ARC Review: “In the Wake of Stars” (Starless Series #4) by Samantha Heuwagen

“In the Wake of Stars” (Starless Series #4) by Samantha Heuwagen

Publishing Date: August 2nd, 2021

Genre: Fiction, Sci-Fi

Page Length: 337 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

The final stand for Earth begins.

After the failure at the Galactic Court, Kayin and her friends are taking matters into their own hands and heading back to Earth. Even though she’s dreamed of her return home for months, Kayin struggles to hide her growing anxiety about the end of the war and her relationship with Prince Naluba. Just when things finally begin to align, a dark secret threatens to unravel everything she’s worked toward.

Melissa has been through a lot during the Temorshian occupation of Earth. From escaping the ruins of Detroit to finding some peace on Mackinac Island with fellow survivors, the last few months have helped her discover who she is and what she stands for. As the end of the war draws near, Melissa realizes it’s time to start thinking about the future and what her new role will be.

As secrets are revealed and the truth comes to light, it’s time for Kayin and Melissa to reclaim Earth and forge a new path for the future of the Galaxy and themselves. (description from Goodreads)

*To read a review of the previous book in the series, click here.

Review:

Reading the Starless Series has been one great adventure for me. It gives me space opera feels (similar to Star Trek and other sci-fi shows I love) due to having two different races (alien and human) work together to fight off a greater evil. Seeing them cooperate to try to survive and beat off the temorshian while also bonding and sharing cross cultures has been one of my favorite pasts of this series. I’ve seen the characters grow in strength and heal over grief and they hope to win the war. Being able to recognize certain parts of my home state has also been a special connection for me too. Book four jumps right into the cliffhanger that book three left off and wastes no time placing us back into the post-apocalyptic world that takes us through time and space.

The fourth installment really shows readers how they’ve grown and evolved over the course of the story. The war has taken a toll on its survivors and has shaped the romantic, platonic, cooperative friendship that has developed in their circumstances. There’s a slippery slope for the couples to determine what their future would be together and a desire to end the war. I appreciated Heuwagen having her characters have these very open and realistic and conversations instead of relationships feel rushed. One of my favorite relationships has been watching Flenver and Kayin connect. They have a familial-like relationship that has grown over the books. Kayin can really rely on Flenver for help with La’ Mursian customs but also for life advice and support.

The last book was very climatic as we reach the peak of war and it ended end in a way that readers will be satisfied. I love the world-building in this series and how it takes us to new places, but also places a heavy emphasis on the character’s relationships. It’s so immersive and each book has been even more exciting than the last one. I’m sad to see this series end since I grew so attached to it so much but I’m so glad I got to enjoy it. It was a thrilling ride with lots of memorable characters and I appreciated the expanded narrative surrounding mental health that is discussed throughout the entire series. I can’t wait to see what Heuwagen will write next. If you haven’t read The Starless Series, you’re missing out.

Final Verdict: