Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik [Review]

Hunt the Stars (Starlight's Shadow #1) by Jessie Mihalik
Format: ebook
Source: provided through NetGalley
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 10, 2021

Starlight's Shadow
0.5. Honor and Shadows
1. Hunt the Stars - Paperback | Kindle
2. Eclipse the Moon
3. Capture the Sun

Jessie Mihalik
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Octavia Zarola would do anything to keep her tiny, close-knit bounty hunting crew together—even if it means accepting a job from Torran Fletcher, a ruthless former general and her sworn enemy. When Torran offers her enough credits to not only keep her crew afloat but also hire someone to fix her ship, Tavi knows that she can’t refuse—no matter how much she’d like to.

With so much money on the line, Torran and his crew insist on joining the hunt. Tavi reluctantly agrees because while the handsome, stoic leader pushes all of her buttons—for both anger and desire—she’s endured worse, and the massive bonus payment he’s promised for a completed job is reason enough to shut up and deal.

But when they uncover a deeper plot that threatens the delicate peace between humans and Valoffs, Tavi suspects that Torran has been using her as the impetus for a new war. With the fate of her crew balanced on a knife’s edge, Tavi must decide where her loyalties lie—with the quiet Valoff who’s been lying to her, or with the human leaders who left her squad to die on the battlefield. And this time, she’s put her heart on the line.

Thoughts on Hunt the Stars: Hoo-boy, did I like this book. Tavi and her crew and Torran and his people were...hmm, how to put this? They were ruthlessly polite in the beginning. Careful, but pushing boundaries. And woe to anyone who crossed any lines they didn't think should be crossed.

Despite her misgivings about taking this job, Tavi did just that. Then she had to weave the two crews together while making sure tempers didn't blow. All while battling memories of her past and an irritating attraction to Torran. Irritating because SHE DID NOT WANT TO FIND HIM ATTRACTIVE. Yet she did.

Oh, yeah, and she's trying to plan a retrieval while Torran is being decidedly tight-lipped about the circumstances around the theft.

Yeah, there's a little friction. Some good, some bad. Torran is put in a tough situation that somehow turns even tougher and he's trying to figure out a way to make things work without breaking any of his oaths. It's sticky and not fun for everyone involved and BOY does it make for good reading.

Enemies to allies to more, a little betrayal, facing memories of the awful variety, the uncovering of something that could have big implications on the future, steamy kisses, and telekinetic touches. Tavi might not have wanted to take this job and Torran might have been roped into something he wanted no part of, but they sure do work well together. Them and their blended crew.