'Vivid, violent and visceral: an impressive debut' Kate Elliott, author of Unconquerable Sun

**WINNER OF THE PHILIP K. DICK AWARD**

**SHORTLISTED FOR THE LOCUS AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL**

'5 hundred thousand freaking beautiful, burning stars!! I freaking loved this so much' ?????

reader review

Jun Ironway, hacker, con artist, and only occasional thief, has got her hands on a piece of contraband that could set her up for life: evidence that implicates the powerful Nightfoot family in a planet-wide genocide seventy-five years ago. The Nightfoots control the precious sevite that fuels interplanetary travel through three star systems. And someone is sure to pay handsomely for anything that could break their hold.

Of course, anything valuable is also dangerous. The Kindom, the ruling power of the three star systems, is inextricably tied up in the Nightfoots' monopoly - and they can't afford to let Jun expose the truth. They task two of their most brutal clerics with hunting her down: preternaturally stoic Chono, and brilliant hothead Esek, who also happens to be the heir to the Nightfoot empire.

But Chono and Esek are haunted in turn by a figure from their shared past, known only as Six. What Six truly wants is anyone's guess. And the closer they get to finding Jun, the surer Chono is that Six is manipulating them all - and that they are heading for a bloody confrontation that no one will survive unscathed.

'One of the best SF books I've read. Period' Michael Mammay, author of Planetside

'Intricately plotted and tightly paced . . . Space opera fans will eat this up' Publishers Weekly

'A multi-layered saga full of courtly intrigue and indelible characters, Bethany Jacobs' These Burning Stars warps readers across the galaxy on a devilishly fun thrill ride' Bookpage

'A fast-moving novel of action and intrigue, which Jacobs pulls off with vivid energy, bringing her threads together in an explosive conclusion' Locus

Reader reviews:

'6/5?? This book is quite literally the definition of perfection to me' ?????

I feel like I just overdosed on emotions. This book is extraordinary . . . 5 stars and I only wish I could give it more' ?????

'It is a crime that this book isn't more popular, and I will be throwing myself at the feet of Bethany Jacobs for the next in the series' ?????

'I cannot seem to find the words to convey how much I enjoyed this book. The only thing I can say is . . . holy shit' ?????

'What kind of intergalactic masterpiece did I read?' ?????