Review: Gritty, raw realistic view of MC life
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 15, 2013
While this books predecessor, Move The Sun, concentrated front and center on the H/H, Isaac and Lilli, Behold The Stars has them taking a more supporting role to the books main focus - the impending threat to their town of Signal Bend.  Where MTS delved deeply into the couple's character developments and backgrounds, BTS is driven by action, drama and the terrifying realism of what life of an outlaw motorcycle club can wrought.I understand some readers had problems with amount of violence in this book, especially against women.  But, in my own opinion, if you want to read about a bunch of hot guys tooling around on Harleys looking for some harmless s*** kicking and a pretty girl for the night, then go find another book to read.  However, if you want to get down on the street where these guys live, where the long-standing choices they've made come back to bite them in ways that we, in the civilian world, cannot understand, then this is the book to read.  It's hard.  It's rough.  Some scenes are almost too much to take at times.  But it's honest and frighteningly real.  Because we don't live in their 'world' the things that happen to them seem excessively violent.  But if you've ever read a non-fiction book or watched a documentary on the outlaw biker culture, you'd know that what Ms. Fanetti is writing about is spot on.I have to admit that, not even 2 chapters in, I was ticked off at Lilli.  Even OOC at some point with her fighting Isaac on every request, disrespecting the patches during a meeting and even calling them out.  If this were a new author, I'd probably think this character was going to be like this throughout the book and drop it then and there.  But because I've read this author's past work, I knew there was a reason behind this odd behavior.  Both Lilly and Isaac are finding their 'fit' with each other, he having an ol' lady after so many years alone and she giving herself over to belonging to a man.  Yeah, they fight, but they do it maturely, justifiably and with respect for each other.  There's no dramatics, theatrics or immature storming out by Lilli.  These two TALK. And coming to a happy medium about his need to protect her along with her need to retain her independence is important to their advancement as a couple and as individuals as the town of Signal Bend finds themselves heading into a war they may not be able to win.The action is literally non-stop and the main plot itself is superbly thought out and woven in between time to spend with the characters - not just the H/H, but the rest of the Horde.  Lilli forges a sweet bond with one of the prospects early on as well as interacting with the rest of the guys as the beginnings of retaliation begin to rain down on the town.  There's an early scene with a tragedy at a barn that had me weeping, but it was instrumental to Lilli's growth as a nurturer.  The Horde, and the town, come together in a Braveheart-esque scene that really convinces you that somehow, they'll end up standing in the end.  But not before the danger which threatens to consume the town tries the lowest form imaginable to  to penetrate the exteriors of these hard, proud men - and that's by going after their women.The scenes are gut wrenching, some details implied, while others are a bit details, but necessary to understand the lengths some men go to break others.They come together as a family unit to deal with the tragedy to where Isaac can't even begin to believe his own words about being able to come out of this alive.  As to whether the do and how they go about it, you'll just have to read.  I wanted to put a spoiler warning and list everything that captured me, but then this review would be really long!  Trust me, if you want no -nonsense, balls to the wall depiction of the consequences this culture can endure(as well as love Isaac, Lilli, Show and the rest of the Horde) then you have to read this.What I loved was the way Lilli segued herself into this town life and her desire to make the transition from her current position and find purpose in where she lives without losing her strength, independence or sense of self.  Her and Isaac find balance to their lives on a personal level - a strength which comes into play as to how they deal with the impending danger to their town and the aftermath which follows.  If you loved these two in MTS, you'll fall deeper for them in BTS.Speaking of falling deeper, I'm buying my one-way ticket to Signal Bend because I'm head over heels for Showdown, Isaac's VP, right hand man and voice of reason, and am absolutely PSYCHED the third book looks to concentrate on him and his story.  This book delves into his convoluted, yet sad family life and also sets up a nice segue into what we might be in for in the third book.The writing, plot, characters, action, pace and continuity are tight, fluid and spot on.  I absolutely loved it!