“This girl was a child of violence. She had suffered and survived. That was a part of her, but what about the girl who had teased him five minutes ago? Where did she fit in? Was she a mirage, a mere trick of the eyes? Did that person really not exist at all?”

Have you ever read a book where you can’t put your finger on why you love it? The parts are all there, beautifully displayed pieces crafted together into a great creation, but still there’s something missing to give it that five-star rating your dying to. Could it all be an emotional connection? Somehow all the books you’ve rated five stars have left you raw or swept away within the made up whirlpools of deep feelings.

Ignite The Stars is a masterpiece filled with the stuff we need to talk about today… but there was just that slight something that was missing. Oh well. It earned all those 4.5 stars that it did get.

In a world… (insert deep voice)... where there are two sides, the Commonwealth and the fringe, Ia thinks she’s got the right side - Blood Wolf of the Skies. That is, until she is caught, shocking the world. It’s no harden criminal terrorizing the skies, but a seventeen-year-old girl behind the helmet. Seeing this as an opportunity, the Commonwealth sends her to be trained at the Star Force Academy where she has only one goal, escape. Brinn on the other hand is trying to stay in the Academy. She’s joined to make a difference, set to stop the likes of Ia from destroying the safety and security that the Commonwealth provides. But then why must Brinn hide who she really is? Thrown together at the academy, the two learn what the truth really is, and whose side they should be fighting on.

All the tingles.

A perfect sci-fi read for all ages, Ignite the Stars is more than your average galactic story. Milan uses the plot to delve into topics so raw and fresh in our current time that it leaves you feeling the need to hug your nearest neighbor. Will this end racism… probably not… but it provides a look into both sides of not only race, but also war. Both sides of any fight think they are right - though I don’t know how the Trump supporters do it - and Milan crafts a perfect look across the sides, allowing each one to have a voice and never villainizing one over the other. Well, except for the actual villain in the story.

First readers meet Ia, who is a perfect diverse character. A great addition to the budding diversity in sci-fi books. I also loved that Milan found a way to phonetically spell out Ia’s name at the beginning so I never had to question the pronunciation. But Milan did more than that - she created an alien race faced with a galaxy refusing to allow them equality. Their history seems similar to a culture currently facing the same issues in our world. Hmmmm… that leaves a lot to think about, eh? Milan was smart to make a new race, not picking a replica of one already existing. I think it gave her more room to develop the plot and not allow one group to grab a hold of her book and shove the idea down other people’s throats. There are so many groups victimized right now, picking one to focus on is wrong when equality for all needs to be the message.

“His eyes traced the elegant line of her neck as she swiveled around to face him, her eyes sparking like collapsed stars swallowing up the surrounding light. She was a dark star, a black hole in the endless sky, and if he got too close, he would surely disappear. He knew all this, but even then, he couldn’t turn away from her.”

For a debut book, Milan has the makings of a great novelist. Never once did the story feel immature or YA. All of her characters where well developed, with in-depth back stories. Even her male POV was strong, developed, and containing everything male. See, sometimes the opposite sex can write a good version. Just not a few people I’ve already mentioned way too much on this here blog. Plus, Ia was not only strong in her own right, but Milan never made any of her characters a Superman character. They all had believable flaws and skills that fit into the plot and their personalities. If a girl has been fighting in the fringe for 5 years, I’m sure she has some insane skills. Besides, are we forgetting pure talent?

On the downside, the foreshadowing left a lot to be desired. No flashing signs pointing the way, but a lot of the events felt convenient. Add that to the weird science at the end - in any book we have to suspend disbelief for one thing - made for an not so ok feeling in the gut. The big reveal at the end led to some good suspense, just again, no big surprise. There are unanswered questions, though I shouldn’t be too mad because there are more books to come. I just have to be patient and wait for them. The worst.

Like I said, this book earned every star I gave it. Realistic tech, amazing characters, strong voices in each of the protagonist’s chapters, enjoyable from start to finish. There was never a moment that I wanted to put the book down. Probably why I read 238 pages in one day. Just check, check, check all the boxes for the kind of stories we are needing this day and age. Not only entertaining, but diverse, thought provoking, and pushing the boundaries.

Till next time my friends.

And PSA… there will be no blog next week since it’s the holidays. I hope that you have a great end to 2018 and I’ll catch you all next year.

Happy Reading

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 107/100

(though I’m sure I’ll at least squeeze in one more before the end of the year, and I better enjoy this large number before it goes back to zero in a week)