Welcome to my stop on the book tour for The Stars Within by Lena Alison Knight! This is a great novel for fans of soft sci-fi novels with military sci-fi and space exploration mixed in.
Prize: A Paperback Copy of The Stars Within!
Starts: August 18, 2022 at 12:00am EST
Ends: August 24, 2022 at 11:59pm EST
Space Opera/Military Sci-Fi | Adult | 238 Pages | Self Published
Solving Problems with Explosions • The Power of Friendship (and Guns) • Love in the Time of Corporate Dystopia
Book Review
Thank you to Escapist Tours for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!
Taken from her family at a young age, Kerelle was raised in the PsiCorps and trained to be their weapon. As a class three telepath and class three telekinetic, she’s called in to destroy targets and strike fear into opposing populaces. Kerelle has no choice but to obey, the collar around her throat is SysTech’s insurance. And if she complies with SysTech’s orders, she is free to do as she wishes. Until she finds out when a high enough price is paid, even class three psionics can be sold off to be servants of the rich. When her lover Galhen is sold, escape become Kerelle’s main goal. If she frees herself, she can free Galhen as well.
The characterization in The Stars Within was so well crafted. Through a clever mix of flashbacks and current events, Kerelle’s emotional state is depicted in startling detail. Despite the lies, she tells herself to sleep at night, the guilt and horror at what she must do creep into her mind. And as her anchor, Galhen is the loving support she needs. Together they help each other keep the negative feelings at bay. The way their romance was softly brought into the picture and built throughout their short time together was heart-wrenching. And when the two are pulled apart, readers will be cheering Kerelle on as she quests for freedom and a reunion with Galhen.
I loved the way the story was told. Short bursts of scenes drew me in and painted each new situation. There was just enough information presented to fully immerse me into the dark and militaristic lifestyle Kerelle lived. Despite Kerelle being on campaigns for months at a time, Lena Alison Knight made sure to highlight only the most important scenes. There was no time wasted reaching the emotional impact of the campaigns and how they affected Kerelle’s future outlook.
While The Stars Within sets a darker tone it is a fast-paced read. There is a touch of political tension as the story progresses, but it serves more as a background element to accent the choices Kerelle makes. The true focus of the story remains on Kerelle and her struggle against SysTech's control over her. Her mental battle against losing Galhen and contending with all SysTech throws at her is a gripping tale. I cannot wait to see what happens next. The Stars Within is a great novel for fans of soft sci-fi novels with military sci-fi and space exploration mixed in.
About the Author
Lena Alison Knight grew up reading space opera and high fantasy, and started writing her own as soon as she could hold a crayon steady. She lives with her husband in the San Francisco Bay Area, and when not writing she can be found taking brisk walks, haunting local coffee shops, or sprawled on the couch playing video games. Find her online at lenaalisonknight.com
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