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Operation Lionhearted
Lindy Tremaine is proud of her work with the Meridian Intelligence Department. Clever, courageous, and armed with an uncanny intuition, she is determined to protect the planets of the Kellan Star System from villains and schemers, even if it means going undercover as a fashion journalist.
Tragedy, however, lies beneath Lindy’s self-possessed demeanor. She is an empath, a native of the war-torn Valya, and the man responsible for her mother’s death—the former prince Rael Navorre—still rules her home planet with an iron hand. Haunted by fragmented memories of bloodshed, Lindy refuses to revisit Valya or embrace her heritage, preferring to invest in her career and her adopted family.
But now Lindy and her best friend, Jo Camrin, have received the most daunting assignment of their MID careers: they must protect Valya’s exiled royal family during peace negotiations with Rael. Committed to this mission despite her fears, Lindy soon uncovers a web of lies and technological horrors…as well as the best-kept secret in the Star System.
Tragedy, however, lies beneath Lindy’s self-possessed demeanor. She is an empath, a native of the war-torn Valya, and the man responsible for her mother’s death—the former prince Rael Navorre—still rules her home planet with an iron hand. Haunted by fragmented memories of bloodshed, Lindy refuses to revisit Valya or embrace her heritage, preferring to invest in her career and her adopted family.
But now Lindy and her best friend, Jo Camrin, have received the most daunting assignment of their MID careers: they must protect Valya’s exiled royal family during peace negotiations with Rael. Committed to this mission despite her fears, Lindy soon uncovers a web of lies and technological horrors…as well as the best-kept secret in the Star System.
- GenresScience Fiction
403 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2021
6 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Maribeth Barber
1 book38 followersMaribeth Barber Albritton is a small-town Southerner captivated by the tales of underdogs, homebodies, and royalty. A novelist from childhood, she is also a columnist for Cultivating Magazine and works as Director of Media & Communications for its parent organization, Cultivating Oaks Press. Since publishing her debut novel, "Operation Lionhearted," she has married and currently lives with her husband and daughter in Louisiana.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 3, 2021
4.5 stars!
Characters: This book had such cool characters (just what you need in a sci-fi novel)! Lindy was relatable in her fear and reluctance to face her past. I loved how she (and everyone from her planet) could feel emotions through touch. Even more interestingly, they could choose not to feel these emotions. And Ethan made a great main guy. His rough relationship with his mother added a lot of complexity to the plot and made him a deeper character. All the supporting characters were well developed too.
Language: Several sketchy uses of God’s name.
Moral: The big theme of this novel was courage—something shown so well through Lindy’s character arc.
Plot: I’m not a big reader of sci-fi (I can probably count on one hand the number of sci-fi books I’ve read), so some of the plot details got a little confusing for me. But plenty of action, hints of romance, great character relationships, and high stakes kept me flipping pages. Some of the political parts did drag a bit for me, but they needed to be in there for the plot.
Romance: Clean. I enjoyed “seeing” Lindy and Ethan’s relationship develop. I appreciated that their romance was more of a subplot and never took over the story.
Writing: Maribeth has a great writing style! This doesn’t read anything like a debut novel!
Overall: Operation Lionhearted was an entertaining read, and I’d recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and science fiction. I’m looking forward to reading more by Maribeth in the future!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Characters: This book had such cool characters (just what you need in a sci-fi novel)! Lindy was relatable in her fear and reluctance to face her past. I loved how she (and everyone from her planet) could feel emotions through touch. Even more interestingly, they could choose not to feel these emotions. And Ethan made a great main guy. His rough relationship with his mother added a lot of complexity to the plot and made him a deeper character. All the supporting characters were well developed too.
Language: Several sketchy uses of God’s name.
Moral: The big theme of this novel was courage—something shown so well through Lindy’s character arc.
Plot: I’m not a big reader of sci-fi (I can probably count on one hand the number of sci-fi books I’ve read), so some of the plot details got a little confusing for me. But plenty of action, hints of romance, great character relationships, and high stakes kept me flipping pages. Some of the political parts did drag a bit for me, but they needed to be in there for the plot.
Romance: Clean. I enjoyed “seeing” Lindy and Ethan’s relationship develop. I appreciated that their romance was more of a subplot and never took over the story.
Writing: Maribeth has a great writing style! This doesn’t read anything like a debut novel!
Overall: Operation Lionhearted was an entertaining read, and I’d recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and science fiction. I’m looking forward to reading more by Maribeth in the future!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
December 20, 2021
There are very few books that have captured my heart as much as Operation Lionhearted did, and even fewer I have nothing negative to say about. But Operation Lionhearted is one of them! In a captivating, heart-wrenching story that powerfully explores the themes of friendship, courage, and facing one’s past, the reader is whisked away on a wild ride that leaves you wanting more!
Characters: I loved everything about Operation Lionhearted, but the characters are what really stood out to me. Each of them was so complex—no one was completely white or black, which made them all the more interesting.
Lindy was such a captivating character, and I loved being inside her head. She’s responsible, kind, and caring, yet she also has a little bit of fire in her that endeared me to her. Some of my very favorite scenes were when she stood up to Mariamne. They made me laugh!
And yet, though she has that lighter side to her, she’s faced plenty of pain. My heart ached for all the trauma and loss she went through, but I admired her courage so much. Her internal struggle felt very real and sympathetic, and I’m proud of her for pushing past her fear and refusing to let the past enslave her. In short, Lindy embodies everything a great protagonist should be!
Ethan was the sweetest, and I shipped him and Lindy from the start! I loved that he was so kind and understanding toward Lindy and really listened to her. I loved that they both had each other’s back and that their relationship grew stronger through the adventures and trials they faced together.
Ah, Jo. Can I just say she is the best sidekick ever? I love how snarky and fun she is, yet she’s also wise and isn’t afraid to remind Lindy of the hard truth when she needs it. Her character voice fit her perfectly and made me laugh! I love how protective Jo is of Lindy and how patient Lindy is with Jo. Their friendship is the best kind—the iron sharpening iron kind. They both bring different strengths to the table and work to build each other up.
Margaret Tremaine was an interesting character—although she was supportive of Lindy, I wasn’t always sure what to expect from her next, which definitely made things interesting!
Plot: Maribeth is a master storyteller. She knows how to tell a heart story and do it in an engaging way that doesn’t drag the plot. I was drawn in right from the beginning and immediately felt immersed in the rich storyworld. While Maribeth raised a lot of questions that kept me reading, she also answered just enough so that the story still made sense. I could really feel the emotional intensity and high stakes as the story progressed, and I couldn’t stop reading!
Maribeth did a great job balancing the pacing. I loved all the political intrigue, and I appreciated that she incorporated it in a way that didn’t slow the plot down. She somehow managed to weave in all the necessary world-building and contextual details without info-dumping, which isn’t easy to do with such a complex world and backstory.
Just when I thought I knew how everything was going to turn out, Maribeth would twist the plot slightly so I was always kept on my toes! Although I guessed the twist about Lindy, I never saw the other one coming, which pleasantly surprised me! The climax was intense and realistic, while still ending on a beautiful, hopeful note. And the ending scene was so sweet and poignant. I was sad when it ended!
Worldbuilding: The sci-fi details were both vivid and realistic. I don’t know a lot about sci-fi technology, but I could definitely tell Maribeth knew what she was talking about and had done her research.
I loved all the creative worldbuilding details Maribeth came up with, especially the Valyan gift of emotional empathy and their emphasis on physical touch for bonding. It was so intriguing and definitely added depth to the story.
Themes: The themes of friendship, courage, and sacrifice are common overarching themes seen in science fiction, but what sets Operation Lionhearted apart is the Christian undertone. I loved how Maribeth laced the timeless truths of the gospel through her story, but not in a way that was overly obvious or preachy.
I loved watching Lindy grow and mature as she learned to face her past and accept who she truly was. Instead of running from her pain, she chose to embrace it as part of God’s good plan for her, although that looked different from what she had imagined. That’s something I’ve struggled with before, so it hit close to home for me!
Prose: I absolutely loved the dialogue in Operation Lionhearted. I don’t often find such quality dialogue in YA fiction, but Maribeth’s was so good! I loved the witty bantering between characters and how smoothly and seamlessly she wove in important information into the dialogue without it sounding like it was only there for the reader’s benefit.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of space operas like Star Wars and Star Trek or you’ve never picked up a sci-fi book before, this is a story you won’t want to miss. With rich dialogue, unforgettable characters, and gripping action, Operation Lionhearted will stay with you long after you’ve put it down!
Characters: I loved everything about Operation Lionhearted, but the characters are what really stood out to me. Each of them was so complex—no one was completely white or black, which made them all the more interesting.
Lindy was such a captivating character, and I loved being inside her head. She’s responsible, kind, and caring, yet she also has a little bit of fire in her that endeared me to her. Some of my very favorite scenes were when she stood up to Mariamne. They made me laugh!
And yet, though she has that lighter side to her, she’s faced plenty of pain. My heart ached for all the trauma and loss she went through, but I admired her courage so much. Her internal struggle felt very real and sympathetic, and I’m proud of her for pushing past her fear and refusing to let the past enslave her. In short, Lindy embodies everything a great protagonist should be!
Ethan was the sweetest, and I shipped him and Lindy from the start! I loved that he was so kind and understanding toward Lindy and really listened to her. I loved that they both had each other’s back and that their relationship grew stronger through the adventures and trials they faced together.
Ah, Jo. Can I just say she is the best sidekick ever? I love how snarky and fun she is, yet she’s also wise and isn’t afraid to remind Lindy of the hard truth when she needs it. Her character voice fit her perfectly and made me laugh! I love how protective Jo is of Lindy and how patient Lindy is with Jo. Their friendship is the best kind—the iron sharpening iron kind. They both bring different strengths to the table and work to build each other up.
Margaret Tremaine was an interesting character—although she was supportive of Lindy, I wasn’t always sure what to expect from her next, which definitely made things interesting!
Plot: Maribeth is a master storyteller. She knows how to tell a heart story and do it in an engaging way that doesn’t drag the plot. I was drawn in right from the beginning and immediately felt immersed in the rich storyworld. While Maribeth raised a lot of questions that kept me reading, she also answered just enough so that the story still made sense. I could really feel the emotional intensity and high stakes as the story progressed, and I couldn’t stop reading!
Maribeth did a great job balancing the pacing. I loved all the political intrigue, and I appreciated that she incorporated it in a way that didn’t slow the plot down. She somehow managed to weave in all the necessary world-building and contextual details without info-dumping, which isn’t easy to do with such a complex world and backstory.
Just when I thought I knew how everything was going to turn out, Maribeth would twist the plot slightly so I was always kept on my toes! Although I guessed the twist about Lindy, I never saw the other one coming, which pleasantly surprised me! The climax was intense and realistic, while still ending on a beautiful, hopeful note. And the ending scene was so sweet and poignant. I was sad when it ended!
Worldbuilding: The sci-fi details were both vivid and realistic. I don’t know a lot about sci-fi technology, but I could definitely tell Maribeth knew what she was talking about and had done her research.
I loved all the creative worldbuilding details Maribeth came up with, especially the Valyan gift of emotional empathy and their emphasis on physical touch for bonding. It was so intriguing and definitely added depth to the story.
Themes: The themes of friendship, courage, and sacrifice are common overarching themes seen in science fiction, but what sets Operation Lionhearted apart is the Christian undertone. I loved how Maribeth laced the timeless truths of the gospel through her story, but not in a way that was overly obvious or preachy.
I loved watching Lindy grow and mature as she learned to face her past and accept who she truly was. Instead of running from her pain, she chose to embrace it as part of God’s good plan for her, although that looked different from what she had imagined. That’s something I’ve struggled with before, so it hit close to home for me!
Prose: I absolutely loved the dialogue in Operation Lionhearted. I don’t often find such quality dialogue in YA fiction, but Maribeth’s was so good! I loved the witty bantering between characters and how smoothly and seamlessly she wove in important information into the dialogue without it sounding like it was only there for the reader’s benefit.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of space operas like Star Wars and Star Trek or you’ve never picked up a sci-fi book before, this is a story you won’t want to miss. With rich dialogue, unforgettable characters, and gripping action, Operation Lionhearted will stay with you long after you’ve put it down!
October 25, 2021
As someone who has followed Maribeth's blog for years, I've been anxiously awaiting the publication of this novel, and I have to say it does not disappoint! I think it's an especially good scifi novel for people who don't normally read a lot of scifi--it's got space battles and interplanetary politics, but it's not at all confusing. It focuses a lot on the characters and their struggles, and the plot, while well-crafted, doesn't distract from that. Plus it's got a great, imaginative setting that still feels very grounded in a world not too different from our own.
I kinda wish I could pass this book on to my teenage self and say "See! scifi doesn't have to be confusing or inappropriate!" and then maybe I would have gotten into the genre sooner, lol.
I kinda wish I could pass this book on to my teenage self and say "See! scifi doesn't have to be confusing or inappropriate!" and then maybe I would have gotten into the genre sooner, lol.
September 26, 2021
Wow, what a debut novel! I'm going to be honest here - I'm not a fan of sci-fi stuff. I don't know if I've ever read an entire sci-fi book in my life. However, Maribeth Barber has convinced me that it's a good thing to venture out of my preferred genres!
One of the best things about this book were the characters. Lindy, Ethan, Jo, and the rest of the club were just so fun to read about. I loved the different relationships that existed between the characters - it wasn't just the romance between the two MCs. Lindy and Jo's friendship was just so fun, and Jo brought a great touch of humor. Her voice was so fun, and her comments lightened the book a lot. Lindy and Nana's relationship was also really sweet, and I can't forget Mariamne! I felt for her, especially at the end, but she really had a great character arc. In spite of the sci-fi setting, the characters seemed like they could be real people. The romance was quite light and clean, but it was sweet and not rushed at all. It felt very natural and wasn't one of those "insta-love" types of relationships that sometimes plague books. The villains were awful - ugh Rael and all of his little minions- but they had some surprises up their sleeves, too.
The plot was mostly unpredictable (though I saw one twist coming, and I think the author meant for you to), and there was plenty of action. The climax was a whirlwind! I almost teared up in the end after one of the twists I didn't see coming. No details, but it was so sad, but also bittersweet. I got a little bit confused occasionally, mostly in reference to some of the technological details of certain planets, but overall, the plot wasn't too confusing and well-paced even for someone who knows nothing about science fiction.
The one issue that did bug me throughout the book were the uses of God's Name. I don't think the characters were praying, so it almost felt like they were using God's Name in vain. That definitely made me a little uncomfortable.
The Biblical themes of this book also weren't super heavy, but there were some beautiful moments that addressed God's plan and how He works all things out for good. I would've appreciated more than the occasional prayer to the Lord, as well as mentions of Jesus and all He's done for us. However, the Biblical themes that were included were quite nice.
Overall, I really enjoyed Operation Lionhearted. If you're looking for a Christian book in the sci-fi department, you've got it! However, I think anyone who enjoys a good story would appreciate this book. I'm looking forward to reading more of Maribeth's work in the future!
Thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
One of the best things about this book were the characters. Lindy, Ethan, Jo, and the rest of the club were just so fun to read about. I loved the different relationships that existed between the characters - it wasn't just the romance between the two MCs. Lindy and Jo's friendship was just so fun, and Jo brought a great touch of humor. Her voice was so fun, and her comments lightened the book a lot. Lindy and Nana's relationship was also really sweet, and I can't forget Mariamne! I felt for her, especially at the end, but she really had a great character arc. In spite of the sci-fi setting, the characters seemed like they could be real people. The romance was quite light and clean, but it was sweet and not rushed at all. It felt very natural and wasn't one of those "insta-love" types of relationships that sometimes plague books. The villains were awful - ugh Rael and all of his little minions- but they had some surprises up their sleeves, too.
The plot was mostly unpredictable (though I saw one twist coming, and I think the author meant for you to), and there was plenty of action. The climax was a whirlwind! I almost teared up in the end after one of the twists I didn't see coming. No details, but it was so sad, but also bittersweet. I got a little bit confused occasionally, mostly in reference to some of the technological details of certain planets, but overall, the plot wasn't too confusing and well-paced even for someone who knows nothing about science fiction.
The one issue that did bug me throughout the book were the uses of God's Name. I don't think the characters were praying, so it almost felt like they were using God's Name in vain. That definitely made me a little uncomfortable.
The Biblical themes of this book also weren't super heavy, but there were some beautiful moments that addressed God's plan and how He works all things out for good. I would've appreciated more than the occasional prayer to the Lord, as well as mentions of Jesus and all He's done for us. However, the Biblical themes that were included were quite nice.
Overall, I really enjoyed Operation Lionhearted. If you're looking for a Christian book in the sci-fi department, you've got it! However, I think anyone who enjoys a good story would appreciate this book. I'm looking forward to reading more of Maribeth's work in the future!
Thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
May 26, 2022
What an absolutely stunning debut novel. Maribeth, you really do have a special story on your hands!
I really empathized (no pun intended) with Lindy. From the start, she's truly a compelling main character. Lindy's struggle to accept her national/racial identity as a Valyan (instead of hiding who she really was) felt really timely, and as someone of color reading this book, it felt oddly close to home. That part of Lindy's growth was really well-written and super relatable. Lindy deserves all the love and her journey towards accepting herself and *loving* who she is was so beautiful to watch. I SUPPORT YOU, LINDY. *cries*
I will say I guessed pretty early on that so that was slightly predictable, but I didn't really mind. I felt that it fit her character, especially since she was hiding her Valyan identity at the beginning and struggling to come to terms with her identity, and then and must accept her Valyan-ness in a very profound way. Lindy's character arc was really well-written. Also, the concept of Valyan Empaths—people who can feel emotion through touch—was so fascinating, and I loved when Lindy opened up to explore that part of herself.
I felt that in terms of world building, Valya and Xandroa were far more interesting as a sci-fi world than Meridian was. And as most of the plot takes place on Valya (and Xandroa, to a point), I felt like that was a great thing. A couple of the intergalactic political sessions and plot points in the beginning on Meridian were a bit difficult/confusing to get through, but once the plot advanced to Valya, I really enjoyed where things went. There was tons of action, character development, Lindy found out so much about herself as a Valyan, and that one twist SHOOK ME and I did *not* see that coming! I almost wanted to cry when that happened; it was so awesome.
The romance was also super sweet between Ethan and Lindy. Ethan on his own was such a solid side character, but he didn't even feel like a side character. Lindy's relationship with Ethan was not the whole plot of the story (which was really nice), but I will say I secretly wanted a bit more closure on it. There wasn't an "I love you" scene or a kiss to kind of confirm that they really did love each other, but I guess I knew they did the whole way. But all the same, I loved their chemistry and the way they were always worrying about each other. Super super super sweet and wholesome.
Jo Camrin was an amazing sidekick/best friend character, and the amount of times she reminded me of Jo March were a lot! Her loyalty, compassion, and bravery were so admirable, and her fiery temper was always fun to read.
The plot, as a whole, was very well-structured. Despite the some of the difficult political rhetoric in the beginning, the "overthrow of a tyrannical dictator and restoration of a home planet" model was really really perfect in this story. Rael was a great villain, and I imagined him in my head as Giancarlo Esposito's character from The Mandalorian, Moff Gideon. But he wasn't evil for the sake of evil, nor was he a two dimensional super-evil-rage guy with no other emotions or conflicts. While the story doesn't go too much into Rael's point of view, the reader certainly understands that he's not heartless and he goes on tyrannical tirades *because* he's haunted by everything and is kind of a control freak because he has no idea how to fix everything that he's already ruined. He was super convincing, and I really enjoyed him as a villain.
And the ending was perfection! The fireworks exploding in "white and yellow" did not escape me as symbolism for the empath ability to identify white and yellow colors as joy and admiration/happiness. That was really well done.
Maribeth, I'm so thankful I was able to read your novel *and* that I was part of your book launch! I know my review is a mite late, but thanks for being patient with me. I look forward to seeing where future stories take you! Congrats again. And thanks for putting my name in the acknowledgements. ;)
I really empathized (no pun intended) with Lindy. From the start, she's truly a compelling main character. Lindy's struggle to accept her national/racial identity as a Valyan (instead of hiding who she really was) felt really timely, and as someone of color reading this book, it felt oddly close to home. That part of Lindy's growth was really well-written and super relatable. Lindy deserves all the love and her journey towards accepting herself and *loving* who she is was so beautiful to watch. I SUPPORT YOU, LINDY. *cries*
I will say I guessed pretty early on that so that was slightly predictable, but I didn't really mind. I felt that it fit her character, especially since she was hiding her Valyan identity at the beginning and struggling to come to terms with her identity, and then and must accept her Valyan-ness in a very profound way. Lindy's character arc was really well-written. Also, the concept of Valyan Empaths—people who can feel emotion through touch—was so fascinating, and I loved when Lindy opened up to explore that part of herself.
I felt that in terms of world building, Valya and Xandroa were far more interesting as a sci-fi world than Meridian was. And as most of the plot takes place on Valya (and Xandroa, to a point), I felt like that was a great thing. A couple of the intergalactic political sessions and plot points in the beginning on Meridian were a bit difficult/confusing to get through, but once the plot advanced to Valya, I really enjoyed where things went. There was tons of action, character development, Lindy found out so much about herself as a Valyan, and that one twist SHOOK ME and I did *not* see that coming! I almost wanted to cry when that happened; it was so awesome.
The romance was also super sweet between Ethan and Lindy. Ethan on his own was such a solid side character, but he didn't even feel like a side character. Lindy's relationship with Ethan was not the whole plot of the story (which was really nice), but I will say I secretly wanted a bit more closure on it. There wasn't an "I love you" scene or a kiss to kind of confirm that they really did love each other, but I guess I knew they did the whole way. But all the same, I loved their chemistry and the way they were always worrying about each other. Super super super sweet and wholesome.
Jo Camrin was an amazing sidekick/best friend character, and the amount of times she reminded me of Jo March were a lot! Her loyalty, compassion, and bravery were so admirable, and her fiery temper was always fun to read.
The plot, as a whole, was very well-structured. Despite the some of the difficult political rhetoric in the beginning, the "overthrow of a tyrannical dictator and restoration of a home planet" model was really really perfect in this story. Rael was a great villain, and I imagined him in my head as Giancarlo Esposito's character from The Mandalorian, Moff Gideon. But he wasn't evil for the sake of evil, nor was he a two dimensional super-evil-rage guy with no other emotions or conflicts. While the story doesn't go too much into Rael's point of view, the reader certainly understands that he's not heartless and he goes on tyrannical tirades *because* he's haunted by everything and is kind of a control freak because he has no idea how to fix everything that he's already ruined. He was super convincing, and I really enjoyed him as a villain.
And the ending was perfection! The fireworks exploding in "white and yellow" did not escape me as symbolism for the empath ability to identify white and yellow colors as joy and admiration/happiness. That was really well done.
Maribeth, I'm so thankful I was able to read your novel *and* that I was part of your book launch! I know my review is a mite late, but thanks for being patient with me. I look forward to seeing where future stories take you! Congrats again. And thanks for putting my name in the acknowledgements. ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
possible-tbr
September 13, 2021I have an ARC of this beauty!! (An actual physical copy!)
October 10, 2021
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
This is a fun book, you guys. Yes, there is tragedy and heartbreak. (I may or may not have teared up a time or two.) But overall, Operation Lionhearted has a zippy pace, notes of humor, and sparkling characters. The best way to describe the vibe is a mix between the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie and the Kelvin Timeline Star Trek films. Some quirkiness, lively characters, and serious situations.
I really enjoyed all the political intrigue and the grittier minutiae of secret missions, running a spacecraft, having higher-ups that you’re answerable to, and all of that. Operation Lionhearted is definitely sci-fi, but there’s a realism that keeps the story and characters grounded. And the characters! I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with nearly all of them: Lindy, Ethan (despite one regrettable instance of beating up a prisoner, which I did not appreciate), Jo, Genevieve, Mariamne (probably my fave!), Frank, and Jarvis. Lindy in particular is a great character (which is pretty important for the main character to be). Realistic in her fears, PTSD, and doubts–and inspiring in her courage to face all those things.
Additionally, the overall quality of writing in Operation Lionhearted is excellent. The sentences flowed smoothly, the plot was well-executed, and Maribeth’s use of the ‘lost princess’ trope actually left me guessing for a while. (Which usually doesn’t happen, since that trope is preeeetty predictable, y’know?)
Now, I do want to discuss an aspect of the plot that rubbed me the wrong way.
A couple not-so-great plot points aside, Operation Lionhearted is a well-crafted debut novel set in a vibrant sci-fi world and filled with truly lovable characters. If you’re a fan of stories like Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy, and the Lunar Chronicles, you should certainly check out Operation Lionhearted!
I won a free copy of this book, and was expected to write an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a fun book, you guys. Yes, there is tragedy and heartbreak. (I may or may not have teared up a time or two.) But overall, Operation Lionhearted has a zippy pace, notes of humor, and sparkling characters. The best way to describe the vibe is a mix between the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie and the Kelvin Timeline Star Trek films. Some quirkiness, lively characters, and serious situations.
I really enjoyed all the political intrigue and the grittier minutiae of secret missions, running a spacecraft, having higher-ups that you’re answerable to, and all of that. Operation Lionhearted is definitely sci-fi, but there’s a realism that keeps the story and characters grounded. And the characters! I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with nearly all of them: Lindy, Ethan (despite one regrettable instance of beating up a prisoner, which I did not appreciate), Jo, Genevieve, Mariamne (probably my fave!), Frank, and Jarvis. Lindy in particular is a great character (which is pretty important for the main character to be). Realistic in her fears, PTSD, and doubts–and inspiring in her courage to face all those things.
Additionally, the overall quality of writing in Operation Lionhearted is excellent. The sentences flowed smoothly, the plot was well-executed, and Maribeth’s use of the ‘lost princess’ trope actually left me guessing for a while. (Which usually doesn’t happen, since that trope is preeeetty predictable, y’know?)
Now, I do want to discuss an aspect of the plot that rubbed me the wrong way.
A couple not-so-great plot points aside, Operation Lionhearted is a well-crafted debut novel set in a vibrant sci-fi world and filled with truly lovable characters. If you’re a fan of stories like Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy, and the Lunar Chronicles, you should certainly check out Operation Lionhearted!
I won a free copy of this book, and was expected to write an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 28, 2022
For anyone following my reviews so far, I'm changing up my method, going back to a layout I used YEARS ago to better organize my thoughts. So may I present: The Good, the Bad, and What the Reader Thought.
The Good:
Sci-fi isn't my first genre of choice. But I did enjoy the sci-fi elements in this one. If anything, I felt that there weren't enough. I liked the world-building, the different planet races, and how so many things were similar to our world to create a connection with the reader. I also enjoyed the characters of Jo, Frank, and others. Jo reminded me a lot of Darcy Lewis from Marvel and I really enjoyed her character arc. I also love the cover, I wish we had more covers like this in YA (even if the figure on the front isn't the right shape for a female, the hips are far too narrow for those shoulders...).
The Bad:
The story felt very underdeveloped. I thought that maybe I just hadn't gotten far enough in the story, but the further I went, the more I realized that I wasn't going to get the level of detail that I was expecting. This could be due to the author's style, but I felt that a lot of necessary elements were missing, especially in terms of scene setting and explanations of world-building. It was good, what was there, but I felt that it wasn't what it could be. I also hated the main character. She reminded me a lot of Rey from Star Wars, and I can't stand that character either. It made it hard to enjoy the parts told from Lindy's POV because I really couldn't care less about her. She had no development or relatability. We know that she's been traumatized by stuff in her past, but we don't really see how that affects her aside from the same nightmare happening over and over. Nothing in her character was likeable to me. She just seemed like a tough person who occasionally burst into tears, but most of the time was just super sarcastic and downright rude. I have nothing against tough females, but this was the sort of tough that drove me insane. It was a struggle not to skim over her parts. I think, with a professional editor, her character arc could have been developed and made her more likeable, but as it was, she annoyed me. The romance also felt a bit cheesy and underdeveloped, so I didn't care much for that either.
What the Reader Thought:
Overall, this is a good sci-fi story. I enjoyed the action and the politics and seeing how the characters (aside from the MC) interacted and influenced the path of the story. However, due to underdevelopment and Lindy's character, I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I was going to. Then again, it may just not be the right book for me. All the same, it is a solid debut. I just expected a lot more from all the praise I'd heard of it.
The Good:
Sci-fi isn't my first genre of choice. But I did enjoy the sci-fi elements in this one. If anything, I felt that there weren't enough. I liked the world-building, the different planet races, and how so many things were similar to our world to create a connection with the reader. I also enjoyed the characters of Jo, Frank, and others. Jo reminded me a lot of Darcy Lewis from Marvel and I really enjoyed her character arc. I also love the cover, I wish we had more covers like this in YA (even if the figure on the front isn't the right shape for a female, the hips are far too narrow for those shoulders...).
The Bad:
The story felt very underdeveloped. I thought that maybe I just hadn't gotten far enough in the story, but the further I went, the more I realized that I wasn't going to get the level of detail that I was expecting. This could be due to the author's style, but I felt that a lot of necessary elements were missing, especially in terms of scene setting and explanations of world-building. It was good, what was there, but I felt that it wasn't what it could be. I also hated the main character. She reminded me a lot of Rey from Star Wars, and I can't stand that character either. It made it hard to enjoy the parts told from Lindy's POV because I really couldn't care less about her. She had no development or relatability. We know that she's been traumatized by stuff in her past, but we don't really see how that affects her aside from the same nightmare happening over and over. Nothing in her character was likeable to me. She just seemed like a tough person who occasionally burst into tears, but most of the time was just super sarcastic and downright rude. I have nothing against tough females, but this was the sort of tough that drove me insane. It was a struggle not to skim over her parts. I think, with a professional editor, her character arc could have been developed and made her more likeable, but as it was, she annoyed me. The romance also felt a bit cheesy and underdeveloped, so I didn't care much for that either.
What the Reader Thought:
Overall, this is a good sci-fi story. I enjoyed the action and the politics and seeing how the characters (aside from the MC) interacted and influenced the path of the story. However, due to underdevelopment and Lindy's character, I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I was going to. Then again, it may just not be the right book for me. All the same, it is a solid debut. I just expected a lot more from all the praise I'd heard of it.
October 13, 2021
If you're looking for a mature-but-clean sci-fi novel with themes of family, friendship, overcoming fear and living bravely, and an intricate plot with lots of political intrigue and just enough action—you should absolutely read Operation Lionhearted. Seriously, I loved this book. The central characters have a forthright, uplifting decency and goodness about them, while still being very much human beings with struggles and imperfections, that I think is a rare and refreshing quality to find in fiction. (And as just an occasional sci-fi reader, I have to say this is one of the first books I've read where the worldbuilding really made sense to me, instead of just conveying an impression of a big vague galaxy out there beyond the immediate scene of the story!) Very much recommended.
December 7, 2021
I wasn't expecting this book to be quite this amazing! I haven't always found that Indie books live up to my expectations, but this one ABSOLUTELY did!
The plot was well-crafted, well-paced, and surprised me at several places! I did guess the main twist, but I have a sneaking feeling that the author meant me to, so I could feel smart. Readers love feeling smart, and authors who cater to that are smart authors!
I LOVED the characters! They were all so distinct and well-crafted, and the relationships between them were beautiful, and <3. Amazing job. I especially loved Lindy & Jo's friendship, and Ethan, and the people of the Remnant, and Genevieve! Extraordinary subplot where Genevieve is concerned, too.
Lindy's plot arc was beautiful, subtle, and lovingly crafted.
And the cultures and culture differences were done so well as well! I loved the special abilities and culture of Valya, and the contrast with Meridian.
Also, somehow it was a political story that didn't confuse or bore me? Kudos!
The only thing I would nitpick is the mention of "Valyan time" vs. "Meridian time". They're on different planets, and there would be multiple time zones on each planet.
But other than that, highly enjoyable and would 10/10 recommend!
4 stars!
The plot was well-crafted, well-paced, and surprised me at several places! I did guess the main twist, but I have a sneaking feeling that the author meant me to, so I could feel smart. Readers love feeling smart, and authors who cater to that are smart authors!
I LOVED the characters! They were all so distinct and well-crafted, and the relationships between them were beautiful, and <3. Amazing job. I especially loved Lindy & Jo's friendship, and Ethan, and the people of the Remnant, and Genevieve! Extraordinary subplot where Genevieve is concerned, too.
Lindy's plot arc was beautiful, subtle, and lovingly crafted.
And the cultures and culture differences were done so well as well! I loved the special abilities and culture of Valya, and the contrast with Meridian.
Also, somehow it was a political story that didn't confuse or bore me? Kudos!
The only thing I would nitpick is the mention of "Valyan time" vs. "Meridian time". They're on different planets, and there would be multiple time zones on each planet.
But other than that, highly enjoyable and would 10/10 recommend!
4 stars!
September 13, 2021
‘Operation Lionhearted’ is a Sci-fi that tugs our your heartstrings and keeps you on the edge of your seat. As someone who rarely reads this genre, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it, but it blew me away!
The characters are all loveable, and captured my attention from the start. I really enjoyed the friendship duos - Lindy & Jo, Frank & Ethan. There was a good variety of characters, the fiery and bristly Mariamne, warm and strong Margaret, and an antagonist who makes your skin crawl. Throughout the story I was led to question each character’s loyalty and motives, and really enjoyed seeing them grow to their full potential.
The plot was fast paced, with twists that I did not see coming! The settings were vivid and interesting, I liked their originality.
Overall, this is one of my favourite reads of the year and I really recommend you read Maribeth’s debut!
The characters are all loveable, and captured my attention from the start. I really enjoyed the friendship duos - Lindy & Jo, Frank & Ethan. There was a good variety of characters, the fiery and bristly Mariamne, warm and strong Margaret, and an antagonist who makes your skin crawl. Throughout the story I was led to question each character’s loyalty and motives, and really enjoyed seeing them grow to their full potential.
The plot was fast paced, with twists that I did not see coming! The settings were vivid and interesting, I liked their originality.
Overall, this is one of my favourite reads of the year and I really recommend you read Maribeth’s debut!
October 5, 2021
Lest you think, "Oh, this is science-fiction, not my thing" -- hold on. I've watched 3 episodes of Star Trek and not a single Star Wars movie. If I could keep track of it all and fully enjoy this story, anyone can, whether you're a devoted fantasy/sci-fi/imaginative reader or prefer historical fiction.
This book was five years in the making, and it shows in the quality of the writing. The story is well-polished, perfectly paced, and the characters draw you in from the first. I found myself thinking about them throughout the day. I never felt lost and the story never lagged or rushed. Anytime I suspected what was coming in the storyline, there was a surprising detail or twist in the plot, which I enjoyed.
Lindy is a heroine you can actually like and pull for, and her friend Jo was my favorite supporting character, with Ethan as a close second. There were so many details that brought the story to life in a refreshing way.
This book was five years in the making, and it shows in the quality of the writing. The story is well-polished, perfectly paced, and the characters draw you in from the first. I found myself thinking about them throughout the day. I never felt lost and the story never lagged or rushed. Anytime I suspected what was coming in the storyline, there was a surprising detail or twist in the plot, which I enjoyed.
Lindy is a heroine you can actually like and pull for, and her friend Jo was my favorite supporting character, with Ethan as a close second. There were so many details that brought the story to life in a refreshing way.
January 9, 2022
I really enjoyed this. Characters were well developed, and the places I read about seemed real, even though it was science fiction. Once I reached the halfway mark in the book, I couldn't put it down and had to read to the end. I hope there's another one coming....
October 11, 2023
Although I’m not usually a big science fiction reader, I’m a fan of this sweet author, and I’m so glad I gave this book a try! I didn't get around to reviewing it right after I read it, so I won't get into too many specifics just in case I'd misremember them. But I enjoyed this a lot!
This is a very character-forward book, which is great because the characters are my favorite part. They were interesting, sympathetic, and wrestled with a lot of real issues that helped me understand why they acted the way they did. The protagonist fascinated me, and I could relate to her in a lot of ways. The romance subplot was sweet and completely clean, which I really appreciated, and I could ship them from the very start.
All of the supporting characters (while I had trouble keeping track of them all sometimes) seemed to have lives, dreams, and goals outside of the main story line, which helped reinforce how real they felt. I could never quite figure out whether I was meant to trust/like a couple of them, which kept me on my toes in the best possible way.
The world-building was also done extremely well, where I could picture and follow along with most everything. I wish I was a more frequent science fiction reader so I could really appreciate all of the depth of details the author packed into this book. It's clear she put a lot of thought and development into this world, and I would love to read further stories about it.
The balancing of the fast-paced action, political intrigue, and slower meaningful moments was done wonderfully, giving the story some naturally great pacing. There was never a point where I lost interest. And of course, the themes, while not explicitly Christian, were beautifully-written and powerful. I could pick up on the allegorical elements, while nothing was even remotely forced.
All in all, this made me like science fiction even more, and I really enjoyed the read!
I would definitely recommend this to teens and older that enjoy action-packed, political science fiction reads with strong characters, sweet and subtle romance, and memorable themes.
CW: war-type violence, death, and some ethical dilemmas (as war tends to bring).
This is a very character-forward book, which is great because the characters are my favorite part. They were interesting, sympathetic, and wrestled with a lot of real issues that helped me understand why they acted the way they did. The protagonist fascinated me, and I could relate to her in a lot of ways. The romance subplot was sweet and completely clean, which I really appreciated, and I could ship them from the very start.
All of the supporting characters (while I had trouble keeping track of them all sometimes) seemed to have lives, dreams, and goals outside of the main story line, which helped reinforce how real they felt. I could never quite figure out whether I was meant to trust/like a couple of them, which kept me on my toes in the best possible way.
The world-building was also done extremely well, where I could picture and follow along with most everything. I wish I was a more frequent science fiction reader so I could really appreciate all of the depth of details the author packed into this book. It's clear she put a lot of thought and development into this world, and I would love to read further stories about it.
The balancing of the fast-paced action, political intrigue, and slower meaningful moments was done wonderfully, giving the story some naturally great pacing. There was never a point where I lost interest. And of course, the themes, while not explicitly Christian, were beautifully-written and powerful. I could pick up on the allegorical elements, while nothing was even remotely forced.
All in all, this made me like science fiction even more, and I really enjoyed the read!
I would definitely recommend this to teens and older that enjoy action-packed, political science fiction reads with strong characters, sweet and subtle romance, and memorable themes.
CW: war-type violence, death, and some ethical dilemmas (as war tends to bring).
March 23, 2023
Amazingly well written!!!
I really loved this entire book! It was very creative and interesting. It hooked me from the very first page.
I really loved this entire book! It was very creative and interesting. It hooked me from the very first page.
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