Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Brady Garrett is back in space, this time as an unwilling member of a team of humans seeking to study the alien Faceless and their technology. It’s not the first time Brady’s life has been in the hands of the Faceless leader Kai-Ren, and if there’s one thing Brady hates it’s being reminded exactly how powerless he is. Although dealing with the enigmatic Faceless might actually be easier than trying to figure out where he stands with the other humans on board, particularly when one of them is his boyfriend’s ex. 

Cameron Rushton loved the starlight once, but being back on board the Faceless ship forces him to confront the memories of the time he was captured by Kai-Ren, and exactly how much of what was done to him that he can no longer rationalize away. Cam is used to being Brady’s rock, but this time it might be him who needs Brady’s support.  

This time Brady is surrounded by the people he loves most in the universe, but that only means their lives are in danger too. And when Kai-Ren’s fascination with humanity threatens the foundations of Faceless society, Brady and Cam and the rest of the team find themselves thrust into a battle that humans have very little hope of winning, let alone surviving.

Book Review

Returning to the science-fiction adventure that is the ‘Dark Space’ series by Lisa Henry was thrilling and all-consuming. I reread the first two books in the series to ensure that I hadn’t forgotten anything as these books must be read in order or, in my opinion, the reader will be completely lost. The reviews that I wrote for the previous installments were a little sparse on details mainly because I didn’t want any spoilers, but at this point I feel there are basic pieces of information I can, and should, share.

 

At the end of ‘Dark Space’ a treaty was signed between the humans and Kai-Ren, battle regent of the Faceless and the alien Cameron spent four years with. However, it didn’t take long after Cam and Brady went back to Earth that Kai-Ren returned to Defender Three looking for them in ‘Darker Space’. It would appear that the psychic/telepathic nature of the Faceless’ communication that Kai-Ren had instigated with Cameron and then Brady is almost like a virus. To the point where Brady’s little sister, Lucy, had been drawn into it simply because of proximity to Cam and Brady. Once the human military discovered that it was back, the intel guys volunteered to be injected with Cam and Brady’s blood in the hopes of joining their psychic network and learning more about the Faceless. Just what Brady wanted: more people in his head including Cam’s ex. *sigh* The end of ‘Darker Space’ had Kai-Ren and his Faceless ship saving Cam, Brady, Lucy, and some of the intel guys after the enlisted on Defender Three initiated a mutiny. Cam, Brady, Lucy, Doc, and the intel guys left alive agree to travel on the Faceless ship to learn more about their enemy in hopes of gaining knowledge.

 

‘Starlight’ picks up in space, in the black, as their group of seven have been traveling for a bit with the Faceless. It takes them a while to realize that the ship isn’t really a ship. She’s the queen of the hive mind for this group of Faceless and everything they do - eating, waste recycling, normal skin shedding, etc. – is all absorbed back into her which creates a situation no one could’ve anticipated. Not even Kai-Ren. Without saying too much, the reproduction of the Faceless is asexual with the queen using the Faceless DNA onboard to create the hatchlings. Now there’s foreign DNA being used and Kai-Ren is less than pleased with what he calls “abominations”. What happens after is shocking, exciting, and I didn’t see it coming – the very best writing in my opinion. Regardless, Cam, Brady, and the rest come to the rescue even though the Faceless look at humanity as nothing, as insects to them. But these guys (and one little girl) do the impossible and get back home to Defender Three safe and sound.

 

One of the things that I loved the most about this final book is Brady’s gradual maturity coming to the fore. He’s learning to let go of some of his insecurities, and even though he’s not letting go of his fears, he’s living with them and not allowing them to take over. The other thing I loved is the relationships that are forged on this journey. The almost father/son between Brady and Doc, the big brother of all the guys and Lucy, the acceptance of everyone, most notably Chris, of the hybrid, Thomas. This book showcases so much love in all of its many forms that it filled me with joy and hope.

 

Thank you, Lisa Henry, for this awe-inspiring series that I will reread often for the immense pleasure it has brought to me.

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been purchased by the reviewer.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 197 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-December-2019
Price	$5.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Starlight-Dark-Space-Book-3-ebook/dp/B07YN2GHWP