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Murder and Magic #4
The Starseekers: A Historical Fantasy of Magic, Murder, and the Race to the Moon
Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures in this brand-new stand-alone historical fantasy set in the world of The Conductors, in which the space race of the mid-20th century will be determined by magic...if not murder.
In the 1960s, the world was caught up in reaching beyond our planet and into the cosmos. It felt impossible—but there was nothing science, math…and magic couldn’t make possible. The race to space was on, and the Moon was what everyone had their eyes on.
Including Cynthia Rhodes, a brilliant arcane engineer at NASA’s Ainsworth Research Labs. Talented in math and magic, she hosts a magical educational show... a job she took mostly for a chance to regularly see the dashing Theodore Danner, a professor of arcane archeology.
She is also an amateur sleuth—something that has run in her family for generations.
When a cursed museum curator nearly interrupts a broadcast of their show, Cynthia finds an eager sleuthing partner in Theo. Pairing up, they begin investigating the strange behavior of the curator and a mysterious theft at the arcane history museum—until one of Cynthia’s own coworkers perishes right in front of her in a major lab accident that endangers Ainsworth’s role in the space race.
Certain it was murder instead of an accident, Cynthia sees this as a separate case at first. However the more she and Theo investigate, Cynthia uncovers a surprising link between the two incidents. The museum theft and murder are part of a larger equation—one that includes deadly enchantments, rumored pirate treasure, a peculiar plant, and a dire threat to the space program as well as everything she holds dear.
The Starseekers is another rip-roaring adventure for the Rhodes family, who have been using magic to aid their community and solve mysteries since before the Civil War. The times may have changed, but a Rhodes once again finds themselves thrust into a world of murders, theft, sabotage, and curses, and this time the stakes extend to the stars themselves.
In the 1960s, the world was caught up in reaching beyond our planet and into the cosmos. It felt impossible—but there was nothing science, math…and magic couldn’t make possible. The race to space was on, and the Moon was what everyone had their eyes on.
Including Cynthia Rhodes, a brilliant arcane engineer at NASA’s Ainsworth Research Labs. Talented in math and magic, she hosts a magical educational show... a job she took mostly for a chance to regularly see the dashing Theodore Danner, a professor of arcane archeology.
She is also an amateur sleuth—something that has run in her family for generations.
When a cursed museum curator nearly interrupts a broadcast of their show, Cynthia finds an eager sleuthing partner in Theo. Pairing up, they begin investigating the strange behavior of the curator and a mysterious theft at the arcane history museum—until one of Cynthia’s own coworkers perishes right in front of her in a major lab accident that endangers Ainsworth’s role in the space race.
Certain it was murder instead of an accident, Cynthia sees this as a separate case at first. However the more she and Theo investigate, Cynthia uncovers a surprising link between the two incidents. The museum theft and murder are part of a larger equation—one that includes deadly enchantments, rumored pirate treasure, a peculiar plant, and a dire threat to the space program as well as everything she holds dear.
The Starseekers is another rip-roaring adventure for the Rhodes family, who have been using magic to aid their community and solve mysteries since before the Civil War. The times may have changed, but a Rhodes once again finds themselves thrust into a world of murders, theft, sabotage, and curses, and this time the stakes extend to the stars themselves.
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2026
49 people are currently reading
1309 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
January 11, 2026
#gifted harpervoyager audio+physical
(4.5)🚀| Loved it! Science, equations, magic, mystery, AND romance. Brilliant!
🎧🎙️| Read by Bahni Turpin
💫Historical Fantasy
💫Slow-burn Romance
💫NASA and Magic
💫Murder Mystery
💫”Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures” 💪🏾✨
(4.5)🚀| Loved it! Science, equations, magic, mystery, AND romance. Brilliant!
🎧🎙️| Read by Bahni Turpin
💫Historical Fantasy
💫Slow-burn Romance
💫NASA and Magic
💫Murder Mystery
💫”Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures” 💪🏾✨
October 13, 2025
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences review.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I’ve been reading Nicole Glover since her debut, The Conductors, and I love the development of the Murder and Magic series, as well as the Rhodes family. I was incredibly excited for Starseekers when I saw Glover’s newsletter talking about it as Hidden Figures with Magic. Whats not to be drawn to with science and magic and especially Black women in science?! I’m so glad I read this.
Starseekers is a really good mystery, though at times it felt like there were too many threads and sub-plots happening to keep track of it all. I love the family history and especially dynamics between Cynthia and her sisters, Lizzie and Josie. It’s also really great seeing how Henrietta and Benji’s family has grown since the Conductors. I just wish the mystery wasn’t quite so convoluted. It made it hard to put any of the pieces together on my own, which is honestly something I find satisfying while reading mysteries.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing what Nicole Glover will write next, and which historical period she’ll focus on if she continues with the Rhodes family. This was extremely engaging and intriguing, and I especially love the social commentary woven into the world and setting.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I’ve been reading Nicole Glover since her debut, The Conductors, and I love the development of the Murder and Magic series, as well as the Rhodes family. I was incredibly excited for Starseekers when I saw Glover’s newsletter talking about it as Hidden Figures with Magic. Whats not to be drawn to with science and magic and especially Black women in science?! I’m so glad I read this.
Starseekers is a really good mystery, though at times it felt like there were too many threads and sub-plots happening to keep track of it all. I love the family history and especially dynamics between Cynthia and her sisters, Lizzie and Josie. It’s also really great seeing how Henrietta and Benji’s family has grown since the Conductors. I just wish the mystery wasn’t quite so convoluted. It made it hard to put any of the pieces together on my own, which is honestly something I find satisfying while reading mysteries.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing what Nicole Glover will write next, and which historical period she’ll focus on if she continues with the Rhodes family. This was extremely engaging and intriguing, and I especially love the social commentary woven into the world and setting.
January 1, 2026
It's the height of the Space Race, but the history detailed in The Starseekers is not quite like our own. For magic resides in the air. Magic, in fact, is a significant portion of the world history depicted in this mid-20th century tale. And this new element provides an incredibly unique and refreshing setting that follows Cynthia, a NASA Arcane engineer who, went not solving complex equations or riding her broom through the air, takes it upon herself to solve unusual mysteries revolving around curses, stolen magical artifacts...and even murder. This is a brilliantly clever story that takes a familiar setting and spins it on its head through magical twists.
This work teases its "Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures" and I think that's a very apt comparison. We have our lead Cynthia, a brilliant Black engineer in NASA who forges her way through her industry, while becoming rather like Indiana Jones. For when she's not working or hosting her magical educational show, she trades pencil for fedora (or in Cynthia's case wand and broom) and sleuths certain mysteries lurking about. Although she is rich in magic, Cynthia leads in a very pragmatic style. She is no-nonsense. This, at times, can make connecting with her emotionally an uphill path, but I do appreciate her way of being. She takes care of so much-- and so many. Whether it's work, her sisters, or her (grand)parents, Cynthia shoulders all the burdens necessary. And through that, quiets her grief. She may seem steely, but we glimpse the vulnerability of her heart as she must contend with a curse that has erased herself from the memories of her grandparents, who raised her. Overall, Cynthia is a wonderfully complex yet straight-forward heroine. Quite often, I felt I had to sprint to keep up with her, but I'd gladly do so. I liked following her path and her discoveries.
The magical system is super intriguing. I do wish it was explored in more depth, but every touch of it throughout the narrative caught my attention. Whether it's Cynthia using cards to direct her magic, her sister needing a a new wand, or Theo creating a ice slide, I loved how naturally the magic came about.
While it's not the main feature, Cynthia does have a love story playing throughout this journey. It's more so woven throughout, as we see her and her long-time family friend and colleague, Theo, blossom into the beginning stages of romance. I felt gratified by the touches of this love story amongst all the other action and plot. It adds sweetness and further vulnerability to Cynthia, it makes her feel all the more tangible and relatable. I will never measure up to her brilliant mind, but I absolutely can understand the skips in heartbeats.
This was my final read of 2025, I am so glad for it. It feels like its composed of entirely its own DNA. A story that stands so uniquely on its own, whose world and alternate history I want to continue exploring. I had a rather magical time!
Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
This work teases its "Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures" and I think that's a very apt comparison. We have our lead Cynthia, a brilliant Black engineer in NASA who forges her way through her industry, while becoming rather like Indiana Jones. For when she's not working or hosting her magical educational show, she trades pencil for fedora (or in Cynthia's case wand and broom) and sleuths certain mysteries lurking about. Although she is rich in magic, Cynthia leads in a very pragmatic style. She is no-nonsense. This, at times, can make connecting with her emotionally an uphill path, but I do appreciate her way of being. She takes care of so much-- and so many. Whether it's work, her sisters, or her (grand)parents, Cynthia shoulders all the burdens necessary. And through that, quiets her grief. She may seem steely, but we glimpse the vulnerability of her heart as she must contend with a curse that has erased herself from the memories of her grandparents, who raised her. Overall, Cynthia is a wonderfully complex yet straight-forward heroine. Quite often, I felt I had to sprint to keep up with her, but I'd gladly do so. I liked following her path and her discoveries.
The magical system is super intriguing. I do wish it was explored in more depth, but every touch of it throughout the narrative caught my attention. Whether it's Cynthia using cards to direct her magic, her sister needing a a new wand, or Theo creating a ice slide, I loved how naturally the magic came about.
While it's not the main feature, Cynthia does have a love story playing throughout this journey. It's more so woven throughout, as we see her and her long-time family friend and colleague, Theo, blossom into the beginning stages of romance. I felt gratified by the touches of this love story amongst all the other action and plot. It adds sweetness and further vulnerability to Cynthia, it makes her feel all the more tangible and relatable. I will never measure up to her brilliant mind, but I absolutely can understand the skips in heartbeats.
This was my final read of 2025, I am so glad for it. It feels like its composed of entirely its own DNA. A story that stands so uniquely on its own, whose world and alternate history I want to continue exploring. I had a rather magical time!
Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
January 25, 2026
I don’t know how more people aren’t talking about this one - or this series in general. I went into this not knowing about the previous books that all seem to be standalones. There is such a fun and unique mix of magic and history in this story. I was really entranced by the mystery of the curses and who was behind all of that while the space race side of things was so fascinating.
Theo and Cynthia’s relationship was sweet and fun to watch develop and the tension from the events they were a part of kept their relationship interesting throughout. The narration was fantastic overall and I enjoyed how the characters were voiced. There were quite long pauses in between chapters, which sometimes led to me wondering if the audiobook stopped.
4.5 stars
Thank you to @harpervoyagerus for the eARC, ALC, and finished copy of the book. All thoughts are my own!
Theo and Cynthia’s relationship was sweet and fun to watch develop and the tension from the events they were a part of kept their relationship interesting throughout. The narration was fantastic overall and I enjoyed how the characters were voiced. There were quite long pauses in between chapters, which sometimes led to me wondering if the audiobook stopped.
4.5 stars
Thank you to @harpervoyagerus for the eARC, ALC, and finished copy of the book. All thoughts are my own!
January 11, 2026
A fun and likable read, if not exactly as advertised.
Sadly for me, this book actually has very little to do with the space race. The focus here is much more on the fantasy elements of the story, and the space race isn’t even the primary focus of the real world elements of the book.
That said, it’s a fun story anyway. Though I wish the focus had been less on the magical system or that it had been better integrated with the space race as the book claims, it’s certainly a well-rendered and clever magical system, and I liked the way the characters and their abilities connected.
A lot of my enjoyment of this book came from the characters, especially Cynthia, who makes an exceptionally good heroine. I would have liked more historical detail, though what we do get of this is quite well done.
It’s tough to find good space race fiction, so I’m sad we didn’t get it here from a writer who clearly has the skill to have made that happen. But it’s a good book anyway, and has made me curious about the rest of the series.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Sadly for me, this book actually has very little to do with the space race. The focus here is much more on the fantasy elements of the story, and the space race isn’t even the primary focus of the real world elements of the book.
That said, it’s a fun story anyway. Though I wish the focus had been less on the magical system or that it had been better integrated with the space race as the book claims, it’s certainly a well-rendered and clever magical system, and I liked the way the characters and their abilities connected.
A lot of my enjoyment of this book came from the characters, especially Cynthia, who makes an exceptionally good heroine. I would have liked more historical detail, though what we do get of this is quite well done.
It’s tough to find good space race fiction, so I’m sad we didn’t get it here from a writer who clearly has the skill to have made that happen. But it’s a good book anyway, and has made me curious about the rest of the series.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
December 9, 2025
The Starseekers by Nicole Glover was such an unexpected delight. I loved the mix of historical setting, mystery, and magic — it’s a combination that feels fresh and unique. The 1960s space-race backdrop gives the whole story this fun sense of ambition and discovery, while the magical elements add tension and wonder in all the right places.
Cynthia was my favorite part of the book. She’s brilliant, determined, and refreshingly human. I really enjoyed following her through the investigation, especially as the stakes kept rising and the magical threats became more intense. Her dynamic with Theo was charming, and their moments together balanced the heavier plot beats nicely.
Cynthia was my favorite part of the book. She’s brilliant, determined, and refreshingly human. I really enjoyed following her through the investigation, especially as the stakes kept rising and the magical threats became more intense. Her dynamic with Theo was charming, and their moments together balanced the heavier plot beats nicely.
January 8, 2026
(4.5 stars) Hidden Figures + Indiana Jones + Celestial Magic! Also shipwrecks, museum heists, children’s television shows, dance classes, secret societies, fashion shows, protests, treasure maps, pumpkin competitions, sassy cats, magical botanicals, and romance. This book has a zillion plot lines and I am here for every single one of them. This was such a joy to read!
Dr. Cynthia Rhodes comes from a long line of amateur sleuths. She’s a brilliant arcane engineer at NASA and the host of an educational children’s television show (alongside a handsome professor of arcane archeology 👀). She’s also the guardian of her two younger sisters. When tests of various rocket fuel potion formulas start going dangerously wrong, Cynthia is drawn into a complex web of intrigue and mu.rder.
Look, I’m sure some readers might be overwhelmed by how much happens in this book, but I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. I love Dr. Cynthia Rhodes! I love her charming professor, her vibrant sisters, and her magical cat. And boy do I love a good mystery - especially when it involves pirate treasure and arcane magic. If you’re looking for an Indiana Jones-style romp crossed with historical fantasy, pick this up!
I was gifted a copy by the publisher. Opinions are my own!
Dr. Cynthia Rhodes comes from a long line of amateur sleuths. She’s a brilliant arcane engineer at NASA and the host of an educational children’s television show (alongside a handsome professor of arcane archeology 👀). She’s also the guardian of her two younger sisters. When tests of various rocket fuel potion formulas start going dangerously wrong, Cynthia is drawn into a complex web of intrigue and mu.rder.
Look, I’m sure some readers might be overwhelmed by how much happens in this book, but I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. I love Dr. Cynthia Rhodes! I love her charming professor, her vibrant sisters, and her magical cat. And boy do I love a good mystery - especially when it involves pirate treasure and arcane magic. If you’re looking for an Indiana Jones-style romp crossed with historical fantasy, pick this up!
I was gifted a copy by the publisher. Opinions are my own!
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January 14, 2026Unfortunately, this is a dnf at 66% for me. Like others, when I originally requested this arc is was not listed as #4 in a series, but rather as a standalone. While this is *technically* a standalone, I do not think I had even half the information I needed to truly enjoy this book. This is not the fault of the book itself— I’m sure fans of the series will be delighted. However, I wish it had been clearer that this is part of a very interconnected series. I couldn’t really connect with a lot of the characters despite the strength of the writing. I hope to one day revisit this book after reading the first 3.
January 6, 2026
THE STARSEEKERS is a standalone mystery-adventure set within the Murder and Magic universe. This is Nicole Glover’s fourth book in the series, and I was thrilled that, like the previous titles, the audiobook is narrated by Bahni Turpin.
I really enjoyed Turpin’s narration of both The Conductors and The Undertakers. (I’ll be going back to listen to The Improvisors soon.) For THE STARSEEKERS she once again gives excellent voice to a very large cast of characters.
I’ve been bingeing this historical-fantasy series and recommending it everywhere. Like the earlier novels, THE STARSEEKERS is an intricately woven mystery with many details and characters to keep track of. Readers do need to be prepared to move a bit slowly to follow all the threads.
Set in 1964 in a new NASA facility for arcane science and engineering (using magical knowledge to help power the first trip to the moon), THE STARSEEKERS features Dr. Cynthia Rhodes. Dr. Rhodes is a descendant of the mystery-solving Rhodes couple in the first two books, with both detective work and a need for adventure running in the family.
Along with arcane archeologist Theo Danner, Cynthia breaks curses, investigates murders, and hunts for underwater relics. I’m a sucker for a genre mashup, and I just love this combination of history, magic, mystery and adventure!
Should you read the previous books before this one? I do believe THE STARSEEKERS can be enjoyed on its own. Some characters from The Improvisors make an appearance, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything from not having read that book. It would help to have some understanding of celestial magic versus sorcery from the first two books, as some of that history informs the subplot of a racist magic teacher. But that’s a relatively minor part of the book.
I hope Glover continues to write books in this series, whether it’s with a new character in a new timeline or following already established characters from her published books.
I really enjoyed Turpin’s narration of both The Conductors and The Undertakers. (I’ll be going back to listen to The Improvisors soon.) For THE STARSEEKERS she once again gives excellent voice to a very large cast of characters.
I’ve been bingeing this historical-fantasy series and recommending it everywhere. Like the earlier novels, THE STARSEEKERS is an intricately woven mystery with many details and characters to keep track of. Readers do need to be prepared to move a bit slowly to follow all the threads.
Set in 1964 in a new NASA facility for arcane science and engineering (using magical knowledge to help power the first trip to the moon), THE STARSEEKERS features Dr. Cynthia Rhodes. Dr. Rhodes is a descendant of the mystery-solving Rhodes couple in the first two books, with both detective work and a need for adventure running in the family.
Along with arcane archeologist Theo Danner, Cynthia breaks curses, investigates murders, and hunts for underwater relics. I’m a sucker for a genre mashup, and I just love this combination of history, magic, mystery and adventure!
Should you read the previous books before this one? I do believe THE STARSEEKERS can be enjoyed on its own. Some characters from The Improvisors make an appearance, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything from not having read that book. It would help to have some understanding of celestial magic versus sorcery from the first two books, as some of that history informs the subplot of a racist magic teacher. But that’s a relatively minor part of the book.
I hope Glover continues to write books in this series, whether it’s with a new character in a new timeline or following already established characters from her published books.
December 4, 2025
4.5 stars 💕
Thank you Harper Collins for the e-arc of this book. The Starseekers is such a delight, and had so many things I love all in one story. The comparison of Hidden Figures to Indiana Jones is accurate, and I love how it tackled important issues in the 60’s on top of everything else. The book hooked me from the beginning and I couldn’t stop once the action started flowing. I love the bits of magic and romance as well. The dynamic between Cynthia and Theo is really sweet. I can’t wait for everyone else to read this!
Thank you Harper Collins for the e-arc of this book. The Starseekers is such a delight, and had so many things I love all in one story. The comparison of Hidden Figures to Indiana Jones is accurate, and I love how it tackled important issues in the 60’s on top of everything else. The book hooked me from the beginning and I couldn’t stop once the action started flowing. I love the bits of magic and romance as well. The dynamic between Cynthia and Theo is really sweet. I can’t wait for everyone else to read this!
January 8, 2026
Sometimes, it pays to pick out a book that seems outside your usual reading list. For me, that was how I discovered the joy that is The Starseekers: A Historical Fantasy of Magic, Murder, and the Race to the Moon. It may be my favorite book since I started reviewing books for Cozying Up.
The fourth Murder & Magic Novel from Nicole Glover, The Starseekers is part Hidden Figures, part Lessons in Chemistry, and part Indiana Jones in a world where magic exists. Like the women in Hidden Figures, Cynthia Rhodes works for NASA doing incredibly complex mathematical computations as part of the space race in the 1960s. What's different is that she is an arcane engineer whose specialty is the application of the mystical to the scientific. Her preferred type of magic uses inks and cards, but other forms of magic like wands, etc. are used by others.
Cynthia also co-hosts an educational magic show at the local television station with Theo Danner, a professor of arcane archeology that she has known since they were young. When their show taping is interrupted by a strange man under a curse, the two of them begin investigating a mystery that includes a theft and eventually a death. In addition, as the investigation progresses, Cynthia and Theo also discover their mutual attraction.
The supporting characters include lots of family, friends, and co-workers—all wonderfully fleshed out and interesting. My only small nit is that because there are so many, I would sometimes get confused as to who was who, especially if the character hadn't shown up in a while. Luckily, Glover provides a family tree for the Rhodes family so you can check to see who is who within that framework.
The storytelling in this book is first rate. I found myself thinking about the plot whenever I wasn't actually reading it. I couldn't wait to find out the next part of the story! I was hooked completely almost instantly.
The Starseekers is a standalone book, but I definitely plan to read the first three books in the Murder & Magic Novel series. Nicole Glover is a fabulous author and I can't wait to escape into another one of her books.
5 lattes out of 5
Disclaimer: This eARC was provided by Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this story, specially the way it weaves magic, science, romance, and mystery into one captivating narrative. It felt refreshingly unique.
I also loved seeing Black women in science, in the 1960’s.
The relationships between the Cynthia and Theo was another highlight for me. Their chemistry felt natural and compelling, making every interaction engaging and heartfelt. Overall, a beautifully balanced story that kept me hooked from start to finish.
I also loved seeing Black women in science, in the 1960’s.
The relationships between the Cynthia and Theo was another highlight for me. Their chemistry felt natural and compelling, making every interaction engaging and heartfelt. Overall, a beautifully balanced story that kept me hooked from start to finish.
January 11, 2026
The only downside to this series is that every book is a standalone. Which is fine! It's just that I'd read a second book following any of the characters we've met so far. Or somehow an Avengers-style teamup where they all end up working on the same mystery. I think this might be the book I most hope would break the tradition and get a direct sequel. But I'll take whatever Glover comes up with next. She's created a great alternate history here and I can't wait to get more.
January 31, 2026
I love magic and I love history retold, especially with magic. So this felt like it would be an easy win for me. Unfortunately it never quite clicked. I didn’t get into the story and as I see all the other reviews, I’m not alone in feeling it would have helped to have the backstory from the other books even though this is marketed as a standalone.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise of Starseekers had me really intrigued and excited to pick it up, especially since the publisher pitches is as a standalone. Unfortunately, it does not feel like a standlone, and the goodreads and storygraph entries have since changed to indicate the book is the 4th in the series. As this was already on my NetGalley shelf, I decided to try it anyway. I felt as though I was missing details on an already well-established world, missing character relationships, and information that might have been helpful to understand the plot.
This is a DNF for me at 16%. I had a chance to get a sense of the prose style and found that the plot would have been more interesting had I read the previous books. This is on the PR team for advertising the book as a standalone, not on the author or the book. There's a chance I may come back to this in the future if I read the other books in the series.
This is a DNF for me at 16%. I had a chance to get a sense of the prose style and found that the plot would have been more interesting had I read the previous books. This is on the PR team for advertising the book as a standalone, not on the author or the book. There's a chance I may come back to this in the future if I read the other books in the series.
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January 22, 2026"It’s part mystery, part romance, part high-flying (literally!) adventure, part science fiction, and part alternate history, and yet with all that tumbling around, somehow she makes it all work."
Alex Brown reviews Nicole Glover's The Starseekers!
Alex Brown reviews Nicole Glover's The Starseekers!
January 30, 2026
Incredible!!!
I really enjoy this reading it reminds me between Indiana Jones and Hidden Figures. Even though it was a lot to take in but I really did enjoy the adventure and each character was amazing including Cynthia and Theo. This author is incredible 😊
I really enjoy this reading it reminds me between Indiana Jones and Hidden Figures. Even though it was a lot to take in but I really did enjoy the adventure and each character was amazing including Cynthia and Theo. This author is incredible 😊
December 9, 2025
THE STARSEEKERS is alchemically brilliant combining magic and science to solve an epic mystery. I was overcome with wonder reading history with a sci-fi and fantasy twist. Reading Dr. Cynthia Rhodes combine spellwork and math felt as natural as it was fantastical. Because what's more magical than space? Magic powered space! The minds behind the math might as well be sorcerers!
The magic is the hook, but I kept turning pages for the mystery layered into Cynthia's past and present. It literally felt as if she's been preparing her whole life for this very moment. And having the support of her friends and family makes her all the more stronger to take on such a challenge. Being a romance reader, let me make special note of the relationship between Cynthia and Theo — they give old married couple still in their honeymoon phase energy. They made a well balanced sleuthing team.
I'd make note this is a dense read with lots of dialogue and many plot threads to juggle. I appreciate that it was Cynthia on the case with her keen observations and not me. This may be a read you tackle with annotations in the margins or a buddy reader to check your whodunit theories with.
Overall, I highly recommend THE STARSEEKERS for both the dreamers and the logic followers. There's a new discovery on every page.
Thank you Harper Voyager for the advanced digital copy to read and review.
The magic is the hook, but I kept turning pages for the mystery layered into Cynthia's past and present. It literally felt as if she's been preparing her whole life for this very moment. And having the support of her friends and family makes her all the more stronger to take on such a challenge. Being a romance reader, let me make special note of the relationship between Cynthia and Theo — they give old married couple still in their honeymoon phase energy. They made a well balanced sleuthing team.
I'd make note this is a dense read with lots of dialogue and many plot threads to juggle. I appreciate that it was Cynthia on the case with her keen observations and not me. This may be a read you tackle with annotations in the margins or a buddy reader to check your whodunit theories with.
Overall, I highly recommend THE STARSEEKERS for both the dreamers and the logic followers. There's a new discovery on every page.
Thank you Harper Voyager for the advanced digital copy to read and review.
January 14, 2026
I really struggled to stay engaged and it felt really really long
December 8, 2025
I was completely hooked in the beginning of The Starseekers, especially with its fascinating blend of witchcraft and NASA-level space exploration. That mix gave the story a vibe similar to Hidden Figures. Brilliant women using extraordinary talents to push the boundaries of science, just with a magical twist. But as the book went on, the pacing slowed down, and the plot started to drag enough that I had trouble staying focused. The concept is genuinely compelling and there are moments that shine, but the momentum didn’t quite carry through. A solid, intriguing read that just didn’t keep me as invested as I hoped.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Sara | Book Confessions of an ExBallerina | Instagram
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Sara | Book Confessions of an ExBallerina | Instagram
November 3, 2025
Starseekers by Nicole Glover is a fun standalone adventure full of magic, cleverness, murder, mystery, treasure, friends, family, and of course, villains.
The book's synopsis leads with: "Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures in this brand-new stand-alone historical fantasy set in the world of The Conductors, in which the space race of the mid-20th century will be determined by magic...if not murder."
Release date: January 2, 2026
Summary: It's the 1960s and there's a space race on for the moon. Cynthia Rhodes is a brilliant engineer at NASA and talented celestial magic user who happens upon the beginning of a mystery when a cursed stranger shows up at the local TV station her cousin runs while she is filming an educational magic show with her friend Theo, a professor of arcane archeology. Soon after, there's an accident and potential sabotage at NASA involving a coworker that could be connected.
Theo and Cynthia jump into solving the mystery but it's not just them. Joining the journey are Cynthia's younger sisters, her friends, cousins, and other family members. Suspects pop up left and right as they continue to hunt down clues and chase danger like it's second nature. Because it is. The story follows the same family tree as the author's other works including The Conductors and The Improvisers - also magic & mystery stories. Sleuthing is in the family!
Thoughts: Overall, this book is quite fun but it also includes themes of racism and the civil rights movement. It's lighthearted banter, blooming romance, lots of action and magic intertwined with reminders of racial violence and discrimination of the time period the story is written in.
I really enjoyed this and found myself thinking within the first 25% how much fun this book is going to be. It's unique in itself although the comparables reference Hidden Figures and Indiana Jones. I'd add in a bit of Enola Holmes in there as well.
Glover created quite a web of relationships both within the Rhodes family and outside that felt like it we didn't have just two main characters but a whole crew working together by the end to solve the case. This gave the story a lot of depth in terms of relationships.
Starseekers is a fast-moving plot which has plenty of time for action and interaction between characters, but it doesn't dive too deep into character development. This book is definitely for those that enjoy great characters without dramatic development arcs but also a plot that moves. There are a number of different components to the mystery to keep readers guessing until the reveal.
One of my favorite components of this story is there aren't many limits places on the characters. They are able to do pretty much anything they want. The magic used is only limited to how fast they can react and cast spells. I enjoyed this as it gave a sense of autonomy and power to the characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys any combination of fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery. As someone who reads these genres exclusively at the moment, it was a perfect mix of elements for a unique story.
The book's synopsis leads with: "Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures in this brand-new stand-alone historical fantasy set in the world of The Conductors, in which the space race of the mid-20th century will be determined by magic...if not murder."
Release date: January 2, 2026
Summary: It's the 1960s and there's a space race on for the moon. Cynthia Rhodes is a brilliant engineer at NASA and talented celestial magic user who happens upon the beginning of a mystery when a cursed stranger shows up at the local TV station her cousin runs while she is filming an educational magic show with her friend Theo, a professor of arcane archeology. Soon after, there's an accident and potential sabotage at NASA involving a coworker that could be connected.
Theo and Cynthia jump into solving the mystery but it's not just them. Joining the journey are Cynthia's younger sisters, her friends, cousins, and other family members. Suspects pop up left and right as they continue to hunt down clues and chase danger like it's second nature. Because it is. The story follows the same family tree as the author's other works including The Conductors and The Improvisers - also magic & mystery stories. Sleuthing is in the family!
Thoughts: Overall, this book is quite fun but it also includes themes of racism and the civil rights movement. It's lighthearted banter, blooming romance, lots of action and magic intertwined with reminders of racial violence and discrimination of the time period the story is written in.
I really enjoyed this and found myself thinking within the first 25% how much fun this book is going to be. It's unique in itself although the comparables reference Hidden Figures and Indiana Jones. I'd add in a bit of Enola Holmes in there as well.
Glover created quite a web of relationships both within the Rhodes family and outside that felt like it we didn't have just two main characters but a whole crew working together by the end to solve the case. This gave the story a lot of depth in terms of relationships.
Starseekers is a fast-moving plot which has plenty of time for action and interaction between characters, but it doesn't dive too deep into character development. This book is definitely for those that enjoy great characters without dramatic development arcs but also a plot that moves. There are a number of different components to the mystery to keep readers guessing until the reveal.
One of my favorite components of this story is there aren't many limits places on the characters. They are able to do pretty much anything they want. The magic used is only limited to how fast they can react and cast spells. I enjoyed this as it gave a sense of autonomy and power to the characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys any combination of fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery. As someone who reads these genres exclusively at the moment, it was a perfect mix of elements for a unique story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
This ended up being a disappointment but not because it wasn't decently written. The problem was that from the cover image and blurb, I was expecting something more along the lines of Hidden figures. But what I got was a very over the top and unrealistic mystery with a heroine so perfect that the book felt grossly overwritten.Story: Cynthia Rhodes is single handedly trying to save NASA's latest launch while also dealing with stupid white men in powers of position. When those idiot middle age men are about to make a huge disastrous mistake, she uses her witch powers along with a ridiculously handsome and super-willing-to-be-a-sidekick archeologist Theo to find an artifact that could save NASA!
Right off the start, I was put off by the lack of vulnerability in the main character. She has no nuance - everything she does is perfect - and I do mean everything. She can ride a broomstick at high speed through open car windows while also calculating the exact time a Nasa rocket will blow up due to fuel mismanagement issues. That isn't when she is pulling answers out of the air to myseries and going to exotic jungles to tame the wildlife. She needed some foibles or faults to make her more interesting, nuanced and with more depth. It became hard to suspend disbelief that she is: a rocket scientist, supremely physically athletic, has super witchy powers, superlative detective insights and can adapt to any situation on a moment's notice.
Companion Theo was there to be a cardboard cutout love interest, not really contributing much as far as I could tell. The other characters were the typical stupid white men without a really good or smart one among them to balance out the stupidity. You'd believe that NASA was a bunch of bigoted idiots with no brains - and that's just silly. Hidden Figures balanced that out much better.
In that regard, I missed the emotional impact of Hidden Figures - women who overcame obstacles rather than ones who were perfect at everything so all they had to do was breathe to achieve. Plus, the plot of this one was just kind of silly, perhaps even ludicrous. I wanted more NASA and less archeology (a very strange mix already, to be sure).
There is an audience for this kind of over-the-top fun and they will love this book. It is escapism at its best in that regard and easy to read. But it is also the difference between watching Hidden Figures and I Dream of Jeannie; a more accurate cover photo would have been main character Cynthis posing with a wink a la Bewitched Tv series. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📖𝐸-𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌📖
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓇𝓈 ʙʏ ɴɪᴄᴏʟᴇ ɢʟᴏᴠᴇ
𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs
✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨
ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ʀᴀᴄᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ 𝟷𝟿𝟼𝟶s, ᴀ ʙʀɪʟʟɪᴀɴᴛ ɴᴀsᴀ ᴀʀᴄᴀɴᴇ ᴇɴɢɪɴᴇᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴍᴀᴛᴇᴜʀ sʟᴇᴜᴛʜ ᴛᴇᴀᴍs ᴜᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀɴ ᴀʀᴄᴀɴᴇ ᴀʀᴄʜᴀᴇᴏʟᴏɢɪsᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴʀᴀᴠᴇʟ ᴀ ᴄᴜʀsᴇᴅ ᴍᴜsᴇᴜᴍ ᴛʜᴇғᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ sᴜsᴘɪᴄɪᴏᴜs ʟᴀʙ ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ—ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀ ᴅᴇᴀᴅʟʏ ᴄᴏɴsᴘɪʀᴀᴄʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ sᴀʙᴏᴛᴀɢᴇ ʜᴜᴍᴀɴɪᴛʏ’s ʀᴇᴀᴄʜ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀʀs.
𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴠᴏɴ & ʜᴀʀᴘᴇʀ ᴠᴏʏᴀɢᴇʀ ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴇ-ᴀʀᴄ!
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓇𝓈 ɪs ᴀ sᴄɪ‑ғɪ ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʙʟᴇɴᴅs sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɢʀᴏᴡᴛʜ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴀɴ ɪᴍᴍᴇʀsɪᴠᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡs ᴀ ᴅɪᴠᴇʀsᴇ ᴇɴsᴇᴍʙʟᴇ ᴄᴀsᴛ ᴀʙᴏᴀʀᴅ ᴀ ᴘᴇʀɪʟᴏᴜs sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ᴍɪssɪᴏɴ, ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀɪɴɢ ᴄᴏsᴍɪᴄ ᴀɴᴏᴍᴀʟɪᴇs ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟ ʀᴇᴄᴋᴏɴɪɴɢs ᴀʟɪᴋᴇ. ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ sᴛʀɪᴋᴇs ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ʙᴀʟᴀɴᴄᴇ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ʜɪɢʜ‑ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇᴘᴛ sᴄɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ғɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ, ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟ ᴅʏɴᴀᴍɪᴄs, ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴍᴏɴᴏʟᴏɢᴜᴇ, ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴀᴄᴄᴇssɪʙʟᴇ ғᴏʀ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴄᴀsᴜᴀʟ sᴄɪ‑ғɪ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀs ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴇɴʀᴇ ғᴀɴs ᴀʟɪᴋᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴀʀᴄs—ᴇsᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴛʜᴏsᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛᴇᴅ ɪɴ ɪᴅᴇɴᴛɪᴛʏ, ʙᴇʟᴏɴɢɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴅɪsᴄᴏᴠᴇʀʏ—ᴀʀᴇ ᴅᴇᴇᴘʟʏ ᴡᴏᴠᴇɴ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀʀɢᴇʀ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀʀsᴇᴇᴋᴇʀs’ ᴍɪssɪᴏɴ.
ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅʙᴜɪʟᴅɪɴɢ ɪs ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴀʏᴇʀᴇᴅ, ᴡᴇᴀᴠɪɴɢ sᴄɪᴇɴᴛɪғɪᴄ ᴄᴜʀɪᴏsɪᴛʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍʏsᴛɪᴄɪsᴍ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏsᴍɪᴄ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ. ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴋᴇᴇᴘs ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴍᴏᴠɪɴɢ ɪsɴ’ᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ “ᴡʜᴀᴛ’s ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ,” ʙᴜᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ’s ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴɪɴɢ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs—ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ǫᴜᴇsᴛɪᴏɴs ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʀᴜsᴛ, ʟᴏss, ᴀɴᴅ ғɪɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴀ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴀɴ ᴜɴᴘʀᴇᴅɪᴄᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴜɴɪᴠᴇʀsᴇ.
ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴄɪɴɢ ɪs sᴏʟɪᴅ, ᴡɪᴛʜ ʀᴇᴠᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴs ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴡɪsᴛs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴜʀɪᴏᴜs ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴡʜᴇʟᴍɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛᴇᴄʜɴɪᴄᴀʟ ᴊᴀʀɢᴏɴ ᴏʀ ɴᴇᴇᴅʟᴇss ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇxɪᴛʏ. ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ɪs ᴛᴇɴᴅᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ sᴡᴇᴇᴛ ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴀɴɢsᴛʏ ᴏʀ sᴛᴇᴀᴍʏ, ᴘʀᴏᴠɪᴅɪɴɢ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴡᴀʀᴍᴛʜ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ sᴛᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ sᴘᴏᴛʟɪɢʜᴛ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀʀɢᴇʀ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴀʀᴄ.
ᴅᴇsᴘɪᴛᴇ sᴏᴍᴇ ᴘʀᴇᴅɪᴄᴛᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ ɪɴ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ʙᴇᴀᴛs, 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓇𝓈 sᴛᴀɴᴅs ᴏᴜᴛ ғᴏʀ ɪᴛs ʙʟᴇɴᴅ ᴏғ ᴄᴏsᴍɪᴄ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ ᴀɴᴅ sɪɴᴄᴇʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴡᴏʀᴋ—ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍʙɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ɪᴛ ғᴇᴇʟ ʜᴏᴘᴇғᴜʟ ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴᴛʀᴏsᴘᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ʙʟᴇᴀᴋ ᴏʀ ᴘᴜʀᴇʟʏ sᴘᴇᴄᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ.
𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝐸𝓁𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈:
✨sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ x ɪɴᴛᴇʀsᴛᴇʟʟᴀʀ ᴍɪssɪᴏɴ
✨ɪɴᴅɪᴀɴᴀ ᴊᴏɴᴇs x ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ғɪɢᴜʀᴇs
✨ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ ᴀʙᴏᴀʀᴅ sʜɪᴘ
✨sᴄɪᴇɴᴄᴇ + ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ
✨ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴡ/ sʟᴏᴡ‑ʙᴜɪʟᴅ sᴏғᴛɴᴇss
✨ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴏɪᴅ
✨sʜɪᴘᴡʀᴇᴄᴋs + ʙᴜʀɪᴇᴅ ᴛʀᴇᴀsᴜʀᴇ
✨ɴᴀsᴀ ʀᴇsᴇᴀʀᴄʜ ғᴀᴄɪʟɪᴛʏ
✨sᴀʙᴏᴛᴀɢᴇ + ᴄᴏɴsᴛᴇʟʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓇𝓈 ɪs ᴀ ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ᴜᴘʟɪғᴛɪɴɢ sᴄɪ-ғɪ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴇs ᴄᴏsᴍɪᴄ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ-ᴅʀɪᴠᴇɴ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴsʜɪᴘs. ɪᴛ’s ᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛ ғᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀs ᴡʜᴏ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ-ʀɪᴄʜ sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇs, ɪɴᴛʀᴏsᴘᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍᴇs ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴘᴜʀᴘᴏsᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴇɴᴛʟᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴡᴏᴠᴇɴ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʟᴀʀɢᴇʀ ᴄᴏsᴍɪᴄ sᴛᴀᴋᴇs. ᴛʜᴇ ᴇ-ʙᴏᴏᴋ ғᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ɪᴛ ᴇᴀsʏ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ʟᴏsᴛ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪs ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛғᴜʟ, ʜᴏᴘᴇ-ᴛɪɴɢᴇᴅ ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀʀs.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ
✨
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓇𝓈 ʙʏ ɴɪᴄᴏʟᴇ ɢʟᴏᴠᴇ
𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs
✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨
ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ʀᴀᴄᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ 𝟷𝟿𝟼𝟶s, ᴀ ʙʀɪʟʟɪᴀɴᴛ ɴᴀsᴀ ᴀʀᴄᴀɴᴇ ᴇɴɢɪɴᴇᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴍᴀᴛᴇᴜʀ sʟᴇᴜᴛʜ ᴛᴇᴀᴍs ᴜᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀɴ ᴀʀᴄᴀɴᴇ ᴀʀᴄʜᴀᴇᴏʟᴏɢɪsᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴʀᴀᴠᴇʟ ᴀ ᴄᴜʀsᴇᴅ ᴍᴜsᴇᴜᴍ ᴛʜᴇғᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ sᴜsᴘɪᴄɪᴏᴜs ʟᴀʙ ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ—ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀ ᴅᴇᴀᴅʟʏ ᴄᴏɴsᴘɪʀᴀᴄʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ sᴀʙᴏᴛᴀɢᴇ ʜᴜᴍᴀɴɪᴛʏ’s ʀᴇᴀᴄʜ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀʀs.
𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴠᴏɴ & ʜᴀʀᴘᴇʀ ᴠᴏʏᴀɢᴇʀ ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴇ-ᴀʀᴄ!
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓇𝓈 ɪs ᴀ sᴄɪ‑ғɪ ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʙʟᴇɴᴅs sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɢʀᴏᴡᴛʜ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴀɴ ɪᴍᴍᴇʀsɪᴠᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡs ᴀ ᴅɪᴠᴇʀsᴇ ᴇɴsᴇᴍʙʟᴇ ᴄᴀsᴛ ᴀʙᴏᴀʀᴅ ᴀ ᴘᴇʀɪʟᴏᴜs sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ᴍɪssɪᴏɴ, ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀɪɴɢ ᴄᴏsᴍɪᴄ ᴀɴᴏᴍᴀʟɪᴇs ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟ ʀᴇᴄᴋᴏɴɪɴɢs ᴀʟɪᴋᴇ. ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ sᴛʀɪᴋᴇs ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ʙᴀʟᴀɴᴄᴇ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ʜɪɢʜ‑ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇᴘᴛ sᴄɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ғɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ, ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟ ᴅʏɴᴀᴍɪᴄs, ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴍᴏɴᴏʟᴏɢᴜᴇ, ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴀᴄᴄᴇssɪʙʟᴇ ғᴏʀ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴄᴀsᴜᴀʟ sᴄɪ‑ғɪ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀs ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴇɴʀᴇ ғᴀɴs ᴀʟɪᴋᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴀʀᴄs—ᴇsᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴛʜᴏsᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛᴇᴅ ɪɴ ɪᴅᴇɴᴛɪᴛʏ, ʙᴇʟᴏɴɢɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴅɪsᴄᴏᴠᴇʀʏ—ᴀʀᴇ ᴅᴇᴇᴘʟʏ ᴡᴏᴠᴇɴ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀʀɢᴇʀ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀʀsᴇᴇᴋᴇʀs’ ᴍɪssɪᴏɴ.
ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅʙᴜɪʟᴅɪɴɢ ɪs ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴀʏᴇʀᴇᴅ, ᴡᴇᴀᴠɪɴɢ sᴄɪᴇɴᴛɪғɪᴄ ᴄᴜʀɪᴏsɪᴛʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍʏsᴛɪᴄɪsᴍ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏsᴍɪᴄ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ. ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴋᴇᴇᴘs ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴍᴏᴠɪɴɢ ɪsɴ’ᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ “ᴡʜᴀᴛ’s ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ,” ʙᴜᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ’s ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴɪɴɢ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs—ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ǫᴜᴇsᴛɪᴏɴs ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʀᴜsᴛ, ʟᴏss, ᴀɴᴅ ғɪɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴀ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴀɴ ᴜɴᴘʀᴇᴅɪᴄᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴜɴɪᴠᴇʀsᴇ.
ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴄɪɴɢ ɪs sᴏʟɪᴅ, ᴡɪᴛʜ ʀᴇᴠᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴs ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴡɪsᴛs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴜʀɪᴏᴜs ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴡʜᴇʟᴍɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛᴇᴄʜɴɪᴄᴀʟ ᴊᴀʀɢᴏɴ ᴏʀ ɴᴇᴇᴅʟᴇss ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇxɪᴛʏ. ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ɪs ᴛᴇɴᴅᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ sᴡᴇᴇᴛ ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴀɴɢsᴛʏ ᴏʀ sᴛᴇᴀᴍʏ, ᴘʀᴏᴠɪᴅɪɴɢ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴡᴀʀᴍᴛʜ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ sᴛᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ sᴘᴏᴛʟɪɢʜᴛ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀʀɢᴇʀ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴀʀᴄ.
ᴅᴇsᴘɪᴛᴇ sᴏᴍᴇ ᴘʀᴇᴅɪᴄᴛᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ ɪɴ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ʙᴇᴀᴛs, 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓇𝓈 sᴛᴀɴᴅs ᴏᴜᴛ ғᴏʀ ɪᴛs ʙʟᴇɴᴅ ᴏғ ᴄᴏsᴍɪᴄ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ ᴀɴᴅ sɪɴᴄᴇʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴡᴏʀᴋ—ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍʙɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ɪᴛ ғᴇᴇʟ ʜᴏᴘᴇғᴜʟ ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴᴛʀᴏsᴘᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ʙʟᴇᴀᴋ ᴏʀ ᴘᴜʀᴇʟʏ sᴘᴇᴄᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ.
𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝐸𝓁𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈:
✨sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ x ɪɴᴛᴇʀsᴛᴇʟʟᴀʀ ᴍɪssɪᴏɴ
✨ɪɴᴅɪᴀɴᴀ ᴊᴏɴᴇs x ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ғɪɢᴜʀᴇs
✨ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ ᴀʙᴏᴀʀᴅ sʜɪᴘ
✨sᴄɪᴇɴᴄᴇ + ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ
✨ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴡ/ sʟᴏᴡ‑ʙᴜɪʟᴅ sᴏғᴛɴᴇss
✨ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴏɪᴅ
✨sʜɪᴘᴡʀᴇᴄᴋs + ʙᴜʀɪᴇᴅ ᴛʀᴇᴀsᴜʀᴇ
✨ɴᴀsᴀ ʀᴇsᴇᴀʀᴄʜ ғᴀᴄɪʟɪᴛʏ
✨sᴀʙᴏᴛᴀɢᴇ + ᴄᴏɴsᴛᴇʟʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓇𝓈 ɪs ᴀ ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ᴜᴘʟɪғᴛɪɴɢ sᴄɪ-ғɪ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴇs ᴄᴏsᴍɪᴄ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ-ᴅʀɪᴠᴇɴ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴsʜɪᴘs. ɪᴛ’s ᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛ ғᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀs ᴡʜᴏ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ-ʀɪᴄʜ sᴘᴀᴄᴇ ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇs, ɪɴᴛʀᴏsᴘᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍᴇs ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴘᴜʀᴘᴏsᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴇɴᴛʟᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴡᴏᴠᴇɴ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʟᴀʀɢᴇʀ ᴄᴏsᴍɪᴄ sᴛᴀᴋᴇs. ᴛʜᴇ ᴇ-ʙᴏᴏᴋ ғᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ɪᴛ ᴇᴀsʏ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ʟᴏsᴛ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪs ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛғᴜʟ, ʜᴏᴘᴇ-ᴛɪɴɢᴇᴅ ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀʀs.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ
✨
January 22, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars)
This was such a fun, imaginative ride, and one that really leans into its own weird, wonderful lane.
The Starseekers drops us into an alternate mid-20th-century America where magic exists alongside science, and Dr. Cynthia Rhodes is right at the center of it all. She’s a brilliant arcane engineer working with NASA, juggling dangerous experiments, family responsibilities, and a growing mystery involving curses, stolen magical objects, and murder. Oh, and that’s on top of hosting an educational children’s TV show and quietly carrying a whole lot of unresolved grief. No big deal.
What I loved most about this book was Cynthia herself. She’s sharp, capable, and deeply pragmatic, but there’s a lot simmering beneath the surface. Her relationship with her sisters adds emotional weight and warmth, and the moments where her tough exterior cracks- especially around memory, loss, and responsibility- were some of the most effective in the story. She felt very human, even while flying around on a broom and solving magical mysteries.
The worldbuilding is creative and playful, blending historical vibes with fantasy in a way that feels fresh. I really enjoyed the magic system- cards, wands, potions, enchanted objects, and how casually magic exists in everyday life. That said, there is a lot happening here. Multiple plotlines, mysteries layered on mysteries, and a constant forward momentum that sometimes made it hard to keep track of everything or piece things together ahead of time. I didn’t mind it overall, but it did feel a bit crowded at times.
There’s also a subtle romance woven in that I found surprisingly sweet. It never overtakes the story, but it adds softness and balance to Cynthia’s very full life. And while the book is often compared to space-race fiction, it’s definitely more magical mystery than science-heavy historical, something to keep in mind depending on your expectations.
Overall, The Starseekers is clever, energetic, and packed with heart. If you enjoy historical fantasy with strong female leads, rich family dynamics, and a touch of mystery (or ten), this is absolutely worth picking up, even if you mostly just buckle in and enjoy the ride rather than trying to solve everything along the way.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Harper Voyager for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a fun, imaginative ride, and one that really leans into its own weird, wonderful lane.
The Starseekers drops us into an alternate mid-20th-century America where magic exists alongside science, and Dr. Cynthia Rhodes is right at the center of it all. She’s a brilliant arcane engineer working with NASA, juggling dangerous experiments, family responsibilities, and a growing mystery involving curses, stolen magical objects, and murder. Oh, and that’s on top of hosting an educational children’s TV show and quietly carrying a whole lot of unresolved grief. No big deal.
What I loved most about this book was Cynthia herself. She’s sharp, capable, and deeply pragmatic, but there’s a lot simmering beneath the surface. Her relationship with her sisters adds emotional weight and warmth, and the moments where her tough exterior cracks- especially around memory, loss, and responsibility- were some of the most effective in the story. She felt very human, even while flying around on a broom and solving magical mysteries.
The worldbuilding is creative and playful, blending historical vibes with fantasy in a way that feels fresh. I really enjoyed the magic system- cards, wands, potions, enchanted objects, and how casually magic exists in everyday life. That said, there is a lot happening here. Multiple plotlines, mysteries layered on mysteries, and a constant forward momentum that sometimes made it hard to keep track of everything or piece things together ahead of time. I didn’t mind it overall, but it did feel a bit crowded at times.
There’s also a subtle romance woven in that I found surprisingly sweet. It never overtakes the story, but it adds softness and balance to Cynthia’s very full life. And while the book is often compared to space-race fiction, it’s definitely more magical mystery than science-heavy historical, something to keep in mind depending on your expectations.
Overall, The Starseekers is clever, energetic, and packed with heart. If you enjoy historical fantasy with strong female leads, rich family dynamics, and a touch of mystery (or ten), this is absolutely worth picking up, even if you mostly just buckle in and enjoy the ride rather than trying to solve everything along the way.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Harper Voyager for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set during the 1960s space race, this historical fantasy follows Cynthia Rhodes, a brilliant Black arcane engineer at NASA’s Ainsworth Research Labs who also hosts a magical educational television show and comes from a long line of community focused magical sleuths. Her work on a Moon mission is thrown into crisis when a colleague dies in what looks like a lab accident, just as a cursed museum curator and a theft at an arcane history museum pull her into an investigation alongside Theodore Danner, a professor of arcane archaeology who cohosts her show and specializes in dangerous magical artifacts. The mystery gradually reveals a larger pattern involving deadly enchantments, a rumored pirate hoard, and a peculiar magical plant that collectively threaten both NASA’s program and the people Cynthia cares about.
The Starseekers is a hybrid of murder mystery, adventure, and historical fantasy that foregrounds Black excellence in STEM and magic while playing with that “Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures” marketing energy in a very deliberate way. Cynthia’s role in the lab and on television, along with the Rhodes family’s longer history of using magic to protect their community since before the Civil War, gives the story a strong through line of intergenerational responsibility, communal care, and the ethics of power. The worldbuilding around arcane engineering and magical archaeology feels cohesive with the alternate history, and the investigation structure lets questions of sabotage, institutional vulnerability, and knowledge control unfold in a layered but accessible way.
Overall, I read The Starseekers as a text that successfully integrates the pleasures of genre fiction with rigorous engagement in questions of race, history, and power. Its use of mystery structure supports a layered investigation of institutional vulnerability and personal ethics, while its historical fantasy frame foregrounds Black excellence in science and magic. It ultimately reads like a smart, entertaining entry in a larger Murder and Magic world, one that suggests the path to the stars has always depended on the often unseen labor of people working in both scientific and magical shadows.
The Starseekers is a hybrid of murder mystery, adventure, and historical fantasy that foregrounds Black excellence in STEM and magic while playing with that “Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures” marketing energy in a very deliberate way. Cynthia’s role in the lab and on television, along with the Rhodes family’s longer history of using magic to protect their community since before the Civil War, gives the story a strong through line of intergenerational responsibility, communal care, and the ethics of power. The worldbuilding around arcane engineering and magical archaeology feels cohesive with the alternate history, and the investigation structure lets questions of sabotage, institutional vulnerability, and knowledge control unfold in a layered but accessible way.
Overall, I read The Starseekers as a text that successfully integrates the pleasures of genre fiction with rigorous engagement in questions of race, history, and power. Its use of mystery structure supports a layered investigation of institutional vulnerability and personal ethics, while its historical fantasy frame foregrounds Black excellence in science and magic. It ultimately reads like a smart, entertaining entry in a larger Murder and Magic world, one that suggests the path to the stars has always depended on the often unseen labor of people working in both scientific and magical shadows.
January 26, 2026
The thing about Glover is, she knows where to plop you in in a story, and The Starseekers and the newest generation of Rhodes is no exception (and yes I teared up at both the family tree in the beginning and the one offhand Hetty and Benni reference later in the book).
This time we are following NASA-scientist Cynthia and scholar-adventurer Theo, who both also happen to work on a children’s education program for public television together and who both have a history solving mysteries for Cynthia’s family. And while Cynthia may think her mystery-solving days are behind her, when the newest mystery that pops into her life also impacts her work, soon her and Theo—and their family and friends—are teaming up to get to the bottom of it.
Like with The Conductors, The Undertakers, and the Improvisers, the community Glover crafts here really shines. And this circles back to how she knows where to start us in a story, imbuing the characters with so much rich personal history for both their characters and relationships before the real action starts. And the side characters often have their own compelling stories running concurrent. For instance, I wouldn’t say no to more of Cynthia’s cousin, and Velma and Dillon’s son, Sid. And, as usual, we have an enigmatic couple at the heart. And Cynthia and Theo managed to capture *my* heart immediately, while standing on their own from previous couples Hetty and Benji and Velma and Dillon (who also make cameos).
There were times the sprawling nature did impact the pacing somewhat. While I understand how everything built and worked together here, I didn’t necessarily care about the stakes of the mystery itself outside of how it impacted the interpersonal dynamics—and it could feel a little convoluted and drawn out at times. Additionally, while I generally really enjoy Glover’s adaptation of the magic systems of the world to the historical moment, I don’t know if it’s as clear here, especially if you are new to the world.
Still, this is a world I find comfort in. And I always end up loving the characters and their comforting community of family both blood and found.
Thank you to Harper Voyager for an ARC for review.
This time we are following NASA-scientist Cynthia and scholar-adventurer Theo, who both also happen to work on a children’s education program for public television together and who both have a history solving mysteries for Cynthia’s family. And while Cynthia may think her mystery-solving days are behind her, when the newest mystery that pops into her life also impacts her work, soon her and Theo—and their family and friends—are teaming up to get to the bottom of it.
Like with The Conductors, The Undertakers, and the Improvisers, the community Glover crafts here really shines. And this circles back to how she knows where to start us in a story, imbuing the characters with so much rich personal history for both their characters and relationships before the real action starts. And the side characters often have their own compelling stories running concurrent. For instance, I wouldn’t say no to more of Cynthia’s cousin, and Velma and Dillon’s son, Sid. And, as usual, we have an enigmatic couple at the heart. And Cynthia and Theo managed to capture *my* heart immediately, while standing on their own from previous couples Hetty and Benji and Velma and Dillon (who also make cameos).
There were times the sprawling nature did impact the pacing somewhat. While I understand how everything built and worked together here, I didn’t necessarily care about the stakes of the mystery itself outside of how it impacted the interpersonal dynamics—and it could feel a little convoluted and drawn out at times. Additionally, while I generally really enjoy Glover’s adaptation of the magic systems of the world to the historical moment, I don’t know if it’s as clear here, especially if you are new to the world.
Still, this is a world I find comfort in. And I always end up loving the characters and their comforting community of family both blood and found.
Thank you to Harper Voyager for an ARC for review.
February 2, 2026
Happy Pub Day to 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 and Nicole Glover!
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 is my current read.
I’m about a quarter of the way in, and I’m enjoying this story so much that I must read more from the fantasy world that Nicole has created. I am adding all of the books in the Murder and Magic series to my TBR in 2026: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬.
This book is working for me as a standalone, but I’m definitely longing to get into this series that blends family drama, history and magic.
𝑺𝒚𝒏𝒐𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒔
Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures in this brand-new stand-alone historical fantasy set in the world of The Conductors, in which the space race of the mid-20th century will be determined by magic...if not murder.
In the 1960s, the world was caught up in reaching beyond our planet and into the cosmos. It felt impossible—but there was nothing science, math…and magic couldn’t make possible..
Cynthia Rhodes is a brilliant arcane engineer at NASA’s Ainsworth Research Labs. Talented in math and magic, she hosts a magical educational show... a job she took mostly for a chance to regularly see the dashing Theodore Danner, a professor of arcane archeology.
She is also an amateur sleuth—something that has run in her family for generations.
When a cursed museum curator nearly interrupts a broadcast of their show, Cynthia & Theo pair up to investigate the strange behavior of the curator and a mysterious theft at the arcane history museum—until one of Cynthia’s own coworkers perishes right in front of her in a major lab accident that endangers Ainsworth’s role in the space race.
Certain it was murder instead of an accident, Cynthia sees this as a separate case at first. However the more she and Theo investigate, Cynthia uncovers a surprising link between the two incidents. The museum theft and murder are part of a larger equation.
This book totally worked for me with its blend of historical fiction, science and fantasy. I bought The Conductors by this author immediately.
Thank you @harpervoyagerus for my #gifted copy- it’s great to escape into as the school year starts anew!
QOTD: What’s your current read?
#books #thestarseekers #reading
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 is my current read.
I’m about a quarter of the way in, and I’m enjoying this story so much that I must read more from the fantasy world that Nicole has created. I am adding all of the books in the Murder and Magic series to my TBR in 2026: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬.
This book is working for me as a standalone, but I’m definitely longing to get into this series that blends family drama, history and magic.
𝑺𝒚𝒏𝒐𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒔
Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures in this brand-new stand-alone historical fantasy set in the world of The Conductors, in which the space race of the mid-20th century will be determined by magic...if not murder.
In the 1960s, the world was caught up in reaching beyond our planet and into the cosmos. It felt impossible—but there was nothing science, math…and magic couldn’t make possible..
Cynthia Rhodes is a brilliant arcane engineer at NASA’s Ainsworth Research Labs. Talented in math and magic, she hosts a magical educational show... a job she took mostly for a chance to regularly see the dashing Theodore Danner, a professor of arcane archeology.
She is also an amateur sleuth—something that has run in her family for generations.
When a cursed museum curator nearly interrupts a broadcast of their show, Cynthia & Theo pair up to investigate the strange behavior of the curator and a mysterious theft at the arcane history museum—until one of Cynthia’s own coworkers perishes right in front of her in a major lab accident that endangers Ainsworth’s role in the space race.
Certain it was murder instead of an accident, Cynthia sees this as a separate case at first. However the more she and Theo investigate, Cynthia uncovers a surprising link between the two incidents. The museum theft and murder are part of a larger equation.
This book totally worked for me with its blend of historical fiction, science and fantasy. I bought The Conductors by this author immediately.
Thank you @harpervoyagerus for my #gifted copy- it’s great to escape into as the school year starts anew!
QOTD: What’s your current read?
#books #thestarseekers #reading
January 7, 2026
The Starseekers brings together historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery for a fun alternative history set during the 1960s space race. While it’s marketed as a standalone, it’s also part of the Murder and Magic series, which follows the mystery-solving Rhodes family through time.
Cynthia "CeCe" Rhodes is the star of this book (and a magic education show within it), and works on a team at NASA trying to replicate a potion that can be formulated as fuel to explore space. She’s not only one of the few women, and even fewer Black people, in professional rooms, she’s also usually one of the smartest- a fact she has no problem reminding people about. Often. Which causes wayyy less issues in this version of 1960s America than it would’ve in the real one.
Between work and taping her show, Cynthia picks up the family tradition of investigating mysteries- dangerous ones that lead her to violent curses, dark societies, and high seas adventures. They also give her the opportunity to wield her Star Sigil magic like only she can. I do wish we learned more about the different magic systems, but there were enough context clues to understand the basics. There is a light romance subplot, though it’s very minor compared to everything else going on. At times, the number of characters and moving pieces made the story feel crowded, but Glover ultimately brings all the threads together in the end.
The Starseekers didn’t quite reach the heights I hoped for, but its creativity, layered plot lines, and Glover's writing made it a worthwhile read overall. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy intelligent mysteries, unique magic systems, and no-nonsense MCs. I give it a comfortable 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Cynthia "CeCe" Rhodes is the star of this book (and a magic education show within it), and works on a team at NASA trying to replicate a potion that can be formulated as fuel to explore space. She’s not only one of the few women, and even fewer Black people, in professional rooms, she’s also usually one of the smartest- a fact she has no problem reminding people about. Often. Which causes wayyy less issues in this version of 1960s America than it would’ve in the real one.
Between work and taping her show, Cynthia picks up the family tradition of investigating mysteries- dangerous ones that lead her to violent curses, dark societies, and high seas adventures. They also give her the opportunity to wield her Star Sigil magic like only she can. I do wish we learned more about the different magic systems, but there were enough context clues to understand the basics. There is a light romance subplot, though it’s very minor compared to everything else going on. At times, the number of characters and moving pieces made the story feel crowded, but Glover ultimately brings all the threads together in the end.
The Starseekers didn’t quite reach the heights I hoped for, but its creativity, layered plot lines, and Glover's writing made it a worthwhile read overall. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy intelligent mysteries, unique magic systems, and no-nonsense MCs. I give it a comfortable 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 10, 2026
Not familiar with the author but once I saw it was pitched as 'Hidden Figures' crossed with 'Indiana Jones' I was in. It also helped that this was initially marketed as a standalone (more on that later) so I could dive into the book without having to read the previous entries. NASA engineer Cynthia Rhodes teams up with archeologist Theodore Danner after their show gets interrupted and one of Cynthia's colleagues dies in an "accident."
Cynthia and Theodore set off on a series of adventures involving theatrics, action, magic and more. Along the way, the two discover that there is more and the strange events of their show interruption and lab death/murder are actually connected in ways neither might have expected. Oh, and of course there is a romance between our two leads because this sort of story is never that simple.
I won't lie. I was incredibly disappointed. The first few pages that set up the world had me intrigued right away and I was expecting so much more. But overall it felt like there was way too much going on. It is not only the main plot and the romance between the two leads, but it's also tons of characters and I became increasingly confused as to who was who and how they were relevant to the plot.
I also thought the book really needed better editing. Aside from the too many characters issue, it also felt like our two leads just kept moving onto the next thing. Talk to these characters and then talk to these characters and then another plot development, etc. It was hard to understand what the story was and not really a series of mini adventures of Cynthia and Theo.
If you're a fan of the series this may be a book for you. As someone who only picked it up because it was a standalone, I do not think I will continue on with the series or read the rest.
Library borrow was best for me.
Cynthia and Theodore set off on a series of adventures involving theatrics, action, magic and more. Along the way, the two discover that there is more and the strange events of their show interruption and lab death/murder are actually connected in ways neither might have expected. Oh, and of course there is a romance between our two leads because this sort of story is never that simple.
I won't lie. I was incredibly disappointed. The first few pages that set up the world had me intrigued right away and I was expecting so much more. But overall it felt like there was way too much going on. It is not only the main plot and the romance between the two leads, but it's also tons of characters and I became increasingly confused as to who was who and how they were relevant to the plot.
I also thought the book really needed better editing. Aside from the too many characters issue, it also felt like our two leads just kept moving onto the next thing. Talk to these characters and then talk to these characters and then another plot development, etc. It was hard to understand what the story was and not really a series of mini adventures of Cynthia and Theo.
If you're a fan of the series this may be a book for you. As someone who only picked it up because it was a standalone, I do not think I will continue on with the series or read the rest.
Library borrow was best for me.
January 25, 2026
An advance copy of this book was provided to me for free by the publisher.
"We have the stars to guide us and our wits and magic at our disposal."
Set in the 1960s, The Starseekers by Nicole Glover blends historical fantasy with celestial magic and witty dialogue, using the race to reach the moon to showcase a suspicious death that may be murder. Cynthia is an arcane engineer working for NASA when a colleague dies in what is labeled an accident. Unconvinced, she dusts off her long-abandoned investigative skills and sets out to uncover the truth. Reluctantly teaming up with Theo, an arcane archaeologist, Cynthia follows a trail of magical clues that point to a much larger conspiracy.
One of my favorite elements of this book was Cynthia's character. She is feisty, self-assured, and undeniably brilliant. She speaks her mind, throws herself into danger when something feels wrong, and confidently wields both magic and mathematics in her work. I especially loved how she takes up space in a field and time period that would rather see women fade into the background. Her brilliance and boldness made her a compelling character to follow.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, but there were a few elements that made it harder to fully sink into. The magical system took time to understand, and at moments I felt as though I was missing context about character relationships. Although this book is marketed as a standalone, it sometimes reads as if prior knowledge from earlier books would have helped certain moments land more strongly. The pacing also slowed in the second half, and I think some side plots could have been trimmed to give the central mystery a tighter, more satisfying resolution.
Star Rating: 3.5 (Rounded up due to limitations on this platform)
"We have the stars to guide us and our wits and magic at our disposal."
Set in the 1960s, The Starseekers by Nicole Glover blends historical fantasy with celestial magic and witty dialogue, using the race to reach the moon to showcase a suspicious death that may be murder. Cynthia is an arcane engineer working for NASA when a colleague dies in what is labeled an accident. Unconvinced, she dusts off her long-abandoned investigative skills and sets out to uncover the truth. Reluctantly teaming up with Theo, an arcane archaeologist, Cynthia follows a trail of magical clues that point to a much larger conspiracy.
One of my favorite elements of this book was Cynthia's character. She is feisty, self-assured, and undeniably brilliant. She speaks her mind, throws herself into danger when something feels wrong, and confidently wields both magic and mathematics in her work. I especially loved how she takes up space in a field and time period that would rather see women fade into the background. Her brilliance and boldness made her a compelling character to follow.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, but there were a few elements that made it harder to fully sink into. The magical system took time to understand, and at moments I felt as though I was missing context about character relationships. Although this book is marketed as a standalone, it sometimes reads as if prior knowledge from earlier books would have helped certain moments land more strongly. The pacing also slowed in the second half, and I think some side plots could have been trimmed to give the central mystery a tighter, more satisfying resolution.
Star Rating: 3.5 (Rounded up due to limitations on this platform)
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