If you love Star Wars, Space Romantasy and supporting indie debuts, add this book to your must-reads right now! I’ve been reviewing indie space opera and sci-fi for two years, and this book honestly has the most Star-wars-y feel of any indie book I’ve encountered so far (yes, it feels even more like Star Wars than Jessie Mihalik or Jennifer Estep, guys!)
The Story
In a galaxy where the Union is seizing control of planets and monopolizing their resources, Fenn Kensie has been laying low for a decade, until a bounty on her best friend’s life comes due and mysterious pilot Torren arrives with a job that could pay the debt.
Soon, Fenn is entangled in a dangerous mission where she must pose as Torren’s wife to get him past an Union blockade on the home planet she never expected to return to.
But things get complicated when Fenn discovers Torren is smuggling the most highly sought-after contraband in the galaxy, and Torren discovers that Fenn has a notorious reputation of her own on her home world. With Union soldiers on their trail, both Fenn and Torren will have to confront their painful pasts–and their growing feelings for each other–if they want to escape with their lives.
What I liked
I enjoyed the romance in this story quite a bit. I love how the characters go from dislike to understanding to genuine connection as they work together and learn about each others’ past trauma.
Initially, Fenn and Torren have a little bit of a Han and Leia vibe going, with Fenn in feisty FMC mode and Torren cast as the grumpy bad boy with a heart of gold–I love the scene where she unstraps her safety belt to storm out of the cockpit and he pins her down with his boot to keep her safe during takeoff. But I also love that, as the romance goes on, it develops beyond that dynamic as deep past hurts come to the surface.
Fenn and Torren’s chemistry feels genuine, and when they finally get together there’s real emotional payoff.
What I loved
This story is absolutely overflowing with Star Wars vibes. From the desert planet and forest planet settings to the clean, PG-13 storyline to the heist on a Union (read Imperial) base, this story truly feels like it could take place somewhere in the Star Wars universe.
Disney, if you’re looking for writers for your next Star Wars IP novel, please take a look at Danielle Price’s work! (And while I’m making demands of Disney, might I suggest a romance series? Price would do such an amazing job!)
Beyond the Star Wars comparisons, Under Cover of Stars is also 100% it’s own unique story. Fenn’s home world has a well-developed and distinct culture, Torren’s ring of thieves has their own unique brand of found-family feels, and Fenn and Torren are both original characters with interesting personalities and backstories. The spy novel elements also bring a distinctive (and really fun) quality to the adventure.
The author does an amazing job giving readers loads of the classic Star Wars-y vibes many of us are looking for when we pick up a space opera novel, while also being true to her own characters and story, and bringing us into a brand new unique universe to love.
Overall Thoughts
I highly recommend this book to anyone who grew up on Star Wars and now reads romantasy. I promise it’s overflowing with everything you love.
For indie sci-fi readers who aren’t sure about the romance–I actually do recommend you give this one a shot (and I don’t say that about every sci-fi romance.) Under Cover of Stars is as much a space opera heist story as it is a love story, and the one sex scene is closed door. If you enjoy authors like Jenny Schwartz I highly recommend you give Danielle Price’s debut a try.
I enjoyed every page of Under Cover of Stars and I highly recommend this book to Star Wars fans, romantasy readers, and indie sci-fi lovers alike. I’m excited to see what Price releases next–she’s absolutely a space opera romance writer to watch!
