It’s been a while since I read a really good science fiction romance and Nightchaser was an excellent one to pick to get back into the genre.
Quintessa Novalight, aka Tess Bailey, is on the run for her life… which is nothing new. Being the rebel daughter of the Overseer of an evil empire gets you into that kind of trouble on the regular.
This time, though, it’s do or die. With a stolen lab of literal super-soldier serum on her cargo ship and a Dark Watch cruiser shooting holes in the ship, she takes a suicide run into a black hole… and nobody is more shocked than Tess when she and her crew emerge alive on the other side.
Seeking repairs, she finds one Shade Ganavan, owner of an unusual space repair shop. Shade is Tess’s love interest, and a man with the worst kind of conflict. His innate sense of honour makes him sympathize with the rebels, but the price on her head is the biggest ever offered - and he’s a bounty hunter with a pressing need for cash.
I’m hoping this is only the first in a series, because Tess and Shade and the crew of the Endeavour (and assorted friends) have a long way to go to get close to parity in their long fight, especially now the ruthless Overseer knows his rebel daughter is alive after all.
This reminded me a little of Sharon Lee and Steve Miller’s Liaden Universe series, just as well written and engaging, with a healthy dose of sex and romance mixed in with great worldbuilding. I’ll definitely be along for the ride for the rest of the series. Five stars!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.