Welcome to the Blog Tour for Silent Stars by Brett Armstrong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Silent Stars
Series: Tomorrow’s Edge #3
Author: Brett Armstrong
Publisher: Expanse Books
Release Date: September 26, 2023
Genre: Christian, Dystopian, Science Fiction
AD 2040: Barely eighteen, things have become much harder for Elliott. Reeling from the losses during the confrontation that brought Project Alexandria to a halt, Elliott feverishly hunts for the original files needed to finish it off. Finding only dead ends, he instead stumbles upon something dire: messages about the Babel Initiative. Conceived as a successor that would make Project Alexandria’s manipulations seem tame, this new threat once again forces Elliott into alliances with morally grey programmers known as Siegers. Beset by continual setbacks and defeats, many Siegers abandon the cause and go underground to survive the dangers ahead. The bleak reality that Elliott and those closest to him are almost certain to die in the fight against Dr. Almundson begins to set in. But Elliott isn’t ready to give up. He knows the cost of such a silent surrender will be humanity itself.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop
More in This Series
Silent Stars is the conclusion to Brett Armstrong’s Tomorrow’s Edge trilogy. I haven’t read the first two books, Day Moon and Veiled Sun, and I feel like I would have benefited from knowing the full background of events and characters. I was able to follow along well enough to enjoy the story, though.
Elliott is desperate to bring his grandfather’s plans to completion. The missing files continue to elude him, though, and when he learns of something even bigger, even more terrifying than Project Alexandria, he has to adjust his plans. The Babel Initiative must be stopped at all costs, for if it comes to pass, it will be the end of humanity as we know it. Elliott works with known allies and joins with some he doesn’t know in an effort to bring down Dr. Almundson’s horrifying scheme. One big unknown is The Informer, someone who has appeared to Elliott and his compatriots only as a digitally disguised figure who’s given to speaking in Shakespearean quotes. Is the Informer someone who can be relied upon, or is he part of a trap being laid for them?
The book is one big adrenaline rush. Elliott and Lara run from danger to danger, with only brief interludes of rest, until they face the final battle. I shared Elliott’s anxiety as he tried to discern who he could trust. I felt the tension as he worked to manipulate technology in their self-driving vehicle to keep them hidden from the network, to avoid capture by the powers that be.
The author’s faith is clearly on display here. Some stories hint at Christianity. This one has it in full view, and Elliott’s belief in God is an integral part of his character. Now, his isn’t the pat-answer, have-it-all-under-control variety of faith. He makes mistakes (as our pastor is fond of saying, “None of us walk on water,” and I think Elliott would agree that he does not). He runs from what he feels God nudging him to do. He chooses poorly and has to deal with the consequences of his choices. But he doesn’t give in to temptation when promised that things will fall his way if he’ll just renounce his faith in God. He holds fast when it counts most, and God is faithful. I’ll tell you what, I was cheering at the big climax of the book, and what the characters experienced reminded me that yes indeed, God is faithful, and He never leaves us or forsakes us.
Dystopian vibes in a near future, nail-biting tension, characters working through and living out their faith even in the face of overwhelming opposition, a vividly constructed sci-fi world that isn’t too hard to imagine becoming a reality – if these things appeal to you, I highly recommend Silent Stars and the entirety of the Tomorrow’s Edge trilogy. I’m glad I had the opportunity to get to know the works of Brett Armstrong. I’ll be reading more!
Thanks to JustRead Publicity Tours and the author for a review copy. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.
Keep scrolling to enter the giveaway!
About the Author
Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Tomorrow’s Edge), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.
Connect with Brett by visiting brettarmstrong.net to follow him on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will win a $25 Amazon gift card, print copy of Silent Stars, and a poster of a scene from the Tomorrow’s Edge series!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 4, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 11, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open to winners in the US, Canada, Australia, and UK only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
I liked the review.
Thanks, Rita!
Great review!
great review, Lisa! Thanks for being on the tour 🙂
This sounds like a great book!
Great review. This book looks darn fantastic.