Blythe is her ultimate boy crush.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 487 reviews
January 3, 2019
*sobs in asian*
this was EVERYTHING I expected and more. I love the cover so much, even the vague and general space nebula background behind the model.
Ignite the Stars was the manifestation of everything I’ve wanted in a sci-fi novel:
→ a badass Asian protagonist
→ a found family
→ a slow-burn-as-hell romance
→ subtle current-day political themes
Seriously, Ia is amazing and she knows it.
Also, why was this pitched as Throne of Glass in space? This has a similar premise, but the plot goes in a very different direction?? (If you don't like this because it's pitched as Throne of Glass, let it be known that this is a lot more diverse!)
Ia is a teenage outlaw who’s basically ruthless and untrusting of anyone except her brother. She’s like Kaz but in female, Asian form and in space. And YOU BET she goes through an arc where she finds friends that won’t betray her. 💯👍🏼💯
Brinn is hiding the fact that she’s half-Tawny, part of a widely discriminated against group, by dying her hair brown from its natural shade of blue. She’s basically a freaking genius and I love the subtle political theme behind her patriotism vs. her identity.
Knives has a weird as hell name, but I still love him nonetheless. He’s an instructor at the space academy that literally just wants to lay low and do the bare minimum until Ia is thrown in his face, aka the most relatable character ever.
This story starts with Ia being captured by the Olympus Commonwealth who decide that the best idea to deal with her is to have her train as a cadet for their military. (The Olympus Commonwealth colonizes a ton, btw.)
Ia decides that she'll pretend to go along with this training, but she would gather information to try and break out. She ends up being roommates with Brinn, our half-Tawny.
This was really refreshing as a science-fiction because unlike a lot more common science-fictions set in space, this still has many touches of the current world; like the presence of mass media as well the heavier themes of colonization. I feel that a lot of fans of Starflight would really enjoy this book.
Honestly, this had a fairly shaky beginning but by the ninth chapter/around 60 pages I was completely invested in the storyline, the characters, and their relationships.
The romance wasn’t a huge plot point as much as our plot was about our characters learning to accept each others/themselves but I still really enjoyed reading it!
I want to talk about the growing friendship between Ia and Brinn because it’s my favorite thing on. this. earth. Ia helps Brinn get in touch with her identity as a Tawny by teaching her things she didn’t even know about herself, like their abilities. Ia encourages Brinn to love the Tawny part of herself and I just? 💕💕💖💖💞💕💓💞💓
And then Brinn helps Ia care for others and stays by Ia’s side even through Ia’s personal problems and I just? 💕💕💖💖💞💕💓💞💓💕💕💖💖💞💕💓💞💓
The character development and relationships are seriously the highlight of this entire book and make up for the less original plotline/premise!! (...I saw the plot twist coming from the first chapter.)
I loved the political theme centering around Brinn’s identity as a Tawny. Brinn tries to deny herself being half-Tawny not just by dying her hair, but by pretending as if it doesn’t matter/doesn’t exist. I could really connect to this narrative (even though I’m not biracial), and I’m sure so many other readers will too.
There’s a moment in the book where she tries to convince herself that even though she’s Tawny, she wouldn’t be discriminated and then there’s a sinking feeling in her gut that she would be; I feel like this will be a very important book to many people.
This book has a lot of discussion about patriotism; Brinn feels proud for the Olympus Commonwealth and feels extremely patriotic about the military while her family doesn’t understand how she can care so much for a place that doesn’t care for her. When she meets Ia, she feels disillusioned as she discovers that the Olympus isn’t as lawful and good as it claims to be.
Anyways, I just really loved Brinn’s character development as she becomes more comfortable with her Tawny identity. 💞💕💓
The couple of qualms I have about this book are mainly about its characterization of Ia. I feel like this book couldn't decide between having Ia being a vicious antiheroine vs. her being misconstrued as a villain when she's really all for justice. (Also, the curse word "mif" was used a lot and all I can say is ....interesting choice.)
Overall, this book has such an amazing underlying message beneath its exterior of a space sci-fi and it’s going to be important for so many readers: both for its poc model on its cover and for its underlying political message. I highly recommend this book, for biracial people and poc especially. It's more than just a general science-fiction book.
Trigger and content warnings for genocide, death, colonization, and torture.
this was EVERYTHING I expected and more. I love the cover so much, even the vague and general space nebula background behind the model.
Ignite the Stars was the manifestation of everything I’ve wanted in a sci-fi novel:
→ a badass Asian protagonist
→ a found family
→ a slow-burn-as-hell romance
→ subtle current-day political themes
Seriously, Ia is amazing and she knows it.
Also, why was this pitched as Throne of Glass in space? This has a similar premise, but the plot goes in a very different direction?? (If you don't like this because it's pitched as Throne of Glass, let it be known that this is a lot more diverse!)
Sure, she killed people, but those people had killed hundreds before she got her hands on them. It was a bloody, bone-breaking kind of justice, but it was still justice.
Ia is a teenage outlaw who’s basically ruthless and untrusting of anyone except her brother. She’s like Kaz but in female, Asian form and in space. And YOU BET she goes through an arc where she finds friends that won’t betray her. 💯👍🏼💯
Brinn is hiding the fact that she’s half-Tawny, part of a widely discriminated against group, by dying her hair brown from its natural shade of blue. She’s basically a freaking genius and I love the subtle political theme behind her patriotism vs. her identity.
Knives has a weird as hell name, but I still love him nonetheless. He’s an instructor at the space academy that literally just wants to lay low and do the bare minimum until Ia is thrown in his face, aka the most relatable character ever.
This story starts with Ia being captured by the Olympus Commonwealth who decide that the best idea to deal with her is to have her train as a cadet for their military. (The Olympus Commonwealth colonizes a ton, btw.)
Ia decides that she'll pretend to go along with this training, but she would gather information to try and break out. She ends up being roommates with Brinn, our half-Tawny.
This was really refreshing as a science-fiction because unlike a lot more common science-fictions set in space, this still has many touches of the current world; like the presence of mass media as well the heavier themes of colonization. I feel that a lot of fans of Starflight would really enjoy this book.
Her eyes narrowed at him. One day, he would realize that deadly things also come in small packages.
Honestly, this had a fairly shaky beginning but by the ninth chapter/around 60 pages I was completely invested in the storyline, the characters, and their relationships.
The romance wasn’t a huge plot point as much as our plot was about our characters learning to accept each others/themselves but I still really enjoyed reading it!
I want to talk about the growing friendship between Ia and Brinn because it’s my favorite thing on. this. earth. Ia helps Brinn get in touch with her identity as a Tawny by teaching her things she didn’t even know about herself, like their abilities. Ia encourages Brinn to love the Tawny part of herself and I just? 💕💕💖💖💞💕💓💞💓
And then Brinn helps Ia care for others and stays by Ia’s side even through Ia’s personal problems and I just? 💕💕💖💖💞💕💓💞💓💕💕💖💖💞💕💓💞💓
The character development and relationships are seriously the highlight of this entire book and make up for the less original plotline/premise!! (...I saw the plot twist coming from the first chapter.)
She'd go along with being a cadet for now, until they'd all forgotten about the Blood Wolf within their ranks. Once their defenses were down, only then would she flash her teeth.
I loved the political theme centering around Brinn’s identity as a Tawny. Brinn tries to deny herself being half-Tawny not just by dying her hair, but by pretending as if it doesn’t matter/doesn’t exist. I could really connect to this narrative (even though I’m not biracial), and I’m sure so many other readers will too.
There’s a moment in the book where she tries to convince herself that even though she’s Tawny, she wouldn’t be discriminated and then there’s a sinking feeling in her gut that she would be; I feel like this will be a very important book to many people.
This book has a lot of discussion about patriotism; Brinn feels proud for the Olympus Commonwealth and feels extremely patriotic about the military while her family doesn’t understand how she can care so much for a place that doesn’t care for her. When she meets Ia, she feels disillusioned as she discovers that the Olympus isn’t as lawful and good as it claims to be.
Anyways, I just really loved Brinn’s character development as she becomes more comfortable with her Tawny identity. 💞💕💓
Brinn was technically half-Tawny, but in her eyes, she was a Commonwealth Citizen through and through. Only a Commonwealth Citizen.
The couple of qualms I have about this book are mainly about its characterization of Ia. I feel like this book couldn't decide between having Ia being a vicious antiheroine vs. her being misconstrued as a villain when she's really all for justice. (Also, the curse word "mif" was used a lot and all I can say is ....interesting choice.)
Overall, this book has such an amazing underlying message beneath its exterior of a space sci-fi and it’s going to be important for so many readers: both for its poc model on its cover and for its underlying political message. I highly recommend this book, for biracial people and poc especially. It's more than just a general science-fiction book.
Trigger and content warnings for genocide, death, colonization, and torture.
Read
February 21, 2018"Think Throne of Glass set in space"
And just like that, you lost me. Have fun guys, I'm out of here.
And just like that, you lost me. Have fun guys, I'm out of here.
September 4, 2018
5 STARS
I've been rendered speechless from this book. Because WOW.
WOW.
WOW.
WOW.
So rarely do books that I hype up in my mind actually live up to the ridiculously high standards I make for them, but Ignite the Stars ignited an explosion and blew me all the way past the stars.
Literally. The notes section of my phone for this book looks like this:
So I was obviously very articulate the minute after reading it. BUT IT WAS JUST SO GOOD.
I mean, Ia, the Blood Wolf, the Asian (!!!) seventeen-year-old who's doing way more amazing things than I am right now, was such a cool character and quite the badass with a decent moral compass (y'know, for a murderer). So many people will love her and she definitely pulled some very cool (and very wily) moves throughout the story.
But I really loved Brinn the most.
Brinn was the real star of the novel in my mind. In the novel, the Tawnies have blue hair and are typically refugees of the Olympus Commonwealth who've been greatly discriminated against. And the way Brinn grew throughout the novel--first going to great lengths to hide her blue hair and fit in with her peers, then to finally accepting herself and her identity and most importantly, her people--was the greatest struggle and greatest triumph of this novel.
So many multicultural teens these days struggle with accepting their identity, and although nobody's #OwnVoices for Brinn (blue hair, remember?) her story is something that so many people will be able to relate to. How many times have I felt ashamed of my culture and tried to hide it? More times than I should be.
I really connected with Brinn and the way she accepted her heritage was really inspiring to me, and something that I found to be one of the most important storylines in this novel.
Not gonna lie, I was low key shipping Brinn and Ia, but Knives is cool too. I feel like there's a lot more of his character left to explore than any of the other narrators, so I'm very excited to see what Milan does with him in book 2!
Honestly, the star of the show (after Brinn, of course) was the action. The action was so smooth and engaging and never felt stuttered or just lame. The whole book was entertaining, honestly, and I found the dialogue smooth and the conflict with deliciously high stakes.
Plus, the betrayals were awesome, although I feel like I expected some of the twists. But it felt okay to me because of how it exposed Ia's character flaws, which was nice to see that she's not the perfect murderess.
I do have to note that the tradition begun by Battlestar Galactica continues in Ignite the Stars. Fictional curse words (think Across the Universe or LIFEL1K3, not the benign "stars" in The Lunar Chronicles) are present.
(Honestly, I prefer fiction curse words in circumstances like these rather than modern curse words, because it makes no sense whatsoever why this other star system would use our modern curse words. Curse words change throughout centuries (i.e. zounds), so why would they not change across light years?)
And it's not like the curse words are totally ridiculous. I believe one is "mung" which is used in the same way as "shit," and it makes sense (not only because it rhymes with dung, but also because sometimes I just dislike mung beans).
Overall, I just had such a fun time reading this awesome and super entertaining novel. Plus, the gorgeous model on the cover doesn't make it hurt (and she actually looks like what I envision Ia looks like, so that's also really really great).
I definitely recommend to anyone who loves science fiction or who just wants to pick up an awesome book in general? Yeah, you.
Thank you so much to Albert Whitman @ BookCon and Netgalley for providing me with an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
Blog | Instagram | Twitter
---
OMG MAURA YOU'VE BEEN HOLDING OUT ON US THIS IS AMAZING
pre review
I'M SORRY WHAT THERE'S A POC ON THE COVER (of the first book!!! not just the cover redo!!!) gah this needs to come sooner please and thank you!
cover reveal
(look at it it's so beautiful T.T)
SEPT. 4th 2018 Y'ALL (see pub date announcement tweet here @librarians). I'm so ready for outlaws in space!
I've been rendered speechless from this book. Because WOW.
WOW.
WOW.
WOW.
So rarely do books that I hype up in my mind actually live up to the ridiculously high standards I make for them, but Ignite the Stars ignited an explosion and blew me all the way past the stars.
Literally. The notes section of my phone for this book looks like this:
WHAAAAAT
AMAZING
LOVE IT
So I was obviously very articulate the minute after reading it. BUT IT WAS JUST SO GOOD.
I mean, Ia, the Blood Wolf, the Asian (!!!) seventeen-year-old who's doing way more amazing things than I am right now, was such a cool character and quite the badass with a decent moral compass (y'know, for a murderer). So many people will love her and she definitely pulled some very cool (and very wily) moves throughout the story.
But I really loved Brinn the most.
Brinn was the real star of the novel in my mind. In the novel, the Tawnies have blue hair and are typically refugees of the Olympus Commonwealth who've been greatly discriminated against. And the way Brinn grew throughout the novel--first going to great lengths to hide her blue hair and fit in with her peers, then to finally accepting herself and her identity and most importantly, her people--was the greatest struggle and greatest triumph of this novel.
So many multicultural teens these days struggle with accepting their identity, and although nobody's #OwnVoices for Brinn (blue hair, remember?) her story is something that so many people will be able to relate to. How many times have I felt ashamed of my culture and tried to hide it? More times than I should be.
I really connected with Brinn and the way she accepted her heritage was really inspiring to me, and something that I found to be one of the most important storylines in this novel.
Not gonna lie, I was low key shipping Brinn and Ia, but Knives is cool too. I feel like there's a lot more of his character left to explore than any of the other narrators, so I'm very excited to see what Milan does with him in book 2!
Honestly, the star of the show (after Brinn, of course) was the action. The action was so smooth and engaging and never felt stuttered or just lame. The whole book was entertaining, honestly, and I found the dialogue smooth and the conflict with deliciously high stakes.
Plus, the betrayals were awesome, although I feel like I expected some of the twists. But it felt okay to me because of how it exposed Ia's character flaws, which was nice to see that she's not the perfect murderess.
I do have to note that the tradition begun by Battlestar Galactica continues in Ignite the Stars. Fictional curse words (think Across the Universe or LIFEL1K3, not the benign "stars" in The Lunar Chronicles) are present.
(Honestly, I prefer fiction curse words in circumstances like these rather than modern curse words, because it makes no sense whatsoever why this other star system would use our modern curse words. Curse words change throughout centuries (i.e. zounds), so why would they not change across light years?)
And it's not like the curse words are totally ridiculous. I believe one is "mung" which is used in the same way as "shit," and it makes sense (not only because it rhymes with dung, but also because sometimes I just dislike mung beans).
Overall, I just had such a fun time reading this awesome and super entertaining novel. Plus, the gorgeous model on the cover doesn't make it hurt (and she actually looks like what I envision Ia looks like, so that's also really really great).
I definitely recommend to anyone who loves science fiction or who just wants to pick up an awesome book in general? Yeah, you.
Thank you so much to Albert Whitman @ BookCon and Netgalley for providing me with an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
Blog | Instagram | Twitter
---
OMG MAURA YOU'VE BEEN HOLDING OUT ON US THIS IS AMAZING
pre review
I'M SORRY WHAT THERE'S A POC ON THE COVER (of the first book!!! not just the cover redo!!!) gah this needs to come sooner please and thank you!
cover reveal
(look at it it's so beautiful T.T)
SEPT. 4th 2018 Y'ALL (see pub date announcement tweet here @librarians). I'm so ready for outlaws in space!
July 1, 2018
Characters were okay, but the writing was wayy too choppy, and I felt like a lot fo stuff didn’t make sense? + Annoying scifi cursing 😒 Totally shipped the romance though 😍
RTC!
RTC!
December 20, 2018
The full review for Ignite the Stars can be found on my blog, The Quiet Pond.
Thoughtful, compelling, and filled with important and relevant themes.
Ignite the Stars may be one of the best science-fiction space operas I have read a in long while.
- Follows Ia, a criminal mastermind who is captured by her enemy, the Commonwealth, and is forced to work for them; Brinn, a biracial Tawny who wants nothing more than to hide her heritage and prove her patriotism to the Commonwealth; and Knives, a Commonwealth flight captain who doubts the Commonwealth's regime.
- The characters were brilliant! Milan took her time to meaningfully develop each character, and the dialogue between them was amazing. Found family/female friendships! Enemies-to-lovers!
- Though this book is largely character-driven, I found that the story was really interesting as well with some great plot twists and really awesome developments!
- Explores political themes; about working through our prejudices, revenge, internalised racism, the impact of imperalism, and how narratives shape history, identity, and how we perceive the world.
- The ending presents a really exciting and interesting platform for the second book and I CANNOT WAIT!!
Trigger/content warning:
Thoughtful, compelling, and filled with important and relevant themes.
Ignite the Stars may be one of the best science-fiction space operas I have read a in long while.
- Follows Ia, a criminal mastermind who is captured by her enemy, the Commonwealth, and is forced to work for them; Brinn, a biracial Tawny who wants nothing more than to hide her heritage and prove her patriotism to the Commonwealth; and Knives, a Commonwealth flight captain who doubts the Commonwealth's regime.
- The characters were brilliant! Milan took her time to meaningfully develop each character, and the dialogue between them was amazing. Found family/female friendships! Enemies-to-lovers!
- Though this book is largely character-driven, I found that the story was really interesting as well with some great plot twists and really awesome developments!
- Explores political themes; about working through our prejudices, revenge, internalised racism, the impact of imperalism, and how narratives shape history, identity, and how we perceive the world.
- The ending presents a really exciting and interesting platform for the second book and I CANNOT WAIT!!
Trigger/content warning:
May 23, 2018
This is the space adventure I’ve been waiting for! Strong female characters, friendships, slow burn romance and a lots of high stakes missions. YES.
Some of the plot threads took me to places I wished for more info on, but it’s only because I loved it and wanted more.
Some of the plot threads took me to places I wished for more info on, but it’s only because I loved it and wanted more.
May 21, 2019
Before I even start the review, I think I need to have a moment of cover appreciation. I mean, have you seen the cover? The colors? It's g o r g e o u s!! I swear I can't even articulate how much I love this beautiful colored cover. But okay, enough of that. Let's talk about the book. The book that was absolutely phenomenal.
Lately, it's probably not a trend and just me being behind, but I've been reading more and more books set in space and I'm loving it! This book was no exception, and the setting and world building were phenomenal! I loved the concepts of people flying spaceships around, battling each other from these ships, dodging asteroids while flying, immigrating to and from different planets, living in different star systems, and just basically the whole thing.
(Side note: is anyone else lowkey annoyed with changing curse words in novels, particularly futuristic ones? I've read it a few times, and it just makes the flow of sentences sound so awkward? I mean, I get in the future the language would change, but it seems so weird that only the curse words and nothing else, not the syntax or slang or common words would change, just the curses? I just couldn't take them seriously when they were like mung this and that lmao.)
It felt like there was some subtle political commentary in here, particularly with the mention of the Tawnies and other races that people didn't like. There was talk of trying to throw migrant refugees, such as Tawnies, out of the Commonwealth, manipulation and propaganda of the media in order to create a specific mindset, and overall just the immense forestation of hate. It was subtle, and well integrated in the book, but parts of it I felt were very powerful and relevant to today, and really made this book powerful.
I also really liked the immediate setting of the sort of space force academy. It was kind of fun easy YA, with moments where students were trying to pass tests, hanging out with each other on breaks, and dorming together. But at the same time, we're dealing with Ia, a dangerous criminal who is acutely aware of the world beyond their small school, and many of the other characters having links back home to everything happening with politics and battles, and I found there to be a nice contrast between the lighter and heavier content.
I initially thought that the book would just be about Ia, but it's actually split POV between three characters, and honestly, I loved them all.
--Ia, the Blood Wolf, was kind of giving me Kaz Brekker but female and in space vibes and obviously anything that gives me Kaz Brekker vibes is an 11/10. She's ruthless, and not afraid to knock people out, break a few fingers, or even kill and slaughter people to achieve her means. She's cunning and resourceful, and knows how to play and manipulate people. Yet at the same time it's clear how much she cares about her friends, and is willing to sacrifice herself for them, and just overall what she believes in. She's definitely kind of morally grey; she does bad things, but she does them for good cause, sooo... I loved seeing her character evolve and grow as she starts to see the other side of things, and realize that the world isn't as black and white as she used to think of it.
--If Ia had good character development, Brinn's was incredible! She's half Tawnie, a race of blue haired geniuses who are discriminated against and hated, who feels she must always hide her true identity and play herself down in order to fit in with everyone else. I loved seeing her start to change, and to accept herself for who she really is. And of course I'm always looking for multiracial representation, and I loved seeing Brinn struggle with being a halfie, feeling like one half of her was more important than the other instead of embracing her identity of being both.
--I was lowkey least interested in Knives, but he was still a pretty good character (although I didn't fall in love with him the way I love Ia and Brinn!!). He's a bit of a smol bean, with a famous and powerful father and other people pushing him to accept a job filled with glory instead of his small training job, just trying to lie low and hope people don't judge him for his family, and struggling with a tragic background on top of that. Also, his and Ia's romance was super slow burn and amazing and I was so quickly in love with the both of them together!
4.5 stars
Lately, it's probably not a trend and just me being behind, but I've been reading more and more books set in space and I'm loving it! This book was no exception, and the setting and world building were phenomenal! I loved the concepts of people flying spaceships around, battling each other from these ships, dodging asteroids while flying, immigrating to and from different planets, living in different star systems, and just basically the whole thing.
(Side note: is anyone else lowkey annoyed with changing curse words in novels, particularly futuristic ones? I've read it a few times, and it just makes the flow of sentences sound so awkward? I mean, I get in the future the language would change, but it seems so weird that only the curse words and nothing else, not the syntax or slang or common words would change, just the curses? I just couldn't take them seriously when they were like mung this and that lmao.)
It felt like there was some subtle political commentary in here, particularly with the mention of the Tawnies and other races that people didn't like. There was talk of trying to throw migrant refugees, such as Tawnies, out of the Commonwealth, manipulation and propaganda of the media in order to create a specific mindset, and overall just the immense forestation of hate. It was subtle, and well integrated in the book, but parts of it I felt were very powerful and relevant to today, and really made this book powerful.
I also really liked the immediate setting of the sort of space force academy. It was kind of fun easy YA, with moments where students were trying to pass tests, hanging out with each other on breaks, and dorming together. But at the same time, we're dealing with Ia, a dangerous criminal who is acutely aware of the world beyond their small school, and many of the other characters having links back home to everything happening with politics and battles, and I found there to be a nice contrast between the lighter and heavier content.
I initially thought that the book would just be about Ia, but it's actually split POV between three characters, and honestly, I loved them all.
--Ia, the Blood Wolf, was kind of giving me Kaz Brekker but female and in space vibes and obviously anything that gives me Kaz Brekker vibes is an 11/10. She's ruthless, and not afraid to knock people out, break a few fingers, or even kill and slaughter people to achieve her means. She's cunning and resourceful, and knows how to play and manipulate people. Yet at the same time it's clear how much she cares about her friends, and is willing to sacrifice herself for them, and just overall what she believes in. She's definitely kind of morally grey; she does bad things, but she does them for good cause, sooo... I loved seeing her character evolve and grow as she starts to see the other side of things, and realize that the world isn't as black and white as she used to think of it.
--If Ia had good character development, Brinn's was incredible! She's half Tawnie, a race of blue haired geniuses who are discriminated against and hated, who feels she must always hide her true identity and play herself down in order to fit in with everyone else. I loved seeing her start to change, and to accept herself for who she really is. And of course I'm always looking for multiracial representation, and I loved seeing Brinn struggle with being a halfie, feeling like one half of her was more important than the other instead of embracing her identity of being both.
--I was lowkey least interested in Knives, but he was still a pretty good character (although I didn't fall in love with him the way I love Ia and Brinn!!). He's a bit of a smol bean, with a famous and powerful father and other people pushing him to accept a job filled with glory instead of his small training job, just trying to lie low and hope people don't judge him for his family, and struggling with a tragic background on top of that. Also, his and Ia's romance was super slow burn and amazing and I was so quickly in love with the both of them together!
4.5 stars
November 21, 2018
4.25
This was super awesome! I admit that maybe it wasn't the most original of plots, but it was an old plot in a new setting that made it seem really fresh and interesting. And it was a fun plot, at any rate. I really liked it. And I TOTALLY get the comparisons to throne of glass because there were some similarities. But even if you didn't love tog, I still recommend this because even though there were some similar things about it, it was not....the same. And I will attempt to write this review without listing the things I found kind of similar, even thought that will be hard because a) Ia reminded me a lot of Celaena (which I guess could be good or bad depending on who you are...) b) she's practically an assassin who gets caught and has to work for the "empire" and c) it was compared to throne of glass before it was even released so obviously my brain was hardwired to seek out all the comparisons I can.
T H O U G H T S
~ I really enjoyed the characters. We see the story mainly from the perspective of two girls - Ia and another one whose name I have conveniently forgotten. I'm so great at this. But Ia (as I mentioned before) is very much like Celaena from the Throne of Glass series, meaning slightly arrogant, but also cares a lot about stuff. (<--- an accurate demonstration of my eloquence with words.) And [insert the name I forgot here] was also a strong character, although personally I preferred Ia. She was just a bit more interesting and badass.
- The writing style and plot were really easy to read and super fun! This first book is making way for an epic new series which I am definitely looking forwards to. I want to know what happens next to all these characters. And while, okay, the plot twist was kind of predictable, I don't care? There was something about this book which seemed to make old tropes seem new, and that is always great. We like the older tropes, just not when they are recycled in the same way over and over and over again. Basically, synopsis wise, outlaw Ia (who everyone thinks is some dude but she's actually a girl - hooray!) gets captured on a mission and is made to work for the empire as one of their pilots. In case you hadn't realized from both the cover and the blurb, this is a sci-fi! I found that I don't actually read a lot of sci-fi, but this is a light sci-fi.
I'm try to write this review telling you that this book is fun but also trying not to demean it, because it isn't trashy or 'not-deep'. Because it really isn't! There are some powerful messages in here about identity and the kind of things you need to care about in life. So yep. I really recommend this, it is fresh and interesting and I really loved it! The characters are great, and there is lots of promise for an exciting new YA series that I think is super underrated . Throne of Glass in space was the original pitch for this, and if that sounds like an interesting concept to you, please go read it because yay its awesome.
This was super awesome! I admit that maybe it wasn't the most original of plots, but it was an old plot in a new setting that made it seem really fresh and interesting. And it was a fun plot, at any rate. I really liked it. And I TOTALLY get the comparisons to throne of glass because there were some similarities. But even if you didn't love tog, I still recommend this because even though there were some similar things about it, it was not....the same. And I will attempt to write this review without listing the things I found kind of similar, even thought that will be hard because a) Ia reminded me a lot of Celaena (which I guess could be good or bad depending on who you are...) b) she's practically an assassin who gets caught and has to work for the "empire" and c) it was compared to throne of glass before it was even released so obviously my brain was hardwired to seek out all the comparisons I can.
T H O U G H T S
~ I really enjoyed the characters. We see the story mainly from the perspective of two girls - Ia and another one whose name I have conveniently forgotten. I'm so great at this. But Ia (as I mentioned before) is very much like Celaena from the Throne of Glass series, meaning slightly arrogant, but also cares a lot about stuff. (<--- an accurate demonstration of my eloquence with words.) And [insert the name I forgot here] was also a strong character, although personally I preferred Ia. She was just a bit more interesting and badass.
- The writing style and plot were really easy to read and super fun! This first book is making way for an epic new series which I am definitely looking forwards to. I want to know what happens next to all these characters. And while, okay, the plot twist was kind of predictable, I don't care? There was something about this book which seemed to make old tropes seem new, and that is always great. We like the older tropes, just not when they are recycled in the same way over and over and over again. Basically, synopsis wise, outlaw Ia (who everyone thinks is some dude but she's actually a girl - hooray!) gets captured on a mission and is made to work for the empire as one of their pilots. In case you hadn't realized from both the cover and the blurb, this is a sci-fi! I found that I don't actually read a lot of sci-fi, but this is a light sci-fi.
I'm try to write this review telling you that this book is fun but also trying not to demean it, because it isn't trashy or 'not-deep'. Because it really isn't! There are some powerful messages in here about identity and the kind of things you need to care about in life. So yep. I really recommend this, it is fresh and interesting and I really loved it! The characters are great, and there is lots of promise for an exciting new YA series that I think is super underrated . Throne of Glass in space was the original pitch for this, and if that sounds like an interesting concept to you, please go read it because yay its awesome.
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dnf
October 12, 2018DNF at 27%
On paper, this book is everything I ever wanted in a YA sci-fi. Found family. LGBT rep. Diverse MC (mainly Ia, who is Asian). Political themes that tie in to the present day. That gorgeous cover.
And yet.
I couldn't suspend my disbelief long enough to work through to the rest of the story.
Merciless galactic criminal mastermind at 17? Okay, sure.
19-year-old Flight Instructor? Sure. Sure.
Scared immigrant who joins the military out of a misplaced patriotism? Okay, yeah.
Military Academy that pops out amaze-balls pilots in two years and only has three occupational specialties for people to go into? WHERE THE MIFF IS MY LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY SECTION?!
Where do the people who board the space ships in combat gear come from? How the hell does the General acquire a new medal every month when they're theoretically at peace? Where is the military discipline in this famous academy and why the hell would you ever enroll the galaxy best murderer much less give her a roommate???!
Plus, literally every time someone is mentioned there is something going on with their hair...and 76% of time their hair is mentioned, so is the hair color. I mean, I get it for Brinne, who naturally needs to hide her blue hair because her people are scorned, but does it really need to be reinforced that Ia has ash-black hair and Knives is the fairest blond in all the land?
How I imagine the dialogue between characters, honestly:
And
Ok. Rant over.
I'm very, very certain that this book will find an audience with many, many people. I just couldn't get over the military aspects of the book. And the hair. And the use of miff as a substitute for fuck/piss/shit/crap (i.e., "this miffing sucks" and "my dad was miffed") and then munge for hell/shit. And Ia was annoying as hell. Hopefully she gets over herself, but I'm not sticking around to find out.
I received this ARC from Edelweiss for an honest review.
On paper, this book is everything I ever wanted in a YA sci-fi. Found family. LGBT rep. Diverse MC (mainly Ia, who is Asian). Political themes that tie in to the present day. That gorgeous cover.
And yet.
I couldn't suspend my disbelief long enough to work through to the rest of the story.
Merciless galactic criminal mastermind at 17? Okay, sure.
19-year-old Flight Instructor? Sure. Sure.
Scared immigrant who joins the military out of a misplaced patriotism? Okay, yeah.
Military Academy that pops out amaze-balls pilots in two years and only has three occupational specialties for people to go into? WHERE THE MIFF IS MY LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY SECTION?!
Where do the people who board the space ships in combat gear come from? How the hell does the General acquire a new medal every month when they're theoretically at peace? Where is the military discipline in this famous academy and why the hell would you ever enroll the galaxy best murderer much less give her a roommate???!
Plus, literally every time someone is mentioned there is something going on with their hair...and 76% of time their hair is mentioned, so is the hair color. I mean, I get it for Brinne, who naturally needs to hide her blue hair because her people are scorned, but does it really need to be reinforced that Ia has ash-black hair and Knives is the fairest blond in all the land?
How I imagine the dialogue between characters, honestly:
And
Ok. Rant over.
I'm very, very certain that this book will find an audience with many, many people. I just couldn't get over the military aspects of the book. And the hair. And the use of miff as a substitute for fuck/piss/shit/crap (i.e., "this miffing sucks" and "my dad was miffed") and then munge for hell/shit. And Ia was annoying as hell. Hopefully she gets over herself, but I'm not sticking around to find out.
I received this ARC from Edelweiss for an honest review.
September 6, 2018
Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan
An epic young adult science fiction adventure.
Ia is known throughout the galaxies as a rebel, a fighter, an avenger. When she is eventually caught, many are surprised she is a seventeen year old. This begins her new adventure fighting for her freedom, her life and now her friends.
She’s a loner finding her way. The best thing that happens is encountering Knives and Brina. Those two change her life.
Epic. Touching. A wonderful story.
I received a copy of this book at BOA.
An epic young adult science fiction adventure.
Ia is known throughout the galaxies as a rebel, a fighter, an avenger. When she is eventually caught, many are surprised she is a seventeen year old. This begins her new adventure fighting for her freedom, her life and now her friends.
She’s a loner finding her way. The best thing that happens is encountering Knives and Brina. Those two change her life.
Epic. Touching. A wonderful story.
I received a copy of this book at BOA.
August 31, 2018
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone in the universe knows the outlaw Ia Cocha and fears him. One thing they don't know is that Ia is actually a seventeen year old girl. In reality she is a top notch pilot and a criminal mastermind who has spent her entire life terrorizing the imperalist Commonwealth that destroyed her home. When Ia gets caught by the Commonwealth, they see the truth of her identity as an opportunity. They will force her to serve them and prove once and for all that no one beyond their control. Before long, Ia is stuck plotting her escape at a Commonwealth military academy. Her new acquaintances, though, Brinn and Knives, cause Ia to begin to question her own alliances.
Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan is a YA sci-fi debut and promising series opener. I was really hoping to love it - I mean, the cover and the blurb definitely hooked me. While I liked it well enough, it didn't quite distinguish itself enough for me. There's a lot to like from Ia and Knives, exactly the sort of characters I like to read about, the fast pace, the action, and just how timely the story feels in terms of refugees. Overall, though, the way the story played out didn't impress me in part because it feels very familiar. I couldn't help but compare it to The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer and the Starbound series by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, but it never quite reaches those heights. In part, I think that's because there's not a whole lot of world-building. I usually like being thrown into the action right away, but I don't think we ended up with enough to make up for it later on. Looking back on it, I doubt I could go into much more detail about the setting aside from coming up with space or military academy. Finally, I wanted to mention the three perspectives used to tell the story - Ia, Knives, and Brinn. I preferred the Ia and Knives sections to Brinn by far. Brinn's perspective didn't flow as well as it could have and it bogged down the storytelling a little too much.
Overall, Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan is a decent YA sci-fi debut. I had really high expectations going in and it didn't quite live up to them. All things considered, though, it's a great first effort and I have a feeling the sequel could be truly great. I have a feeling you'll want to pick up Milan's new novel if you like Marissa Meyer and Amie Kaufman. Thanks again for this opportunity, NetGalley!
Everyone in the universe knows the outlaw Ia Cocha and fears him. One thing they don't know is that Ia is actually a seventeen year old girl. In reality she is a top notch pilot and a criminal mastermind who has spent her entire life terrorizing the imperalist Commonwealth that destroyed her home. When Ia gets caught by the Commonwealth, they see the truth of her identity as an opportunity. They will force her to serve them and prove once and for all that no one beyond their control. Before long, Ia is stuck plotting her escape at a Commonwealth military academy. Her new acquaintances, though, Brinn and Knives, cause Ia to begin to question her own alliances.
Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan is a YA sci-fi debut and promising series opener. I was really hoping to love it - I mean, the cover and the blurb definitely hooked me. While I liked it well enough, it didn't quite distinguish itself enough for me. There's a lot to like from Ia and Knives, exactly the sort of characters I like to read about, the fast pace, the action, and just how timely the story feels in terms of refugees. Overall, though, the way the story played out didn't impress me in part because it feels very familiar. I couldn't help but compare it to The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer and the Starbound series by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, but it never quite reaches those heights. In part, I think that's because there's not a whole lot of world-building. I usually like being thrown into the action right away, but I don't think we ended up with enough to make up for it later on. Looking back on it, I doubt I could go into much more detail about the setting aside from coming up with space or military academy. Finally, I wanted to mention the three perspectives used to tell the story - Ia, Knives, and Brinn. I preferred the Ia and Knives sections to Brinn by far. Brinn's perspective didn't flow as well as it could have and it bogged down the storytelling a little too much.
Overall, Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan is a decent YA sci-fi debut. I had really high expectations going in and it didn't quite live up to them. All things considered, though, it's a great first effort and I have a feeling the sequel could be truly great. I have a feeling you'll want to pick up Milan's new novel if you like Marissa Meyer and Amie Kaufman. Thanks again for this opportunity, NetGalley!
July 18, 2019
So many mixed feelings about this!
I picked this up mostly because I needed to fill the "book by an AOC set in or about space" challenge for Read Harder, but it had been a while since I'd read any YA sci-fi, and I figured it'd been long enough that I might enjoy myself. I do not believe I have ever *really* enjoyed a YA sci-fi novel. The length and subject matter limitations on YA really cut back on what I enjoy most about sci-fi, and that's detailed science and worldbuilding, and the more adult themes that sci-fi lends itself to. The YA sci-fi I've read has been too preoccupied by the same old things most YA books are, usually has a pointless romance, not a lot of room for worldbuilding, and fixates on stale tropes (the evil empire, the super special heroine, etc.) And unfortunately, this book does fall somewhat into those traps as well, but it also was unique and refreshing in a couple of ways that saved it for me, so that it ended up being more of a mediocre read rather than an annoying one.
So this book opens with the capture of a notorious space criminal by a space empire called the Commonwealth. And surprise, she's not the dangerous middle aged man everyone thought she was, but a teenage girl. The Commonwealth wants her talent on their side, so they give her a choice: go to an extremely unsavory prison for the rest of her life, or go to their military academy and work for them.
I can't decide if I want to do the good stuff or the bad stuff first. Let's do the bad, get it out of the way.
So there was a lot here that bugged me or didn't work. I thought:
What I did like was the main relationship here being between Ia and her Academy roommate, Brinn, and the shades of grey world they live in. Ia learns to feel and accept the guilt from doing bad things and causing people to suffer in service of what she still sees as a good cause. Brinn backs away from her black and white world view through her friendship with Ia (although as I mentioned before, there isn't nearly enough of Ia talking about her past with them). Questioning authority is also a pretty big thing, but there wasn't enough of it.
And lastly, I couldn't get over it the whole book. Ia's full name is Ia Cōcha, and every single time it was typed in full like that, I did a full body cringe. Seriously, when naming characters, you should Google their names first. Because it almost ruined my entire reading experience having to read that name over and over, when all I could think about was this guy:
This whole review is coming out a lot more negative than I thought it would. I always get like that, though, when I can see the promise of something I would actually really love mired in the dregs of stuff holding it down (see above). This was for sure not a bad book at all. It just could have been better.
Read Harder Challenge 2019: A book by an AOC set in or about space.
I picked this up mostly because I needed to fill the "book by an AOC set in or about space" challenge for Read Harder, but it had been a while since I'd read any YA sci-fi, and I figured it'd been long enough that I might enjoy myself. I do not believe I have ever *really* enjoyed a YA sci-fi novel. The length and subject matter limitations on YA really cut back on what I enjoy most about sci-fi, and that's detailed science and worldbuilding, and the more adult themes that sci-fi lends itself to. The YA sci-fi I've read has been too preoccupied by the same old things most YA books are, usually has a pointless romance, not a lot of room for worldbuilding, and fixates on stale tropes (the evil empire, the super special heroine, etc.) And unfortunately, this book does fall somewhat into those traps as well, but it also was unique and refreshing in a couple of ways that saved it for me, so that it ended up being more of a mediocre read rather than an annoying one.
So this book opens with the capture of a notorious space criminal by a space empire called the Commonwealth. And surprise, she's not the dangerous middle aged man everyone thought she was, but a teenage girl. The Commonwealth wants her talent on their side, so they give her a choice: go to an extremely unsavory prison for the rest of her life, or go to their military academy and work for them.
I can't decide if I want to do the good stuff or the bad stuff first. Let's do the bad, get it out of the way.
So there was a lot here that bugged me or didn't work. I thought:
What I did like was the main relationship here being between Ia and her Academy roommate, Brinn, and the shades of grey world they live in. Ia learns to feel and accept the guilt from doing bad things and causing people to suffer in service of what she still sees as a good cause. Brinn backs away from her black and white world view through her friendship with Ia (although as I mentioned before, there isn't nearly enough of Ia talking about her past with them). Questioning authority is also a pretty big thing, but there wasn't enough of it.
And lastly, I couldn't get over it the whole book. Ia's full name is Ia Cōcha, and every single time it was typed in full like that, I did a full body cringe. Seriously, when naming characters, you should Google their names first. Because it almost ruined my entire reading experience having to read that name over and over, when all I could think about was this guy:
This whole review is coming out a lot more negative than I thought it would. I always get like that, though, when I can see the promise of something I would actually really love mired in the dregs of stuff holding it down (see above). This was for sure not a bad book at all. It just could have been better.
Read Harder Challenge 2019: A book by an AOC set in or about space.
January 16, 2019
Babyish. Clumsy. Everyone has a very strange moral compass (kind of 9 year oldish) and the writer has no clue how any social constructs, you know, like polities and the military, actually operate. She hasn’t thought everything through. Crappy space opera. Stupid world building. It’s one of those books where people drink “caffeine” instead of, you know, coffee or tea. And she has no idea how radiation poisoning from uranium works....I mean, why have uranium at all? It’s all kinda like that. Not thought out or through at all.
I would have adored this when I was 14. In fact, I might have written it when I was 14. For school? (And got a bad mark) I mean, the MC is this big ol’ super space rebellion leader, .. who is 17. Yet nowhere in the book is the chronology explained, ie how long she’s been rebellion-leading. And no, this isn’t anything like ender’s game.
There’s a male MC who’s an idiot, also a big baby... but then, they’ll all kind of babyish.
To be fair, I was very annoyed with it yet I kept reading, although by the end I was skimming.
So this might be worth a read if you are 14 and have never read...oh I dunno. Not even then. If you want to read the good equivalent, go read the warrior’s apprentice by bujold.
I would have adored this when I was 14. In fact, I might have written it when I was 14. For school? (And got a bad mark) I mean, the MC is this big ol’ super space rebellion leader, .. who is 17. Yet nowhere in the book is the chronology explained, ie how long she’s been rebellion-leading. And no, this isn’t anything like ender’s game.
There’s a male MC who’s an idiot, also a big baby... but then, they’ll all kind of babyish.
To be fair, I was very annoyed with it yet I kept reading, although by the end I was skimming.
So this might be worth a read if you are 14 and have never read...oh I dunno. Not even then. If you want to read the good equivalent, go read the warrior’s apprentice by bujold.
October 8, 2018
ALL THE YES. A diverse, empowering sci-fi that's at once super accessible and also full of deeper issues, Milan expertly weaving heart-pounding action scenes and swoony romance with real-world themes of imperialism and prejudice. The military-academy setting brings those perfect boarding-school vibes and every character sings off the page. Also, LOVE the realistic portrayal of female friendship, complete with all its problems and unique merits. Yay for bad-ass girls of all kinds!
December 14, 2020
aesthetic: 🪐🔭⛰👩🏼🔬🛸🦾🔪
i loved loved loved this book, so read it okay :)
it has found family, morally grey characters, diverse characters, intense politics, slow burn relationships, spaceships and lots and lots of fighting
just read it okay
i loved loved loved this book, so read it okay :)
it has found family, morally grey characters, diverse characters, intense politics, slow burn relationships, spaceships and lots and lots of fighting
just read it okay
September 6, 2019
ECLIPSE THE SKIES IS OUT NOW! It's the final day to enter the giveaway - have you entered yet? We have two additional prizes now!
Enter to win the Eclipse the Skies GIVEAWAY with signed copies of both books & a basket of Maura’s favorite things!
-------
“Who knew that the great I. A. Cōcha would turn out to be a seventeen-year-old girl?” Ia sighed. “I did. I knew.”
And seriously how great is Ia?! I am speechless with how incredible Ia is and I can’t wait to get more of her, amongst other things.
Here’s what I loved about Ignite the Stars:
1. Characters you can’t help but connect with and feel for. Ignite the Stars is told in 3 POV, Ia, Brinn, and Knives. They begin as strangers, somewhat at odds. Ia, the criminal who is forced into training for the very entity she despises. Brinn, her unwilling roommate and fellow trainee. And Knives, the teacher and person in charge of keeping Ia imprisoned. Watching them shift into a team, bringing their own stories and experiences as strengths is a marvel and I need more right now.
“The only way you can live with your past is to recognize that every decision you make in your life will make you stronger. There’s no such thing as right or wrong, Brinn.”
2. A plot set side by side within a character driven story. We get into the meat of what’s happening in the galaxy and experience the tiniest tip of the iceberg at the very end. Imperialism, racism, corruptions - honestly, it was like staring in the face of our own world. To say I was on the edge of my seat with the action is an understatement. I marathoned the end of this book.
“There are times when the world will grow black. And you will feel there is nothing else,” he whispered as his fingers lightly combed through Ia’s soft black hair. “That’s when you have a choice. You can stay put, so it can do what it will to you.” He opened Ia’s hand and placed a crimson feather upon her palm. The feather was light and tickled her skin, but there was a warmth to it that reached deep. “Or you can rise above the clouds. And fly.”
3. The fact that there’s a book 2. I really want to know the real story behind Knives’ sister because I can feel there’s more there. GIVE IT TO ME.
I am here for all the fun, diverse YA space operas. This one is a shining star and I hope you’ll pick it up!
Enter to win the Eclipse the Skies GIVEAWAY with signed copies of both books & a basket of Maura’s favorite things!
-------
“Who knew that the great I. A. Cōcha would turn out to be a seventeen-year-old girl?” Ia sighed. “I did. I knew.”
And seriously how great is Ia?! I am speechless with how incredible Ia is and I can’t wait to get more of her, amongst other things.
Here’s what I loved about Ignite the Stars:
1. Characters you can’t help but connect with and feel for. Ignite the Stars is told in 3 POV, Ia, Brinn, and Knives. They begin as strangers, somewhat at odds. Ia, the criminal who is forced into training for the very entity she despises. Brinn, her unwilling roommate and fellow trainee. And Knives, the teacher and person in charge of keeping Ia imprisoned. Watching them shift into a team, bringing their own stories and experiences as strengths is a marvel and I need more right now.
“The only way you can live with your past is to recognize that every decision you make in your life will make you stronger. There’s no such thing as right or wrong, Brinn.”
2. A plot set side by side within a character driven story. We get into the meat of what’s happening in the galaxy and experience the tiniest tip of the iceberg at the very end. Imperialism, racism, corruptions - honestly, it was like staring in the face of our own world. To say I was on the edge of my seat with the action is an understatement. I marathoned the end of this book.
“There are times when the world will grow black. And you will feel there is nothing else,” he whispered as his fingers lightly combed through Ia’s soft black hair. “That’s when you have a choice. You can stay put, so it can do what it will to you.” He opened Ia’s hand and placed a crimson feather upon her palm. The feather was light and tickled her skin, but there was a warmth to it that reached deep. “Or you can rise above the clouds. And fly.”
3. The fact that there’s a book 2. I really want to know the real story behind Knives’ sister because I can feel there’s more there. GIVE IT TO ME.
I am here for all the fun, diverse YA space operas. This one is a shining star and I hope you’ll pick it up!
April 10, 2018
(I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.)
I was only a few pages into Ignite the Stars when I got the sinking feeling that I knew this story. Ignite the Starsis a very average young adult science-fiction story with a lot of familiar elements. And I mean ‘a lot.’
Do you recognise any of these tropes and traits: a prickly, mercenary female character, caught and imprisoned and given a chance to redeem herself? A school-like environment built upon competition? An inappropriate love-interest that becomes an insta-love situation when said female character shows amazing skills that others don’t have? Roommates who can’t stand each other?
They’re all in here, plus more. And they’re not bad things to include in a story - it just felt like it has all been done before and there wasn’t sufficient depth or exploration of any of them to make me feel like I was invested in the story, or the characters.
If we want to get technical, there’s nothing wrong with the story or the writing style - it’s alright. It’s easy to read and I’m sure there will people out there who really enjoy this story, especially if you're fans of Throne of Glass or Zenith. It just wasn’t what I was after in a science-fiction story and so I was left disappointed.
I was only a few pages into Ignite the Stars when I got the sinking feeling that I knew this story. Ignite the Starsis a very average young adult science-fiction story with a lot of familiar elements. And I mean ‘a lot.’
Do you recognise any of these tropes and traits: a prickly, mercenary female character, caught and imprisoned and given a chance to redeem herself? A school-like environment built upon competition? An inappropriate love-interest that becomes an insta-love situation when said female character shows amazing skills that others don’t have? Roommates who can’t stand each other?
They’re all in here, plus more. And they’re not bad things to include in a story - it just felt like it has all been done before and there wasn’t sufficient depth or exploration of any of them to make me feel like I was invested in the story, or the characters.
If we want to get technical, there’s nothing wrong with the story or the writing style - it’s alright. It’s easy to read and I’m sure there will people out there who really enjoy this story, especially if you're fans of Throne of Glass or Zenith. It just wasn’t what I was after in a science-fiction story and so I was left disappointed.
December 17, 2018
Even though initially I almost felt like this would be rated lower because the pacing and set-up felt a little clunky, I actually really ended up enjoying myself. It was a fun space adventure (that I could see as a film or tv series with more development)!
Want to read
February 22, 2018More space sci-fi plus an Asian protagonist? SOLD! Not a fan of the cover though so might just get the Kindle edition.
May 22, 2019
4.5 stars
HELLO????? LOVE LOVE LOVE
a hasty mini-review (may expand on later):
A brilliant and engrossing space opera, complete with action and romance and politics. Milan does an excellent job fleshing out the three character povs and how their differing political perspectives lead to a rich and complicated relationship between the characters. The character development we see especially in Ia and Brinn was wonderful to see, as we also see a slow friendship build between them. The book concludes with a suspenseful and page-turning twist and climax that left me breathless and excited to pick up the next book.
HELLO????? LOVE LOVE LOVE
a hasty mini-review (may expand on later):
A brilliant and engrossing space opera, complete with action and romance and politics. Milan does an excellent job fleshing out the three character povs and how their differing political perspectives lead to a rich and complicated relationship between the characters. The character development we see especially in Ia and Brinn was wonderful to see, as we also see a slow friendship build between them. The book concludes with a suspenseful and page-turning twist and climax that left me breathless and excited to pick up the next book.
January 31, 2019
Recently I was riding a space opera high that started with Maria Snyder's Navigating the Stars and needed all the talented-angsty-teen-having-a-spaceship-romance-while-solving-a-mystery plots I could find. I'm thrilled the binge brought me here. Riding that high encouraged me to stick with the book, and for that I'm grateful because Ignite the Stars did not suck me in on page one. It was closer to 20% before we were really feeling it. And now? Can't wait for book two!
While there are definitely a lot of commonalities, I think calling Ignite 'Throne of Glass in Space' does it a disservice, in that the characters are much more fleshed out and the action is much more evenly paced. It's definitely still got that 'trying to check every genre' box ToG does, and is led by a young prisoner heroine given a chance at redemption who has to cooperate with a distrusting authority figure/love interest, but I'd argue it's a much stronger series debut.
While there are definitely a lot of commonalities, I think calling Ignite 'Throne of Glass in Space' does it a disservice, in that the characters are much more fleshed out and the action is much more evenly paced. It's definitely still got that 'trying to check every genre' box ToG does, and is led by a young prisoner heroine given a chance at redemption who has to cooperate with a distrusting authority figure/love interest, but I'd argue it's a much stronger series debut.
December 23, 2018
PHENOMENAL
October 10, 2018
You can also read this review on my blog!
Guys! This book! 😍 The synopsis immediately grabbed my attention; the cover reveal (Asian model!) made me yearn for this book! So when I saw it on NetGalley, I ignored my looming (physical) TBR and requested the book! It was such a pleasant surprise to know I’d been approved.
Thank you, Albert Whitman & Company, for giving me a free, digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
I’ve been looking for a book to appease by craving for more sci-fi adventure after I finished Obsidio, and let me tell you that Ignite the Stars did the trick! You’re dropped right into the action, and it doesn’t stop until the very end. I fell absolutely in love with our cast of characters and adored how each had their own unique story that eventually intertwined.
One of my favorites parts of the story evolved around Brinn, one of the three main characters in Ignite the Stars. She’s biracial, which immediately drew my attention to her, and it’s something she struggles with through the course of the book. She even goes to some lengths to hide the parts of her that the people of the Olympus Commonwealth look down upon, especially with increasing tensions between the commonwealth and other planets. Yet the part Brinn tries to hide is the very part that becomes essential to the plot of the story, and it’s amazing to watch her transformation and acceptance of that fierce, strong part of her.
I also enjoyed the deep family ties both Ia and Knives had, Ia with her brother and Knives with his sister. In a sense, these two things brought the characters together in ways they didn’t imagine. And truthfully, I think Ia has depended so long on her brother, Einn, that when things take a dramatic and twisted turn, she has to be quick on her feet even more than usual. I also really liked the premise of Ia being one of the Commonwealth’s most sought after criminal and then everyone’s surprise that she’s a teenager. While I would have liked to see more of Ia’s antics, I definitely enjoyed her wit and strong personality while she’s at the military academy.
As for Knives… Looking for another smol book boyfriend? Just add Knives to your list. What’s not to love about him? He puts on a strong front, but he’s a total softie. I loved his interactions with Ia, and how the author chose to bring these two characters together. However, I did find some of the romantic bits between certain pairs of characters a little slow, and think perhaps it happened too quickly, especially for Brinn. Maybe because I just wasn’t expecting it?
In terms of the writing style, I found myself drawn to it and completely immersed in this galaxy. I know this book just released a few weeks ago, but I’m eagerly awaiting the next one just so I can return!
Guys! This book! 😍 The synopsis immediately grabbed my attention; the cover reveal (Asian model!) made me yearn for this book! So when I saw it on NetGalley, I ignored my looming (physical) TBR and requested the book! It was such a pleasant surprise to know I’d been approved.
Thank you, Albert Whitman & Company, for giving me a free, digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
I’ve been looking for a book to appease by craving for more sci-fi adventure after I finished Obsidio, and let me tell you that Ignite the Stars did the trick! You’re dropped right into the action, and it doesn’t stop until the very end. I fell absolutely in love with our cast of characters and adored how each had their own unique story that eventually intertwined.
One of my favorites parts of the story evolved around Brinn, one of the three main characters in Ignite the Stars. She’s biracial, which immediately drew my attention to her, and it’s something she struggles with through the course of the book. She even goes to some lengths to hide the parts of her that the people of the Olympus Commonwealth look down upon, especially with increasing tensions between the commonwealth and other planets. Yet the part Brinn tries to hide is the very part that becomes essential to the plot of the story, and it’s amazing to watch her transformation and acceptance of that fierce, strong part of her.
I also enjoyed the deep family ties both Ia and Knives had, Ia with her brother and Knives with his sister. In a sense, these two things brought the characters together in ways they didn’t imagine. And truthfully, I think Ia has depended so long on her brother, Einn, that when things take a dramatic and twisted turn, she has to be quick on her feet even more than usual. I also really liked the premise of Ia being one of the Commonwealth’s most sought after criminal and then everyone’s surprise that she’s a teenager. While I would have liked to see more of Ia’s antics, I definitely enjoyed her wit and strong personality while she’s at the military academy.
As for Knives… Looking for another smol book boyfriend? Just add Knives to your list. What’s not to love about him? He puts on a strong front, but he’s a total softie. I loved his interactions with Ia, and how the author chose to bring these two characters together. However, I did find some of the romantic bits between certain pairs of characters a little slow, and think perhaps it happened too quickly, especially for Brinn. Maybe because I just wasn’t expecting it?
In terms of the writing style, I found myself drawn to it and completely immersed in this galaxy. I know this book just released a few weeks ago, but I’m eagerly awaiting the next one just so I can return!
January 30, 2019
“It’s better to have you in here working for us instead of out there making alliances with someone worse.”
Ia os feared by many in the Empire, until she is captured and forced into service to the military academy. Desperate to make an escape, she learns that having and being the enemy is not so clear cut while spending time with them.
“War was an awful thing. It left an impression on her cells, soured the blood flowing through her veins, leaving a rotten stench inside her that only she could smell. She didn’t want to admit it was guilt, but it was, festering forever in her core.”
Not a bad YA sci-fi novel. It goes between three different points of view. There is a hint at romance, but it doesn’t overpower the plot at all. It’s not a standalone, but there’s no cliffhanger ending.
“No matter how far you journey, your family is the anchor that brings you back.”
Ia os feared by many in the Empire, until she is captured and forced into service to the military academy. Desperate to make an escape, she learns that having and being the enemy is not so clear cut while spending time with them.
“War was an awful thing. It left an impression on her cells, soured the blood flowing through her veins, leaving a rotten stench inside her that only she could smell. She didn’t want to admit it was guilt, but it was, festering forever in her core.”
Not a bad YA sci-fi novel. It goes between three different points of view. There is a hint at romance, but it doesn’t overpower the plot at all. It’s not a standalone, but there’s no cliffhanger ending.
“No matter how far you journey, your family is the anchor that brings you back.”
September 15, 2019
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. I'm not a fan of sci-fi but wanted to read something different. I wavered between 2 and 3 stars. After a slow start, this was fast paced, full of action and strong characters. The writing was mediocre. It had trouble keeping my interest. Not sure if I liked it enough to read #2.
August 14, 2018
Full RTC!
November 6, 2018
It is with no small amount of regret that I announce I have never been mistaken for a fearsome space pirate. On the other hand, that’s probably for the best. I’m not going to be sent to space army school like Ia Cōcha in Ignite the Stars. The result is an intense story from Maura Milan about divided loyalties and the necessity of questioning authority in the face of injustice.
Ia is seventeen years old but is already infamous in the Olympus Commonwealth as a criminal, a rogue, a pirate—and a killer. Ia sees herself as a bit of a freedom fighter, thumbing the nose of the Commonwealth and standing up for the little people on the liminal spaces of the Commonwealth’s Fringe. When the Commonwealth finally captures Ia, they force her to attend their space force training academy, as a symbol of their strength: look, our worst enemy turns out to be a teenager we’re press-ganging into service! Meanwhile, the Commonwealth enjoys fostering resentment of refugees, particularly the Tawnies. Brinn is a Tawny (but she doesn’t like showing it) who has just started her first year at the academy. Guess who her roommate is….
Stellar worldbuilding (pun intended) from Milan here. With a dearth of exposition (albeit a reliance on typical tropes, like an evil federation/empire, etc.) she nevertheless unfolds an entire universe for us. It doesn’t take long to inhabit the Olympus Commonwealth and its political intrigue, even as we end up at a type of space Hogwarts complete with well-intentioned but mathematically befuddled space Dumbledore. Combine this with the odd couple pairing of rule-breaking Ia and rule-obsessed Brinn, and we have ourselves a recipe for a pretty good story.
The friendships in this book are, for me, the best parts. Brinn and Ia’s comes to dominate, of course, and it’s fun watching it develop. When Brinn first meets Ia, she is understandably intimidated to the point of locking herself in their room’s bathroom for the first several nights. Eventually, the two come to an understanding—thanks to some blackmail—but it takes a long time for a hint of true friendship to develop. I appreciate that Milan doesn’t rush this, that for a while it seems like Ia is truly intent only on escape, no matter the price.
Honourable mention, though, to Brinn and Angie’s relationship. When Milan first introduces Angie, I uncharitably assumed she was a stock antagonist—and a petty, unimportant one at that. Boy was I wrong! Angie’s character acquires more depth as the story continues, reminding us that, although it’s probably rarer than we’d like, people do change, grow, and learn. The way Brinn and Angie’s detente evolves into friendship is really nice to see.
I haven’t mentioned Knives at all yet, and that’s on purpose. Honestly, I don’t mind Knives himself as a character. I get he has daddy issues. But I hate the implicit romantic tension between Knives and Ia—ugh, just so predictable; it does nothing for me. If it gets you going, great; you are welcome to it!
Knives is just a specific case of a broader issue with Ignite the Stars, in my opinion: the characterization is uneven and sometimes quite unoriginal. Brilliant young flight instructor whose daddy is a top-ranking general, and they don’t see eye-to-eye? Yawn. Bigotry against a particular ethnicity while at a military academy? Also seen that. And, on a related note, I could have done with a bit more exposition when it comes to the Tawnies. They seem to be a sub-species, offshoot, or genetic variant of humanity? Because their differences aren’t just cosmetic, since they have enhanced cognitive capabilities.
Huge kudos to Milan, though, for the reveal regarding the Tawnies and how the Big Bad was using them towards the end there … no spoilers, but I was literally thinking that such a thing made the most logical sense, in this universe, given what they were trying to accomplish. So I’m really happy that Milan agreed with me on that point and lifted the curtain enough to give us a glimpse of that.
Other points of confusion: how do ships get around? We hear a lot of talk of “gates”, which I assume are wormhole/hyperspace contraptions, but it’s never clear to me if these gates exist only in-atmosphere or if some are spaceborne. There’s a lot of references to “planes”, which implies sub-orbital capability only to me, so I’m not sure if this universe actually has any true spaceships—or are “planes” capable of both atmospheric and spaceflight? Questions, questions….
I think I’m a little disappointed because I just really wanted there to be more to this story. Ia herself is an interesting protagonist. But we know so little about her backstory, beyond the general idea that she’s a crusader for justice against the big bad evil space empire. The same goes for the other characters. Milan assembles these tropes into a serviceable narrative, and I like the theme, and I certainly enjoyed reading the book and gobbling up the action scenes … but nothing jumped out at me that felt particularly fresh. I like my stories to surprise me once in a while, and so while Ignite the Stars has a lot of fuel, it never really caught fire for me.
Ia is seventeen years old but is already infamous in the Olympus Commonwealth as a criminal, a rogue, a pirate—and a killer. Ia sees herself as a bit of a freedom fighter, thumbing the nose of the Commonwealth and standing up for the little people on the liminal spaces of the Commonwealth’s Fringe. When the Commonwealth finally captures Ia, they force her to attend their space force training academy, as a symbol of their strength: look, our worst enemy turns out to be a teenager we’re press-ganging into service! Meanwhile, the Commonwealth enjoys fostering resentment of refugees, particularly the Tawnies. Brinn is a Tawny (but she doesn’t like showing it) who has just started her first year at the academy. Guess who her roommate is….
Stellar worldbuilding (pun intended) from Milan here. With a dearth of exposition (albeit a reliance on typical tropes, like an evil federation/empire, etc.) she nevertheless unfolds an entire universe for us. It doesn’t take long to inhabit the Olympus Commonwealth and its political intrigue, even as we end up at a type of space Hogwarts complete with well-intentioned but mathematically befuddled space Dumbledore. Combine this with the odd couple pairing of rule-breaking Ia and rule-obsessed Brinn, and we have ourselves a recipe for a pretty good story.
The friendships in this book are, for me, the best parts. Brinn and Ia’s comes to dominate, of course, and it’s fun watching it develop. When Brinn first meets Ia, she is understandably intimidated to the point of locking herself in their room’s bathroom for the first several nights. Eventually, the two come to an understanding—thanks to some blackmail—but it takes a long time for a hint of true friendship to develop. I appreciate that Milan doesn’t rush this, that for a while it seems like Ia is truly intent only on escape, no matter the price.
Honourable mention, though, to Brinn and Angie’s relationship. When Milan first introduces Angie, I uncharitably assumed she was a stock antagonist—and a petty, unimportant one at that. Boy was I wrong! Angie’s character acquires more depth as the story continues, reminding us that, although it’s probably rarer than we’d like, people do change, grow, and learn. The way Brinn and Angie’s detente evolves into friendship is really nice to see.
I haven’t mentioned Knives at all yet, and that’s on purpose. Honestly, I don’t mind Knives himself as a character. I get he has daddy issues. But I hate the implicit romantic tension between Knives and Ia—ugh, just so predictable; it does nothing for me. If it gets you going, great; you are welcome to it!
Knives is just a specific case of a broader issue with Ignite the Stars, in my opinion: the characterization is uneven and sometimes quite unoriginal. Brilliant young flight instructor whose daddy is a top-ranking general, and they don’t see eye-to-eye? Yawn. Bigotry against a particular ethnicity while at a military academy? Also seen that. And, on a related note, I could have done with a bit more exposition when it comes to the Tawnies. They seem to be a sub-species, offshoot, or genetic variant of humanity? Because their differences aren’t just cosmetic, since they have enhanced cognitive capabilities.
Huge kudos to Milan, though, for the reveal regarding the Tawnies and how the Big Bad was using them towards the end there … no spoilers, but I was literally thinking that such a thing made the most logical sense, in this universe, given what they were trying to accomplish. So I’m really happy that Milan agreed with me on that point and lifted the curtain enough to give us a glimpse of that.
Other points of confusion: how do ships get around? We hear a lot of talk of “gates”, which I assume are wormhole/hyperspace contraptions, but it’s never clear to me if these gates exist only in-atmosphere or if some are spaceborne. There’s a lot of references to “planes”, which implies sub-orbital capability only to me, so I’m not sure if this universe actually has any true spaceships—or are “planes” capable of both atmospheric and spaceflight? Questions, questions….
I think I’m a little disappointed because I just really wanted there to be more to this story. Ia herself is an interesting protagonist. But we know so little about her backstory, beyond the general idea that she’s a crusader for justice against the big bad evil space empire. The same goes for the other characters. Milan assembles these tropes into a serviceable narrative, and I like the theme, and I certainly enjoyed reading the book and gobbling up the action scenes … but nothing jumped out at me that felt particularly fresh. I like my stories to surprise me once in a while, and so while Ignite the Stars has a lot of fuel, it never really caught fire for me.
April 21, 2018
Can we please appreciate the cover first? Because not only do I really like it colour-wise, but there is a POC on the cover. All the thumbs up for that.
But now, let’s get to the story. Even though I needed quite a long time to get into it, I just read 3/4 of the book in one sitting because… wow. What took me so long in the beginning was that the story is told in three POVs and that each chapter is another character. That made it hard for me to get really into that character in the beginning. But the more the plot developed, the more I got to know the characters and because they all interacted with each other, it was then easy to follow their stories.
Ia certainly is one fierce character. Even though she is never described as being of Asian heritage (at least I think so?), I always imagined her that way, thanks to the cover. In the beginning we already get to know her as a killer with a good heart, even though most people only see the killer and not the good heart. When she is captured and brought to Aphelion, her enemies’ military academy, she tries everything to escape at first. But her brother convinces her to stay and get informations. So she stays but things do not go as planned: she finds friendship and also something more.
What I liked about Ia’s chapters was her development and how she herself felt it and described it. How she went from not-caring to caring-very-much. But she stays herself through it all: sassy and brave, smart and quick.
The second POV is from Brinn, Ia’s roommate in Aphelion. She is not exactly happy about this, but she soon finds, that it isn’t all that bad, especially when Ia discovers Brinn’s secret. Slowly trust and friendship blossom between the two girls and even though this friendship has its ups and downs, it is a wonderful one. Brinn is extremely clever and so the two make a great team: Brinn the mind, Ia the fighter. Where Ia is hotheaded and talks with fists rather than her mouth, Brinn is more calm and analytical.
Brinn also gets a great character development: from being insecure, she learns and accepts who she is.
The third protagonist is knives, the Flight Master of the academy and son to a powerful General. Who is also the general who captured Ia. He does not take any shit from Ia and knows just as well where to put a fist, if necessary. Even though the two of them are constantly at each other’s throats, they too, slowly grow together. I liked his character instantly because I liked the way he thinks and the motives that get him going.
But not only the characters were amazing, the plot was as well. Even though I still have not completely understood why Ia has to attend Aphelion, I am glad she did. Because so many components come together to form their story around Ia and her associates. And those plot twists? Damn. They really got to me.
The whole book was fast paced, but especially the last 100 pages were intense and I could not get my eyes away from the pages. So much happened. I just wish I could read how the story goes on right now.
The only thing I would have liked to see more of is the general world building. The essentials were there, but I would really like to know more about how the Commonwealth works, how they treat their colonies, who and what the slaver nations are and who exactly are the criminal associates of Ia’s? And how Dark Space and normal space are interwined and work together or not?
Apart from this, I just loved everything. Even though this is a debut, it did not feel like it. The writing was great and easy to read and understand. The characters were wonderful and so was the plot. What a furious debut. Just… give me more of this.
But now, let’s get to the story. Even though I needed quite a long time to get into it, I just read 3/4 of the book in one sitting because… wow. What took me so long in the beginning was that the story is told in three POVs and that each chapter is another character. That made it hard for me to get really into that character in the beginning. But the more the plot developed, the more I got to know the characters and because they all interacted with each other, it was then easy to follow their stories.
Ia certainly is one fierce character. Even though she is never described as being of Asian heritage (at least I think so?), I always imagined her that way, thanks to the cover. In the beginning we already get to know her as a killer with a good heart, even though most people only see the killer and not the good heart. When she is captured and brought to Aphelion, her enemies’ military academy, she tries everything to escape at first. But her brother convinces her to stay and get informations. So she stays but things do not go as planned: she finds friendship and also something more.
What I liked about Ia’s chapters was her development and how she herself felt it and described it. How she went from not-caring to caring-very-much. But she stays herself through it all: sassy and brave, smart and quick.
The second POV is from Brinn, Ia’s roommate in Aphelion. She is not exactly happy about this, but she soon finds, that it isn’t all that bad, especially when Ia discovers Brinn’s secret. Slowly trust and friendship blossom between the two girls and even though this friendship has its ups and downs, it is a wonderful one. Brinn is extremely clever and so the two make a great team: Brinn the mind, Ia the fighter. Where Ia is hotheaded and talks with fists rather than her mouth, Brinn is more calm and analytical.
Brinn also gets a great character development: from being insecure, she learns and accepts who she is.
The third protagonist is knives, the Flight Master of the academy and son to a powerful General. Who is also the general who captured Ia. He does not take any shit from Ia and knows just as well where to put a fist, if necessary. Even though the two of them are constantly at each other’s throats, they too, slowly grow together. I liked his character instantly because I liked the way he thinks and the motives that get him going.
But not only the characters were amazing, the plot was as well. Even though I still have not completely understood why Ia has to attend Aphelion, I am glad she did. Because so many components come together to form their story around Ia and her associates. And those plot twists? Damn. They really got to me.
The whole book was fast paced, but especially the last 100 pages were intense and I could not get my eyes away from the pages. So much happened. I just wish I could read how the story goes on right now.
The only thing I would have liked to see more of is the general world building. The essentials were there, but I would really like to know more about how the Commonwealth works, how they treat their colonies, who and what the slaver nations are and who exactly are the criminal associates of Ia’s? And how Dark Space and normal space are interwined and work together or not?
Apart from this, I just loved everything. Even though this is a debut, it did not feel like it. The writing was great and easy to read and understand. The characters were wonderful and so was the plot. What a furious debut. Just… give me more of this.
June 23, 2018
Ignite the Stars is a fast-paced sci-fi adventure with strong female characters. If you can suspend disbelief to get past the idea that a 17-year-old girl has been the most wanted criminal/rebel in the universe for several years, then this book is a fun ride, with a side of social commentary on immigrants and refugees. It's a strong and very bingeable debut.
Ia Cocha is a "criminal mastermind" and talented pilot who has been hiding both her identity and her compassionate heart. When she allows herself to be captured in order to save the lives of Tawny refugees, she ends up imprisoned at a military academy. She is thrown together with Brinn, a student with her own secret who wants nothing to do with the notoriously brutal Ia. Cue political intrigue, teen drama, and spaceships!
This was a quick read and while it wasn't exactly ground-breaking, it was done pretty well for a YA sci-fi adventure. We've seen characters like this before, and Ia reminds me a little bit of Celeana Sardothian from Throne of Glass, except in space and without the royal heritage. I appreciated some of the snarky dialogue, the focus on female friendship, and the LACK of a love triangle! (And part of me wanted to see a romance develop between Ia and Brinn even though it didn't go that way. Fanfic anyone?)
But probably the best part of this book is the way it handles the othering of refugees and people from minority ethnic backgrounds. It feels very relevant to the world today, and comes with a strong message of accepting who you are and being proud of your heritage, even when people around you are hateful. And that is a great reason to read this.
Overall, while this isn't a perfect book, I enjoyed my time reading this and think it's worth picking up. I agreed to review an early copy of Ignite the Stars received via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Ia Cocha is a "criminal mastermind" and talented pilot who has been hiding both her identity and her compassionate heart. When she allows herself to be captured in order to save the lives of Tawny refugees, she ends up imprisoned at a military academy. She is thrown together with Brinn, a student with her own secret who wants nothing to do with the notoriously brutal Ia. Cue political intrigue, teen drama, and spaceships!
This was a quick read and while it wasn't exactly ground-breaking, it was done pretty well for a YA sci-fi adventure. We've seen characters like this before, and Ia reminds me a little bit of Celeana Sardothian from Throne of Glass, except in space and without the royal heritage. I appreciated some of the snarky dialogue, the focus on female friendship, and the LACK of a love triangle! (And part of me wanted to see a romance develop between Ia and Brinn even though it didn't go that way. Fanfic anyone?)
But probably the best part of this book is the way it handles the othering of refugees and people from minority ethnic backgrounds. It feels very relevant to the world today, and comes with a strong message of accepting who you are and being proud of your heritage, even when people around you are hateful. And that is a great reason to read this.
Overall, while this isn't a perfect book, I enjoyed my time reading this and think it's worth picking up. I agreed to review an early copy of Ignite the Stars received via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 21, 2018
A Stellar Debut!
Ia is the scourge of the All Black. The Sovereign of Dead Space. Rogue of the Fringe Planets. Blood Wolf of the Skies.
And she's only seventeen.
But he rampage all comes crashing to a halt when the Olympus Commonwealth's army finally catches up to her. They apprehend her, but instead of throwing her into prison for life, they take a gamble, thinking they can use her youth and skills to help in their fight. So instead of a prison colony, they send Ia to Aphelion, a top-secret training academy for the Commonwealth's most promising cadets.
When she arrives, Ia is a reluctant student, plotting her escape every second of the day. While there, though, she meets Brinn, her roommate who's hiding a secret of her own, and Knives, the young flight master who's grown disillusioned with the army after his sister's death and who also happens to be the son of the general who captured Ia.
As the weeks pass with no escape in sight, Ia begins to realize that not every cadet is evil. The army has killed many of her own, but she's also killed many of them. In war, both sides pay a price. She begins to form bonds with Brinn and Knives, but is she getting ahead of herself? If she doesn't escape soon, she fears she might become just another Bug, toiling away for a corrupt Commonwealth.
Set against a galaxy in crisis, IGNITE THE STARS is rip-roaring fun. With action and adventure on every page. In her debut, Milan writes magnificently. The characters are complex and unforgettable. Each runs into their own moral dilemma and struggles to find a way forward. Fans of THE 100, ILLUMINAE, and THE DIABOLIC will surely want to pick this up.
Ia is the scourge of the All Black. The Sovereign of Dead Space. Rogue of the Fringe Planets. Blood Wolf of the Skies.
And she's only seventeen.
But he rampage all comes crashing to a halt when the Olympus Commonwealth's army finally catches up to her. They apprehend her, but instead of throwing her into prison for life, they take a gamble, thinking they can use her youth and skills to help in their fight. So instead of a prison colony, they send Ia to Aphelion, a top-secret training academy for the Commonwealth's most promising cadets.
When she arrives, Ia is a reluctant student, plotting her escape every second of the day. While there, though, she meets Brinn, her roommate who's hiding a secret of her own, and Knives, the young flight master who's grown disillusioned with the army after his sister's death and who also happens to be the son of the general who captured Ia.
As the weeks pass with no escape in sight, Ia begins to realize that not every cadet is evil. The army has killed many of her own, but she's also killed many of them. In war, both sides pay a price. She begins to form bonds with Brinn and Knives, but is she getting ahead of herself? If she doesn't escape soon, she fears she might become just another Bug, toiling away for a corrupt Commonwealth.
Set against a galaxy in crisis, IGNITE THE STARS is rip-roaring fun. With action and adventure on every page. In her debut, Milan writes magnificently. The characters are complex and unforgettable. Each runs into their own moral dilemma and struggles to find a way forward. Fans of THE 100, ILLUMINAE, and THE DIABOLIC will surely want to pick this up.
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