These Burning Stars
2 primary works 3 total works planned
Book 1
'Vivid, violent and visceral: an impressive debut' Kate Elliott, author of Unconquerable Sun
Jun Ironway, hacker, con artist, and only occasional thief, has got her hands on a piece of contraband that could set her up for life: evidence that implicates the powerful Nightfoot family in a planet-wide genocide seventy-five years ago. The Nightfoots control the precious sevite that fuels interplanetary travel through three star systems. And someone is sure to pay handsomely for anything that could break their hold.
Of course, anything valuable is also dangerous. The Kindom, the ruling power of the three star systems, is inextricably tied up in the Nightfoots' monopoly - and they can't afford to let Jun expose the truth. They task two of their most brutal clerics with hunting her down: preternaturally stoic Chono, and brilliant hothead Esek, who also happens to be the heir to the Nightfoot empire.
But Chono and Esek are haunted in turn by a figure from their shared past, known only as Six. What Six truly wants is anyone's guess. And the closer they get to finding Jun, the surer Chono is that Six is manipulating them all - and that they are heading for a bloody confrontation that no one will survive unscathed.
'One of the best SF books I've read. Period' Michael Mammay, author of Planetside
'Intricately plotted and tightly paced . . . Space opera fans will eat this up' Publishers Weekly
'A multi-layered saga full of courtly intrigue and indelible characters, Bethany Jacobs' These Burning Stars warps readers across the galaxy on a devilishly fun thrill ride' Bookpage
Book 2
One of the most exciting new voices in space opera returns with the thrilling sequel to the Philip K. Dick Award-winning These Burning Stars, the explosive space opera debut that launched the dangerous cat‑and‑mouse quest for revenge that will define a people forever.
The Jeveni have finally found freedom on the distant planet Capamame, delivered from Kindom oppression through their alliance with stoic Cleric Chono, intrepid caster Jun Ironway, and Six, the wildly unpredictable manipulator who has outwitted the Nightfoot family.
But when Six and Chono return to the Treble star systems, the dream of freedom meets a dangerous test. The Secretaries of the Kindom are intent on reclaiming power in the Treble, as well as control over the Jeveni. Meanwhile, Jun Ironway and Jeveni collector Masar Hawks struggle to protect Capamame from a population brimming with resentment, not to mention a faceless saboteur spreading mayhem and murder.
As the two groups struggle to outwit their enemies, divergent battles wend toward a climatic reunion that will spark a revolution. But over it all hangs the cruel legacy of Esek Nightfoot, whose rippling effects may prove impossible to survive.
Praise for These Burning Stars:
'An exciting start from a fresh talent, offering emotional and political complexity plus plenty of interplanetary action' Kirkus (Starred Review)
'Readers who love smart thrillers and explosive sf won't want to miss this book' Booklist (Starred Review)
'Plotted like a chess match, confident and surprising as Jacobs moves each piece thoughtfully across her board . . . If Jacobs' second entry is anything like the first, we'll have so much more to discover across her universe in the years to come' BookPage (Starred Review)