Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
A captivating adventure story about a clever street-thief who is first sheltered by some teenage nobles in a medieval-like small city, and then neatly incorporated into their lives. Once there, she is blackmailed by a mysterious member of the family's entourage into spying on the family...which is involved in something intriguing.
It was captivating, but the gradual unfolding of Celyn's secret background made it seem more complex than it was, once revealed. I kept thinking she had a very deep, dark secret, but it was a child's secret, that kept its power over her even though she was nearly adult. It bothered me that a very likable character was abandoned too early in the book, never to reappear, although his name was too similar to the name of a person introduced later in the story, who I wished would go away, but wouldn't.
However, the worst part is that Celyn betrays the very few people who are kind to her and who she trusts, and even though she is forced to do it, she never fully confesses nor is she forgiven, but her assumption of innocence continues after she confesses a very minor act. In contrast, an unpleasant character accomplishes one betrayal, and exiles herself immediately afterward.
Perhaps discussion happens "off-screen" so I'm unsure what has been explained between characters, although they seem to have no interest in speaking to one another.
Definitely a set-up for a sequel.
It was captivating, but the gradual unfolding of Celyn's secret background made it seem more complex than it was, once revealed. I kept thinking she had a very deep, dark secret, but it was a child's secret, that kept its power over her even though she was nearly adult. It bothered me that a very likable character was abandoned too early in the book, never to reappear, although his name was too similar to the name of a person introduced later in the story, who I wished would go away, but wouldn't.
However, the worst part is that Celyn betrays the very few people who are kind to her and who she trusts, and even though she is forced to do it, she never fully confesses nor is she forgiven, but her assumption of innocence continues after she confesses a very minor act. In contrast, an unpleasant character accomplishes one betrayal, and exiles herself immediately afterward.
Perhaps discussion happens "off-screen" so I'm unsure what has been explained between characters, although they seem to have no interest in speaking to one another.
Definitely a set-up for a sequel.
A good book with a nice bit of mystery and intrigue and political manuevering. I appreciated the completely foreign setting, but sometimes the names were a bit out there and it was hard to imagine how they would be pronounced (and I'm one of those weird people who likes to know how names would be pronounced in books). Also the stuff about all the different moons was a little strange to me, but that could just be me. All in all, it was a solid book and I look forward to seeing what happens to Digger and everyone else in the sequel.
I liked this story a lot. My only real complaint is that there were so many characters in the first 1/3 of the book that it was a bit confusing. I loved the slow unfolding of the mystery.
This was an enjoyable book that kept you wanting to read more, but it didn't particularly grip me till halfway through. Perhaps Liar's Moon will be what solidifies the love of the series for me, but I did enjoy this. It's a good solid YA piece that is full of intrigue and deception as Digger is a thief by trade. It does open with a bang, but it also leaves you somewhat in an awkward place as you move away from there and, somewhat, get back to it at the end of the book. I enjoyed the intrigue and secrets, though, as there were a few moments towards the end where things were revealed that made me go, "What?!" If you like Tamora Pierce, you'd likely like this as it's got a similar feel, but with a little less magic in this book. I suspect with the others, magic will become more prevalent and important as the end leaves you to believe. At any rate, I enjoyed it and have already preordered Liar's Moon. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Digger, or Celyn as she goes by now, is a talented thief, and an even better liar who hides in the gutter of her home city. But when a job goes dreadfully wrong, she sneaks away with a group of four nobles who will change her life forever. With magic outlawed, Digger's own gifts are just as much of a danger as the lady's she is staying with. Not to mention the secret sarist rebellion planned by the very same lady's parents. A hidden prince, lies and deceit, and magic surround Digger and lead her to the final battle; a battle that drags up her own hidden secrets, and a past she had hoped to leave behind forever.
When you look for a fantasy novel to read, you obviously check the fantasy/sci-fi section in the bookstore or the library. Easy, right? But then if you're specifically looking for a YA fantasy novel you go to the YA section of the bookstore or library and then start skimming the backcover to check if the book is fantasy or not. Unless of course someone has clearly suggested to you that this book is YA fantasy! Then all is easy simple and done. Weeeellll....It seems that these days there are more urban fantasy novels and paranormal/supernatural novels than fantasy in the YA section so it's a little hard to define. There are only so many that are actually high fantasy such as Garth Nix (Sabriel), Anne-Laure Bondoux (The Princess and the Captain), Kristin Cashore (Graceling and Fire), Anne Osterlund (Aurelia), Jessica Day George (Princes of the Midnight Ball), Dianna Wynne Jones (Howl's Moving Castle) and Of course, how could I forget, my favourite Maria V. Snyder (The Study Series and The Glass Series)
So I was a little surprised how high fantasy Elizabeth C. Bunce's StarCrossed was. I loved her debut novel A Curse Dark as Gold, it had all the detail and careful revision of a seasoned writer. It was magical and twisted with good characters and plot. She completely reworked the Rumplestiltskin fairy tale and made it her own.
When I learned she was writing a new novel titled 'StarCrossed' I couldn't wait to read it. Took a while but finally I had it in my room sitting there on my desk looking pretty and charming.
But with any book that did not belong to a series but is written by the same author, I was hesitant. I was hesitant because I didn't want to be disappointed. I wanted to be wowed as I had with her debut novel.
But I picked it up and read the first page.
It was good. Better than good. It was awesome! She has done it again, creating a masterpiece of fantasy that has all the pros and cons, a character that's strong and female-like all at the same time.
So, StarCrossed is about Digger, who calls herself Celyn for 89% of the novel. She's a thief, who was on a job at the beginning when things go wrong. Then along comes along a boatful of people the same age as herself who are sons and daughters of some of the most powerful and notorious people in Gerse. All too soon Digger/Celyn is caught in a hurricane of secret plots, of traitors and hidden Princes, of political mischief and magic. What is she going to do when everyone seems to be asking something from her and all she is, is nothing but a thief? Or so we think. Lord Daul learns the truth, and soon everyone learns the truth about who Digger/Celyn really is.
Bunce does an incredibly good job with this novel. She makes the world come to life with her words and description. It is high fantasy from top to bottom without skipping the guts. Imagine a cake, perhaps a wedding cake with layers and layers of cake and cream. Well some fantasy novels are all cream but no cake. Imagine the cake as the essentials of the plot (setting, background, notorious subplots, so on...) and imagine the cream as the topping that smooths the roughs of the plot. StarCrossed has both cake and cream! And in equal amounts too so that it doesn't seem like there's too much cream or too much cake and not enough of the other. The immense detail and thought that Bunce puts into the novel makes me think that it could rival some of my favourite adult fantasies such as Robin Hob's Assassin's Apprentice and the rest of that trilogy, and Brent Weeks's Night Angel trilogy
This novel does not disappoint.
So I was a little surprised how high fantasy Elizabeth C. Bunce's StarCrossed was. I loved her debut novel A Curse Dark as Gold, it had all the detail and careful revision of a seasoned writer. It was magical and twisted with good characters and plot. She completely reworked the Rumplestiltskin fairy tale and made it her own.
When I learned she was writing a new novel titled 'StarCrossed' I couldn't wait to read it. Took a while but finally I had it in my room sitting there on my desk looking pretty and charming.
But with any book that did not belong to a series but is written by the same author, I was hesitant. I was hesitant because I didn't want to be disappointed. I wanted to be wowed as I had with her debut novel.
But I picked it up and read the first page.
It was good. Better than good. It was awesome! She has done it again, creating a masterpiece of fantasy that has all the pros and cons, a character that's strong and female-like all at the same time.
So, StarCrossed is about Digger, who calls herself Celyn for 89% of the novel. She's a thief, who was on a job at the beginning when things go wrong. Then along comes along a boatful of people the same age as herself who are sons and daughters of some of the most powerful and notorious people in Gerse. All too soon Digger/Celyn is caught in a hurricane of secret plots, of traitors and hidden Princes, of political mischief and magic. What is she going to do when everyone seems to be asking something from her and all she is, is nothing but a thief? Or so we think. Lord Daul learns the truth, and soon everyone learns the truth about who Digger/Celyn really is.
Bunce does an incredibly good job with this novel. She makes the world come to life with her words and description. It is high fantasy from top to bottom without skipping the guts. Imagine a cake, perhaps a wedding cake with layers and layers of cake and cream. Well some fantasy novels are all cream but no cake. Imagine the cake as the essentials of the plot (setting, background, notorious subplots, so on...) and imagine the cream as the topping that smooths the roughs of the plot. StarCrossed has both cake and cream! And in equal amounts too so that it doesn't seem like there's too much cream or too much cake and not enough of the other. The immense detail and thought that Bunce puts into the novel makes me think that it could rival some of my favourite adult fantasies such as Robin Hob's Assassin's Apprentice and the rest of that trilogy, and Brent Weeks's Night Angel trilogy
This novel does not disappoint.
Digger, the forgery expert and thief, finds herself in trouble. So she decides to hide and what better way to hide than posing as a noblewoman? What Celyn/Digger didn't count on was her noble host family planning a rebellion against the king and the church.
Second book is planned called "Liar's Moon."
Second book is planned called "Liar's Moon."
This was AWESOME. Dark and twisty, set in a world that was very reminiscent of Megan Whalen Turner's "The Thief" - excellent characters, lots of twists and turns, and a touch of religion in there too. Sooooo good. I cannot wait for the next one.
3.5 The beginning was VERY slow. Lots of info-dumping, but it was still confusing. Then I finally discovered the glossary. That made my life so much easier! Finally, the plot began to speed up. Digger/Celyn is an ok protagonist. She was brave and stuff but annoyed me at times. She could be offensive. The ending was good and there is a little tiny cliffhanger. Will I read the sequel? Probably, but I'm not super excited. Oh and one more thing, GLOSSARIES ONLY BELONG IN TEXTBOOKS. Fiction authors should have the ability to thoroughly explain the background to their stories without a glossary. The reader should be able to identify what key parts out without the textbook effect. Thanks for listening to my 15838368383rd rant.
The first 50 pages were a bit slow, but well worth getting through for the rest of the story. Thieves, blackmail, conspiracy, and hidden identities abound! A little Megan Whelan Turner, and a little Robin McKinley mixed together for an exciting first book in a new series.