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The Brightest Stars
Estelle’s life is pretty boring, all things she doesn’t have much to worry about, she spends her days on archeological digs deep below the surface of Mars and writing scientific articles on the aliens who ruled over the Solar System many millennia ago.
But nothing lasts forever. Unexpectedly, Estelle and her mentor unearth long-lost knowledge which, if revealed, could dramatically shift the balance of power between nations, and possibly even turn the ongoing cold war between the major factions in the Solar System into a blazing hot one.
So now Estelle has to flee, leave her home behind in a bid to keep that knowledge from falling into the wrong hands; and along the way, she’ll have to decide where the lines of loyalty are drawn… and whom she can trust.
But nothing lasts forever. Unexpectedly, Estelle and her mentor unearth long-lost knowledge which, if revealed, could dramatically shift the balance of power between nations, and possibly even turn the ongoing cold war between the major factions in the Solar System into a blazing hot one.
So now Estelle has to flee, leave her home behind in a bid to keep that knowledge from falling into the wrong hands; and along the way, she’ll have to decide where the lines of loyalty are drawn… and whom she can trust.
- GenresQueer
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2024
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 21, 2024
The intro piece of the book (roughly the first 18-20%) goes relatively well, albeit a bit slow. Not much happens, though we're introduced to our main character and some of her world. At this point, the story feels approachable and written well enough you can sink in.
After this point, it feels like the train progressively goes off the rails, as the saying goes. I nearly DNF'd when the main character and one of the other characters do one of the most careless things I've seen in a story in a while, which predictably ends poorly. At this point, you're doubting whether the MC has any common sense at all. They definitely felt like someone trying to get themselves killed, which made me quickly lose interest.
This continues happening. They meet characters who they know aren't to be trusted, and they still go along with them.
Starting at around the 1/3rd point in the book, so many characters get introduced (in more ways than one) that I lost the plot more than once. Tropes are woven in to try to give the reader something to latch onto, but I didn't feel like they were a good fit.
In a way, this book reads like a bit like Total Recall and heist-y/spy sci fi stories like Outlaw Star, but I much prefer either of those stories as they had a relatively good focus on the goal.
In The Brightest Stars, we drift along without all that much happening, with occasional twists that again lean on tropes or on plot twists not uncommon for stories inspired by the stories above.
As the story winds to its conclusion it feels like it just ends. Important parts of the plot don't even happen until the epilogue, which I found more than a little baffling.
In short, this really wasn't for me. I would have loved something using those same inspirations that leaned more on stronger character development, believable characters with believable courses of action, with a stronger focus on story.
After this point, it feels like the train progressively goes off the rails, as the saying goes. I nearly DNF'd when the main character and one of the other characters do one of the most careless things I've seen in a story in a while, which predictably ends poorly. At this point, you're doubting whether the MC has any common sense at all. They definitely felt like someone trying to get themselves killed, which made me quickly lose interest.
This continues happening. They meet characters who they know aren't to be trusted, and they still go along with them.
Starting at around the 1/3rd point in the book, so many characters get introduced (in more ways than one) that I lost the plot more than once. Tropes are woven in to try to give the reader something to latch onto, but I didn't feel like they were a good fit.
In a way, this book reads like a bit like Total Recall and heist-y/spy sci fi stories like Outlaw Star, but I much prefer either of those stories as they had a relatively good focus on the goal.
In The Brightest Stars, we drift along without all that much happening, with occasional twists that again lean on tropes or on plot twists not uncommon for stories inspired by the stories above.
As the story winds to its conclusion it feels like it just ends. Important parts of the plot don't even happen until the epilogue, which I found more than a little baffling.
In short, this really wasn't for me. I would have loved something using those same inspirations that leaned more on stronger character development, believable characters with believable courses of action, with a stronger focus on story.
June 18, 2025
A fun bit of sci-fi espionage. The themes and some of the style reminded me of Alastair Reynold's A Spy in Europa and Chasm City.
September 12, 2024
The Brightest Stars is a real departure from Zoe Storm - and diving into sci-fi really shows off her ability and skill as a writer. Keeping just enough hidden from you as a reader, and from the protagonist, you discover Estelle's history alongside her as the mystery/thriller elements are slowly resolved. But through that process you're drawn in to the the world with it's wonderfully drawn alien civilization.
The pacing's excellent, with events keeping Estelle just off balance enough to have to make snap decisions with insufficient evidence. Decisions that keep driving the story forward towards the unexpected twist.
The pacing's excellent, with events keeping Estelle just off balance enough to have to make snap decisions with insufficient evidence. Decisions that keep driving the story forward towards the unexpected twist.
August 8, 2024
This one had a cool setup and an intriguing premise that ultimately left me wanting a little more. The most interesting part was the way humanity and machine were dealt with, but I wanted more exploration of this, which would have helped build the characters and the overall drama more.
The spycraft storyline was the least convincing, relying on rather long explanations in the reveal. The worldbuilding was interesting, and I wouldn't have finished it if I didn't enjoy it. I already have plans to read other books by the author, starting with To Own the Libs.
The spycraft storyline was the least convincing, relying on rather long explanations in the reveal. The worldbuilding was interesting, and I wouldn't have finished it if I didn't enjoy it. I already have plans to read other books by the author, starting with To Own the Libs.
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May 24, 2025Estelle from The Brightest Stars is asexual!
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews