I read an eARC of this so thank you to Net Galley, the author and the publisher.

This was a wonderful piece of sci-fi. A fascinating piece of political intrigue!

We are introduced to Esek at a point where she challenges a student to impress her. This is a prologue to a story that takes place years later and her obsessive desire to catch this student who continually evades her whilst sending her taunts. We meet Esek later when she is sent on a mission to retrieve something and is assigned a Cleric called Chono to accompany her. They have a complicated relationship with a lot of history.

Chono is quite formal and structured whereas Esek is chaotic and violent. We also follow a third character Jun who is this world’s version of a hacker and is attempting to buy a memory coin with rare and valuable information.

This was really character focussed and that worked so well as it made the sci-fi elements and world building fall into place really naturally and in a way that was easy to follow.

This was set in space but almost had a cyberpunk feel to it with the hackers and body mods.

I found the unravelling of the history through the memory coins was done so well and the reveal at the end was excellent!

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I would gladly continue this series. I appreciated that the author wrapped up the core mission of this story whilst leaving the door open for the next book.

A twisty sci fi tale that reminded me of Seven Devils, but more complex- as if that book had mingled its DNA with the First Sister. I enjoyed it, though I couldn’t help but feel I’m a little too stupid for all the plot points, or that some of it (the politics and trade deals) was a little dry. Still an enjoyable read, and reccomended if you’re smarter than me!

There's a lot to take on board when you start any new epic science-fiction series and there can often be some initial confusion about making sense of the new worlds, new technology, new religions, warring factions and a troubled history leading up to the current crisis. Any SF reader will be used to that and remain confident that all will become clear and that in the meantime they will hopefully be presented with an exciting situation with compelling characters and ideas. Bethany Jacobs, in her debut novel, can be relied upon to deliver just that in These Burning Stars, with the promise of more exciting adventures to come in the rest of her Kindom Trilogy.

In the first volume we are in the Treble, three star systems which have been colonised in an ancient past from a now largely unknown background. What we do know is that there are several rival families and religious divides and that the three adjoining star systems are connected through jump gates that were fueled by jevite, a mineral mined from the moon Jeve. That moon no longer exists, as it was destroyed a hundred years ago, along with much of the native Jeveni population by the notorious Lucos Alayne, and the jumps are now powered by sevite manufactured and controlled by the Nightfoot clan, which gives them considerable influence in the Kindom.

Trouble is brewing however after an attack by an unknown group on Verdant, the ancestral home of the Nightfoot. The jump gates have been taken down after a reported pirate attack on a Jeveni ship, and the Jeveni, their population now largely exploited for cheap labour, are threatening rebellion. After the death of the Nightfoot matriarch, it's in this troubled situation that the ruthlessly unpredictable Esek Nightfoot and her rather more measured kin cleric Chrono have been sent out to track down a memory coin, one of the few objects looted from Verdant that have been reported as resurfacing. Esek and Chrono however are too late to stop a transaction between the pirates who have the coin and Sunstep, a wanted criminal, a skilled caster with ties to a number of illegal technologies. The memory coin is believed to have belonged to Lucos Alayne, responsible for the genocide on Jeve, but what secrets might it contain?

Reading a new SF series by an unknown debut author, it's inevitable that comparisons and influences will be considered, and it's at least helpful to give an idea where they fit in to the wide genre of science-fiction. With the use of jevite to power jump gates and the power lying with aristocratic religious-order families who control it, there's the hint of a little bit of Dune here, but only in the broadest of ways. The dark brutality in Esek, immediately hinted at in the opening chapter, reminded me more of Iain M Banks and, if not quite fitting into his ideas for the Culture, what takes place here could certainly be somewhere in that universe. The exploitation of the Jeveni, the mining and the revenge plot that develops, reminded me also of Pierce Brown's Red Rising trilogy. All these are places I'd be happy to revisit in another form (particularly since the loss of Iain Banks), but there's more than enough character and originality, enough action, secrets and mystery to make These Burning Stars thrilling and exciting in its own right, with Bethany Jacobs a welcome new voice on the scene creating a universe that is full of potential.

The world, the characters and the history of the Treble is inevitably a lot more complicated than described above - you really don't want any spoilers going into this one - but it's to the credit of the author, how she drops in backstory and gradually reveals the scale of what is at stake, that it is not difficult to get to grips with this quickly. There are a rolling sequence of chases and action sequences to keep it thrilling , as well as a few intriguing background gaps to be filled. One of the main drivers is a figure known as Six, a formidable cloaksaan warrior in training with the Hand who Esek has rashly provoked and is now having to deal with the consequences. With a family origin relating them to Jeveni and to Lucos Alayne (that name again), who knows what kind of trouble has been set loose on the Treble and how much more is to come in the remainder of the Kindom Trilogy, but I am wholly on-board and ready for more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy. It would not be an exaggeration to say this is one of the best books I've read all year. It's immersive, it has great worldbuilding, great characters (specially if you like the morally grey type), fantastic queer representation and a highly satisfying plot that keeps you guessing to the very end. Although this is a series, it does work very well as a standalone story. I thought the exploration of gender was very well done. What is even more impressive is the fact that this is a debut author. Would recommend this is anyone who enjoys sci-fi, but particularly to those that enjoy the vibe of Arkady Martine (Teixcalaan) type series.

In These Burning Stars, we are introduced to a sprawling universe, at least a few thousand years in our future, with meticulous world-building. The action takes place in The Treble, an area of space where humans have settled in three different star systems. There are two different time periods: the 'present', where we follow the viewpoints of different characters, and a progressing 'past', where we follow the viewpoint of a single character.

Several of the characters in this book are questionable, and at least one is absolutely horrible. This character starts things off by completely ruining someone's life on a whim, daring that person to do something exceptional to change the character's mind. The way in which that person then rises to the challenge becomes a central driver for the events that occur.

All the central characters are extremely well fleshed-out, with some very deep motivations and their own quirks. Even some characters who don't necessarily appear 'on-screen' (as it were) for most of the book have some very identifiable traits and motivations.

It took me a little while to get into this book. The two different time streams are denoted in chapter headings by the year in which they take place. These years are only a few decades removed from each other (to start with), so it was a little confusing keeping track of that, at first. Once I got the hang of it after a few chapters, I got complete sucked in. I enjoyed how various different characters' threads are interwoven into the complex story that comes together in the end.

There is definitely a resolution to this story, but not only is there clear room for many more stories in this detailed universe, apparently there are to be (at least) two more books in the series. I will have a hard time waiting for them.

The Kingdom of the Treble is a civilisation founded by ancestors travelling in their generation ships. They found habitable star systems and settled. The resulting ‘Kindom’ is a ruling power across these three-star systems, shrouded in quasi-religion and overseeing all. Society in the Kindom is ruled by three sects, Cloaksaan who are warriors, trained to fight, and who provide security. The Clerics, who carry out religious duties. The Secretaries who carry out the government duties. All others fall under these three sects, very reminiscent of a cast system.

The Nightfoot family control the sevite trade, a precious material that provides fuel for the interplanetary travel through the three-star system. This gives the Nightfoot’s immense power over trade and ties them to the rulers of the Kindom. Nobody dares go against the Kindom, nor the Nightfoots.

Jun Ironway is a caster, equivalent to a hacker. She comes across a video which implicates the Nightfoot family in a shocking genocide which took place seventy-five years ago. The Nightfoots will do anything to keep the footage from being released. The Kindom is so tied up in the Nightfoot’s trade that they will also do anything in their power to stop Jun. They send Cleric’s Esek and Chono after Jun. Esek is a cleric who crosses the boundaries between sects, not afraid to get her hands dirty in the pursuit of those who have wronged the Kindom. Esek is also heir to the Nightfoot fortune. Chono has been trained by Esek, and while she will cross boundaries, struggles with the morality of it.

Esek and Chono try to track down Jun, but are in turn tracked by a figure from their past. As they get closer to finding Jun, the lines between right and wrong get blurred, and everyone needs to decide which side they are on.

This was an amazing piece of sci-fi writing, and even more so as a debut work. Bethany Jacobs has created a fully developed world, with tantalising hints of the origins of the people within it. The Kindom, the ruling factions, and the trickle-down cast system were all skillfully created, and explained through the story, without the author having to sit the reader down and explain.

The characters in the story are all amazing in their own way, with unique traits, that made the flip between one viewpoint to another just as interesting, as we got to spend time looking through each character's eyes. We got to see their journey, what made them tick. The narrative flipping from past to present, and person to person worked really well once you got used to it, as it really enveloped you into the lives of all involved. While not all of the cast of the story are likeable, some can’t even decide themselves if they are good or bad, they are all complex, and you find yourself emotionally invested in them.

Overall the story flows, from one point to another, from one storyline to another, seamlessly and effortlessly. You are drawn to turn page after page, racing along with space cruisers, hunting for sevite, fighting Cloaksaans, diving in to cast, fully immersed into this new world. When you come up for breath you will want to jump right back in. There are twists and turns throughout, and just as you think you have figured out where we are going, the ending will take your breath away.

This is book one in a planned series, and even knowing there is a follow-up in the pipeline, this book stands alone very well. Having said that, I can’t wait for the next in the series. This is definitely one new sci-fi world I want to follow and has left me eager for more.

*I received this book from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.

She who controls the sevite controls the universe...

What an amazing debut from Bethany Jacobs, high and artful science fiction with a deep and moving story. The characters were all so wonderfully written - whether bad or good or in the grey area of that divide, it was impossible not to grow invested in each of their journeys, the inevitable spiral towards the events of the close. The world-building was equally enticing, and leaves so much potential for the series going on.

This is going to be my next SF series obsession, and though the wait may be a long one, it'll be worth it when the time comes. Thank you to Orbit for an ARC if exchange for an honest review

Stunning debut by Bethany Jacobs which immediately puts her in the top division of sci-fi writers.
Set in the Kingdom of the Treble civilisation which was founded by ancestors travelling in their generation ships.
The book follows the fortunes of the Nightfoot family which has been very successful under the control by the matriarch Alisiano . The family control trade in the compound Sevite which is the main power source and is vital for dimensional gate travel. Alisiano has died and the book focuses on the daughter Esek who is a fascinating but hard to like character as she is ruthless, ambitious , determined to get her own way and will happily kill anyone who remotely upsets her.. Her behaviour slightly tempered by the more phlegmatic Chono who is reunited with Esek on a quest.
Society power is divided amongst Cloaksaan (security and warriors ) clerics(religious) and secretaries (government ). But Chono and especially Esek who are both clerics cross the boundaries between the sects.
Clerics train novitiates and Chono was once one of Esek’s.
At the start of the book Esek challenges and sabotages the prospect of a very bright student called six but this decision should come back to haunt her as six is a recurring character in all the machinations of the book. However Esek loves conflict and danger so much that she relishes the prospect of any meeting between them.
Outwith the traditional power structure is Sunstep who is a master caster and is roughly the future equivalent of computer hacker in our present Earth. Her lover Liis Konye is equally unconventional having once been a Cloaksaan.
Can the Nightfoot family survive the instability of Alisiano death and can the family hold onto power when past dark secrets are threatened to be exposed and what of the Jeveni race of miners who mined the original mineral power source and were slaughtered . Could they want revenge.
The story jumps back and forward in time to fill in the background to the current problems and I found this natural and usefull in building up depth of the main characters.
Great contrasting surprises at the end of the book. One of a personal nature and the other in the cosmic scale.
Although part of a planned series this book feels complete by itself and I did not feel disappointed not knowing what happens next. But I will definitely want to read the follow up.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

"These Burning Stars" by Bethany Jacobs is an absolute rollercoaster of that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

Considering this is a debut novel, I am blown away by Jacobs' talent and storytelling prowess. While there may be a slight learning curve with the back-and-forth narrative, it's a minor hiccup in an otherwise exhilarating experience. The morally ambiguous characters add depth and intrigue to the narrative, making them all the more engaging.

The author's world-building is nothing short of exceptional, providing a rich backdrop for a diverse cast of characters who are far from your typical protagonists. Although not all of them are immediately endearing, their complexities and emotional depth make them truly compelling.

At first, the multiple points of view and time slips may seem disorienting, but fear not, because once you become immersed in the story, it becomes an exhilarating ride. The narrative flows seamlessly, urging you to keep turning pages even amidst the busiest of schedules.

Prepare to have your expectations shattered as the story takes unexpected turns, culminating in a finale that I did not see coming. The author's mastery of world-building shines through, particularly in the way she delves into religious elements and the pervasive corruption that infuses the society she's created.

Overall, "These Burning Stars" is a triumphant debut that left me eager for more. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any fantasy lover craving an electrifying adventure, and I cannot wait for the follow-up to continue this thrilling journey. Bethany Jacobs has proven herself a force to be reckoned with in the world of fantasy fiction.

This book has all the ingredients for a good sci-fi novel - warring families, different worlds, space travel and transportation, characters with sci-fi abilities, etc. - and it's a good read. I'm also impressed with the quality given that it's a debut novel. However, one of the main characters was constantly referred to as they or themself. At first I was confused by this but by the end I was annoyed and I knocked a star off because of it.

Haven’t read a fantasy novel like this in absolutely ages! Vivid and complex characters, an interesting world/setting that feels fresh but not incomprehensible, and a fantastically pacy plot. Hugely enjoyable.

Thank you to Little Brown Book group for forwarding a pre-release copy of These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs.

As a first novel I must praise the author for the quality of their writing. I read this novel whilst on holiday and found it an enjoyable introduction to the world of "The Kindom".

Whilst I felt there were some similarities with other fantasy / sci-fi series, there was enough to keep me interested all the way to the end. I will be reading the next book in the trilogy when it becomes available.

The author chose to use of imperial measurements throughout the book, apart from one instance when the term "klicks", slang for kilometres, is used. I can't understand why a single use of the metric system was included. Perhaps something for a sub-editor to pick up before release as it really bugged me.

I enjoyed the twist towards the end of the book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see how this develops.

Overall a good first novel and one I can easily recommend to fans of this genre of fiction. A solid four out of five from me.

I was thoroughly impressed with this debut novel. There isn't much to criticize, except for the back-and-forth timeline that was slightly confusing at first. The characters are all complex and morally ambiguous, with none of them being too predictable. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, and I was completely surprised by the ending. The book was excellent, and I look forward to reading the sequel eagerly.

Wow! A proper twisty space opera full of twists, turns, carefully thought out cultures and peoples, fast paced, dramatic and at times shocking. A beautifully assured debut, I loved it,

I was taken delightedly by surprise by These Burning Stars - for a debut novel it is expertly crafted. There are lots of twists and turns, creating a space opera with lots of political machinations to get your teeth into. The world-building is thorough, and there are a host of complex characters (who may not be “loveable” but certainly pull your emotions along with them). The use of multiple POVs and time slips could be confusing for some, but I felt thoroughly rooted in the story throughout. Whenever I had to put this book down (sadly quite often, as I was reading at a rather hectic time) I couldn't wait to pick it up again. The sample of the second installment in the series at the end makes me even more keen to continue on with this trilogy.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Very impressive for a debut novel. I can't fault much, other than the jumping backwards and forwards, which is confusing until you get used to it. The characters are all morally dubious, some more than others but none of them vanilla in any way. The plot twists and turns and I really did NOT see the end twist coming. I loved the worldbuilding as well: the way the religious aspect to society is fleshed out, and the sense of corruption at the base of most things. Excellent and I can't wait to read the follow on.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy which I will give a free and un biased review here. Being the debut novel by the author Bethany Jacobs I certainly would not of guessed it, polished, deep, visceral well developed characters that draw you and holds your face to the pages. Some sci fic rely upon bamboozling the brain cells with out of this world language and creative physics but the Kindom (play on Kingdom) uses none of these tricks and immediately you feel comfortable in this world, with overtones of Dune (spice) Burning stars (precious sevite that fuels interplanetary travel through three star systems), Straight away I felt at home ! on the various planets we visit and emphasis with the cast system. Well able to create more and further develop a whole new saga if needs be.

Righteousness for the Clerisy. Cleverness for the Secretaries. Brutality for the Cloaksaan. The three Hands.

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group for the arc in exchange for a review!

As Jun would say, this book was Fan-fucking-tastic.
It is so hard to describe the plot, but imagine Star Wars meets Gideon the Ninth meets Game of Thrones’s political drama.

An incredible student known only as Six is struck from the ledger just for impressing one of the most important people in the Kindom with a promise of an apprenticeship if they manage to succeed every single expectation and surprise the best cloaksaan. An impossible feat.
The best caster (basically an amazing hacker) is on the run after stealing a coin which seems to tell the secrets of the genocide of a planet responsible for mining the very material that keep their system functioning by allowing space travel.

Through three perspectives and alternating between present time and past events, the story draws you into a web that is inescapable and complex.

Particularly fascinating was the complicated power dynamics of a convoluted mentor - disciple relationship. Throughout, we must grapple with characters feelings of power, fear, adoration, reverence, and disgust - and how all these feelings result in a functioning, or dysfunctional, relationship.

“Sometimes in life we are presented with dangerous animals. If we train them, guide them, watch them, they can become useful instruments.”

The characters were complex, all morally grey, and struggling to fight for where they fit in within a Kindom which demands loyalty but is ultimately corrupt despite its pledge to peace and order.
At first, they all seem like moving parts and it was hard to form a connection with them, but trust the process and soon you’ll be sitting alongside them in ships as they whiz through time and space, or be in their heads as they try and work out loyalties and logistics.

“If you put her in danger, I'll cut your fucking throat."
Masar rolled his eyes. "You couldn't even reach my throat."

The exploration of gender was particularly prevalent and played a subtle role in dehumanising and controlling the Kindom’s people. Especially their initiatives.
Individuals are not assigned a gender until they are of a certain age or deemed mature enough to choose and gender is a fluid concept in society with mods to change appearances.

They had no names, no gendermarks-and no humanity as far as their teachers were concerned. They were called by numbers, given "it" for a pronoun. She herself was called Three, once. Just another object, honed for a purpose.

I would recommend this for fans of Gideon the Ninth.

I finish this book in 1 night . The book got very well constructed characters, it start slow but suddenly goes boom, the twist was just really nice. The narrative and the whole plot was just nice too. This is a very good debut novel, I enjoy read it and in the end it this is what you need when you enter a new universe and a new book. Since this book is out in October I won’t be giving more details but it is a proper ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ book. But I love the morally corrupt characters, the villain for a reason POV and the brilliant worldbuilding. Who doesn’t love a rebel for a reason story