I told you, didnt I?
Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Let us know if youll be adding this fantasy to your TBR pile! My name is Ren Strange and my pronouns are she/they. Over my dead body . Im so ducking in love with them its not even funnyNow the real question is: Whens 2022?
Shes also a lesbianif I werent rooting for her and Arlo, I would absolutely marry her. This book was everything I had been looking for: a compelling fantasy with a sapphic romance at its center. As for the storyline itself, I find it challenging to write a fantasy series these days rooted in genuinely original faerie lore. .
Ultimately, the Seelie Summer Court pressures and expects a lot from Vehan. : The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon Review. For an urban fantasy novel, there was so much world-building. But the thoughtful, deft way they all come together is both entertaining and natural, and youll find yourself rooting for all of them by the end. The Cruel PrincemeetsCity of Bonesin this thrilling urban fantasy set in the magical underworld of Toronto that follows a queer cast of characters racing to stop a serial killer whose crimes could expose the hidden world of faeries to humans. Something is coming. 
I have made myself the president of her defense club. How can I choose a favourite when they all make me feel like this?!?! . There are just so many unique aspects to the novels dynamics, and these aspects further strengthen the relationships, making them compelling, complex, and alluring at the same time. This is all to say that its kind of difficult right now to release a faerie book that stands out from the pack, and any attempt had better give readers a compelling story to go along with all that lore. Required fields are marked *. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. I wouldnt say enemies, but they certainly get off to an extremely rocky start. It really makes the story stand out because few urban fantasies take place in those locations. Every character is genuinely integral to this story, and when you think someone isnt important, think again. ! Really happy you enjoyed reading it!, i need to pre-order this book NOW!! Muahahhaha I love a girl who says exactly whats on their mind without a care in the world. The secondary characters in A Dark and Hollow Star are terrific and crucial to the story. Touted as a mix ofThe Cruel Prince andCity of Bones,the story features an array of appealing queer characters and a high-stakes story of politics and murder. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Regal Reads! Also, theres an INTERNATIONAL pre-order campaign going on right now that runs on until Feb.22, 2021 for these beautiful character cards, etc!!! Oh Aurelian, youre not fooling anyone, except maybe that person. This guy . All that hurt is too much for one to carry alone and I cant wait to see that healing in the next book, It eats at me, because feeling that?That soul-crushing hopelessness that drowns everything else inside you and tells you youre totally and completely alone, that youre nothing but a tool, a means to an end, a burden, and no one will really miss you when youre gone?I know exactly what thats like.. Thanks! ! The ironborn half-fae outcast of her royal fae family.A tempestuous Fury, exiled to earth from the Immortal Realm and hellbent on revenge.A dutiful fae prince, determined to earn his place on the throne.The princes brooding guardian, burdened with a terrible secret.
We dont know much about him, and what we do know, we can deduce from the page. And while we can probably thank Holly Blacks megapopularFolk of the Air trilogy for a big portion of this trend, youll find faeries and other related members of the folk playing major roles in works from Sarah J. Maas to Naomi Novik. Do I love it anyway? Bloodlines (Bloodlines, #1) by Richelle Mead |Review, Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia |Review, A Dark and Hollow Star (A Dark and Hollow Star, #1) by Ashley Shuttleworth | ARCReview, Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onom | ARCReview, This Vicious Grace (The Last Finestra #1) by Emily Thiede | ARCReview.
ohmygod TELL ME THAT DOESNT WANT TO MAKE YOU CRY?? Nausica owns who she is and what she has done without being afraid of consequences. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What did you think? It seems so interesting! So I read this book hoping to love it, but not expecting anything. But in the long run, it didnt affect my opinion too much since most of the information was fascinating, even if it wasnt always 100% necessary. Change). Arlo is a bit of a grower, but I really learned to appreciate her. Nausica has quite the backstory. From here on out, that die wont be so easy to wield.
especially a certain dark haired, golden eyed person. Usually, Im picky with the rivals to lovers trope because I find that writers often translate this trope to hate but also lots of sex or add an abusive, toxic power imbalance to the relationship that doesnt sit well with me.
And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I know exactly what thats like. Nausica Kraken (aka Nos)the chaotic and very sarcastic lesbian that loves to wreak havoc. And, of course, the plot was riveting. Vehan and Aurelian are both secretly in love with each other, each assuming its unrequited. I want to cry wow do i sound crazy, And lastly theres Aurelian Besseleveryones brooding and dramatic gay druid boy who pretends to not care at all about *ahem* a blue-eyed someone. An introvert who doesnt believe shes anything special, shell find herself drawn into a dangerous mystery involving other ironborn teens suddenly going missing. Your email address will not be published. If Vehan is trapped, the best he can do is fight for his kingdom and his people, regardless of their magical status. Vehan might seem like a conventional character, but he certainly isnt. Writing a multi-POV story can be difficult: It needs to feature distinct voices, with characters that are both distinctly drawn and who have arcs of their own. Nausica is my favorite. I am just asking cause I have no idea and I am really curious about it. For e-ARCS, the easiest way I find is to make a Netgalley account (https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/) and/or Edelweiss account (https://www.edelweiss.plus/#dashboard). His mother treats him harshly; Aurelian, his best friend, has pulled away from him; and everyone else adores Vehan as a means to an end. I loved the mention of Timbits. lets just say that shes very fierce and annoyingly persistent when she wants something.. Theyre going to need it. The way she tries to make people think less of her no no no Nos is not fooling anyone behind this act, especially not Arlo . With the help of his future steward and current (sort of) best friend Aurelian, hell attempt to investigate the ironborn murders on his own, which may lead to dangerous consequences for them both. Vehan has a heart of gold and I loved him immediately. It is truly noble of him, and I hope to learn more about his character in the sequel(s). Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account.
Or it might have been while flipping through catalogs on Edelweiss. Arlo, an ironborn from the UnSeelie Spring Court, is an eighteen-year-old trying to figure out the next chapter of her life. Enter your email address to subscribe to Regal Reads and receive notifications of new posts by email. Heroes were the stuff of tragedies.. If they fail, they risk the destruction of the faerie and human worlds alike. I demand that Ashley be sued for the too many feels.. I love her so much. But on a personal note, it was so fun reading a fantasy story set in Toronto. The banter was fun and exciting, and I felt that you could see how their group falls together, despite being completely different people.
It combines fae lore, Greek mythology, and alchemy, and turns them into a whole new beast that Im still not sure I fully comprehend. . You want to know who is behind the ironborn murders, how a Reaper is involved, and why Luck is fascinated by Arlo. Or at least, were well on the road to seeing them take place. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. There is still a lot more to learn about him, but we already know he is fiercely loyal, sensible, and intelligent. Yes, Im aware Nausica is a fictional character, but I also do not care. I want to make sure youre ready. But the detailed world-building really helped me grasp what precisely this fae world entails and how it is different from other novels. . . Finally, there is Aurelian, Vehans bodyguard. Something that requires the sort of nerve you only find in heroes, without the stagnation of their short-lived roles. Vehan empathizes with the way fae treat and stigmatize ironborns. For a people who it pains to tell lies, youre very bad at admitting truths. There is so much miscommunication between these two, but more on that when I talk about the dynamics. Four queer teens, each who hold a key piece of the truth behind these murders, must form a tenuous alliance in their effort to track down the mysterious killer behind these crimes. Other than a few instances where I felt the world-building was too much that it threw off the pacing/the slew of information dumps, this book was perfect. Even when she is in danger, she relies on her intelligence and instincts.
(And then I can fangirl with someone else hehe), Amazing review! A Dark and Hollow Star is particularly notable for the effortless way it incorporates LGBT and nonbinary characters into its story. The only question is: which way? the yemen crisis, 2019 2021 REGAL READS Sorry for bothering you with this question, though! Aurelian is closed off, but loyal. When done right, its propulsive, drawing readers deeper into the story in an attempt to connect the dots between a group of seemingly disparate stories. Is A Dark and Hollow Star on your list of highly anticipated novels?
He is a mystery of sorts, but when we find out why he stayed away from Vehan, my heart broke. Over and over again. Im tired of seeing the same lead over and over againa strong warrior who never questions what to do, can easily take charge, and saves the day without breaking a sweat. ! AHH YES the cover is what caught my attention too at first and the story itself is even more amazing Hehe and I preordered as soon as I saw that it was International xD, AHHH YES I CANT WAIT TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS!!! Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Nausicaa is a former Fury, with heartbreaking and horrifying reasons behind that former designation. Image courtesy Simon and Schuster. Like those you find in fairytales, mythology, and childrens books? Theres also an element of forbidden romance there.
This quartet of characters is on what is perhaps the slowest of slow-burn tracks exactly one kiss is exchanged between one of these two couples in the entirety of this books almost 500 pages and the entire group are romantic disasters of varying stripes, but the feelings of all parties involved for the others are palpable. Is Six of Crows the Best YA Series Ever Written. Id be happy to tell you! Arlo and Nausica soon discover that their first impressions of one another were so wrong, and then feelings begin to develop, even if Arlo wasnt 100% aware. They want to find out who is behind the ironborn murders. Yet, something continuously draws them to one another. (LogOut/ The relationships are in the very early stages here. . She is a survivor who doesnt take shit from anyone and doesnt care what people think of her. The story hinted continuously at the two main romances, with two tropes that could not be different. it leaves me in awe. your review was so fun to read , Omg thank you Ahaana!! They incorporated Greek Mythology with fae lore and magic, creating a unique spin on faeries and fantasy as a whole. (at least Im pretty sure hes a villain?) (LogOut/ Ashley Shuttleworth captured Aurelian beautifully by showing us who Aurelian is without divulging too much into his past. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I think following Arlo for most of the book is what kept the plot consistent and compelling since she was the one who went to the Faerie Ring, met Luck, and received the magical die.
No. And, ultimately, I think that really benefited my reading experience.Sure, the world-building is a bit muddled. Even the main characters from my favorite fantasy novels have this type of heroine. Im really excited to see how Shuttleworth further explores alchemy and the romantic relationships. A dutiful fae prince, determined to earn his place on the throne.
To have four main characters with their own POVs can be risky, but Ashley Shuttleworth pulls it off flawlessly. The fact that the world-building is jam-packed with fantasy concepts from all over added to the excitement of the story. black lives matter But I kind of dont care. And its two central romances are queer ones, taking place between the former Fury Nausicaa and ironborn girl Arlo, and Seelie prince Vehan and his steward Aurelian. And when the mystery slowly pieces itself together, it is gratifying in every possible way. An immortal condemned to spend eternity in the Mortal Realm, shes torn between causing chaos for her own amusement, and figuring out why dangerous creatures are suddenly stalking the streets. Significantly when Elyas helped Arlo channel magic with the dieI love how her little cousin, who is just a kid, helps her become more confident with her abilities. And Shuttleworth simply drops her readers into the middle of all this and expects them to keep up. (glamour is truly amazing)While the Seelie Courts base is in Nevadarun by their only Queen Riadne, the Unseelie Court are the ones who have true power, living in good ol Toronto, with their High King Azurean.The way Ashley created this world . Sort of. Based on how this story is progressing, I think mother-child relationships have the potential to be a thoroughly explored theme, something I find is rare in the fantasy genre. I could go on forever, so Ill leave it here. Wow, its been a while since I posted, but here. he acts all grump and uncaring, but to find out the truth about the why behind it and know its because of that MONSTER, Im not being dramatic when I say that DEATH MUST COME FOR THAT MONSTER next book OR ELSE, Now I love those 4, but I have to say that Celadon Viridian was my favouritee I wish he was a main character too because Im so hopelessly in love with him. Plus, the older I get, the less YA books connect with me. I cannot remember, but this book is the best thing to happen to me this year. CODE: renstrange. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Set in the magical underworld of Toronto, it follows the story of ironborn teen Arlo Jarsdel, whose half-human, half-fae blood leaves her an outcast in her own family; reckless former Fury and known murderer Nausica Kraken; Fae prince VehanLysterne fromthe Seelie Court of Summer; and Aurelian Bessel, the princes steward, and childhood best friend. I want to MURDER the person who made him feel that way and I know EXACTLY who I should be targeting., Aghh you see what I mean? Have you read A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth? Magic had its rules, and woe betide anyone who tried to sidestep them. They have their own backgrounds and personalities, but they all share one thing in common. And thankfully, A Dark and Hollow Stardefinitely falls into that latter category. Im imagining the moment when they realize their mutual feelings, and good lord, I am so ready for that. the cover is so beautiful!! They craft even what seems unnecessary into riveting material, so even if it does not contribute much to the current plot point, it does not bother you whatsoever. It was Arlos choice.She would have to be the one to decide the shape her future was going to take.She didnt want to be a hero, she didnt want to die, but would her life really be worth living if it meant never taking part in things, regardless of the risk? I went into this book with tempered expectations. If youre looking for a queer fae story or just a fun time, I highly recommend A Dark and Hollow Star. This is 100% definitely better than both The Cruel Prince and City of Bones in my opinion.I dont mean to hype this book too much because the hype can sometimes kill a book BUT SERIOUSLY I LOVE THIS SO MUCH I WOULD DIE FOR THESE GUYS which I definitely was not expecting going into this.Thank you Ashley for making me feel like this. If this is the first time youre hearing about it, are you interested? Im Sarah, and I use she/they pronouns (please use both).
Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth. Your email address will not be published. I mean, I know it is an advanced copy given to you, but how can you get them? Really hope you enjoy it!
Let me know in the comments! Your review made me excited to read this!! He is the most mysterious of the four characters. except with maybe Arlo of course hehe. I understood all the references, and I think I felt more a part of the narrative because of the relatability. I love her and I will not never stop saying how much I love her because this girl is amazing and deserves the world and the respect that some of these idiots cant give. Theyre all just JEALOUS they cant be an ironborn half-fae, half-human haha suckersss. If thats not bad enough, theres a war brewing between the Mortal and Immortal Realms, and one of these teens is destined to tip the scales. When done poorly, its painful. Its exciting, and lived in, and feels like a place that could really exist, just a little bit out of our own reach. Oh my god THIS WAS DUCKING PERFECTArlo, Nos, Vehan, Aurelian . Thankfully,Ashley Shuttleworths debutA Dark and Hollow Star does just that and more. What she did understand was that wherever Nausica went, she was going to follow. Nowif any of them are killed, I will be left destroyed. im terrifiedIn this world, Fae and faeries also live in the human world, while of course, not allowing the humans to discover that magical creatures do in fact exist. It is safe to say Im currently on an intense A Dark and Hollow Star high, and I couldnt be happier. ? , ahhh tyy!!! Book Review: A Dark and Hollow Star by AshleyShuttleworth, apparently i never posted the ducks in love in my yard #twitterpated, im your son & im your daughter, im your mother, im your father #newhaircut #septumring #oksotheringsarefake, April & May 2021 Reading Wrap-Up Strange Storyteller, Follow Strange Storyteller on WordPress.com, Book Review: The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart(ARC), Most Anticipated Books: November & December2021, Book Review: The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake, The Words that Built the Story: A Study of Sarah J. Maas Writing Style, The Words that Built the Story: A Study of Neil Gaimans Writing Style, Dragons and Lesbians and War! Nausica is smart, sassy, and a queen of sarcasm. No character felt misused or unnecessary. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, everyone! His plans are a little unclear and hes protecting Arlo sooooo confusion, If hes evil and all, well I still love him because hes definitely a really cool villain uh oh pretty soon im gonna be rooting for him too smh, Theres a reason why the Lord of Death himself went out of his way to restrain me., yup, theres definitely something wrong with me, As you can see, Im very much in love with practically all the characters in this book (except for that retched monster ofc). also plz kill a certain individual who starts with an RBecause I really, really, really need the next book right now. She is genuinely scared of getting involved, and she certainly does not dive headfirst like heroines usually do. Ahhh rlly hope you enjoy it when you read this!. From there you can request for ARCs!!!
By reluctantly spending more time together, they instinctively start looking out for each other.
But Arlo and Nausica are so different, and to read their story unravel is probably the best thing to happen to me this year. This book sounds so exciting and needs to go on our TBR!!! Arlo thought on the kiss theyd shared just that night. How do ARC reviews work? Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Nobody cares! I have a feeling she wont be for everyone, but shes definitely for me. And who knows what other shenanigans I might get up toso stick around and lets hang out! Arlo doesnt need to be warrior-like or recklessly courageous 24/7. These days, faerie-themed YA fantasy feels as though its everywhere in the world of publishing. Youll have stars in your eyes. If you want physical arcs, thats a bit more work, but you directly go to a publishers website and request for it! The only question is: which way?Wish them luck. Then theres Nausica, also known as my precious murderous child that I will protect at all costs. Ahhh the one regret I have is reading this now, because now I have to wait until 2022 for the next book cries, Bottom line: Once you read this, theres no going back >:). . But thank you ahhhh you definitely should try this out! Yayyy!! The complex story ofA Dark and Hollow Staris set in a world that looks a lot like our own, the eight fae courts work hard to keep the peace in the Mortal Realm and prevent humans from finding out about the existence of fae, immortals and other magical beings. Overall, I had extremely high expectations for A Dark and Hollow Star, and the novel has surpassed all of them. .
I am very very sad and especially after that ending, I fear for my life because whats going to happen omgggg that ducking shouldnt happen. . It is rare for a series to have a strong first book, but A Dark and Hollow Star exceeded every expectation I had. Build your customCulturess Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onCulturess and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. I cant wait to hear your thoughts on this!. ? VEHAN, MY PRECIOUS BISEXUAL CINNAMON ROLL, WHO MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS, especially from certain MONSTERS. Ive tried all the popular fae books and none of them have quite done it for me. Though this group has little in common, the four will eventually form a tenuous alliance to try and both stop a serial murderer and save their world as they know it. I dont want to talk too much about the villain because of spoilers, but I will say thisI loved how the antagonists story unraveled, learning about them in fragments. The soul-crushing hopelessness that drowns everything else inside you and tells you youre totally and completely alone, that youre nothing but a tool, a means to an end, a burden, and no one will really miss you when youre gone? Youre a very clever girl, Arlo Jarsdel, and I was testing that. ? You won because of me. WordPress is being super weird, Im so sorry I saw this so late!!! Arlos relationships with her cousins, Celadon and Elyas, were everything to me. Aurelian also cares deeply, even if he does not show it the same way the other characters do. Her empathy knows no bounds. And yess omg definitely give this a try!! In short, this is one of the most entertaining aspects of the book, and I cant wait to see what happens between both pairs in the sequel. A sidhe prince, a lesidhe guard, an ironborn girl, and a former Furythey seemed less like a serious investigative team and more like the lead-in to some terrible joke. Lesbian MC, questioning (later to be confirmed pansexual, per the author) MC, gay MC, bisexual MC, & 2 genderfluid/non-binary side characters (OwnVoices), Anger, arson, blood/gore, body horror (minor), death of a child, depression, disownment, divorce, drug use/addiction, grief/grieving, human trafficking, poverty, psychopathy, stalking, suicide (past, off-page), suicide ideation, toxic relationship/manipulation, trauma/PTSD, racism, & violence/gun violence.