Nightchaser

by Amanda Bouchet

January 1, 2019 · Sourcebooks Casablanca

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TW/CW: A brief scene of self-harm, child deaths, murder, though none of these things are graphic in description.

Nightchaser is the first book in the new sci-fi romance series by Amanda Bouchet. If you’ve been bopping around the site for the last few months, you’ve probably seen me mention it or at least, heard me discuss it on the podcast. Since I’m always looking for new sci-fi romance and I loved Bouchet’s previous series, I’ve been looking forward to this one for quite some time.

In promotional materials, the book was described as “Robin Hood meets Star Wars,” though I’d warn it’s more of the former and less of the latter, at least in this first installment. There’s a slow burn romance between two characters whom I came to adore, an exciting cast of secondary characters, and big secrets. What it was missing most, though, was momentum.

We open with Captain Tess Bailey and her crew having just stolen a lab from the Overseer and his Dark Watch. The crew believe the lab contains vaccines, which they plan to distribute to those in need. Instead, the lab is filled with a serum designed to turn people into super soldiers. Tess and her crew narrowly escape, but must take shelter on a planet to repair things, fuel up, and decide what to do with this discovery. Should they destroy the serum? Or give it to rebels to help overthrow the tyrannical Overseer?

Decisions, decisions.

While temporarily stranded on the planet, Albion 5, Tess meets Shade Ganavan, dubbed “SRP,” or “Space Rogue Phenom.” Tess hires him to patch up her ship and there’s an instant attraction between the two. However, what Tess doesn’t know is that there’s now a huge bounty on her head (her comm systems are down, which is a plausible reason to be out of the loop) and Shade moonlights as a bounty hunter from time to time.

As Shade spends more time with Tess, he becomes increasingly torn about helping her versus turning her in for the bounty. To complicate matters is Tess’ own personal history. See, she’s the daughter of the Overseer and her blood is the foundation for creating the aforementioned super serum.

It’s a bit of a tangled web, keeping track of who knows what and how much, but it adds a level of tension and depth that I appreciated. But I must admit that the most difficult part of reading Nightchaser was my brain’s constant comparisons to Bouchet’s debut A Promise of Fire.

A Promise of Fire hooked me from the get go with its character relationships forged in fierce battles and a road trip element. I was expecting something similar here. Instead, most of the book takes place on Albion 5 and the action I so longed for didn’t happen until the end. Comparing Nightchaser to A Promise of Fire was the wrong move, and once I let go of my mental rubric, I enjoyed the book a bit more.

That doesn’t mean I’m excusing away the pacing, because there’s still some lopsided plot progression. However, the growth and change in character dynamics is where a bulk of the story takes place. So if you love romance that contains more layered character study, you’ll really enjoy this.

I’ve been reading a lot of slow burn stories lately and not on purpose. Sometimes they really work and sometimes they don’t. I’m a bit in the middle on this one. The friendship and connection Tess and Shade develop are rather adorable for two people who aren’t used to putting down “roots.” They don’t want to get attached, but it’s tough because you can clearly feel how much they enjoy spending time with one another.

But when shit hits the fan and everything comes to a head—Tess learns about the bounty and that Shade has been considering claiming it—the pair need to go through a lot more discussion before I buy into an HEA. Shade is definitely apologetic for his actions and does take measures to redeem himself, but for me, it’s wasn’t quite satisfying enough to reunite Tess and Shade in a romantic way.

The setting Bouchet created was lovely and the Overseer reminded me of my favorite dystopian sci-fi novel, We by Yevgeny Zamyatin. You could also compare it to 1984 or Brave New World, where modesty and order reign supreme while arts and emotion are cast out. As someone who wholeheartedly embraces their Meyers-Briggs INFJ-ness, I love stories where love conquers logic.

You won’t have to worry too much about a cliffhanger. The book ends with readers know ing what looms on the horizon for Tess and her crew. There are some questions lingering, but none that will drive you batty until the next book comes out. And while cliffhangers don’t typically bother me, I do like an ending that feels a little like an ellipsis, noting that there’s more to come.

For those familiar with Bouchet’s fantasy romance series, do not go into Nightchaser thinking it’s going to be A Promise of Fire set in space. Tess is a more altruistic, selfless heroine and a majority of the conflict is internal. Despite some pacing quibbles and the dissection of Shade’s grovel, this was a fun read with characters you’ll get attached to and a quest for good to triumph over evil.

Oh…and I feel like it’d be a crime if I didn’t mention Susan. Who’s Susan you ask? She’s the owner of a bookstore called Flipping Pages and she has a basement full of cats. You’ll love her.