I’ve re-read this book at least a half dozen times since it was first released. It’s such a comfort read for me. If you like Kaleb (Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series) and Mad Rogan (Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy series), Torran completes the trifecta of telekinetic main characters that you want to know.
Humanity has discovered interstellar travel, and very early on they encountered the valoffs. Valoffs are anthropomorthic with the added bonus of psychic powers. Everything from telepathy and telekinesis to healing. As could almost be expected, these two similar societies go to war for the usual reasons – access to the gates that make interstellar travel possible.
A couple of years into the uneasy truce between the humans and the valoffs is where Hunt the Stars starts. Captain Octavia “Tavi” Zarola, formerly a lieutenant for the FHP (Federated Human Planets), now takes bounties with most of what’s left of her squad, trying to stay off the radar of both FHP and Valovian commands.
She’s mostly succeeding. Until former valoff General, Torran Fletcher arrives with a job offer. It’s too good to pass up, but comes with a whole load of risks and close contact living with the valoffs that were their sworn enemies until the job’s completion.
I love a good enemies-to-lovers story. This one definitely delivers. The mutual contempt and respect that both Torran and Tavi feel for each other in the beginning, which slowly thaws and develops into an actual relationship, is beautifully done. Slowly, through each encounter they have, they get to know each other, respect and care growing.
Hunt the Stars has a good mix of character and plot development, with the search for Torran’s missing item always spurring them along. The constantly increasing stakes really pulled me along. But the wide cast of characters, the found family aspect of the teams, and the interpersonal relationships were what I really loved.
Jessie Mihalik has been delivering eminently satisfying sci-fi romance books since I first read Polaris Rising, book one in her Consortium Rebellion series. And while I love that series, especially book two, with my whole heart; I love this one even more.
Well, I’m reading this one ASAP. I MUST complete the trifecta. Bonus is I already have it!
Yay! I hope you like it. It’s such a warm hug of a novel for me.