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goodbetterbetsy's review
4.0
Celyn/Digger, a thief in the city of Gerse, has managed to escape from the Greenmen and be taken in as a maid to a noble family. Unfortunately, someone there learns her past and uses it against her. In order to stay at Bryn Shaer she must collect secrets and build a case against the people she's come to trust so that they can be turned over to the King as traitors.
I really enjoyed this story and am glad it continues. The characters were great and the story was pretty intricate.
I really enjoyed this story and am glad it continues. The characters were great and the story was pretty intricate.
kiperoo's review
4.0
StarCrossed is a wonderfully told story that already has me itching for the sequel. Ms. Bunce pulled the reader directly into Digger's world with a fantastic voice that never had me doubting anything she told me - although it was certainly helpful to have the glossary in the back!
Digger is a lovable heroine with great weaknesses and a boatload of secrets. She (and Bunce) give us some bones along the way, making for an exciting read, but they also manage to hold some inside until very near the end, where she spills to exactly the right person.
The secondary characters are likewise completely believable and intriguing, each with his or her own set of issues that interact so perfectly with Digger's. The action leading up to the climax had me turning pages to the exciting and satisfying ending.
Well, almost satisfying. Because all I can say now is: "Pox! Now I have to wait for the sequel!"
Digger is a lovable heroine with great weaknesses and a boatload of secrets. She (and Bunce) give us some bones along the way, making for an exciting read, but they also manage to hold some inside until very near the end, where she spills to exactly the right person.
The secondary characters are likewise completely believable and intriguing, each with his or her own set of issues that interact so perfectly with Digger's. The action leading up to the climax had me turning pages to the exciting and satisfying ending.
Well, almost satisfying. Because all I can say now is: "Pox! Now I have to wait for the sequel!"
bak8382's review
4.0
When Digger's latest thieving job goes wrong, and she finds herself on the run a lucky chance brings her into the company and service of Meri Nemair. With her troubles over for now she begins to settle into her new role. Her peace is shattered by Lord Dual who has discovered her secret, and she begins to work for him. What Digger discovers leads her to question everything she knows about herself and the world around her.
I loved Bunce's first novel [b:A Curse Dark as Gold|1743390|A Curse Dark as Gold|Elizabeth C. Bunce|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1286811706s/1743390.jpg|1741046] so I was excited when I heard about this novel, and I was not disappointed. While I was occasionally confused by all the different people and lands involved in this book it was well worth the effort to sort them all out. Digger is a strong protagonist surrounded by equally well drawn secondary characters. If I have one complaint it would be the lack of romance for Digger, but I'm hoping that will be remedied in the sequel Liar's Moon.
I loved Bunce's first novel [b:A Curse Dark as Gold|1743390|A Curse Dark as Gold|Elizabeth C. Bunce|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1286811706s/1743390.jpg|1741046] so I was excited when I heard about this novel, and I was not disappointed. While I was occasionally confused by all the different people and lands involved in this book it was well worth the effort to sort them all out. Digger is a strong protagonist surrounded by equally well drawn secondary characters. If I have one complaint it would be the lack of romance for Digger, but I'm hoping that will be remedied in the sequel Liar's Moon.
vikcs's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ladyknightmeg's review
4.0
If you like fantasy and/or mysteries with a kick-ass main character in an awesomely built world, then you will probably love this book. There was action from start to finish, and Bunce did an excellent job of providing reader with many surprises that were not in any way obvious (to me at least).
I always feel weird summarizing books because, well, I'm sure you are all capable of reading the actual summary, but here it goes:
Digger is a thief working in the city of Gerse in a country where magic has been banned. When an unfortunate event leads to her partner's capture. She gets away and through a series of strange events gets taken in by a noble family after befriending their daughter, Merista.
While staying with the Nemair, Merista's family, she is forcibly employed by Merista's foster uncle, Lord Daul who wants Digger to uncover the Nemair's secrets for him - and in return he will not Digger's own secrets.
I thought that the world-building in Star Crossed was fantastic. Bunce has created a world with seven moons, a religion based on those moons, and a world where it seems that women are not wholly inferior (breath of fresh air). I love the slang terms that Bunce has used/created, and I love Digger, the main character. I found her to be real, and not at all annoying like many of the main characters in books that I've been reading in the past year or so.
All in all 4.5 stars from me. A solid, well-written novel.
I always feel weird summarizing books because, well, I'm sure you are all capable of reading the actual summary, but here it goes:
Digger is a thief working in the city of Gerse in a country where magic has been banned. When an unfortunate event leads to her partner's capture. She gets away and through a series of strange events gets taken in by a noble family after befriending their daughter, Merista.
While staying with the Nemair, Merista's family, she is forcibly employed by Merista's foster uncle, Lord Daul who wants Digger to uncover the Nemair's secrets for him - and in return he will not Digger's own secrets.
I thought that the world-building in Star Crossed was fantastic. Bunce has created a world with seven moons, a religion based on those moons, and a world where it seems that women are not wholly inferior (breath of fresh air). I love the slang terms that Bunce has used/created, and I love Digger, the main character. I found her to be real, and not at all annoying like many of the main characters in books that I've been reading in the past year or so.
All in all 4.5 stars from me. A solid, well-written novel.
scribesprite's review
4.0
This is not a book that I just could ride out. I had to do some work and some thinking in order to keep things straight. This is almost straight up YA fantasy.
It took me a while to finish and after I did I had a headache. I thought, That's not a good sign…but I really did like it. There could've been a number of other reasons for having a headache like sleep deprivation or the heat. I think the biggest struggle I had with the story was that it took so long. It felt like it dragged. I'd hoped that it would be faster pace. But looking back on it I realized that if I had read this when I was younger I might've liked it better but I'm so used to fast ADHD paced YA now that this felt that much slower. Or maybe I'm just remembering it wrong.
This fantasy has a sort of mystery to it. No one is who they seem (including Digger herself) and Digger has no idea what she is in for. During the middle of the book secret after secret is revealed which just made me more confused and I could never figure out what was what until right before or when Digger figured it out herself. That part was both fascinating as well as frustrating. The last quarter is when things start to pick up and begin to clear up.
Digger as a character I could enjoy because she was not a completely stereotyped super tough girl. She doesn't feel uncomfortable in dresses because she is a girl. She is very practical though curious. One thing is that Digger isn't necessarily likeable but she does have a good side and I was rooting for her the whole time.
The other characters are well developed too like Lady Lyll, Meri, and someone who shall not be named for spoiler reasons were my favorites.
I will be looking out for [b:Liar's Moon|10345489|Liar's Moon (Thief Errant, #2)|Elizabeth C. Bunce|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1298001260s/10345489.jpg|15248261] when it comes out.
It took me a while to finish and after I did I had a headache. I thought, That's not a good sign…but I really did like it. There could've been a number of other reasons for having a headache like sleep deprivation or the heat. I think the biggest struggle I had with the story was that it took so long. It felt like it dragged. I'd hoped that it would be faster pace. But looking back on it I realized that if I had read this when I was younger I might've liked it better but I'm so used to fast ADHD paced YA now that this felt that much slower. Or maybe I'm just remembering it wrong.
This fantasy has a sort of mystery to it. No one is who they seem (including Digger herself) and Digger has no idea what she is in for. During the middle of the book secret after secret is revealed which just made me more confused and I could never figure out what was what until right before or when Digger figured it out herself. That part was both fascinating as well as frustrating. The last quarter is when things start to pick up and begin to clear up.
Digger as a character I could enjoy because she was not a completely stereotyped super tough girl. She doesn't feel uncomfortable in dresses because she is a girl. She is very practical though curious. One thing is that Digger isn't necessarily likeable but she does have a good side and I was rooting for her the whole time.
The other characters are well developed too like Lady Lyll, Meri, and someone who shall not be named for spoiler reasons were my favorites.
I will be looking out for [b:Liar's Moon|10345489|Liar's Moon (Thief Errant, #2)|Elizabeth C. Bunce|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1298001260s/10345489.jpg|15248261] when it comes out.
storytimed's review
3.0
Ehhh. Inconsistent characterization, hazy worldbuilding and an unfortunate propensity to glamorize and glorify the aristocracy, including a villain whose essential motive is "she was super jealous". Well-written enough, but much of this book felt like it was thoughtlessly trading on already established YA and fantasy tropes.
elentarien's review
3.0
I actually quite liked this one. It was a little slow getting started, but all in all an interesting read.
caroparr's review
3.0
The setting, in an ancient castle snowbound in the mountains, is very appealing. I found some of the plotting a bit weak, especially towards the end when her evil brother arrives but conveniently leaves the principals alone to plan and carry out their rebellion unopposed. Good, but I don't feel the need to read the sequel.
pickledpuck's review
3.0
It is currently around one year later, and I still look fondly back at all the notes I made while reading this book. I am surprised I even finished this.