To Free the Stars

This is a review of "To Free the Stars" book 2 of the Jack & Ivy series by J'nell Ciesielski, which comes out on Aug 8,  for NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  Ok so this book was not at all what I expected!  I read book 1, The Brilliance of the Stars, and loved it, so I was excited to read book 2.  You must read book 1 to understand book 2.  I don't want to give a synopsis like normal because doing that will give spoilers for book 1, so not going to do that.  I am just going to post my thoughts of the book here. This was totally unexpected!  I love J'Nell's books, and book 1 was fast paced and great, but this book was mind-blowing!  This is not your typical Christian story, but is a book about assassins and evil, but also incredible love, grace and forgiveness that ends up saving some characters but destroying others!  It is a book where evil is real and horrible, but love really conquers all in the end!  I literally read this book in 1 day because I literally couldn't put it down!  My heart was racing, and I was engrossed from beginning to end!  There is violence in it because of the assassins, so prepare yourself, but it was also a great story of love and friendship that triumphs over evil!  I highly recommend it, but just go into it knowing those things, and I believe you will enjoy it!  It kind of has a Jason Bourne vibe to it, but in a clean way that makes a great and exciting story!!!  So I give it 4 out 5 stars only because since it was from a Christian author, I would've like to have seen something about the Lord in the story as the author of ultimate forgiveness and grace, but it didn't mention Him, but I still really enjoyed the story, and would recommend it!

"The pair of you have always been attuned to a melody all your own. If I were a man given to romantics, I'd say it's rare to find notes to make up such a composition." I had thought J'nell Ciesielski's finest work was The Brilliance of Stars when Jack and Ivy were introduced....but To Free the Stars has completely and utterly outpaced and out-romanced the first book. The opening scene of this book is a direct continuation of the first book and goes from 0 to 60mph in the first few pages. It covers every emotion possible - despair, grief, anger, jealousy, hope, loyalty, mercy, and love. Action, suspense, and romance are perfectly blended for a thrilling adventure. Mix together Jason Bourne, Mission Impossible, and Captain America/Winter Solider into 1927 international political backdrop and you have this fabulous novel. Jack's journey is heart-breaking and raw; he seems a different man from the one we met in the first book. Ivy's desperate and unrelenting love for him is also heart-wrenching and raw as she fights to hold onto who they were. There are a lot of flashbacks to their lovely, delicious, tender romance and a good portion of the book is dedicated to Jack and Ivy finding a new rhythm. Though there isn't a faith thread, I thought there was a good metaphor for captivity of sin and freedom and healing that come from love. To Free the Stars will have you crying tears of empathy, clutching the edge of your seat in anticipation, sighing at the romance of it all, and cheering for Talon as good battles evil and love disarms betrayal. One of my favorite reads of 2023! I received the book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.