The Brilliance of Stars (A Jack and Ivy Novel) (edition 2022)

by J'nell Ciesielski (Author)

Series: Jack and Ivy (1)

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Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: Amid the chaos of the Great War, two elite assassins learn precisely how dangerous it is to have something�??or someone�??worth losing. Washington, DC, 1914. Ivy Olwen knows how to survive on the streets without two coins to rub together. Then destiny thrusts her into the nest of a covert agency of assassins sworn to drive back the world's darkness, and she acquires a new set of lethal skills. Her education�??from explosives to etiquette, sharpshooting to sabotage�??is as far reaching as the organization's missions. But it's the hours she spends among the towering bookshelves in the library and stargazing on the roof with Agent Jack Vale that make her heart fly. Jack knew plenty of hardship before the agency refined his rough edges, transforming him into the man who never misses. But he didn't know the feeling of home until Ivy entered his world. Now Jack's heart drums with a singular purpose: he will fight for her, fight alongside her. No matter the cost. When the pair is sent on a seemingly simple mission to take down Russia's newest and most dangerous arms dealer�??a soulless man using the Great War as an opportunity to further his own depraved agenda�??they discover that no amount of training could have prepared them for a manhunt that takes them across the frozen tundra, to the Crimean Peninsula, and along the Trans-Siberian Railway . . . only to discover that there is evil in the world they will never understand. The first book of an epic duology from bestselling author J'nell Ciesielski, The Brilliance of Stars incorporates her signature blend of thrilling adventure, glamorous espionage, and sweeping romance. Historical romance set during World War I Book length: approximately 116,000 words The first Jack and Ivy novel; book two, To Free the Stars�??coming August 2023 Includes map of Europe 1917 and discussion questions… (more)

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Member:	drmom62
Title:	The Brilliance of Stars (A Jack and Ivy Novel)
Authors:	J'nell Ciesielski (Author)
Info:	Thomas Nelson (2022), 400 pages
Collections:	Anthony's books, Your library, Wishlist, Currently reading, To read, Read but unowned, Favorites
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Tags:	no-desire-to-read, to-read-one-day

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The Brilliance of Stars by J'nell Ciesielski

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Showing 1-5 of 10 (next | show all)

This book is intense! Wow, action packed from beginning to end! The story is loosely based on Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Some parts were graphic.

The characters are amazing! They are complex and multi-faceted. Jack is my favorite! He's a true leader. He plans ahead and cares about his team. Ivy is super smart and savvy.

I enjoyed the love story in the book. It provided relief from the dark parts of the story. The wedding portion was beautiful!

J'nelle is such a prolific writer! Her imagery in the books brings it to life. (

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Sassyjd32 | Dec 22, 2023 |

The Brilliance of Stars is the first book in J'nell Ciesielski's new two-book series, Jack and Ivy. Teenage orphans are seized and eventually recruited into a secret society and trained as spies and assassins during the early 1900s. Edge-of-the-seat action starts at the beginning and doesn't let up as the agents travel through Eastern Europe and Russia to bring down a nefarious arms dealer. Amidst the mayhem, suspense, and danger, is a sweet romance. I liked the intense friendships of the agents--a friendship that says I will never leave you behind. Many interesting tidbits of history are interspersed throughout the fast-moving story. And to entice the reader to read the second book there is a huge cliffhanger at the end. Narrators, Callan Friesen and Ariel Hansen did a great job bringing Jack and Ivy's story to life. I listened to a library copy of the audiobook and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own. (

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Anne_Rightler | Mar 6, 2023 |

My book club’s selection this month is The Brilliance of Stars by J’Nell Ciesielski. I had heard quite a bit of positive chatter about this historical novel set in the WWI-era and featuring spies and was anxious to read it. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. It is a very well-written novel that started out strong with me. Two teenaged orphans stumble upon a nefarious Russian plot and are swept into a secret organization with roots in early American history. Charged with clandestine activities that serve American interests, yet unsanctioned by any government, Talon is a wonderful creation filled with clever and skilled spies honed to wreak havoc in the name of good. So far so good. History, suspense, and a sizzling romance made me want to read more. But . . . the deeper into the book I got the weirder and more implausible the story became. At least that’s my opinion. I am the first to say that a reader must suspend disbelief, but I had a hard time believing what I was reading. The book takes the reader on an adventure from Washington, D. C. to Russia in the throes of revolution to the remote wilds of Romania. The bad guys are very very bad (creepy/evil is a good term too) and the good guys do things (assassinations, bombings, etc.) in the name of good. Themes such as abandonment and self-worth fill the pages. Like I said, a lot of people have loved this book. I’m just not one of them. There is a big cliffhanger at the end which may persuade me to read the sequel. I’ll have to think on that a bit.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) (

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vintagebeckie | Feb 27, 2023 |

The Brilliance of Stars, while a historical fiction read, is quite action packed. In fact, I've read several novels by this author and this was by far the fastest pace I've read of hers. Full of suspense and intrigue, with plenty of historical and cultural details, Ciesielski clearly invested much time and research in writing this story. I quite enjoyed the characters. They were in many ways larger than life. Some of the action scenes had almost a sci-fi feel to them. While my interest was maintained given the fast pace, it did feel a little drawn out in certain parts and I thought the novel could have been a bit shorter. That being said, there is plenty of character development as well as a satisfying conclusion to the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. Opinions expressed are entirely my own. (

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Christine_D | Feb 21, 2023 |

Bravery is about standing up and moving forward in spite of fear.

Set in Washington, DG and various places in Russia during The Great War, the historical detail alone will keep you reading. As orphans, Ivy and Phillip have survived by looking out for each other. Suddenly thrust into a situation they cannot control, how will they fare?

Talon is a long standing group that prides themselves in being defenders of righteousness and protectors of the weak. Jack is a wonderful example of a hero you can swoon over and still expect nothing but the best from. The well developed characters are bound by different chains and yet will stop at nothing to secure their assigned target. Add some romance and a cliffhanger at the end, and you have a fantastic beginning to a series.

This copy was received through Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited. (

)

Eamace | Nov 26, 2022 |

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Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML:

Amid the chaos of the Great War, two elite assassins learn precisely how dangerous it is to have something�??or someone�??worth losing.

Washington, DC, 1914. Ivy Olwen knows how to survive on the streets without two coins to rub together. Then destiny thrusts her into the nest of a covert agency of assassins sworn to drive back the world's darkness, and she acquires a new set of lethal skills. Her education�??from explosives to etiquette, sharpshooting to sabotage�??is as far reaching as the organization's missions. But it's the hours she spends among the towering bookshelves in the library and stargazing on the roof with Agent Jack Vale that make her heart fly.

Jack knew plenty of hardship before the agency refined his rough edges, transforming him into the man who never misses. But he didn't know the feeling of home until Ivy entered his world. Now Jack's heart drums with a singular purpose: he will fight for her, fight alongside her. No matter the cost.

When the pair is sent on a seemingly simple mission to take down Russia's newest and most dangerous arms dealer�??a soulless man using the Great War as an opportunity to further his own depraved agenda�??they discover that no amount of training could have prepared them for a manhunt that takes them across the frozen tundra, to the Crimean Peninsula, and along the Trans-Siberian Railway . . . only to discover that there is evil in the world they will never understand.

The first book of an epic duology from bestselling author J'nell Ciesielski, The Brilliance of Stars incorporates her signature blend of thrilling adventure, glamorous espionage, and sweeping romance.

Historical romance set during World War I Book length: approximately 116,000 words The first Jack and Ivy novel; book two, To Free the Stars�??coming August 2023 Includes map of Europe 1917 and discussion questions

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